Designation: D 4555 – 01

Standard Test Method for

Determining Deformability and Strength of Weak Rock by an
In Situ Uniaxial Compressive Test1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4555; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope * results of laboratory tests on small specimens, in situ tests on

1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the deform- large specimens are necessary. Such tests also have the
ability and strength of large in situ specimens of weak rock by advantage that the rock specimen is tested under similar
a uniaxial - compressive test. The test results take into account environmental conditions as prevailing for the rock mass.
the effect of both intact material behavior and the behavior of 4.2 Since the strength of rock is dependent on the size of the
discontinuities contained within the specimen block. test specimen, it is necessary to test several specimens (labo-
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the ratory or field, or both) of progressively increasing size until an
standard. asymptotically constant strength value is found. This value is
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the taken to represent the strength of the rock mass.3,4
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the NOTE 1—Notwithstanding the statements on precision and bias con-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- tained in this test method; the precision of this test method is dependent
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice
D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective
2. Referenced Documents testing. Users of this test method are cautioned that compliance with
Practice D 3740 does not in itself assure reliable testing. Reliable testing
2.1 ASTM Standards: depends on many factors. Practice D 3740 provides a means of evaluating
D 3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies some of those factors.
Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock
as Used In Engineering Design and Construction2 5. Apparatus
5.1 Preparation Equipment—Equipment is needed for cut-
3. Terminology ting specimen blocks from existing underground exposed
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: faces, for example, a coal cutting machine, pneumatic chisel, or
3.1.1 rock quality designation, RQD—a method for quanti- other hand tools. No explosives are permitted.
tatively describing the nature of a rock mass from core borings. 5.2 Loading System:
RQD is obtained by measuring the total length of all unweath- 5.2.1 Hydraulic Jacks or Flatjacks—This equipment is
ered pieces of core greater than or equal to 100 mm and required to apply a uniformly distributed load to the complete
dividing the total by the length of the particular core run. This upper face of the specimen. The loading system shall be of
quantity is expressed as a percent and is used to classify in situ sufficient capacity and travel to load the system to failure.
rock. Multiple hydraulic jacks fed by a common manifold should be
3.1.2 weak rock—rock containing numerous weathered avoided.
joints spaced 30 to 500 mm, with gouge filling/waste rock with 5.2.2 Hydraulic Pumping System—This system is needed to
fines. Weak rock has both rock and soil properties depending supply oil at the required pressure to the jacks, the pressure
on condition of use. The compressive strength is less than 35 being controlled to give a constant rate of displacement or
MPa and the RQD is less than 50 %. strain, rather than a constant rate of stress increase.
4. Significance and Use NOTE 2—Experience has shown that deformation-controlled loading is
preferable to stress-controlled loading because it results in a more stable,
4.1 Since there is no reliable method of predicting the and thus safer, test. This result is a consequence of the strain softening
overall strength and deformation data of a rock mass from the nature of most rock or rock-like materials. A single stress level may

1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of Committee D18 on Soil and Rock
3
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.12 on Rock Mechanics. Bieniawski, Z. T., and Van Heerdan, W. L., “The Significance of Large-Scale In
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 2001. Published February 2002. Originally Situ Tests,” International Journal of Rock Mechanics Mining Sciences, Vol 1, 1975.
4
published as D 4555 – 85. Last previous edition D 4555 – 90(1995). Heuze, F. E., “Scale Effects in the Determination of Rock Mass Strength and
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 04.08. Deformability,” Rock Mechanics, Vol 12, 1980, pp 167–192.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D 4555
correspond to different values of strain during any test, with the level of 6.1.1.1 First, remove loose and damaged rock. Make verti-
strain continuing to increase throughout a test. One way to achieve cal cuts as shown in Fig. 1 to form the vertical faces of the
uniform deformation of the specimen is to use a separate pump for each specimen. Dimensional uniformity of each vertical face of the
jack and to set the oil delivery rate of each pump to the same value.
Standard diesel fuel injection pumps have been found suitable and are
test specimen should not deviate by more than 20 mm. If there
capable of supplying pressures up to 100 MPa. The delivery rate of these is such deviation, abandon the specimen. Make a horizontal cut
pumps can be set very accurately. to form the top face of the specimen. Remove loose rock and
5.3 Equipment to Measure Applied Load and Strain in the trim the specimen to final size using hand tools.
Specimen: NOTE 3—Specimen dimensions cannot be specified because they de-
5.3.1 Load Measuring Equipment—This equipment, for pend very much on the rock properties, for example, the thickness of strata
example, electric, hydraulic, or mechanical load cells, permits and the ease with which specimens can be prepared. It is recommended
that a number of tests be done with a specimen with a width of about 0.5
the applied load to be measured with an accuracy better than
m and that the size of subsequent specimens should be increased until an
65 % of the maximum in the test. asymptotically constant strength value is reached. It is probable that the
5.3.2 Dial Gage—A dial gage, or similar displacement largest test specimen will have a minimum width at least 10 times greater
measuring devices, with robust fittings to enable the instru- than the average dimension of the largest fragment defined by disconti-
ments to be mounted so that the strain in the central third of nuities.
each specimen face is measured with an accuracy better than 6 6.1.2 Clean and inspect the specimen. Record in detail the
10−5. Strain is to be measured in the direction of applied load geological structure of the block and nature of the reaction
and also in a perpendicular direction if Poisson’s ratio values faces of the block. Measure specimen geometry, including the
are to be determined. geometry of defects in the block, with an accuracy better than
5.4 Calibration Equipment—Equipment to calibrate the 5 mm. Prepare photographs and drawings to illustrate both
loading and displacement measuring systems, the accuracy of geological and geometric characteristics.
calibration to be better than the accuracies of test measurement 6.1.3 Cast a concrete pad, suitably reinforced, to cover the
specified in 5.3.1 and 5.3.2. top face of the specimen (Fig. 2). This pad shall be sufficient to
give adequate strength under the full applied load. The top face
6. Procedure
of the pad shall be flat to within 65° of the basal plane of the
6.1 Preparation of Specimens: block.
6.1.1 Cut specimens of the required dimensions from the 6.1.4 Remove the rock from above the specimen to make
exposed rock faces (Fig. 1). The specimen shall have a space for the loading jacks. Cut back the rock to a stratum of
height-to-minimum-width dimension ratio of 2.0 to 2.5. The sufficient strength to provide safe reaction. Generally, a con-
ratio of the maximum width of the specimen to the minimum crete reaction pad must be cast to distribute the load on the roof
width shall be as near to 1.0 as practicable. and to prevent undue deformation and movement of the jacks
during the test. The lower face of the reaction block shall be flat
to within 65 mm and shall be parallel to the upper face of the
specimen block within 65°. Cure all concrete for a sufficient
period to provide adequate strength under the fully applied
load.
NOTE 4—If a suitably designed concrete cap to the specimen is not
employed, the corners and sides of the specimen will often fail before the

FIG. 1 Sequence of Cuts and Excavation for Specimen

Preparation FIG. 2 Test Arrangement

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 D 4555
central portion. The corner jacks will then cease to operate, and the test 7.2 The deformation modulus for the specimen shall, unless
results will be suspect. The concrete cap should, if possible, be designed otherwise specified, be calculated as the tangent modulus Et50
to ensure that the stress distributions in the top and bottom thirds of the at one-half the peak uniaxial compressive strength. This
specimen are nearly identical.
modulus is found by drawing a tangent to the stress - strain
6.1.5 Install the loading jacks, platen, and load measuring curve at 50 % maximum load, the gradient of this tangent being
equipment and check to ensure that they operate as intended. measured as Et50. Show on the stress - strain curve the
Install and check displacement measuring equipment. Calibrate construction and calculations used in deriving this, and any
all measuring instruments both before and after each test series. other modulus values.
6.2 Testing: 7.3 A number of specimens of different sizes can be tested,
6.2.1 Apply an initial load of approximately one-tenth of the and the trends in strength values due to size effects can be
estimated full test load and check the jacks to ensure that each plotted graphically, as shown in Fig. 3.
is in firm contact with the loading platen. Again check
displacement measuring equipment to ensure that it is rigidly 8. Report
mounted and is functioning correctly. Take zero readings of
8.1 Report the following information:
load and displacement.
8.1.1 A diagram showing the details of the locations of
6.2.2 Increase the specimen load by applying the same slow
specimens tested, the specimen numbering system used, and
and constant oil delivery to each jack. The rate of specimen
the situation of each specimen with respect to the geology and
strain shall be constant across the test surface, such that a
geometry of the site.
displacement rate of between 5 and 15 mm/h is recorded at
8.1.2 Photographs, drawings, and tabulations giving full
each of the four faces of the specimen block.
details of the geological and geometrical characteristics of each
6.2.3 Record readings of applied load and displacement at
specimen, preferably including index test data to characterize
intervals such that the load - displacement or stress - strain
the rock. Give particular attention to a detailed description of
curve can be adequately defined. There shall be at least ten
the pattern of joints, bedding planes, and other discontinuities
points on this curve, evenly spaced from zero to the failure
in the specimen block.
load.
8.1.3 A description, with diagrams, of the test equipment
6.2.4 Unless otherwise specified, terminate the test when the
and method used.
specimen fails. Specimen failure is indicated by a drop of
hydraulic pressure to less than one-half the maximum applied, 8.1.4 Tabulated test results, including recorded values of
or by disintegration of the specimen to an extent that the load and displacements, together with all derived data, calibra-
loading system becomes inoperative or the test dangerous to tion results, and details of all corrections applied.
continue. Record the mode of specimen failure and make a 8.1.5 Graphs showing load versus displacement or stress
sketch of all developed cracks and failure surfaces. versus strain, including points representing all recorded data,
and a curve fitted to these points. Show the uniaxial compres-
7. Calculation sive strength value, together with all constructions used in
7.1 Calculate the uniaxial compressive strength of the speci- determining the deformation modulus and other elastic param-
men by dividing the maximum load carried by the specimen eters. Show by diagram and describe the mode of specimen
during the test by the original cross-sectional area of the failure.
specimen. 8.1.6 Summary tables and graphs giving the values of

FIG. 3 Hypothetical Example Showing the Representation of Strength Data

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 D 4555
uniaxial compressive strength and deformation modulus, and tion observed is just as likely to be due to specimen variation
showing how these values vary as a function of specimen shape as to operator or laboratory testing variation. Subcommittee
and size and the character of the rock tested. D18.12 welcomes proposals to resolve this problem that would
allow for development of a valid precision statement.
9. Precision and Bias
9.2 Bias—There is no accepted reference value for this test
9.1 Precision—Due to the nature of rock materials tested by
method; therefore, bias cannot be determined.
this test method, it is, at this time, either not feasible or too
costly to produce multiple specimens that have uniform physi-
10. Keywords
cal properties. Therefore, since specimens that would yield the
same test results cannot be tested, Subcommittee D18.12 10.1 compression testing; deformation; in situ stress loading
cannot determine the variation between tests since any varia- tests

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This section identifies the principle changes to this guide that (2) Added D3740 to Referenced Document Section.
have been incorporated since the last issue. (3) Added Note 1 to D3740 and renumbered subsequent
(1) Added Referenced Document Section and renumbered notes.
sections.

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