8.

Determining the tensile strength

8.1 Testing equipment

The test set-up, which allows the load to be applied at the speed specified in 8.2, is shown in Figure 1. The
equipment requirements are shown in Table 2. The equipment is equipped with two steel support rollers
with a length from 45 to 50 mm and a diameter of (10±0.5) mm with a distance between them (100±0.5)
mm and a third steel roller of the same dimensions located in the center between the support rollers.
Three vertical planes passing through the axes of steel rollers should be parallel, keep the same distance
between each other and perpendicular to the direction of the test specimen-prism. One of the support
rollers and the load rollers shall be rotated to ensure that the load is evenly distributed across the width
of the specimen-prism without causing torsional stresses.

Figure 1.

8.2.1 Preparation

The samples are tested 28 days after pouring the mortar into the formwork or later if the mortar contains
slowing down additives. Before the installation of prism on the contact surfaces of the rollers, faces of the
test specimen, particles of the mortar and other substances are removed with a clean cloth. The test piece
shall be mounted on support rollers in such a way that the edges that come into contact with the walls of
the metal mould during its manufacture serve as the base.

8.2.2 Loading

The load on the sample should increase continuously at a constant rate of 10 to 50 N/s so that the sample
is destroyed within 30-90 s.
Note - For a solution with low strength, it may be necessary to reduce the loading rate in accordance with
the lower limit of the allowable range.
The maximum Newton force achieved during the test is taken to be the breaking load value. For further
compressive strength testing, the failed tested specimens are placed back in the storage chamber prior
to the corresponding tests.
8.3 Calculation and presentation of results

Tensile strength is calculated using the following formula:

F - the maximum load applied to the test piece, N;

l - distance between the axes of support rollers, mm;
b - width of the test piece, mm;
d - height of the test piece, mm.

For each test specimen the bending strength is indicated with an accuracy of 0.05 N/mm2. The average
value is calculated to the accuracy of 0.1 N/mm2.
The age of the test specimen and the age of the formwork removal are indicated in the test report.

9 Determination of compressive strength

9.1 Testing equipment

A test rig that allows the load to be applied at the speed specified in 9.2. The upper faceplate of the
machine shall lie loosely on the test piece, while avoiding any distortion of the faceplate with respect to
the test piece during the application of the load.

Two auxiliary pressure plates made of tungsten carbide or steel with a surface hardness of at least 600
HV. The plates are 40 mm long, 40±0.1 mm wide and 10 mm thick. The permissible deviation in width is
determined on the basis of the average value of the results of symmetrically conducted measurements.
The permissible deviation of the contact surface flatness shall be 0.01 mm.

A clamping force adjustment mechanism to simplify the installation of the auxiliary clamping plates. The
base plate of the adjustment mechanism must be made of hardened and tempered tool steel, the edges
must have a tolerance of 0.01 mm. A specimen alignment device is provided on the lower pressure plate
of the test rig. The hardened and tempered silver steel posts shall be placed symmetrically around the
centering fixture with a gap equal to the width of the prism plus 0.3 mm in one direction and the nominal
width of the prism plus 0.8 mm in the other direction. The upper edge of the base plate is marked with an
arrow pointing in the direction of the greater distance between the posts and the longitudinal axis of the
auxiliary pressure plates.

9.2 Testing
9.2.1 Preparation

The specimens are tested 28 days after the formwork has been filled with mortar or later if the mortar
contains slowing down additives or after bending strength tests. Excess mortar particles and other
substances are removed from the sides of the test specimen from which the formwork has been removed.
Solution particles and other substances shall be removed from the contact surfaces of the test equipment,
accessory plates, and the adjustment mechanism with a clean cloth before the specimen is installed. The
test specimen shall be installed in the test equipment in such a way that the edges that come into contact
with the walls of the metal mold during its manufacture serve as the basis for the specimen.

The specimen prism shall be positioned in such a way that the formworked end face is at a distance of
(16±0.1) mm from the nearest edge of the auxiliary clamping plate. Test specimens which do not form a
solid, cubic body between the upper and lower clamping plates or between the auxiliary clamping plates
shall be removed. The test specimens are carefully aligned so that the load is applied over the entire width
of the surface in contact with the clamping plates. When using auxiliary clamping plates and a clamping
force adjustment mechanism, the auxiliary clamping plate is installed so that its longitudinal axis is parallel
to the arrow on the upper side of the adjustment mechanism, with contact on the entire surface. The test
piece is placed so that its longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the arrow between the adjustment studs
and the other pressure plate is placed on the top side of the test piece parallel to the lower auxiliary
pressure plate. The assembled clamping force adjustment mechanism is carefully centered on the lower
clamping plate of the testing machine.

9.2.2 Loading

The load on the sample should increase continuously at a constant rate until it breaks down. Appendix B
contains recommendations on the rate of load increase for different classes of plaster and masonry
mortars.
The maximum force achieved during the test of the specimen is taken as the value of the breaking load.

9.3 Processing of testing

The compressive strength is calculated as the ratio of the breaking load to the working area of the test
specimen cross-section.
For each test specimen the compressive strength is indicated by rounding to 0.05 N/mm2 for masonry
mortars. The average value is calculated to the accuracy of 0.1 N/mm2.
The age of the test specimen when removing the formwork and at the time of the test shall be indicated
in the test report.