ASTM D3967-23
Standard Test Method for Splitting Tensile Strength of Intact Rock Core Specimens with Flat Loading Platens

Standard No.

ASTM D3967-23

Release Date

2023

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM D3967-23

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 shaped 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. This test method is also sometimes referred to as the Brazilian test method. 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, the 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. (1) Added new world trade organization caveat for scope section. (2) All references and procedures pertaining to curved loading platens were removed. (3) Deleted cardboard bearing strips and changed plywood strips to have no knots or defects and for the width to be less than 8 % of diameter between the loading platens. (4) Subsection 7.2.2—Changed the number of specimens from at least 10 specimens to at least 10 specimens are suggested, and the client could determine how many specimens are needed. (5) Subsection 8.3—Added to require photographs of specimen before testing. (6) Subsection 8.6—Added post testing pictures of specimen. FIG. 4 General Examples of Anisotropy Properties (are shown by a side view (a) and front view (b) of an indirect tension specimen showing discontinuities dipping parallel or perpendicular to the loading plane. However, the discontinuity can be a combination of both a and b.) TABLE 1 Splitting Tensile Strength (MPa) Berea Sandstone Salem Limestone Tennessee Marble Barre Granite Average Value 3.85 4.92 9.39 13.66 Repeatability Limit 1.24 1.56 3.63 4.31 Reproducibility Limit 1.37 1.74 5.38 4.98 D3967 − 23 5 (7) Subsection 8.7—Added to determine the type of indirect tension break and if a valid break; and added Fig. 3 to show five examples of failure modes seen in specimens. (8) Subsection 9.2—Added calculations for test specimens with questionable results or invalid breaks and they shall be handled separately. (9) Added References 3 and 4. ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility. This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below. This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or [email protected] (e-mail); or through the ASTM website (www.astm.org). Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, Tel: (978) 646-2600; http://www.copyright.com/ D3967 − 23 6 

ASTM D3967-23 Referenced Document

• ASTM D2216 Standard Test Method for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
• ASTM D3740 Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
• ASTM D6026 Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
• ASTM D653 Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
• ASTM E2586 Standard Practice for Calculating and Using Basic Statistics
• ASTM E4 Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
• ASTM E691 Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

ASTM D3967-23 history

• 2023 ASTM D3967-23 Standard Test Method for Splitting Tensile Strength of Intact Rock Core Specimens with Flat Loading Platens
• 2016 ASTM D3967-16 Standard Test Method for Splitting Tensile Strength of Intact Rock Core Specimens
• 2008 ASTM D3967-08 Standard Test Method for Splitting Tensile Strength of Intact Rock Core Specimens
• 2005 ASTM D3967-05 Standard Test Method for Splitting Tensile Strength of Intact Rock Core Specimens
• 1995 ASTM D3967-95a(2004) Standard Test Method for Splitting Tensile Strength of Intact Rock Core Specimens
• 1995 ASTM D3967-95a(2001) Standard Test Method for Splitting Tensile Strength of Intact Rock Core Specimens
• 1995 ASTM D3967-95a Standard Test Method for Splitting Tensile Strength of Intact Rock Core Specimens