Concrete indirect tensile strength by double punch test. Influence of the aggregates maximum size and of the eccentricity

Abstract

After reminding the interest, or the need, to know the concrete tensile strength, and having analyzed critically normal test methods, it /s briefly described the test method of indirect tension by "double punch test", proposed by W. F. Chen. The experimental results obtained on three different concretes, two among them of a common density and a third with expanded clay as coarse aggregate, are shown. It has been proved that for normal density concretes, the tensile strength by "double punch test" has little sensibility to the variation of the aggregate maximum size, opposite to which it takes place in the splitting test, and the error of the centred of the "punch" has a minimum influence on the results, till very high eccentricities are reached. In conclusion, indirect tension test by double punch test is simple, practical and reproducible, responding to the needs to the needs of a commercial routine.