ASTM D4553-08

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of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D4553–02 (Reapproved 2006) Designation:D4553–08
Standard Test Method for
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Determining In Situ Creep Characteristics of Rock
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4553; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the preparation, equipment, test procedure, and data documentation for determining in situ creep
characteristics of a rock mass using a rigid plate subjected to controlled loading.
1.2 This test method is designed to be conducted in an underground opening; however, with suitable modifications, this test
could be conducted at the surface.
1.3 Thetestisusuallyconductedparallelorperpendiculartotheanticipatedaxisofthrust,asdictatedbythedesignloadorother
orientations, based upon the application.
1.4 Flexible plate apparatus can be used if the anticipated creep displacement is within the tolerance of the travel of the flat
jacks.
1.5The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. For specific precaution statements, see Section 8.
2. Referenced Documents
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
D4394 TestMethodforDeterminingtheInSituModulusofDeformationofRockMassUsingtheRigidPlateLoadingMethod
D4403 Practice for Extensometers Used in Rock
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions: See Terminology D653 for general definitions.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 creep—a time-dependent displacement of a plate pushed into the surface of the rock by a constant normal load. It is not
directly related with laboratory creep data because of the nonuniformity of stress within the rock mass underneath the plate.
3.2.2 displacement—movementoftherigidplate,groutpad,orrockinresponsetoandinthesamedirectionastheappliedload.
3.2.3 load—total force acting on the rock face.
3.2.4 rigid plate—plate with a deflection of less than 0.0005 in. (0.0125 mm) from the center to the edge of the plate when
maximum load is applied.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Areas on two opposing faces of a test opening are flattened, smoothed, and made parallel.
4.2 Agrout pad and rigid metal plate are installed against each face and a hydraulic loading system is placed between the rigid
plates.
4.3 The two faces are rapidly loaded to the desired creep load, without shock, the load maintained, and the displacement of the
plate measured as a function of time.
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.12 on Rock Mechanics.
Current edition approved May 1, 2006. Published June 2006. Originally approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D4553–02.
Current edition approved July 1, 2008. Published July 2008. Originally approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D4553–02 (2006).
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ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,orcontactASTMCustomerServiceatservice@astm.org.For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
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D4553–08
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Results of this test method are used to predict time-dependent deformation characteristics of a rock mass resulting from
loading. It is a test that may be required depending on rock type or anticipated loads, or both.
5.2 This test method may be useful in structural design analysis where loadin
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