kSIST FprEN 12697-23:2026

Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 23: Determination of the indirect tensile strength of bituminous specimens

This document specifies a test method for determining the (splitting) indirect tensile strength of cylindrical specimens of bituminous mixtures.

Asphalt - Prüfverfahren - Teil 23: Bestimmung der indirekten Zugfestigkeit von Asphalt-Probekörpern

Dieses Dokument legt ein Prüfverfahren zur Bestimmung der indirekten Zugfestigkeit (Spaltzugfestigkeit) von zylindrischen Asphalt-Probekörpern fest.

Mélanges bitumineux - Méthode d'essais - Partie 23 : Détermination de la résistance à la traction indirecte des éprouvettes bitumineuses

La présente Norme européenne spécifie une méthode d’essai permettant de déterminer la résistance à la traction indirecte (fendage) d’éprouvettes cylindriques de mélanges bitumineux.

Bitumenske zmesi - Preskusne metode - 23. del: Ugotavljanje posredne natezne trdnosti bitumenskih preskušancev

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 28-May-2025
• ICS: 93.080.20 - Road construction materials
• Technical Committee: CES - Roads
• Current Stage: 5020 - Formal vote (FV) (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 24-Jun-2026
• Due Date: 12-Aug-2026
• Ref Project: FprEN 12697-23 - Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 23: Determination of the indirect tensile strength of bituminous specimens

Relations

• Revises: SIST EN 12697-23:2018 - Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 23: Determination of the indirect tensile strength of bituminous specimens
• Effective Date: 21-Feb-2024

Overview

kSIST FprEN 12697-23:2026 is a European standard developed by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST) focusing on road construction materials. Officially titled “Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 23: Determination of the indirect tensile strength of bituminous specimens,” this standard defines a test method for measuring the indirect tensile strength (ITS) of cylindrical bituminous mixture specimens. The standard applies to laboratory-prepared or cored samples, providing a consistent and reliable procedure for assessing the mechanical behavior and durability of asphalt and other bituminous road materials.

Key Topics

• Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS): Maximum tensile stress calculated when a specimen is loaded until it fails. It is a critical property that reflects the resistance of bituminous mixtures to cracking and deformation.
• Cylindrical Specimens: Test method is applicable to specimens prepared using laboratory techniques (e.g., gyratory or impact compaction) or extracted directly from road layers.
• Test Apparatus and Setup: Involves a compression testing machine, loading strips, specimen conditioning equipment (water bath or air chamber), and accurate measuring devices.
• Sample Preparation: Details minimum requirements for the number of specimens, acceptable specimen dimensions, and methods for visual examination and measurement.
• Conditioning and Test Procedure: Specifies pre-test conditioning to selected test temperatures (+5 °C to +25 °C), proper alignment within the apparatus, controlled loading rates, and how to record test results and types of failure.
• Calculation and Reporting: Outlines the formula for calculating ITS and the required elements in test reports, ensuring clear documentation and comparability across laboratories.

Applications

This standard is essential for:

• Quality Control of Asphalt Mixtures: Enables laboratories and contractors to verify that bituminous materials meet performance requirements for tensile strength, helping ensure road durability and structural integrity.
• Material Research and Development: Provides a reproducible method for researchers to evaluate new bituminous formulations or additives by comparing mechanical properties.
• Pavement Design and Forensics: ITS test results are critical for designing pavement structures that resist cracking. The test is also used in forensic studies to analyze failed road sections.
• Compliance with Specifications: Road authorities and contractors use this standard to demonstrate conformity with European and national road construction guidelines.

By standardizing the way indirect tensile strength is measured, kSIST FprEN 12697-23:2026 promotes consistency, reliability, and innovation in bituminous pavement technology.

Related Standards

The test method outlined in kSIST FprEN 12697-23:2026 is part of a broader suite of standards for bituminous mixtures and asphalt testing. Key related standards include:

• EN 12697-27: Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 27: Sampling
• EN 12697-29: Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 29: Determination of specimen dimensions
• EN 12697-30: Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 30: Specimen preparation by impact compactor
• EN 12697-31, -32, -33: Further methods for specimen preparation using different compaction techniques
• EN 12697-34: Marshall stability and flow test

These related documents, together with kSIST FprEN 12697-23:2026, form the foundation for the quality assessment, specification, and development of bituminous mixtures in road construction.

Keywords: bituminous mixtures, indirect tensile strength, ITS test, asphalt testing, road construction materials, European standard, specimen preparation, SIST, EN 12697 series, laboratory test methods.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 12697-23:2025
01-maj-2025
Bitumenske zmesi - Preskusne metode - 23. del: Ugotavljanje posredne natezne
trdnosti bitumenskih preskušancev
Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 23: Determination of the indirect tensile
strength of bituminous specimens
Asphalt - Prüfverfahren - Teil 23: Bestimmung der indirekten Zugfestigkeit von Asphalt-
Probekörpern
Mélanges bitumineux - Méthode d'essais - Partie 23 : Détermination de la résistance à la
traction indirecte des éprouvettes bitumineuses
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 12697-23
ICS:
93.080.20 Materiali za gradnjo cest Road construction materials
oSIST prEN 12697-23:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 12697-23:2025
oSIST prEN 12697-23:2025
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 12697-23
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
March 2025
ICS 93.080.20 Will supersede EN 12697-23:2017
English Version
Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 23:
Determination of the indirect tensile strength of
bituminous specimens
Mélanges bitumineux - Méthode d'essais - Partie 23 : Asphalt - Prüfverfahren - Teil 23: Bestimmung der
Détermination de la résistance à la traction indirecte indirekten Zugfestigkeit von Asphalt-Probekörpern
des éprouvettes bitumineuses
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 227.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 12697-23:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

oSIST prEN 12697-23:2025
prEN 12697-23:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European Foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Principle . 4
5 Apparatus . 5
5.1 Compression testing machine . 5
5.2 Testing head with loading strips . 5
5.3 Measuring device . 6
5.4 Water bath . 6
5.5 Soft plastic bags. 6
6 Sample preparation . 6
6.1 Number of specimen . 6
6.2 Dimensions of test specimen . 7
6.3 Visual examination . 7
6.4 Measurement of dimensions . 7
6.5 Age of Specimen . 7
7 Conditioning . 7
8 Test temperature . 8
9 Test procedure . 8
10 Calculation . 9
11 Test report . 9
12 Precision . 9

oSIST prEN 12697-23:2025
pEN 12697-23:2025 (E)
European Foreword
This document (prEN 12697-23:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 227 “Road
materials”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 12697-23:2017.
prEN 12697-23:2025 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to
EN 12697-23:2017:
— [Clause 5.3] the wording, “accuracy of ± 0,2 kN”, amended to read “nearest 0,1 kN with a maximum
permissible error of 0,2 kN”;
— [Clause 5.4] amended to read: “Water bath, thermostatically controlled, or air chamber, capable of
maintaining the temperature in the vicinity of the specimen within ± 1 °C from the test temperature.”
— [Clause 7]. Subclause 7.1 and 7.2 deleted and merged under Clause 7. Completion with following
paragraph: “Bring the test specimen to the selected test temperature selected according to Clause 8
with a maximum permissible error of 1 °C. “;
— [Clause 8] deletion of 1st paragraph: “Unless defined elsewhere, the test temperature shall be (10 ±
2) °C. Replaced by: “The test temperature shall be selected between +5 °C to +25 °C”;
— [Clause 8], 2nd paragraph. Last two sentences deleted. 1st sentence reworded to NOTE;
— [Clause 9.1] Deletion of paragraph: “The testing machine shall be placed in a room with temperature
between 15 °C and 25 °C.;
— [Clause 10] Rounding of ITS changed to the nearest kPa instead of three significant figures.
oSIST prEN 12697-23:2025
prEN 12697-23:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies a test method for determining the (splitting) indirect tensile strength of
cylindrical specimens of bituminous mixtures.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 12697-27, Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 27: Sampling
EN 12697-29, Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 29: Determination of the dimensions of a
bituminous specimen
EN 12697-30, Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 30: Specimen preparation by impact compactor
EN 12697-31, Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 31: Specimen preparation by gyratory compactor
EN 12697-32, Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 32: Specimen preparation by vibratory compactor
EN 12697-33, Bituminous mixtures — Test methods — Part 33: Specimen prepared by roller compactor
EN 12697-34, Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 34: Marshall test
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms an
...