Tunnelling & Rock Engineering Laboratory (TRE)

The research is carried out within the framework of doctoral programmes, degree and master's theses, research and consultancy contracts with public bodies and private companies.

In the field of tunnel construction, the laboratory is specialized in the study of machines and procedures connected with mechanised full-section excavation in rocks and soils, consolidation and support. As part of the study of rock faces, the laboratory deals with hazard and risk analyses, also by means of numerical analyses, with particular reference to rockfalls and the related protection and prevention works.

The laboratory therefore consists of two joint and interoperating research centres: Tunnelling & Underground Space Research Center (TUSC) and Rockfall Protection Engineering Research Center (RoPE).

Screw conveyor extraction device-min Foam generator-min Dynamic adhesion test device Miscelatore in pressione Two-component backfilling test equipment Permeameter Abrams' cone Hydraulic press COCLA compass Profilometer 30 cm Profilometer 10 cm GeoHammer L-type rock sclerometer Tunnelling & Underground Space Center (TUSC) Field survey and analyses Analyses, research and modelling activities

EQUIPMENT

• Screw conveyor extraction device: tank with compression plate and screw conveyor for the extraction of conditioned soil
• Foam generator: device for the generation of foam with high sensitivity control of fluid flows
• Dynamic adhesion test device: tank with compression plate and rotating adhesion plate with torsiometer
• Rotational mixer device: tank with central mixing shaft and torsiometer, and transversal motorized shaft for the installation of tools
• Two-component backfilling test equipment: high precision scale, high speed mixer, viscometer, Marsh’s cone
• Permeameter: device for the determination of constant-head permeability of soil
• Abrams’ cone: device for the determination of the consistency of conditioned soil
• Hydraulic press: press in load control
• COCLA compasses: surveying instruments for determining the angle of inclination and dip of the planes, in accordance with Prof. Dr. Clar's method of measurement.
• Profilometer 30 cm: measuring instrument for quantifying the roughness of a surface
• Profilometer 10 cm: measuring instrument for quantifying the roughness of a surface
• GeoHammer L-type rock sclerometer: instrument for determining the compressive strength of rock material