Laboratory tests of direct tension and compression were conducted for three rock types with a testing unit that can perform both compression and direct tension on a same rock sample. The results showed that for most rock samples
the obtained Young’s moduli in compression EC were greater than those in tension ET. For Gaofeng limestone
the EC/ET ratio was 1.1; for Gaofeng pyrite
the ratio was 1.4; and for Songshujiao marble
the ratio was 2.5. The average values of Poisson’s ratios in compression were also greater than the values in tension. It was also found that the tangent Poisson’s ratios in tension decreased with the increasing applied loading
which was opposite to the behavior in compression.