SPLITTING TENSILE STRENGTH TEST OF CONCRETE
Hello friends, today in this post you will learn about the SPLITTING TENSILE STRENGTH TEST OF CONCRETE & detail stepwise procedure.
Basically, The splitting tensile strength test is performed on hardened concrete. For determiation of its tensile strength.
The various factors which affects on concrete strength are variations in w/c ratio, ingredient proportioning, increase in a slump, etc.
This will affects the strength as well as the stability of structures. There are several tests to determine the strength of concrete.
For construction works, Quality tests are to be performed on concrete at various stages starting from the production stage to the hardened stage as well as on the structures.
Quality tests play very important role in ensuring the concrete quality.
Quality tests on concrete
These tests are to be performed on various stages such as the production stage, hardened stage and Non destructive tests.
Splitting tensile strength test – Significance
As we know that, concrete is brittle material, it is also weak in tension as well as it can cause cracks.
Due to these reasons, it is very important to conduct the tensile strength test of concrete.
In these test, for determining the tensile strength of concrete using a cylinder. In which the cylinderical sample splits across the vertical diameter.
Hence, it is an indirect method of testing tensile strength of concrete. For these, we require atleast three samples should be tested and we have to take the average value for calculations.
The main objectives of these test are as follows :
- For determining the tensile strength of concrete.
- To provide the information on the use of sand and aggregate.
- determination of the uniform stress distribution.
- Also for the studying the behaviour of concrete.
Relevant code
- IS 5816: 1999
- ASTM C496
Apparatus used in these test are :
- Testing machine
- Plate or Supplementary Bearing bar
- Bearing strips
- Cylinder specimen
- Tamping rod
The testing machine should apply continuous load without shocks. So for this test, two bearing strips with 3.2 mm thick and 25 mm wide are used.
The dimension of the cylindrical specimens used for these tests are 150 mm in diameter and 300 mm in height respectively.
Test procedure of Splitting tensile strength test
- The first step is to prepare the concrete mix for making the cylindrical specimen.
- We have to do oiling to the inner surface of the mould, after that we have to Pour the mix into the mould as layers.
- After pouring, we have to Compact each layer using a tamping rod. Tap each layer 30 times.
- Uniformly stroke the concrete mix and remove the excess concrete from the moulds.
- After that, we have to then immerse the casted specimen in water for atleast 24 hours at 27-degree celsius.
- After these, we have to remove the specimen from the mould and immerse it in freshwater.
- The splitting tensile strength of concrete should be conducted at 7, 28 days of curing.
- We should remember that, Before starting the test, take the specimen from the immersed water and properly wipe the water.
- In these step, we have to carefully note the dimension as well as the weight of the specimen.
- Now, we should have to Place plywood strip above and below the specimen
- After all these arrangements, now we have to finally place the specimen on the testing machine.
- Then, we have to gradually apply the load at a rate of 0.7 to 1.4 MPa/min (1.2 to 2.4 MPa/min based on IS 5816 1999).
- Record the load at which the specimen breaks.
Calculations :
Splitting tensile strength of concrete, T = 2P/ Ω LD
The unit of tensile strength is N/mm. The splitting test is easy to perform & we can get uniform results.
It is a simple, reliable and convenient method to determine the strength of concrete.
For easy understanding of test, take reference of below video for easy understanding :
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