Experimental Study of the Semicircular Bending Test for Estimating the Flexural Strength of Concrete Mixtures for Pavements

Abstract

The feasibility of using the Semicircular Bending (SCB) test to control the quality of concrete for application in pavements was investigated. Two concrete mixtures incorporating high-strength cement with specified compressive strengths of 30 MPa and 40 MPa were manufactured. The results of the SCB test were correlated with those of the flexural strength of standardized beams and the compressive strength of cylinders. A statistical analysis of the goodness of fit of all the empirical models obtained was conducted to study the degree of association between the variables. Power models were the most appropriate to relate the mechanical properties studied, with Pearson's correlation coefficients higher than 0.93. These equations can feed the database of levels 1 and 2 of the Mechanistic-Empirical (ME) design method for concrete pavements. Models with unique values that allow quick calculations with good precision were also found. The results show that the SCB test is a promising option when estimating the flexural strength of concrete for use in pavement, as well as carrying out its control and quality assurance.