Size effects on the cylinder splitting strength test

Abstract

This paper presents a theoretical and experimental study about the specimen size effect in the indirect tensile strength evaluated with the brazilian test. The theoretical analysis was performed using a non linear fracture module based in cohesive crack concepts. This analysis contemplates both different specimen types and different support conditions, present in the norms. The results obtained with the model were experimentally contrasted. Concrete specimen sizes between 17mm and 300mm were tested with different supports. This allow to prove that the experimental values can be predicted in a correct manner with the model used. Using the model predictions, the indirect tensile strength and tensile strength relation for concrete was determinated. This relation contemplates the specimen size, the material properties and the width bearing strip. This results had been compared with empirican equation included in the different design code.