A LABORATORY FACILITY FOR TESTING CEMENTED

FILLS
By
R. C. FLANN
ABSTRACT while the test is in progre'ss.
This case study describes various Also described are controlled
aspects of establishing a laboratory environment curing facilities which
facility for testing chemically-cemented allow samples to be cured or weathered
fill materials. Th. applicability of under different temperature or humidity
data obtained from such a facility conditions to simulate long-term ageing
related to mine conditions depends on and in place conditions.
many factors: kind of data, type of INTRODUCTION
testing facility, sample parameters DefOrmation studies are
selected following an extensive study of
equipment available for testing materials
in the fields of rock mechanics and
testing 'facility incorporates Linear
Variable Transformers for
monitoring both lateral and axial
displacements during sample compression.
The output from these and from other
related instrumentation can be recorded
or fed direct to a computer, enabling
stress-strain data to be printed out
(composition, geometry, size, etc.).
The equipment employed must be adaptable,
to accommodate variations in sample size
and properties.
The design, construction and
operation of the testing facility is
described, and its application to fill
samples prepared from sulphides and
oxides both chemically and naturally
construction materials.
Such studies are conducted
both in the laboratory and in the field.
Tests range from crude to very
sophisticated, and the facility described
falls between these extremes, to provide
a number of test routines that are both
practical and meaningful.
The most common direct technique
used in construction materials
is uniaxial compression which is a
special case of the triaxial technique
and allows both laboratory and field
testing without the need for an
extensive range of ancillary equipment.
The object of determining these
mechanical properties is to find those
representative of a good mine fill,
using accepted practices. The facility
allows the stress-strain characteristics
of the material to be obtained and the
determination of elastic constants or
to evaluate the stability of structural
materialS.
The strength
The present system was cemented.
Experimental Officer, CSIRO,
Division of Mineral Chemistry,
Victoria. Melbourne.
moduli (see Appendix I).
Use can be made of this information by
applying theoretical engineering
concepts.
Jubilee Symposium on Mine Filling, Mount Isa, August, 1973
North West Queensland Branch, The Aus.I.M.M.
MS received at The Institute - 18.6.73 105
106 R. C. Flann
The monitoring facility was designed
for uniaxial test conditions and cannot
in its present form be used for triaxial
testing. Similar systems "have been
selecting the Shimadzu was the table
size (50 cm x 50 cm) and space between
the table and crosshead (50 cm x 70 cm)
This allowed monitoring equipment to be
designed, using transducers in a fitted into the sample area. The load-
the clamp-on type, in which the sample
is located inside a mUlti-ring system,
containing electronic transducers with
electronic amplification (Protodyakonov,
M.M., 1961, Singh, D.P. et aI, 1967,
Hardy, H.R. et aI, 1970, Horino, F.G.
et aI, 1972), or the extensometer type
(Leeman, E.R. et aI, 1957(b)), using
mechanical and electronic amplification
techniques improve resolution of the
deformation patterns of the test sample.
A similar system to the one
described was used to establish the time
dependent properties of rocks (Singh,
D.P., 1970), employing electronic
transducers for both lateral and axial
"cm diameter using a common 20.32 cm base
recording facility provided was a
mechanically operated arm and rotating
drum, of limited resolution, which is
incorporated with a high tolerance
potentiometer attached directly to the
dynamometer indicator drive shaft.
This allows direct calibration and
A new system has been
These platens were designed to
no longer used.
s<;lat.
recording.
Platens
The loading platens of the Shimadzu
RH-lO supplied with the machine were
85 mm, limiting the sample diameter.
A further set of platens was designed
and constructed with 20.32 cm and 30.48
Most of these are of variety of ways.
minimize surface deflection on pressure
application, and reduce the effect of
tension in the sample caps induced by
function of the spherical seats is to
correct for any nature of
the sample ends, and to apply pressur,e
uniformly over the total end area.
The spherical seats are used in a
lightly lubricated state and function as
if fixed after initial seating has
sensing.
Bonded strain gauges have been used
extensively in both uniaxial and triaxial
systems (Leeman, E.R. 1957(a), Hardy,
H.R. 1966, Rough, R.L. et aI, 1971).
Although relatively inexpensive,
type of gauge is difficult to calibrate
directly, can suffer damage when sample
failure occurs, and cannot be bonded
easily to wet samples when saturated
samples are tested.
platen deformation. The primary
TESTI'NG FACILITY occurred. " Their radius of operation
Loading System
The basic unit of the loading system
consists of a five range (5, 10, 25, 50
and 100KN) hydraulically operated
Shimadzu RH-lO Universal Testing Machine.
During operation, steady load application
is maintained using a load pacer built
lies on the sample-platen interface, as
recommended by the American Society for
Testing of Materials (ASTM), (Schuyler,
the platens should be the same as that
of the test sample, (Sigvaldason, a.T.
1966), but the required variation in
sample size and type that has to be into the machine. A reason for
M., 1913). Ideally, the diameter of
Jubilee Symposium on Mine Filling, Mount Isa, August, 1973
North West Queensland Branch, The Aus.l.M.M.
R. C. Flann
107
should then be minimized over the elastic
section of the deformation curve
used for these end-pieces should have
the same lateral expansion as that of
the specimen, i.e. the same ~ / E ratio
alternative is to provide the specimen
with metal end-pieces of the same cross-
section, thereby eliminating effects of
tested make t h ~ s impractical.
These
The main body
and probe rods of brass.
of the assembly and the transducer
holder is made of aluminium, the guide
rods of silver steel, the slip coupling
shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
LVDTs were chosen for the system
because of their low cost, high stability,
high sensitivity (displacements of
4 x 10-
5
mm can be measured), and
resistance to damage.
The lateral LVDTs were mounted as
An
The material
The end effects (see Appendix, I).
diameter differences.
(Jaeger, J.C. et al 1969).
Transducers
materials were selected for their low
weight factors and non-magnetic
the probe, which passes through a low
friction teflon bush held in position
The sensing elements employed for
monitoring axial and lateral sample
deformation are DC-DC Linear Variable
properties. The core is attached to
is placed in contact with the sample it
is pushed into the assembly and the core
Differential Transformers (LVDTs).
Two types of LVDT were used in the
construction of the axial/lateral strain
by the spring shown. When the probe
transducer; Schaevitz lOO-HR DC (axial) is moved further into the LVDT. The
LVDT is positioned using the micrometer
head which is attached to the holder by
and the 050-HR DC (lateral).
integrated units with DC-AC-DC
conversion circuits (Fig. 1).
Both are
a slip coupling. The Mitutoyo series
150-190 micrometer heads measure to
0.001 mm, and allow accurate positioning
of the core within the LVDT. silver
steel rods are used to locate and
support the LVDT holder, which moves
that the core stays free within the
LVDT and can move during test,
irrespective of the LVDT position.
Axial LVDTs are similarly mounted
in aluminium holders and allow the
They ensure laterally along them.
Fig. 1 Cross-section of
DC-DC LVDT
and phase of the output voltage depends
on the position of the iron core in the
transducer body (Schaevitz, H., 1947),
being zero at the centre (null).
As the core is displaced in either
direction, the output voltage increases
as a function of core displacement.
flexibility required, depending on the
is attached to a brass rod and adheres
to the top platen or machine crosshead
rod is threaded British standard Fine
(BSF) allowing fine adjustment of the
core position to null within the LVDT.
The brass
In each case the core
by means of a pot magnet.
sample size.
that the magnitude The design is such
Jubilee Symposium on Mine Filling, Mount Isa, August, 1973
North West Queensland Branch, The Aus.I.M.M.
108
R. C. Flann
MIc. itOHLTE 12.
HE-A C.
SLIP
COUPLlN cr.
LY.b.T.
I{Ol.ceil
Fig. 2
Cross section of Lateral Transducer
recorded with the lateral transducers
set on orthogonal axes at the sample
centre and the axials mounted on
This design allows rapid relocation of
the transducers when testing a'range of
samples.
The transducer assemblies are
commonly used. Deformations are
deployed as shown in Fig. 4 to
accommodate samples of varying sizes
from 2.54 cm - 25.4 cm diameter and
5.08 cm - 50.3 cm in height, the
configuration shown being the one most
opposite sides, parallel with the
specimen's longitudinal axis.
Fig. 3 Lateral Linear Variable
Differential Transformer
Assembly
Fig. 4 Transducer Assemblies
Arranged to Test Aluminium
Sample.
Jubilee Symposium on Mine Filling, Mount Isa, August, 1973
North West Queensland Branch, The Aus.I.M.M.
R. C. Flann 109
In this arrangement the lateral
deformation can be recorded in several
deployed and oriented as required, to
suit the geometry and properties of the
ways: sample tested. For a given size of
the signals from the opposing
By individual recording of
deformation at 90
0
in the
horizontal plane normal to the
compression axis on the
orthogonal axes.
By summing or averaging
opposing LVDTs, reducing the
effects of sample movement
other than deformation because
sample the transducers are accurately
positioned for the first "settling in"
and can subsequently be re-zeroed with-
out relocating, for repeat compressive
test cycles.
Calibration
The transducers are calibrated in
Individually, using a separate
micrometer aligned on the
transducer axis and positioned
1.
two ways:
Allowing LVDTs will cancel.
2.
1.
sample deformation can then be
recorded.
other types of movement, i.e.
flexure, to be observed.
By summing or averaging all
four lateral LVDTs together,
obtaining a total or average
deformation at four points of
transducer probe can then be
moved gradually into the LVDT
and the displacement graphed
against voltage output.
As a complete assembly, using
a load ring with an axially
mounted dial gauge to measure
The lateral
The
deformation.
against the probe.
2.
The mean of the the sample.
3.
The advantage of this type of
transducer system configuration (which
can be extended to strain gauges if
necessary) is its ability to detect
non-uniform (asymmetric) deformation in
test samples, expected in anisotropic
or non-uniformly bedded samples, but
sometimes encountered in apparently
transducers are paired and
positioned on the horizontal
axis of the ring allowing the
calibration to be checked by
summation or averaging of
diagonal transducers (Fig. 5)
The axial transducers can be
calibrated directly against
homogenous specimens. Summing the the dial gauge. This
outputs of the LVDTs has the advantage
that lower amplifications can be used to
record outputs, improving signal to
arrangement allows the load-
axial and load-lateral
deformation curves to be
the axial and lateral transducers to be
alternatives in recording modes increase
the system's analytical capability.
The transducer support frame fits
around the lower platen and rests on
the machine table.
plotted (Fig. 6).
The linearity and reproducibility
of the calibration was very
The linear good.
relationship was evaluated by
least squares on a computer.
for future use in automatic
test data evaluation.
This system allows
The sum and/or average noise ratio.
Jubilee Symposium on Mine Filling. Mount Isa. August. 1973
North West Queensland Branch. The Aus.I.M.M.
110 R. C. Flann
Fig. 5 Transducers Arranged in
Calibration positions on Load Ring
Recording
A block diagram (Fig. 7) shows the
main components of the sensing and
recording systems.
RE.c..o!21J 16: X-Y, )(-7; .lJntrL04t.
1.6
2.0
E
oS 1.2
...
z
w
~
t: 0.8
..
it
III
o 0.4
Calibration cf LVDT using a
Soiltest Load Ring
This allows
six
Electronic
Buffer amplifiers
Block Diagram of Electrical
system
1. Rikadenki, KA 60 - A
Fig. 7
The balancing networks were
adjusted to give the LVDTs the same
from the recording.
direct comparison and extraction of data
output-displacement ratios.
multi-channel recording.
are used for matching to give a low
impedence output for simultaneous
networks which allow the LVDTs' outputs
to be summed or averaged are used to
mix signals before recording.
The recording systems currently
available are:
25 20 10 15
LOAD Cl\NJ.
5
-----
NIAL. ~ /
/
l/
./
/
L TERAL.
I------ --
./
/ - ~
~ . -
~
p/! ~
6
o
Fig.
3. Steel and aluminium samples of
known physical constants have
been used to calibrate the
2.
channel X-T recorder.
Hewlett Packard Moseley, 7050A
X-Y recorder.
assembly, subject to
limitations imposed by lateral
flexing of the particular
specimens used.
3. Data logging system based on a
PDP 8/e computer, with memory
storage capacity.
Jubilee Symposium on Mine Filling, Mount Isa, August, 1973
North West Queensland Branch, The Aus.I.M.M.
R. C. Flann III
Sample Geometry
Sample geometry is a major factor
which influences deformation and
compressive strength. The optimum
SAMPLE TESTING
Samples so far tested with the
facility have included the following
types:
sample shape has been the subject of
considerable research and discussion,
(Gonnerman, H.F., 1925, Hansen, H. et
~ , 1962, Grosvenor, N.E., 1963,
standard shape, the cylinder is
preferred to the cube, and is the
accepted form in Australia.
Requirements for the size and shape
of the test specimen should be based on
the following criteria:
Sigvaldason, O. T., 1966).
sulphides.
The samples exhibited the following
behaviour:
fine particulate
8 (a), (b).
cemented with
The porous agglomerated
materials underwent granulation,
then fractured in shear Fig.
bonded sulphide agglomerates.
Fine particulate, highly
consolidated sulphide
agglomerates.
Various types of aggregate
Porous, coarse grained, weakly
2.
3.
1.
1.
As a
The shape should allow the
greatest reproducibility, with
a minimum spread in ultimate
1.
2.
3.
2.
3.
strength.
The size should accommodate the
maximum aggregate size without
causing any marked difference
in ultimate strength, (ASTM.
1969) specifies that for a
coarse aggregate the largest
fragment dimension to lateral
dimension of the test specimen
shall not exceed 1:3.
Samples should be easy to
prepare, handle and finish for
testing, e.g. easy to cap so as
to provide smooth parallel
faces.
The fine particulate highly
consolidated specimens exhibited
high strength, fractured
axially and showed no detectable
granulation Fig. 9(a), (b).
The different sulphide cemented
samples showed properties
rang ing be tween (l) and (2)
depending on the constituents
present in the mix and their
relative proportions.
Cycling these samples
to approximately 40% of their estimated
ultimate compressive strength allows
them to "bed in" and eliminates some of
the initial differences observed, e.g.
high axial deformation when the samples
various research workers (Gonnerman,
H.F., 1925, Hansen, H. et ~ , 1962,
Grosvenor, N.E., 1963) agree that test are tested without cycling. This is
also the region in which reversible
deformation occurs, and provides the
data necessary for the calculation of
specimens with a circular cross section
and a height-to-diameter ratio of
between 2 and 3 give a more uniform
stress distribution in uniaxial
compression.
elasticity constants and moduli
Appendix, I).
(see
Jubilee Symposium on Mine Filling, Mount Isa, August, 1973
North West Queensland Branch, The Aus.I.M.M.
112 R. C. Flann
A
1
X14L. I
/
l--
__CJ
/

b-e
I r-
II
LATERAL
0-

0 ,
_..<---!- -
._--_.-
0.5
0.4
0.3
....
z
'"
;r
'" 0.2
-'
A.

o
0.1
o
0.5 1.0 1.5
LOAt)(KN).
2.0 25
Fig. Sea) Porous Agglomerated Sample
that has undergone Shear Failure
(b) Load Displacement Curves for Sample
showing granulation
15 10
LOAD tKNl.
5
I
AXIAJ t
V
V
I /
./

../'

1/
---
IL
.-?


---
--
---
o
0.1
--'- O.l
E
E

'"
;r
'"
u
-<
er 0.2
l/l
Cl
0.5
Fig. 9(a) Fine Particulate Sample that
has undergone axial fracture
(b) Load Displacement Curves for Sample
showing no granulation.
available which can be programmed to
cycle over a temperature and relative
humidity range from -lOoC to 1000C and
SAMPLE PREPARATION
In addition to the above, systems
have been established for mixing,
curing and finishing (capping) of test 0% to 100% R.H. to cure samples. This
of two cubic meters capacity is
specimens. An environmental cabinet can be used to simulate any environment
and hence study its effects on sample
Jubilee Symposium on Mine Filling, Mount Isa, August, 1973
North West Queensland Branch, The Aus.I.M.M.
------ ---------
R. C. Flann 113
pp. 31-33.
Research Laboratory, Chicago)
proportion. Min. Engineering, Jan.
properties. A room of 50 cubic meters
which operates at 253
0
C and 505% R.H.
is also available for large samples.
Both facilities allow simulation of
Grosvenor, N.E., 1963. Specimen
long term curing and in-place conditions. Hansen, H., Kielland, A., Nielsen, K.E.C.
CONCLUSION and Thaulow, S., 1962. Compressive
rhe transducer assembly allows the
accurate recording of deformation in
complex samples undergoing
strength of Concrete - Cube or
Cylinder?, Bulletin Rilem No. 17,
compression. Future modifications can
Dec. 1962, pp.
Hardy, H.R., 1959..
23-30.
Time-dE;lpendent
extend the capacity of the system to Deformation and Failure of Geologic
triaxial compressive testing. Further Materials. Colorado Schl. of Mines
test work on a wider range of materials
will be required before a quantitative
interpretation of results can be made,
and the applicability of the data to
practical mining conditions can be
Qtrly. 54:135-75.
Hardy, H.R. 1966. A Loading System for
the Investigation of the Inelastic
Properties of Geologic Materials
Testing Techniques for Rock Mechanics,
REFERENCES
(ASTM), Standard C192, 1969, Section
American Society for Testing of Materials
allows an effective comparison to be
made in fundamental properties between
different materials.
A
Clamp-on Strain Transducer for use
on Geologic Materials. Soc. of
Petroleum Engnrs. J., March 1970,
pp. 41-50.
pp. 138-139 (Methuen: London).
Leeman, E.R. and Grobbelaar, C., 1957(a)
A Compressometer for obtaining
stress-strain Curves of Rock
Horino, F.G., Brady, B.T., Duvall, W.I.
and Hooker, y.E., 1972. A J'housand-
ton Capacity stiff Testing Machine,
U.S. Bur. Mines. Report of
Inv:estigations 76.24 (Washington)
Jaeger, J.C. and Cook, N.G.W., 1969,
Fundamentals of Rock Mechanics.
ASTM STP 402, pp. 232-271.
Hardy, H.R. and Kim, Y.S., 1970.
However, the present system
Mineral Chemistry for frequent advice
and assistance in editing this paper, as'
well as to the Workshop staff of the
Division of Mineral Chemistry for their
help in construction of apparatus.
assessed.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author would like' to express
,his appreciation to Mr. W.E. Bamford of
the University of Melbourne and Dr. G.M.
Lukaszewski of the CSIRO Division of
34. Making and Curing Concrete specimens up to Fracture. J.
Test specimens in the Laboratory. Scientific Instruments Vol. 34:
Coates, D.F., 1970. Rock Mechanics 279-281.
(Mines Branch, Canada).
Principles. 3rd. Ed. App. B 1-24, Leeman, E_R. and Grobbelaar, C., 1957(b)
A Lateral Extensometer for the
Gonnerman, H.F., 1925. Effect of Size Determination of Poisson's Ratio of
and Shape of Test Specimen on Rock. J. Scientific Instruments
Compressive Strength of Concrete, Vol. 34: 503-505.
Pp. 1-2 (Structural Materials
Jubilee Symposium on Mine Filling, Mount Isa, August, 1973
North West Queensland Branch, The Aus.I.M.M.
L. -
114 R. C. Flann
Protodyakonov, M.M., Methods of MODULUS OF ELASTICITY, E. (Modulus of
studying the strength of Rocks,
Used in the Int. Symp. on
Mining Resources. Vol. 2: 649-668.
(Univ. of Missouri, Permagon).
Rough, R.L., and Lambert, W.G., 1971.
In Situ Strain Orientations:
Comparison of Three Measuring
Report of Investigations 7575
(Washington) .
U.S. Bur. Mines.
numerically
(Young's Modulus) deformation)
The ratio of normal stress to
normal strain for a material under
defined loading conditions;
equal to the slope of the
<tangent modulus) or secant (secant
modulus) of the stress-strain curve.
The term Modulus of Elasticity is
normally applied to materials conforming
to Hooke's Law and Modulus of Deformation
for materials that deform otherwise.
A
The Linear
Techniques.
Schaevitz, H., 1947.
Variable Differential Transformer. MODULUS OF RIGIDITY, G. (Shear Modulus)
Soc. for Exp. Stress Anal. Proc.
Vol. 4, 2 : 79-88.
Schuy;Ler, M. , 1913. Spherical Bearings.
Amer. Soc. for Testing Materials,
The ratio of shear stress to shear
strain for a material determined either
from the slope of the tangent or of the
secant of a stress-strain curve.
13: 1004-1018. POISSON'S RATIO,
of Testing Machine Characteristics
upon the Cube and Cylinder strength
Mag. Concrete Res.,
Sigvaldason, O.T., 1966.
of Concrete.
The Influence The ratio of the transverse normal
strain to the longitudinal normal strain
of a body under uniaxial stress.
POISSON'S NUMBER, m.
Dec., 1966, Vol. 18, 57: 197-206. The reciprocal of Poisson's Ratio.
Singh, D.P., 1970. Time Dependent PROPORTIONAL LIMIT
properties of Ph.D. Thesis
(unpublished), university of
Melbourne.
Singh, M.M. and Kim, Y.S., 1967.
Lateral Extensometer for Brittle
The greatest stress that a material
is capable of developing without any
deviation from proportionality of stress
to strain (Hooke's Law).
REFERENCE
Materials. Rev. Scientific Coates, D.F., 1970. Rock Mechanics
Instruments, Vol. 38, 6:769-771. Principles. 3rd. Ed. App. B 1-24,
APPENDIX I
(Mines Branch, Canada).
BULK MODULUS, MODULUS OF COMPRESSION, K.
The ratio of the change in average
stress to the change in unit volume.
PLASTIC LIMIT
The maximum stress that a specimen
can withstand without undergoing
permanent deformation either by solid
flow or by rupture.
point.
Also called yield
Jubilee Symposium on Mine Filling, Mount Isa, August, 1973
North West Queensland Branch, The Aus.I.M.M.