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Classification of Rock WRT Compressive Strength

This document classifies rocks based on their unconfined compressive strength as measured in MPa. There are 8 rock types defined: extremely strong (>200 MPa), very strong (100-200 MPa), strong (50-100 MPa), moderately strong (12.5-50 MPa), moderately weak (5-12.5 MPa), weak (1.25-5 MPa), very weak (<1.25 MPa). The classifications are based on how easily a rock can be scratched or broken using various hand tools.

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Classification of Rock WRT Compressive Strength

This document classifies rocks based on their unconfined compressive strength as measured in MPa. There are 8 rock types defined: extremely strong (>200 MPa), very strong (100-200 MPa), strong (50-100 MPa), moderately strong (12.5-50 MPa), moderately weak (5-12.5 MPa), weak (1.25-5 MPa), very weak (<1.25 MPa). The classifications are based on how easily a rock can be scratched or broken using various hand tools.

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Classification of Rock WRT Compressive Strength

Rock is also classified by strength of intact rock cores collected during drilling. Rock Unconfined
Compressive strength (UCS) is used to define strength of rock. Classification of rocks given in c l s 8 ,
Table 2 of Appendix-2 of IRC: 78-2014 is reproduced below;

Unconfined Compressive
Rock Type Description
Strength (UCS) in MPa
Extremely Cannot be scratched with knife or sharp pick. Breaking of specimen
> 200
Strong could be done by sledge hammer only.
Cannot be scratched with knife or sharp pick. Breaking of specimens
Very Strong 100 to 200
requires several hard blows of geologists pick.
Can be scratched with knife or pick with difficulty. Hard blow of
Strong 50 to 100
hammer required to detach hand specimen.
Can be scratched with knife or pick, 6 mm deep gouges or grooves
Moderately
can be made by hand blow of geologists pick. Hand specimen can be 12.5 to 50
Strong
detached by moderate blow.
Can be grooved or gouged 1.5 mm deep by firm pressure on knife or
Moderately
pick point. Can be broken into pieces or chips of about 2.5 mm 5 to 12.5
Weak
maximum size by hard blows of the points of geologists pick.
Can be grooved or gouged easily with knife or pick point. Can be
Weak break down in chips to pieces several cm’s in size by moderate blows 1.25 to 5
of pick point. Small thin pieces can be broken by finger pressure.
Can be carved with knife. Can be broken easily with point of pick.
Very Weak Pieces 25 mm or more in thickness can be broken by finger pressure. < 1.25
Can be scratched easily by finger nail.

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