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ISBN 978-0-626-27111-4
SANS 6253:2006
Edition 1.1
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Table of changes
Change No. Date Scope
Amdt 1 2006 Amended to change the designation of SABS standards to SANS
standards and to update a referenced standard.
Acknowledgement
The SABS Standards Division wishes to acknowledge the valuable assistance derived from publications
of the following organizations:
Foreword
This South African standard was approved by National Committee SABS SC 59A, Construction
standards – Cement, lime and concrete, in accordance with procedures of the SABS Standards
Division, in compliance with annex 3 of the WTO/TBT agreement.
This standard was published in November 2006. This edition cancels and replaces the first edition
(SABS SM 1253:1994).
A vertical line in the margin shows where the text has been technically modified by amendment No. 1.
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1 Scope
This standard describes a method of determining the tensile splitting strength of cylindrical, cubical and
prismatic test specimens of hardened concrete.
2 Normative references
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of
this standard. All standards are subject to revision and, since any reference to a standard is deemed to
be a reference to the latest edition of that standard, parties to agreements based on this standard are
encouraged to take steps to ensure the use of the most recent editions of the standards indicated
below. Information on currently valid national and international standards can be obtained from the
SABS Standards Division.
EN 12390-4, Testing hardened concrete – Compressive strength – Specification for testing machines.
Amdt 1
SANS 5860, Concrete tests – Dimensions, tolerances and uses of cast test specimens.
3 Apparatus
3.1 Compression testing machine, that complies with the requirements of EN 12390-4, is of
sufficient capacity and has means of so effecting a continuous force without shock as to obtain a
uniform nominal increase in stress of 0,03 MPa/s ± 0,01 MPa/s (as calculated from the nominal
dimensions of the span and the test specimen). The rate of force application (in newtons per second)
can be calculated using the formula Amdt 1
(0,02 to 0,04) × ʌ
2 × l × d
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where
3.2 Jig, or centring device, of the type shown in figure 1, to locate the test specimen and the
application of the test load at the centre of each platen of the compression machine.
3.3 Packing strips, of hardboard or plywood, to be used between the specimen and the steel loading
pieces. Packing strips are of oil-tempered grade hardboard and are used once only. They have the
following dimensions (see figures 1(a) and (b)):
a) width a : 15 mm ± 2 mm;
c) length : not less than the length of the line of contact with the test specimen.
3.4 Steel load pieces, which are placed between each platen of the compression testing machine and
the packing strips. They are not shorter than the specimen. In the case of cylindrical specimens, the
load pieces are of rectangular cross-section and of width at least that of the packing strip. For cubes
and prismatic specimens, the load pieces are of a section of a cylinder, with a radius of 75 mm, so that
the load is applied along a line on the surface of the specimen (see figures 1(a) and (b)). The load
pieces can be incorporated within the jig. The contact faces of the load pieces are parallel and the
surface flatness, texture and hardness along the length are within the tolerances specified in
EN 12390-4 for auxiliary platens. The load pieces are replaced when the dimensions are out of
tolerance or when they are extensively damaged or pitted along the contact surface. Amdt 1
3.5 Moulds, as described in SANS 5861-3, that are capable of providing test specimens of which the
dimensions and tolerances are as specified in SANS 5860.
6 Procedure
6.1 Wipe the specimen free of surface water and grit, and remove projecting fins, and determine the
mass (to an accuracy of at least 1 %) of each specimen before testing it. Test each specimen
immediately after it has been removed from the water and while still wet.
6.2 Wipe the bearing surfaces of the compression testing machine and the steel load pieces and
packing strips clean.
6.3 Using the jig or load pieces (or both), place the test specimen centrally in the compression testing
machine with the packing strips carefully positioned along the top and bottom of the specimen in the
plane of loading (see figure 1). In the case of cubes and prismatic specimens, the load is applied to the
opposite faces of the as-cast specimen (i.e. not to the top and bottom), to cause the fracture plane to
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cross at right angles to the trowelled surface (see figure 2). When testing specimens, ensure that the
upper platen is parallel to the lower platen.
6.4 Without shock, apply and increase the load continuously at a nominal rate of
0,03 MPa/s ± 0,01 MPa/s (see 3.1), until failure occurs. Record the maximum load applied to the
specimen.
2F
f ct =
ʌ × l × d
where
Calculate and record, to the nearest 0,05 MPa, the average of the results, as the tensile splitting
strength of the test sample.
NOTES
1 A test result is considered valid if the difference between the highest and the lowest result does not
exceed 15 % of the average. If this is not the case, regard the results as unreliable and investigate the reason.
2 If the apparent saturated density of the test specimens has to be reported, calculate it by dividing a specimen's
mass, determined in accordance with 6.1, by its volume, calculated from the dimensions.
8 Test report
Refer to this test method in the report and include the following information:
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© SABS
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