ASTM C1609 Flexural Testing of Fiber-Reinforced

Concrete Beams
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Fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) is finding increased use in

construction. FRC offers several advantages over rebar or wire mesh
reinforced concrete including increased crack resistance, ductility, energy
absorption, impact resistance and residual strength. FRC can also
significantly lower materials and labor costs compared to rebar or wire
mesh reinforced concrete.

ASTM C1609, Standard Test Method for Flexural Performance of Fiber-

Reinforced Concrete (Using Beam With Third-Point Loading), is one
specification governing the testing of Fiber Reinforced Concrete Beams.

C1609 requires the use of a closed-loop, servo controlled compression

testing machine. The test is run at specified net deflection rates as measured
at the mid-span point of the beam.

The testing machine must be capable of controlling at very slow speeds.

Electromechanical testing machines are best suited for this type of
application.

Figure 1 shows a typical test setup to perform the C1609 test. It is a third-
point loading fixture with two support points and two loading noses on the
top of the beam. A rectangular jig surrounds the beam and is mounted on
the beam’s neutral axis directly over the supports. Two displacement
transducers, one on each side of the beam, are mounted mid-span to
measure beam deflection. The output of each transducer is averaged
together to provide the net deflection measurement. This configuration
ensures accurate measurement of mid-span deflection and minimizes errors
due to concrete specimen twisting or seating in the supports.
Figure 1. Typical ASTM C1609 Test Fixture.

The test is run at a specified net deflection rate to a net deflection of L/600
(where L is the support span distance). After which it can be run at a higher
specified net deflection rate until the specified endpoint.

Table 1. ASTM C1609 Net Deflection Testing Rates.

ASTM C1609 data analyses include 1st Peak Strength, Ultimate Strength,
Residual Strength at L/600, Residual Strength at L/150 and Toughness,
which is the area under load versus net deflection curve from 0 to L/150.
Figure 2 – Stress versus net deflection curve with ASTM C1609 analysis
results.