Evaluation and implementation of rock indentation tests experimentally and numerically on high strength and isotropic rocks

Premraj, Prajit (2023) Evaluation and implementation of rock indentation tests experimentally and numerically on high strength and isotropic rocks. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

A comprehensive study of rock indentation was performed at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN). Testing was performed on hard rocks such as granite as well as medium-strength rocks such as rock like material (RLM) which were manufactured in the Drilling Laboratory of MUN by researchers. For the two types of testing procedures utilized, samples were prepared accordingly. Metallic indenters were then forced against the rock core specimens under controlled loading conditions. Graphical analysis of the loading cycles were then analyzed and studied. As there was no fixed industrial standard, a procedure was devised and deployed for the indentation test of rock. Empirical correlations from work done by researchers in the past were adjusted with modifications from the indentation tests and augmented to predict the strength of the rocks. With the help of the PFC 2D software package, the experiment was replicated numerically. In conclusion, the slope of the loading curves from the experiment and numeric modeling was used to predict the strength of the rock. A very detailed study was conducted on the variables affecting the indentation tests in which the effect of individual variables such as confinement, size of the specimen, and geometry of the testing metallic indenter were investigated. The study was concluded by reaching and recording the failure point and the specific energy utilized in the rock breakage.

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