Rock Direct Shear Test
The GCTS Direct Shear Testing Systems for Rocks are inexpensive apparatuses used to test many configurations of rock specimens. Prisms, cubes, fragments, and cylindrical specimens can all be used to determine the shear strength of a rock sample.These systems utilize closed-loop servo-control of an electro-hydraulic shear load actuator and either a servo-controlled or manually-regulated normal load actuator to perform direct shear tests. By servo-controlling the normal actuator, constant normal load, constant normal stress, or constant normal stiffness direct shear tests can be performed.
Test specimens are created inside removable rings that are placed inside the shear box for testing. This allows multiple specimens to be prepared simultaneously with additional rings, increasing the rate at which multiple tests can be performed and thereby increasing overall productivity.
RDS-100 Video
RDS-100
HIGHLIGHTS
- Closed-loop servo control of a double acting (push and pull), 100 kN (10 ton) shear load actuator with a 25 mm stroke
- Manual control of a 50 kN (5 ton) normal load actuator with a 25 mm stroke
- Stiff normal load reaction frame mounted on sliding bearings to minimize horizontal friction while keeping the normal load vertical during the shear displacement
- 150 mm (6 inch) diameter sample rings
- Software for automatic performance of direct shear tests with a constant normal load
- Real-time graphical display of test progress
RDS-200XL
HIGHLIGHTS
- Closed-loop servo control of a double acting (push and pull), 150 kN (15 ton) shear load actuator with a ±25 mm stroke
- Closed-loop servo control of a 150 kN (15 ton) normal load actuator with a 25 mm stroke
- Stiff normal load reaction frame mounted on sliding bearings to minimize horizontal friction while keeping the normal load vertical during the shear displacement
- 150 mm (6 inch) diameter sample rings
- Advanced software for automatic performance of direct shear tests with either a constant normal stress or a constant normal stiffness
- Real-time graphical display of test progress
RDS-300
HIGHLIGHTS
- Closed-loop servo control of a double acting (push and pull), 500 kN (50 ton) shear load actuator with a ±50 mm stroke
- Closed-loop servo control of a 500 kN (50 ton) normal load actuator with a 100 mm stroke
- Stiff normal load reaction box frame to keep normal load vertical during the shear displacement
- 150 mm (6 inch) diameter sample rings
- Advanced software for automatic performance of direct shear tests with either a constant normal stress or a constant normal stiffness
- Real-time graphical display of test progress
RDS-500
HIGHLIGHTS
- Closed-loop servo control of a double acting (push and pull), 500 kN (50 ton) shear load actuator with a ±50 mm stroke
- Closed-loop servo control of a 1,500 kN (150 ton) normal load actuator with a 100 mm stroke
- Stiff normal load reaction four-column frame to keep normal load vertical during the shear displacement
- 150 mm (6 inch) diameter sample rings
- Includes adjustable locking mechanism to prevent rotation of the top shear box in any one direction, two directions, or any direction
- Advanced software for automatic performance of direct shear tests with either a constant normal stress or a constant normal stiffness
- Real-time graphical display of test progress
- System upgrades available to perform unconfined compression tests or triaxial tests
RDS-500XL
HIGHLIGHTS
- Closed loop servo control of double acting (push/pull) ±1,500 kN (150 ton) shear load actuator with ±50 mm (2″) stroke and 1000 kN (100 ton) normal load capacity with 100 mm (4″) stroke
- Normal load stiff reaction frame mounted on sliding bearings to minimize horizontal friction while keeping the normal load vertical throughout the full shear displacement
- Accommodates up to 300 mm x 300 mm (12″ x 12″) square specimens up to 100 mm (4″) high
- Software for automatic performance of direct shear tests with constant normal stress or normal stiffness
- Real time graphical display of test progress
Relevant Standards
ASTM D4554 Standard Test Method for In Situ Determination of Direct Shear Strength of Rock Discontinuities
ASTM D5607 Standard Test Method for Performing Laboratory Direct Shear Strength Tests of Rock Specimens Under Constant Normal Force
