09.11.2016 POINT LOAD STRENGTH INDEX TEST OF ROCK (IS-8764) - CivilBlog.

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Suryakanta | April 28, 2014 | Geotechnical, Rock | 2

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To determine point load strength index of rock as per IS-8764

Point load strength test machine

A 100 mm scale attached with the loading frame
Pressure gauge (Capacity 25 kN or 50 kN)

Point Load Testing Machine Set up

Depending upon the size and shape of test specimen, the point load strength index can be conducted by four
different methods. These are

1. Diametral Test
2. Axial Test
3. Block Test
4. Irregular lump Test

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09.11.2016 POINT LOAD STRENGTH INDEX TEST OF ROCK (IS-8764) - CivilBlog.Org

Diametral Test

1. The diametral test is conducted on rock core sample. Minimum of 10 test specimens are required to find
out the average value of point load strength index.
2. This test can be conducted on the core specimens which are completely dry or after soaking it for 7 days.
3. Measure the total length ( ) and diameter ( ) of the core specimen. Specimen of , are considered
to be suitable for this test.
4. Place the specimen horizontally between two platens in such a way that the distance between the contact
point and the nearest free end ( ) is at least 0.75times the diameter of the core ( ).
5. Measure the distance between two platen contact points ( ) with the help of the scale attached with the
loading frame. (Note-In case of diametral test, the diameter of the core ( ) and the distance between two
platens ( ) will be same)
6. Apply load to the core specimen such that failure occur within 10-60 sec. record the failure load .

Point load strength index ( ) = Mpa

Where is breaking load in kN

is the distance between platens in mm

Corresponding point load strength index for the standard core size of 50 mm ( ) diameter is given by the
following equation

MPa
Uniaxial compressive strength of rock may be predicted from the following equation

Mpa

The corrected mean value of the point load strength index is reported in Mpa.
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Axial Test

1. The axial test is conducted on rock core sample of small length. Minimum of 10 test specimens are
required to find out the average value of point load strength index.
2. This test can be conducted on the core specimens which are completely dry or after soaking it for 7 days.
3. Measure the total length ( ) and diameter ( ) of the core specimen. Specimen of in between ,
are considered to be suitable for this test.
4. Place the specimen vertically in between two platens.
5. Measure the distance between two platen contact points ( ) with the help of the scale attached with the
loading frame. Measure the specimen width ( ) which is equal to the diameter of the core specimen
(i.e. ).
6. Apply load to the core specimen such that failure occur within 10-60 sec. record the failure load .

Uncorrected Point load strength index ( ) = Mpa

Where = Equivalent core diameter

And is calculated using following equation

Where is the specimen width in mm

is the distance between platens in mm

is the breaking load in kN

Corrected point load strength index for the standard core size of 50 mm ( ) diameter is given by the
following equation
Mpa

Uniaxial compressive strength of rock may be predicted from the following equation

Mpa

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09.11.2016 POINT LOAD STRENGTH INDEX TEST OF ROCK (IS-8764) - CivilBlog.Org

The corrected mean value of the point load strength index is reported in Mpa.

Block or Irregular lump Test

1. This method of test is conducted on rock block or irregular samples. Minimum of 10 test specimens are
required to find out the average value of point load strength index.
2. This test can be conducted on the core specimens which are completely dry or after soaking it for 7 days.
3. Place the specimen horizontally between two platens.
4. Measure the distance between two platen contact points ( ) with the help of the scale attached with the
loading frame. Measure the smallest specimen width ( ) perpendicular to the load direction. If the sides
are not parallel , then is obtained from , and as show in the figure and calculated as
. Measure the distance between platen contact point and nearest free end (i.e. ). The
distance should be at least .
5. Apply load to the core specimen such that failure occur within 10-60 sec. record the failure load .

Uncorrected Point load strength index ( ) = Mpa

Where = Equivalent core diameter

And is calculated using following equation

Where is the specimen width in mm

is the distance between platens in mm

is the breaking load in kN

Corrected point load strength index for the standard core size of 50 mm ( ) diameter is given by the
following equation
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