ASTM C496-96

Standard Test Method for Splitting Tensile Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the splitting tensile strength of cylindrical concrete specimens, such as molded cylinders and drilled cores.  Note 1-For methods of molding cylindrical concrete specimens, see Practice C192 and Practice C31. For methods of obtaining drilled cores see Test Method C42.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-1995
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Drafting Committee: C09.61 - Testing for Strength

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: C 496 – 96
Standard Test Method for
Splitting Tensile Strength of Cylindrical Concrete
Specimens
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 496; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope stresses in the area immediately around the applied load.
Tensile failure occurs rather than compressive failure because
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the split-
the areas of load application are in a state of triaxial compres-
ting tensile strength of cylindrical concrete specimens, such as
sion, thereby allowing them to withstand much higher com-
molded cylinders and drilled cores.
pressive stresses than would be indicated by a uniaxial com-
NOTE 1—For methods of molding cylindrical concrete specimens, see
pressive strength test result.
Practice C 192 and Practice C 31. For methods of obtaining drilled cores
3.2 Thin, plywood bearing strips are used so that the load is
see Test Method C 42.
applied uniformly along the length of the cylinder.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3.3 The maximum load sustained by the specimen is divided
as the standard.
by appropriate geometrical factors to obtain the splitting tensile
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
strength.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.1 Splitting tensile strength is simpler to determine than
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
direct tensile strength.
4.2 Splitting tensile strength is used to evaluate the shear
2. Referenced Documents
resistance provided by concrete in reinforced lightweight
2.1 ASTM Standards:
aggregate concrete members.
C 31 Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Speci-
mens in the Field 5. Apparatus
C 39 Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical
5.1 Testing Machine—The testing machine shall conform to
Concrete Specimens
the requirements of Test Method C 39 and may be of any type
C 42 Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores
of sufficient capacity that will provide the rate of loading
and Sawed Beams of Concrete
prescribed in 7.5.
C 192 Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Speci-
5.2 Supplementary Bearing Bar or Plate—If the diameter or
mens in the Laboratory
the largest dimension of the upper bearing face or the lower
C 670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
bearing block is less than the length of the cylinder to be tested,
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
a supplementary bearing bar or plate of machined steel shall be
used. The surfaces of the bar or plate shall be machined to
3. Summary of Test Method
within 6 0.001 in. (0.025 mm) of planeness, as measured on
3.1 This test method consists of applying a diametral
any line of contact of the bearing area. It shall have a width of
compressive force along the length of a cylindrical concrete
at least 2 in. (51 mm), and a thickness not less than the distance
specimen at a rate that is within a prescribed range until failure
from the edge of the spherical or rectangular bearing block to
occurs. This loading induces tensile stresses on the plane
the end of the cylinder. The bar or plate shall be used in such
containing the applied load and relatively high compressive
manner that the load will be applied over the entire length of
the specimen.
5.3 Bearing Strips—Two bearing strips of nominal ⁄8 in.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C-9 on Concrete
(3.2 mm) thick plywood, free of imperfections, approximately
and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.61 on
Testing Concrete for Strength. 1 in. (25 mm) wide, and of a length equal to, or slightly longer
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 1996. Published March 1996. Originally
than, that of the specimen shall be provided for each specimen.
published as C 496 – 62. Last previous edition C 496 – 90.
The bearing strips shall be placed between the specimen and
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
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C 496
(2) A supplementary bearing bar conforming to the requirements in
both the upper and lower bearing blocks of the testing machine
Section 5 as to critical dimensions and planeness, and
or between the specimen and supplemental bars or plates, if
(3) Two uprights to serve for positioning the test cylinder, bearing
used (see 5.2). Bearing strips shall not be reused.
strips, and supplementary bearing bar.
6. Test Specimens
7.2 Measurements—Determine the diameter of the test
6.1 The test specimens shall conform to the size, molding,
specimen to the nearest 0.01 in. (0.25 mm) by averaging three
and curing requirements set forth in either Practice C 31 (field diameters measured near the ends and the middle of the
specimens) or Practice C 192 (laboratory specimens). Drilled
specimen and lying in the plane containing the lines marked on
cores shall conform to the size and moisture-conditioning the two ends. Determine the length of the specimen to the
requirements set forth in Test Method C 42. Moist-cured
nearest 0.1 in. (2.5 mm) by averaging at least two length
specimens, during the period between their removal from the
measurements taken in the plane containing the lines marked
curing environment and testing, shall be kept moist by a wet
on the two ends.
burlap or blanket covering, and shall be tested in a moist
7.3 Positioning Using Marked Diametral Lines—Center
condition as soon as practicable.
one of the plywood strips along the center of the lower bearing
6.2 The following curing procedure shall be used for evalu-
block. Place the specimen on the plywood strip and align so
ations of light-weight concrete: specimens tested at 28 days
that the lines marked on the ends of the specimen are vertical
shall be in an air-d
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