The influence of friction on the stress field of the Brazilian disc test: An experimental and theoretical analysis

A theoretical solution is proposed here for the determination of the stress field developed in an intact Brazilian disc in presence of tangential forces, based on the method of complex potentials introduced by Kolosov and Muskhelishvili. It is concluded that the influence of friction is negligible at the center of the disc and therefore it does not alter the value of the tensile strength obtained using the Brazilian disc test. On the contrary it is indicated that the changes induced on the stress field in the immediate vicinity of the rim are in favour of premature fracture very close at the ends of the rim, in accordance, also, to experimental findings