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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Tensile strength testing of Topopah Spring tuff

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:138083
Laboratory experiments were conducted to compare two techniques for determining the tensile strength of nonlithophysal, welded tuff of the Topopah Spring Member and determine which technique should be used for site characterization. Tensile strengths were determined using uniaxial, direct-pull tests of right circular cylinders and calculated from Brazil tests. Tensile strengths determined from 11 direct-pull tests ranged from 1.94 to 11.53 MPa, with a mean and standard deviation of 6.07 {plus_minus} 3.09 MPa. Tensile strengths calculated from 11 Brazil tests ranged from 16.01 to 26.26 MPa, with a mean and standard deviation of 21.69 {plus_minus} 3.38. The mean tensile strength of the Brazil tests was 3.5 times greater than the mean tensile strength determined from direct-pull tests. It is concluded that the tensile strength of Topopah Spring tuff should be determined from direct-pull tests because they are a direct measurement of the tensile strength and also provide a lower, more conservative tensile strength than the Brazil tests. 4 refs., 11 figs., 2 tabs.
Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
138083
Report Number(s):
SAND--91-0044; ON: DE91011264
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English