Showing papers by "Maurice B. Dusseault published in 1988"

Triaxial testing of intact salt rocks: Pressure control, pressure systems, cell and frame design

Abstract: An extensive laboratory for intact salt rock behavior research (the WATSALT Laboratory) was conceived at the University of Waterloo in 1982, and by 1984 researchers here were producing results of high quality. At present,six high capacity test stations for creep behavior are operating on a continuous basis. The designs were developed to meet the requirements of constant pressure, environmentally stable creep testing. Self-regulating pressure control systems have been designed, and they are performing effectively. The WATSALT systems can test a range of specimen sizes to 100 mm in diameter, at stresses of 200 MPa axial, and 70 MPa lateral. Creep test durations have extended to 6 months on an individual specimen. The automated control systems keep temperatures constant to 0.1°C and pressure fluctuations to within 0.1%. This paper describes the approach to design, the triaxial cell and axial load frame configuration, an alternate internal axial piston cell, temperature and pressure control systems, instrumentation, and data acquisition.