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Study of Dominant Factors Affecting Cerchar Abrasivity Index

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Abstract

The Cerchar abrasion index is commonly used to represent rock abrasion for estimation of bit life and wear in various mining and tunneling applications. Although the test is simple and fast, there are some discrepancies in the test results related to the equipment used, condition of the rock surface, operator skills, and procedures used in conducting and measuring the wear surface. This paper focuses on the background of the test and examines the influence of various parameters on Cerchar testing including pin hardness, surface condition of specimens, petrographical and geomechanical properties, test speed, applied load, and method of measuring wear surface. Results of Cerchar tests on a set of rock specimens performed at different laboratories are presented to examine repeatability of the tests. In addition, the preliminary results of testing with a new device as a potential alternative testing system for rock abrasivity measurement are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

Several individuals and organizations have collaborated with the authors on this project and their input and participation is appreciated. This includes Advanced Terra Testing, Inc. and Dr. Hamid Nazeri, Mr. Brian Asbury of Colorado School of Mines, Dr. Chris D. Breeds of SubTerra, Inc., Mr. Gregory Thomas of TerraSense, LLC., Dr. Fulvio Tonon of Tonon Engineering Services in Austin Texas, Prof. Jeon of Seoul National University in Korea, and researchers in NTNU, Trondheim Norway.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

    Jamal Rostami

  2. Arup, New York, NY, USA

    Amireza Ghasemi

  3. JayDee Contractors, Inc., Seattle, WA, USA

    Ehsan Alavi Gharahbagh

  4. Dumlupinar University, Kutahya, Turkey

    Cihan Dogruoz

  5. SINTEF, Trondheim, Norway

    Filip Dahl

Authors
  1. Jamal Rostami
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  2. Amireza Ghasemi
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  3. Ehsan Alavi Gharahbagh
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  4. Cihan Dogruoz
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  5. Filip Dahl
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ehsan Alavi Gharahbagh.

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Rostami, J., Ghasemi, A., Alavi Gharahbagh, E. et al. Study of Dominant Factors Affecting Cerchar Abrasivity Index. Rock Mech Rock Eng 47, 1905–1919 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0487-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0487-3

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