Mojtaba Pirpanahi - MSc in Geotechnical Engineering, Pooyab Consulting Engineers Company, Tehran, Iran
Naser Pirpanahi - MSc Student, College of Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

Point load test is a simple test for the estimation of rock compressive strength. Rock specimens in the form of either core (diametral and axial tests), cut blocks (block test), or irregular lumps (irregular lump test) can be tested. Despite the simplicity of the test itself, the failure mechanism and the stresses that develop within the sample are quite complex in all types of point load tests. This research includes numerical modelling of diametral point load test in ABAQUS program. Three-dimensional finite element method involving eight node flexible elements is used. The load is applied through a pair of truncated conical platens. Based on numerical modelling, the stresses that develop within the sample with various Poisson’s ratio are presented. The maximum tensile stress along the line of loading was obtained by numerical modelling. Comparison of the results showed that Poisson’s ratio has great effect on the maximum tensile stress that develops in the specimen.

point load test, poisson’s ratio, maximum tensile stress, numerical modelling, abaqus