Dalhousie University

Geomechanics & Mining Innovation (GMI)

Laboratory Services

The GMI Group has a fully equipped laboratory with experienced technicians for testing rock, mine backfill, and acoustic/ultrasonic properties.   We supply sevices to mining and oil/gas companies, geotechnical consultants, and other members of the public.  A list of available equipment and pricing for testing service is provided below.  Field equipment rental is also available.

For further information please contact Professor Steve Zou by email or at 902-4943977.

Laboratory Equipment:

    •    Test System: Hydraulically controlled UCS test system has the ability to do confined and unconfined materials (Rock, wood, concrete etc.) Uniaxial and triaxial Compressive Strength tests.
    •   Brazilian: Tensile Test machine
    •   Shear Test Machine
    •   Point Load Test Machine
    •    Core coring machine
    •   Sample cutting machine
    •   Automatic sample polishing machine
    • Acoustic and ultrasonic testing and data acquisition system: With wave generator at specified frequency. We can do a series of relevant tests and analyses.

Lab Services Price List

¬ Back to top ROCK TESTING

Test

Description

Cost

Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS)

No strain measurement. Including cutting and polishing of ends of core

$200

UCS, Elastic Modulus, Poisson’s Ratio

 With strain gauges

$300

Triaxial Strength

Single confining pressure

$500

Triaxial Strength

3 confining pressure levels

$1,200

Brazilian Tensile Test

An indirect measurement of the tensile strength of cored rock samples.  

$60

Direct Shear Test

Test on rock joints or rockmass. 1 peak and 3 residual tests are performed on each sample

$600

Slake Durability

3 cycles

$150

Point Load Test

An indirect measurement of compressive strength of rock on core or lumps samples

$30

Acoustic Test (for other type of acoustic test, please contact us)

Measurement of P- and S-wave velocity in rock samples, including sample preparation from cores.

$300

The pricing for rock testing is for core samples.  If required, coring is an additional $100 per sample.

Mine Backfill and Grout Testing

Test

Description

Cost

Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS)

includes mixing of specimen to required pulp density and binder content, placement in standard moulds, storage, testing, and reporting of stress-strain curve.

$300

Slump Test

test involves testing of slump using a half-height (6") slump cone.

$50

Percolation Rate

for estimating drainage characteristics of backfill.

$120

Grain Size Analysis

dry sieve analysis

$100

Specific Gravity

 

$50

Column Settling Test

for estimating unit thickener area

$180

Moisture Content, Bulk Density,
Void Ratio

Bulk density measured on cylinders prior to compressive tests. Moisture content measured after cylinder is tested.

$30

Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS)

Testing of grout used for cable bolt installation or pressure grouting of rock formations.

$150

FIELD EQUIPMENT RENTAL

Equipment

Description

Cost

Point Load Testing Machine

Packed in wood crate

$50/day, $150/wk, $500/m

Velometer for ventilation monitoring

 digital gauge

$25/day, $75/wk, $200/m

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