The present and future of rock testing: Highlighting the ISRM suggested methods

Abstract

Since the establishment of the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) in the 1960s, there have been important scientific developments and technological advances both in rock mechanics and rock engineering. Particularly, modeling of rock behaviour, design methodologies for rock structures and rock testing methods are the main issues in these developments and advances. The models developed depend considerably on the input parameters such as boundary conditions and material and rock mass properties. For this reason, establishing how to obtain these input parameters for a particular site, rock mass and project is important. Accordingly, since 1974, the ISRM Commission on Testing Methods has spent considerable effort in developing a succession of Suggested Methods (SMs) for different aspects of rock mechanics with the contribution of a number of working groups. The SMs are intended as guidance, explaining the recommended procedures to follow in the works associated with the various aspects of rock mechanics, such as rock characterisation, testing and monitoring. In this paper; the past, present and future of laboratory and in-situ rock testing and monitoring techniques and then the general principles followed in developing the ISRM SMs, stages in their evaluation and the recent developments related to the SMs are briefly given.