Development of rotary abrasion testing apparatus for rock cores

Abstract

This paper describes a new rotary abrasion apparatus and the testing method to measure the abrasivity of rocks. The new apparatus includes the rotating circular disc on which Jumunjin sands were placed and worn against rock core surface. The benefits of the developed apparatus over the Cerchar abrasivity test - which has been commonly used in the measurement of abrasiveness of rocks - include the fact that the testing is applicable to a wide strength range of rock cores and that the abrasive materials (sands) are inexpensive and replaceable. The abrasivity of rocks was defined based on wear volume of rock cores in terms of abrasivity coefficient, and the testing apparatus and method are validated by a series of laboratory experiments. © 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.