Empfehlung Nr. 5 "Punktlastversuche an Gesteinsproben" des Arbeitskreises 3.3 "Versuchstechnik Fels" der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geotechnik

Recommendation No. 5 (revised) of the Commission on Rock Testing of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Geotechnik e.V. — "point load tests on rock samples".

The Commission on Rock Testing of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Geotechnik e.V. (German Geotechnical Society) is compiling instructions for rock tests conducted in the laboratory and in-situ, and for performing monitoring of rock masses and civil engineering structures. The revised version of recommendation No. 5 deals with the point load test on rock samples and incorporates recent developments in testing machines and testing procedures since the first version from 1982. The requirements for the testing machines and the specimens are given, as well as the procedures to perform the tests and evaluate the data. The essential modification is the use of the sample area instead of the platen tip distance alone.
The point load test is used to derive an index value for rock strength. Therefore rock specimens in the form of core, cut blocks or irregular lumps are loaded until failure between a pair of load tips. In this recommendation, scope, terms, apparatus, specimen requirements and procedure of the test are explained. Three possible options of test evaluation are given, the reporting of results described and illustrated by examples. Finally it is shown, how the uniaxial compressive strength can be derived by the point load strength.