ISSN: 1945-7545
CODEN: GTJODJ
Published Online: 20 May 2008
Page Count: 9

A Polyaxial System for Testing of Jointed Rock Mass Models

Rao, K. Seshagiri
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi

Tiwari, Rajendra P.
Reader, Department of Civil Engineering, Rewa Engineering College, Rewa, M.P.

(Received 22 August 2006; accepted 27 December 2007)

Abstract

A polyaxial loading system was designed and developed at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India for laboratory testing of mechanical behavior of rock mass. The large-scale rock mass models of different joint geometry can be tested under polyaxial stress state simulating in situ stress conditions using this true-triaxial system. The system consists of a 1000 kN capacity vertical frame, a biaxial frame of 300 kN capacity fitted with two pairs of hydraulic jacks and platens, constant confining pressure unit for applying, monitoring, and maintaining horizontal stresses (σ₂ and σ₃) on specimen faces, eight-channel data acquisition system, and a personal computer to record all load and deformation data. Its working was verified by conducting true-triaxial testing on several models specimens of sand-lime blocks having three sets of orthogonal joints.

Keywords:
polyaxial testing system, intermediate principal stress, strength, deformation, rock mass, physical modeling

Paper ID: GTJ100768
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ100768
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