Development of Centrifugal Tensile Test Method to Evaluate Tensile Strength of Softrocks

A new test method of a centrifugal tensile test was proposed for accurate and economical evaluation of the tensile strengths of softrocks. A columnar specimen placed horizontally in a container is spun around the vertical axis through its centroid with increasing rotation speed causing tensile failure by the centrifugal force. The tensile strength can be calculated from the rate of revolution at the moment of tensile failure and the radial distance to the plane of tensile fracture. This test method is economical and simple requiring neither special technique nor costly instrumentation. Moreover, variation of the tensile strengths may be evaluated, as repeated tests can be conducted using a single specimen providing many test results.