between the axial force and elongation was first observed
Experimental Investigation on 7
Day Ordinary Concrete: Static
Modulus of Elasticity and
Poisson’s Ratio
F. Manggapis1,2 S.D. Kumar1,3, A.J. Tapit1, M.J.
Bendaña1, S. Labonera1
1
Graduate School, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
M.H. del Pilar Campus, Valencia, Sta. Mesa, Maynila, 1016
Manila, Philippines
2
Infrastructure Development Office
Technological University of the Philippines - Taguig
Km. 14 East Service Road Western Bicutan, 1630 Taguig,
Philippines
3
Head, Building and Grounds Maintenance Office
Technological University of the Philippines - Taguig
Km. 14 East Service Road Western Bicutan, 1630 Taguig,
Philippines
Abstract. Modulus of Elasticity and Poisson Ratio is one of the
essential parameters in designing and analysis of a particular
structure. This paper aims to investigate a 7-day ordinary
concrete with a water to cement ratio of 0.48, concrete grade
M30 and a Job Mix on site. A total of one trial mix was
conducted and a total of 6 concrete specimens was cast and
cured for 7 days to test its mechanical properties. The concrete
specimens show consistency in the Static Modulus of the
Elasticity test result.
Keywords: Static Modulus of Elasticity, Poisson Ratio, 7-day
concrete
1. Introduction
There are few building materials with such a unique
combination of strength, durability, and flexibility as
concrete. Hence, the determination of its physical and
mechanical properties is essential in designing a building
structure. It is often considered that the compressive
strength is regarded as the most standard test in evaluating
the quality of concrete [1], [2]. In a way, there is a
relationship between the compressive strength, modulus
of elasticity (MOE), and Poisson’s ratio, all of these
parameters can be determined using a device called
Universal Testing Machine (UTM) by reading its axial
loading and acquiring its value using standard formula or
by plotting its graph.
The modulus of elasticity is a metric used to evaluate the
deformation response of concrete under working loads
[3]. This is well known as Young’s Modulus of the
material, where the behavior of its stress-strain diagram is
linear under the proportionality limit. This relationship
by Robert Hooke in 1678 and later on, was called Hooke’s
Law [4]. This means that the slope of the stress overstrain
is the Modulus of Elasticity of the material or the axial
force is directly proportional to its elongation. In reality,
the load-deformation behavior of the concrete is, in fact,
non-linear but for convenience, the linear graph is adopted
in design and calculations [3].
Three concrete moduli of elasticity are used in the
computational study of concrete structures subjected to
dynamic loading conditions [5]: (1) Static Modulus of
Elasticity, which can be determined according to standard
procedure – ASTM C469 [6] under static loading; (2)
Dynamic Modulus of Elasticity, defines as the ratio of
stress to strain under vibratory condition, this can only be
determined using non-destructive testing [7], [8] and; (3)
sustained modulus which accounts for the long term creep
effect of the concrete [5]. On the other hand, the Poisson
Ratio can also be determined using ASTM C469 standard
procedure [6]. It is a ratio of lateral strain to longitudinal
strain in a material that is subjected to static loading [9].
This paper aims to investigate the modulus of elasticity
and Poisson’s ratio of the concrete using the standard
procedure that was given by ASTM C469. Section 2
describes the experimental program, Section 3 will show
the result of the experiment and Section 4 includes the
conclusion of this study.
2. Experimental Program
The experimental program was performed in the Soil and
Materials Laboratory of the Faculty of Civil Engineering
Department at the Technological University of the
Philippines – Taguig (TUP-T) between September and
October 2021. This section of the paper presents the
process and test methods that the researchers undertake to
obtain the Static Modulus of Elasticity and Poisson’s
Ratio of the 7-day Ordinary Concrete
2.1. Materials Preparation
Portland cement Type 1P was used in the concrete mix
that was obtained from the warehouse of the buildings and
grounds maintenance office of TUPT. The aggregates
were acquired from the stockpile of Megablue Builders,
one of the contractors inside the institution. The
aggregates, then submerge to the curing or water tank for
24 hours. This is to make the aggregates in a Saturated,
Surface Dry (SSD) Condition to determine the free water
content. To acquire the absorption and moisture content
of the water, ASTM C566 was utilized [10]. The value
that was acquired from those aggregates testing is shown
in Table 1; this will now be used as an adjustment in the
water content for the concrete mix.
Table 1. Aggregates Testing Result Table 4. Trial Mix Proportion
Materials Moisture Absorption Free Water Total Volume to be Mixed: 0.035
Content (%) (%) Content (%) Materials Trial Mix Quantity
Coarse 2.40 0.60 1.80 (kg/cu.m)
Aggregates Cement 32.48
Fine 5.05 1.74% 3.31 Water 15.59
Aggregates Gravel 24.50
Sand 11.45

2.2 Mix Proportion

2.3 Preparation of the specimens
The standard practice for selecting Proportions for
Normal Concrete by ACI 211.1-91 [1] was used to A total of six 150 mm by 300 mm cylindrical concrete
properly quantify the number of raw materials to be used samples was cast during the trial mix. This is anchored on
in the mix. According to [11], M30 is within the category ASTM C192 [12] which is the standard procedure in
of Standard Grade of Concrete which has an expected 30 casting and curing specimens in laboratory conditions.
MPa or 4350 psi compressive strength at 28 days, this is The sample was then removed from the sample after 24
the concrete grade that will be used in this study. The hours and immediately submerge in a curing tank for 7
obtain quantity of raw materials is listed in Table 2 and days. This is to ensure the delays of the shrinkage until the
the water to cement ratio is 0.48 with a nominal maximum concrete is strong enough to resist shrinkage cracking.
size of course aggregates 3/8”. After curing the sample was immediately transport to the
testing to determine its mechanical properties.
Table 2. Mix Proportion
2.4 Test Methods
Materials Design Batch Weight (SSD)
in kg/cu.m In determining the Compressive Strength, Static Modulus
Cement 928
of Elasticity, and Poisson’s ratio of the specimens a
Water 445.44
Gravel 700
testing device called Universal Testing Machine was
Sand 327 utilized. Compressive strength is based on ASTM C39
Total 2400.44 [13], a total of 3 samples was used in this procedure to
obtain the peak compressive strength. ASTM C469 [6]
Table 2 is the mix proportion in terms of the total unit was used as the standard procedure for determining the
weight of the concrete. It is worth noting that the quantity Static Modulus of Elasticity and Poisson’s ratio of the
in the above table is not yet adjusted to its water content. specimens. A total of another 3 specimens was used in this
Table 3 shows the adjusted mix by considering the free procedure.
water content of the aggregates [10].

3. Results and Discussion

Table 3. Adjusted Mix Proportion
This section of the paper presents the results and findings
Materials Design Batch Free Water Adjusted of the experimental investigation. The testing of the
Weight Content (%) Design Batch
(SSD) in Weight
concrete took place in Matest Testing Laboratory in Pasig
(kg/cu.m) (kg/cu.m) and DOST Laboratory Testing in Taguig.
Cement 928 - 928
Water 445.44 - 422.02
3.1 Compressive Strength of Specimens
Gravel 700 1.80 712.60 Three concrete specimens were tested in UTM and Table
Sand 327 3.31 337.82
5 shows the result of the test. The average dimension of
Total 2400.44
the concrete specimen is (1) weight of 5.71 kg, (2)
diameter of 150.33 mm, (3) length of 304.67 mm and, (4)
The total water loss due to the free water content of the cross-sectional area of 17,750 sq. m. The observed
raw materials is 23.42 kg/cu.m, this will now be deducted fracture for all concrete specimens is a shear wedge as
from the water content of the mixture to adjust the design shown in Figure 1, the possible explanation for this is that
batch mix. Notice that the quantity is in batch weight or the shear resistance of concrete due to surface roughness
the quantity in batching plant that is to be mixed by a is low [14]. The peak stress of the concrete specimens is
concrete mix truck. The researchers shrink this down to a 21. 2 MPa or 3,075 psi at the end of its 7 curing days.
ratio of 0.035 cu.m. Table 4 shows the number of
materials to be mixed in the job site.
 Table 7. Specimen#2 Stress-Strain Results
Load Stress Deformation Longitudinal
(kN) (kN/mm2) (mm) Strain (mm/mm)
0 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000
20 0.00110 0.01200 0.00004
40 0.00220 0.02800 0.00009
60 0.00331 0.03750 0.00012
Figure 1. SW – Shear Wedge based on ACI and 80 0.00441 0.05050 0.00017
ASTMC39. [14] 100 0.00551 0.07150 0.00024
120 0.00661 0.08750 0.00029
140 0.00772 0.1094 0.00036
160 0.00882 0.12695 0.00042
Table 5. Compressive Strength Results
180 0.00992 0.13750 0.00045
Specimens Max Load Strength Strength 200 0.01102 0.15850 0.00052
(kN) (MPa) (psi) 220 0.01212 0.16750 0.00055
T1-7D-ORD-M30-01 380 21.2 3075 240 0.01323 0.18450 0.00061
T1-7D-ORD-M30-02 362 20.5 2973 260 0.01433 0.21050 0.00069
T1-7D-ORD-M30-03 375 21.2 3075 280 0.01543 0.23100 0.00076
300 0.01653 0.24850 0.00082
320 0.01763 0.26600 0.00088
3.2 Static Modulus of Elasticity 340 0.01874 0.28350 0.00094
337 0.01857 0.30100 0.00099
A total of 3 samples were used in this test to determine the 328 0.01808 0.31850 0.00105
static modulus of elasticity of the 7-day old concrete.
Tables 6, 7, and 8 summarize the result of the
experiments. Section 7.1 of the ASTM C469 presents the Table 8. Specimen#3 Stress-Strain Results
formula to determine the static modulus of elasticity given Load Stress Deformation Longitudinal
the experimental data. The stress corresponding to the 40 (kN) (kN/mm2) (mm) Strain (mm/mm)

percent of the ultimate load is equal to the peak stress, 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000
21.2 MPa times 0.40, that is 8.48 MPa or 0.00848 in 0.03500 0.00110 0.01750 0.00006
0.07800 0.00220 0.03900 0.00013
kN/sq.m. The stress corresponding to a longitudinal strain
0.09790 0.00331 0.04895 0.00016
can be found by tracing the slope line of Figure 2, 3 and 4 0.13200 0.00441 0.06600 0.00022
for the specimen 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Additionally, the 0.15900 0.00551 0.07950 0.00026
longitudinal strain produced by the first stress will be 0.19100 0.00661 0.09550 0.00032
determined in the said figure. Table 9 summarizes the 0.22600 0.00772 0.11300 0.00038
modulus of elasticity of the three concrete specimens. 0.26100 0.00882 0.13050 0.00043
0.28900 0.00992 0.14450 0.00048
Table 6. Specimen#1 Stress-Strain Results 0.31800 0.01102 0.15900 0.00053
0.35900 0.01212 0.17950 0.00060
Load Stress Deformation Longitudinal
(kN) (kN/mm2) (mm) Strain (mm/mm) 0.39200 0.01323 0.19600 0.00065
0 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.43600 0.01433 0.21800 0.00072
20 0.00110 0.01450 0.00005 0.47200 0.01543 0.23600 0.00078
40 0.00220 0.03100 0.00010 0.51400 0.01653 0.25700 0.00085
60 0.00331 0.04150 0.00014 0.57500 0.01763 0.28750 0.00096
80 0.00441 0.05600 0.00018 0.62500 0.01874 0.31250 0.00104
100 0.00551 0.06950 0.00023 0.66900 0.01857 0.33450 0.00111
120 0.00661 0.08550 0.00028 0.69800 0.01808 0.34900 0.00116
140 0.00772 0.10300 0.00034
160 0.00882 0.12050 0.00039
180 0.00992 0.13850 0.00045 Figures 2a, 3a, and 4a depict the behavior of the slope of
200 0.01102 0.15400 0.00050 the stress-strain diagram of the specimens. It shows that it
220 0.01212 0.16750 0.00055 is not linear but more similar to one. Though it is not
240 0.01323 0.17950 0.00059 linear under the proportional limit is still considered to be
260 0.01433 0.19850 0.00065 linear for convenience in designing a structure.
280 0.01543 0.21950 0.00072
300 0.01653 0.24400 0.00080
320 0.01763 0.26450 0.00086
340 0.01874 0.28050 0.00092
337 0.01857 0.31000 0.00101
328 0.01808 0.32750 0.00107
 0.02000 Figure 3. Stress-Strain Diagram of Concrete Specimens
0.01800 #2: (a) 40% of peak stress and, (b) corresponding stress
0.01600 due to 0.00005 strain.
0.01400
0.01200
Stress

0.02000
0.01000 stress-strain
0.40fc’ 0.01800
0.00800
0.01600
0.00600 Linear (stress-
strain) 0.01400
0.00400
0.01200

Stress
0.00200 stress-strain
0.01000
0.00000 0.40fc’
0.00800
0.00000 0.00040 0.00080 0.00120
0.00600 Linear (stress-
Longitudinal Strain strain)
0.00400
0.00200
(a) 0.00000
0.00000 0.00040 0.00080 0.00120

0.00250 Longitudinal Strain

0.00200
(a)
0.00150
Stress

0.00250
0.00100
0.00200
0.00050
0.00150

Stress
0.00000
0.00000 0.00003 0.00005 0.00008 0.00010 0.00100
Longitudinal Strain
0.00050

(b) 0.00000
0.00000 0.00003 0.00005 0.00008 0.00010
Figure 2. Stress-Strain Diagram of Concrete Specimens Longitudinal Strain
#1: (a) 40% of peak stress and, (b) corresponding stress
due to 0.00005 strain. (b)
Figure 4. Stress-Strain Diagram of Concrete Specimens
0.02000
0.01800
#3 (a) 40% of peak stress and, (b) corresponding stress
0.01600 due to 0.00005 strain
0.01400
0.01200
Stress

0.01000 0.40fc’ stress-strain

0.00800 Table 6. Summary of the Static Modulus Elasticity of the
0.00600 Linear (stress- specimens
strain)
0.00400
0.00200 Specimen S1 S2 𝜺𝟐 E
0.00000 # (kN/mm2) (kN/mm2) (mm/mm) (kN/mm2)
0.00000 0.00040 0.00080 0.00120
1 0.00172 0.00848 0.00038 20.48485
Longitudinal Strain 2 0.00133 0.00848 0.00041 19.86111
3 0.00097 0.00848 0.00044 19.25641
(a)
0.00250 The calculated Static Modulus of Elasticity as shown in
0.00200 the table above is relatively close to one another. This is
maybe pointed out as a reason that the sample is cast and
0.00150
Stress

cured properly. The peak Static Modulus of Elasticity is

0.00100 20.48 in kN/m² with an average of 19.86667 kN/m². The
0.00050
next section of this study presents the results of the
Poisson's ratio in conjunction with the standard procedure
0.00000
0.00000 0.00003 0.00005 0.00008 0.00010 in ASTMC496
Longitudinal Strain

(b)
3.3. Poisson’s Ratio 4. Conclusion
Using UTM and compressometer with a dial gauge, the This paper investigates the mechanical properties of
latitude and longitudinal strain of the concrete specimen cylindrical specimens that are cured in 7 days with a
were examined. Tables 7, 8, and 9 presents the results of concrete grade of M30 specifically the compressive
the test. strength, static modulus of elasticity, and Poisson ratio.
Based on the finding of this study the following statement
is the general conclusion of this paper:
Table 6. Summary of Poisson’s Ratio of the specimen 1
a. It was observed that the graph of the curve under the
Stress (MPa) Latitude Longitudinal Poisson’s
proportional limit is not linear as stated in the study
Strain Strain Ratio
(mm/mm) (mm/mm) in (3). However, it can be treated as such since the
0 0 0.00000 0.00000 curve of the graph is relatively close to the linearity
0.001102 0.00000592 0.00005 0.12493 of the proportional limit.
0.002204 0.000012 0.00010 0.11845 b. The fracture type all concrete specimen is a shear
0.003307 0.0000194 0.00014 0.14305 wedge which is a fracture that fails to resist the shear
0.004409 -0.0000256 0.00018 0.13989 due to the surface roughness or that the concrete is
0.005511 -0.0000301 0.00023 0.13253 not yet fully cured.
0.006613 -0.000033 0.00028 0.11811
c. The acquired data from the experimental
Average Poisson’s Ratio 0.11099
investigation shows that the modulus of elasticity of
the 7-day Ordinary concrete is also relatively close
Table 7. Summary of the Poisson’s Ratio of the specimen for all the concrete specimens. This may be an
2 indication that the preparation and casting of the
sample were done properly. However, Poisson's
Stress (MPa) Latitude Longitudinal Poisson’s Ratio Average shows otherwise.
Strain Strain Ratio
(mm/mm) (mm/mm) In line with this conclusion remarks, the researchers
0 0 0.00000 0.00000 would recommend further study on the investigation of
0.001102 -0.00000795 0.00004 0.20074
the water to cement ratio, different concrete grades,
0.002204 -0.00002 0.00009 0.21643
0.003307 -0.0000429 0.00012 0.34663
consideration on different specimen types, and a fully 28
0.004409 -0.0000495 0.00017 0.29700 days Ordinary/Plain concrete in relation to its Modulus of
0.005511 -0.000065 0.00024 0.27545 Elasticity and Poisson's Ratio.
0.006613 -0.000098 0.00029 0.33936
Average Poisson’s Ratio 0.23937
5. References
[1] ACI Commitee 211.1-91, “Standard practice for selecting
proportions for normal, heavyweight, and mass concrete. ACI
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