Abstract: The wedge splitting method is one of the recommended methods for determining the fracture toughness of hydraulic concrete, and its results are influenced by various factors－such as raw materials, mix proportions, test age, curing temperature and humidity, specimen type and size, and initial crack to height ratio. This article summarizes and examines the performance of this method from four aspects: its determination of fracture toughness of ordinary concrete, large aggregate concrete, and processed concrete specimens, and approximate fracture toughness conversion between standard and non-standard specimen conditions. Then, we suggest specimen types and test methods for its better use to determine fracture toughness, and give an approximate scheme for the conversion, helping standardize its determination of fracture toughness of hydraulic concrete.

Key words: hydraulic concrete, wedge-splitting method, fracture toughness, specimen type, testing method, non-standard conditions