Behavior of construction materials under high static and dynamic stresses and under high temperatures is very important for the analysis and design of facilities in the resource extraction and disposal domain, but also in more conventional structures. Basic knowledge on such material behavior is incomplete largely due to a lack of experimentation. The proposed high pressure triaxial equipment will make such experimental research possible. The triaxial apparatus is designed for axial compression stresses and confining pressures of up to 50000 psi and true axial tensile stress of up to 10000 psi. The cell will be built by a local firm specializing in high pressure equipment, while the other equipment will be built by this firm and MIT staff and students. Research to be performed with this apparatus includes investigations on rock and concrete, which requires the combination of medium specimen size, large and dynamic loads, pore pressures and high temperatures.
