Application of a Traction Tests Device in Rock Material Specimens

Summary

Abstract

This work addresses the application of a device designed by the DinRock Research Group from the University of Oviedo (Spain) for performing tensile tests on rock material specimens, with the aim of evaluating its usefulness and versatility under different loading conditions. The research focuses on evaluating the mechanical behavior of rocks subjected to static and dynamic tensile stresses, in addition to the application of various thermal treatments. Tubular specimens of granite and limestone were used as the study materials. In the static tests, a manual press was used along with strain gauges to register deformations, allowing for the determination of tensile strength and the elastic modulus of the samples. Dynamic tests were carried out by the controlled drop of calibrated weights from different heights to analyze the material's response to impact loads, reaching velocities between 1 and 50 m/s. Additionally, complementary tests were performed under different temperature conditions, in both static and dynamic regimes. External heaters were used to maintain a constant temperature throughout the tests. The specimens were tested at temperatures of 200, 300, and 400 ºC, in order to study the influence of thermal treatments on the tensile strength of these materials. The results obtained demonstrate that the proposed device is an effective tool for characterizing the tensile behavior of rock materials, providing consistent and reproducible measurements. Furthermore, its adaptability to different loading modes and temperature ranges broadens its potential application in experimental studies and in the analysis of the structural integrity of rocks exposed to extreme conditions.