Indirect Tension Test of Hardened Concrete

Indirect Tension Test of Hardened Concrete

1. Purpose:

   • To determine the tensile strength of hardened concrete.

2. Test Principle:

   • Induces tensile stress in a concrete specimen through compressive forces applied diametrically.

3. Specimen:

   • Typically a cylindrical concrete sample.

4. Procedure:

   • Position the cylinder horizontally between platens of a testing machine.
   • Apply load at a constant rate until the specimen fails.

5. Key Equations:

   • Tensile strength (${\sigma }_t$) = $\frac{2P}{\pi DL}$
     • $P$ = Maximum applied load
     • $D$ = Diameter of the cylinder
     • $L$ = Length of the cylinder

6. Interpretation of Results:

   • Failure typically occurs along the plane passing through the line of load application.
   • The induced tensile stress causes the specimen to split.

7. Applications:

   • Useful in quality control and structural design.
   • Helps in understanding the tensile behavior of concrete, which is crucial for assessing cracking potential.

8. Advantages:

   • Simple and does not require sophisticated equipment.
   • Effective in approximating the tensile strength of concrete.

9. Considerations:

   • Ensure specimen alignment to avoid erroneous results.
   • Maintain the specified loading rate to ensure test accuracy.

10. Related Tests:

    • Direct Tension Test
    • Flexural Tensile Strength Test