Uniaxial tensile tests to measure the bond of in situ concrete overlays

Abstract

The feasibility of two in situ tensile test methods for use in the field to measure the bond of concrete overlays was investigated in the laboratory. The two test methods used pneumatic and hydraulic loading apparatuses.The uniaxial tensile tests were conducted using partial-depth in situ cores drilled through overlay concrete and into previously cast slabs. Comparisons of the magnitude and repeatability of the tensile strength results for the two test methods indicated that they were comparable.The study demonstrated that both the pneumatic and hydraulic test methods are applicable for field use for measuring the tensile strength of the bond between a relatively thick overlay and its base concrete.