This European Standard describes a means of determining the tensile bond between sprayed concrete and substrate of concrete or rock tested in a laboratory as a direct tension test. Bond strength is defined as the capacity to transfer tension between two layers. Bond strength is calculated as the ultimate tensile force divided by the stressed cross-sectional area of a core, drilled out of a sprayed concrete layer together with a portion of the substrate concrete or rock.

Alternative in situ test methods for determining bond strength are allowed provided they meet all the requirements of this European Standard. In case of dispute, the method described in this European Standard is the reference test method.