Rock Mechanics: Rock Testing Instruments in Modern World

Use of rocks in making various structures is as old as the civilization of the mankind. With the help of various quality rocks one can form different types of structures. However, it is a job of an expert to decide which rock can be used and which not. In this era there are several tests of rocks that can help one decide if the concerned rock will be able to offer the desired results or not. When using naturally occurring rock in construction projects, careful selection of suitable material is essential. No rock no soil test should be simple and easily performed that anyone without regard to his experience in testing. He can easily follow this method of test and obtain results that are significant and have direct bearing on the solution of practical engineering problems. Rock testing instrument as well as identification is an art because so much of the technique involved cannot be adequately expressed in words or given in sufficient detail in procedures but must be learned by careful apprenticeship in the field and in laboratory.

The types:

The more one learns from testing different types of soil and rock and about the practical applications of the results of related tests to the varied kinds of problems encountered, the more one will appreciate the real difficulties involved in the techniques used even in less difficult tests. Hence with the time the techniques can be much helpful for erection of a structure.

The principal problem in soil engineering is to make the most effective use of the great variety of material that nature supplies in any given case. The main objective in rock testing is to obtain reasonably representative values of the physical properties covering the range of the various types encountered on a given project, that are reliable and that will have a direct and significant bearing upon the solution of the practical problems involved.

The utility:

Foundation, highway, airport and earthwork problems involve many important decisions of design and of construction. Which require a careful study the uncertainties inherent in such work by directing attention to those otherwise, unforeseen circumstances and difficulties which might be avoided. These explorations include the following types that are functions of the subcommittees indicated:

1. Surface and sub-surface reconnaissance- aerial photographic interpretation, Geological reconnaissance, surface geophysics, borehole cameras, hydrologic reconnaissance, soil reconnaissance.
2. Subcommittee- boring and sampling of soil integration: Nuclear method, in-place vane shear tests, diamond core drilling, auger sampling of oils, penetration tests

Soil deposits of widely varying character must be expected. Because of the inherent nature and diversity of the geological processes which operate to form deposit of rock testing equipment for construction.

The great expansion in highway construction and in the airport facilities in the world to meet constantly growing transportation needs makes more need of such rocks.

These tests used to furnish information for making adjustments in construction procedures as rock and other conditions vary the progress of construction. Certain aspects of these tests go beyond the natural concepts of tests.