Rock Mechanics, Engineering Geology and Geotechnical (RMEGG) Laboratories

researchers in rock mechanics laboratory

We are able to carry out soil and rock testing from triaxial and uniaxial testing (under different loading conditions), direct shear tests, Density tests to Slake Durability and permeability tests all to ISRM, CIRIA, EuroCode and other recognised standards.

The combined technical experience of the staff and facilities offers a wide range of laboratory testing and reporting to be undertaken. 

Equipment

  • Advantest automatic triaxial load frame,1500kN
  • Denison load frame, 2000kN
  • MTS load frame, 2000kN
  • Weak soft rock load frame, 250kN
  • Soils triaxial load frame
  • 2MPa normal stress rock shear box
  • Soils shearbox
  • Odometers
  • Ring shear apparatus
  • Pointload testing
  • Slake durability test
  • Hardness test

Applications

The range of tests available means we can calculate material properties such as confined and unconfined compressive strength, relative density and water absorption, Young’s moduli and Poissons ratio, creep parameters.

Our laboratories are supported by other departmental laboratory facilities enabling us to compliment tests with thin section analysis, X-ray diffraction, pulse decay permeametry, computerised axial tomography and other advanced techniques to establish the properties and behaviour of rocks and soils.

Who can use the facility?

We are committed to sharing our facilities and associated expertise with external academic and industrial collaborators. To make an enquiry please contact Dr Chrysothemis Paraskevopoulou or Kirk Handley, k.n.handley@leeds.ac.uk.

Members of staff

Academic Lead: Dr Chrysothemis Paraskevopoulou
Technical Lead: Kirk Handley