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Laboratory Details

Physical-analogue laboratory for Engineering Geology

The physical-analogue laboratory for Engineering Geology aims at reproducing the natural processes which influence onset of processes responsible for ground instabilities (such as landslides, subsidence, and sinkholes) over short, medium, and long-term timescales. The laboratory is equipped by a biaxial loading frame with dedicated monitoring equipment, as well as an analogue apparatus capable of reproducing scaled conditions. The physical-mechanical analogue experiments simulate natural cycles observed in monitored sites across the territory, enabling a better understanding of the influence of thermal, hydraulic, and pressure factors (preparatory and trigger ones) on the evolution of rocks and soils towards ultimate ground failure. The laboratory is equipped with a prototype apparatus for uniaxial compression and shear testing of earth and rock samples under controlled thermal conditions. This instrumentation includes a combined system of electromechanical machines designed for compression, bending, and direct shear tests. The devices perform static load tests as well as constant or cyclic deformation tests on rock samples under controlled environmental conditions, such as regulated temperature and humidity. Additionally, the lab supports long-term creep tests and Direct Shear Resistance tests (up to 300 kN) with a secondary test frame. The apparatus features an insulated, waterproof climatic chamber with anti-fog and condensation drainage systems, enabling precise control of humidity and temperature during uniaxial testing. The chamber conditions range from -20 to +150 °C and 10 to 90% relative humidity. The laboratory also performs experiments on slope dynamics driven by erosion, fluvial transport, sedimentation, and surface shallow landslide mechanisms through a flume apparatus. This setup is equipped with rain sprinklers, moisture sensors, tensiometers, and thermocouples, as well as remote sensing instruments such as laser scanners and optical and thermal cameras, that allow the deepening of causative conditions controlling distributed landslide scenarios triggered by intense rainfalls.



Domain

Analogue modelling of geological processes


Organization name

Sapienza University of Rome


Address

Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5
ed. CU009
185
Roma (RM)
Italy


Location