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Rock Mechanics Laboratory
We drive innovation and scientific development in rock mechanics and its applications, sharing our expertise with society.
Innovation and scientific development in rock mechanics
LaMeRoc is based at the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University of A Coruña and is part of the research infrastructure network within the within the Centre in Building and Civil Engineering (CITEEC, by its Spanish initials). LaMeRoc is supported by a multidisciplinary team of researchers and teachers from the fields of Geology, Civil Engineering, Mining Engineering and other related areas.
LaMeRoc is based at the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University of A Coruña and is part of the research infrastructure network within the within the Centre in Building and Civil Engineering (CITEEC, by its Spanish initials). LaMeRoc is supported by a multidisciplinary team of researchers and teachers from the fields of Geology, Civil Engineering, Mining Engineering and other related areas.
The main purpose of LaMeRoc is to promote innovation and scientific development in rock mechanics and its applications, sharing specialized knowledge with society through collaboration, high-level training and the dissemination of scientific knowledge.
LaMeRoc aims to establish itself as a national and international leader in its field, promoting a culture based on best practice, quality of service, social commitment and environmental responsibility: Whether it’s the simplest or the most advanced tests, LaMeRoc pursues excellence in everything it does, which is its defining characteristic.
LaMeRoc is, first and foremost, an R&D&I laboratory that provides advanced technical services and consultancy to companies, institutions and research groups, both nationally and internationally. Additionally, it maintains a firm commitment towards education, by developing basic and advanced programmes for professionals and supervising master’s and PhD students.
The laboratory is always open to collaborating on R&D&I projects and contracts, as well as to building synergies with other research centres or companies with similar goals. Similarly, LaMeRoc takes a particular interest in promoting cooperation to develop advanced training and educational programs, including through agreements between institutions, sponsorship or patronage initiatives.
The areas of work at LaMeRoc cover a different range of activities:
- Routine tests (Routine Core Analyses, RCA) and special tests (Special Core Analyses, SCAL) on soils and rocks;
- Design and construction of experimental equipment;
- Advanced data analysis and processing; and
- Specialised training.
In line with these capabilities, over the last ten years we have carried out projects covering a wide range of sectors: civil and mining engineering, renewable energy and the energy transition (thermal storage, natural gas and hydrogen storage, CO₂ storage and mineralisation, amongst others), geothermal energy, hydrocarbon exploration and production, water resources and water quality, to name just a few.
LaMeRoc’s services can be contracted by contacting the network of foundations at the University of A Coruña:
- Fundación Universidade da Coruña (FUAC): fundacion.udc.es
- Fundación Empresa‑Universidad Gallega (FEUGA): https://www.feuga.es
- Fundación para la Ingeniería Civil de Galicia (FICG): http://www.ficg.es
- Sampling at outcrops and re-drilling of core samples; Cutting and grinding of test specimens; Dimensional verification; Sample cleaning (Soxhlet); Photography and documentation; etc.
- Determination of density (bulk, solid, etc.); porosity (MIP, helium pycnometry); mineralogy (XRD, DSC-TG); petrography (optical microscopy, SEM); chemical composition (XRF, m-XRF); ion exchange capacity; specific surface area (BET); X-ray microtomography; heat capacity, thermal expansion, thermal conductivity; etc.
- Water analysis: (ICP-MS, ion chromatography, spectrometry, stable isotopes, etc.)
- Geomechanical tests: Unconfined compressive strength (UCS); confined compressive strength (CCS) with or without pore pressure, stress-strain curves and strain measurement; direct or indirect tensile testing; shear strength tests on joints; fracture toughness in Mode I (pCT, SCB…) and Mode II; flow; etc.
- Petrophysical tests: Determination of the propagation velocities of compressional (VP) and shear (VS) waves; evaluation of dynamic elastic moduli; acoustic emission; etc.
- Assessment of permeability using gases or liquids, employing steady-state or transient methods (pressure pulse, pressure oscillation, etc.)
- Special tests: True triaxial; hydraulic fracturing; sanding; characterisation of proppants; single-phase or two-phase forced injection (core flooding); entry and breakthrough pressures; tracer injection; formation damage; high-temperature and high-pressure testing; video correlation (DIC); etc.
- Pollution studies; hydrochemical and reactive transport modelling.
The facilities of LaMeRoc are spread across the laboratories of CITEEC and those of the Faculty of Civil Engineering. Some other equipment is located in the Research Support Services (SAI) at the University of A Coruña. The laboratory is fully equipped with advanced and multi-purpose equipment, allowing it to perform everything from basic tests (RCA), in accordance with ASTM and UNE-EN standards or as recommended by the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM), to advanced tests that require highly-sophisticated instruments, high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, or extended testing times.
The modular design of the equipment makes it possible to reconfigure it to suit the specific requirements of each project. For this purpose LaMeRoc has a small mechanical and electrical workshop, backed up by the technical expertise of CITEEC. For larger-scale projects, the laboratory seeks professional support from trusted, highly qualified companies.
The origins of LaMeRoc lie in the field of Research and Technological Development (RTD). In response to the many challenges we have faced throughout our history, we have acquired specialized capabilities covering the conceptualisation, design, manufacture, validation and deployment of equipment that is used to conduct special tests.
Some of these systems have been developed to meet the specific needs of leading companies in the sector, while others are the result of in-house initiatives aimed to further our understanding of techniques, processes and materials.
Currently, LaMeRoc’s R&D activities are focused on two main areas:
- Design and manufacture of equipment; and
- Advanced application of additive manufacturing techniques.
- LaMeRoc has a small workshop for small-scale mechanical and electronic work. For larger-scale projects or teams, we have the human and material support of CITEEC, as well as a network of renowned companies that guarantee the delivery of high-quality technical solutions.
- High-pressure, high-precision programmable hydraulic pumps; Fluid exchangers via floating-piston cylinders; Equipment for high-temperature geomechanical testing; Specialised equipment (He pycnometry, thermal properties, etc.); Core-holding cells; Systems integration; etc.
Although the main focus of LaMeRoc’s work is rock mechanics, this is not its only area of interest. We are currently actively working on the development of innovative applications based, for the time being, on the use of additive manufacturing techniques that employ polymeric materials.
- Flexible materials; high-strength materials; materials with enhanced properties; testing and characterisation of polymers; membranes for triaxial testing equipment; instrumented membranes; various types of instrumentation; etc.
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