Point load test on meta-sedimentary rocks and correlation to UCS and BTS

Abstract

The point load test has been considered as a cheap and useful testing method to estimate the strengths of rocks due to its ease of testing, simplicity of specimen preparation, and possible field application. An underground oil storage rock cavern is under construction in Singapore. The strength of surrounding rock mass is very high, which favors the stability of the excavation. The tested specimens have a nominal diameter of 50 mm, except the nine specimens cored from rock block R2, of which the nominal diameter is 45 mm. The length of the specimens ranges from approximately 80 to 100 mm for diametral tests and about 40 to 50 mm for axial tests. Calcite in-filling is observed along the joint planes in some meta-sandstone specimens, in which calcite veins and scattered pyrite grains are also observed.