Geomechanics Laboratory

Objectives

At present, the Geomechanics Laboratory objectives are related with:

• 
  The work development in the aim of national and international R&D projects, concerning rock and soil mechanics, giving special attention to modern data aquisition systems;
• Teaching support;
• Services to private institutions in the laboratory or field aim.

History

The Geomechanics Laboratory was created in 1993, with the aquisition of the first equipment for sample preparation and mechanical tests in rock specimens, under the coordination of Professor Carlos Dinis da Gama.

In the 90's, the Laboratory had a big growth with the aquisition of, not only rock mechanics but also, soil mechanics equipment and it was created the Underground Environment Engineering Laboratory, with the insdtallation of laboratory equipment for mining ventilation system analysis and fiel equipment for underground air quality analysis. In parallel, the Geomechanics Laboratory developed several works concerning, not only the research aim, but also for private institutions.

In the end of the 90's, beginnning of 2000, many works were developed in the aim of the IGM (instituto Geológico e Mineiro) consortium for underground marble exploitation in Borba, Estremoz and Vila Viçosa zone, in Portugal.

In 2000 decade, the Geomechanics Laboratory continued its growth qith the aquisition of new equipment, enlarging the type of research works and services, namely ground borne vibrations monitoring, acoustic emissions in rock materials, thermal conductivity determination (moist and dry conditions) of rocks, etc.

Also in this decade, it is important to mention the development of laboratorial tests in the aim of tunnel permanent convergence monitoring, resulting in the publication of a patent.

Because of the technological development, at present, the Geomechanics Laboratory is in an equipment modernization phase, mainly concerning the data aquisition systems. Such modernization concerns not onlt the aquisition of new technological equipment but also the computerization of the existing equipment.