TerraTek triaxial system
Hydraulic, stiff, closed-loop servo controlled triaxial system. Load frame stiffness 5*109 N/m (TerraTek model FX-S-33090). Two control modes are possible for the axial piston: Load and Displacement. Axial force capacity: 1.4 MN. Confining pressure capacity: 70 MPa. Simultaneous electronic measurement of axial and radial strain using a two special four arm strain cantilever system sets with a maximum strain range of 7%. Precision: 0.25 - 0.5% linearity full scale on all strain/displacement transducers as well as load cells. Two load cells (LC) are currently in service: 1000 kN LC for strong rocks, and a 222 kN LC for weak rocks to allow for better resolution in low stress measurements.
Using the close-loop system the following tests can be performed:
Unconfined Compression testsTriaxial Compression testsPost Peak testsCreep testsHydrostatic Compression testsSegment testsUniaxial Strain tests
The 1.4 MN Load Frame at the Rock Mechanics Laboratory of the Negev, with the 70 MPa confining pressure vessel. Top and Left: The four arm radial and axial strain cantilever system. Right- The load frame and pressure vessel.
