Two generations of true triaxial loading (TTAL) apparatuses are presented. First generation apparatuses were intended primarily for true stress state imitation in rock or mineral specimens. Advanced second-generation installations are designed to provide precise measurements in any stress and simulation of rock outburst at sudden relief of one sample face. Both TTAL apparatuses can apply pressure up to 250 MPa corresponding to earth depth about 10,000 m independently along each of three axes. Experimental results are given on effect of absorbed water on ultimate state in coal as well as adsorbed methane influence on simulated coal outbursts. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.