Index tests are useful because they are rapid and cheap-and if bias is known the fundamental property can be estimated, as when estimating the compressive strength or the tensile sterngth from the rock test hammer value. Index tests which have proved to be very useful are the rock test hammer, the point load test and sonic velocity test. These can provide index values in their owing right or be used to estimate the compressive strength, the tensile strength and elastic modulus. Because of the heterogeneous and fractured nature of rock, many index tests have been developed for a variety of purposes, e.g.for use in rock mass classification schemes.