RDS series Rock Direct Shear Testing System
RDS-200XL servo-controlled rock direct shear system with 150 kN actuator and sample rings.
RDS-300 servo-controlled rock direct shear system with 300 kN actuator for advanced geomechanical testing.
RDS-500 servo-controlled rock direct shear and triaxial system with 500 kN shear and 1500 kN normal load capacity for advanced rock mechanics testing.
RDS-500XL Rock Direct Shear System
Rock Direct Shear Test - Image 6

Rock Direct Shear Test

The GCTS Direct Shear Testing Systems for Rocks are inexpensive apparatuses used to test many configurations of rock specimens. Prisms, cubes, fragments, and cylindrical specimens can all be used to determine the shear strength of a rock sample.These systems utilize closed-loop servo-control of an electro-hydraulic shear load actuator and either a servo-controlled or manually-regulated normal load actuator to perform direct shear tests. By servo-controlling the normal actuator, constant normal load, constant normal stress, or constant normal stiffness direct shear tests can be performed.

Test specimens are created inside removable rings that are placed inside the shear box for testing. This allows multiple specimens to be prepared simultaneously with additional rings, increasing the rate at which multiple tests can be performed and thereby increasing overall productivity.

Quote Now

RDS-100

The GCTS RDS-100 Rock Direct Shear System is a cost-effective, compact solution designed for small laboratories. It supports a wide range of specimen configurations, including cylindrical cores, cubes, prisms, and irregular rock fragments. Its advanced closed-loop control maintains constant normal stress through real-time area correction during shear displacement, delivering accurate results at a significantly lower cost than higher-end systems.

Features:

  • Precise servo control of double acting (push/pull) 100 kN shear load actuator with ±25 mm stroke and 50 kN normal load actuator with 50 mm stroke.
  • Includes software for automatic performance of standard direct shear tests as well as advanced procedures such as constant normal stiffness test.
  • Stiff reaction system to minimize “stick-slip” behavior.
  • 8 input channels with 24-bit resolution.
  • Compatible with Windows/iOS/Android devices with a simple to use mobile application. Capable of performing automatic tests, data logging, and reporting with real time graphical display of test progress.
  • Meets ASTM D5607

Specifications:

  • Maximum Specimen Size: 150 mm (5.9 in)
  • Shear Load Capacity: 100 kN (22,000 lbs.)
  • Normal Load Capacity: 50 kN (11,000 lbs.)
  • Shear Displacement Rate: 0 – 100 mm/min (3.94 in/min)
  • Dimensions: 1.5 x 1.3 x 1.8 m (59 x 51 x 71 in) (L x W x H)
  • Weight: 650 kg (1,450 lbs.)

Requirements:

  • Power: 208-230 VAC, 50/60 Hz at 1.5 kW

RDS-200XL

The GCTS RDS-200XL Rock Direct Shear System is a versatile, high-capacity solution designed for laboratories requiring greater load capabilities while maintaining a compact footprint. It supports a wide range of specimen configurations, including cylindrical cores, cubes, prisms, and irregular rock fragments. Its advanced closed-loop control maintains constant normal stress through real-time area correction during shear displacement, delivering precise and reliable results at a competitive cost compared to higher-end systems.

Features:

  • Precise servo control of double acting (push/pull) 150 kN shear load actuator with ±25 mm stroke and 150 kN normal load actuator with 25 mm stroke.
  • Includes software for automatic performance of standard direct shear tests as well as advanced procedures such as constant normal stiffness test.
  • Stiff reaction system to minimize “stick-slip” behavior.
  • 8 input channels with 24-bit resolution.
  • Compatible with Windows/iOS/Android devices with a simple to use mobile application. Capable of performing automatic tests, data logging, and reporting with real time graphical display of test progress.
  • Meets ASTM D5607

Specifications:

  • Maximum Specimen Size: 150 mm (5.9 in)
  • Shear Load Capacity: 150 kN (33,721 lbs.)
  • Normal Load Capacity: 150 kN (33,721 lbs.)
  • Shear Displacement Rate: 0 – 100 mm/min (3.94 in/min)
  • Dimensions: 1.5 x 1.3 x 1.8 m (59 x 51 x 71 in) (L x W x H)
  • Weight: 650 kg (1,450 lbs.)

Requirements:

  • Power: 208-230 VAC, 50/60 Hz at 1.5 kW

RDS-300

The GCTS RDS-300 Rock Direct Shear System is a robust, servo-controlled solution engineered for medium-to-high load applications in standard laboratory settings. It accommodates a wide variety of specimen configurations, including cylindrical cores, cubes, prisms, and irregular rock fragments. Its advanced closed-loop control maintains constant normal stress through real-time area correction during shear displacement, providing accurate shear strength measurements with enhanced stiffness and performance.

Features:

  • Precise servo control of double acting (push/pull) 300 kN shear load actuator with ±50 mm stroke and 300 kN normal load actuator with 100 mm stroke.
  • Includes software for automatic performance of standard direct shear tests as well as advanced procedures such as constant normal stiffness test.
  • Stiff reaction system to minimize “stick-slip” behavior.
  • 8 input channels with 24-bit resolution.
  • Compatible with Windows/iOS/Android devices with a simple to use mobile application. Capable of performing automatic tests, data logging, and reporting with real time graphical display of test progress.
  • Meets ASTM D5607

Specifications:

  • Maximum Specimen Size: 150 mm (5.9 in)
  • Shear Load Capacity: 300 kN (67,443 lbs.)
  • Normal Load Capacity: 300 kN (67,443 lbs.)
  • Shear Displacement Rate: 0 – 100 mm/min (3.94 in/min)
  • Dimensions: 0.81 x 1.83 x 1.92 m (32 x 72 x 75.4 in) (L x W x H)
  • Weight: 775 kg (1,700 lbs.)

Requirements:

  • Power: 208-230 VAC, 50/60 Hz at 1.5 kW

RDS-500

The GCTS RDS-500 Rock Direct Shear System is a high-capacity, servo-controlled apparatus developed for demanding direct shear testing under elevated normal loads. It supports a wide range of specimen configurations, including cylindrical cores, cubes, prisms, and irregular rock fragments. Its advanced closed-loop control maintains constant normal stress through real-time area correction during shear displacement, ensuring reliable results for complex rock mechanics investigations.

Features:

  • Precise servo control of double acting (push/pull) 300 kN shear load actuator with ±50 mm stroke and 1,500 kN normal load actuator with 100 mm stroke.
  • Includes software for automatic performance of standard direct shear tests as well as advanced procedures such as constant normal stiffness test.
  • Stiff reaction system to minimize “stick-slip” behavior.
  • 8 input channels with 24-bit resolution.
  • Compatible with Windows/iOS/Android devices with a simple to use mobile application. Capable of performing automatic tests, data logging, and reporting with real time graphical display of test progress.
  • Meets ASTM D5607

Specifications:

  • Maximum Specimen Size: 150 mm (5.9 in)
  • Shear Load Capacity: 300 kN (33,721 lbs.)
  • Normal Load Capacity: 1,500 kN (337,213 lbs.)
  • Shear Displacement Rate: 0 – 100 mm/min (3.94 in/min)
  • Dimensions: 0.81 x 1.83 x 1.92 m (32 x 72 x 75.4 in) (L x W x H)
  • Weight: 775 kg (1,700 lbs.)

Requirements:

  • Power: 208-230 VAC, 50/60 Hz at 1.5 kW

RDS-500XL

The GCTS RDS-500XL Rock Direct Shear System is a large-scale, high-capacity solution designed for advanced laboratories conducting tests on larger rock specimens and discontinuities. It supports a wide range of specimen configurations, including cylindrical cores, cubes, prisms, and irregular rock fragments up to 300 mm. Its advanced closed-loop control maintains constant normal stress through real-time area correction during shear displacement, delivering accurate and repeatable results for high-load applications.

Features:

  • Precise servo control of double acting (push/pull) 1,500 kN shear load actuator with ±50 mm stroke and 1,000 kN normal load actuator with 100 mm stroke.
  • Includes software for automatic performance of standard direct shear tests as well as advanced procedures such as constant normal stiffness test.
  • Stiff reaction system to minimize “stick-slip” behavior.
  • 8 input channels with 24-bit resolution.
  • Compatible with Windows/iOS/Android devices with a simple to use mobile application. Capable of performing automatic tests, data logging, and reporting with real time graphical display of test progress.
  • Meets ASTM D5607

Specifications:

  • Maximum Specimen Size: 300 mm (11.8 in)
  • Shear Load Capacity: 1,500 kN (337,213 lbs.)
  • Normal Load Capacity: 1,000 kN (224,808 lbs.)
  • Shear Displacement Rate: 0 – 100 mm/min (3.94 in/min)
  • Dimensions: 1.46 x 3.44 x 2.76 m (58 x 136 x 109 in) (L x W x H)
  • Weight: 7,167 kg (15,800 lbs.)

Requirements:

  • Power: 460 VAC, 60 Hz 3P at 27A

Relevant Standards

ASTM D4554 Standard Test Method for In Situ Determination of Direct Shear Strength of Rock Discontinuities

ASTM D5607 Standard Test Method for Performing Laboratory Direct Shear Strength Tests of Rock Specimens Under Constant Normal Force

Related Documents

New direct shear testing protocols and analyses for fractures and healed intrablock rockmass discontinuities

Day, J.J., Diederichs, M.S., Hutchinson, D.J., 2017. New direct shear testing protocols and analyses for fractures and healed intrablock rockmass discontinuities. Eng. Geol. 229, 53-72.

New Data Processing Protocols to Isolate Fracture Deformations to Measure Normal and Shear Joint Stiffness

Packulak, T.R.M., Day, J.J., Ahmed Labeid, M.T. et al. New Data Processing Protocols to Isolate Fracture Deformations to Measure Normal and Shear Joint Stiffness. Rock Mech Rock Eng (2021).

Are you interested in our Rock Direct Shear Test solution? Contact us today!