Abstract
Proposed is a new test method to measure the biaxial tensile strength of concretes or other quasibrittle materials. One of the most novel features of the method is that only one actuator is used unlike other biaxial tensile test methods. This method is a three dimensional version of the classical modulus of rupture test. The specimen for the test is a circular plate loaded by a circular edge and supported by another circular edge. They have the same center point. The moment within the circular edge on which the applied load is constant in any direction. The biaxial tensile strength of a concrete was measured using the new flexure test method. From the test result, biaxial tensile strength of circular plates is lower than the strength from the traditional theory on the modulus of rupture strength suggested by ACI 318-05. The biaxial tensile strength of concrete is significantly scattered, and its standard deviation is about quadruple of that of uniaxial strength allowed in ACI 318-05. Therefore, to establish on the characteristic of biaxial tensile strength which may be influenced by aggregates, size effect and compressive strength of plain concrete, further experimental and theoretical researches are required.