ABSTRACT The applicability of the split tensile test for the measurement of the tensile strength of cohesive soils is discussed. The results of unconfined compression tests and split tensile tests on cohesive soils compacted dry of optimum are presented. It is shown that the split tensile test is a simple and reliable method of measuring the tensile strength of cohesive soils compacted dry of optimum. From the test results, it is also observed that the ratio of the unconfined compressive strength to the split tensile strength is nearly a constant for the soils tested.