In September Gesteinslabor was awarded by NAGRA with UCS, Brazilian and triaxial tests on neighbouring rocks of the Opalinus Clay - the rock which will host Switzerland's future facilities for nuclear waste disposal. The testing program commenced in November.

The testing program encompasses more than 300 tests for determining splitting tensile strength, unconfined compressive strength plus - most importantly - triaxial compressive strength. The extensive experimental schedule will keep the Gesteinslabor staff busy for the next two years and will play a key role for NAGRA in their setup and design of the future disposal site.