The Slake Durability Apparatus is used to assess the resistance of weak and soft rocks, such as shale and mudstone, to disintegration when subjected to cycles of wetting and drying, simulating natural weathering processes.
The apparatus comprises a motorized drive unit mounted on a sturdy baseplate, capable of rotating two wire mesh drums at a constant speed of 20 revolutions per minute (rpm) within water tanks.
Each drum is constructed from 2.00 mm mesh, with dimensions of 140 mm in diameter and 100 mm in length, allowing for standardized sample preparation and testing.
The water tanks are designed to submerge the drums to a level 20 mm below their axis, ensuring consistent exposure of the rock samples to the slaking medium during rotation.
After a specified number of wetting and drying cycles, the percentage loss of mass from the rock samples is calculated, providing the Slake Durability Index, a quantitative measure of rock durability.
The apparatus is suitable for both laboratory and field applications, offering a reliable method for evaluating the long-term stability of rock materials in construction and geotechnical projects.
