Above is the workhorse of our rock deformation laboratory, a gas-medium deformation apparatus. Designed and built by Mervyn Paterson, this rig has been in use since 1991. We have performed over 1400 runs in it, making us one of the most productive rock deformation labs in the world. In this vessel, we can deform samples in either pure or simple shear, and apply either a constant load to the sample, or a constant actuator displacment rate, which approximates a constant strain rate. Experiments are typically done at temperatures ranging from 1100 - 1300 C, and confining pressures of 200 - 400 MPa.
We received a second Paterson apparatus in the summer of 2002, making us the only rock deformation laboratory in the U.S. with two of these rigs. This new unit is capable of deforming samples in torsion. By twisting the sample from above with a torsion actuator (pictured below) we can explore theoretically unlimited strains.
In the Experimental Petrology Lab is the 1000 ton Rockland Research press. Efforts thus far have focused on 18 mm octahedral cell, which is now calibrated to 10 GPa. There is also a cubic anvil module for large volume work to 6 GPa. There are also two piston cylinder rigs in the Experimental Petrology Lab.
