Studying the failure behaviour of engineered or natural materials under dynamic loading scenarios is of high importance, for example to investigate the fracture mechanics and to prevent catastrophic failures of constructions. When dynamic loading is coupled to high-speed X-ray imaging, not only surface information but images of the interior of the specimens during failure are accessible. Here, a custom designed Split Hopkinson Tension Bar (SHTB) coupled a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) has been developed, dedicated to study quasi-static and dynamic response using ultra-high speed X-ray phase contrast imaging. Both systems follow a compact design which allows them to be temporarily installed at a synchrotron beamline. A brief description of the installation and usage of these setups are outlined. Selected example applications outline the potential of these systems. Both systems can be considered for proposal experiments at beamline ID19 of the European synchrotron ESRF on request.

A promising solution to reduce energy usage and mitigate the wear of drilling and comminution tools during mining operations involves inducing vibrations within the piezoelectric phases dispersed in the structure of rocks using alternating current (AC). This paper presents experimental evidence of AC-induced weakening of Kuru granite, manifested as improvements in rock drillability and reductions of strength. Sievers’ J-miniature drill tests were used to assess surface drillability. The impact of AC treatment on the quasi-static strength of granite was assessed via three-point bending and indirect tension Brazilian disk tests. The influence of AC treatment on the dynamic tensile strength of the rock was determined using split Hopkinson bar tests, with the fragmentation process captured using in situ ultra-fast synchrotron X-ray phase contrast imaging. The quasi-static tests revealed no reduction in rock strength after the AC treatment. In contrast, reductions of 25% in hardness and 18% in dynamic tensile strength were observed. Fragmentation patterns differed between treated and non-treated rocks, with treated specimens exhibiting reduced macrocrack formation during loading.