CHAPTER 5

STANDARD TEST ON ROCKS

5.1 STANDARD RECOMMENDED TESTS:

Testing is used to measure properties that cannot be determined

quantitatively by observations alone, such as to record the response of rock to imposed stresses
or strains. So many kinds of tests have been suggested to determine the properties of rocks.
Among various recommended test on rocks the relevant test which is required to test particular
properties of rocks can be chosen. The common types of test recommended by IS and BIS to
check various engineering properties of rocks have been described here. The quality of rock can
be assured by conducting these all different kinds of prescribed and recommended standard tests
to use of construction purposes. The important prescribed standard tests to be used for
determining the properties of rocks are listed here with relevant IS and BIS code according to
which the test have been conducted.

1. Compressive Strength Test [IS:2386 Part IV-1963]

2. Crushing Value Test [IS:2386 Part IV-1963]

3. Abrasion Value Test [IS:2386 Part IV-1963]

4. Impact Value Test [IS:2386 Part IV-1963]

5. Ten Percent Fines Value [IS:2386 Part IV-1963]

6. Water Absorption Value Test [IS:2386 Part III-1963]

7. Density Test [IS:2386 Part III-1963]

8. Specific Gravity Test [IS:2386 Part III-1963]

9. Flakiness Index Test [IS:2386 Part I-1963]

10. Elongation Index Test [IS:2386 Part I-1963]

11. Determination of Clay, Silt & Fine Dust [IS:2386 Part II-1963]

12. Soundness Test [IS:2386 Part V-1963]

13. Gradation and fineness test of aggregate [IS:2386 Part V-1963]

5.1.1 COMPRESSIVE STRENGHT TEST [IS 2386 PART IV-1963]:

It is a Uni-axial test which is used to find out the compressive strength of

rock. Compressive strength is also termed as crushing strength and may be

defined
as
maximu
m force
expresse
d per unit
area
which a
stone can
withstan
d. The
standard
test
samples
are used
as a test pieces and any
Fig. 5.1.1: Compression Testing Machine
force beyond the
compressive strength will cause a failure of stone. The compression testing Machine is shown in
figure 3.37. The test piece may be either cubical form or cylindrical shape. Mathematically,
compressive strength is expressed by a simple relationship.

Co = P/A Kg/cm2
Where, Co = Compressive Strength in Kg/cm2
P = Load at Failure in Kg
A = Area of cross section of stone under load P in cm2
5.1.2 CRUSHING VALUE TEST [IS 2386 PART IV-1963]:

Crushing value test is prescribed to obtained the crushing value of broken

stone such as ballast, aggregate etc. can be
obtained in this method. A higher crushing
value of a broken stone indicates a weak
stone and lower value indicates stronger
stone. Standard test samples are being
prepared of given stone to be tested as per
guide line given in IS and BIS Code. A
standard cylinder and plunger is used for
testing and load is applied by compression
testing machine. Mathematically, crushing
value is expressed by a simple relationship.
Fig. 5.1.2: Crushing value Test Apparatus
Crushing value = 100xW2/W1
Where, W1 = Weight of surface dry sample of broken stone passing IS 12.5
mm sieve and retained on 10 mm IS sieve.
W2 = Weight of material passing through 2.36 mm IS after specified
load is applied in a specified manner

5.1.3 ABRASION VALUETEST [IS 2386 PART IV-2963]:

The abrasion is the one kind of physical test required to assess wearing
resistance of rocks or stone specially used for road works. Indian Standard code of practice
2386 (Part IV) of 1963 is specially made for this test on rocks. According to this code of
practice the method of test of different sized of rocks are explained in details. The two kinds of
equipments are recommended for abrasion test by code of practice. The is known as Deval’s
abrasion testing machine and second other one is known as the Los Angeles abrasion testing
machine.
LOS ANGELES ABRASION TEST:

The L
to the test
materials.
After
testing the
test
materials
are
removed
from the

Los Angeles machine

which has been made in Fig. 5.1.3 (a) Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine
standard diameter and length. The tested material less than 1.70 mm is separated from the whole
test materials. Larger than 1.70 mm are sieves with standard sieves. The losses of test materials
can be determined by the formulae given below and it known as the abrasion value of the taken
and tested materials. The Los Angeles method is generally recommended and used commonly
for the testing of different sized of aggregates.

Abrasion value = 100xW2/W1

Where, W1 = Weight of surface dry standard size of sample taken
W2 = Weight of material passing out through 1.70 mm
IS after specified revolutions

DEVAL’S ATTRITION TEST:

The machine is made with bucket fitted in horizontal motorized. The
materials to be tested are filled in the bucket in specified amount rotated for 10000 revolutions in
the specified speed. After the testing the tested materials are removed from the bucket and sieved
with standard sieve. The finer than the 1.70 sieve is indicated as the attrition value of that
materials.
Attrition value = 100xW2/W1
Where,
W1 = Weight of surface dry standard size of sample
taken
W2 = Weight of material passing out through 1.70 mm
IS sieve after specified revolution.
Fig. 5.1.3
(b):
Deval’s
Abrasion
Testing
Machine

5.1.4
IMPACT VALUE TEST [IS 2386 PART IV-1963]:

With respect to
toughness of broken stone can be
considered as the impact value of that
aggregate. In this method about 14 Kg falling
weight on standard blows from a height of 38 cm
is carried out. The specified sized of aggregate
to be tested is taken and filled in the bowl of
the machine. After the testing the tested materials
are removed from the bowl and sieved in the
standard sieve. The percentage passing in 2.36
Fig. 5.1.4: Impact Testing Machine
mm IS sieve is designated as the impact value of
that material. The formulae used for the determination of aggregate impact value are given below
here.
 Aggregate Impact value = 100xW2/W1
Where,
W1 = Weight of surface dry standard size of sample taken
W2 = Weight of material passing out through 2.36 mm
IS sieve after specified blow

5.1.5 TEN PERCENT FINES VALUE TEST [IS 2386 PART IV -1963]:

The ten percentage fine value test is carried on the aggregate to be used for the
road works. The size of aggregate for this test is same the crushing value test. Standard samples
are taken of given stone to be tested as per guide line given in IS and BIS Code and the size of
aggregate is taken between the IS sieve 12.5 mm 10 mm. The cylinder mould is taken and filled
1/3rd depth and compacted with temping by 25 strokes. Top level of test cylinder is being leveled
up to top surface of the cylinder carefully. The plunger must be inserted in such a manner so that
it rests on the surface of aggregate. The plunger should be keep vertically and it must be touch
horizontally. The test cylinder is now placed on the surface of platform of equipment made for
this test. The machine is started for applying the load with a constant speed. The total penetration
of the plunger should be about 20 mm in 10 minutes of time.

The test sample is taken out form the mould. The removed test aggregate is
sieved with the standard IS sieve. The finer materials passing from the sieve is weighed and it
should be between from 7.50 to 12.50 in percentage. If the percentage not fall between from 7.50
to 12.50 percent than the test must be repeated again and in the second time the applied load
should be kept in such a way so that the percent of passing materials will be between from 7.50
to 12.50 in percent.
The load required for ten percent fines = [14xX]/[Y+4]
Where,
X = Load in Tone, Causing 7.5 to 12.5 percent fines
Y = Mean percentage fines from two tests at X tones load
 Fig.
5.1.5:

Apparatus for 10 % Fine Value and Aggregate Crushing Value Test

5.1.6 WATER ABSORPTION VALUE TEST [IS 2386 PART III 2963]:
Absorption value test is recommended for determining the water absorbing
capacity of rock masses. Water absorption is the capacity of a stone to absorbed water and given
in percent. It is between the absorbed water to the original dry weight of stone sample. It may be
obtained from the simple relationship.
Absorption value = 100(S-W)/W
Where,
S = Saturated Weight of stone sample
W = Dry Weight of stone sample

5.1.7 DENSITY TEST [IS 2386 PART III 2963]:

This is the test which is

used to determine the density of rocks.
The density is expressed in volume per unit.
The density of rocks can be found in this
method. Other substances may also be
includes for test.

Fig. 5.1.7(a) Apparatus for Density Test

BULK DENSITY:
The bulk density of any materials or sample is per unit volume of that sample or
materials. In this test the voids is completely filled with water. The bulk density of any sample
can be determined with the help of standard test mould. The formulae used to determine the bulk
density of any substance is given below here.

γ = W/V,
Where γ = Bulk density, V = Total volume of the rock sample
W = Weight of rock with natural moisture content

Fig. 5.1.7 (b): Bulk Density Equipment Set

DRY

DENSITY:
The dry density can be defined as per unit volume of completely dry sample.
The sample of rock to be tested should dry completely before the testing. The complete dry rock
sample is now immersed in the water for 24 hours. The voids are available in the rock are also
includes in to the volume. The dry density of any materials or sample can be obtained by the
formulae given here.

Where γd = Wd/V
γd = Dry density
Wd = Weight of dry rock
 V = Total volume of the rock sample

SATURATED DENSITY:

The saturated rock sample’s density is the saturated density. It can be

expressed for rock sample per unit volume of weight. The voids of the sample of rock tested be
fully saturated at the time when immersed in the water.

Where γ’ = W’/V
γ’ = Saturated density
W’ = Saturated Weight of rock sample
V = Total volume of the rock sample

5.1.8 SPECIFIC GRAVITY TEST [IS 2386 PART III 2963]:

It is the test used for determining the Specific gravity of rock samples. The
standard test procedure is followed. It can also define as the ratio of the unit weight of rock
sample and water used.

Where:
G = γs/γw
G = Specific gravity
γs = Weight of given volume solid rock sample

γw = weight of an equal volume of distilled water

 Fig. 5.1.8: Specific Gravity Test Apparatus for Fine Aggregate.
5.1.9 FLAKINESS INDEX TEST [IS 2386 PART I-1963]:

The index of flakiness indicates the size of particles with respect size of total
and it is obtained in the percent. The thickness of smallest piece of the particle should be three –
fifth of
their
mean

Fig. 5.1.9: Thickness Gauge

dimension passed. If the size of aggregate is smaller than 6.3 mm it is not possible to test that
size of aggregate. The standard gauge measurement apparatus are made for determination of
flakiness of aggregates. The sufficient quantity of aggregate is to be taken for testing for any
fraction of sample.

The sample passing through the gauge should be weighted and It must be
done vary accurately with respect to whole aggregate sample. The flakiness index is the total
weight of materials or rock sample is smaller than the particular gauge thickness. The flakiness
index of rock sample is indicted in the percent for a particular fraction of sample.

5.1.10 ELONGATION INDEX TEST [IS 2386 PART I-1963]:

 It is the measurement of the particles of aggregate in term of length. The flake
or elongated pieces of aggregate are suitable to get high strength of concrete. It is maximum
length of any piece of aggregate with respect to 1.8 time of mean. The special metal gauge is
made for the measurement of elongation of any fraction of the aggregates. The sufficient amount
of sample of any fraction of aggregate is taken for conducting the elongation test. Each pieces of
aggregates is measured with the help of metal gauge shown in the figure 5.1.10 here.

Fig. 5.1.10: Length Gauge

The total aggregate passed through gauge should be weighed accurately. The
elongation can be expressed as the weight of materials retained form the particular metal gauge
to the total sample of rock taken for the obtained the value of elongation.

5.1.11 DETERMINATION OF CLAY, SILT AND FINE DUST [IS 2386 PART II-1963]:

The Sedimentation is the term to be used for determination of clay product of

various kinds of engineering materials. It is a gravimetric method. The sample for test is
prepared as per given procedure. The sample must be prepared with extreme care it is shown in
the table 5.1.11 and it is according to recommended procedure. The Sedimentation pipette is
required for the sedimentation works to obtain the finer materials like silt and clay. About 300
gm sample must be taken in case of fine aggregate or fine broken rocks pieces. This sample
should be free from moisture and lower than the 4.75 mm size. The known weight sample is
taken and filled in the specified glass jar. The diluted sodium oxalate solution about 300 ml
added in the jar.

5.1.11 Table: Weight of Sample required for Determination of Clay, Silt and Fine Dust

Maximum size percent in Approximate Weight of Sample

S. No.
substantial proportions for Test
1. 63 to 25 mm 6.0 Kg
2. 20 to 12.5 mm 1.0 Kg
3. 10 to 6.3 mm 0.50 Kg
4. 4.75 or Smaller 0.30 Kg

The glass jar must be close with rubber washer and cap is fixed. It must be
water tight and extreme care should be taken. The jar is rotated about its own long axis. The
speed is kept about 80 rotations for 15 minutes at the rate of per minutes. The suspension is
poured in to 1000 ml measuring cylinder after 15 minutes revolutions. The residue is washed
gently so that the sample not spread or throughout the jar. The washing in diluted sodium oxalate
solution by adding more and should be kept for so that volume is increased up to 1000 ml and
every time at least 150 ml of solution must be added.

The weighed sample is placed in the suitable containers in case of course

aggregate. It is filled with diluted sodium oxalate 0.80 gm per litre. When the pipette touches the
surface of the liquid the pipette A is gently lowered. Now pipette is lowered 10 cm in the liquid.
The tube in the position the pipette A placed after three minutes. The standard test procedure
must be followed during the complete testing and the results can be obtained by using the
standard formulae. The silt and fine clay are the very fine particles and all the observations must
be taken very carefully and accurately.
 The value of fine silt and clay available in the fine aggregate for which the test
is carried out the results can be obtained by using the formulae written here below and are:

100/W1 [1000W2/V -0.8]

Where,
W1 = Weight in gm of the original Sample
W2 = Weight in gm of dried Residue
V= Volume in ml of the pipette and 0.8 = Weight in gm of Sodium
oxalate in one litre of diluted solution

5.1.12 SOUNDNESS TEST [IS 2386 PART V-1963]:

Soundness is one of the
property of aggregate and it is durability
of aggregate with respect to excessive
changes in volume. Due to this change in
physical conditions are occurs. The
various kinds of physical properties
of the aggregates are affected in the
change of weather and in the normal
condition by alternative wetting and
drying. Fig. 5.1.12: Apparatus for Soundness Test

The volumes change of aggregate during normal conditions in the change of

weather is known as unsound aggregate. The soundness test is desirable for all those aggregate
exposed for long time in the various weather conditions. The chemical like sodium sulphate and
magnesium sulpshate are required to be tested the aggregates. The IS code of practice
recommended standard tests procedure for the soundness on different kinds of aggregates. At
least ten cycle of test is required to get absolute results. During the test the loss of weight of
aggregate is measured after each cycle carefully. For the good quality of aggregate the loss of
weight of aggeregate should not exceeded 12 percent in the solution of sodium sulphate and 18
percent in the solution of magnesium sulphate are recommended. If the obtained results are more
than the permissible value than the aggregate can be considered unsound and it not suitable for
construction works.

5.1.13 GRADATION AND FINENESS TEST OF AGGREGATES [IS 2386 PART V-1963]:
A graded sample by a use of IS Sieves has been taken in consideration as the
norm and standard of specification of certain size of sample having angularity, flakiness, and
elongation within the range of BIS. Such sample of well graded aggregate is ready for a use of
making concrete.
The Sieve sets and sieving process are shown in figure 5.1.13.
Fig. 5.1.13 Gradation and Fineness Test Sieve

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