Uniaxial Compressive Strength

and Deformability

Introduction
This testing method is designed to measure the uniaxial compressive strength and deformability of rock materials. In a uniaxial (or unconfined) compression test, a cylindrical core
sample is loaded axially to failure, with no confinement (lateral support). Conceptually, the
compressive strength is measured by recording the peak stress - defined as the maximum load
sustained by a specimen divided by its cross-sectional area.
A second aspect of this test involves the measurement of deformations that coincide
with uniaxial loading of the rock specimen; within a certain loading range, linear elastic
deformation can be approximated from which the Youngs modulus and Poissons ratio are
determined. These parameters can be calculated by plotting stress -vs- strain curves for both
axial and diametric strain.
Testing is performed on intact rock, thus neglecting the discontinuous nature of most
rock masses. In this sense, the test is primarily intended for strength classification and
characterisation of intact behaviour rather than rock mass quality assessment. In view of the
variability of rock properties, when adequate samples are available repeat testing may be
merited to determine average values.

Equipment
1. Loading machine (complying with accepted international standards).
2. Steel platens in the form of discs (with a spherical seat).
3. Instruments to measure strains and axial load (electrical resistance strain gauges, linear
variable differential transducers, optical devices or other suitable measuring devices).

Figure 1-1. Typical sample instrumentation, showing the

end caps and strain measurement devices.

Sample Preparation
Specimens must be prepared as right-angled circular cylinders with the following
characteristics:
Height to diameter ratio of 2.5 to 3.0.
Diameter 10 times greater than the largest mineral grains in the rock sample and
preferably greater than 54 mm (the diameter of the steel platens must exceed the
sample diameter by 2 mm).
Sample ends flat and perpendicular to the cylindrical axis.
Sample sides smooth and straight.
Samples should be stored for no longer than 30 days prior to testing, or in an
environment-controlled room, in such a way as to preserve the natural moisture
content.

Procedure
1. Place the rock sample between the loading platens of the testing machine, using spacers
where necessary, and accurately centre the sample.
2. Attach and zero strain measuring devices.
3. Load the specimen continuously at a constant stress rate such that failure occurs within 5
to 10 minutes of initial loading - alternatively, the stress rate should be applied between
0.5 and 1.0 MPa/s.
4. Record loads and strains at evenly spaced load intervals. A minimum of ten readings
should be taken while testing.
5. Record the maximum load attained when the specimen fails.

Calculation
1. Determine the Uniaxial Compressive Strength, UCS, and report the value in MPa (106
N/m2)

UCS =

Pmax
A0

where:
Pmax = maximum compressive load (N)
A0 = initial cross-sectional area of sample (m2).
2. Calculate the compressive axial stress, , corresponding to each measuring interval

P
A0

where:
P = compressive load (N)
A0 = initial cross-sectional area of sample (m2).
3. Calculate the axial strain, a, corresponding to each measuring interval

a =

l
l0

where:
l0 = initial length measured parallel to sample axis (m)
l = change in measured axial length (m), where a decrease in length is defined as
positive.
4. Plot axial stress -vs- axial strain.
5. Calculate the tangent, average and secant Youngs modulus (as shown in Fig. 1-2). Use
50% of the compressive strength as the fixed percentage for the calculation of the tangent and
secant moduli. The average Youngs modulus should be calculated as the average slope over
the approximate straight line portion of the curve

E T , E AVG , E S =

where:
ET = tangent Youngs modulus (GPa)
EAVG = average Youngs modulus (GPa)
ES = secant Youngs modulus (GPa)
= change in axial stress over defined interval (MPa)
a = change in axial strain over defined interval.

Figure 1-2. Methods for calculating Youngs modulus from axial

stress-strain curves.

General comments
Moisture can have a significant effect on the deformability of the specimen. In situ moisture
conditions should therefore be preserved and changes (loss in moisture) should be recorded
before testing.

Uniaxial Compression Test Data Sheet

Sample #:
Sample Description:

Sample Diameter: ___________________

Sample Length: ___________________

Test Duration: ___________________

Axial Load, P
(
)

Displacement, l
(
)

Loading Rate: ___________________

l
(

Axial Stress
(MPa)

Axial Strain

Test Notes
Sketch of Failed Sample:

Other Notes:

Uniaxial Compression Test Data Sheet

Sample #:
Sample Description:

Sample Diameter: ___________________

Sample Length: ___________________

Test Duration: ___________________

Axial Load, P
(
)

Displacement, l
(
)

Loading Rate: ___________________

l
(

Axial Stress
(MPa)

Axial Strain

Test Notes
Sketch of Failed Sample:

Other Notes:

Indirect Tensile Strength

Introduction
This test is intended to measure the uniaxial tensile strength of rock indirectly by a method
known as the Brazilian test. The justification for this test is based on the experimental fact
that most rocks under biaxial stress fields fail in tension at their uniaxial tensile strength
when one of the principal stresses is tensile and the other finite principal stress is
compressive with a magnitude not exceeding three times that of the tensile principal stress.
Failure in tension occurs because the intact tensile strength of rock is often 10 to 20
times lower than the intact compressive strength. In this sense, the test is primarily intended
for the classification and characterization of intact rock. In view of the variability of rock
properties, when adequate samples are available repeat testing may be merited to determine
average values.

Equipment
1. Loading machine (complying with accepted international standards).
2. Platens and/or inserts designed for Brazilian test samples.

Sample Preparation
Specimens must be prepared as right-angled circular cylinders with the following
characteristics:
Length approximately equal to the diameter.
Diameter approximately greater than 54 mm.
Sample ends flat and perpendicular to the cylindrical axis.
Sample sides smooth and straight.

Procedure
1. Place the test specimen between the loading platens of the testing machine, using
inserts (e.g. cardboard or tape) where necessary, such that the sample is centred and
the platens load the sample across its diameter (see Fig. 2-1).
2. Load the specimen continuously at a constant stress rate such that failure occurs
within 15 to 30 seconds of initial loading - alternatively, a loading rate of 200 N/s is
recommended.
3. Record the load attained when the specimen first fails (i.e. primary failure). At
primary failure there will be a brief pause in the motion of the indicator needle (note
that the sample may still be able to sustain additional load increases.

Figure 2-1. Diametral loading of sample in Brazilian test.

Calculation
1. Calculate the Brazilian tensile strength, T

T =

2 P
Dt

(in MPa )

where:
P = load at primary failure (N)
D = sample diameter (mm)
t =.sample thickness or length (mm).

General comments
Samples should fail along a line parallel to the direction of loading and down the centre of
the sample. If failure involves cracking, crushing or splitting perpendicular to or at an oblique
angle to the line of loading, the test should be rejected. Sample anisotropy in the form of
foliation, bedding etc. should be noted with respect to the direction of loading.

Brazilian Indirect Tension Test Data Sheet

Sample #:
Sample Description:

Sample Diameter: ___________________

Test Duration: ___________________

Load, P
(
)

Sketch of Failed Sample:

Notes:

Sample Length: ___________________

Loading Rate: ___________________

Load, P
(N)

Tensile Strength
(MPa)

Brazilian Indirect Tension Test Data Sheet

Sample #:
Sample Description:

Sample Diameter: ___________________

Test Duration: ___________________

Load, P
(
)

Sketch of Failed Sample:

Notes:

Sample Length: ___________________

Loading Rate: ___________________

Load, P
(N)

Tensile Strength
(MPa)

Triaxial Compressive Strength

Introduction
This testing method is intended to measure the strength of cylindrical rock specimens as a
function of confining pressure. Triaxial tests involve the simultaneous application of a
constant confining pressure around the cylindrical boundary of the sample and a continuously
increasing axial load. In this sense, the stress state is not truly triaxial but axisymmetrical.
The test leads to the determination of individual points on the peak strength failure
envelope through the testing of several samples at increasing confining pressures. Analysis of
the test results provides the values necessary to describe a linear Mohr-Coulomb strength
envelope (c and ).
Testing is generally performed on intact rock, thus neglecting the discontinuous
nature of most rock masses. However, special consideration can also be given to the analysis
of the shear strength along a single discontinuous plane. In view of the variability of rock
properties, when adequate samples are available repeat testing may be merited to determine
average values.

Equipment
1. Stiff loading machine (complying with accepted international standards).
2. Hydraulic pump or some other system capable of applying and holding a constant
confining pressure.
3. Triaxial cell with end platens, spherical seatings and a flexible membrane to prevent the
confining fluid from entering the sample (see Fig. 3-1).
4. Instruments to measure strains and applied loads (electrical resistance strain gauges,
linear variable differential transducers, optical devices or other suitable measuring
devices).

Figure 3-1. Cut away view of a Hoek triaxial cell.

Sample Preparation
Specimens must be prepared as right-angled circular cylinders with the following
characteristics:
Height to diameter ratio of 2.5 to 3.0.
Diameter 10 times greater than the largest mineral grains in the rock sample and
preferably greater than 54 mm (the diameter of the steel platens must exceed the
sample diameter by 2 mm).
Sample ends flat and perpendicular to the cylindrical axis.
Sample sides smooth and straight.
Samples stored no longer than 30 days prior to testing, or in an environmentcontrolled room, in such a way as to preserve the natural moisture content.
Without the use of capping materials or end surface treatments other than machining.
With a sufficient number of test specimens to adequately define the strength envelope
over the required range of confining pressures.

Procedure
1. Assemble the specimen, platens, membrane and triaxial cell. The exact procedure will
depend on the type of triaxial cell used.
2. Attach and zero strain measuring devices.
3. Connect the hydraulic line and fill the triaxial cell with oil, allowing air to escape through
an air bleeder hole. Afterwards close the air bleeder hole.
4. Place and centre the triaxial cell in the axial loading device.
5. Apply the axial and confining pressures simultaneously until the predetermined level for
the confining pressure is reached.

6. Holding the confining pressure constant, continue to apply the axial load at a steady rate
such that failure occurs within 5 to 15 minutes of initial loading - alternatively, the stress
rate should be applied between 0.5 and 1.0 MPa/s.
7. Record loads and strains continuously at evenly spaced load intervals, including those
intervals corresponding to post-peak behaviour.
8. Record the maximum load attained when the specimen fails, the corresponding confining
pressure and the residual load after failure.

Calculation
1. Calculate the compressive axial stress, , corresponding to each measuring interval

P
A0

where:
P = compressive load (N)
A0 = initial cross-sectional area of sample (m2).
2. Calculate the axial strain, a, corresponding to each measuring interval

a =

l
l0

where:
l0 = initial length measured parallel to sample axis (m)
l = change in measured axial length (m), where a decrease in length is defined as
positive.
3. Plot (1-3) -vs- axial strain.
4. Calculate the average Youngs modulus, EAVG (in GPa) The average Youngs modulus
should be calculated as the average slope over the approximate straight-line portion of the
curve

E AVG =

where:
= change in axial stress over defined interval (MPa)
a = change in axial strain over defined interval.
5. Plot the Mohr circles (on a -vs- n axes) for each test corresponding to the different
confining pressures tested for (see Fig. 3-2). In addition to the test data collected in your
group, you may be asked to include data points collected by the other groups.

Figure 3-2. Plot of the Mohr circles and the corresponding MohrCoulomb failure envelope for a set of triaxial test data (3 represents
the confining pressure and 1 refers to the resulting peak value).

6. Approximate the linear Mohr-Coulomb failure envelope on the Mohr circle plot and
calculate the Coulomb strength parameters for the apparent cohesion, Si (or c), and internal
friction angle, .
7. Repeat the above analysis in order to plot the residual Mohr-Coulomb strength envelope
and determine the residual strength parameters (note that the residual values should include
the subscript r, e.g. r).
8. Measure and record the angle of failure through the test specimens and compare to the
theoretical value obtained from the Mohr-Coulomb plot.

General comments
Moisture can have a significant effect on the deformability and strength of the specimen. In
turn, pore pressure effects depend on rock type, moisture content and strain rate. Careful
consideration must be given where it is believed that the in situ moisture conditions are
sufficient enough to generate significant pore pressure effects.
The term residual strength is used here for the post failure strength at strains that can
be reasonably obtained through triaxial testing. These strains may be insufficient to reach the
true residual strength of some materials.

Triaxial Compression Test Data Sheet

Sample #:
Sample Description:

Sample Diameter: ___________________

Sample Length: ___________________

Test Duration: ___________________

Loading Rate: ___________________

Confining Pressure: ___________________

Axial Load, P
(
)

Displacement, l
(
)

l
(

Axial Stress
(MPa)

Axial Strain

Test Notes
Sketch of Failed Sample:

Other Notes:

Triaxial Compression Test Data Sheet

Sample #:
Sample Description:

Sample Diameter: ___________________

Sample Length: ___________________

Test Duration: ___________________

Loading Rate: ___________________

Confining Pressure: ___________________

Axial Load, P
(
)

Displacement, l
(
)

l
(

Axial Stress
(MPa)

Axial Strain

Test Notes
Sketch of Failed Sample:

Other Notes: