BS 

EN 12697‑23:2017

BSI Standards Publication

Bituminous mixtures - Test methods

Part 23: Determination of the indirect tensile strength of bituminous specimens

BS EN 12697‑23:2017 BRITISH STANDARD

National foreword
This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN 12697‑23:2017.
It supersedes BS EN 12697‑23:2003 which is withdrawn.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical
Committee B/510/1, Asphalt products.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on
request to its secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions
of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
© The British Standards Institution 2017
Published by BSI Standards Limited 2017
ISBN 978 0 580 90925 2
ICS 93.080.20
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from
legal obligations.
This British Standard was published under the authority of the
Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 30 November 2017.

Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication

Date Text affected
 BS EN 12697‑23:2017

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 12697-23

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM November 2017

ICS 93.080.20 Supersedes EN 12697-23:2003

English Version

Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 23:

Determination of the indirect tensile strength of
bituminous specimens
Mélanges bitumineux - Méthode d'essais - Partie 23 : Asphalt - Prüfverfahren - Teil 23: Bestimmung der
Détermination de la résistance à la traction indirecte indirekten Zugfestigkeit von Asphalt-Probekörpern
des éprouvettes bitumineuses

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 28 August 2017.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels

© 2017 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 12697-23:2017 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
BS EN 12697‑23:2017
EN 12697-23:2017 (E)

Contents Page

European Foreword...................................................................................................................................................... 3
1 Scope .................................................................................................................................................................... 4
2 Normative references .................................................................................................................................... 4
3 Terms and definitions ................................................................................................................................... 4
4 Principle ............................................................................................................................................................. 5
5 Apparatus........................................................................................................................................................... 5
5.1 Compression testing machine .................................................................................................................... 5
5.2 Testing head with loading strips ............................................................................................................... 5
Table 1 — Requirements for loading strips ......................................................................................................... 5
Figure 1 — Testing head with loading strips and test specimen.................................................................. 6
5.3 Measuring device ............................................................................................................................................ 6
5.4 Water bath ......................................................................................................................................................... 6
5.5 Soft plastic bags ............................................................................................................................................... 6
6 Sample preparation........................................................................................................................................ 6
6.1 Number of specimen ...................................................................................................................................... 6
6.2 Dimensions of test specimen ...................................................................................................................... 6
6.3 Visual examination ......................................................................................................................................... 7
6.4 Measurement of dimensions ....................................................................................................................... 7
6.5 Age of Specimen ............................................................................................................................................... 7
7 Conditioning...................................................................................................................................................... 7
7.1 Thermal treatment ......................................................................................................................................... 7
7.2 Storage ................................................................................................................................................................ 7
8 Test temperature ............................................................................................................................................ 8
9 Test procedure ................................................................................................................................................. 8
Figure 2 — Types of failure ........................................................................................................................................ 8
10 Calculation ......................................................................................................................................................... 9
11 Test report ......................................................................................................................................................... 9
12 Precision ............................................................................................................................................................. 9

2
 BS EN 12697‑23:2017
EN 12697-23:2017 (E)

European Foreword

This document (EN 12697-23:2017) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 227 “Road
materials”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by May 2018, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by May 2018.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

This document supersedes EN 12697-23:2003.

The following is a list of significant technical changes since the previous edition:

— the series title no longer makes the method exclusively for hot mix asphalt;

— EN 12697-12 deleted as Normative reference, including any references to EN 12697-12 in this test
method;

— [5.2] addition of device for test specimen with diameter 80 mm and 120 mm;

— [5.2] Table 1 and Table 2 merged into one Table 1;

— [6.2] addition of tolerances on diameter for specimens with diameter 80 mm and 120 mm;

— [6.2] addition of maximum aggregate size for specimens with diameter 80 mm and 120 mm;

— [6.5] introduction of requirements for specimen age;

— [8] test temperature set to + 10 °C but opened by references from other standards;

— [10] unit for ITS amended to kilopascals (kPa). Formula corrected accordingly;

— [11] bullet g). Unit amended to kilopascals (kPa).

According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.

3
BS EN 12697‑23:2017
EN 12697-23:2017 (E)

1 Scope
This European Standard specifies a test method for determining the (splitting) indirect tensile strength
of cylindrical specimens of bituminous mixtures.

2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 12697-27, Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 27: Sampling

EN 12697-29, Bituminous mixtures - Test method for hot mix asphalt - Part 29: Determination of the
dimensions of a bituminous specimen

EN 12697-30, Bituminous mixtures - Test methods for hot mix asphalt - Part 30: Specimen preparation by
impact compactor

EN 12697-31, Bituminous mixtures - Test methods for hot mix asphalt - Part 31: Specimen preparation by
gyratory compactor

EN 12697-32, Bituminous mixtures — Test methods for hot mix asphalt — Part 32: Laboratory
compaction of bituminous mixtures by vibratory compactor

EN 12697-33, Bituminous mixtures — Test methods for hot mix asphalt — Part 33: Specimen prepared by
roller compactor

EN 12697-34, Bituminous mixtures - Test methods for hot mix asphalt - Part 34: Marshall test

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
indirect tensile strength
ITS
maximum tensile stress calculated from the peak load applied to a cylindrical specimen loaded
diametrically until break at specified test conditions

3.2
cylindrical specimen
laboratory-made (e.g. gyratory or impact-compacted) cylindrical moulded specimen or core taken from
a bituminous layer or slab

4
 BS EN 12697‑23:2017
EN 12697-23:2017 (E)

4 Principle
The cylindrical specimen to be tested is brought to the specified test temperature, placed in the
compression testing machine between the loading strips, and loaded diametrically along the direction
of the cylinder axis with a constant speed of displacement until it breaks. The indirect tensile strength is
the maximum tensile stress calculated from the peak load applied at break and the dimensions of the
specimen.

5 Apparatus

5.1 Compression testing machine

Compression testing machine, Marshall-type conforming to EN 12697-34, or similar apparatus, having a

recommended minimum capacity of 28 kN and capable of applying loads to test specimens at a constant
rate of deformation of (50 ± 2) mm/min after a transitory period less than 20 % of the loading time. The
rate of deformation shall be maintained.
When the test is conducted at low temperatures, on stiff asphalt samples as/or on specimens with
diameter of 150 mm or 160 mm, the loading capacity of 28 kN may not be sufficient in order to reach
the indirect tensile strength. In these cases, test devices of higher load capacity can be used.
5.2 Testing head with loading strips

Testing head for indirect tensile strength test equipped with loading strips of hardened steel having a
concave surface with a radius of curvature corresponding to the nominal radius of the specimen (see
Figure 1).
Loading strips for testing of cylindrical specimens shall have a radius of curvature fitting the specimen
under test and a width as shown in Table 1.

Table 1 — Requirements for loading strips

Dimensions
mm
Specimen diameter (mm) 80 ± 2 100 ± 3 120 ± 3 150 ± 3 160 ± 3
Loading strip width, W (mm) 10,2 ± 0,1 12,7 ± 0,2 15,2 ± 0,2 19,1 ± 0,2 20,0 ± 0,2
Maximum height difference at
the curved side of the loading 0,33 0,40 0,48 0,61 0,63
strip, h (mm)

Dimensions for the curved side are not exactly specified as narrow tolerances could require loading
strip replacement after very few tests. As the importance of exactly fitting loading strips is not
considered essential, slightly larger curvature of loading strips may ease the specimen placement.
The loading strips shall have a length of at least equal to the height of the specimen to be tested.
It is recommended that the edges of the loading strips are rounded by grinding to remove the sharp
edges in order not to cut the sample during testing.
The upper testing head shall be guided to ensure a parallel movement of the loading strips.
The upper head may be carried by a spring just capable of carrying the head to facilitate the handling of
the device.

5
BS EN 12697‑23:2017
EN 12697-23:2017 (E)

Key
1 testing head
2 loading strips
3 specimen
W Width of the loading strip
h Maximum height difference at the curved side of the loading strip
F load

Figure 1 — Testing head with loading strips and test specimen

5.3 Measuring device

Measuring device capable of determining load to an accuracy of ± 0,2 kN.

5.4 Water bath

Water bath, thermostatically controlled, or air chamber, capable of maintaining the test temperature as
selected according to 8 with an accuracy of ± 1 °C in the vicinity of the sample.
5.5 Soft plastic bags

Soft plastic bags or other suitable devices for watertight protection of specimens (only required for
water bath conditioning).

6 Sample preparation

6.1 Number of specimen

At least three specimens shall be prepared for each sample and condition tested.
6.2 Dimensions of test specimen

The cylindrical test specimens shall have a diameter of (80 ± 2) mm, (100 ± 3) mm, (120 ± 3) mm,
(150 ± 3) mm or (160 ± 3) mm.

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 BS EN 12697‑23:2017
EN 12697-23:2017 (E)

For specimens with:

— 80 mm nominal diameter, the maximum aggregate size of the bituminous mixture shall not exceed
11 mm;

— 100 mm nominal diameter, the maximum aggregate size shall not exceed 22 mm;

— 120 mm nominal diameter, the aggregate size shall not exceed 31,5 mm;

— 150 mm and 160 mm nominal diameter, the maximum aggregate size shall not exceed 40 mm.

The specimens shall be cylindrical moulded specimens, laboratory-produced in accordance with

EN 12697-30, EN 12697-31 or EN 12697-32, or cores taken from a bituminous slab produced in
accordance with EN 12697-33, or cores taken from a bituminous layer in accordance with EN 12697-27.
The specimens shall (unless otherwise specified) have a height of between 35 mm and 75 mm.
6.3 Visual examination

The specimens shall visually be symmetrical with the curved side even and circular.
6.4 Measurement of dimensions

The height and diameter of each test specimen shall be measured in accordance with EN 12697-29.
6.5 Age of Specimen

Prior to the start of testing, the specimens shall be stored on a flat surface at a temperature of not more
than 25 °C for between 48 hours and 42 days from the time of their manufacture.
NOTE The storage time influences the mechanical properties of the specimen.

For purposes other than type testing, different storage times can be applied.

7 Conditioning

7.1 Thermal treatment

Bring the test specimen to the test temperature selected according to 8 by placing it either:
— in a water bath, protecting the specimen from the water by enclosing it in a sealed soft plastic bag
or other suitable watertight protection and ensuring that that the watertight protection is pressed
closely to the surface of the specimen in order to allow adequate heat transmission; or

— in a thermostatically controlled air chamber.

Vacuum packing of the specimens may be considered suitable to ensure adequate heat transmission in
the water bath.
7.2 Storage

Store the specimens for at least 2 h in the water bath or air chamber for specimens with diameter less
than 150 mm and for at least 4 h for specimens with diameter of 150 mm or larger.
The use of a dummy specimen with temperature indicator can provide a check that the temperature is
correct, particular when using air chamber conditioning.

7
BS EN 12697‑23:2017
EN 12697-23:2017 (E)

8 Test temperature
Unless defined elsewhere, the test temperature shall be (10 ± 2) °C.
The test temperature influences the indirect tensile strength. Other test temperatures between +5 °C
and +25 °C can be applied. This temperature range is suitable for reaching tensile cracking of the
specimen. For higher temperatures, the specimen failure mode is compressive.

9 Test procedure
9.1 Take a conditioned specimen and place it in the testing head. The testing machine shall be placed
in a room with temperature between 15 °C and 25 °C.

It is recommended to clean and lubricate the guide rods of the test head to ensure that the upper test
head slides freely over them.
9.2 Align the specimen on the lower loading strip, so that the specimen can be loaded diametrically.

9.3 Start the compression of the specimen. Apply a diametrical load continuously and without shock,
at a constant speed of deformation of (50 ± 2) mm/min after a transitory period less than 20 % of the
loading time, until the peak load is reached, and record the peak load, Pi, applied, where i is the index of
the determination. Continue loading until the specimen breaks. Record the type of failure according to
Figure 2, which is categorized as:

a) “clear tensile break” – Specimen clearly broken along a diametrical line, except perhaps for small
triangular sections close to the loading strips;

b) “deformation” – Specimens without a clearly visible tensile break line; or

c) “combination” – Specimens with a limited tensile break line and larger deformed areas close to the
loading strips.

Figure 2 — Types of failure

Break the specimen open and visually inspect the appearance of the surfaces for evidence of cracked or
broken aggregates, and record if the aggregates at the surface mainly are broken or intact.
9.4 The test shall be completed within 2 min after the specimen has been taken from conditioning.

9.5 Repeat 9.1 to 9.4, to give one determination of indirect tensile strength as the average of the
results obtained on at least three individual specimens.

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 BS EN 12697‑23:2017
EN 12697-23:2017 (E)

10 Calculation
For each test specimen calculate the indirect tensile strength, ITS, according to the following formula:
2P
ITS = ·1000
π DH

and determine the average value of the determinations,

where
ITS is the indirect tensile strength, expressed in kilopascals (kPa), rounded to three significant figures;
P is the peak load, expressed in newtons (N), rounded to the whole number;
D is the diameter of the specimen, expressed in millimetres (mm), to one decimal place;
H is the height of the specimen, expressed in millimetres (mm), to one decimal place.

11 Test report
The test report shall contain the following information:
a) reference to this draft European Standard;

b) identification number and type of mixture and date of testing;

c) number of test specimens;

d) type of test specimens (in particular whether laboratory prepared or cored from site);

e) average diameter and height of specimens, in millimetres;

f) test temperature;

g) average indirect tensile strength in kilopascals (kPa), rounded to 3 significant figures;

h) type of failure and observations of broken or crushed aggregate;

i) age of test specimen at test and storage conditions under which it was kept.

12 Precision
The values are acceptable if the difference in indirect tensile strength on the individual test specimens
(part-results) is not greater than 17 % of the mean value.

9
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