Study of Test Method for Direct Tensile Strength of Polymer Concrete

A direct tensile strength test was developed to determine the tensile strength and tensile stress-strain relationship of polymer concrete. Referring to previous studies of direct tensile tests on cement concrete, the test method was developed by focusing on the method of transmitting tensile force from the testing machine to the specimen and the shape of the specimen. As a method of transmitting tensile force, a cylindrical specimen was inserted into a cylindrical jig and fixed by tightening a nut on the tightening ring with a torque wrench. Secondary bending was reduced by placing spherical seats at both ends of all threaded rods in the cylindrical jig. The specimen shape was a dog-bone-shaped cylindrical with a narrower diameter at the test section. It was confirmed that the fracture zone could be guided into the test section and that strain could be measured well in the test section. The tensile strength of the polymer concrete measured by the developed direct tensile test method was almost consistent with the split tensile strength.