Faculty of Science and Technology

The Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong

SCE 5431
Earthwork Engineering

Lab Session for Earthwork Engineering

Lab Report on Data Recording Sheet and Question Answering

Date of Experiment:

Date of Submission:

Full Name (in BLOCK letters) Student ID

Remark: Please submit this lab report two week after the lab session (5 pm
on or before the due date)
 Point Load Test

POINT LOAD TEST

Purpose
- The point load strength test is used as an index test for strength classification of rock
materials.

Equipment and Supplies

1. Point load testing machine (Figure 1)
2. Timer
3. Rock hammer
4. Brush for cleaning rocks

Rock specimen

Core specimens with length/diameter ratio of greater than 1.0, or between 0.3 -1.0.

Discussion

- A series of test are commonly used to determine the strength parameter of rock in the
laboratory, Is(50). The uniaxial tensile (UTS) and compressive (UCS) strengths can be
approximated from the Is(50) index. The UTS is about 1.25 times Is(50) and the UCS
is normally between 20 and 25 times the Is(50) index.

Procedure
1. Three to four point load test configurations are used depending on the available
rock specimens
2. The specimen is positioned between the conical platens. The platens are then
closed to make contact.
3. The distance De between the points of contact is read on the scale.
4. The load is increased such that failure occurs within 10 to 60 sec. and the failure
load P is read and recorded.

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 HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIBITY (PERMEABILITY) TEST

Calculations

The Uncorrected Strength Anisotropy Index (Point load index), Is(50), of a rock is determined by
the following equation:

Is = P/De2

Is: Uncorrected point load strength index, in Mpa or psi

P: Failure load, in MN or lbf (maximum pressure X jack piston area)

De: Equivalent core diameter, in meters or inches (De=D for diametral tests)

The size corrected point load strength is:

Is(50) = Is x (De/50)0.45

*The correction can be easily done by using the first equation.

Fig. 1

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 HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIBITY (PERMEABILITY) TEST

Form 1

Date tested: _________________________ Tested by: ____________________________

Rock description: ________________________________________________________________

Diameter of the cell: _______________________ Length of the cell: ______________________

Table 1. Test Results

Test No. Diameter Pressure Is Is (50)

Figure Is/Is(50)-Load

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