Direct Tensile Testing of Concrete: A Review

Abstract

Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension. The concrete tensile strength is important in reinforced concrete design since it impacts tension-related issues, such as crack development and the overall structural integrity. This paper summarises the challenges associated with the accurate measurement of concrete tensile strength. A comparison of indirect and direct tensile test methods (DTT) suggests that indirect methods generally overpredict the true tensile strength. Factors affecting DTT results, such as the grade of concrete, specimen shape and size, and casting direction are then discussed. Notably, the possible influence of casting direction due to prismatic specimens being cast horizontally and cylindrical specimens being cast vertically, is explored. The study contributes to the advancement of our understanding of concrete behaviour under tension.