Abstract
The concept of rock strength or strength failure as a result of laboratory testing is difficult and complex to define. Stated most simply, rock strength is the peak stress in a uniaxial or triaxial compression deformation process. During this process there is no unique point at which rocks fail or collapse. The same is equally true in the vicinity of most structures in rock. A hole in the ground represents a small opening in a large continuum. Energy released by fracturing at a part of the structure is rapidly accommodated in the continuum. Only in the case of isolated pillars or the edges of plates in the earth’s crustal structure do the conditions exist for rapid release of energy — in exceptional forms such as rockbursts or earthquakes.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1983 Ian W. Farmer
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Farmer, I.W. (1983). Rock Strength and Yield. In: Engineering Behaviour of Rocks. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5978-1_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5978-1_4
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-009-5980-4
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-5978-1
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive