Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. & Geomech. Abstr. Vol. 14, pp. 93-101. Pergamon Press 1977.
Printed in Great Britain
Rock Mechanics Laboratory Testing
in the Context of a Consulting
Engineering Organization
E. HOEK*
INTRODUCTION
The first question to be asked in relation to rock
mechanics testing in the context of consulting geotech-
nical engineering is--is it necessary? Unfortunately, a
large percentage of rock mechanics engineers appear
to believe that the entire subject is centred on the rock
mechanics laboratory and that the answer to any prac-
tical problem will emerge provided that enough tests
are carried out. This attitude may stem from a
genuinely naive view that rock mechanics tests do in
fact play a major role in problem solving or alterna-
tively, it may stem from a feeling of desperation--if
you can't think of anything else to do, go and crunch
some rocks!
A careful consideration of the solutions to a number
of practical engineering problems suggests that rock
mechanics laboratory tests play a relatively minor role
in the spectrum of factors to be considered in arriving
at these solutions. There is no doubt that, in some
cases, test results are required and do play an impor-
tant role in defining solutions to problems. However,
such cases may be relatively infrequent and the consult-
ing engineeer should always ask himself "are these tests
really necessary?" If the answer is in the affirmative,
as it may well be, the engineer must then go on to
examine the relevance of each test and the sort of
equipment and effort which is required in order to
achieve a set of results of comparable engineering sig-
nificance to other data available.
The principal aim in consulting engineering must be
to arrive at a balanced solution to a problem--a solu-
tion in which all factors are considered to the degree
of detail consistent with the constraints of time and
financial resources available for the project. An over-
emphasis on laboratory testing will generally mean that
some other area is being neglected and that it is un-
likely that a balanced solution will be achieved. Having
delivered these words of wisdom and on the assump-
tion that the reader is now conditioned to see rock
mechanics laboratory testing in realistic perspective, the
author will now address himself to the principal topic
of this discussion--what sort of rock mechanics labora-
*Principal, Golder Associates Ltd., Vancouver, Canada; formerly
Professor of Rock Mechanics, Imperial College, London.
93
tory facilities does a consulting geotechnical organiza-
tion require in order to conduct its business properly'?
REVIEW O F ROCK MECHANICS TESTS
Table 1 gives a summary of the better known rock
mechanics tests which are discussed in the text which
follows.
I. Point load test
This test has become increasingly popular as a core
logging index. The test is at least 20-years old and was
originally known as the Brazilian test and was used
to determine the tensile strength of brittle rocks. This
original purpose seems largely to have been forgotten
and, since the validity of the test depends upon the
recognition of certain basic principles, the theoretical
basis for the test is discussed in an appendix to this
paper.
The point load test is used as a quick and inexpen-
sive means of obtaining a quantitative rock strength
indes while logging core. Figures 1 and 2 show 2 types
of commercially available point load test unit and these
are used, as illustrated, to apply diametrically opposed
point loads to cores or to irregular lumps. Provided
that a clean tensile fracture runs between the loading
points, the test gives a reliable estimate of the uniaxial
compressive strength of the rock. The criteria of accept-
ing test results are fully discussed in the Appendix.
The point load test cannot be used on very soft rocks
such as mudstone or claystone or on soft evaporites.
When used on anisotropic rocks such as slate, consider-
able care has to be taken to ensure that the loading
direction is either parallel to or perpendicular to the
dominant weakness direction.
One disadvantage of the point load test, shared with
all other strength tests, is that the core is fractured
and this can lead to confusion in subsequent interpre-
tation of fractures in the core. It is important, therefore,
that photography of the core and determination of the
RQD (Rock Quality Designation which is based upon
the number of intact core pieces of more than 10cm
length) should be carried out before the core is used
for point load tests.