Item of Equipment
|
Function
Specifications
Year acquired
Usage frequency
Replacement cost
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CSIR Mining Technology
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Kingtest 5000
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Uni- and tri-axial tests. The electro mechanical system is quite stiff and allows post failure tests on most rocks in deformation control
5 MN
Acquired in 2000
In daily use
R400 000
Manufactured in SA. An imported machine would cost between R2 million and R6 million.
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Kingtest 2000
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Uni- and tri-axial tests. The electro mechanical system is quite stiff and allows post failure tests on most rocks in deformation control
2 MN
Acquired in 2000
In daily use
R400 000
Manufactured in SA. An imported machine would cost between R2 million and R6 million.
|
Kingtest 300
|
Brazilian and uni-axial tests. The electro mechanical system is quite stiff and allows post failure tests on most rocks in deformation control
2 MN
Acquired in 2000
In daily use
R400 000
Manufactured in SA. An imported machine would cost between R2 million and R6 million.
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AMSLER
|
Soft uniaxial test machine
2 MN
Acquired in 1971
Used monthly.
R500 000
|
AMSLER
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Soft Brazilian test machine
0,2 MN
Acquired in 1971
Used monthly.
R500 000
|
1000 ton press
|
Large platen press
1000 short tons, with a platen size of ±1,5m x 1,5m.
Date of commissioning - 1935
Cost of equipment - unknown
|
Creep test
|
Mechanical loading for long term uniaxial tests
~0,2 MN
Acquired in 1965
Used annually
R500 000
|
Joint creep x2
|
Modified soil mechanics shear boxes for joint creep
1 MPA
Acquired in 1993
Used annually
R600 000
|
PAC Mistras
AE system
|
Acoustic emission recording, Kaiser effect testing
8 MHz logging on all channels simultaneously
Acquired in 1997
Used annually
R6 million
|
Slake durability x3
|
Slake durability
Acquired in 1980
Used monthly
R100 000
|
Swell pressure x~20
|
Pressure and deformation of swelling rock
Acquired in 1980
Used infrequently
R1,2 million
|
Free swell
|
Deformation due to swell. Duncan free swell index
Acquired in 1980
Used infrequently
R20 000
|
Laser surface scanner
|
Surface irregularities
Acquired in 1998
Seldom used
R100 000
|
Drop Test Rig
|
Consists of a pivoting crane and a structural steel frame. Within the frame, full-scale support systems are assembled, with or without a (artificial) rock mass. By allowing a weight to impact onto the assembly, a rockburst is simulated.
Dimension of the frame is approximately 4mx2m, maximum allowable weight approximately 5 ton and maximum drop height around 2m.
Replacement cost around R200 000.
|
Backfill Lab
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Unique Oedometer press, linked to an old PC.
Stress strain relationships are measured up to 175 MPa with tailings based backfills at any desired starting porosity. The data are captured and the hyperbolic and quadrated "a" and "b" values for MINSIM are determined.
Laser Diffraction analysis for ultrafine particels down to 0,5 micron
MARKIII drainage cell, with a large database for matching of geotextile properties with backfill properties.
Overall value is about R100 000. But the value lies in the interpretation of data more than in the hardware.
|
TSL Extension Testing Apparatus
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This equipment is used to test dogbone shaped specimens of (T)hin (S)prayed (L)iners in tension. Full load-deformation characteristics are obtained and the variable loading rate can be controlled. Dimensions approximately 1.0mx0.3m, excluding data acquisition.
Acquired in 2003
Replacement cost around R25 000.
|
Terratek elongate testing machine
|
Dynamic testing machine capable of simulating rock burst ground velocities. Vital in testing the performance of products to be used in deep level mines or mines prone to seismic events.
Load: 1600kN
Peak Velocity: 3m/sec
Max displacement during dynamic testing: 200mm.
Total possible displacement 600mm.
Acquired for hydraulic prop R & D in 1977, operational in 1978.
Almost daily usage.
Estimated replacement cost: US $400 000
Current condition, still operating on 28-year-old, now erratic, control system. It is in desperate need of control system upgrading and the replacement of badly worn control vales, estimated cost R1,2 million.
This machine is of strategic importance and is a national asset and is used for testing the safety related performance of mining elongates, yielding tendons and other products. It is the only hydraulic machine of its type being used specifically for testing elongates in the southern hemisphere and in all probability the world! It is a vital part of the South African gold and to some extent the platinum industry.
|
25 MN press
|
Large machine capable of loading up to 25 000 kN.
Manufactured in house in early 1980s to carry out research work on backfill.
Currently requires upgrading to be able to capture data via a dedicated PC. Estimated cost R30 000.
It is probably the only local machine suited to do QA rupture testing on large prestressing units used in packs in the deep level mining industry.
|
Cerchar Abrasion Tester
|
Scratch abrasivity of rock
Tests as per specification
About 6 test programs per year
Acquired pre-2000
R 10k
|
Shore Sclerescope
|
Surface hardness / plasticity
Tests as per specification
About 3 test programs per year
Acquired pre-2000
R 10k
|
Pennsylvania Abrasion Tester
|
Impact / sliding abrasion index (rock against known steel)
Tests as per specification
About 2 test programs per year
Acquired pre-2000
R20 000
|
Norwegian Abrasion tester
|
Sliding abrasion resistance of steel with respect to rock
(i.e. vary either rock or steel and keep other constant)
Tests as per specification
About 1 test program per year
Acquired pre-2000
R30 000
|
Sievers Miniature Drills
|
Drillability (drilling rate) and bit wear index
Tests as per specification
About 3 test programs per year
Acquired pre-2000
R10 000
|
Twin Pendulum Machine
|
Bond work index of rock
Tests as per specification
About 3 test programs per year
Acquired pre-2000
R30 000
|
Swedish Brittleness Drop Tester
|
Bond energy of rock
Tests as per specification
About 1 test program per year
Acquired pre-2000
R30 000
|
Linear Cutting Machine
(Stiff Test Rig)
|
Tool forces when cutting rock (3D);
Cutting power consumption;
Specific energy of cutting.
Linear tool velocity <= 3m/s;
750 kN reaction force; horizontal tool engagement force ±25kN
About 1 test program per year
Acquired ±2000
>R 2 million
|
Savuka Stope Support Test Facility
|
Large scale dynamic stope support system testing facility
|
Large scale dynamic stope support system testing facility, funded by SIMRAC and managed by SRK Consulting.
The facility consists of two essential components, a collapsible roof that represents the fractured hangingwall of a stope and a 10-ton drop weight to provide the dynamic energy pulse. A maximum drop height of 3 m can be accommodated by the facility, which translates to a kinetic energy impulse of 300 kJ with an impact velocity of 7,67 m/s. The load distribution pyramid transfers this dynamic load to the 3 m x 3 m simulated stope area, where the installed stope support system for testing will arrest the three discontinuous, collapsible beams.
The concrete blocks making up the three discontinuous beams in the centre of the facility are allowed to move freely into the stope area under dynamic conditions during a drop test. These blocks are only restrained by the installed stope support system and the friction between the individual concrete blocks enhanced by a 200 kN horizontal clamping force imparted on the beam by a pre-tensioned central bolt and tightening nuts.
Tie down cables are installed in strategic positions to stabilize the discontinuous beams and decks. With most of the testing conducted at the facility requiring pre-stressing of the support units, the tie down cables prevent the lifting of the concrete beams and load distribution pyramid during pre-stressing of the support units.
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Witwatersrand University
|
Rock Testing Laboratory
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Facilities include:
Sample preparation
Equipment for uniaxial compressive and shear testing
MTS 3000 kN, triaxial servo-controlled test machine with temperature control. It was purchased in 1985 at the cost of R1 million and upgraded in 1994 at a further cost of R1,5 million.
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