Deformation of a rock in different tensile tests

Abstract

Strength and deformation of a typical homogeneous sandstone under tensile stresses, have been studied in the laboratory, using standard tensile tests, viz. uniaxial tension, the Brazilian and beam bending tests. In addition to the parameters such as uniaxial tensile strength, modulus of deformation in tension and Poisson's ratio in tension obtained directly by the uniaxial tension test, the Brazilian tensile strength, the modulus and Poisson's ratio have also been determined by the Brazilian test. Bending tensile strength has been obtained by the beam bending test using the four-point loading system and the tensile modulus of elasticity has been estimated from the observations of beam bending and uniaxial compression tests, using “double elasticity” relationships. The rock under high tensile stresses is found to be much less “stiffer” than under high compressive stresses and is therefore likely to result in a relatively less violent tensile failure. The nature of the tensile deformation in the region of maximum tensile stress is found to be strikingly similar in all the three tensile tests under study. Although the initial, the 50% and the final tensile modulus values differ in each tensile test, the general trend of the tensile modulus with increasing stress is found similar in all these tensile tests.