This standard outlines the procedure for determining the splitting tensile strength of hardened concrete specimens. It details the required apparatus, specimen dimensions (cylindrical or cubical), test setup with packing strips, and the calculation formula. This test provides an indirect measurement of the tensile strength of concrete.
Method of Test Splitting Tensile Strength of Concrete
Quick Reference Values
Standard cylinder specimen diameter150 mm
Standard cylinder specimen length300 mm
Standard cube specimen side150 mm
Packing strip width15 mm
Packing strip thickness3 mm
Rate of increase of splitting tensile stress1.2 to 2.4 N/mm²/min
Key Formulas
f_ct = 2P / (π * L * D) — Splitting Tensile Strength, where P is max load, L is length, D is diameter/width
Practical Notes
Ensure packing strips are correctly aligned along the specimen's central axis to ensure a valid split failure.
The failure must be a clean split along the loading plane; irregular or crushing failures indicate a faulty test.
The splitting tensile strength is typically used in design calculations where concrete cracking is a concern, such as in massive concrete structures or pavements.