Central Philippine University

College of Engineering

Jaro, Iloilo City

Experiment No. 13

Splitting Tensile Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimen

GABB RIEL G. PALACIOS

March 21, 2018

NOVEE LYNN MORIILO

KHRISTIA MARIE NARISMA

RENZO DE LOS SANTOS

EDWARD JOSHUA UY

ENGR. JANE H. CHUA

 EXPT. 13: SPLITTING TENSILE STRENGTH OF CYLINDRICAL CONCRETE SPECIMEN
GABB RIEL G. PALACIOS

Introduction

This test method is used for the determination of splitting tensile strength of cylindrical
concrete specimen. Splitting tensile strength is helpful for the following purposes;

• Splitting tensile strength is generally greater than the direct tensile strength and lower
than the flexural strength (modulus of rupture).
• Splitting tensile strength is used in the design of structural light weight concrete
members to evaluate the shear resistance provided by concrete and to determine the
development length of the reinforcement.

References: Splitting Tensile Strength. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2018, from
https://civilengineerspk.com/plain-reinforced-concrete-experiments/-splitting-tensile-strength/

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 EXPT. 13: SPLITTING TENSILE STRENGTH OF CYLINDRICAL CONCRETE SPECIMEN
GABB RIEL G. PALACIOS

EXPT. 13: SPLITTING TENSILE STRENGTH OF CYLINDRICAL CONCRETE SPECIMEN

I. Statement of the Problem

Objective: : To measure the splitting tensile strength of concrete by the application of a
diametric compressive force on a cylindrical concrete specimen placed with its axis horizontal
between the platens of testing machine

II. Materials, Apparatus, Methods of Testing

Apparatus:

Testing Machine,
Concrete test cylinder,
Bearing strips,
Supplementary bearing bar or plate

Procedure:

1. Measure the dimension of the cylinder. Determining the diameter of the specimen
to the nearest 0.1 in (0.25 mm) by averaging three diameters measured near the
ends and the middle of the specimen and lying in the plane containing the lines
marked on the two ends.

2. Determine the length of the specimen to the nearest 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) by
averaging at least two length measurements taken in the plane containing the lines
marked on the two ends.

3. Center one of the plywood strips along the center of the lower bearing block of the
testing machine. Place the cylinder on the plywood strip and align so that the lines
marked on the ends of the specimen are vertical and centered over the plywood
strip.

4. Place the second plywood strip lengthwise on the cylinder and place a 2” x “x 14”
steel bar over the plywood strip.

5. Lower the upper loading head until the assembly is secured in the machine.
6. Apply the compressive load slowly and continuously until failure. The rate at
which the specimen should be loaded is 100 to 200 psi (690 to 1380 kPa) per
minute.
 EXPT. 13: SPLITTING TENSILE STRENGTH OF CYLINDRICAL CONCRETE SPECIMEN
GABB RIEL G. PALACIOS

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7. Record the maximum load applied, the type of failure and appearance of the
concrete specimen

Summary of Results:

Splitting Tensile Strength TS= 109.905 psi

III. COMPUTATION
T= 2 Pmax /πLd
Where:

TS = splitting tensile strength, psi

Pmax= maximum applied load, lb- force
L = length, in = 12 in
D = diameter, in = 6 in

Cylindrical concrete TS = (2)(6.215x2000) = 109.905 psi

specimen π (12)(6)
EXPT. 13: SPLITTING TENSILE STRENGTH OF CYLINDRICAL CONCRETE SPECIMEN
GABB RIEL G. PALACIOS

IV. DICUSSION AND FINDINGS

The splitting tensile strength of the specimen is 109.905 psi. There is limited amount of
tensile strength to compare although concrete is never intended to carry tension. The
experiment resulted to a destructive test to the specimen splitting it in half. Compressing the
specimen horizontally splitting it can determine the splitting tensile strength of the concrete
specimen furthermore on this experiment is the splitting strength is occurring from the
compression.