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Ulusay, R (ed.), 2015. The ISRM suggested

methods for rock characterization, testing and
monitoring: 2007–2014

Article in Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment · August 2015

DOI: 10.1007/s10064-015-0780-3

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BOOK REVIEW
Ulusay, R (Ed.), 2015. The ISRM suggested methods for rock characterization, testing and
monitoring: 2007-2014. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-007713-0
First, there was the ‘yellow’ book (Brown 1981); then came the ‘blue’ book (Ulusay &
Hudson 2007); now, we have the ‘orange’ book (Ulusay 2015). Of course, I refer to the
books produced by the Commission on Testing Methods of the International Society for
Rock Mechanics (ISRM), now led by Professor Resat Ulusay, which have, over the decades
produced the definitive descriptions for rock description, testing and monitoring as a series
of “Suggested Methods.” For each of these, a Working Group was established having in its
membership expertise relevant to the method being considered.
The ‘yellow’ book covered 1. Site characterization, 2. Laboratory and field testing and 3.
Monitoring, all in 211 pages. The ‘blue’ book was a much larger update (628 pages) that
separated laboratory and field testing adding many newly-defined tests. The ‘blue’ book
contains the complete set of Suggested Methods from 1974 to 2006. The new ‘orange’ book
(293 pages) contains the Suggested Methods that have been developed between 2007 and
2014. Of particular interest in the ‘orange’ book are an introductory chapter by Professor
Ulusay and a final chapter on 3D laser scanning techniques; the latter chapter is not so much
a new Suggested Method as an alert “to the significant potential of laser scanning
capabilities…” But more of these chapters later.
The core of the book contains the new and revised Suggested Methods. These are:
1. Laboratory Testing
ISRM Suggested Method for determination of the Schmidt hammer rebound
hardness: revised version. In particular, there is an emphasis on the use of the
hardness value as an index of the unconfined compressive strength and modulus of
elasticity of rock materials.
Suggested Methods for determining the dynamic strength parameters and mode-I
fracture toughness of rock materials. The chapter covers measurement of the
dynamic uniaxial compressive strength for a cylindrical shape rock specimen, the
dynamic indirect tensile strength by the Brazil test and the dynamic fracture
toughness (Mode-I) using a notched, semi-circular bend specimen.
ISRM Suggested Method for the determination of mode-II fracture toughness. The
test measures directly the Mode-II (in-plane shear) fracture toughness of rock
material.
ISRM Suggested Method for reporting rock laboratory test data in electronic format.
This chapter, which covers rock laboratory tests, provides the first step towards
standardised electronic formats for all Suggested Methods. The chapter recognises
however, that there may be compatibility problems with other existing formats (for
example, AGS). The Working Group will seek to resolve these in a future document
on the subject.
 ISRM Suggested Method for determining the abrasivity of rock by the CERCHAR
Abrasivity Test. The chapter covers this test for the first time as an ISRM Suggested
Method.
ISRM Suggested Method for determining the mode I static fracture toughness using
semi-circular bend specimen. The test measures the mode I static fracture toughness
under slow and steady loading where the dynamic effects are negligible.
ISRM Suggested Method for determining the creep characteristics of rock. The tests
defined concern the creep characteristics of intact rocks under the indirect tensile
regime of the Brazilian test and the uniaxial and triaxial compression tests.
ISRM Suggested Method for laboratory determination of the shear strength of rock
joints: revised version. This covers the laboratory direct shear test of rock
discontinuities using constant normal load and constant normal stiffness laboratory
apparatus. The test is named “the sliding friction test.”
ISRM Suggested Method for the needle penetration test. This test can be performed
in the field on rock exposures or in the laboratory on rock specimens to determine
the needle penetration index, which can be correlated with other properties such as
uniaxial compressive strength.

2. Field Testing
ISRM Suggested Method for rock fractures observations using a borehole digital
optical televiewer. The technique allows the direct observation of rock fractures in a
predrilled borehole that is either air- or clear fluid-filled. The method can also be
used to detect possible stress-induced damage in the borehole and hence help with
estimations of in situ stress orientation.
ISRM Suggested Method for measuring rock mass displacement using a sliding
micrometer. The sliding micrometer enables displacement profiles to be determined
with high accuracy and precision (up to ± 0.002 mm/m) and has a maximum
measuring range of 25 mm/m. It is used in boreholes where the main displacement
follows the axial direction of the borehole.
ISRM Suggested Method for step-rate injection method for fracture in-situ properties
(SIMFIP): using a 3-components borehole deformation sensor. The method involves
the step-rate injection of water between packers in a borehole to produce micro-
scale elastic and inelastic deformations of a localised fractured rock mass volume.
The elastic stiffness, strength and hydraulic properties of the fractures can be
estimated.
ISRM Suggested Methods for rock stress estimation – part 5: establishing a model for
the in situ stress at a given site. This relates to the updated Suggested Method for
rock stress estimation and concerns the final rock stress model of a site or area.

3. Monitoring
ISRM Suggested Method for monitoring rock displacements using the global
positioning system (GPS). This method, using GPS relative positioning, enables highly
accurate measurement and monitoring of three-dimensional rock displacements
over a large area.
 4. Failure Criteria (covering six failure criteria)
Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion
Hoek-Brown failure criterion
Three-dimensional failure criteria based on the Hoek-Brown criterion
Drucker-Prager criterion
Lade and modified Lade 3D rock strength criteria
A failure criterion for rocks based on true triaxial testing
As indicated earlier, the book concludes with a chapter on 3D laser scanning techniques and
their application. This is based on four year project carried out by the ISRM and its Swedish
National Group. The project set out to investigate the current development of hardware and
software for 3D laser scanning, summarise the existing applications to rock mechanics,
evaluate the laser scanning benefits for rock mechanics, compared with other methods, and
identify the limits and needs for further development.
However, I want to finish with the chapter by the Editor, Resat Ulusay, which starts the
book. This is an updated version of a keynote lecture given by Professor Ulusay in Seoul in
2012. It provides both a fascinating historical overview of the development of rock
mechanics as well as a forward look for rock testing and monitoring. A table lists all the
Suggested Methods from 1974 to 2014 as well as new ones being prepared. Professor
Ulusay sees no end to the development of new methods in the years ahead. This chapter is
well worth a read both for newly qualified rock mechanics specialists and for experienced
ones interested in the development of their science and engineering.
So, overall, this book is a ‘must have’ for all those working on the characterisation of rock
masses and materials for engineering applications. The only outstanding question is what
will be the colour of the next volume!
REFERENCES
Brown, E. T. (ed.) 1981. Rock characterization, testing and monitoring: ISRM Suggested
Methods. Oxford: Pergamon Press. 211p.
Ulusay, R. (ed.) 2015. The ISRM Suggested Methods for rock characterization, testing and
monitoring: 2007-2014. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. 293p.
Ulusay, R. & Hudson, J. A. (eds). 2007. The complete ISRM Suggested Methods for rock
characterization, testing and monitoring: 1974-2006. Ankara: ISRM Turkish National Group.
628p.

Martin Culshaw

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