Similar International Standards
ISRM Blue Book (2007) and subsequent Suggested MethodsISRM (International Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering), International
HighCurrent
The Complete ISRM Suggested Methods for Rock Characterization, Testing and Monitoring: 1974-2006
Provides the most globally recognized definitions, symbols, and methods upon which IS 11358 was originally based.
ASTM D653-23ASTM International, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
A dedicated and comprehensive glossary standard covering terminology for rock mechanics, soil mechanics, and hydrogeology.
EN ISO 14689:2018CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
MediumCurrent
Geotechnical investigation and testing — Identification and classification of rock
Focuses on the description and classification of rock, thereby defining the required terminology, though it is not a pure glossary.
BS 5930:2015+A1:2020BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
MediumCurrent
Code of practice for ground investigations
An influential code of practice that contains extensive sections defining terms for the description of rock materials and masses.
Key Differences
≠IS 11358:1987 is a standalone glossary. In contrast, international standards like EN ISO 14689 and BS 5930 integrate terminology within a broader framework for investigation, description, or design.
≠The Indian standard has not been updated since 1987, whereas international equivalents like ASTM D653 and ISRM Suggested Methods are regularly updated. This means IS 11358 lacks terms for modern techniques and refined classification systems.
≠While fundamental symbols are the same, some secondary symbols for discontinuity characteristics or in-situ stress components may have variations. ISRM recommendations are the de-facto global standard, which newer codes follow more closely.
≠Modern international standards place a stronger emphasis on quantitative descriptions (e.g., numerical ranges for weathering grades), while IS 11358's definitions are often more qualitative, reflecting the practice of its era.
Key Similarities
≈All standards share the fundamental purpose of creating a common, unambiguous language for professionals in rock mechanics and geotechnical engineering.
≈IS 11358 is heavily influenced by the early publications of the ISRM, leading to high consistency in core definitions and symbols for properties like stress, strain, and elastic constants.
≈The terminology for fundamental geological structures (faults, folds, joints, bedding planes) and rock types (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic) is consistent across all standards, as it is based on universal geological science.
≈The convention for representing principal stresses (σ1, σ2, σ3) and shear strength parameters (c, φ) is universally adopted in IS 11358 and its international counterparts.