This study consists in the realization and comparison of the different configurations of the Brazilian test proposed in the literature. Developed by Carneiro (1943) the Brazilian test seeks to evaluate the tensile strength of materials indirectly. The tested configurations are: direct load application, use of wood slats between the disc and the machine, use of cardboard strips between the specimen and the machine, use of steel jaws surrounding the disk, use of steel bars between the disk and the machine and a change in the geometry of the disk with straight cuts on the upper and lower ends of the disk. In order to analyze the crack opening, photos were taken throughout test. One of the faces of the specimen was characterized with a speckled pattern to allow the analysis through the digital correlation of images performed using the GOM Correlate program. Experimental results were generally satisfactory, except for those with steel jaws, since the initial stiffness of the discs tested were quite different. It was not possible to visualize the appearance of cracks in the early stages of the tests through DIC analysis. In addition to the Brazilian tests, uniaxial compression tests were performed to obtain the mechanical properties of the material, such as modulus of elasticity and Poisson s ratio. A numerical study was performed with the boundary conditions of direct application of load and the use of steel jaws, in order to assess stress distribution and compare with the experimental results. The Abaqus program was used for numerical simulation. The disks were modeled with 2D continuum elements and interface elements represent the fractures. The numerical results were in good agreement with the corresponding experiments.