ASTM C78

Standard Test Methods

for Flexural Strenght of
Concrete

BSCE 2B
GROUP 10
ASTM C78
SCOPE
SIGNIFICANCE CALCULATION
REPORT
AND USE
PRECISION AND BIAS
APPARATUS SAMPLE PROBLEMS
SPECIMEN
PROCEDURE
SCOPE
What is the goal of ASTM C78
SCOPE

• IT DETERMINES THE FLEXURAL STRENGTH OF

CONCRETE BY USING SIMPLE BEAM WITH THREE
POINTS LOADING

• INCH-POUND IS TO BE USE AS STANDARD UNITS

SIGNIFICANCE
AND USE
ASTM C78 Purpose of ASTM C78 Standard Test
Why ASTM C78 needed to know and Method for Flexurat Strength
important to study. of Concrete
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
• TO DETERMINE THE FLEXURAL STRENGTH OF SPECIMENS
PREPARED AND CURED IN ACCORDANCE OF TEST METHOD
OF C 42 OR PRACTICE C 31 OR C 192

• THE RESULTS OF THIS TEST METHOD ARE USED AS THE

BASE FOR QUALITY CONTROL OF CONCRETE
PROPORTIONING, MIXING, AND PLACEMENT OPERATIONS.

• IT IS USED IN TESTING CONCRETE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF

SLAB AND PAVEMENT
 Equipment| Instrument| Gear

TODAY'S The Tools

APPARATUS Solving today's concrete

"wicked" problems
APPARATUS
TESTING MACHINE
is used to test the tensile strength and
compressive strength of materials. An
earlier name for a tensile testing
machine is a tensometer.

LEAF TYPE FEELER GAUGES

• 0.10 mm (0.004 in.)
• 0.4 mm (0.015 in.)
• is a tool used to measure gap
widths.
• to measure the clearance between
two parts.
APPARATUS
Carpenter square
with minimum divisions of 1/16
in., 0.05 in., or 1 mm
• It consists of a long, wider
arm and a shorter, narrower
arm, which meet at an angle
of 90 degrees

Straight edge ruler

• is a tool used for
drawing straight lines, or
checking their straightness
APPARATUS
Leather shims, 4 ea. 1/4 in.
thick, 1 to 2 in. Wide, 6-1/4 in.
long.
• are used to break concrete
beam specimens on
compression machines.

Vernier’s Calliper
• is a device used to measure
the dimensions of an object.
 Biodesign | Concrete Design |

THE Fresh concrete

SPECIMEN Prototype

Ensuring a sustainable future

SPECIMEN

The test specimen must conform to all applicable requirements of Test Method
"Tex-447-A,
Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens." The specimen should have a test
span
within 2% of being three times its depth as tested, with sides of the specimen
at right angles
with the top and bottom. All surfaces in contact with load applying and support
blocks must
be smooth and free of indentations, scars, holes, or inscribed identifications.
THE
PROCEDURE
Empathize | Define | Ideate | Prototype | Test

The process must be retooled for

purpose.

Procedure of Standard Test Method for Flexural Testing

THE PROCEDURE
FONT COLOR PINK
FONT NAME TOMMOROW BOLD
THE
CALCULA
TION
Design thinking needs rethinking.

The process must be retooled for purpose.

CALCULATION
CASE#1
If the fracture initiates in the tension surface within the middle third of the span length,
calculate the modulus of rupture as follows:

𝑷𝑳
R= 2 (1) @ Middle third of
𝒃𝒅 the span length

Where:
R = modulus of rupture, psi, or mpa,
P = maximum applied load indicated by the testing machine, lb, or N,
L = span length, in., or mm,
b = average width of specimen, in., or mm, at the fracture, and
d = average depth of specimen, in., or mm, at the fracture.
CALCULATION
CASE#2
If the fracture occurs in the tension surface outside of the middle third of the span length
by not more than 5 % of the span length, calculate the modulus of rupture as follows:
Not more

𝟑𝑷𝒂 than 5 %

R= 2 (2)
𝒃𝒅
a = average distance between line of fracture and the nearest support
measured on the tension surface of the beam, in., (or mm)

CASE#3
If the fracture occurs in the tension surface outside of the middle third of the span length
by more than 5 % of the span length.
More than
5%

(Discard the results of the test.)

 SAMPLE
PROBLEMS
FOR ASTM C78.
For better understanding of ASTM C78
Let's apply what we learn and solve problems
PROBLEM
Calculate the modulus of rupture if a by-in. square concrete flexure beam with a span length of 18 in. if
the failure occurs.

P = 5150 lb.
• within the middle third at a load of 5150 lb Load Applied
• 0.5 in. outside of the middle third
• 1.2 in. outside of the middle third

Given
P = 5150 lb
Depth = 6 in.
L = 18 in.
b = 6 in.
d = 6 in.
SOLUTION
• Within the middle third at a load of 5150 lb.
P = 5150 lb.
𝑷𝑳 Load Applied
R= 2
𝒃𝒅
@ Middle third of
the span length

(5150 lb)(18 in.)

R= 𝟐

(6 in)(6 in)

R = 429.167 psi
SOLUTION
• 0.5 in. outside of the middle third
P = 5150 lb.
𝟑𝑷𝒂 Load Applied
R= 2
𝒃𝒅
0.5 < (5% of 18) 0.5 in. outside of

a = 6.5 in. the middle third

𝟑(𝟓𝟏𝟓𝟎𝒍𝒃)(𝟔.𝟓 𝒊𝒏.)
R= (𝟔𝒊𝒏)(6in)2

R = 464.931 psi
SOLUTION
• 1.2 in. outside of the middle third P = 5150 lb.
Load Applied

1.2 > (5% of 18)

1.2 in. outside of

Therefore discard the results of the middle third
the test.
 THANK YOU
FOR WATCHING