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DEPARTMENT : INFRASTRUCTURE & GEOMATIC EDITION: LAB 3
ENGINEERING NO. OF CHECKING:
LABORATORY : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY &
EFECTIVE DATE : 8/1/2007
GEOPHYSICS
TOPIC : ROCK STRENGTH - POINT LOAD TEST (LAB 3) AMENDMENT DATE: 4/9/2016
1.0 OBJECTIVE
This experiment deals with determination of rock strength when a certain load implied on the rocks. Students
should be able conducted the experiment, understanding the theory and recognize the rock strength on different
types of rocks in Malaysia.
3.0 THEORY
This apparatus, also named Franklin Press (1970), is used to obtain quick information concerning rock strength.
Point load measurement represents one of the most widely used in classification tests for rocks, both in the field
and in the laboratory. A rock piece is subjected to a compression load along its diameter with two apposite conical
platens. The index of rock strength is calculated from the following:
IS = P
D
Where P is the maximum applied load and D the core diameter. The test consists to compress up to failure a core
or irregular block of rock sample by the application of a point load by a couple of steel conical points of standard
size. The load required obtaining the failure of the sample and the distance between the conical points before and
after the test is then measured. Three test methods are generally carried on are compression along a diameter,
axial compression and compression on irregular pieces. The distance between the points must be between 30
and 85 mm and the shape ratio as indicated in Figure 1.
Prepared by : Lecturer
Name : Mohd Hazreek Bin Zainal Abidin, Dr. Mohamad Faizal bin Tajul Baharuddin & Assoc. Prof.
Dr. Aziman Bin Madun
Signature :
5.0 PROCEDURE
The apparatus consists of a load frame 55kN capacity with hydraulic loading ram actuated by hand pump. Students should
tests on block and irregular lump. Check first on the block and lumps to be tested respect the shape prescription here
indicated:
Where;
Ten (10) irregular lump samples should be tested from the same original type of rock. Mark the desire test orientation on the
sample with lines along the surface. These lines are used for centering the sample before the test and checking the proper
stress orientation along the compression to failure. Close the valve of the hydraulic circuit of the hand pump. Insert the
extension rod the jacket lever and zero set the digital readout unit. Insert the sample between the conical points along a
direction perpendicular to the end faces of the core, far from the ends or edges: act on the jack to close the platens to the
core. Check that the digital manometer records a small load and operate with the pump to increase the load steadily such that
the failure occurs within 10 to 60 sec. record the maximum force displayed by the digital manometer (the peak load value is
frozen on the display) and measure again the distance D of the points. If a partial failure occurs (Figure 2), the test result is not
considered.
The results should have the point load strength index, Is (MPa). The Is is calculated as follows:
Is = P (1000)
DE2
Where;
DE2 = 4 A /
Where;
A = Waverage x D = represents the minimum cross sectional area of a plane through the platen contact points.
Diameter correction factor should be performed if the samples diameter is not close to 50 mm. Therefore;
Is(50) = Is x F F = (D / 50)0.45
To calculate the average point load index, Is(50) for a type of rock, at least 10 point load test are required; from these
tests, reject the highest and lowest strength value, and average the others.
The relationship between the average point load index, Is(50) and uniaxial compression strength, c as follows;
2) For platen separation, D 50mm, size correction is necessary) (after Broch & Franklin, 1972):-
c (14 + 0.175) Is(50)average
Where;
c = uniaxial compression strength (UCS, MPa)
8.0 CONCLUSION
Conclude your results of the point load strength index, Is(50) and uniaxial compression strength in the Table 1 by rate its
significance or applications in civil engineering or construction industry.
FACULTY : CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING NO. OF PAGES: 4/5
DEPARTMENT : INFRASTRUCTURE & GEOMATIC EDITION: LAB 3
ENGINEERING NO. OF CHECKING:
LABORATORY : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY &
EFECTIVE DATE : 8/1/2007
GEOPHYSICS
TOPIC : ROCK STRENGTH - POINT LOAD TEST (LAB 3) AMENDMENT DATE: 4/9/2016
Note 1 Legend: L = Length, W= width, D = depth or diameter and De = equivalent core diameter
NOTE 1 - (a) valid diametral tests; (b) valid axial tests; (c) valid block tests; (d) invalid tests
Equivalent Sketches
Average Point Load
Length, Depth, Upper width, Lower width, Load, diameter of sample diagram
width, Index Strength, Is(50)
Sample No. L D W1 W2 P core sample, F before & after
Waverage Is (MPa)
(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (kN) DE2 failure (use
(mm) (MPa)
(mm2) attachment)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
c = __________________________
____________