A system for testing a sample, the system comprising: at least one cement testing apparatus (100, 200, 300, 400), each cement testing apparatus comprising: a sample container having wall segments (124, 132, 134, 136) defining a first interior volume, a second interior volume, and an aperture extending between the first interior volume and the second interior volume; and a piston connected to the sample container; wherein the wall segments (124, 132, 134, 136) are connected to each other such that movement of the piston (130,) in a first direction applies compression to a portion of the cement sample in the first interior volume and movement of the piston in a second direction opposite the first direction applies tension to a portion of the cement sample in the second interior volume, wherein the portion of the cement sample in the first interior volume is axially aligned with the portion of the cement sample in the second interior volume; and wherein the wall segments (124, 132, 134, 136) comprise a first tension member and a second tension member adjacent the first tension member, the second tension member disposed between the piston and first tension member such that movement of the piston in the first direction presses the second tension member towards the first tension member and movement of the piston in the second direction pulls the second tension member away from the first tension member, and further comprising a first attachment member engaging the first tension member to limit movement of the first tension member towards the piston. at least one cement testing apparatus (100, 200, 300, 400), each cement testing apparatus comprising: a sample container having wall segments (124, 132, 134, 136) defining a first interior volume, a second interior volume, and an aperture extending between the first interior volume and the second interior volume; and a piston connected to the sample container; wherein the wall segments (124, 132, 134, 136) are connected to each other such that movement of the piston (130,) in a first direction applies compression to a portion of the cement sample in the first interior volume and movement of the piston in a second direction opposite the first direction applies tension to a portion of the cement sample in the second interior volume, wherein the portion of the cement sample in the first interior volume is axially aligned with the portion of the cement sample in the second interior volume; and wherein the wall segments (124, 132, 134, 136) comprise a first tension member and a second tension member adjacent the first tension member, the second tension member disposed between the piston and first tension member such that movement of the piston in the first direction presses the second tension member towards the first tension member and movement of the piston in the second direction pulls the second tension member away from the first tension member, and further comprising a first attachment member engaging the first tension member to limit movement of the first tension member towards the piston. a sample container having wall segments (124, 132, 134, 136) defining a first interior volume, a second interior volume, and an aperture extending between the first interior volume and the second interior volume; and a piston connected to the sample container; wherein the wall segments (124, 132, 134, 136) are connected to each other such that movement of the piston (130,) in a first direction applies compression to a portion of the cement sample in the first interior volume and movement of the piston in a second direction opposite the first direction applies tension to a portion of the cement sample in the second interior volume, wherein the portion of the cement sample in the first interior volume is axially aligned with the portion of the cement sample in the second interior volume; and wherein the wall segments (124, 132, 134, 136) comprise a first tension member and a second tension member adjacent the first tension member, the second tension member disposed between the piston and first tension member such that movement of the piston in the first direction presses the second tension member towards the first tension member and movement of the piston in the second direction pulls the second tension member away from the first tension member, and further comprising