668 DISCUSSION

Jnt. f. Rock ,Vech. Mi. Sci. Vor. 9, pp. 669-497. Perganoa Prs 1972- Piolcd i Great Bitain

apParentlY, suggests that the actual slress distribution in a pillar is ofno importance.
This
statement' read in the proper context, clearly refers only to the determination of the stifness

THE POINT-LOAD STRENGTH TEST

E. Bnocn
Thnical University of Nosay, Trondheim, Noruay
and

J. A. Fn.lxuN
Rk Mechanics Ltd, Bracknell, Berks.
REFERENCES
1' SALAMoN M- D' G'' Rvon J. A. ad ORTLEPP W, D. An analogue solution lor determining the elastic (Receiued 10 May 1972)
response of strata surromding tabular mining excavarions. il-s. ,lr. Inst. Mti. l,ti.'i, us-ttl
(19).
2' cTr ry. G. w., H'EK E-, pnnonous J. p. G., onrreee w. D. and SrLruoN M. D. G. Rock Abstact-An index test for srenglh classication of rock materials is described. The rest

to the srudy ofrockbursts. il S. Afr. Iilst. Min. Menll.66,435_j2S (19;6j.

mechanics uses potablc equipment. Spimens re4uire no machining and can take the fom of either
- appled
3. coorc N- G- w. conrribution to Discussion. 'r rock core or irregular lumps. A single'pointload strength index'can be obtained whateve
"// s. Afr. Insr. Min. Mctail. oa, r:-rs lDo. the shape of specimen, provided that this shape is maintained within prescribed limits and
that a size coftection is made. Results were found to conelate closely wth rhose from uniaxial
(unconfied) compressive strength testing, with the diametral poinGload test giving less
setter. The development o[ a portable t$ting machine is dffiribed- Aspects of raring pro-
cedure that were nvstigated include size and shape effts, the measurenent ol'anisorrooy
md the influence of water content on strengfh results- A suggested standard t6ting predure
is given as an Appendix.

INTRODT.JCTION
IN scINrsnrNc applications the conventional geological map should be regarded only
as a uselul framework on which to build. Its classifications and terrninology are inten<ied
to show the history ofrocks, rather than their potential as engineering maerials. In making
the conversion to an engineering geological map, lurther detail on lithology, joinring and
other structural features should be added, and above all the mechanical character of soil
and rock materials should be shown.
Visual observaion s unreliable as a means of estimating mechanical properties. and one
must reso.rt to testing. Care is needed when selecting suitable tests. .A great many specimens
must be tested ifthe narural variability ofgeological materals is to be adequately portrayed.
'Index tests' are defrned s esrs that are sufficienrly quick and cheap to be used in classifica-
tion and mapping applications. Methods for index classification of soils have long been
established. but for ocks the existing methods of index testing and classication can be
quesrioned.
Rock strength is an important property, and a suitabie strength-index test is requirtd.
Simple 'hammer and penknife' tests can be used but this approach seldom gives objective,
quanritative or reproducible results. The uniaxial (unconned) compr*sion tesi has been
used widely for rock srrenglh classification but requires machined specimens end is therelore
a slorv technique. essenrially confined to the laboratory. Ahernatives are available giving
results that can be correlated rvith uniaxial compressive strenglh. The Schmidt Rebound
Test. ftrr erarnple is quick and cen be used in the field. but unfonunately the results are
insensirive to strtgth changes end are strongi] influenced bv vaietions in testing tech-
nrque.
669

RcK 9/-^
 670 E. BROCH AND J. A. FRANKLIN THE POINT-LOAD STRENGTH TEST 671

In searching for a practical yet sensitive and reliable srrength index test, the authors
found that one category in particular, namely the 'point-load strength tests' appeared
suitable. These tests had previously been used mainly for research, so it was trecessary to
evolve testing procedures suitable for routine freld use, to develop portable testing equip-
ment, and to re-examine various factors governing the accuracy and repeatability of test
results. The results of this work have been outlined elsewhere* and the technique has sub-
sequently been applied with some success to pracrical problems. Suitable designs oftesting
machine ae now in commercial production.

RE\TEW
Inirect tensiletests
Early attempts to measure the tensile strength of rocks and concrere suffered from
experirnental diculties due to the stress concentrations set up by the steel jaws used to -f.6 -1.2 -0'8 -0 04
'fcnsion
Com prsso n
grip the specimens. Premature failues were commonplace even when specially machined
'dumbell'-shaped specirnens wee used. Various 'indirect tension' tests were investigated of 2Plr
Stresscs or muttpls
as an alternative to direct methods for tensile-strength measurement.
Flc.2. Stress distribution along the loaded diameter ola Bnzilian test srcimen (from FATRHURST [8]).

that run parallel to the direction of load application. Elastic stress analyses (e.g. Fig. 2)
have been published for various tests in this category [6-12] and numerical techniques
have been used to consider departures from ideal elastic assumptions. From these analyses
one may draw the following general conclusions:
l. normal to the failure plane are in most places tensile, but are accompanied
Stresses
by a compressive component in the direction ofloading.
2. The maximum tensile stress, occurring at the centre of the specimen, may be related
to the applied load P, the distance bet'veen platens D, and the length of line loading
t, by an expression of the form:
t : kPiDt (line-load tests)
r or
ti:
,t t : kPlD2 (point-load tests)
ll
li The constant k is found to assrme values fron 0'5-l'0 (approximately) depending
i
L on the geometr,v of the specimen.
!1 porNT LoaD rr'ErHoos ,
# These indirect tests on solid specimens gire results that are not strictly comparable uith
it Frc. l. Typical point-load and line-load tests. those from direct tensile testing, because of the existence of a compressive component
that may be t'ar greater in magnitude than the induced tensile stress. and whose influerrce
on failure cannot therefore be ignored. This problem led to trials ofvarious alternative forms
Typical tests in this family are shown in Fig. l. The best known of these is probably the of indirecr rensile test using specimens in the form of disks with a machined central hole [13].
Brazilian 'cylinder-splirting'test [Fig. l(a)] frequently useC for quality control ol concrete In theory a state ofpure tension erists at the top and bottom ofthe central hole so that
and ceramics [1-13] and also for testing of rock [4, 5]. The fan:rilv may be subdivided into the compressive stress problem is overcome, but other problems associated rvith high stress
pointJoad and lineload categories. The venical concentrated applied load induces a hori- gradients and the sensitivity of stresses to inelastic behaviour are introduced. Table I
zontal tensile stress, and failure eventually occurs b-v splining along a plane or planes shows that results fom various types of indirect tensile rest in l'act differ from each other,
t nd from the direct tensile-strength values.
135-39, ?5,441.
 672 E. BROCH AND J. A. FRANKLIN THE POINT-LOAD STRENGTH TEST 673

TABLE 1. CoMpRIsoN oF 'TENstLE-srRENcrH' vALUEs oBTAINED FRoM .DfREcr, AND In Britain, the method was examined by Horas [20] with a view to classication of
vlnlous .nrnec' TENsroN TEsrs
(values in lbf/in,) sedimentary (Coal Measures) rocks. His main criticism of the Russian method v/as that
(At'ter JAecen and Hosrrrs [13]) in laminated rocks the long axis of an irregular lump usually coincided with the plane of
laminations, whereas the tesr requires it to be perpendicular. Specimen preparation is
Gosford Canara Bomal therefoe difficult. He also expressed the view that strength measurements should not be
sandstone marble trachyte
restricted to a single orientation of the laninations, and that account should be taken of
Direct tension 520 1000 1990 strength variations with the size of specimen. Hobbs used an altenative arrangement rr'here
Brzilian (15'contacr) 540 1265 1744 irregular lumps, usually in the form of parallel-sided slabs that are easily obtained from
Pinching 450 670 t090
Disk with hole (extemal loading) 1200
sedimentary rocks, were compressed between flat platens, with the direction of compres,
2500 3500
Disk with hole (internal loading) I 100 2;00 3700 sion perpendicular to the plane of laminations. Platen contact was therefore at several
Bending-3-point loading 1l.lO 1710 3650 points on the faces ofthe specimen. A strength index was obtained by dividing the upture
load by an average area perpendicular to the loading direction; this area was calculated
as the rario of specimen mass ro the product of specimen height and density. Also used was
an index obtsined by dividing the rupture load by the platen contact area, measured by
interposing sheets of carbon paper and graph paper betrveen specimen and platens. A
similar rechnique was described by EvnNs and Pournov [21] and was used successfully by
Ptceox [22] when investigating the performance of rockll materials.
In France the irregular lump test has been investigated by Dtrnxlr and Durr.lur [23],
Durrur [2-l] and by Durrlur and MAURv U l]. Taking as a starting point the test descibed
by Protod-u-akanov. they were parricularly concerned wih the influence of the size, shape
and orientarion of the lump on lest results. They demonstrated that for granite lumps the
recorded strength could be nearly doubled if the specimen size were halved. or if the long
axis of the lump were perpendicular rather than parallel to the applied load. Their experi-
The main requirements are those of simplicity and reproducibility. The point-load
tests ae more toleant ofirregularities than line-load rests and attentio rvill be focused on rrrenral studies were supplemented by photoelastic stress analyses using plane models of
point-load tests in later discussion. In these tests the citically srressed region lies in the various shapes. These showed that the strength olslender specimens is sensitive to slender-
interior of the specimen vr'here surface irregularities have least effect. Strength can be ness ratio, and led them to recommend testing with the applied load acting aiong the
i shorres sper'imen axis.
expressed as the ratio of applied force to the square of the distance bet$,een platens, and
i The practicality ol strength-index fomulations proposed in the methods revieweci above
provided lhat cetain restrictions are placed on the shape and size of specimens the actual
I
I specimen geometry has little nfluence on the strength rsults. This means that t1.pes of point- can be questioned. Volume measurements using sand displacement are inaccurate and
load test may b selected to suit the shapes of samples commonly available-typically difcult, as are measurements ol density or of platen contact area. Htnevlrsu and Oxe [9]
eithe core samples or irregular lumps [Figs 1(d) 1(f) and l(h)]-and fo rhese tsrs no gave an alternative formularion that avoids these practical problems by expressing strength
machining of specimens is required. in tenrrs of rhe retio of rupture load to the square ol the distance berween platen contact
l I poinrs. This distance can be easly and accurately measured. They shoued that this type of
t.' History of the irregular \wnp lest tbrmulation applies exacrly lbr an elastic sphere loaded betrveen points along a diameter,
and is a -lood approximrtion for irregular lumps and for other shapes of specimen.
i'i
tl: The point-load test on irregular lumps, developed in Russia, is described by pnoro-
DyAKoNov [5-18]. To obtain a strength index, protodyakanov divided the rupture load The aurhors have used pointJoad tests on irregular lumps to study rock weathering [25].
rl
rL.
b)', the 2i3 polver of rhe specimen l'olume, an approximarion ro the cross-secrional;rer of [he
The tests proved most suitable for this pupose because core \'as not available, and the
:{, lump. The volume was determined using a sand-displacement technique. The International more highly weathered rocks, which could be crumbled between the fingers, rvould have
presenred ins.rrmountable problems if preparation of regularly shaped specimens had been
ii Bureau lor Rock Mechanics [9] incorporated he Prototj.vakanov test as a standrrd tech-
,I nique as follorvs: attempted. Irregular lump tests $ere used in Bordeaux, France [26] to classify the strength
,.,'
ol rveak limestone pillars in rn area of building stone extraction beneath he town. Also
Egg-shaped 'irregular' specimens r,vith ratio of longest-to-shortest-diameter of about in Can:rd []71 the irregular lump test has been used to classify and map strength varia-
l'5:l and lolume ofabout 100 cm3 are obtained bv breaking lumps olrock using tions in granites, w'hee kaolinization had locally resulted in considerable rveakening. There
li r
any suirable mehod and rounding off suirable specimens by light hammer blorvs. re mnn,v crscs such as these whee to obtain samples in the lorm of core would not be
:
Thee should be fift'en ro twenty flve specimens with mass difference of iess than 2 per appropriate, and lvhere the inaccuacies associateC rvith irregular lump testing can be
cent, and these are crushed parallel to ther longest axis and perpendicular t.r the tolerated. Results lrom irregular lump tests are unquestionably rnore scttered than those
ii !
plane of any laminetions.
,l for poinload tests on rock core. The scatrercan be to some extent compensared by iesting
 674 E. BROCH AND J. A. FRANKLIN THE POINT.LOAD STRENGTH TEST

a large number of lumps (the test is quick) and taking the median value as an index. This
I
does not overcome problerns due to the influence of specimen size and shape, and some . nsotropy ind.r lo<2 0
,oo'!
degree of standardization or correction for these effects is needed. I
o Anisoopy indd ld>z 0
I
q Oucrtz contnt O > ?0%
l
I
I

History of point-load test@ on cylinders and disks of core I

70or
In the united states, RErcHMurH [28, 29] conducted an experimental study of size and
shape effects. His starting Point was a simple formulation for strength simiiar to that of EI
l I

Hiramatsu and oka; in later work this formulation was progressively modifred in order
to frt enpirical curves to the experimental results. His modied formulae, one of which ;r
eoo

l\
l
included a compressive-strength term, were conplex and thei practical value may be l I

questioned. Following Reichmuth's \/ork the united states Bureau of Mines used the
diametral test on core as one of ten index tests, in an attempt at compressive-strength
gsool
r l
i
oo .9'
prediction [30]. PointJoad strength gave the highest correlation with uniaxial compressive ooF
strength (a correlation coecient of 0.947). I
I

ooL
I . Ansol.opy nd Iq=2.0
1

o Anietropy index I2.0 I

I Spcfc Eroyty f>3.0

I Ctor.ly jont.d j >ls
u
Is (251 MN/n2l

Frc. 4- Correlation between percussive drill'rg te (SELMER-OLsEN and Blrsosrw t34l) d the diametral
= o
o pointload sttegh I" [25] of cores drilled perpendicular to the rock foliation'
o
o . . \B'

z0
-\ oo. \o
\
showing correlations between point-load stength and a'resistance to blasting freld index'
@ \ (Fig. 3), and also correlation between point-load strength and percussive drilling rates
o Gig. a).
U \-. tj
z 6a .
oJ. \. DESIGI{ OF A TFSTING }IACHL\E
U
tat a\ .
-a a A portable poiut-load testing machine was built (Fig. 5) comprising a loading system
ol at
-
-:o
a--'--'a (rarn and loading frame) with provision for measuring the load P and the distance D between
a'o-o-
- -t - the two platen contacts.
a attt '
The loading system

s 1o 15 ---------- -
,",rr,,**rrr,
Flc. 3' Conelation between the Resistance to Blsting Field Index (as defined by Bencr-CurusrrNsrN
and Srutn-O-sN [33]) and the dametral pointload strcngthlsP5l ofcores drilled perpend.icular to the
rock foliarion.

Mcwnr,ns [31] used point-load tests on disks to study the relationship of weakness
planes in rock core to microstructural defects in the rock material. Rock core was sawn belween successive tests.
into disks which were rested by point loading in the axial direction, and the broken core
pieced together to sho'rhe preferred failure direction. In Norway, the diameral test
has been in use since 1965. It was frrst applied to blastabiliry research by Bencn-CnnrsrrssrN
and Serr,an-orseN [32, 33]. Larer serrmn-orsrs and Buxosrrrr [34] included rhe resr
among other laborator,v tests in their work on drillabilitr of ocks. Further 'ork along
these lines has been carried out by the authors t35-391. Diagrams have been published strong rocks are seldom cored at such large diameters'

i, 1
 676
E. BROCH AND J. A. FRANKLIN

M.dovdtu:1
! M.dvotu :r20
Std dr , q ,,,
MRSLE:5
213
e

15
Ir {MN/r:)

ilh';
tested wirh;:n::lilu'-ii:i'""J.'."fil',.;r?i.;:',Ri:::l,'*_*l",,arambre
,,1
when
curyature were identical,
curyarure ideri.l as "r^...- in :o.n"
"" sho;n 3nd wedge angle and radius of
fig. Z'.

1.
coe, not for axial or Frc. 5. The portble point-load testing machine (as manufactured by ELE Ltd)
en alternating between
2. to be inconvenient.
occur along planes ofweakness. llowed failue to freely
3' wedge platens required pecautions in manulactue
ensure paralrel alignment. These prec and assembry of the tester to
rutio.r, *.ra unnecessary with
conical pratens.
't1 ,

l
::'

Load measurement
Load was measured UV
rhe hydraulic pressure in t Frc. 13. Cubes of Delabolc slate tailed by poinr lording pardlcl and perpendicular to the cleavage direstion.
ram the conversion lrom 1111o;n-e
pressure to forc" ou, Uo.ti, on
pressure gauges were tted ,iapi. on
lvith quick_release "
"otin-e,
uo.t ro RM t'.p. 761
 THE POINT-LOAD STRENGTH TEST 677

suit the strength and size of specimen, hence maintaining a satisfactory accuracy irrespective
ofthe rock to be tested. The gauges could also be uncoupled for calibation, and could be
used for other resting purposes. They were frtted wirh hydraulic 'snubbers' of orice type
to protecl the gauge against sudden decompression at specimen failure. A small orice
was required to prevent gauge damage. vet big enough to let the pessure reach equilibrium
within a second or so of pumping. A maximum-pressure indicating needle \ryas necessary
because it proved impossible to remembe failure readings reliably. This had to be free to
move without rcstraining the needle of the pressure gauge, yet sufrciently restricted to
prevent its being carried past the true maximum reading.

Distance nleasurement
A rnetal scale calibated in millimetes was flred to the crosshead of the testing machine,
and a pointer to the lowe platen. in such a way as to allow measuremenr of platen separa-
tion irrespective of crosshead posirion or ram tavel. The scale reading couid be adjusted
to zeo when the two platens were brought into contact. This simple afiangement minimized
mistakes in reading. The scale could be read easily to I mm, corresponding to a possible
error of 7 per cent in the strength-index value. In practice this error would be considerably
reduced by taking the median of several results.
The distance D used in calculating the strength index, defined as the distance bet'een
platen'points'at the moment of failure. equals rhe distance at the start of the test onl;- if
the specimen is hard and platens do not penetrate into the specimen. For hard rocks an
initial reading of D is suffciently accurate. For softer rocks where contact damage, slabbing
or penetration occured before lailure of the specimen, an attempt was made to obtain
the coect distance prior to failure, although some inaccuracy was then inevitable.

EVAI-ATION OF TESTtr\G TECII]\IQLj-E

The dianzetral point-load test
In the diametral point-load test the failure load P is independent of the lengh of core
provided that the disrance L (Fie- 7) is sufficiently lar-se. With this condition satisfied. the
strength index is not influenced b-v.. irregular geometry of the end faces, which therefbre
need not be machined flat.

Flc. 7. Critiel dimension-diometral pointload test.

 678 E. BROCH AND J. A. FRANKLIN THE POINT-LOAD STRENGTH TEST 679

1..
ol core diameter. Size effects must be taken into account in any strength classifrcation
t. whose function is to compare test results from a variety of sources. Five rock types were

selected, isotropic and homogeneous materials by engineering standards, yet covering a

wide range of strengtrh and geological origin. For each rock type, cores were drilled at frve
difrerent diameters. using a single block of rock and drilling in one direction only. A total
of 407 tests were perlormed taking the median value of approximately 16 tests at each
rj,
l. diamete. As an indication of he simplicity of the testing technique it may be mentioned
I
that much rrore time was needed to dill the cores than to actually do the testing, and for
i.-
:' this reason no tests were performed at diameters larger than 76 mm.
'a As expected, the strength of specimens was found to decrease with increasing core
diameter (Fig. 9). Strength changed more rapidly at smaller diameters (12'5-25 mm) when
'l
I

the nature ofplaten contacts, which then could hardly be considered as theoretical'points'
in relation to specimen size, may have had some influence on the strength esults. At
I larger diameters the size effect was much less pronounced. Pennant sandstone (sample 219)
gave results that were anomalous. The size-correction curves (Fig. 25 in the Appendix)
OOLER E
have been based on data for the remaining four samples. However, the probable existence
of rock materials that do not follow the general trend should not be forgotten.
o1 0l
L/D

. I .il

I
i
lH/2,
sat0stoNE
214

0
Llo z
Flc. 8. Diamerral point-load rest; pNided.thar length r (Fig. 7) excds 0.5 D, the point-load. strengrh =
is independent of the total rength of spimen and of the conditions o end'faces----

The shortest length of specimen that could be tested with consistent results had an
overall length 2L eqral to the core diameter; with shorter lengths, a lower srrength was
recorded, and short specimens olten failed along an axial plane that intersected the end
faces. ro 20 30 7o 60
These results are .oi',o"#. o,',lo
core rength wlr pr r:ff:ti:ir'1: Frc. 9. Size effect in rhe diametl pointJoad testt point-load strength dreses
diometer so that a sze correction is necessary (s Fig. 25).
with increasing core
greater rhan the cor and as a general
rule tests should be anisotropy. The
testing ol anisotrop
Various methods ol'size corrction' have been considered. The formulatioo, I,: P, D2
could have besn modified to take account of the size effect, as RtcnltUTn [29] had pre-
viously attempted, but the authors riecided to re[ain the simple formulation which has
sone theoretical justification and is also in stress units. Another approach would have
been to specify testing at a standafd core dianeter but this would have made the technique
impractical for use in field-core logging Instesd. the authors propose that the stlength
index .I, obrainerj at ony avaiiable core diameter D should be 'corrected' to a value (-i0)
correction curves fom which could be obtained a'corected'strength index independent at a 'reference diameter' of 50 mm. This retrence diameter is selected to lie approximately
 680 E. BROCH AND J. A. FRANKLIN
THE POINT.LOAD STRENGTH TEST 681

midway between rhe maximun and minimum core

sizes commonly obtained in the to that for diametral tesrs so that the loading direction rvith respect to any slight anisotropy
thus reducing extrapolation to a minimum. field,
would be the same. Cores with diameters of 25, 38 and 54 mm were sawn into cylindrical
specimens with six different ratios of length to diameter; approximately 160 specirnens in
total. The results of axial point-load tests on these specirnens are presented in Fig. I I (a).
These results show a size effect comparable to that previously discussed in connexion
with diametral tesring; at a given lengthidiameter ratio. the larger specirnens were'lveaker.
However. this size effect was far smaller than the shape effect that resulted from testing at
different length/diameter ratios; long, slender specimens were much weaker than short,

tested and for all core diameters. The authos therefoe propose a length/diameter ralio
of l'l as standard for the axial point-load test.
The tolerance of i0'02 represents a length accurac) olabout -l-l mm, which is unlikely
to be achieved without machining of specimens. Disks of approximately suitable shape
become available as a result ofprevious diametral testing. The eror in departing from the
prescribed lengrhidiameter ratio [Fig. 1 I (a)] can be seen to increase rapidly as the specimen
becomes eirher slender or plate-like. A toleranc e of Ll D :
I' I 0' 05 results in a maximum
-
discrepancy of l0 per cnt between axial and diametral test results. This requires a length
u..uro"y ol about * 2.5 mm, and is probably the besl that can be achieved when test-
ing in th; freld. The diamerral test is more reliable lor strength classitcation, because it suffes
tes from shape effects, and the axial test should onll'be used when stfength anisotropy
is to be measured.

Inel-e ?. Lr.*crufotrurren RTios ro crve 1' (rw rrsr) : 1, (DLdYETRAL rEsr)

Frc. 10. Size efft in the diametml poinr_load test:
results (Fig_.9) have been re_plorteC
multiplicarion factor to 'normarize' rurts ,o
; .,"";;;;- ,"r",... K also representsinrheterms of K. a
eror in not Core diameter
applying a size :orrection.
25mm 38m 54mm

Figure l0 shows the experimentar size-effect data

re-protted in rerms of K, the factor by Sample 215, Darley Dale sandstone I'10 I .07 108
which the measured p/D2 musr be murtiplied r .12 I'il I
to obtain /. corrected to D :50 mm. The Sample 217, Quarlz dolerite 11
diagram illustrates the amount.ofcorrecton
ttut -uy-u. needed. end also the rrors that
ma-v be invorved in apptying trris coecrion.
ir no slze corection were appried, an error
o.f more than r00 per cenr could resurt *hen Measurement of strength anisotropy
.ompuring resurts for 30 and 76 mm core
since the factor K inceases fom 0.6 to 1.3
in r',."ng". The size-correction cur'es of Most rocks are to some extent anisotropic in their mechanical propefiies, even if they
Fig. 25 take this into accounr and ifthis charr
is usecl i!-," is unlikery ro exceed l5 per appeu to conrcin no visible planes trf seakness. The strength ol inact rock specimens
cent and in most cases should be much smalle. "..o, uuty by a factor of ten or more depending on the direction of loadirrg relative to that
"un*eain.is planes. and it is rnisleading to classifll' the strength of these materials by a
The axial pointJoad test of
Specimen length and specimen diameter
rh---
there is ^ -L^-^r
:- a -6 , .
'shape' effect
both influence the rc<,,rt.
in addition to the ,siz ^l.ro:-- :- +L;^.^-a.
Experiments to finci he extent to rvhich these
, .ti
use of the tes of ,..

beingrveak vD .:
rock,"'*,o uursLsr
ionenrrc r^^L
igneous ^. - Lores were dr'led in a diection perpendicular il3
,l
-!-
"o^p,"-217..
 THE POINT-LOAD STRENGTH TEST 683

Loent fo Oudz 0cl.erite I

<l -+i---{, DortY 0ol sondston

tsl
ul
50
i,irll
rr
<;
40

rE 30
lu
r13 20

't0
al
0

ll 10

d
o

c
d

*t^r,. jlrr*r'i - j'

Frc. 12. Comparison of uial and diametral pointload stren$h results; uially loaded specimens wilh
length'diameter ratio 1.08 give strength lues equal to those obrained in diametral teting.

generated by the point loading is of inteest. With load applied in the cleavage direction
failure was. as expectd, by splitting along the flat cleavage surfaces. In contrast, the fail-
ure of speciens with load applied perpendicular to the cleavage was highly irregular,

007
(t r9,

*"'f
ff"J".'JJ ".i:""i:'li:. ""'
FIc. 14. Srencrh rcsults for cubes of Delabole slare (Fg. l3); a strength misotropy index ol l'3S rv
obtained. Only a small scatter sas evident for rults of loading perpendicular to the cleavage, in spite of
the highly irregular appearance of fractured surfaces.
 E. BROCH AND J. A. FRANKLIN
TFIE POINT.LOAD STRENGTH TEST

Ccr! run Frocture Strngth,^ Anrsotropy,

d.pth, m spocing, ft,m f:,YN/m IA
Gaotogcqt to9
soo
t,,, roo 50 rolor s :{ Eo
t,,,,t,, r 1,,,r,,,.1,r,l
i
I l
510
l,rl
Mudstone, dork gry
Coqt (Rhyd)
Coot qnd pyrtes

S.otcorih, mediuh groy

I Sondstone, mcdium grcy-

Sittstonc, medium grey
us30560?590 S qndsto n., med iu m g rey--
INCLINAIIOil fDEGREES) OF WEAKNESS PLANES
TO OIRECIION OF MAJOR PRINCIPAL gfRESS Strip.d bds, mcdium drk gr.y
Variation in uniaxial compressive strength of South African slate lronstone, dork 9ry
as a function of direction of
loading with respect to weakness planes (from fto
+t.
Mudstone, m.dium dork grcy

sp
with the unequal pieces- It is perhaps surprising thar this
irregularity resurts, which sho*eieueness s"-atteian trrose
Coql {Gr.y
Seoteorth, dqrk grey
for loading ction (Fig. l4). S.otedrth. dqrk grey
Tests on cubes were convenient in this case because a rarge
brock sampre and a suitabre ^,4:l
.:::'.1
saw were availabre. More often strength anisotropy is miasured
by ;ring;ock in ::: :l
several directions (Fig. l5), again only possible if iarge : ,:l
samples are availabe. An easier Sqndstone, mgdiqm dqrk gry
technique that may be used with explorarion core
ee block sampling
is impractical) involves the use of diametral and
t_load testing. The
core is first subjected to diametal pointload te Mudstonc, mediuh grey
of weakness, then
ro a*ial point-load tests with load applied perpendicular to the weakner. h.duh
ptu*r. ft" Striped bes, grey
-
optimum loading directions are shown in Fig. 16. Before diametr"r
t.riing,-tt".o.. i.
carefullv maked to ensure rhat ir wilr be broken into cylinders *itr
r.nfna*... r"tio
of I'l i 0'05, also to ensure that the platens of the testing machine Mudston!. mlduh dqrk grey
make conract
along, rather than acoss a prane ofweakness. Trre index ofpoin-load
*."ogt, nirorropy Mqstona, dork qry
1" is obtained as the atio of strengths in the srrongest and Mudstoa. block
weakest directio-ns. coqt tfhin)
S.otorth. dork gr.y
Clqy mytonit., m.di! gtlt/
-f
Sotco.th, dork grey

Siltlonr, medium gtey

Vuclstonc, dqrk grey

Ftc' 16' Anisotropy measurements-on rk core: diametral tests precede
axial tests on the same core. In Fc. 17. Core log of Coal Measures rocks showing logs of diametral point-load strengrh aod strength
diametral testing the platens should make contacrlong a single
*."tn"., pi"n..-"" anisotropy. (Reproduced lrom Ref- []tl by pcrmisson of che Institntion oi lvlining and Metallurgy.)

application of this technique is shorvn in Fig. l7 where a r'm information about the anisotropy of strength is often more valuable. Thus. as shown, the
length
o re from south wares has been crassied usilng conventionul
obseruu-
strensih anisotropy'inde;'. 1. has been presentd in rhe lorm oi- a coi:rinuous log. I'leasure-
ti the aid of a portable point_load tester
[37]. The values shown for
ment ofpoint-load strength anisotropy is essenrial when classiflrins even moderately aniso-
's diametrar tests. The core, drilled vertical cnined planes
oi*""ko.r,
tropic rocks using the pointJoad !est, sice other$,ise the influence of loading direction is
that lay approximately horizontar, so that diametrar testing ignored.
weakest direction. \l'eak horizons are clearly visible -.".o.d strengrh in the
in the form of coal strata and some, The irregular lump tesl
but not all of the mudstones. Diametral testing was followed
by axial t"*rog oilh" ,"r. In this test the size and shape effects are more se./ere than uhen testing specimens of
core and an axial pointload strength log could, ofcourse,
havebeen p....oi.d. However, regular geornetry, so the irregular lurnp test is less :rccurate. and less suited to 'precise'
a(rR I r;s
 686
E. BROCH AND J. A. FRANKLIN
THE POINT-LOAD STRENGTH TEST
strength classification than the
diametral test. Ho\
value rvhen oo i, available. it can be
of considerable practical
"o..
outcrop materials
I i;;;;"hrwever' *l*.:tassifying and mapping -ori.d der Co Cl 2
p.i. ro exprorarory driine fcl Tt{ll deraired ,ruy, un-
wearhered, arteed ir brok.n ;";;;;,. io i,ti
length for diametral test
;;;,;,;.1*" Tore
lmcult to recover in pieces of ,u"l"ni 50? R.totiY humity
os zero dotum
With suitable precauti
U
the discrepancy between th
can be educed to a mini '
from results of tests o z
cussed ealier in the
ratio of I .l gave axial poin
rng ratio for rectangularprisms
was 1.4. A shape lacto
as he rario of distnce between z
I,"""a'O_rr
perpendicular direcrion,
is ' --- "- ,n.
U
1.0 should be used when te
o.f a more prismaric shape.
ti sible co 50 mm so as to min
1r.
The chart in the Appendix
l; posals are quite similar to
I
1 Mechanics [19], who recom UNIAXIAL COMPRESSIVE STRNGTH tb/in2
mately 100 cn3 volume. Frc. 18. Inruence of specimen water conrent conprssiYe srrengrh (from Corncr nd WIID
"r ill]"t

rock types that were subjecred to the diametral point-load iest shorved a strength reduction
of up to 33 per cent on satuation compared with their oven-dry strengrhs, and even the
granite sarrple with zero measurable porosity suffeled a 13 per cent strenglh reduction.
within acceptable limits, the
results when corrected to Attempts to standardize this aspect of testing procedure 3re not without problems. It
should correspond to those that
would have been obtained
a may be considered both practical and realistic to tesr at 'natural' water content, bur then
The laritude ailowed in rhe br the same rock, depending on whether it is sampled in e humici or an arid environment, rvill
. shape ould a:count.for
in results. r. u".i.o.y'""n "i;;;;;;r". be allocated diffeent strength values. The alternarive, which permits a universal and
a
_15)( variation
y testing a larger
specimens; the International number of unambiguous classification. is to specify testing urder'standad'water-content conditions.
this appears reasonable. One commends 15-25 lurnps,
and This, however. cn lead to results hac are unrealistic, particularly if he 'standard' water
such as adequate colerage this test that considerarions content beas little elation to that found in nature-
o,
can be more important thin mpling of outcrop materials The authors suggest that srandard strength-classifiction tests should ernploy water-
t.
The anisotrofy of materiat ults. saturared specimens. StricCy. the specimens to be classified should be war saturated in
nounced and visible anisorro noed. When there is a pro- va.cuum. then stoed for several dsys under water prior !o ',esling. However. the strength
and weakest directions tabula :ally performed in suongest difference between fully and paltiall) saiuteci speciinens is likely to be snall (Fig. l8). In
calculation. Tests on rock tha )urposes ofanisotropy index pracice therefore, ifcoe is tesred soon after driliing. or having been stored in such a way
Lould be conducled as lar
as
n to test strengh is Trsr 3- INFLUENCE oF WATE. cLrtvrE\T oN srRE\crFr REsuLTs
ndicular ion, .flaggy,
mbers of ecsier. This Granite Drrlc'; Dale saniistone Pennanr sandsone
tlvo directiohs even though samle 106 samDle ll5 samole ll9
nen selecron anti tesiing.
The influence of water conrent
on srrength Cre diamerr'r inm) J 38 5 23 .5
Porositv ( 9l) 0.0 lt.5 ll.5 1.6
The uniaxial compressive (lvl\ n:) 3.5 4.2 !0.9
I ven dry r0.6
teerari";';il;il"j.1,i*'.:ji.._;:;:,,",:11,::i j:::: .f" sarurared ilvl\ nr) 9.2
1i '3
1.4
30.3
l
i3.0
8.5
22.-o
Strergth reduction ( i")
 I' 688 E. BROCH AND J. A. FRANKLIN
lr THE POINT-LOAD STRENGTH TEST
i as to preserve natual water content, the strength
l: results should be comparable with
I 'standard' results on satuated.rocks. Rewetting'oimateriars v/ere plotted against the number ol tests completed (Fig. l9). It can be seen that the mean
t-
' that have been ailowed to
t: dry out should be avoided, particularly with argilaceous and median values differed iittle from each other, and that aiter 10-12 rests only slight
materials, since this often leads
to mechanical deteioration. The wate condition improvement to the accuracy of the index was obtained by further testing. As a general
r,
i and srorage hirt;.t oirp;.;r,r.-ens stouia
t,, always be stated rvhen reporting test results. guide (see also [43]), the authors recommend that a minimum of l0 specimens per sample
#
't IJ should be used whenever possible in diametral and axial testing- In irregular lump testing
strengths of partially saturated and .fully the number oi specimens should be approximatelv doubled if the median value is to lall
,ir ii for example when an engineering sire is rvithin the same confidence interval.
t, relevant, but tests should still be at natural
t
,i I
rials will invariably give results that are un_
COMPARISON OF POT'T LOAD \D UNAXIAL COMPRESSION TESTS
to a universal classificarion then
furrher tesrs in lhe sarurated condition *,u o"oirltild The point-load test is proposed as standa<i lor strength classificaion of rock materials,
I and therefore as a replacemenl for rhe uniaxial or unconfined compression test usually
Number of tests, and computation of test results
I ernployed for this purpose. To support this proposal the advantages of both types of test
The strength index mai be obrained as either the are summarized below. Resuhs are also gven of an experimental study to ccmpare the
mean or the median of test esurts. The
median is ro be prererred when the sample contains reproducibility of the two rvpes of tesr and of another to examine correlation bet*een the
only a few specimens b.;";r; it is less
sensirive to extreme results, and lso bicause it invoh,es two.
l.ss urrii.r.for.
e median of a set of esults may be"mpotation
obtined by systematically Advantages olthe point-load test:
values until onlv tlvo values remain, the average
oi these being
ian value. The sequence of compntation is iriportant.
I . Smailer lorces are needed so that a small and portable testing machine may be used.
tn the 2. Specimens in the form of core or irregular lumps are used and require no machinins.
iameter D is consrant, one.can economize on
mpuration by 3. ){urre tests may be made tbr the same cost and this aliows lor adequate sampling
hen computing the equivalent indei p/D: and
even rvhen rock conditions are variable.
lump testing hotvever, since D varies, each in_ 4. Fragile or broken mateials can be tested so there is less chance ol results being
ted and corrected for size; cornputation of the
biased in favour of more competent srata.
can be used to assist in calculating the strength
5. Results show less scalter than ihose for uniaxial testing (Fig. 20).
It is dilcult, perhaps even- incolrect, to specify that 6. lvf easurement of streneh anisotropy is simplified.
tests
tnust be performed. Often only limited supplies of rock Advantaees of the uniaxial compiession test:
abundant supplies from others. In such cses indexes and
are better than none at a[, provided the rimited accuracy
tests 7. Tire testing procedure is berter knoun and evaluated.
of results is not forgotten. 8. Results are available for a wide variety of rock types, together with experience in
The authors carried out a long series of tests to obtain
some guidance * ,-nr-nu"n.. linking these esults to frelc performance.
of the number of tests on the accuracy ofl results. Both mean
and median strength values
In expeiments to compare rhe reproducibility ofresults fo the two types of test, 25 nm
coes were drilled fronr a block ofPennant sandstone. sample 219. From this core tv/eny
clindrical specimens rxith length,diameter ratio of 2'0 were prepared lor uniaxial compres-
sion testing, end faces being carefully sau'n and ground flat. Specimens were carelully
centralized in the testing machine, and rvere loaded ihrough a single spherical seat. The
remainder ol the core was used for diametal pointJoad testing. The results (Fig. 20) have
I.
fM N/m 2)

SANSTONE 215
o 25mm corcr d.i'td ln di.di I
25oD cru ddl.d rormot to d..dionI

AXT
219
$NOSfOIE
10
.rEST
3oo-50
NCI5ER
Frc. 19' variarion in meao and median dimerral poinroad
function
strengrh of Darrey Dale sandstone a
l##^''z
of the num ler of lests complted. Frc.20. Comparativeaccuraclrofunixialanddiametralpoint-loadtesting;point-loadtestsgaveastandard
deviation of 3'7 per cent compared with 18 8 per cent for uniaxil ess.
 690 E. BROCH AND J. A. FRANKLIN
THE POINT-LOAD STRENGTH TEST
ed by expressing each_as a percentage of the
average point load or uniaxial
rengrh' The pointJoad strength resuls show rs(so),MN/m
far ress-sctter, *ith altanoa.d
'7 per cent for diametral point-load tests,
cornpared with 1g.g per cent for
Str.ngth d.3ignq!lon - Fronkl,lh d ot
In experiments t ofcorrelation between results ofuniaxial compres_
sve and diametral rther ten rock types were tested in addition to the
five that had been studes. Tl
results being corected to a relerence d Approximoto strcngth rugcs lor mmon
line correlation whose slope of 23.
strength to point-load strength, ave

E
r0 100
ur'raxraL coMpREsstve sreetreix,vf-2

Frc. 22. Strength classification: two alternative systems of subdivision and nomenclature are shown,
together with the correlation betwn uniuial strengttls and tvpical rangs of values fo
r
#o::-l::a
t Fra' 2r' correration between.lttl;iaiili+.i[:f;,j"*"**.,."t or0.88 is sufficientry
The proposed point-load strength classification is shown n Fig.22. Because of the wide
high to allow prediction of one from the othtr. range of strength values to be accommodated, a logarithmic scale has been used. Uniadal
compressive strength has been shown on the same diagram by juxtaposing the two scales
coefficient of 0.88 compares with a value o using the rtio of uniaxial to point-load strengths given in Ftg.2l.
either value is'sufrciently high to warrant us The choice of a system for subdividing the point-load scale into 'classes' may now call
compressive strength when this is required. D directly on previous subdivision schemes for uniaxial strength; the report olthe Geological
ratio; his results elate to pointload tests on Society of London Working Party on Rock Core Logging [45] was particularly helpful
;+.1 . to a 50 mm eference diameter is made, the r since it had reviewed the najority of prevous work. The subdivision and nomenclature
ri l in the present study. The value of 23.7 sho scheme proposed by this Working Pafy is also shown in Fig. 22 and may be compared
:i I
l Lt based on results for a limited number ofrock types, with the authors'proposed system which incorporates several modifrcations [37]'
ET !r, and also because no account has been
i' taken of size effects in uniaxial compress Six subdivisions (seven classes)'rvere chosen, progressing in multiples of I and 3 MNim'z
rLl I One may conclude that the point-load t
ti t, on the logarithmic scale so that approximately equal spacing would be achieved. The authos
l1 classification, but as yer there is only li
,:t could find no valid reason for choosing unequal subdivisions; equal ciivisions are easier to
'1
the results in terms of eld pertbrmance. remember. The range of values was chosen to covet soil as well as rock materials. As a
making use of the close corelarion (Fig. 2l) result fresh, unaltered rocks commonly occupy only the toP four or ve classes, and one
i,
!:: tests. Clsssiflcations esrablished on the basis could argue that a fier system of subdivision might be needed.
r. can, as 5horvn in the lollcwing paragraphs, b In choosing a system of srrength designation, tems such as /ol'. nt edium. high strengtltwere
i tions based on rhe sjmpler point-loa teting method. selected rather than 'strong' or 'weak'. This to some extent avoids problems of ambiguity
i\
lt'
'11
fi that can arise, particularly in a classication encompassing both soil and rock materials.
.. STRENGTH CLASSINCTION For example a weak ock may be equivalent to a strong soil; a rveak granite rnay yet be a
i,.'! strong rock. Terminology should as far as possible avoid conflict with everyday usage. We
ii1 . classiflcation equires three steps; choice ofa measurement on which to base the classifica_
;-
.
tion; sr.rbdivision of the scare of measurenent into pr.i,ion, suggest that terms might be used as follo*'s:
each of which constitutes a
'class'; assi,enment of a name or'designation'to 'Weak granite: granite weaker rhan usual for granites, for example a weathered or
fi: eahcrass [44]. subdivision and nomen_
clature ae largely arbirrary,and indeid may be dinsea r.r.ith
entirely if the measured altered granite.
value is appiied directly to the problem. However,
ii is often moe convenient to talk of Weak ock: a rock weake than usual for rocks, e.g. chalk.
a'strong ock'than to quote strength values.
Low srrength material: a rock or soil with d (50) betrveen 0'1-O'3 MN/m'?.
692
E. BROCH AND J. A.
FRANKLIN
THE POINT-LOAD STRENGTH TEST 693

24. Durrru P. Size effect on crushing blocks of inegular shape. Reue Ind. mer. (Special No.) pp' 62-67
(1968).
ZS. oo< p. G., De.lnvrN W. and FnlNrux J. A. Some engineering aspects of rock weathering with
fieldexamplesfromDartmoorandelsewhere. Q.JIEngngGeol'4,(3) 139-185(1971)'
26. LoLrs C. Private communication (1971).
27.
28. acement Data perties of Rock for
(C. Fairhurst, 63)'
29. Materials to D trength and Relative
n Rock Mechan olorado, PP. 134-159

30. R. L. and FocelsoN D. . Prediction of Compressice Strength of Rock from

.S. Bueau of Mines, Report of Investigations 6702 (1965)'
31. ole of micostructure in the physical properties of rock' Proc' Am' Soc' Test
Mater.S-fP 402' 175-189 (1966)'
32. Bsncs-CrnrsrxseN J. On the Blastabilty of Rocks, Lic. Techn. Thsis, Geological Institute of the
ENCES Technical University of Norway, Trondheim 11968)'
:. i*n-C*rsrr:rsN J. and Ser.vgn-Orsev R. On e Resistance to Blasting in Tunnelling, Proceedings
j ri" Siiond Congr"tt of the Interntional Sociery for Rock Mechanics, Belgrade, Vol. 3, Paper 5-7
(1970).
Dlling, Prcceedins
- rrvn-Orss R. and Brmonv O. T. On the Drillabiliry of Rocks by Percussive
34.
Rock Mechanics, Belgrade, Vol. 3. Pper 5-S
tn" Si*i Congress of the International Society for
(1970).
S. tr J. il. Classifcation of Rock According to its Mechqnica[ Properries'Ph.D. Thesis, University

sile stength by diametral

compression of discs and 36. of London (1970)'
31. cal charcter oflrock' Trans' [nsrn 'l[itt'
ks- J. appt. Mech., Trans.
Am. Soc. mech. Engrc 55, punktlast metoden' Tek' Ukebl' ll8'
38.
the modulus of materials (18) 2l-24 (1e71).
of a low tensile resistance.
39. ;; . untsjonett klassifuering av fjell, generell oversikt-punktltmetoden, Proceedngs of the
for brittle materials. Int. J. Symposium on Rock Mechanics' Oslo (1971)'
Rock Meclt. Min- l, of brittle
Sci.
40. DTTRELLT A. J. and prnxs J. Innu.n"L of size and shape on the tensile strength materials.
or rock bv conpression
i';,":ft test or an
41.
ive Strength of
42.
43. ch' Min' Sci' 7'
209-277 (1970).
+.' f""i*t . e. Obsewarions and Tests for Engneering Description and Mappng of Rocks.-Proceeclings
in rings of rock loaded
in diameftal tension or com- i iniii"" Congres o tni Interrutional Slociety or Rock Mechanics, Belgrade, Vol. l, Paper I -3
(1 _
compressive stress. /Rock Party-Report on the ogging of rk cores for engineer-
Mech. Engng Geol. 4, 45- G g
in ); Discussion 4' 131-132 (1971)'
46. D and Delornnbility Delerminqion' lntcrnarional Society
for Rock
lT.SuggesredtheSlaking,svelling,Porosity,DensilyandRelutedRocklndex
Proenies Rock llechanics, Lisbon, January (1971)'

U-S.S.R., pt oceetlings
). APPEI'DIX
. Translated by Israel
SuEgested 'Vetiod for Derer:ninng the Poittt-Loat! Strength Indext

i::;:i';!,:i,,;{":::,i:i!;:"
ial compressive stren$h
of rock. Iu. t. Rock Mech.

(te66).
menls o rock core and outcrop specimens.
e First
' Incorporating rommendations from Rei- [46]'
 694 E. BROCH AND J. A. FRANKLIN
THE POINT-LOAD STRENGTH TEST 695
Apparatut
(d) The rregular lamp lest- Rock lumps with rypical diameter approximately 50 m and with a ratio
of longmt to shortest diameter of between 1 0 and l'4 ae selted and trimed using any convenient
technique. At let twenty lumps shou.ld be tested per sample- Each lump is inserted in the tsring machine
and the platms closed to make contact along the longest diameter of the lmp, away from edges and corners
where possible. The distance D is rorded and the load increed to failue. The load P is rorded and
the procedwe repeated for the remaining tesr in tbe sample-
(e) Anisotropic rock. With rock that is beCded, schistose or otheruise shows obseflable anisotropy,
tests should be made in both weakest and strongesr directions. when testing horizontally bedded core, for
example, dimetral tests will nomally give a set of lower boud-strength values, i.e. the strength perpen-
dicular to planes of weakness. Care should be laken to ensure that loading is strictly along and perpendicular

P
failur? tood

fs
parnt load strength inde kN tbr
10000
0 -'=-
plqten 9cporotion M N/m2 lh l t^z oI
Procedure r0000
hm n
+
i S;RENGTH
-J:ooo
+ CESIGNA'ION
ttJli.
'.4: .
+- Extr1 y ro-!
i"1;'
-t_1
l
hrgh
l0 +
1 f-
i.i
l':1 tl,
, I

-1
)- 1000
i- rl. hgh
-F =
Ft
; ii ti:i
- ).
f r
i+lir
l:;: t
: i' t --+
=- 100
'r: li
*li,
j i:
-
a 300

:if i T
; 1,
_F --F
:1,.'
li
{
_rtr-
---l-
I

!00
r!:,
0.1

ij-
Frc. ?3. Suggested standard platen dimension for pont_load
resting.
70
--f
10 =-
ii:
t0{ =
L --
ir'' ' 0
I
::: I
3C- Erlr.icly -:-
:': :
roo-_L
iui ,,
_:xometc :- - : 5 fr ; P. t0
+-o 0 :N
!.2 3 MN/m2; l(50) '2 r MN/m2
Strngth dsignatin.'high'

NOMOGRAM FoR COMPUTING PcINT LoaD STRENGTH rruCeX r.=$

Frc' 24. Nomogram for computing point-load strength in dex I, : pr pz ' For testing machines that employ
gruges calibrete in terms of h-drsuic .:ressure, the pr.'ssure reading shouid bc multiplied by the efective
iu- urer to obain load; the nomosxf,m crn be adjusted lor dir readings !y a ,erticl displacement of
lbe rhilrre load scele.

I
696 E. BROCH AND J. A. FRANKLIN
THE POINT.LOAD STRENGTH TEST 697

(e) The Strength Anisotropy Index 1. (50) may be compuled as the ratio of corrted median strength
indexes tbr lests perpendicular and parallel to planes of weakness- /. (50) sumes values close to 1.0 fbr
isotropic rocks, and higher values when the rock is anisotropic.

Reporthtg of results
5. Results for diametral tests, axial tests and inegular lump tests perpendicular and parallel to planes of
Cqlcultions
weakness sbould be tabulated separately. The repon should contain the following infomation for each
Poinl-Load strength Index 1', defined as the rario p/ D2, may be obrained sample tested:
," 1,!1'r" from rhe nomo*,am
(a) Sample number and location, also its water content condition, and storage history. If possible
nect- numerical valu for both water content and saturation should be given. The orientation and nature of any
weakness planes present in the rock should be described.
t and (b) .{ tabularion of failure load P and platen separation D for each test-
(c) Computed values of.l" and I, (50) for each rest- These computed values can be omitted in the case
constant, tbe median failure load p of diametral test esults, but the median value of failure load P should be reported.
and the size contion applied. In (d) Median values for /. (50) parallel and perpendicular to planes of weakness, together with the
t lrs be obhined and coricted for computed strength anisotropy index /. (50).

Is (5O)
6. This test is intended as a simple procedure for field classification of rock materials, and when necessary
the recommended procedures can be modified to overcome practical limitations. Such modifications to
procedure should however be clearly srated in the repon.
7. When required, the strength index values can be used to assign a strength designation to the rock
('high, medim, low strength'etc. as for example in F9. ]2), but the numerical strength values should also
be retained.
8. Point-load strength is closely conclated with rhe resuits of uniaxial comoression and other strength
tests. An approximate conversion Uniaxial Compressive Strength : 21 x I, (50) can be used.

llr
,rrll
AW BW NW HW PW
NOMINAL CORE SIZES
Ftc. Ls. Size correction chart for point_load strength
testing (from Fig. 9).