Fracture data and stress-strain behavior of rocks in triaxial compression

Test results are reported for a recently completed experimental research program on rocks subjected to triaxial compression. Sandstone, marble, granite and shale specimens were tested at confining pressures as high as 90,000 psi corresponding to mean stresses of up to 143,000 psi. Recognizing that the largest potential experimental error in such tests results from making strain and load measurements external to the vessel, special load and strain-measuring devices were designed and fabricated for use inside the pressure vessel. The specimens were carefully machined cylinders with length-to-diameter ratios of two and with diameters ranging from 4/16 in. to 1 in. The confining pressure was held constant during each run, but varied from 0 to 90,000 psi over the tests. Results are reported in the form of:

1. Stress-strain curves for individual specimens
2. Maximum shear stress at fracture vs. mean-stress curves for each rock type tested
3. Tabulation of results for 59 specimens

A number of tests were run on granite specimens which had been previously fractured. Results from these tests showed good agreement with tests on intact granite, providing the confining pressure was above 30,000 psi.