Standard Method of Test for Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete AASHTO Designation: T 24M/T 24-15 ASTM Designation: C42/C42M-13 AASHIO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 444 North Capitol Street N.W., Suite 249 Washington, D.C. 20001Standard Method of Test for Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete AASHTO De: ination: T 24MIT 24-15 AASHIO ASTM Designation: C42/C42M-13 1 SCOPE 44 This test method covers obtaining, preparing, and testing (1) cores drilled from conerete for length ‘or compressive or splitting tensile strength determinations. This test method is not applicable to cores from shoterete, Note 1—ASTM Test Method C1604/C1604M is applicable for obtaining, preparing, and testing ‘cores from shoterete, Note 2— Appendix X1 provides recommendations for obtaining and testing sawed beams for flexural performance, 12. The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. ‘Within the text, the inch-pound units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, cach system shall be used independently of the other. ‘Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard 13. The text ofthis standard references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding thse in tables and figures) shall ot be considered as requirements of the standard 14, ‘This standard does not purport to address safety concerns associated with its use. Its the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS: 24. AASHTO Standards: 39, Making and Curing Conerete Test Specimens in the Laboratory T 22, Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens 1’ 97, Flexural Strength of Concrete (Using Simple Beara with Third-Point Loading) T 140, Compressive Strength of Concrete Using Portions of Beams Broken in Flexure T 148, Measuring Length of Drilled Conerete Cores T 198, Splitiing Tensile Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens 231, Capping Cylindrical Conerete Specimens 22. ASTM Standards: 1m C39/C39M, Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens TS-36 T 24MiT 24-1 ‘AASHTO scene smn omayedeeprmenotas ©2015 by the Ameri Associaton of miei ils eee anmennse Ags tned. Duplicate Wi oR PRE ow23. m= C78/C78M, Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Conerete (Using S with Third-Point Loading) m= C174/174M, Standard Test Method for Measuring Thickness of Concrete Elements Using Drilled Conerete Cores 1m C496/496M, Standard Test Method for Spli Specimens m= C617/617M, Standard Practice for Capping Cylindrical Concrete Specimens 142, Standard Test Method for Density, Absorption, and Voids in Hardened Concrete C670, Standard Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials mC823/C823M, Standard Practice for Examination and Sampling of Hardened Concrete in Constructions m= C1231/C1231M, Standard Practice for Use of Unbonded Caps in Determination of Compressive Strength of Hardened Concrete Cylinders m C1542/C1542M, Standard Test Method for Measuring Length of Concrete Cores = C1604/C1604M, Standard Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores of Shoterete imple Beam ting Tensile Strength of Cylindrical Concrete ACT Standard: mACT318, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete 3. 34 3.2. 33. 3.4. 35. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE This test method provides standardized procedures for obtaining and testing specimens to determine the compressive, spliting tensile, and flexural strength of in-place concrete. Sampling and sample preparation requirements are given to ensure that dimensional requirements are met ‘and that the specimens are made of intact, Sound concrete, and are as free of flaws as the particular structure will allow. Generally, test specimens are obtained when doubt exists about the in-place concrete quality due either to too-low strength test results during construction or to signs of distress inthe structure, ‘Additionally, this method is used to provide strength information on older structures. Concrete strength is affected by the location of the conerete in a structural element, with the ‘concrete at the bottom tending to be stronger than the concrete at the top. Core strength is also affected by core orientation relative to the horizontal plane of the concrete as placed, with strength tending to be lower when measured parallel to the horizontal plane.' These factors shall be ‘considered in planning the locations for obtaining concrete samples and in comparing strength test results, The strength of concrete measured by tests of cores is affected by the amount and distribution of | ‘moisture in the specimen atthe time of test. Thete is no standard procedure to condition a specimen that will ensure tha, atthe time of test, it will be in the identical moisture condition as concrete in the structure. The moisture conditioning procedures in this test method are intended to provide reproducible moisture conditions that minimize within-laboratory and between-laboratory variations and to reduce the effects of moisture introduced during specimen preparation. ‘The measured compressive strength of a core will generally be less than that ofa corresponding properly molded and eured slandard cylinder tested atthe same age. For a given concrete, however, there is no unique relationship between the strength of these two types of specimens (see Note 3). The relationship is affected by many factors such as the strength level of the concrete, the in-place temperature and moisture histories, the degree of consolidation, batch-to-batch TS-36 T 24MiT 24-2 ‘AASHTO ‘niente egegeewsnonan 0 2018by te Anica Asociaton ofS wenger ls ew ‘Allg eaeted.Dupeaon PSR UPR36. 37. variability, the sirength-gain characteristies of the conerete, the condition of the coring apparatus, and the care used in removing cores, Note 3—A procedure is available for estimating the equivalent cylinder strength froma measured ‘core strength, Note 4—In the absence of core strength requirements of an applicable building code or of the ‘other contractual or legal documents that may gover the project, the specifier of the test should establish in the project specifications the acceptance eriteria for core strength, An example of acceptance criteria core strength is provided in ACT 318, which are used to evaluate cores taken to investigate low strength test results of standard-cured cylinder during construction, According to ACT 318, the concrete represented by the cores is at least 85 percent of the specified strength and no single core strength is less than 75 percent of the specified strength. ‘The “specifier” of the tests referenced in this test method is the individual responsible for analysis cor review and acceptance of the core test results, Note 5~For investigation of low strength test results, ACI 318 defines the specifier of the test as the licensed design professional ‘The apparent compressive strength of concrete as measured by a core is affected by the length- diamoter ratio (L/D) of the core as tested and this must be considered in preparing core specimens and evaluating test results, 44 42. 43. APPARATUS Core Drill—For obtaining cylindrical core specimens with diamond impregnated bits attached to a core barrel ‘Saw—For trimming ends of cores. The saw shall have a diamond or silicon-carbide cutting edge ‘and shall be capable of cutting cores without introducing eracks or dislodging aggregate particles. Balance—Accurate to at least S g (0.01 Ib), 5A 544 ‘SAMPLING General: Samples of hardened concrete for use in the preparation of strength test specimens shall not be taken until the concrete is strong enough to permit sample removal without disturbing the bond between the mortar and the coarse aggregate (see Note 5 and Note 6). When preparing strength test specimens from samples of hardened concrete, samples that have been damaged during ‘removal shall not be used unless the damaged portions) are removed and the length of the resulting satisfy the minimum length-diameter ratio requirement in 7.2, Samples of defective or ‘damaged concrete that cannot be tested shall be reported along with the reason that prohibits use ‘of the sample for preparing strength test specimen, Note 6 ASTM C¥23/C825M provides guidance on the development of a sampling plan for ‘concrete in constructions Note 7—It is not possible to specify @ minimum age when concrete is strong enough to withstand ‘damage during removal, because the strength at any age depends on the curing history and strength grade of the concrete. Iftime permis, the concrete should not be removed before it is 14 days old. If this is not practical, removal of concrete can proceed ifthe cut surfaces do not display erosion of the mortar and the exposed coarse aggregate particles are embedded firmly in the mortar In-place test methods may be used to estimate the level of strength development prior to attempting removal of conerete samples. TS-36 T 24MiT 24-3 ‘AASHTO ‘ernment egegreewnonan 0 2018by te Antica Asociaon ofS wenger ls ew ‘Allg eaeted.Dupeaon PSR UPR51.2. Except as provided in 5.1.3, cores containing embedded reinforcement, excluding fibers, or other ‘embedded objects shall not be used for determining strength of concrete. 51.3. IFit is not possible to prepare a test specimen that meets the requirements of Sections 7.1 and 7.2 and that is free of embedded reinforcement or other metal, the specifier of the tess is permitted to allow testing for cores with embedded metal (see Note 8). Ifa core tested for strength contains ‘embedded metal, the size, shape, and location of the metal within the core shall be documented in the test report. Note 8—The presence of steel reinforcement, other than fibers, or other embedded metal ina core ‘can affect the measured strength, There ate insufficient data to derive reliable correction factors that can be applied to the measured strength to account for embedded reinforcement perpendicular to the core axis. If testing of cores containing embedded reinforcement is permitted, engineering {judgment is required to assess the significance of the result. The specifier of the test should not, permit a core to be tested for strength if the bar reinforcement, or other elongated embedded metal “object, is oriented close to parallel to the core axis. 5.2. Core Drilling When a core will be tested to measure concrete strength, the core shall be drilled perpendicular to the surface and at least 150 mm [6 in.] away from formed joints or obvious edges ‘ofa conerete pour (see Note 9), This minimum distance does not apply to the formed boundaries of structural members. Record the approximate angle between the longitudinal axis of the drilled ‘core and the horizontal plane of the concrete as placed, A specimen drilled perpendicular to a vertical surface, or perpendicular to a sloping surface, shall be taken from near the middle of a ‘concrete pour when possible. If cores are obtained for purposes other than determination of strength, drill cores in accordance with the instructions provided by the specifier ofthe tests Record the date core was drilled. If known, record the date when concrete was placed. Note 9—The intent is to avoid drilling cores in nonrepresentative concrete that may exist near formed joints or the boundary of a conerete pour, 53. ‘Slab Removal—Remove a slab sufficiently large to secure the desired test specimens without the inclusion of any conerete that has been cracked, spalled, undercut, or otherwise damaged. DRILLED CORES 6. MEASURING THE LENGTH OF DRILLED CORE 61 Cores for determining the thickness of pavements, slabs, walls or other structural elements shall havea diameter of at least 94 mm [3.70 in] when the lengths of such cores are stipulated to be ‘measured in accordance with T 148, When core length for determining the thickness of a member is not required to be measured in accordance with T 148, core diameter shall be as directed by specifier of test 62 For cores that are not intended for determining structural dimensions, measure the longest and shortest lengths on the cut surface along lines parallel to the core axis. Record the average length to the nearest 5 mm [0.25 in] 7. CORES FOR COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH 7. Diameter AA Except as provided in Section 7.1.2, the diameter of core specimen for determination of ‘compressive strength shall be atleast 94 mm [3.70 in] or at least two times the nominal maximum size of the coarse aggregates, whichever is larger, TS-36 T 24MiT 24-4 ‘AASHTO omen cena ome mays mecencess ©2015 bythe American Assocation of Smeg cals Pee teeta ‘Allg escted. Duplication S PAWRNSA OPEB aw742 72. 724 7.22 73. 73.4 732 733, 7.3.4. 74, If limited member thickness makes it impossible to obtain cores with length-diameter ration (L/D) ‘fat least 1.0 or ifclear distance between reinforcement is limited, core diameter less than 94 mm [5.70 in, is not prohibited. Ifa core diameter less than 94 mm [3.70 in.] is used, report the reason, Note 10—The compressive strengths of nominal 50-mm [2-in.] diameter cores are known to be somewhat lower and more variable than those of norninal 100-mm [4-in,] diameter cores. In addition, small diameter cores appear to be more sensitive to the effect ofthe length-to-diameter ratio, Length: Except as provided in Section 7.2.2, the preferred length of the capped or ground specimen is between 1,9 and 2.1 times the diameter. If the ratio ofthe length to the diameter (LiD) of the core ‘exceeds 2.1, reduce the length of the cores so that the ratio of the capped or ground specimen is between 1.9 and 2,1. Core specimens with length-diameter ratios equal to or less than 1.75 require ‘corrections to the measured compressive strength (see Section 7.9.1). A strength correction factor is not requited for L/D greater than 1.75. A core having a maximum length less than its diameter after capping, trimming, or end grinding shall not be t Ifthe compressive strength of the cores are to be compared with specified strength based on the standard conerete cubes, cores shall be tested with L/D, after end preparation, in the range of 1.00, to 1.05 unless otherwise directed by the specifier of the tests. Ifthe strength ofthe cores with L/D 1 are to be compared with specified concrete cube strength, do not apply the correction factor in Section 7.9.1 Moisture Conditioning —Test cores after moisture conditioning as specified inthis test method or as directed by the specifier of the tests, The moisture conditioning procedures specified in this test ‘method are intended to preserve the moisture of the drilled core and to provide a reproducible ‘moisture condition that minimizes the effects of moisture gradients introduced by wetting during drilling and specimen preparation. ‘After cores have been drilled, wipe off surface drill water and allow remaining surface moisture to ‘evaporate. When surfaces appear dry, but not later than 1 h after drilling, place cores in separate plastic bags or nonabsorbent containers and seal to prevent moisture loss. Maintain cores at ambient temperature, and protect cores from exposure to direct sunlight. Transport the cores to the testing laboratory as soon as practicable. Keep cores in the sealed plastic bags or nonabsorbent ‘containers at all times except during end preparation and for a maximum time of 2h to permit ‘capping before testing, If water is used during sawing or grinding of core ends, complete these operations as soon as practicable, but no later than 2 days after drilling of cores unless stipulated otherwise by the specifier of tests. After completing end preparation, wipe off surface moisture, allow the surfaces to dry, and place the cores in sealed plastic bags or nonabsorbent containers. Minimize the duration of exposure to water during end preparation, Allow the cores to remain in the scaled plastic bags or nonabsorbent containers for atleast 5 days after last being wetted before testing, unless stipulated otherwise by the specifier of tests. Note 11. The waiting period of at least days is intended to reduce moisture gradients introduced when the core is drilled or wetted during sawing or grinding, ‘When direction is given to test cores in a moisture condition other then achieved by conditioning according to Sections 7.3.1, 7.3.2, and 7.3.3, report the alternative procedure, Sawing of Ends—The ends of core specimens to be tested in compression shall be flat, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in accordance with T 22. If necessary, saw the ends of cores ‘that will be capped so that prior to capping, the following requirements are met TS-36 T 24MiT 24-5 ‘AASHTO ‘nme geewewnonan 02018 y te Anica Associaton ofS peng en Femara cls ale law ‘Allg eaeted.Dupeaon PSR UPR74A 72 75. 78. 77. 78. 79. 79.4 Projections, if any, shall not extend more than 5 mm [0.2 in.] above the end surfaces, The end surfaces shall not depart ftom perpendicularty to the longitudinal axis by a slope of more than 1:8d [or 1:0.3d] where dis the average core diameter in mm [or inches} Calculated Density—If the core will be tested for strength, measure the mass of the core just before capping or just before testing if bonded caps are not used. Divide the mass by the volume ‘of the core calculated from the average diameter and length determined in 7.7. Record the calculated density to the nearest 20 kgim’ [1 Ibi] Note 12—The intent of 7.5 is to obtain an approximate density of the specimen which can provide additional insight on measured strength. For example, a lower than expected density can bbe an indication of a batching error, that there is too much air in the concrete, or that the concrete ‘was not consolidated properly, all of which can affect the compressive strength. Because the ‘moisture content ofthe core is not known and because the calculated volume is approximate, the calculated density is not intended for evaluating compliance with specified density requirements Separate cores should be taken for this purpose, and the specifier ofthe tests should indicate the procedure for measuring density; for example, ASTM C642 could be specified for normal-weight Capping If the ends of the cores do not conform to the perpendicularty requirements of T 22, they shall be sawed or ground to meet those requirements or capped with bonded caps in accordance with T 231. Ifthe ends of the cores do not conform to the planeness requirements of T 22, they shall be sawed or ground to meet those requirements or capped with bonded caps in accordance with T 231 or tested with unbonded caps in accordance with ASTM C1231/C1231M. If'cores are capped in accordance with T 231, the capping device shall accommodate actual core diameters and produce caps that are concentric with the core ends. Measure core lengths to the nearest 1 mm (0.1 in. before capping. If unbonded caps are used, the gap between the cores and relaining rings shall conform to the requirements of ASTM C1231/C1231M. Note 13—To satisfy the maximum gap limit in ASTM C1231/C1231M, the inner diameter of the retaining rings cannot exceed 107 percent of the average core diameter. Smaller diameter retaining rings may be needed for testing cores with diameters smaller than standard eylinders, For example, if the core diameter is 95 mm [3.75 in.], the inside diameter of the retaining rings cannot exceed 1-2 mm [0.04 - 0,08 in, Measurement—If the core will be tested with bonded caps, determine the average length before ‘and after capping, and use the length after capping to compute the length-diameter ratio (L/D). If the core will be tested with unbonded caps or with ground ends, determine the average length of the core to the nearest 1 mm [0.05 in.] using the jaw caliper procedure of ASTM C1542/C1542M_ ‘or the procedure in T 148. Determine the average diameter by averaging two measurements taken ‘at right angles to each other at the mid-height of the core. Report the average core diameter to the nearest 0.02 mm [0.01 in.] ifthe difference in core diameters does not exceed 2 percent of their average, otherwise report to the nearest | mm (0.05 in.]. Do not test a core ifthe difference between the largest and smallest diameter exceeds $ percent of their average, ‘Testing —Test the specimen in accordance with T 22. Test the specimen within 7 days after coring, unless specified otherwise, Calculation Calculate the compressive strength of each specimen using the computed cross sectional area based on the average diameter of the specimen, If the ratio of the length to diameter (L/D) of the specimen is 1.75 or less, correct the result ‘obtained in Section 7.9 by multiplying by the appropriate correction factor shown in the following table (see Note 14): TS-36 T 24MiT 24-6 ‘AASHTO ‘commento egegrowennonan 0 2018by te Antic Asociaon ofS wenger cls ale law ‘Allg eaeted.Dupeaon PSR UPRRatio of Langih of Strengtt Cylinder to Diameter, Correction Factor O98 0.96 093 ost Use interpolation to determine correction factors for L/D values not given in the table, Note 14—Correction factors depend on various conditions, such as moisture condition, strength level, and elastic modulus. Average values for corrections due to length/diameter ratio are given in the table. These correction factors apply to lightweight concrete weighing between 1600 and 1920 kg/m’ [100 and 120 Ib/f'] and normal-weight concrete. They are applicable to both dry and Wet conerete for strengths between 14 and 42 MPa [2000 and 6000 psi). For strengths above 70 MPa (10,000 psi, test data on cores show that the correction factors may be larger than the values listed above. Thus, these factors should be applied to high-strength concrete with caution, 7.10, Report the results as required by T 22 withthe addition of the following information. 7.10.1 Length of core as riled to the nearest § mm [0.2 in} 7.10.2. Ifthe core diameters less than 94 mm [3.70 in], provide reson for using the smaller diameter. 7.103, Length of test specimen before and after capping or end preparation tothe nearest 2mm [0.1 in.) and average diameter of core to the nearest 0.2 ma (0.01 in.) or 2 mm (0.1 in} 7.10.4, Compressive strength to the nearest 0.1MPa [10 psi] when the diameter is measured to the nearest 0.2.mm 0.01 in], and othe nearest 0.5 MPa [50 psi] when the diameter is measured to the nearest2 mm [0.1 in) after correction for lengthdiameter ratio when required; 7.105, Direction of application ofthe load on the specimen with respect tothe horizontal plane ofthe concrete as placed; 7.106. Moisture Conditioning History 7106.1 The date and the time core was obtained and first placed in sealed bag or nonabsorbent container and, 7.10.62 If water was used during end preparation, the date and time end preparation was completed and the core placed in seled bag or nonabsorbent cont | 7107 Date concrete was placed, if known; 7.108, The date and time when tested; 7.109. [Nominal maximum sizeof conerete aggregate; 7.10.10, The calculated density to the nearest 20 kg/m” [1 Ibift’); 7.10.11 ‘The location, shape, and size of embedded meal, if the specifier of the tests permits testing cores with embedded metal; 7.10.12 applicable, description of defects in cores that could not be tested; and 536 24M 247 AASHTO ‘comzamemartm wrgytemnnonn ©2015 ye Ancien Axon Sighs samp St ys rar oan rights reserved. Dupli atone aR aR le law.7.10.13. Ifany deviation from this test method was required, describe the deviation and explain why it was necessary 74 Precision: 744 ‘The single-operator coefficient of variation on cores has been found to be 3.2 percent’ for a range ‘of compressive strength between 32.0 MPa [4500 psi] and 48.3 MPa [7000 psi). Therefore, results two properly conducted tests of single cores by the same operator on the same sample of ‘material should not differ from cach other by more than 9 percent’ of their average. 7142. ‘The multilaboratory coefficient of variation on cores bas been found to be 4,7 percent for a range of compressive strength between 32,0 MPa [4500 psi] and 48,3 MPa [7000 psi]. Therefore results ‘on two properly conducted tests on cores sampled from the same hardened concrete (where a single test is defined as the average of two observations (cores), each made on separate adjacent Grilled 100-mm [4-in,] diameter cores), and tested by two different laboratories should not differ from each other by more than 13 percent’ oftheir average. 7.42. Bias—Because there is no accepted reference material suitable for determining the bias for the procedure in this test method, no statement on bias is being made. 8. CORES FOR SPLITTING TENSILE STRENGTH 84 ‘Test Specimens—The specimens shall conform to the dimensional requitements in Sections 7.1, 7.2, 74.1, and 7.4.2. Ends are not to be capped. 82. Moisture Conditioning—Prior to testing, the specimens shall be conditioned as described in jection 7.3 or as directed by the specifier of tests 83. Bearing Surfaces—The line of contact between the specimen and each bearing strip shall be straight and free of any projections or depressions higher or deeper than 0.2 mm [0,01 in.]. When the line of contact is not straight or contains projections or depressions having heights or depths ‘greater than 0.2 mm [0.01 in,, grind or cap the specimen so as to produce bearing lines meeting. these requirements, Do not test specimens with projections or depressions greater than 2 mm [0.1 in. When capping is employed, the caps shall be as thin as practicable and shall be formed of high-strength gypsum plaster. Note 15—Figure | illustrates a device suitable for applying caps to the bearing surfaces of ccore specimens, TS-36 T 24MiT 24-8 ‘AASHTO owen neon gay ettnerenen ©2015 by the American Assocation of Smebigbwy ma es eicials ae ean Al ngs ese. Duplcclon Ss PSCRNOHBEO aw1.5-mm High Pin 6mm 07d Elevation Figure 1—Suitable Capping Device for Splitting Tensile Strength Test 84. ‘esting ‘Test the specimens in accordance with the applicable provisions of T 198. 85. Calculation and Report—Caleulate the spliting tensile strength and report the results as required in T 198. When grinding or capping of the bearing surfaces is required, the diameter shall be measured between the finished surfaces. Indicate that the specimen was a core and state its ‘moisture condition history as in 7.10.6 86. Precision: 86.1 ‘The within-laboratory, single-operator coefficient of variation for splitting tensile strength between 3.6 MPa [520 psi] and 4.1 MPa [590 psi] of cores has been found to be 5.3 percent. Therefore, results of two properly conducted tests by the same operator in the same laboratory on the same sample of material should not differ by more than 14.9 percent of their average. 8.6.2. The mult-laboratory coefficient of variation for splitting tensile strength between 3.6 MP2 [520 psi] and 4.1 MPa [590 psi) of cores has been found to be 15 percent. Therefore, results of two properly conducted tests on the same sample of material of hardened conerete and tested by two different laboratories should not differ from each other by more than 42.3 percent oftheir average. 87. Bias—Because there is no accepted reference material suitable for determining the bias for the procedure inthis test method, no statement on bias is being made. TS-36 T 24MiT 24-9 ‘AASHTO omen ecumnet ome mays mepcencess ©2015 bythe American Assocation of Smeg cals Pee teeta ‘Allg escted. Duplication S PAWRNSA OPEB awSAWED BEAMS 9. 9 92. 9.2.4 93. 94, FLEXURAL STRENGTH Test Specimens—A beam specimen forthe determination of flexural strength shall in general have ‘a cross section of 150 by 150 mm [6 by 6 in] (see Note 16). The specimen shall be at least $30 ‘mm [21 in. in length, but when two tests for flexural strength are to be mede on one beam specimen, it shall be at least 840 mm [33 in.] in length. Perform the sawing operation so that the ‘concrete will not be weakened by shock or by heating. The sawed surfaces shall be smooth, plane, parallel, and free from steps, ridges, and grooves. Take care in handling sawed beam specimens to avoid chipping or cracking Note 16—In many cases, particularly with prisms cut from pavement slabs, the wid will be ‘govemed by the size of the coarse aggregate and the depth by the thickness of the slab. Moisture Conditioning Protect the surfaces of sawed specimens from evaporation by covering them with wet burlap and plastic sheeting during transportation and storage. Test the specimens ‘within 7 days of sawing. Submerge the test specimens in lime-saturated water at 23.0: 2.0°C [73.5 4 3.5°F] for at least 40 h immediately prior to the flexure test, Test the specimens promptly after removal from water storage. During the period between removal from water storage and testing, keep the specimens moist by covering with a wet blanket of burlap or other suitable absorbent fabric When the specifying authority for the project so directs, beams shall be tested in a moisture ‘condition other than that achieved by conditioning in accordance with Section 9.2. Relatively small amounts of drying ofthe surface of flexural specimens induce tensile stresses in the extreme fibers that will markedly reduce the indicated flexural strength. Testing Test the specimens in accordance with the applicable provisions of T 97. Note 17—The compressive strengths of portions of beams broken in flexure may be determined by testing such portions as modified cubes in accordance with T 140 (Modified Cube Method). Note 18Sawing may greatly reduce the indicated flexural strength; beams shall, therefore, be tested with a molded surface in tension whenever possible. The location of the tension face with respect to the position of the concrete as placed and the position of the sawed surfaces should be reported, Report—Repor the results in accordance with the applicable provisions of T 97 and the requirements of this method, including the moisture condition atthe time of testing. Identify ‘orientation of the specimen’s finished, sawed, and tension faces with respect to their positions in the test apparatus. 10. 101, 10.2. PRECISION AND BIAS: Precision—Data are not available for preparing a statement on the precision of flext measured on sawed beams. strength Bias—Because there is no accepted reference material suitable for determining the bias for the procedure in this test method, no statement on bias is being made, Note 19—Users of this method who have replicate test data that may be appropriate for statement on repeatability are encouraged to contact the chairman of the technical section, TS-36 T 24MiT 24-10 ‘AASHTO ‘cornmemtomegegreewsnonan 0 2018by te Anica Associaton ofS peieayan Famers ew ‘Allg eaeted.Dupeaon PSR UPRKEYWORDS ‘Compressive strength; conerete coring; concrete sawing; concrete strength; flexural strength; splitting tensile strength. APPENDIX (Nonmandatory Information) xt. x14 x14 x14. x12, x24. xX1.2.2 x13, SAWED BEAM FOR FLEXURAL TESTING General: ‘There are insufficient data on the effects of variables that could affect the measured flexu performance of sawed beams. Considerable resources are necessary to provide the data necessary to develop a definitive test method and the accompanying precision data, Until that data are generated, the following general recommendations are provided for obtaining and testing sawed beams. ‘Testing beams sawed from existing concrete is not a preferred method of assessing the in ‘flexural strength because of the difficulty in obtaining the correct geometry and because of the risk ‘of damage to the specimens by the sawing process, subsequent handling, and incorreet moisture conditioning. If in-place flexural strength needs to be assessed, the splitting tensile strength can be ‘measured on cores in accordance with Section 8 and published relationships between flexural sirength and splitting tensile strength can be applied. fit is necessary to test sawed beams, the specifier of tests should provide instructions on the size of the beams, dimensional tolerances, and ‘how beams ate to be oriented in the testing apparatus. Test Specimens: Dimensions —A beam specimen for the determination of flexural strength should have a square ‘ross section, The eross section ean be 100 by 100 mm [4 by 4 in.] ifthe nominal maximum aggregate size is 25 mm [1 in.] or less; otherwise the cross section should be 150 by 150 mm [6 by 6 in, Cross-sectional dimensions should be within 12% of these nominal dimensions. Ifthe depth ‘ofthe beam is controlled by the depth ofthe structural element, the specifier ofthe test needs to specify the beam dimensions. The test specimen should be at least 50 mm [2 in.} longer than three times the nominal depth. When beams are required for measuring properties other than flexural strength, such as toughness, beam dimensions should conform to the requirements ofthe applicable test method. Sawing and Inspection—Beams should be cut with water-cooled masonry saw. Test specimens ‘can be damaged if sawing is not done carefully. Ensure that an adequate supply of water is used to keep the saw blade cool. The sawed surfaces need to be parallel and square within the limits provided by the specifier of ther tests. Mark the specimen so that its orientation in the structure ‘can be identified. Check the sawed surface for the presence of cracks, which can be seen by surface drying the specimen and looking for dark lines that indicate water filled eracks. Do not test a beam if there isa crack in the loading span or if there is « chip on the face that will be loaded in tension, Take care in handling sawed beam specimens to avoid chipping or cracking. Specimens ay be rejected by the specifier of tests if they do not conform to the dimensional tolerances or they do not conform to contact requirements (at load and support points) when placed in the loading apparatus Moisture Conditioning: TS-36 TT 2aMiT 24-11 ‘AASHTO ‘ors © 2015 bythe American Assocation of S wlighwm pad te cals Allights served. Duplication WERT OPERAS lwx13 x14, x14. x15. x15 x152 x15.241 X1.5.2.2 Neville, A.C re Tests: Easy to Perform, Not ‘The surface of the sawed specimens needs to be protected from drying by covering them with wet burlap and plastic sheeting during transportation and storage. Relatively small amounts of drying ‘ofthe surface of the flexural specimens can induce tensile stresses in the extreme fibers that will ‘markedly reduce the measured flexural strength, Specimen should be tested within 7 days of sawing or as required by the specifier of the tests. Submerge the test specimens in lime-saturated water at 23.0 + 2.0°C [73.5 « 3.5°F] for at least 40 h immediately before testing, Test the specimens promptly after removal ftom water storage. During the period between removal from water storage and testing, keep the specimens moist by covering with a wet blanket of burlap or “other suitable absorbent fabric, Testing ‘Test the specimen in accordance with the applicable provisions of T 97 except that the orientation ‘ofthe beam in the testing apparatus should be in accordance with the requirements of the specifier ‘of tests. Ideally, the tensile surface during the test should be tensile surface as loaded in the structure, This will typically require the tensile surface to be a cut surface, and the measured ‘flexural strength may be less than the true flexural strength. On the other hand, it may be preferable for the uncut surface to be the tensile surface if it meets dimensional tolerances, ‘Therefore, the specifier of tests needs to state which surface of the beam will be the tensile surface for testing. The location of the tensile surface with respect to the position of that surface in the ‘concrete as placed is to be noted and reported, Report ‘The test results should be reported in accordance with the applicable provisions of T 97. ‘The test report should include the following information: TThe moisture condition atthe time of testing. ‘The orientation ofthe tensile surface with respect to the position ofthat surface in the structure. Fay to Interpret." Concrete International, Vol. 23, No. 1, November 2001, pp. 59-68. Bartlett, F.M,, and J. G. MacGregor. “Effect of Core Diameter on Concrete Strengths.” ACI Journal, Vol. 91, No. 5, September-October 1994, pp. 460-470. These numbers represent, respectively, the (Is percent) and (d2s percent) limits as described in ASTM 670, TS T 2aMrT 28-72 AASHTO scenseeegreesregenrenome 028 te Ann Aaonot peti temgas Ceca I wa tena oan rights reserved. Dupli cata Ps le law.