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Point Load Test

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Amraha Noor
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29 views

Point Load Test

Uploaded by

Amraha Noor
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Point load test:

Point load test is an index test. This test can be used to determine the strength of the rock. It
can also estimate other characteristic of the intact rocks such as uniaxial compressive and
tensile strength of the rocks. It is an alternate method that can be used to adequately predict
the uniaxial compressive strength of a rock material by using the portable and simpler
equipment. Schmidt Hammer Rebound test is also a technique that can be used for this
purpose but its results are far more variable and affected by the testing methods. The point
load test device comprises of the sample loading frame, a loading measuring system and a
simple system of measuring the distance between the two platens. Typically the distance is
usually 1.5 to 10 centimeters therefore, specimens of various sizes can be tested.

A rock sample having a various shapes is placed between two conical steel platens until the
failure occurs. The capacity of this loading machine is normally 25KN or 50 KN by using a
hydraulic pressure gauge. And the testing procedure is usually depending on the shape of the
specimen and the point load strength index.

The Point Load tester can be used to determine an “Uncorrected Point Load Strength Index”
(IS). The point load index must be corrected by the standard equivalent diameter (De) of 50
mm. Then it becomes a unique property of the rock tested (I S(50)) that is most beneficial in the
rock strength classification. Rock anisotropy is quantified by this term that will be the
“Strength Anisotropy Index” Ia(50). This strength anisotropy index is the ratio of the greatest to
least IS(50) index that will be measured respectively perpendicular and parallel to the weakness
planes. The uniaxial tensile strength (UTS) and compressive compressive strength (UCS) 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.

IS is obtained from the following equation:

IS = P / De2

Where,

IS = Uncorrected Point Load Strength Index, in MPa or psi

P = Failure load, in MN or lbf (maximum pressure × jack piston area)


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

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