Modified Slake Durability Test

The modified slake durability test comprises several tests designed to assess the potential for clogging during the mechanized excavation of soft and weak rocks. Firstly, the water content of the natural material is determined. Secondly, slake durability tests are conducted on two subsamples to simulate the rock decaying into finer particles. Thirdly, the decay products of these tests are characterized in terms of soil mechanical parameters. The liquid and plastic limits are determined on the first subsample and a combined wet/dry sieve analysis is performed on the second. All the results are merged and plotted in diagrams, which allow the clogging potential to be estimated in mechanized tunnelling, for example.

Reference:
Hollmann and Thewes (2012) 
Hollmann and Thewes (2013)
Hollmann and Thewes (2014)