The direct tensile strength of silica fume cement paste and mortar were evaluated at various water-cementitious content ratios. Four different water-cementitious content ratios of 0.22, 0.25, 0.28, and 0.31 were used, and three contents of silica fume, 8%, 16%, and 25% by mass of cement. Superplasticizer content was adjusted for each mix to ensure that no segregation would occur.Results show that partial replacement of cement by 8% of silica fume resulted in an increase in the tensile strength of mortar, but showed no effect on the tensile strength of cement paste. The replacement of cement by a higher dosage of silica fume (16 and 25%) resulted in a decrease in the tensile strength of both cement paste and mortar. However, this reduction was higher in cement paste than in mortar. It was also demonstrated that superplasticizer in combination with silica fume plays a more effective role in mortar than in paste mixes. This can be attributed to a more efficient utilization of superplasticizer in the mortar mixes due to better dispersion of the silica fume particles.The direct tensile strength was evaluated using a new hydraulic tensile testing technique. The technique measures the intrinsic tensile strength of the cement-based composites by producing a uniform tensile stress along the length of the specimen, and thus minimizes misalignment and stress concentration at gripping. A brief description of this technique is presented in this paper. 's, 0,22, 0,25, 0,28, 0,31, avec un RESUME La r&istance a la traction directe de la pdte de ciment-fume'e de silice et de mortier a ~t~ &alu& pour diff&ents rapports eau/ciment. Quatre rapports eau/ciment ont {t~ utilise