1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the strength of intact rock core specimens in uniaxial and triaxial compression. The tests provide data in determining the strength of rock, namely: the uniaxial strength, shear strengths at different pressures and different elevated temperatures, angle of internal friction, (angle of shearing resistance), and cohesion intercept. The test methods specify the apparatus, instrumentation, and procedures for determining the stress-axial strain and the stress-lateral strain curves, as well as Young's modulus, E, and Poisson's ratio, υ. It should be observed that these methods make no provision for pore pressure measurements and specimens are undrained (platens are not vented). Thus the strength values determined are in terms of total stress, that is, are not corrected for pore pressures. These test methods do not include the procedures necessary to obtain a stress-strain curve beyond the ultimate strength.

1.2 This standard replaces and combines the following Standard Test Methods: D2664 Triaxial Compressive Strength of Undrained Rock Core Specimens Without Pore Pressure Measurements; D5407 Elastic Moduli of Undrained Rock Core Specimens in Triaxial Compression Without Pore Pressure Measurements; D2938 Unconfined Compressive Strength of Intact Rock Core Specimens; and D3148 Elastic Moduli of Intact Rock Core Specimens in Uniaxial Compression. The original four standards are now referred to as Methods in this standard.

1.2.1 Method A: Triaxial Compressive Strength of Undrained Rock Core Specimens Without Pore Pressure Measurements.

1.2.2 Method B: Elastic Moduli of Undrained Rock Core Specimens in Triaxial Compression Without Pore Pressure Measurements.

1.2.3 Method C: Uniaxial Compressive Strength of Intact Rock Core Specimens.

1.2.4 Method D: Elastic Moduli of Intact Rock Core Specimens in Uniaxial Compression.

1.2.5 Option A: Elevated Temperatures.