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Soil, Aggregate and Rock Mechanics Laboratory (SAR-Lab)

Prof. Dr. Adil Binal
About the Laboratory

The main objective of establishing the Engineering Geology (Soil, Aggregate, and Rock Mechanics) Laboratories in the Department of Geological Engineering is to determine and investigate mechanical properties and behaviors of rock and soil media in accordance with international standards and suggested methods.

Initiated in 1976, these facilities were upgraded in the 1980s with the support of the French Government and further modernized in 2004 via H.U. BAP infrastructure grants using computer-controlled testing devices. Tests strictly comply with ISRM, ASTM, BS, and TSE standards.

The laboratory consists of four main sections: Rock Mechanics, Soil Mechanics, Aggregate Testing, and Sample Preparation (coring, cutting, and grinding).

Laboratory Documents & Downloads
Available Equipment List Rock Mechanics & Aggregate 2026 Price List Soil Mechanics 2026 Price List
Conducted Tests & Services
Tests carried out in the Rock and Soil Mechanics Laboratory determine physical, index, mechanical, deformability, consolidation, and swelling characteristics of geological materials.
A. Rock Mechanics Testing
A.1. Physical and Index Properties:
  • Water content and unit weight determination (natural, dry, saturated)
  • Water absorption test by weight and volume
  • Porosity and apparent porosity determination
  • Slake durability index test
  • Point load strength index and punch shear index test
  • Schmidt rebound hammer test
A.2. Strength and Deformability Properties:
  • Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS)
  • Tensile strength (Brazilian test)
  • Triaxial compressive strength
  • Modulus of elasticity and Poisson's ratio determination
  • Direct shear test using portable rock shear box
  • Direct shear test using strain-controlled shear apparatus
  • Sonic velocity test, wetting-drying, and freezing-thawing durability tests
A.3. Acoustic Emission (AE) Measurements:
  • Uniaxial compressive stress vs. AE Count / Activity Relationship
  • Tensile stress vs. AE Count / Activity Relationship
Note: AE counts and ring-down counts are recorded relative to stress changes under specific loading conditions using 10–400 kHz transducers. Full waveform analysis and in-situ stress determinations are excluded.
B. Soil Mechanics Testing
B.1. Physical and Index Properties:
  • Water content, unit weight, and specific gravity determination
  • Atterberg limits (liquid, plastic, plasticity index, shrinkage limit)
  • Sieve analysis and Hydrometer test
B.2. Strength, Deformability, Consolidation & Swelling:
  • Unconfined compression test
  • Triaxial shear strength testing (UU and CD conditions)
  • Direct shear test (strain-controlled)
  • One-dimensional consolidation and swelling tests
C. Aggregate Testing
  • Methylene Blue Test
  • Accelerated mortar-bar test
  • California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test
  • Los Angeles Abrasion Test
  • Automatic Proctor Compactor and Coarse Sieve System
  • Air content determination in fresh concrete
  • Direct shear testing for aggregate and rock materials (30x30x8 cm mold)
Application Forms
Sample Entry Form Test Request Form Sample Storage Form Liability / Responsibility Document Equipment Assignment Record Proforma Invoice Request Form
Contact Information
Laboratory Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Adil Binal
Address: Hacettepe University, Department of Geological Engineering, Applied Geology Division, 06800 Beytepe / Ankara / TURKEY
Phone: +90 (312) 297 77 00  |  Fax: +90 (312) 299 20 34
E-Mail: adil@hacettepe.edu.tr