Mechanical Testing Laboratory

The Mechanical Testing Laboratory (MTL) at the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering specializes in comprehensive mechanical material testing. The lab offers a range of services, including compressive, tensile, and fatigue testing. It utilizes various load cell capacities, extensometers, grips, and fixtures to accurately assess the mechanical properties of materials. This state-of-the-art facility supports diverse research and industry needs, providing critical testing data for evaluating material performance under various conditions. 

This laboratory earns the NATA accreditation for the rock mechanics test since March 2023.

Please find more details about NATA accredited tests.

Our Location:
Room 49-412, Advanced Engineering Building
Staff House Road
The University of Queensland
St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia

General enquiries

For Lab support:
labsupport@mechmining.uq.edu.au

For NATA Accreditation test:
zhongwei.chen@uq.edu.au
 

The Mechanical Testing Laboratory within the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering is accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA, Accredited Laboratory No. 21126) and certified to ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing services on the geotechnical and civil construction materials.

Mechanical Testing Laboratory since March 2023. 

NATA accredited laboratory testing

The laboratory offers tests that adhere to the testing methods described in the Australian standards (AS) and ASTM international standards to evaluate rock mechanical performance including,

• Uniaxial compressive strengths (AS 4133.4.2.1, AS 4133.4.2.2), 
• Young’s Modulus, Poisson’s Ratio (AS 4133.4.3.1, AS 4133.4.3.2),
• Moisture content (AS 4133.1.1.1)
• Triaxial strength (ASTM D7012 Method A), and 
• Brazilian indirect tensile strength (ASTM D3967)

These tests are vital for the mining sector (slope stability, underground mining) and civil engineering (retaining walls, tunnelling). The NATA accreditation sets a milestone in UQ's commitment to high-quality, reliable results, ensuring traceability, comparability, and client confidence.

Other laboratory testing

The Mechanical Testing Laboratory collaborates with the Rock Mechanics Laboratory performs more tests with various geotechnical, civil construction and geological samples.

• Ultrasonic test (Vp, Vs and dynamic modulus)
• Slake durability test
• Point load test (PLT)
• Acoustics emission monitoring 
• Porosity and permeability test
• Core flooding test
• Micro-CT and 3D reconstruction
• SEM-EDS

For more information, please contact:

Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen 
Phone: +61 7 3365 3742
Email: zhongwei.chen@uq.edu.au
 

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