ABSTRACT
The pullout test measures the force needed to extract an embedded insert from a concrete mass. By using a previously established relationship, the measured ultimate pullout load is used to estimate the in-place compressive strength of the concrete. This chapter reviews the history of the development of this test method, including the various analytical studies conducted to understand the underlying failure mechanism for the test. Statistical characteristics of the method, such as within-test variability and the nature of the correlation with compressive strength, are discussed. It is shown that the characteristics of the coarse aggregate play an important role in the statistical properties of the test. Some of the requirements of the ASTM standard on the pullout test are discussed, and recommendations for developing correlation relationships and interpreting tests results are presented. The chapter concludes with a review of test methods that can be performed on existing construction.
