ABSTRACT
The uniaxial compressive strength of a rock is defined as the value of the peak stress sustained by a rock specimen subjected to uniaxial compression, denoted usually as UCS or σc and expressed in MPa. It is the maximum load supported by the specimen during the test divided by the cross-sectional area of the specimen. Thus, the complete stress-strain curve in uniaxial compression and the associated compressive strength are another manifestation of the generic complete force-displacement curve highlighted in the Explanatory Notes at the beginning of the book.
