Rock Laboratory Tests

Laboratory testing to determine rock properties is important to various civil, mining, and petroleum engineering activities. Collected samples must be prepared and identified carefully prior to undertaking tests. Typical laboratory tests involve determination of physical properties (density, porosity, water content), hardness and abrasiveness, durability, strength (uniaxial compressive strength, tensile strength, triaxial compressive strength, point load strength, fracture toughness), static and dynamic elastic properties (stress-strain curve for intact rock, sound velocity), strength and stiffness of discontinuities, permeability of intact rock, and swelling properties.