ASTM D5607-08
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Performing Laboratory Direct Shear Strength Tests of Rock Specimens Under Constant Normal Force
Standard Test Method for Performing Laboratory Direct Shear Strength Tests of Rock Specimens Under Constant Normal Force
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Determination of shear strength of a rock specimen is an important aspect in the design of structures such as rock slopes, dam foundations, tunnels, shafts, waste repositories, caverns for storage, and other purposes. Pervasive discontinuities (joints, bedding planes, shear zones, fault zones, schistosity) in a rock mass, and genesis, crystallography, texture, fabric, and other factors can cause the rock mass to behave as an anisotropic and heterogeneous discontinuum. Therefore, the precise prediction of rock mass behavior is difficult.
For nonplanar joints or discontinuities, shear strength is derived from a combination base material friction and overriding of asperities (dilatancy), shearing or breaking of the asperities, and rotations at or wedging of the asperities. Sliding on and shearing of the asperities can occur simultaneously. When the normal force is not sufficient to restrain dilation, the shear mechanism consists of the overriding of the asperities. When the normal load is large enough to completely restrain dilation, the shear mechanism consists of the shearing off of the asperities.
Using this test method to determine the shear strength of an intact specimen may generate overturning moments which could result in an inclined shear break.
Shear strength is influenced by the overburden or normal pressure; therefore, the larger the overburden pressure, the larger the shear strength.
In some cases, it may be desirable to conduct tests in situ rather than in the laboratory to determine the representative shear strength of the rock mass, particularly when design is controlled by discontinuities filled with very weak material.
Note 3—The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection and the ...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method establishes requirements and laboratory procedures for performing direct shear strength tests on rock specimens. It includes procedures for both intact rock strength and sliding friction tests which can be performed on specimens that are homogeneous, or have planes of weakness, including natural or artificial discontinuities. Examples of an artificial discontinuity include a rock-concrete interface or a lift line from a concrete pour. Discontinuities may be open, partially or completely healed or filled (that is, clay fillings and gouge). Only one discontinuity per specimen can be tested. The test is usually conducted in the undrained state with an applied constant normal load. However, a clean, open discontinuity may be free draining, and, therefore, a test on a clean, open discontinuity could be considered a drained test. During the test, shear strength is determined at various applied stresses normal to the sheared plane and at various shear displacements. Relationships derived from the test data include shear strength versus normal stress and shear stress versus shear displacement (shear stiffness).
Note 1—The term “normal force” is used in the title instead of normal stress because of the indefinable area of contact and the minimal relative displacement between upper and lower halves of the specimen during testing. The actual contact areas during testing change, but the actual total contact surface is unmeasurable. Therefore nominal area is used for loading purposes and calculations.
Note 2—Since this test method makes no provision for the measurement of pore pressures, the strength values determined are expressed in terms of total stress, uncorrected for pore pressure.
1.2 This standard applies to hard rock, soft rock, and concrete.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units t...
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Designation: D5607 − 08
Standard Test Method for
Performing Laboratory Direct Shear Strength Tests of Rock
1
Specimens Under Constant Normal Force
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5607; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1 This test method establishes requirements and labora-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tory procedures for performing direct shear strength tests on
rock specimens. It includes procedures for both intact rock
2. Referenced Documents
strength and sliding friction tests which can be performed on
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
specimens that are homogeneous, or have planes of weakness,
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
including natural or artificial discontinuities. Examples of an
Fluids
artificialdiscontinuityincludearock-concreteinterfaceoralift
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
line from a concrete pour. Discontinuities may be open,
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
partially or completely healed or filled (that is, clay fillings and
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
gouge).Onlyonediscontinuityperspecimencanbetested.The
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
test is usually conducted in the undrained state with an applied
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
constant normal load. However, a clean, open discontinuity
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
may be free draining, and, therefore, a test on a clean, open
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,With
discontinuity could be considered a drained test. During the
Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
test, shear strength is determined at various applied stresses
Lot or Process
normaltotheshearedplaneandatvarioussheardisplacements.
Relationships derived from the test data include shear strength
3. Terminology
versusnormalstressandshearstressversussheardisplacement
3.1 Definitions—For common definitions of terms used in
(shear stiffness).
this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
NOTE 1—The term “normal force” is used in the title instead of normal
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
stress because of the indefinable area of contact and the minimal relative
3.2.1 apparent stress—nominal stress, that is, external load
displacement between upper and lower halves of the specimen during
per unit area. It is calculated by dividing the externally applied
testing. The actual contact areas during testing change, but the actual total
contact surface is unmeasurable. Therefore nominal area is used for
load by the nominal area.
loading purposes and calculations.
3.2.2 Asperity:
NOTE 2—Since this test method makes no provision for the measure-
3.2.2.1 quality—the roughness of a surface.
ment of pore pressures, the strength values determined are expressed in
terms of total stress, uncorrected for pore pressure.
3.2.2.2 feature—a surface irregularity ranging from sharp or
angular to rounded or wavy.
1.2 This standard applies to hard rock, soft rock, and
3.2.2.3 asperities—the collection of a surface’s irregulari-
concrete.
ties that account for the surface’s roughness.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.2.3 Discontinuity :
standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3.2.3.1 An abrupt change, interruption, or break in the
conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa-
integrity or physical properties of rock, such as a bedding
tion only and are not considered standard.
plane, fracture, cleavage, crack, joint, or fault.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.3.2 A gapped discontinuity consists of opposing rock
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
surfaces separated by an open or filled space. A tight discon-
tinuity consists of opposing rock surfaces in intimate and
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
2
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.12 on Rock Mechanics. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 1, 2008. Published July 2008. Originally approved contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D5607 – 02 (2006). DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D5607-08. t
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D 5607–95 Designation: D5607 – 08
Standard Test Method for
Performing Laboratory Direct Shear Strength Tests of Rock
1
Specimens Under Constant Normal Force
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5607; 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 (ϵ) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method establishes requirements and laboratory procedures for performing direct shear strength tests on rock
specimens. It includes procedures for both intact rock strength and sliding friction tests which can be performed on specimens that
are homogeneous, or have planes of weakness, including natural or artificial discontinuities. Examples of an artificial discontinuity
include a rock-concrete interface or a lift line from a concrete pour. Discontinuities may be open, partially or completely healed
or filled (that is, clay fillings and gouge). Only one discontinuity per specimen can be tested. The test is usually conducted in the
undrained state with an applied constant normal load. However, a clean, open discontinuity may be free draining, and, therefore,
a test on a clean, open discontinuity could be considered a drained test. During the test, shear strength is determined at various
applied stresses normal to the sheared plane and at various shear displacements. Relationships derived from the test data include
shear strength versus normal stress and shear stress versus shear displacement (shear stiffness).
NOTE 1—The term “normal force” is used in the title instead of normal stress because of the indefinable area of contact and the minimal relative
displacement between upper and lower halves of the specimen during testing. The actual contact areas during testing change, but the actual total contact
surface is unmeasurable. Therefore nominal area is used for loading purposes and calculations.
NOTE 2—Since this test method makes no provision for the measurement of pore pressures, the strength values determined are expressed in terms of
total stress, uncorrected for pore pressure.
1.2 This standard applies to hard rock, soft rock, and concrete.
1.3
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
E4 Practices for LoadForce Verification of Testing Machines
E122Practice for Choice of Sample Size to Estimate the Average Quality of a Lot or Process
D2216Test Method for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock 122 Practice for Calculating
Sample Size to Estimate, With Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a Lot or Process
3. Terminology
3.1
3.1 Definitions: For common definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D-18D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.12 on Rock Mechanics.
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1995. Published April 1996. Originally published as D 5607–94. Last previous edition D 5607–94.
Current edition approved July 1, 2008. Published July 2008. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D5607 – 02 (2006). DOI:
10.1520/D5607-08.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 03.01.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International,
...
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