Question

Compare the methods of measuring tensile strength by (a) direct tension; (b) splitting tension; (c) flexure.

Answer 1

The direct tension, splitting tension and flexure this three methods are mainly used for measuring tensile strength of concrete.

Direct tension test is used for measuring tensile strength under pure tension condition, splitting tensile strength is done on concrete cylinder as which splits occurs accross the vertical diameter, flexure tensile test is done on rcc beam or slab by centre point load to measure the resistance under bending or yielding.

The direct tension test is used for uniaxial state, the splitting tension is used for multiaxial state and flexure is used for non-uniform state.

Flexure test is more applicable for determination of strain rate effect than direct tension and splitting tension test because in increase of energy i.e kinetic and frictional consumptions in flexure test is more significant.

In Flexure and Splitting tensile strength method mainly ASTM method is followed, where in direct tension tension test there is no recommendations in ASTM.