ASTM D3967-16

Standard Test Method for Splitting Tensile Strength of Intact Rock Core Specimens

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 By definition the tensile strength is obtained by the direct tensile test. However, the direct tensile test is difficult and expensive for routine application. The splitting tensile test appears to offer a desirable alternative, because it is much simpler and inexpensive. Furthermore, engineers involved in rock mechanics design usually deal with complicated stress fields, including various combinations of compressive and tensile stress fields. Under such conditions, the tensile strength should be obtained with the presence of compressive stresses to be representative of the field conditions.  
5.2 The splitting tensile strength test is one of the simplest tests in which such stress fields occur. Also, by testing across different diametrical directions, possible variations in tensile strength for anisotropic rocks can be determined. Since it is widely used in practice, a uniform test method is needed for data to be comparable. A uniform test is also needed to make sure that the disk specimens break diametrically due to tensile stresses perpendicular to the loading diameter.
Note 2: The quality of the results 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 D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers testing apparatus, specimen preparation, and testing procedures for determining the splitting tensile strength of rock by diametral line compression of disk shape specimens.
Note 1: The tensile strength of rock determined by tests other than the straight pull test is designated as the “indirect” tensile strength and, specifically, the value obtained in Section 9 of this test is termed the “splitting” tensile strength.  
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units, 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.  
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.  
1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or 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 the 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 be commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design  
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2016
• ICS: 93.020 - Earthworks. Excavations. Foundation construction. Underground works
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.12 - Rock Mechanics

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D3967 − 16
Standard Test Method for
1
Splitting Tensile Strength of Intact Rock Core Specimens
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3967; 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* 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method covers testing apparatus, specimen
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
preparation, and testing procedures for determining the split-
Fluids
ting tensile strength of rock by diametral line compression of
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
disk shape specimens.
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
NOTE 1—The tensile strength of rock determined by tests other than the
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
straight pull test is designated as the “indirect” tensile strength and,
specifically, the value obtained in Section 9 of this test is termed the
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
“splitting” tensile strength.
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
Data
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
conversions to inch-pound units, which are provided for
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
information only and are not considered standard. Reporting of
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as
E2586 Practice for Calculating and Using Basic Statistics
nonconformance with this test method.
3. Terminology
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
3.1 Definitions:
Practice D6026.
3.1.1 For common definitions of terms in this standard, refer
1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/ to Terminology D653.
recorded or calculated, in this standard are regarded as the
4. Summary of Test Method
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
4.1 Samples are selected from rock cores or cored from
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
platen samples for testing as described. A section of rock core
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
sample is cut perpendicular to the core axis to produce disk
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
shape specimens until the required number of specimens are
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
obtained. Each specimen is then marked to indicate the desired
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
orientation of the applied loading on the specimen by drawing
commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
a diametral line on each end surface on the specimen. Each
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
specimen is positioned inside the testing machine in such way
methods for engineering design
that diametrical line is coincidental with the loading axis of the
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
testing machine either curved or flat platens. Each specimen is
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
then tested by applying a continuously increasing compressive
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
load until it fails within 1 to 10 minutes of the start of loading.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5. Significance and Use
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.1 By definition the tensile strength is obtained by the
direct tensile test. However, the direct tensile test is difficult
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM 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 Nov. 1, 2016. Published November 2016. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D3967 – 08. DOI: Standardsvolume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D3967-16. the ASTM website.
*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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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: D3967 − 08 D3967 − 16
Standard Test Method for
1
Splitting Tensile Strength of Intact Rock Core Specimens
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3967; 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 covers testing apparatus, specimen preparation, and testing procedures for determining the splitting tensile
strength of rock by diametral line compression of a disk.disk shape specimens.
NOTE 1—The tensile strength of rock determined by tests other than the straight pull test is designated as the “indirect” tensile strength and, specifically,
the value obtained in Section 9 of this test is termed the “splitting” tensile strength.
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions and to inch-pound units, which are provided for information only.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.
1.3 All dimension and force measurements, and stress calculations observed and calculated values shall conform to the
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.
1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or 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 the 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 be commensurate with these considerations.
It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design
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
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E2586 Practice for Calculating and Using Basic Statistics
3. Terminology
3.1 Refer to Terminology D653 for specific definitions.Definitions:
3.1.1 For common definitions of terms in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Samples are selected from rock cores or cored from platen samples for testing as described. A section of rock core sample
is cut perpendicular to the core axis to produce disk shape specimens until the required number of specimens are obtained. Each
specimen is then marked to indicate the desired orientation of the applied loading on the specimen by drawing a diametral line
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, 2008Nov. 1, 2016. Published July 2008November 2016. Originally approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 20052008 as
D3967 – 05.D3967 – 08. DOI: 10.1520/D3967-08.10.1520/D3967-16.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standardsvolume 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, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D3967 − 16
on each end surface on the specimen. Each speci
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