ASTM D5607-16
(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
5.1 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.
5.2 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.
5.3 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.
5.4 Shear strength is influenced by the overburden or normal pressure; therefore, the larger the overburden pressure, the larger the shear strength.
5.5 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. In situ direct shear testing limits the inherent scale effects found in rock mechanics problems where the laboratory scale may not be representative of the field scale.
5.6 The results can be highly influenced by how the specimen is treated from the time it is obtained until the time it is tested. Ther...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method establishes requirements and laboratory procedures for performing direct shear strength tests on rock specimens under a constant normal load. 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, medium rock, soft rock, and concrete.
1.3 This test method is only applicable to quasi-static testing of rock or concrete specimens under monotoni...
General Information
Relations
Buy Standard
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D5607 − 16
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* constant normal load boundary condition may not be appro-
priate for problems where shearing is dilatancy controlled and
1.1 This test method establishes requirements and labora-
the normal stress is not constant along the discontinuity.
tory procedures for performing direct shear strength tests on
rock specimens under a constant normal load. It includes 1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
procedures for both intact rock strength and sliding friction guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
tests, which can be performed on specimens that are Practice D6026.
homogeneous,orhaveplanesofweakness,includingnaturalor 1.4.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
artificial discontinuities. Examples of an artificial discontinuity recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
include a rock-concrete interface or a lift line from a concrete industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
pour. Discontinuities may be open, partially or completely significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
healed or filled (that is, clay fillings and gouge). Only one dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
discontinuity per specimen can be tested. The test is usually obtaining data, special purpose studies, or any considerations
conducted in the undrained state with an applied constant for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to increase
normal load. However, a clean, open discontinuity may be free or reduce significant digits of reported data to commensurate
draining, and, therefore, a test on a clean, open discontinuity with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of these test
could be considered a drained test. During the test, shear methods to consider significant digits used in analysis methods
strength is determined at various applied stresses normal to the for engineering design
sheared plane and at various shear displacements. Relation-
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
ships derived from the test data include shear strength versus
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
normal stress and shear stress versus shear displacement (shear
conversions to inch-pound units, which are provided for
stiffness).
information only and are not considered standard. Reporting of
test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as
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
nonconformance with this test method.
displacement between upper and lower halves of the specimen during
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
testing. The actual contact areas during testing change, but the actual total
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
contact surface is unmeasurable. Therefore nominal area is used for
loading purposes and calculations.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
NOTE 2—Since this test method makes no provision for the measure-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
ment of pore pressures, the strength values determined are expressed in
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
terms of total stress, uncorrected for pore pressure.
1.2 This standard applies to hard rock, medium rock, soft
2. Referenced Documents
rock, and concrete. 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.3 Thistestmethodisonlyapplicabletoquasi-statictesting
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
of rock or concrete specimens under monotonic shearing with Fluids
a constant normal load boundary condition. The constant
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
normal load boundary condition is appropriate for problems (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
wherethenormalstressisconstantalongthediscontinuity.The
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
2
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.12 on Rock Mechanic
...
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: D5607 − 08 D5607 − 16
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*
1.1 This test method establishes requirements and laboratory procedures for performing direct shear strength tests on rock
specimens. specimens under a constant normal load. 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, medium rock, soft rock, and concrete.
1.3 This test method is only applicable to quasi-static testing of rock or concrete specimens under monotonic shearing with a
constant normal load boundary condition. The constant normal load boundary condition is appropriate for problems where the
normal stress is constant along the discontinuity. The constant normal load boundary condition may not be appropriate for
problems where shearing is dilatancy controlled and the normal stress is not constant along the discontinuity.
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026.
1.4.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry
standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not
consider material variation, purpose for obtaining data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives; and
it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to commensurate with these considerations. It is
beyond the scope of these test methods to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design
1.5 Units—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 thatunits, which are provided for information only and are not considered standard. Reporting of
test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this test method.
1.6 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.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.12 on Rock Mechanics.
Current edition approved July 1, 2008Dec. 1, 2016. Published July 2008January 2017. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous ed
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.