Stress dependency of the Cerchar abrasivity index (CAI) and its effects on wear of selected rock cutting tools

The abrasiveness of rocks is often described by the Cerchar abrasivity index CAI. However, the state of stress of the rock sample with the standard CAI test in the laboratory is different from the state of stress of rock to be excavated at the face of any underground opening. Until this work, no attempt has been made to estimate if and how the CAI is effected by in situ stresses. This paper demonstrates that the CAI is definitely stress-dependent. A novel test procedure in which the CAI tests is conducted on samples in a triaxial cell shows the stress dependency for various rock types by higher CAI values upon confining pressure. Additionally, the states of stress at the face of different underground openings are discussed and application of the elevated CAI values for estimating wear of roadheader picks and TBM discs is given.