POINT LOAD TEST

PRESENTED BY:

1. CINDY ACHIENG’-ENM231-0094/2020
2. WICKLIF OCHIENG’-ENM231-0085/2020

EMM 2307 – ROCK MECHANICS 1

DATE – 16-03-2024
INTRODUCTION
The Point load test is an index test by which the rock is classified according to the strength.
The rock is classified according to the strength. It can be used to estimate other characteristics of
intact rocks with which it correlates, such as uniaxial compressive and tensile strength. The point
load test allows the determination of the uncorrected point load strength index (Is) and the
anisotropy index.

The anisotropy index represents the strength ratio at a point load in the directions with the lowest
and highest values of the strength index. This index test is performed by subjecting a rock
specimen to an increasingly concentrated load until failure occurs by splitting the specimen.

OBJECTIVES
1. To determine index strength of rocks using one of the indirect tests.
2. To recognize the rock strengths on different rock types.

POINT LOAD TESTER

There is the digital and analogue point load testers.
 A point load tester generally consists of a loading
system typically comprised of a loading frame , platens, a measuring system for indicating load,
P, and a means of measuring distance,D,between the two platen contact points. The equipment
shall be resistant to shock and vibration so that the accuracy of the readings is not adversely
affected by repeated testing.

PRINCIPLES OF TESTING
Depending upon the size and shape of test specimen, the point load strength index can be
conducted by four different methods. These are:

1. Diameter test
2. Axial test
3. Block/Prismatic test
4. Irregular lump test

PROCEDURE FOR DIAMETRAL TEST

1. The diametral test is conducted on rock core sample. Minimum of 10 test specimens are
required to find out the average value of point load strength index.

2. This test can be conducted on the core specimens which are completely dry or after
soaking it for 7 days.
 3. Measure the total length (l) and diameter (d) of the core specimen. Specimen of l/d=1.5,
are considered to be suitable for this test.

4. Place the specimen horizontally between two platens in such a way that the distance
between the contact point and the nearest free end (L) is at least 0.75times the diameter
of the core (d).

5. Measure the distance between two platen contact points (D) with the help of the scale
attached with the loading frame. (Note-In case of diametral test, the diameter of the core
(d) and the distance between two platens (D) will be same)

6. Apply load to the core specimen such that failure occur within 10-60 sec. record the
failure load ‘P‘.

Calculations;

Where P is breaking load in kN

D is the distance between platens in mm

Corresponding point load strength index for the standard core size of 50 mm (Is50) diameter is
given by the following equation

Is50 = F* Is

Where F(Size Correction Factor) can be calculated as;

F=(D/50)0.45

Uniaxial compressive strength of rock may be predicted from the following equation;

qc = K*Is50 Mpa (K depends on site specific correlation between qc and IS(50) but is accepted as 24
for most studies)
 (a)diametral
test,(b)axial test,(c)block test,(d)irregular test

PROCEDURE FOR AXIAL TEST

1. The axial test is conducted on rock core sample of small length. Minimum of 10 test
specimens are required to find out the average value of point load strength index.

2. This test can be conducted on the core specimens which are completely dry or after
soaking it for 7 days.
 3. Measure the total length (l) and diameter (d) of the core specimen. Specimen of l/d in
between 0.3 to 1.0, are considered to be suitable for this test.

4. Place the specimen vertically in between two platens.

5. Measure the distance between two platen contact points (D) with the help of the scale
attached with the loading frame. Measure the specimen width (W) which is equal to the
diameter of the core specimen (i.e. d).

6. Apply load to the core specimen such that failure occur within 10-60 sec. record the
failure load ‘P’.

Calculations;

Uncorrected Point load strength index (Is) = (P*1000)/De2 Mpa

Where De= Equivalent core diameter

De2 = (4A)/π

And A is calculated using following equation

A=W*D

Where W is the specimen width in mm

D is the distance between platens in mm

P is the breaking load in kN

Corrected point load strength index for the standard core size of 50 mm (Is50) diameter is given
by the following equation

Is50 == F* Is

Where F(Size Correction Factor) can be calculated as;

F=(De/50)0.45

Uniaxial compressive strength of rock may be predicted from the following equation
qc = K*Is50 Mpa (K depends on site specific correlation between qc and IS(50) but is accepted as 24
for most studies)

PROCEDURE FOR BLOCK OR IRREGULAR LUMP TESTS

1. This method of test is conducted on rock block or irregular samples. Minimum of 10 test
specimens are required to find out the average value of point load strength index.

2. This test can be conducted on the core specimens which are completely dry or after
soaking it for 7 days.

3. Place the specimen horizontally between two platens.

4. Measure the distance between two platen contact points (D) with the help of the scale
attached with the loading frame. Measure the smallest specimen width (W) perpendicular
to the load direction. If the sides are not parallel , then ‘W’ is obtained from W1,
W2 and W3 as show in the figure and calculated as W= (W1+W2+W3)/3. Measure the
distance between platen contact point and nearest free end (i.e. L). The distance L should
be at least 0.5D.

5. Apply load to the core specimen such that failure occur within 10-60 sec. record the
failure load ‘P’.

Calculations;

Uncorrected Point load strength index (Il) = (P*1000)/De2 Mpa

Where De= Equivalent core diameter

De2 = (4A)/π

And A is calculated using following equation

A=W*D

Where W is the specimen width in mm

D is the distance between platens in mm

P is the breaking load in kN

Corrected point load strength index for the standard core size of 50 mm (Is50) diameter is given
by the following equation

Il50 = F*IS Mpa

Where F(Size Correction Factor) can be calculated as;

F=(De/50)0.45

Uniaxial compressive strength of rock may be predicted from the following equation

qc = K*Is50 Mpa (K depends on site specific correlation between qc and IS(50) but is accepted as 24
for most studies)

Anisotropy index for all tests;

Ia(50)=Is50(max)/Is50(min)

N/B; In situations where an irregular break occurs due to sample inhomogeneity, the test should be

considered invalid.

SAMPLE DATA

TEST W1 W2 D W P De2 Is F Is(50) Qc

(mm (mm) (mm) (mm (kN) (mm2) MPa MPa MPa
) )
1 28 32 30 30 5 1146 4.4 0.84 3.7 72.9
2 32 43 30 37.5 7 1433 4.9 0.88 4.3 88.9
3 38 39 32 38.5 6.5 1569 4.1 0.90 3.7 78.1
4 23 46 40 34.5 5 1758 2.8 0.92 2.6 56.1
5 36 51 31 43.5 8 1718 4.7 0.92 4.3 91.0
6 38 41 37 39.5 7 1862 3.8 0.94 3.5 75.8
7 32 35 33 33.5 7 1408 5.0 0.88 4.4 89.8
8 32 54 28 43 3 1534 2.0 0.90 1.8 36.5
9 46 37 39 41.5 7 2062 3.4 0.96 3.3 71.3
10 45 36 34 40.5 9.5 1754 5.4 0.92 5.0 106.
7
11 36 42 30 39 8.5 1490 5.7 0.89 5.1 105.
4
12 47 41 31 44 8 1738 4.6 0.92 4.2 90.3
13 31 41 36 36 5 1651 3.0 0.91 2.8 58.2
14 46 40 44 43 7.5 2410 3.1 0.99 3.1 69.7

ADVANTAGES

 The Point load test (PLT) is an extremely fast and efficient way to determine and classify
the strength of an intact rock.

 Can be performed on various shapes of the specimen.

 Can be performed on the field as well hence faster results

 The PLT is an attractive alternative to the UCS because it can provide similar data at a
lower cost.

DISDVANTAGES

 Variability and uncertainty of the results found.

 It is influenced by sample shape, size, and orientation.

 It lacks information on the rock's stress-strain behavior.

CONCLUSION
The PLT is an efficient method to determine intact rock strength properties from drill core
samples. It provides for full utilization of data that can be gained from exploration drilling
programs.

Intact rock strength information can be used in geotechnical evaluation and design work through
numerical modelling and rock mass qualification systems. Point load testing of roof and floor
rock core of coal seams that are to be mined by underground methods should be standard
procedure in any exploration program.