A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF ROCK STRENGTH MEASURES

The variation in strength is investigated for eight lithologically similar, Silurian sedimentary rock units from the northeastern United States. The tests used for this investigation include the fracture toughness, uniaxial compression, point load index and Brazil tensile tests. The results show that the amount of variation associated with each test and formation is similar, although fracture toughness tests appear to give more consistent results. The strength and in situ location correlations indicate that the variation in strength within a unit is of the same order of magnitude as the variation associated with each test. Existing correlations among the tests are examined in the framework of the data, and new correlations for predicting fracture toughness are presented. The variation in strength with saturation for the sandstone is also examined; generally, the strength decreases with saturation. Lastly, the variation in strength as a function of lithological differences within one formation is evaluated. The results indicate that it may be more important to sample a rock unit selectively in a number of different locations than to do extensive testing in one location. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/01489062
• Corporate Authors:

  Pergamon Press, Incorporated

  Headington Hill Hall
  Oxford OX30BW,    
• Authors:
  • Gunsallus, K L
  • Kulhawy, F H
• Publication Date: 1984-10

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 233-248
• Serial:
  • Intl J of Rock Mech & Mining Sci & Geomechanic Abs
  • Volume: 21
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Pergamon Press, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0148-9062

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Coefficients; Compression; Correlation analysis; Evaluation and assessment; Failure; Fracture properties; Percent saturation; Physical properties; Rocks; Sampling; Sandstones; Strength of materials; Test procedures
• Uncontrolled Terms: Brazilian tensile strength test; Index (Coefficient); Uniaxial
• Old TRIS Terms: Point loading; Rock properties
• ITRD Terms: 6405: Axis; 6410: Coefficient; 5532: Compression; 5587: Concentrated loading; 6527: Correlation (math, stat); 9020: Evaluation (assessment); 5520: Failure; 4154: Rock; 4104: Sandstone; 6249: Splitting tensile test; 5544: Strength (mater); 6288: Test method
• Subject Areas: Construction; Data and Information Technology; Geotechnology; Highways; Public Transportation; I43: Rock Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00394401
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 1985 12:00AM