Development of a Plane-Strain Device for Soft Rock

by Joseph F. Labuz, Univ of Minnesota, United States,
Andrew Drescher, Univ of Minnesota, United States,
Ioannis Vardoulakis, Univ of Minnesota, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Serviceability and Durability of Construction Materials

Abstract:

Work is now in progress to build a plane-strain apparatus for 'soft' (unconfined compressive strenghts below 35 MPa) rock and concrete, based upon a passive, stiff-frame design. The unique feature of the device is that no kinematical constraints are imposed on the formation of a shear band. By placing the upper platen on a linear bearing, the specimen has the freedom to form a failure mechanism consisting of two rigid bodies separated by a localized zone of deformation. The rational of the design and the improvements over other biaxial devices are discussed.

Subject Headings: Plane strain | Rocks | Equipment and machinery | Soil deformation | Material tests | Material failures | Failure analysis

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