BRITISH STANDARD BS ISO

1920-9:2009

Testing of concrete
Part 9: Determination of creep of
concrete cylinders in compression

ICS 91.100.30

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BS ISO 1920-9:2009

National foreword

This British Standard is the UK implementation of ISO 1920-9:2009.

The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical
Committee B/517/1, Concrete production and testing.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on
request to its secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions
of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity
from legal obligations.

This British Standard Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication

was published under
the authority of the
Standards Policy and Date Comments
Strategy Committee on 30
November 2009
© BSI 2009

ISBN 978 0 580 59475 5

 BS ISO 1920-9:2009
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 1920-9

First edition
2009-04-01

Testing of concrete —
Part 9:
Determination of creep of concrete
cylinders in compression
Essais du béton —
Partie 9: Détermination du fluage de cylindres de béton en compression

Reference number
ISO 1920-9:2009(E)

© ISO 2009
BS ISO 1920-9:2009
ISO 1920-9:2009(E)

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 BS ISO 1920-9:2009
ISO 1920-9:2009(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
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International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

ISO 1920-9 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 71, Concrete, reinforced concrete and pre-
stressed concrete, Subcommittee SC 1, Test methods for concrete.

ISO 1920 consists of the following parts, under the general title Testing of concrete:

⎯ Part 1: Sampling of fresh concrete

⎯ Part 2: Properties of fresh concrete

⎯ Part 3: Making and curing test specimens

⎯ Part 4: Strength of hardened concrete

⎯ Part 5: Properties of hardened concrete other than strength

⎯ Part 6: Sampling, preparing and testing of concrete cores

⎯ Part 7: Non-destructive tests on hardened concrete

⎯ Part 8: Determination of drying shrinkage of concrete for samples prepared in the field or in the
laboratory

⎯ Part 9: Determination of creep of concrete cylinders in compression

The following part is under preparation:

⎯ Part 10: Determination of static modulus of elasticity in compression

© ISO 2009 – All rights reserved iii

BS ISO 1920-9:2009
 BS ISO 1920-9:2009
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 1920-9:2009(E)

Testing of concrete —
Part 9:
Determination of creep of concrete cylinders in compression

1 Scope
This part of ISO 1920 specifies a method for determining the creep of standard concrete test cylinders
subjected to a sustained longitudinal compressive load.

NOTE The conditions for curing and storage (see 6.1) can be varied to suit different requirements, e.g. early
pre-stress. The time of loading (see 6.2) can also be varied to give an indication of other properties. These variations,
however, will not conform to the requirements for a creep test as specified in this part of ISO 1920 and it is necessary that
any deviation from the standard procedure be recorded in the test report.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are essential for the application of this document. For dated references,
only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including
any amendments) applies.

ISO 1920-3:2004, Testing of concrete — Part 3: Making and curing test specimens

ISO 1920-4:2005, Testing of concrete — Part 4: Strength of hardened concrete

ISO 1920-8:2009, Testing of concrete — Part 8: Determination of drying shrinkage of concrete for samples
prepared in the field or in the laboratory

3 Principle
The creep of the concrete is obtained by determining the total combined creep and drying shrinkage of the
loaded specimens and subtracting from this value the drying shrinkage of the unloaded specimens, all
specimens being stored in the same environmental conditions. This part of ISO 1920 details the fixed
environmental conditions for carrying out the test, which allows comparison with previously tested specimens
and specimens tested in other laboratories.

4 Apparatus
4.1 Loading frame, capable of applying and maintaining the required load on the specimen or group of
specimens for the duration of the test. The means of maintaining the load may be either a spring or system of
springs; alternatively, a hydraulic ram or capsule may be used.

A schematic diagram of a loading frame operated by a hydraulic arrangement is given in Figure 1. A similar
arrangement can also be used for a spring-loaded system in which the system of loading only will be different.

NOTE The arrangement shown in Figure 1 employs the vertical loading of specimens. Horizontal loading of
specimens is also frequently employed.

© ISO 2009 – All rights reserved 1

BS ISO 1920-9:2009
ISO 1920-9:2009(E)

Key
1 test cylinders
2 end plates
3 gauge reference points
4 load cell
5 hemispherical seat
6 load sustaining cell
7 pressure gauge

a To pump.

Figure 1 — Schematic arrangement for testing creep of concrete

Where the load-maintaining system comprises a spring or a system of springs, initial compression shall be
applied by means of a portable jack or testing machine.

Where a system of springs is used for load maintenance, care should be taken in the selection of springs,
which should be long and suitably matched for the purpose.

2 © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

 BS ISO 1920-9:2009
ISO 1920-9:2009(E)

Means shall be provided for measuring the load to the nearest 2 % of the total applied load. Suitable means of
measuring the load are by

a) a permanently installed hydraulic load cell with calibrated pressure gauge,

b) a calibrated hydraulic jack with pressure gauge, or

c) a calibrated load cell inserted in the frame at the time of loading or when the load is adjusted.

All end plates of the loading frame shall be sufficiently rigid to ensure uniform loading of the cylinders. At one
end of the specimen or group of specimens a suitable spherical seating device shall be provided between the
specimens and the end plates. Bearing surfaces of any plates in contact with the loaded specimens shall not
depart from a plane by more than 0,05 mm.

In any loading frame, a group of specimens may be stacked for simultaneous loading.

4.2 Strain-measuring device, which meets the following requirements.

a) A suitable apparatus shall be provided for the measurement of longitudinal strain in each specimen to the
nearest 10 microstrain. The apparatus may be attached or portable. In all cases, reference gauge points
shall be positively attached to the specimen. Gauges relying on friction contact shall not be used.

b) Deformations shall be measured on gauge lines spaced uniformly around the periphery of the specimen.
The gauge reference points shall be evenly spaced at about the mid-height of the specimen. The number
of gauge lines shall be not less than two for control specimens and not less than three for loaded
specimens.

c) The effective gauge length shall be not less than three times the maximum aggregate size and not
greater than

1) 260 mm for large specimens without end plates, and 160 mm for small specimens without end
plates, and

2) 150 mm for large specimens having attached end plates, and 100 mm for small specimens having
attached end plates.

NOTE 1 A “small specimen” made of concrete is one having the maximum nominal size of the aggregate not
greater than 25 mm, while a “large specimen” made of concrete is one having the maximum nominal size of the
aggregate greater than 25 mm.

d) The strain-measuring device shall be capable of measuring the range of strains over one year without
change in calibration.

NOTE 2 Systems in which the varying strains are compared with a constant-length standard bar are considered
the most reliable.

5 Test specimens

5.1 General

Cylinders of 100 mm diameter may be used for creep determinations, but the specimen size shall be selected
so that requirements in respect to maximum aggregate size given in ISO 1920-3:2005, 4.1, are satisfied. Test
specimens shall be moulded cylinders prepared in accordance with ISO 1920-3, and the cylinders shall
conform to ISO 1920-4:2005, 3.1.

© ISO 2009 – All rights reserved 3

BS ISO 1920-9:2009
ISO 1920-9:2009(E)

5.2 Number of specimens

For each test condition, not less than nine cylinders of the same size shall be made from a given batch of
concrete. Of these cylinders, a minimum of

a) three shall be tested for compressive strength,

b) three shall be loaded and observed for deformation, and

c) three shall remain unloaded for use as controls for deformations from causes other than loads.

5.3 End preparation

Specimens that are perpendicular to the axis within ± 0,5 ° may be capped or used against end plates.
Specimens beyond this tolerance shall be sawn and re-checked for conformity prior to capping or use with
end plates.

The ends of specimens shall meet the plainness requirements of ISO 1920-4.

IMPORTANT — The alignment of the axes of the individual specimens is critical and the end
preparation necessary to achieve this alignment is likewise critical. Great care must be exercised in
achieving the plainness and perpendicularity within the tolerances specified. The requirements for
plainness and perpendicularity may be met by capping with Portland cement mortar or sulfur, by
lapping, or at the time of casting by fitting the ends with steel bearing plates normal to the axis of the
specimen. The necessary axiality may also be achieved by bonding the specimens together with a thin
layer of epoxy resin using a suitable jig.

5.4 Fixing gauge points

Gauge points shall be cast-in or fixed to the creep and control specimens prior to testing.

Where gauge points are to be attached to the surface of specimens, this should be done in sufficient time to
allow checking of their stability prior to the time of loading.

6 Procedure

6.1 Curing and storage

6.1.1 General

The duration of curing and storage of all specimens (creep, control and compression test specimens) prior to
loading shall be 28 days. This shall consist of

a) initial curing conditions for 24 h ± 4 h (see 6.1.2),

b) standard moist curing conditions to age 7 days (see 6.1.3), and

c) standard drying conditions to age 28 days (see 6.1.4).

The storage of loaded and control specimens shall be carried out under standard drying conditions.

6.1.2 Initial curing conditions

Specimens shall be stored undisturbed in their moulds on a rigid horizontal surface in the relevant conditions
required in ISO 1920-3:2004, Clause 7.

The storage period shall be not less than 20 h or more than 28 h under these conditions.

4 © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

 BS ISO 1920-9:2009
ISO 1920-9:2009(E)

6.1.3 Standard moist curing conditions

Standard moist curing conditions shall be in accordance with the requirements for standard moist curing
specified in ISO 1920-3.

6.1.4 Standard drying conditions

Standard drying conditions shall be in accordance with ISO 1920-8:2009, 5.1.

6.2 Measurement

The procedure for the measurement of strain is as follows.

a) On the same day that the creep specimens are loaded, determine the compressive strength of the
concrete on at least three companion specimens, in accordance with ISO 1920-4.

b) Determine the stress to be applied to the test specimens. The stress shall not exceed one-third of the
average compressive strength as determined in a) above. Lower levels of stress are permitted when
specified. Where the stress is not one-third of the average compressive strength, this fact and the actual
load shall be recorded in the test report.

c) Prior to the creep specimens being placed in the loading frame, seal each end of the control specimens to
prevent loss of moisture from these surfaces.

NOTE Loss of moisture from the end surfaces of control specimens can be prevented by covering the ends with
a coating of epoxy resin or other sealant that will remain effective for the duration of the test.

d) Place the creep test specimens with gauge points attached in the loading frame and align the specimens
so as to even the load as much as possible.

In placing creep specimens in the frame, care should be taken in aligning the specimens to avoid eccentric
loading. When cylinders are stacked and external gauges are used, it may be helpful to apply a small preload
such that the resultant stress does not exceed 1 MPa and note the strain variation around each specimen,
after which the load may be removed and the specimens realigned for greater strain uniformity.

e) Apply the predetermined stress from b) above at the same loading rate as that specified in ISO 1920-4.
Measure and record the strain values immediately before the loading and during 30 s after the loading. In
addition, measure and record strain values for the control specimens immediately after strain values have
been taken on the loaded specimens. Maintain the level of loading to within ± 2 % throughout the duration
of the test.

f) In subsequent strain measurements, the following procedure shall be adopted.

1) Measure the load and if the load differs more than 2 % from the applied load, adjust it to the required
value.

2) Determine the strain values at the following times after initial loading:

i) at 2 h and at 6 h, then once daily for one week;

ii) once a week until the end of one month;

iii) once a month thereafter for a total of at least three months.

3) Additional to the above, the strain values may be determined at other times. In such cases, the time
shall be recorded and reported.

Where springs are used to maintain the load, the adjustment can be accomplished by applying the correct
load and tightening the nuts on the threaded reaction rods.

© ISO 2009 – All rights reserved 5

BS ISO 1920-9:2009
ISO 1920-9:2009(E)

7 Calculations

7.1 Instantaneous elastic modulus (E)

This value is calculated as the applied stress in megapascals divided by the average strain immediately after
loading, as given by Equation (1):

applied stress
Instantaneous elastic modulus = (1)
average immediate strain

7.2 Creep strain

The total load-induced strain (ε) per megapascal at any time shall be calculated as the difference between the
average strain values of the loaded and control specimens divided by the stress. To determine the specific
creep (creep strain per megapascal) for any age, subtract, from the total load-induced strain per megapascal
at that age, the strain per megapascal immediately after loading, as given in Equations (2) and (3):

average loaded strain − average control strain − average immediate strain

Specific creep = (2)
applied stress

Creep coefficient = specific creep × instaneous elastic modulus (3)

7.3 Creep rate F(K)

The creep rate is derived from Equation (4):

ε = (1/ E ) + F ( K ) log ( t + 1) (4)

e

where:

ε is the total load-induced strain per megapascal;

E is the instantaneous elastic modulus, in megapascals;

F(K) is the creep rate;

t is the time after loading, in days.

The value of F(K) is obtained by plotting ε on a semi-log graph paper, on which the log axis represents time.
F(K) is then the slope of a straight line representing the creep curve.

NOTE The quantity (1/E) is the initial elastic strain per megapascal and is normally determined from the strain
readings taken immediately before and after loading the specimen. If the loading is not accomplished expeditiously, some
creep could occur before the measurement of strain after loading, in which event extrapolation to zero time by the method
of least squares can be used to determine this quantity. It ought not be implied from the use of logarithmic expression that
the creep strain-time relationship is necessarily an exact logarithmic function; however, for the period of 1 year the
expression approximates normal creep behaviour with sufficient accuracy to make possible the calculation of parameters
that are useful for the purpose of comparing concretes.

8 Test report
In the event of a report being prepared, the following information shall be included:

a) identification of the sample;

b) identification of the specimens;

c) specimen dimensions;

6 © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

 BS ISO 1920-9:2009
ISO 1920-9:2009(E)

d) date and time of casting;

e) temperature of initial and moist curing;

f) end preparation;

g) date of loading;

h) compressive strength at age of loading;

i) intensity of applied stress;

j) instantaneous elastic modulus;

k) type of strain measuring device;

l) gauge length;

m) magnitude of any preload;

n) applied stress and strain readings if not one-third of the compressive strength;

o) specific creep (creep strain per megapascal) at designated ages up to 1 year for each specimen and
average value;

p) creep rate, F(K);

q) creep coefficient;

r) any other information contained in the records that could be requested;

s) any deviations from the standard method;

t) a declaration from the person technically responsible for the test that the testing was carried out in
accordance with this part of ISO 1920, except as noted in s) above.

Where available, the following additional information may be recorded:

u) mix description (specified slump, specified compressive strength or nominal mix proportions);

v) water/cement ratio;

w) cement type and strength class;

x) coarse and fine aggregate-type and source;

y) maximum size of aggregate;

z) admixtures — type, brand and quantity.

9 Precision
No reproducibility and repeatability data are available for the test method described in this part of ISO 1920.

© ISO 2009 – All rights reserved 7

BS ISO 1920-9:2009
ISO 1920-9:2009(E)

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BS ISO
1920-9:2009
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