MODULE 4

LABORATORY AND FIELD

TESTING OF ROCKS

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 OVERVIEW
• Laboratory tests :
• Tension- Split tensile / Brazilian test
• Shear –UCC and Triaxial test
• Flexure- Beam bending test
• Elastic Modulus by Brazilian and bending tests
• Insitu tests:
• Deformability- PLT, Uniaxial jacking, Pressuremeter
• Shear strength- Insitu direct shear test
• Internal stresses- Hydraulic fracturing, Flat jack tests,
stress relief technique
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
 ROCKS
• Naturally formed, solidly bonded mass of minerals which cannot be easily
disintegrated by hand or by a single wetting and drying cycle

• Rock  progressive fracture  soils transported

• Distinction? UCS qu> 1MPa Rock

• Response of rock to different loads important

• Depends on : rock mechanical properties, and geological features

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
Applications

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 Complexities in rock analysis
• Specimen properties different from mass properties
• Anisotropic and heterogeneous
• Time and scale dependent
• Coupled geological processes

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 Primary classification of rocks
• Based on origin
1. Igneous: by cooling and solidification of molten lava or magma
Eg: Granite, Basalt

2. Sedimentary: By weathering of igneous rocks and transportation by

several agents Deposited in layers(weak planes) Eg: limestone,
sandstone

3. Metamorphic: Formed from igneous or sedimentary rocks, due to changes

induced by heat and pressure eg: marble (from limestone), Shale (from
sandstone)

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 ROCK SAMPLING
• Using percussion drilling or core
drilling
• Preparation IS 9179-1979
• Expensive
• Borelog: Borehole no:, location,
orientation of borehole, drilling
technique, drilling progress, flush
returns, standing water level
• State of recovery  important to
be noted
• Labelled in coreboxes: with site
name, BH no: , contract details,
labels on lid and sample
• Rock core recovery noted

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 INDEX PROPERTIES
• Easily identified, and measurable used for classification
1. Unit weight: By finding specific gravity of grains (after grinding)
• Granite: 26 KN/m3
• Marble : 27 KN/m3
• Limestone: 20 KN/m3
2. Porosity: n= Va/V *100  a quality index measure of extent of fissures
and cracks
• Porosity represents the storage capacity of the geologic material
• Depends on : Particle size distribution, mineral composition, sorting of grains,
degree of compaction of grains etc.
• Igneous: 1-2 %
• Sedimentary: 0-90 % (reduce with age and depth)
– Sandstone: 15%
– Chalk; >50%
• Can be obtained from specific gravity and water content:
– n= wG/ (1+wG)
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
3. Permeability
• Measure of ease with which fluids will flow though a porous rock
• Depends on number and interconnectivity of pores and fissures
• Porous rock need not be permeable  unless pores are interconnected 
eg: Pumice: (highly porous but impermeable)
• Lab test: q= kiA
• Two methods: Measure discharge Q through specimen, under constant air
pressure, over time t (q= Q/t)
• Radial flow test: Hollow cylindrical specimen prepared by drilling central
hole and measuring flow between the outer and inner surfaces

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
4. Electrical resistivity
– Resistance to flow of electric current
– Depends on: mineral composition, porosity, fluid type, salinity,
saturation, and grain size distribution
– Rock with metal oxides more conductivity less resistivity

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
5. Slaking and Durability
• Should not disintegrate
• Depends on many factors- chemical composition, exposed atmospheric
conditions, fluid properties, age of rock etc.
• Many indices developed. Mainly 2:
– Slake Durability Index
– Liquidity Index
• Different forces of disintegration:
– Exfoliation
– Hydration
– Slaking
– Oxidation
– Solution
– Abrasion
• Slake Durability Test:
– assess the resistance disintegration when subjected to two standard
cycles of drying and wetting in a slaking fluid (usually water)

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 DURABILITY
 Durability may be defined as resistance to destruction. If a
rock mass is more durable, it will last for a longer period
when put to an use

 Durability of rock mass will depend on the nature of

environment against which it is going to be used

 In other words, the durability depend on climate and

atmosphere and the amount of exposure of rock mass

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 AGENCIES
 Agencies which reduce the durability of rock mass are
Hydration, Slaking, Oxidation, Abrasion. These may act
alone and in combination

 Rock mass starts changing as soon as a fresh surface is

exposed to the atmosphere, The process of decay retards
with time

 Hence before using a rock mass, its degree of decay or its

durabilty, has to be ascertained

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
What Is Meant By Slaking ?

Slaking is the process in which earth

materials disintegrate and crumble when
exposed to moisture.

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
SLAKE DURABILITY INDEX TEST

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
OBJECTIVE
This test is done to find out the resistance offered by a rock
sample to weakening and disintegration when subjected to two
standard cycles of drying and wetting in a slaking fluid usually
water.
APPARATUS USED

NAME OF LEAST
CAPACITY
EQUIPMENT COUNT/ACCURACY

Balance As per requirement 0.01% of the sample

Slake durability test Must give 20 rev/min. —
apparatus
Oven 105±50C 10C

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 SAMPLE PREPARATION
Test sample consist of minimum of 10 rock lumps, each weighing
40 to 60 g to give a total sample weight of 400 to 600 g. Rocks
lumps should be spherical and corners of rock lumps should be
rounded off during preparation.
PROCEDURE
[Link] the sample to constant mass by placing it in oven,
maintained at a temp of 105±50C. Place the sample in the drum
of the machine and record the weight of sample plus drum as ‘A’.
2. Fit the lid with the drum; mount the drum in the trough.
3. Fill the trough with slaking fluid to a level 20 mm below the
drum axis. Rotate the drum at 20 rev/min for a period of 10
minutes.
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
4. Remove the drum from trough and remove the lid from the
drum.
5. Dry the drum plus retained portion of the sample in an oven
maintained at a temp of 105±5C.
6. Record the weight of drum plus retained portion of the sample
as ‘B’.
7. Repeat the steps from 2 to 5 for a further period of 10 minutes.
Record the weight of drum plus retained portion of sample as ‘C’
[Link] the drum and record its weight as ‘D’

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
SLAKE DURABILITY INDEX

The slake durability index (2nd cycle) is calculated as

percentage ratio of final to initial dry sample weight as
follows.
ID = ROCK RETAINED IN THE DRUM/TOTAL DRY WEIGHT OF THE ROCK *100

ID= ((C-D)/(A-D))*100

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
DURABILITY CLASSIFICATION

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
CHANGE IN LIQUIDITY INDEX

 Morgenstern and Eigenbrod (1974) used a water

absorption test to determine the amount and rate of
slaking of argillaceous materials
 They came to conclusion that non cemented claystone or
shale absorbed water faster
 Materials with high liquid limit are more severely affected
by slaking

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
LIQID LIMIT AMOUNT OF
SLAKING
<20% VERY LOW
20-50% LOW
50-90% MEDIUM
90-140% HIGH
>140% VERY HIGH

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
CLASSIFICATION ΔIL

SLOW <.75
FAST .75-1.25
VERY FAST >1.25

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
6. Sonic Velocity
• Velocity of elastic waves(stress waves) in intact rock
• Different rock types posses different velocity  hence very helpful in
characterizing the ground
• Velocity in intact rock different from (higher than) that in fissured or jointed
condition Thus it is a quality index
• Massive igneous rocks – higher sonic velocity than metamorphic and
sedimentary rocks
• Depends upon mineral composition, porosity, temperature, depth, direction
etc.

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
• Quality Index IQ= (Actual Velocity/theoretical velocity) *100

• Fourmaintraux established a relation between IQ and porosity n

• Based on lab and field observations, chart prepared by Fourmaintraux:

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
6. Point Load Strength
-Mechanical property simple test for field identification and classification
• Test Procedure: ( IS 8764 (1998) ): Rock cores of 50mm diameter(d) and
length l= 1.4d is loaded by hardened steel cones until failure occurs in a
direction parallel to loading axis record failure load P
• The specimen placed horizontally such that the loading point is atleast 0.75d
from nearest end
• Load to the core specimen is applied such that failure occur within 10-60 sec.

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
• Minimum of 10 test specimens tested find average value.
• Test can be conducted on dry or 2 days soaked specimens.
• Point load Index Is= P/ D2
• Anisotropic specimen test along and across the bedding plane

Type of rock Point Load index Is (Mpa)

Dolomite 6-11

Limestone 0.25-8

Shale 0.2-8

Volcanic rocks 3-15

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 Lab tests for Mechanical Properties
1. Triaxial Test
2. Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS)
3. Ring shear Test
4. Split Tensile Test/ Brazilian Test
5. Beam bending Test for Flexure

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 1. Triaxial test on rock
• Conducted by applying confining pressure to a desired value and axially
loading the specimen in the compression testing machine till failure
• The axial load and the confining pressure are increased simultaneously and
in such a way that to maintain a hydrostatic condition until the
predetermined test level for the confining pressure is reached.
• Subsequently the confining pressure has to be maintained in the
predetermined level till failure occurs with axial loading.
• Three minimum test need to be conducted at three different confining
pressure levels to get the three different failure loads but testing on five
specimens are preferred at 5 different levels of confining pressure and gives
more reliable results (IS 13047).

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 Apparatus

Test cell

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
Hydraulic pump
 Procedure
• Confining pressure applied by means of hydraulic pump and maintained
through the oil, filled in the cell.
• Axial load  applied at a constant rate of deformation or loading in a loading
machine.
• Each test provides one point(peak strength) on the failure envelope
minimum 3 done under various confining pressures  Mohr circles drawn
• With the increase in confining pressure the peak failure stress also increases
and the corresponding Mohr envelops drawn
• From this the value of the internal friction angle ϕ and the apparent cohesion
'c' may be obtained.
• The cohesion and friction values of the rock material is determined from the
best fit line (usually the Mohr- coulomb failure envelope)

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
 [Link] Compressive Strength of Rock(UCS)

 The uniaxial compressive strength is the value of compressive stress at which

the specimen fails.
 The compressive strength is usually obtained by compression testing
machine.
 This test is usually conducted in straight circular cylindrical .

 Load on the specimen shall be applied continuously at a constant stress rate

such that the failure will occur within 5-10 minutes of loading.
 For practical consideration atleast five numbers of tests are preferred.

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of Civil Engg

UCS test under progress with 200t capacity compression testing machine
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of Civil Engg
Modulus of elasticity and Poisson's ratio

From uniaxial compression test, young's modulus of elasticity

and Poisson's ratio of rock specimen are determined if the
stress strain behaviour till peak is captured. The slope of the
stress-strain curve is basically gives the elastic modulus of the
specimen.

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of Civil Engg

 Young's modulus defined as the ratio of the axial stress change to axial strain rate
produced by the stress change may be calculated using any one of several methods
plotted by stress - strain curve.
 Tangent young's modulus is measured at stress level which is fixed percentage of the
ultimate strength (shown in Figure a).
 Secant young's modulus measured from zero stress to some fixed percentage of the
ultimate strength taken generally at 50% (shown in Figure b).
 Poisson's ratio shall be calculated as the ratio of the total diametric strain to the total
axial strain at any given stress level.

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of Civil Engg

PROCEDURE
 It is more commonly used test for rocks to determine its strength
but it should be done carefully for accurate results.
 The samples obtained during exploration are trimmed as per
requirements.
 The specimen should in the cylindrical form and length to width
ratio of specimen should be varying from 2 to 2.5
 The ends of specimen should be exactly perpendicular to the axis
of cylinder and ends should be flat, smooth and parallel.

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of Civil Engg

 The dia of specimen should not be less than 35mm.
generally 45 mm dia is preferable as per IS:9143-1979.
 The specimen is placed in compression testing machine
and subjected to compression with a stress rate of 0.5 to
1.0MPa per second.
 Note down the peak load value (P) where it fails and find
out the strength of rock using below formula. Where A
= initial c/s area of specimen.
 q u = P/A

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of Civil Engg

Some typical values of compressive strength of some rocks

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of Civil Engg

 [Link] Shear Test
• Gives the shear strength of rock as a function of confining pressure.
• In this test the specimen doesn‟t require perfect square or smooth ends.
• Load is applied parallel to the axis of core. As the load is applied to the
plunger, 2 sets of complex fractures surfaces form along the two planes of
imposed shear.
• The shear strength is calculated by Tp = P/2A where p = load , A = area of
cross section of specimen.

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 4. Brazilian Test
• The Brazilian test is a simple indirect testing method to obtain the tensile
strength of brittle material such as concrete, rock, and rock-like materials.
• Due to its simplicity and efficiency, it is the most commonly used
laboratory testing methods in geotechnical investigation of rocks.
• In this test, a thin circular disc is diametrically compressed to failure. Four
typical loading configurations are shown in Fig

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
The indirect tensile strength is typically calculated based on the
assumption that failure occurs at the point of maximum tensile
stress, i.e., at the center of the disc.

ROCK SPECIMEN

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
BRAZILIAN TEST APPARATUS

• The instrument is useful for testing specimen from 50mm dia to 100mm and
of thickness of half the diameter.
• The specimen is held in circular jaws, this is primarily similar to a
compression machine and consists of a small load frame having sturdy base
with two vertical threaded rods and an adjustable cross head.
• The hydraulic jack is fitted at the centre of the base of the load frame
• The jack of the load frame is self retracting and two plain platens are
supplied.
• A pressure gauge capacity 0-100 kN is fixed at the base of jack
• A maximum pointer is also provided on the gauge, a pair of semi circular
platens for 50mm dia samples also provided.
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
• The instrument can be used in field also. Civil Engg
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
 PROCEDURE
• In the Brazilian test, a disc shape specimen of the rock is loaded by two
opposing normal strip loads at the disc periphery.
• The specimen diameter shall preferably be not less than NX core size (54
mm), or at least 10 times the average grain size.
• The thickness/diameter ratio should be 0.5 to [Link] load
is continuously increased at a constant rate until failure of the sample occurs
within few minutes.
• The loading rate depending on the material and may from 10 to 50 kN/min.
• At the failure, the tensile strength of the rock is calculated as follows.

where ,
P- load at failure (N),
D- diameter of the test specimen (mm)
t -thickness of the test specimen measured at the center (mm).
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
 [Link] Bending Test on Rocks
• This is also called as flexure test.
• The beam(rock specimen) is subjected to bending till failure occurs.
• Generally 4 –point flexural loading system is used. The bottom surface of
the beam is supported at two points, one near each end.
• The top portion of the beam is loaded at the third points. This system
produces pure bending in the middle third of the beam.
• The flexural strength (modulus of rupture) is given by

• where P = load , L = length of specimen, d = dia of specimen

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 INSITU TESTING OF ROCKS
• Limitations of laboratory testing:
– Wrong extrapolation on behaviour of rock mass
– Sample disturbance
– Scale and time dependent

• Insitu tests preferred –esp. for determining insitu rock stresses and
deformability, shear strength of rock mass, rock mass permeability
• Limitations of insitu tests-
– High and non uniform strain rates
– No control over drainage conditions
– Expensive and time consuming
– Poorly defined boundary conditions
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
– Affected by site conditions Civil Engg
Requirements of insitu rock testing

Reduce cost
Use compact
without
and simple
compromising
equipments
the test quality

Loading
Influence area conditions must
must represent be nearest to
the average actual
rock behaviour anticipated
conditions

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 Tests
• 1. Tests for shear strength

• 2. General Strength Tests

• 3. Tests for deformability

• 4. Tests for internal stresses

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 I. SHEAR STRENGTH TESTS
• INSITU DIRECT SHEAR TEST
• The test is to find out the insitu cohesion and friction values.
• In this test, peak & residual direct shear strength are measured as a function of
stress normal to the sheared plane, on the same test horizon with each specimen
tested at a different normal stress keeping it constant for the particular
observation.
• Equipments : equipment for cutting & encapsulating the test block- rock saws,
drills, hammer & chisels, formwork of appropriate dimensions & rigidity,
expanded polystyrene sheeting & steel shear box (700 x 700 x 350 mm),
equipment for applying normal load usually hydraulic jacks, equipment for
applying the shear force usually hydraulic jacks, equipment for measuring the
applied forces, pumps and pressure gages and equipment for measuring shear,
normal & lateral displacements.

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
Schematic view of test apparatus

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
Procedure
• Prepare the assembly
• Apply normal loads
• Take horizontal and vertical displacements.
• Shear force followed by shear stress is calculated

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
Merits
• Tests carried out in place in natural environment without sampling.

• Continuous profiles of stratigraphy are obtained.

• Fast, produce large amount of information and are cost effective.

Demerits
• Some disturbance is imparted to the ground by the insertion of instrument
• Empirical correlations have to be applied to interpret and obtain
engineering properties.

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 II. TESTS FOR DEFORMABILITY

• Modulus of deformation  an essential parameter for the design of

tunnels underground chambers and related structures.

• Govern the strain conditions that develop around an excavation during its
initial changes.

• Deformability characteristics assessment significance:

– (a) to assess expected displacement during excavation and subsequent
monitoring to check stability

– (b) to evaluate the correct design of rock support measures that must be able to
accommodate the expected deformation without failure.

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 1. INSITU PLATE LOAD TEST

• Deformability of rock mass is characterized by a modulus describing the

relationship between the applied load and the resulting deformation

• Plate load test on rocks is for finding the deformation modulus as rock
mass usually doesn‟t behave elastically.

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
EQUIPMENTS

• 1. Dead loading platform

• 2. Hydraulic Jack assembly

• 3. Pump with calibrated pressure gauge.

• 4. Circular bearing plates

• 5. Precise dial gauges

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
Plate load test

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
• Deformation modulus (reloading) is estimated from loading response of last
loading cycle. Elastic modulus is estimated from last unloading cycle.
• Modulus values are estimated based on Boussinesq solution for a point load on
infinite homogeneous, isotropic and linearly elastic material
• Equation is of the from,

E = Elastic/deformation modulus in kg/cm2

m = 0.96 for circular plate and 0.95 for square plate
δ = Incremental displacement (deformation or settlement) of bearing
plate in one loading cycle in cm
P = Incremental applied load in kg
A = Area of test plate in cm2
μ = Poisson‟s ratio of rock mass
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
2. UNIAXIAL JACKING TEST (IS: 7317-1993)
• The test is conducted in drift in two directions (horizontal and vertical).

• Load is applied on rigid plate in increments and displacement of plate and

rock mass below the plate is measured with multiple positions of borehole
extensometers (MPBX) in reference to a base anchor.

• Assuming rock mass homogeneous and semi-infinite, Boussinesq principle

of stress distribution under point load is applied.

• The observed displacements at various depths and corresponding to the

order of stress, values for modulus have been estimated.

• The test methodology suggested by

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
Equipments and procedure
• Test preparation equipments excavation tools
• Deformation measuring units
• Loading equipments
• Load applied on 2 parallel faces of a section of drift
• Drift size minimum 1.25m wide and 2.2m high
• Starting load_ 0.5 Kg/cm2
• Test surface prepared
• Concrete pads between loading plate and rock
• Sufficient time for cement mortar to set, before test
• Minimum 6 cycles

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 [Link] TEST

• To measure the “at-rest horizontal earth pressure” and soil/soft rock

modulus.

• Louis Menard from France in 1955

• Applications:
– • Bearing capacity of shallow and deep foundations

– • Settlement of all types of foundations

– • Deformation of laterally loaded piles and sheet piles

– • Resistance of anchors

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
Procedure
• Performed by applying pressure to the sidewalls of the borehole.

• Two units, one readout unit that rests on the ground surface and a probe that
is inserted into the borehole.

• Probe inserted into the borehole upto desired depth supported by guard
cells

• Measuring cell- and inflatable rubber membrane filled with water

expands, exerting uniform pressure on borehole wall.  walls deform

• The pressure within the measuring cell is held constant for approximately 60
seconds and the increase in volume required to maintain the constant pressure
is recorded.
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
• Stress controlled and strain controlled Civil Engg
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
 III. STRENGTH TESTS
• Bearing capacity test:  Plate load test
• Compressive strength test:
– Load applied on a rock column through jacks  deformation recorded by
dial gauges  Loading pad ensures uniform loading loaded till failure
empirical relations used
• Tensile strength test:
– Commonly used test is pull test
– 20-25cm deep hole drilled into rock mass Pull applied inserting
hydraulic jack failure envelope forms a cone around the drilled hole
tensile strength estimated as a function of radius of cone formed

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 IV. TESTS FOR INTERNAL STRESSES
• Due to : overburden pressure, confinement, or past stress history
• When zero: rock mass fall
• When high: any disturbance trigger huge release of stored energy failure
• Significance:
– Orientation of cavern
– Shape selection
– Layout of underground works
– Saving in lining of tunnels
– Surface excavations
• Vertical stress: γh and horizontal stress: kγh
• Methods:
– Hydraulic fracturing method
– Flat jack method
– Overcoring method

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 a. Hydraulic fracturing method
(IS 13946Part-1:1994. )
• Defines the stress state at a definite depth
• Requires lots of instrumentation.
• Rock section at desired depth is isolated using two packers Water pressure
used to make crack in borehole
• As water pressure increases, insitu compressive stresses reduce and net effect
tensile stress reaches failure crack crack extends pressure reduces to
steady value shut in pressure
• Pressure Vs Time recorded
• Insitu stresses calculated using theory of elasticity
• Used for rock at a considerable depth

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
 b. FLAT JACK TEST
• Principle: Releasing the insitu pressure on the rock mass, and recovering it by
hydraulic pressure.

• Consists of : a flat jack (2 metal sheets welded around), feeder tube, and pins.

• Two pins drilled into the test surface, at a measured distance „d‟

• Slit( 35-50mm) cut between the pins thus releasing the insitu pressure.

• If the normal stress is compressive  the pins move closer when slot is cut.

• Flat jack inserted into the slot  pressurized by oil or water stresses
increase pins move apart

• When the initial stress state is recovered, the pins will be back at the initial
position this pressure is recorded

• Can be carried out only when there is an access to rock face

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
 c. Stress relief technique (Overcoring method)

• Principle: Rock element containing the strain measuring device is relieved from
the stress imposed by the surrounding rock and the resulting strains are measured
which help in determination of stresses known by stress-strain relation

• Equipments: electrical strain gages, bore hole deformation meter, bore hole
inclusion stress meter and bore hole strain gauge devices.

• Small diameter borehole drilled strain gauge placed inside Larger borehole
drilled concentrically over  detached thick cylinder formed stress relief
occurs deformation measured

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of
Civil Engg
 Questions
1. Explain the various tests for determination of strength of rocks
• Bearing strength Plate load test Explain the setup,
procedure(similar to soil test)
• Compression test for compressive strength
• Tensile strength Pull test
2. Explain what are the commonly used test for measurement of insitu stresses
in rocks
 Hydraulic fracturing test
 Flat jack test
 Stress relief technique or overcoring

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg
 Questions
• What are bending tests in rocks ?
• Explain in detail shear and pressure tests on
rocks.

Ms. Anjana R Menon,[Link]., Dept of

Civil Engg