Optimizing Specimen Geometry for Improved Splitting Tensile Test Performance: A Numerical Investigation

Abstract

Due to the difficulty of conducting direct tensile tests on specimens, scientific study suggested the performance of indirect tensile tests, specifically, tensile tests by splitting or tests by flexing. These tests are performed according to well-defined standards, there are three types of specimen shapes used: cubic, cylindrical and prismatic. Through this study, a new geometry was proposed to minimize the volume of the specimens while ensuring adequate results. Using test specimens of different shapes, a simulation of the splitting tensile test was performed. The application of a compressive force along two diametrically opposing generating planes constitutes the splitting tensile test. The compressive force generates a perpendicular tensile force that provides the resistance to splitting tensile forces. The outcomes of this research reveal that the specimen size relatively affects the tensile strength. Compared to the other specimens, it was discovered that the tiny specimens had higher tensile strength. In comparison to the results of the cubic and cylindrical specimens, the performance of the proposed model is often better. These findings show that this specimen is suitable for use due to the convergence of the experimental measurements.