Compressive Strength of Lightweight Insulating Concrete': Standard Test Method For
Compressive Strength of Lightweight Insulating Concrete': Standard Test Method For
This stanaimt has been approved for use by agencies of the Depannrent of Defense.
1. Scope 4. Apparatus
1.1 This test method covers the preparation of specimens 4.1 Testing Machine—Use a testing machine as prescribed
and the determination of the compressive strength of light- in Test Method C 39.
weight insulating concrete having an oven-dry weight not 4.2 Scales and Weights—Use scales and weights in weigh-
exceeding 50 lb/ft3 (800 kg/m3) as determined by the proce- ing specimens that conform to those specified in the Apparatus
dures described herein. This test method covers the preparation Section of Test Method C 109.
and testing of molded 3 by 6-in. (75 by 150-mm) cylinders. 4.3 Drying Oven—Use an oven as specified in Test Method
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded c 88.
as the standard. 4.4 Molds—Use molds made of nonabsorbent materials or
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the of materials treated to reduce absorption, that are watertight,
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the and not subject to distortion of more than Ytb in. (1.6 mm) in
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- any dimension during molding and early curing of specimens.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- Coat all mold surfaces that will be in contact with concrete
bility of regur!utory limitations prior to use. except single use plastic molds with wax or mineral oil, prior
to use. Use molds having a diameter of 3 * 1/16 in. (75 * 1.6
2. Referenced Docnments mm) and a length of 6 Y % in. (150~ 3 mm).
2.1 ASTM Stanalzrds:
C 39 Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical 5. Sampliig
Concrete Specimens2 5.1 Sample fresh lightweight insulating concrete in accor-
C 88 Test Method for Soundness of Aggregates by Use of dance with applicable provisions of Practice C 172, with the
Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate2 following exceptions:
C 109/C 109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of 5.1.1 Sampling from Pump Equipment—Fill a bucket of
Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or 50-mm Cube approximately 10-qt (9-dm3) capacity by passing through the
Specimens)3 discharge stream of the concrete pump hose being used to place
C 172 Practice for Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete2 the concrete, at the point of placement of the concrete. Exercise
C 617 Practice for Capping Cylindrical Concrete Speci- care to ensure that the sample is representative of the pour,
mens2 avoiding the beginning or ending of the discharge from the
C 670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements equipment. Prepare the test specimens as described in Section
for Test Methods for Construction Materials2 6, by filling them with a scoop of lightweight insulating
concrete dipped from the bucket.
3. Significance and Use 5.1.2 Remixing Sample—Do not remix the sample.
3.1 This test method provides standardized requirements for
sampling, molding, curing, and testing lightweight insulating 6. Test Specimens
concretes for the purpose of determining compliance with 6.1 Size and Shape—Use cylindrical test specimens 3 t
compressive strength and density specifications. 1/16 in.(75 ~ 1.6 mm) in diameter and 6 t % in. (150 f 3 mm)
in length, with the base of each specimen perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis within the limits prescribed in 6.8.
1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C-9 on Concrete
6.2 Number-Obtain at least four test specimens for com-
and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.21 on pressive strength tests from each sample of lightweight insu-
Lightweight Aggregates sod Concrete. lating concrete.
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 1999. Published May 1999. Originally
6.3 Molding—In molding the specimens, place the concrete
published as C 495 – 62 T. Last previous edition C 495-99.
2 Annnal Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02. in two approximately equal layers. Tap the sides of the mold
3Annual Book of ASTM Stanalwds, Vol 04.01.
,,
lightly with a rubber mallet after placing each layer until the 7. Procedure
surface of the layer has subsided approximately to a plane. 7.1 Placing of Specimen—Wipe clean the bearing faces of
Over fill the mold when placing the second layer. Do not rod the upper and lower bearing blocks of the compression test
the concrete. machine and of the test specimen and place the test specimen
6.4 Finishing Surjace-Strike off the specimens immedia- on the lower bearing block. Carefully align the axis of the
tely after filling the molds. Cover them in such a manner as to specimen with the center of thrust of the spherically seated
prevent evaporation without marring the surface (Note 1). If block. As the spherically seated block is brought to bear on the
desired, cover the filled mold with a glass or metal plate to specimen, gently rotate its movable portion by hand so that
obtain a surface that will be suitable for testing without capping uniform seating is obtained.
and with a minimum of grinding. 7.2 Rate of Loading-continuously apply the load without
shock at a constant rate such that the maximum load will be
NOTE l—It is desirable to place the tilled mold in a moist room if one
reached in 65 t 15 s. Record the maximum load sustained by
is available. If this is done, protect the surface from dripping water.
the specimen. Note the type of failure and the appearance of
6.5 Removal $rom Molds—Do not remove specimens ffom the concrete.
molds until danger of damage to the specimens is past. In any
event, remove specimens from the molds within 7 days after 8. Calculation
molding. 8.1 Calculate the unit compressive strength of the concrete
6.6 Curing-For the first 24 h after molding, maintain the by dividing the maximum load by the average cross-sectional
specimens at a temperature of 70 t 10”F (21.1 * 5.5”C). After area and record to the nearest 10 psi (69 Wa).
24* 2 h, store the specimens in a moist condition (Note 2) at
9. Oven-Dry Weight
a temperature of 73.4 * 3°F (23.0 f 1.7°C) (Note 3). Do not
expose specimens to a stream of running water nor store in 9.1 When the oven-dry unit weight is desired, mold two
water, unless a saturated lime (calcium hydroxide) solution is companion specimens for this purpose at the same time as the
used. After 7 days, store the specimens at a temperature of 70 compressive strength specimens. Cure the companion speci-
t 10”F and a relative humidity of 50 * 3090 for 18 days. mens the same as the compressive strength specimens, except
Twenty-five days after molding, dry the specimens in an oven dry the companion specimens at the age of 28 days in an oven
at 140t 5°F (60 * 2.8”C) for 3 days (Note 4). Cool specimens at 230 k 18°F (110 * 10”C) and weigh at 24-h intervals until
to room temperature and test for compressive strength at an age the loss in weight does not exceed 1 % in a 24-h period.
of 28 &yS. Determine the weight and dimensions of the oven-dry speci-
mens and calculate the weight per cubic foot from the average
Nom 2—A moist condition is that in which free water is maintained on data obtained.
the surfaces of the specimens at all times.
NOTE 3—The temperature within damp sand and under wet burlap or 10. Report
similar materials will always be lower than the temperature in the 10.1 For each specimen tested report the following infor-
surrounding atmosphere if evaporation takes place.
mation where applicable:
NOTE4-Caution must be observed in loading the oven so that the
10.1.1 Identification number,
moisture content of the specimen at time of test does not exceed 590 of the
10.1.2 Dimensions of test specimen, in inches (millirnetres),
oven-dry weight determined in accordance with 8.1.
10.1.3 The cross-sectional area in square inches (square
6.7 Preparation for Testing-Check the surfaces of the centimetres),
specimen that will be in contact with the bearing surfaces of the 10.1.4 Type of cap,
testing machine within 0.02 in. (0.5 mm). If the bearing 10.1.5 Maximum load, in pounds-force (or kilonewtons),
surfaces depart horn a plane more than 0.02 in. (0.5 mm), grind 10.1.6 Unit compressive strength in pounds-force per
them to conform to this tolerance or cap in accordance with square inch (or kilopascals),
Practice C 617. Cap surfaces to be plane within 0.002 in. (0.05 10.1.7 Type of fracture and appearance of the concrete
mm). Check the planeness of the bearing surface of the following determination of compressive strength,
specimen by means of a straightedge and feeler gage, making 10.1.8 Defects in either specimen or caps,
a minimum of three measurements on different diameters of the 10.1.9 Age of specimen, in days,
specimen. Make sure the surface of the specimen in contact 10.1.10 Calculated oven-dry density, if determined,
with the lower bearing block of the testing machine does not 10.1.11 Average ambient temperature and average relative
depart from perpendicularity with the longitudinal axis of the humidity at which specimens were stored during the 18-day
cylinder by more than 10 (approximately equivalent to 0.1 in. curing period, and
in 6 in. (2.5 mm in 150 mm)) or the combined departure of the 10.1.12 Summation of tests of specimens from same sample
two bearing surfaces from perpendicularity by more than 3°. with average of test results. This summation shall be shown on
6.8 Measurement of Specimen—Determine the diaineter of the report of the last specimen tested and should be referenced
the specimens to the nearest 0.01 in. (0.3 mm) by averaging in reports of other specimens.
two diameters measured at right angles to each other at about
11. PrecKlon and Bias
midheight of the specimen. Use these dimensions in computing
the cross-sectional areas. Determine the height of the specimen 11.1 Precision:
to the nearest 0.01 in. 11.1.1 The single operator standard deviation for a test
. .,.,,,. . --
q)) c 495
result (where a test result is, as defined in this test method, the on concrete samples from the same batch should not differ by
average of four separate compressive strength measurements) more than 83 psi (Note 5).
has been found tobe21 psi (Note 5). Therefore, results of two
NOTS 5—These numbers represent, respectively, the (1s) and (d%)
properly conducted tests (each consisting of the average of four limits as described in Practice C 670.
individual measurements) by the same operator on concrete NOTS 6-Calculated as described in 3.4.3 of Practice C 670.
samples from the same batch should not differ by more than 59
psi (Note 5). The range (difference between highest and lowest) 11.2 Biro-The bias of this test method cannot be deter-
of the four individual measurements used in calculating the mined because compressive strength can only be defined in
average should not exceed 155 psi (Note 6). terms of this test method.
11.1.2 The multilaboratory standard deviation for a test
result has been found to be 29 psi (Note 5). Therefore, results 12. Keywords
of two properly conducted tests (each consisting of the average 12.1 compressive strength; density; lightweight insulating
of four individual measurements) by two different laboratories concrete; oven-dry weight
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