New ASTM Test Method for FRC Concrete

ASTM Subcommittee C09.42 for Fiber-Reinforced Concrete is developing a new test method to evaluate the tensile performance of fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC). The proposed method to measure indirect tensile strength and post-cracking characteristics, is based on the double-punch test and performed using a concrete compression machine.

A cylindrical FRC sample with a length to diameter ratio of 1:1 is axially loaded between two 1.5in diameter punches in a compression testing machine adapted with instrumentation for the method. Vertical movement of the platens are tracked to develop a deformation graph to calculate peak tensile and residual strengths. The new method is reported to have advantages of simplicity, accuracy, and repeatability over flexural and cylinder-splitting tensile strength measurements.

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