Southern Luzon State University

Lucban, Quezon
College of Engineering
Civil Engineering Department

Name: Anthony Alexander E. de los Reyes Rating:

EXPERIMENT NO. 9
FLEXURAL STRENGTH OF CONCRETE

I. SPECIMENS

 The standard ASTM specimen dimensions are in cross section and a length of not less than
508 mm (20 in.) for a maximum aggregate size up to 50 mm (2 in.).
 Sides of the specimen should be at right angles to its top and bottom. All surfaces in contact
with load-applying and support blocks should be smooth and free of scars, indentations,
holes, or inscribed identifications.

II. TEST OBJECTIVE

 To determine the flexural strength of portland cement concrete by using a simple beam with
third point loading.
 The flexural strength of concrete is a measure of concrete quality.

III. APPARATUS/MATERIALS

 Loading machine capable of applying loads at a uniform rate

 Loading device capable of applying load configuration as shown in Figure 7.36. Forces
applied to the beam shall be perpendicular to the face of the specimen and applied without
eccentricity.

IV. PROCEDURES

1. Turn the test specimen on its side, with respect to its position as molded, and center it on
the bearing blocks.
2. Center the loading system in relation to the applied force. Bring the load-applying blocks in
contact with the surface of the specimen at the third points between the supports (Figure
A.42).
3. If full contact is not obtained at no load between the specimen and the load-applying blocks
and the supports so that there is a 25 mm (1 in.) or larger gap in excess of 0.1 mm (0.004 in.),
grind or cap the contact surfaces of the specimen, or shim with leather strips.
4. Apply the load rapidly up to approximately 50% of the breaking load. Thereafter, apply the
load continuously at a rate that constantly increases the extreme fiber stress between 860 kPa
and 1210 kPa (125 psi and 175 psi)/min until rupture occurs.

References: Materials For Civil and Construction Engineers Third Edition Michael S. Mamlouk John P. Zaniewski, Prentice Hall, 2011
 Southern Luzon State
University Lucban, Quezon
College of Engineering
Civil Engineering Department

V. SET-UP ILLUSTRATION

a. Actual Set-Up

Photo of the actual set-up

b. Screen shot of any significant parts of the experiment

Photo of the measuring of the average width and length Photo of the measuring of the maximum load applied

VI. ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

 Take three measurements across each dimension (one at each edge and at the center) to the
nearest 1.3 mm (0.05 in.) to determine the average width, average depth, and line of fracture
location of the specimens at the section of fracture.
 If the fracture initiates in the tension surface within the middle third of the span length,
calculate the modulus of rupture as follows:
References: Materials For Civil and Construction Engineers Third Edition Michael S. Mamlouk John P. Zaniewski, Prentice Hall, 2011
Southern Luzon State
University Lucban, Quezon
College of Engineering
Civil Engineering Department

 If the fracture occurs in the tension surface outside the middle third of the span length, by
not more than 5% of the span length, calculate the modulus of rupture as follows:

 If the fracture occurs in the tension surface outside the middle third of the span length, by
more than 5% of the span length, discard the results of the test.

P = 28 KN = (28)(1000) = 28,000 N
L = 600 mm
b = 150
d = 150

R = (28,000N)(600 mm) / (150mm)(150mm)2 = 4.98 N/mm2

VII. REPORT

The concrete specimen which has been labeled as Beam01 has an average width of
150 mm and an average length 150 mm. The sample concrete was age for 7 days before
the experiment was done. The span length was measured as 600 mm and the maximum
load applied to the sample concrete was 28 KN or 28,000 N. With these data, the modulus
rupture can then be computed. The modulus rupture of the sample concrete was computed
to be 4.98N/mm2. There are no defects detected for the specimen and the specimen was
capped during the test. From this data, you can determine that the sample concrete falls in
the average range which is 300 psi – 700 psi or 2 MPa – 5 MPa.

VIII. RERERENCES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6tnBsdTf34

https://www.iowadot.gov/erl/archiveoct2012/IM/content/316.pdf
References: Materials For Civil and Construction Engineers Third Edition Michael S. Mamlouk John P. Zaniewski, Prentice Hall, 2011