Design and fabrication of a low cost true triaxial cell for testing multiple size specimens

ABSTRACT: Only a true triaxial cell has the ability to recreate 3D in situ stress conditions. Therefore a true triaxial cell was designed and fabricated. The cell was calibrated to ensure the lateral strains on the specimen were known during testing, and a standard operating procedure was created. The first true triaxial tests in South Australia were conducted. This paper describes the design, fabrication, calibration and preliminary use of a low cost true triaxial cell capable of testing rock specimens of various sizes.