DRAFT DES 6611 FDES

carbonated

4050
ETHIOPIAN First edition

STANDARD 2004-xx-xx

Natural stone test methods -

Determination of compressive
strength

ICS: 91.100.15
Descriptors: natural, stone, test methods, determination, compressive, strength.

Reference number
Price based on 12 pages. DES 6611:2004
 WD 6611: 2004

Foreword

This Working Draft has been prepared under the direction of the Construction Materials, Building and Civil
Engineering Technical Committee and published by the Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE)

In preparing this Working Draft reference has been made to the following:

- BS EN 1926:1999 British Standard, Specification for PVC -insulated cables for switchgear and controlgear
wiring

Acknowledgement is made for the us e of information from the above publication.

ii
ETHIOPIAN STANDARD WD 6611: 2004

Natural stone test methods -Determination of compressive strength

1 Scope

This Ethiopian Standard specifies a method for determining the compressive strength of natural stones.

2 Normative references

This Ethiopian Standard incorporates by dated or undated references, provisions from other publications.
These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed hereafter. For
dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply to this European
Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the latest edition of the
publication referred to applies

3 Principle

The specimens, after mechanical preparation of the surfaces or, if needed, after capping, are laid and centred on the
plate of a testing machine. A uniformly distributed load is applied and increased continuously until failure occurs.

4 Definitions

For the purposes of this standard, the definitions in accordance with prEN 12670 apply.

5 Symbols.
 WD 6611: 2004

6 Apparatus

7 Preparation of specimens

7.1 Sampling

The sampling is not the responsibility of the testing laboratory except where it is especially requested to undertake
this. At least six specimens are to be tested and the direction of any existing plane of anisotropy recorded.

7.2 Test specimens

Test specimens shall be cubes with (70 ± 5) mm or (50 ± 5) mm edge or right circular cylinders whose diameter and
height are equal to (70 ± 5) mm or (50 ± 5) mm.
The lateral dimension or the diameter of the specimen shall be related to the size of the largest grain in the rock by the
ratio of at least 10:1. If the maximum observed dimension of the grains exceeds 7 mm, it is recommended to have a
larger number of specimens in order to obtain representative results.
The axis of the specimen shall be normal to the planes of anisotropy, e.g. bedding planes, foliation, etc. [Figure 1a)
and 2a)]. If a test with orientation of loading parallel to the planes of anisotropy is required, another set of specimens
with the same dimensional characteristics shall be prepared [Figure 1b) and 2b)].

2
 WD 6611:2004

7.3 Surface preparation

7.3.1 General

The faces through which the load is to be applied shall be flat to a tolerance of 0.1 mm and shall not depart from
perpendicularity to the axis of the specimen by more than 0.01 radian or 1 mm in 100 mm. The sides of the specimen
shall be smooth and free of abrupt irregularities and straight to within 0.3 mm over the full length of the specimen.
To meet the above requirements the specimens shall be finished on either a lathe or surface grinder, with final
preparation on a lapping machine if needed. Capping with mortar according to the procedures indicated in 7.3.1 is to
be used only if the indicated tolerances are not obtainable with the prescribed mechanical preparation. This condition
shall be clearly indicated in the test report.

7.3.2 Capping with mortar

It is possible to cap the specimen utilizing a mortar made up with cement CEM I 52,5 R according to
ENV 197-1 and waiting until the cement has hardened.

7.4 Conditioning of specimen before testing

Specimens, whether capped or uncapped, shall be dried at (70 ± 5) 8C to constant mass. Constant mass shall be
considered to have been reached when the difference between two weighings made at an interval of (24 ± 2) h is no
greater than 0,1 % of the mass of the specimen. After drying and prior to testing the specimens shall be stored at (20
± 5) 8C until the thermal equilibrium is reached. After that, the tests shall be performed within 24 h.

3
 WD 6611: 2004

8 Procedure

8.1 Measuring the specimen

The cross-sectional dimensions of the test specimen (lateral dimension for cubic diameter for cylindrical test
specimens) shall be measured to the nearest 0,1 mm by averaging two measures taken at right angles to each other
at about the upper-height and two about the lower-height h of the specimen. The average lateral dimension l or the
average diameter d shall be used for calculating the cross-sectional area. The height of the specimen shall be
determined to the nearest 1.0 mm.

8.2 Placing the specimen in the testing machine

Wipe the bearing surfaces of the testing machine clean and remove any loose grit from the bed faces of the specimen.
Align the specimen carefully with the center of the ball-seated platen, so that a uniform seating is obtained. Do not use
any packing material.

8.3 Loading

Load on the specimen shall be applied continuously at a constant stress rate of (1 ± 0.5) MPa/s. The maximum
load on the specimen shall be recorded to the nearest 1 kN.

9 Expression of results

The uniaxial compressive strength R of each specimen is expressed by the ratio of the failure load of the specimen
and its cross-sectional area before testing, by the equation:

The result shall be expressed in megapascals with at least two significant figures. The mean value R shall be
calculated to the nearest 1 MPa.

10 Test report

The test report shall contain the following information:

a) unique identification number for the report;

4
 WD 6611:2004

b) the number, title and date of issue of this European Standard;

c) the name and address of the testing laboratory and the address where the test was carried out if different
from the testing laboratory;
d) the name and address of the client;
e) it is the responsibility of the client to supply the following information:
- the petrographic nature of the stone;
- the commercial name of the stone in accordance with prEN 12440;
- the country and region of extraction;
- the name of the supplier;
- the direction of any existing plane of anisotropy (if relevant to the test), to be clearly indicated on the sample
or on each specimen by means of two parallel lines;
- the name of the person or organization which carried out the sampling;
- the surface finish of the specimens (if relevant to the test);
f) the date of delivery of the sample or of the specimens;
g) the date when the specimens were prepared (if relevant) and the date of testing;
h) the number of specimens in the sample;
i) the dimens ions l (or d) and h in millimetres and the failure load F of each specimen, in newtons;
j) the surface preparation of the specimens and their conditioning before testing;
k) the orientation of the axis of loading with respect to the existing planes of anisotropy;
l) the compressive strength R of each specimen, in megapascals with at least two significant figures;
m) the mean value R of compressive strength, in megapascals to the nearest 1 MPa;
n) the standard deviation s, in megapascals to the nearest 1 MPa, and the variation coefficient v;
o) all deviations from the standard and their justification;
p) remarks.
The test report shall contain the signature(s) and role(s) of those responsible for the testing and the date of issue of
the report. It shall also state that the report shall not be partially reproduced without the written consent of the testing
laboratory.

5
 WD 6611: 2004

Annex A
(normative)

Determination of the compressive strength of armourstone

A.1 Scope
This annex specifies the method for the determination of compressive strength of stones of different size and irregular
shape which are used in hydraulic protection and regulation structures. The term ªarmourstoneº is used for such
materials.

A.2 Normative references

As in the m ain text, clause 2, and in addition prEN 13383-1, Armourstone.

A.3 Principle

As in the main text, clause 3. For materials to be used as armourstone, specimens shall be tested in a condition
indicating their strength in water and in their weakest orientation with respect to any existing plane of anisotropy.

A.4 Definitions and symbols

As in the main text, clauses 4 and 5.

A.5 Apparatus

As in the main text, clause 6.

A.6 Preparation of specimens

A.6.1 Sampling

The sample shall be taken in accordance with annex A of prEN 13383-1:1998.

A.6.2 Test specimens

Each specimen shall be prepared from a separate piece of armourstone. Test specimens shall be cubes with (50 ± 5)
mm edge or right circular cylinders whose diameter and height are equal to (50 ± 5) mm. For the pieces of
armourstone whose compressive strength is lower than or equal to 40 MPa, the use of cubes with (70 ± 7) mm edge
or right circular cylinders whose diameter and height are equal to (70 ± 7) mm is allowed.
The lateral dimension or the diameter of the specimen should be related to the size of the largest grain in a
representative piece of the material by the ratio of at least 10:1. For coarse-grained material, cubes or cylinders
having an edge or a diameter no greater than 150 mm are admitted. In this case, the maximum dimensions of the
grains shall be indicated in the test report.

The axis of the specimen shall be parallel to the planes of anisotropy, e.g. bedding planes, foliations, etc. If a test with
orientation of loading normal to the anisotropy is required, another set of specimens with the same dimensional
characteristics shall be prepared.
6
 WD 6611:2004

A.6.3 Surface preparation

As in the main text, 7.3.

A.6.4 Conditioning of specimen before testing

Test specimens shall be fully immersed in potable water at a room temperature of (20 ± 10) 8C for (48 ± 4) h and
tested for strength within 1 h of removal from the water taking care to minimise any changes in moisture content of the
specimen prior to testing.

A.7 Procedure

As in the main text, clause 8.

A.8 Expression of results

As in the main text, clause 9.

A.9 Test report

The test report shall contain the following information:

a) unique identification number of the report;
b) the number, title and date of issue of this Ethiopian Standard;
c) the name and address of the testing laboratory and the address where the test was carried out if different from the
testing laboratory;
d) the name and address of the client;
e) it is the responsibility of the client to supply the following information:
- the petrographic name of the stone;
- the commercial name of the stone in accordance with prEN 12440;
- the country and region of extraction;
- the name of the supplier;
- the direction of any existing plane of anisotropy (if relevant to the test) to be clearly indicated on the sample or on
each specimen by means of two parallel lines;
- the name of the person or organization which carried out the sampling;
- the surface finish of the specimens (if relevant to the test);
f) the date of delivery of the sample or of the specimens;
g) the date when the specimens were prepared
(if relevant) and the date of testing;
h) the number of specimens in the sample;
i) the dimensions l (or d) and h in millimetres and the failure load F of each specimen, in newtons;
j) the surface preparation of the specimens and their conditioning before testing;
k) the orientation of the axis of loading with respect to the rock anisotropy;
l) the compressive strength R of each specimen, in megapascals with at least two significant figures;
m) the mean value R of compressive strength, in megapascals to the nearest 1 MPa;
n) the standard deviation, s, in megapascals to the nearest 1 MPa, and the variation coefficient v;
o) a description of any specimen breakages that occurred during specimen preparation, detailing the number of such
breakages;
p) all deviations from the standard and their justification;
q) remarks.
The test report shall contain the signature(s) and role(s) of those responsible for the testing and the date of issue of
the report. It shall also state that the report shall not be partially reproduced without the written consent of the
laboratory.

7
 WD 6611: 2004

Annex B
(informative)
Determination of the point load strength index of natural stone

B.1 Scope

This informative annex is given to provide a simple method for the factory production control of the uniaxial
compressive strength of natural stone and stone used in hydraulic structures.

B.2 Background

The point load strength index is widely used in rock mechanics applications for obtaining a rapid and cheap
assessment of the variability in strength of a rock source and is therefore ideal for use in factory production control.

B.3 Correlation data

To use point load strength index data to obtain estimates of uniaxial compressive strength, the ideal correlation
equation to use is one based on a preliminary study of the particular rock source in question. The point load strength
test method to be used is the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM), 1985 method, see reference in annex
D.
If a correlation for the specific rock type is not available, the general correlation equation given in the reference in
annex D is as follows:
uniaxial compression strength = 22 times point load strength index
It is based on an extensive investigation of a wide range of strong and weak rocks. It will not give a very accurate
prediction of compressive strength for all rock types. However, it is recommended to be the best researched single
correlation factor to predict the compressive strength of all rock types. An aspect ratio of 2:1 for length to diameter of
cylinders is assumed for the compressive strength data in the above correlation equation.

8
 WD 6611:2004

Annex C

(normative)
Statistical evaluation of the test results

C.1 Scope

This annex establishes a method for the statistical treatment of test results obtained following the natural stone test
method described in this standard.

C.2 Symbols and definitions

C.3 Statistical evaluation of test results

For the calculation of the mean value (x), the standard deviation (s) and the coefficient of variation (v) a normal
distribution is assumed.
For the calculation of the lower expected value (E) a logarithmic normal distribution is assumed. The lower expected
value (E) corresponds to the 5 % quantile of a logarithmic normal distribution for a confidence level of 75 %.

9
 WD 6611: 2004

Table C.1 - Quantile factor (k s ) in dependence

on the number of measured values (n) in
correspondence to the 5 % quantile for a
confidence level of 75 %
k
n s
3 3.15
4 2.68
5 2.46
6 2.34
7 2.25
8 2.19
9 2.14
10 2.10
15 1.99
20 1.93
30 1.87
40 1.83
50 1.81

1,64

10
WD 6611:2004

11
 WD 6611: 2004

Annex D
(informative)

Bibliography related to annex B

The International Society for Rock Mechanics convened a Working Party to produce a ªRecommended Suggested
Methodº for the determination of the point load strength index. The reference is as follows:
FRANKLIN, J.A. [co-ordinator] (1985). Suggested method for the determination of the Point Load Strength,
International Society for Rock Mechanics Commission on Testing Methods, (revised version). International Journal of
Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences and Geomechanical Abstracts., Vol. 22, pp. 51-60.

12