Abstract: The present invention relates to a test cell 1 suitable for use in applying directionally variable three dimensional stress fields to cylindrical test specimens 6 normally obtained by conventional coring techniques used for sample recovery. The test cell 1 comprises a cell body 2 having a barrel 4 extending therethrough for receiving a test specimen 6. The barrel 4 has an array 8 of elongate tubes 10 mounted side-by-side so as to line the inside wall 12 of the barrel. The tubes 10 have flexible side walls 14 and are formed and arranged for connection to a pressurized fluid supply 16. The test cell 1 also includes a control system 15 so that at least one tube 10a can be supplied with pressurized fluid at a different pressure to that in another tube 10b so as to provide an angularly variable radial pressure loading on the test specimen 6 mounted in the barrel 2.

Abstract: Mining apparatus comprises two rigid elongate members joined together in an articulated manner and a signalling device arranged to provide information dependent upon the relationship of one of the members with respect to the other of the members. The invention is particularly applicable to measure the relationship between adjacent pans and an articulated mine conveyor, for example to assist in the alignment of the conveyor. The signalling device may have two base members which, in use are respectively bolted to two adjacent pans of an articulated conveyor. Relative movement between the members is translated by components into movement detectable by rectilinear potentiometers.

Abstract: A transducer is placed in a telescopic strut and connected to a roof cam and a floor cam. The cams are pivoted to a roof support and a constant load is applied to the cams by a gas spring. As convergence takes place a transducer in the telescopic strut records the relative movement between the floor and roof and transmits this as an electrical signal for analysis.