This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

 
Designation: C293/C293M −  16

Standard Test Method for

Flexural Strength of Concrete (Using Simple Beam With
Center-Point Loading)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C293/C293M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revis
revision.
ion. A number in parentheses
parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Sco
Scope*
pe* 2.2   TXDOT Standard:3
1.1 Thi
Thiss test method covers
covers det
determ
ermina
ination
tion of the flex
flexura
urall TEX-420-A  Test Method for Flexural Strength of Concrete
strength of concrete specimens by the use of a simple beam Using Simple Beam with Center-Point Loading
with center-point loading. Test Method C293/C293M is not an
alternative to Test Method  C78/C78M
 C78/C78M.. 3. Signi
Significanc
ficancee and Use

1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound

inch-pound units 3.1 Thi
Thiss tes
testt meth
method
od is use
used
d to determin
determinee the modulus
modulus of 
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in rupture of specimens prepared and cured in accordance with
each system may not be exa exact
ct equ
equiva
ivalen
lents;
ts; the
theref
refore
ore,, each Practices   C31/C31M   or   C192/C192M.
C192/C192M.   The str streng
ength
th det
deter
er--
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining mined will vary where there are differences in specimen size,
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance preparation
prepa ration,, moistu
moisture
re condit
condition,
ion, or curin
curing.
g.
with the standard. 3.2 The results of this test method
method may be used to determine
1.3   This standar
standard d doe
doess not purport
purport to add
addre
ress
ss all of the compliance with specifi
compliance specification
cationss or as a basis for prop
proportion
ortioning,
ing,
safet
safetyy co
conc
ncer
erns
ns,, if an
anyy, as
asso
socia
ciate
ted
d wi
with
th its us
use.
e. It is ththee mixing and placement operations. This test method produces
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- valu
values
es of fle
flexu
xura
rall str
stren
engt
gth
h sig
signi
nific
fican
antly
tly hi
high
gher
er th
than
an Tes
estt
 priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- Method C78/C78M
Method  C78/C78M..
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Appar
Apparatus
atus
2. Referenc
Referenced
ed Documents
Documents
4.1  Testing Machine— TheThe testing machine shall conform to
2.1   ASTM Standards:2 the req
requir
uiremen
ements
ts of the sec
section
tionss on Bas
Basis
is of Veri
erificat
fication
ion,,
C31/C31M   Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test
C31/C31M Corrections, and Time Interval Between Verifications of Prac-
Specimens in the Field tices E4
tices  E4.. Hand operated testing machines having pumps that do
C78/C78M   Test Method for Flexural Strength of Concrete
C78/C78M not provide a continuous loading to failure in one stroke are not
(Using Simple Beam with Third-Point Loading) permitt
per mitted.
ed. Mot
Motori
orized
zed pum
pumpsps or han
hand
d ope
operat
rated
ed pos
positiv
itivee dis
dis--
C192/C192M Practice
C192/C192M  Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test placement pumps having sufficient volume in one continuous
Specimens in the Laboratory stroke to complete a test without requiring replenishment are
C617/C617M   Pra
C617/C617M Practic
cticee for Cap
Cappin
pingg Cyl
Cylind
indric
rical
al Con
Concre
crete
te permitted and shall be capable of applying loads at a uniform
Specimens rate without shock or interruption. The testing machine shall be
C1077 Practice
C1077  Practice for Agencies Testing Concrete and Concrete equipped with a means of recording or holding the peak value
Aggr
Ag greg
egate
atess fo
forr Us
Usee in Co
Cons
nstr
truc
uctio
tion
n an
and
d CrCrite
iteria
ria fo
forr that will indicate the maximum load applied to the specimen
Testing Agency Evaluation during a test, to within 1 % accuracy of the load being applied.
E4   Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
E4
4.2   Loading Apparatus— The
The mechanism by which forces
are applied to the specimen shall employ a load-applying block 
1
Thiss tes
Thi testt met
method
hod is und
under
er the jur
jurisd
isdict
iction
ion of ASTM Com
Commitmittee
tee   C09   on and two specimen support blocks. It shall ensure that all forces
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee are applied perpendicular to the face of the specimen without
C09.61   on Testing for Strength.
C09.61
eccentricity. A diagram of an apparatus that accomplishes this
Current
Curre nt editi
edition
on appro
approved
ved April 15, 2016. Publis
Published
hed June 2016. Originally
Originally
approved in 1952. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as C293/C293M – 15. purpose is shown in  Fig. 1.
1.
DOI: 10.1520/C0293_C0293M-16.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For  Annual Book of ASTM 
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on  Manual of Testing Procedures, Texas State Department of Highways and Public
the ASTM website. Transportation, 1986.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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  C293/C293M − 16

NOTE  1—Apparatus may be used inverted.

FIG. 1 Schema
Schematic
tic of a Suita
Suitable
ble Apparatus
Apparatus for Flexure Test of Concr
Concrete
ete by Center
Center-Poin
-Pointt Loadi
Loading
ng Method.

4.2.1 All apparatus for making center-point

center-point loading
loading flexure NOTE   1—The testing laboratory performing this test method may be
tests shall be similar to Fig.
to  Fig. 1 and
1  and maintain the span length and evaluated in accord
evaluated accordance
ance with Pract
Practice
ice C1077
 C1077..

central position of the load-applying block with respect to the 6. Pro

Procedu
cedure
re
support blocks constant within 61.0 mm [60.05 in.].
4.2.
4.2.2
2 Rea
Reacti
ction
onss sh
shall
all be pa
para
ralle
llell to th
thee di
dire
rect
ctio
ion
n of th
thee 6.1 Flexural tests of moist-cured
moist-cured specimens shall be made as
applied load at all times during the test, and the ratio of the soon as pra
soon practic
ctical
al afte
afterr rem
remova
ovall fro
from
m moi
moist
st sto
storag
rage.
e. Sur
Surfac
facee
horizontal distance between the point of load application and drying of the specimen results in a reduction in the measured
nearest reaction to the depth of the beam shall be 1.5 6 2 %. modulus of rupture.
4.2.3
4.2.3 The loa
load-a
d-appl
pplyin
yingg and sup
suppor
portt blo
blocks
cks sha
shall
ll not be
6.2 Tu
Turn
rn the test specimen
specimen on its sid
sidee wit
withh res
respec
pectt to its
more than 65 mm [2.50 in.] high, measured from the center or
position as molded and center it on the support blocks. Center
the axis of pivot, and shall extend at least across the full width
the loading system in relation to the applied force. Bring the
of the specimen. Each hardened bearing surface in contact with
load-applying block in contact with the surface of the specimen
the specimen shall not depart from a plane by more than 0.05
at the center and apply a load of between 3 and 6 % of the
mm [0.002 in.] and shall be a portion of a cylinder, the axis of 
estimated ultimate load. Using 0.10 mm [0.004 in.] and 0.40
which is coincidental with either the axis of the rod or center
mm [0.015 in.] leaf-type feeler gages, determine whether any
of the ball, whichever the block is pivoted upon. The angle
gap between the specimen and the load-applying or support
subtended by the curved surface of each block shall be at least
blocks is greater or less than each of the gages over a length of 
0.80 rad [45°]. The load-applying and support blocks shall be 25 mm [1 in.] or more. Grind, cap, or use leather shims on the
maintained in a vertical position and in contact with the rod or
specimen contact surface to eliminate any gap in excess of 0.10
ball
ball by mea
means
ns of sp
sprin
ring-
g-lo
load
adeded sc
scre
rews
ws th
that
at ho
hold
ld th
them
em in
mm [0.004 in.]. Leather shims shall be of uniform 6 mm [0.25
cont
contact
act with th
thee pi
pivo
vott ro
rod
d or ba ball.
ll. The ro
rod
d in th
thee ce
cent
nter
er
in.] thickness, 25 to 50 mm [1.0 to 2.0 in.] in width, and shall
load-applying block in  Fig. 1 
1   may be omitted when a spheri-
extend across
across the full width of the specime
specimen.n. Gaps in excess of 
cally seated bearing block is used.
0.40 mm [0.015 in.] shall be eliminated only by capping or
5. Testing grindi
grinding.
ng. Gri
Grindi
nding
ng of late
lateral
ral sur
surface
facess sha
shall
ll be min
minimiz
imized
ed
inasmuch as grinding may change the physical characteristics
5.1 The test specimen shall conform
conform to all requi
requirement
rementss of 
of the specimens. Capping shall be in accordance with appli-
Practice C31/C31M
Practice  C31/C31M or or C192/C192M
 C192/C192M applicable
 applicable to beam speci-
cable sections of Practice  C617/C617M
 C617/C617M..
mens and shall have a test span within 2 % of being three times
its depth as tested. The sides of the specimen shall be at right 6.3 Load the specimen continuou
continuously
sly and without shock.
shock. The
angles with the top and bottom. All surfaces shall be smooth load shall be applied at a constant rate to the breaking point.
and free of scars, indentations, holes, or inscribed identification Apply the load so that the maximum stress on the tension face
marks. increases at a rate between 0.9 and 1.2 MPa/min [125 and 175

5.2 The individual

individual who tests concrete beams for acceptance
acceptance psi/min].
psi/min]. The loa
loadin
ding
g rat
ratee is com
comput
puted
ed usi
using
ng the fol
follow
lowing
ing
testing sha
testing shall
ll meet the con
concre
crete
te lab
labora
orator
tory
y req
requir
uiremen
ements
ts of  equation:
Practice   C1077   includ
including
ing Test Meth
Method
od C29
C293/C
3/C293
293MM as a 2 Sbd 2
r  5   (1 )
relevantt test.
relevan 3 L

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  C293/C293M − 16

where: 9.1.4 Span length

length in mm [in.],
r    = loadin
loading g rate,
rate, N/min [lb/mi
[lb/min],
n], 9.1.5 Maximu
Maximum m applied load in N [lbf],
S    = rat
ratee of increase
increase in the maximum
maximum stress
stress on the tensio
tensionn 9.1.6 Modu
Modulus
lus of rupture
rupture calculated to the nearest 0.05 MPa
face, MPa/mi
MPa/min n [psi/m
[psi/min],
in], [5 psi],
b   = ave
averag
ragee width of the spespecim
cimen
en as ori
oriente
ented
d for testin
testing,
g, 9.1.7 Record of curing and apparent
apparent moisture condition
condition of 
mm [in.], the specimens at the time of test,
d    = ave
averag
ragee depth of the specimen
specimen as oriented
oriented for testing
testing,, 9.1.8 If specimens
specimens were capped, ground,
ground, or if leather shims
mm [in.], and were used,
 L   = spa
span n length
length,, mm [in.
[in.].
]. 9.1.9 Defect
Defectss in specimens, and
9.1.10
9.1.1 0 Age of specimens.
specimens.
7. Measurement
Measurement of Specimens After After Test
Test
7.1 To determine the dimensions of the specimen section for 10. Pre
Precisi
cision
on and Bias
use in calc
calcula
ulating
ting mod
modulu
uluss of rup
ruptur
ture,
e, tak
takee meas
measure
uremen
mentsts
10.1   Precision— The
The single operator coefficient of variation
across one of the fractured faces after testing. The width and has been found to be 4.4 %. Therefore, results of two properly
depth are measured with the specimen as oriented for testing. conducted tests by the same operator on beams made from the
For each dimension, take one measurement at each edge and same batch sample are not expected to differ from each other
one at the center of the cross section. Use the three measure- by more than 12 %. The multilaboratory coefficient of variation
ments for each direction to determine the average width and the has been found to be 5.3 %. Therefore, results of two different
average depth. Take all measurements to the nearest 1 mm
laboratories on beams made from the same batch sample are
[0.05 in.]. If the fracture occurs at a capped section, include the not expected to differ from each other by more than 15 % 4
cap thickness in the measurement. (Notes 3-5).
3-5).
8. Calc
Calculat
ulation
ion NOTE 3—This precision statement was determined using 150 by 150 by
510 mm [6 by 6 by 20 in.] specimens. 4 The variability of test results
8.1 Calcula
Calculate
te the modulus of rupture as follows: changes with specimen size4 and should not be extrapolated to other sizes.
NOTE 4—This precision statement was determined using a single brand
3  PL
 R 5 2 bd 2   (2 ) and mod
model el tes
testin
ting
g mac
machin
hinee (Ra
(Rainh
inhart
art Ser
Series
ies 416
416,, Rec
Record
ording
ing Bea
Beamm
Tester).4
NOTE   5—This
5—This pre precis
cision
ion sta
statem
tement
ent was obt
obtain
ained
ed by mea
measur
suring
ing the
where: flexura
flex urall str
streng
ength
th of two conconcre
crete
te mix
mixtur
tures
es wit
with
h ave
averag
ragee mod
modulu
uluss of 
 R   = modu
modulus
lus of ruptu
rupture,
re, MPa [psi]
[psi],, rupture of 5.10 and 6.45 MPa [740 and 940 psi]. This modulus of rupture
P   = maximu
maximum m applied
applied load indica
indicated
ted by the testing
testing machine,
machine, was determined in accordance with TEX-420-A. 4 The version of TEX-
N [lbf], 420-A used in the study (1986) may differ from the current test method.
 L   = spa
span
n length
length,, mm [in.
[in.],
], 10.2   Bias— Because
Because there is no accepted standard for deter-
b   = avera
average
ge width
width of specime
specimen, n, at the
the fracture,
fracture, mm
mm [in.],
[in.], and mining bias in this test method, no statement on bias is made.
d    = avera
average
ge depth of specimen,
specimen, at the the fracture,
fracture, mm [in.].
[in.].
NOTE   2—Th
2—Thee we
weig
ight
ht of th
thee be
beam
am is no
nott in
incl
clud
uded
ed in th
thee ab
abov
ovee 11. Keywords
calculation.
11.1 beams; concrete;
11.1 concrete; flexural strength testing;
testing; modul
modulus
us of 
9. Repo
Report
rt rupture
9.1 Repor
Reportt the follow
following
ing information:
information:
9.1.1 Identi
Identification
fication number,
number,
4
9.1.2
9.1.2 Aver
verage
age width to the nearest
nearest 1 mm [0.05 in.]
in.],, at the See “Im
“Improv
proved
ed Con
Concre
crete
te Qua
Quality
lity Con
Contro
troll Pro
Proced
cedure
uress Usi
Using
ng Thi
Third
rd Poi
Point
nt
fracture, Loading” by P. M. Carrasquillo and R. L. Carrasquillo, Research Report 119-1F,
Project 3-9-87-1119, Center For Transportation Research, The University of Texas
9.1.3
9.1.3 Aver
verage
age depth
depth to the nea
neares
restt 1 mm [0.05 in.],
in.], at the at Austin, November 1987, for information as to the relationship of strength and
fracture, variability under center point loading.

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  C293/C293M − 16

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee
Committee C09 has ide
identi
ntified
fied the loca
locatio
tion
n of sele
selected
cted changes
changes to this test meth
method
od sin
since
ce the last issu
issue,
e,
C293/C293M – 15, that may impact the use of this test method. (Approved April 15, 2016.)

(1)   Added Section 

Section   2.2
2.2..   (2)  Added
 Added Notes
 Notes 3-5.
3-5.

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