Distribution of maximum principal stress under distributed load from loading plate in specimen for Brazilian test

In this study, the distribution of the maximum principal stress in the specimen is shown under Brazilian test. Generally, Brazilian test is dealt under a pair of concentrated force to obtain the tensile strength. However, it is assumed that the contact area induces between specimen and loading plate. Therefore, the cosine curve is adopted as the distribution of load applied on the loading plates in a theoretical model for Brazilian test. The results from this study are shown in the graphical representation and compared with those under the uniform loading.