Department Of Mining And Geological Engineering

Rock Mechanics_ GLEN 323

By: Dr. J. Yendaw

UNIAXIAL COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST

LAB REPORT

GROUP MEMBERS;
Naledi.B Shanganya …………..........…. 21000882
Atsile.L Mmopa.......................................21000930
Oagilwe.S Mookodi ................................21000051
Thokomelo R. Moloi…...........………….21000880
Kagiso O. T. Moloi…………………......21000098
Thokgamo P. Motlogelwa .......................21000868 Due Date: 16 April 2024
INTRODUCTION

The slake durability test is a common laboratory method used to assess the
disintegration or breakdown of rock material upon exposure to water. It assesses
how well a rock material holds together when submerged or saturated with
water. The degree of disintegration or erosion during these tests provides
insights into the material’s resistance to water induced breakdown. The test is
simulated to determine the abrasion resistance of shale and other similar soft
rocks that are utilized in embarkment and other construction-related
applications (Z.A. Moradian, 2010). This method involves the sample being
alternatively tumbled in mesh drums through a water medium and over dried for
two cycles. The percentage loss of mass is known as the slake durability index.
This experiment's primary goal is to create an index that measures a rock's
ability to withstand degradation after two standard cycles of immersing and
drying.

Figure 1.0: slake durability set up (Matest.com, 2017)

Slake durability tests are important in infrastructure projects such as road and
building construction, where the stability of the foundations and slopes can be
compromised by water-related degradation. Geotechnical engineers utilize the
Slake Durability Test to determine how susceptible slopes are to erosion and
disintegration brought on by water infiltration. The slake durability test plays a
crucial role in ensuring the stability, durability, and sustainability of civil
engineering projects, environmental management strategies, and resource
utilization practices. It provides valuable information that informs decision-
making processes and helps mitigate risks associated with water-induced
weathering processes.

Durability Test are impacted by these characteristics. Among these elements are
material shape, surface roughness, testing fluid type, rock resistance to swelling
and disintegration, testing equipment properties, sample storage conditions,
number of wetting-drying cycles, the dimensions, weight, and shape of the
specimen pieces.
APPARATUS
· Slake durability device
· Oven
· Weight balance
· Thermometer
· Slake durability test data sheet
· Timer
· Pick hammer
· Brushes

PROCEDURE

An intact rock was taken and broken using a pick hammer. The rock was broken
into 10 equidimensional fragments, each weighing between 40g to 60g. All the
sharp corners were broken off and the total sample was weighed on a pan
balance and the mass was recorded. The rock fragments were placed in the
drum and the drum was weighed. The drum containing the samples was then
mounted to a trough and coupled. The trough was filled with distilled water at
room temperature to 20mm below the drum axis. Then the drum was rotated at
20rpm for 10 minutes. The water temperature at the beginning and the end o the
run was recorded. After the rotation period was complete the drum was
removed from the trough and the lid was removed. The sample and the drum
were both dried in the oven for 16 hours at 105°C. After drying the sample, it
was left to cool, and it was weighed to obtain the mass of the oven dried mass
for the 2nd cycle. The cycle was repeated for the second time and the drum
holding the sample was weighed again to obtain the final mass. The drum was
brushed, and the mass of the drum alone was recorded.
Moradian, Z.A., Ghazvinian, A.H., Ahmadi, M. and Behnia, M., 2010. Predicting slake durability index
of soft sandstone using indirect tests. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences,
47(4), pp.666-671.

THEORY AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The slake durability test first proposed by Franklin and Chandra (1972) is a common
laboratory method used in rock mechanics to assess the influence of weathering on rock and
its disintegration. Franklin and Chandra indicated that mechanisms in slake-durability tests
are subjected to ion exchange and capillary tension. For rocks containing clay materials, the
exchange of cations and anions takes place with the absorption of water which makes the
rock swell in size and slaking occurs. In the test, small rock fragments or cores around 10 to
20 pieces each weighing about 600g are immersed in water for a specified period, typically
10 minutes. The wetting process may only take for parts of the rock, particularly for the
surface part but due to appropriate rotation speed and the level of the water most of the parts
of the rocks get wet. When the rock becomes more saturated, water menisci within the rock
pores increase, which then causes the reduction of capillary tension at grain contacts and the
tips of cracks. Due to the increase in the pores' water content, fracture develops in the rock,
leading to the weathering of rocks. (SWAIN 2010). This mechanism seems to dominate the
durability behavior of porous rock. After the soaking period, the samples are removed from
the water and allowed to air dry.

During the drying process, the water trapped within these pores and cracks may evaporate,
causing internal stresses within the rock. These stresses can lead to the expansion and
contraction of the rock, which can contribute to its disintegration or slaking. This process is
repeated for a certain number of cycles, often five or ten, depending on the test specifications.
After the final cycle, the samples are dried again, and their mass loss is measured to
determine the extent of deterioration. The degree of disintegration or slaking is measured by
comparing the mass of the rock before and after the test. The results of the slake durability
test provide valuable information about the resistance of rocks to weathering and help
engineers and geologists assess their suitability for various applications such as construction,
mining, and infrastructure projects. Different types of rock exhibit varying degrees of
durability in the slake durability test, sedimentary rocks like sandstone and shale typically
exhibit lower durability due to their composition and structure, which can include weaker
cementing materials. These rocks are more prone to disintegration when exposed to moisture
and mechanical stress. In contrast, igneous and metamorphic rocks tend to be more durable in
the slake durability test. These rocks are often composed of more resistant minerals and have
a more crystalline structure making them less susceptible to weathering and disintegration.
Rocks that experience significant disintegration or with high mass loss during the test are
considered less durable and may be prone to weathering in the field. Conversely, rocks that
maintain their integrity are deemed more durable and may be more suitable for construction
or other applications requiring stability over time. The natural water content of the test
sample is determined according to following formula:
 𝐴− 𝐵
𝑊= ×100
𝐶−𝐷

Where:

W= percentage of water content

A= mass of drum plus sample at natural moisture content(g)

B= mass of drum plus oven-dried sample before the first cycle(g)

C= mass of drum(g)
RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS

SLAKE DURABILITY TES DATA SHEET

Rock type Kimberlite

Rock specimen # Sample 1 Sample 2
Test Start Date 09/04/2024 09/04/2024
Test End Date 11/04/2024 11/04/2024

Drum Number 1(right) 2(left)

Mass of Drum(g) 2144.9 2138.9
Mass of Sample(g) 507.9 513.4
Mass of oven-dried sample before 1st run 2652.8 2652.3
Moisture Content (%)
Water temperature at the beginning of the 1st run (°C) 28.4 28.2
Water temperature at the end of the 1st run (°C) 27.8 27.9
Mass of oven-dried sample retained before the 2nd run(g) 2525.1 2468.7
Water temperature at the beginning of the 2nd run (°C) 23.7 24.8
Water temperature at the end of the 2nd run (°C) 24.6 25.3
Mass of oven-dried sample retained after the 2nd run(g) 2471.6 2400.0

Slake Durability Index (second run)(%) 64.3% 50.9%

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

B-MASS OF OVEN-DRIED SAMPLE PLUS DRUM BEFORE THE 1ST CYCLE=2652.8g

C-MASS OF DRUM=2144.9g

Slake durability index (2nd cycle)

Where
WF-Mass of the drum plus oven-dried sample retained after the second run=2471.6g

B- Mass of drum plus oven-dried sample before the first cycle=2652.8g

C- Mass of drum= 2144.9g