DETERMINATION OF FLEXURAL STRENGTH

Purpose:Purpose of conducting this test is to determine the Flexural Strength of Moulded

concrete flexural specimen
Reference Standard:IS 516 ; 1959
Procedure:-

Flexural strength shall be carried out on specimens of size of 15 x 15 x 70 cm or

in case the maximum size of aggregates is less than 19 mm then optionally on
10 x 10 x 50 cm size specimens. The bearing surfaces of the supporting rollers of
the machine shall be wiped clean. The specimen placed such that the load shall
be applied on faces which will not include the top surface as cast. The load shall
be applied on the upper surface of the specimen along two lines 20 cm or 13.3
cm apart for 15 cm or 10 cm cross section dimension respectively. The rate of
loading will be 400 kg/min & 180 kg/min respectively for 15 mm & 10 mm size
mould. The maximum load applied shall be noted.
Calculation:The flexural strength of the specimen shall be calculated as follows.
Flexural strength f =

pxl
b x d2

when the distance between the line of fracture i.e. a and the nearest support is
greater than 20 cm for 15 mm specimen and greater than 13.3 for 10 mm
specimen or
Flexural strength f =

3p x a
b x d2

when the distance between the line of fracture i.e. a and the nearest support is
less than 20 cm but greater than 17 cm for 15 mm specimen and less than 13.3
but greater than 11 cm for 10 mm specimen.
Where

p= maximum load

l = length of span on which specimen is supported.

d= depth of the specimen.
b = width of the specimen
Where f is in kg/cm2, p in kg, and dimensions in cm.
If the distance between the line of fracture and nearest support is less
than 17 cm or 11 cm for a 15 or 10 cm specimen respectively, the test
shall be rejected.
Report:
The report shall contain the following information.
Identification mark
Date of Test
Age of specimen
Curing condition
Weight of specimen
Dimensions
Maximum load
Flexural strength

END OF INSTRUCTION