Title:
Double-Punch Test for Tensile and Compressive Strengths in Concrete
Author(s):
Lionello Bortolotti
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
85
Issue:
1
Appears on pages(s):
26-32
Keywords:
compressive strength; concretes; failure mechanisms; mechanical tests; tensile strength; tests; Materials Research
DOI:
10.14359/2482
Date:
1/1/1988
Abstract:
A method of evaluating the tensile strength in concrete is illustrated by interpreting the failure mechanism from the double-punch test. A particular Coulomb-like failure criterion is at the basis of this method. Analysis is conducted by considering two successive limit states through which the structure, represented by a concrete cube, passes. The first state corresponds to the tensile strength reached in the splitting surface, and allows for obtaining an expression both of the tensile strength of the material and of its compressive strength by means of the Coulomb-like failure criterion. A comparison of this method with the experimental results obtained by W. F. Chen and T. A. Colgrove shows a better agreement than with their formulas. The second limit state, corresponding to the failure of the conical surfaces under the load plates, points out that such a state is reached after a constant loading redistribution process, with softening in the tensile failure surface.