An investigation of the effect of moisture content on the uniaxial compressive strength of Malaysian rock / Azizi Abdul Rahim

The compressive strength is the most commonly determined property of rock and the procedure used by most laboratories in making this measurement is virtually equivalent. The concept of the compressive strength test is deceptively simple, but in reality there are a number of factors that can affect the test results significantly, such as the flatness of the bearing surfaces, the specimen size and shape, the effect of friction between the bearing platens and the specimen, the alignment of the swivel head, the rate of loading and the moisture content in the specimen. Relatively small variations in the moisture content of a specimen, for example, due to the coolants or lubricants used during specimen preparation, can cause significant variations in the properties measured. Such moisture variations may occur in the rock specimen even after it is air-dried, since laboratory humidity conditions commonly fluctuate from day to day.