Proposed Test Method

Standard Test Method for Residual Strength

Index of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete
(Third Point LoadingI

I( Peak Load
(Beam + Plate)

r---Stop Test at 0.006 from Peak

Residual Loading Curve

0
I I I I I I I
0 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.06

DEFLECTION - INCHES

Scope
The Flexural Test of Concrete for Residual Strength measures the level of flexural
strength sustained by fibers in the concrete after the concrete is cracked in two. This
test method determines a Residual Strength Index (RSI) for a fiber-reinforced concrete
beam. The residual flexural strength index is determined for a specific range of
deflection after the specimen has been cracked in a standardized manner. The index is
intended to characterize that portion of the stress-strain curve that is consistently and
significantly impacted by the addition of fibrous reinforcement.

Fibermesh, a division of Synthetic industries

4019 industry Drive
Chattanooga, TN 37416
Phone: (615) 892-7243 Fax- (8151499-0753
l
Summary of Test Method
Cast or sawn beams of fiber-reinforced concrete are cracked using the third-point
loading arrangement specified in Test Method C 78 (Figure 1). A steel plate is used to
support the span of the concrete beam so that the beam can be cracked at a controlled
deflection rate on an open-loop loading system (Figure 2). The steel plate is removed
and the cracked beam is reloaded to obtain a residual load-deflection curve (Figure 3).
Stresses are calculated at specified points on the residual curve. These stresses are
then averaged to obtain the residual strength index for the specimen (Figures 4 and 5).

ASTM C 7%

Load Cell (10,000 lb capacity)

4” x 4” x 14”
+-- Concrete Specimen

l/2” x 4” x 14”
+-- Stainless Steel Plate
Spring loaded electronic
displacement transducer

~~4'~~~4'~~'+--4~'~~
I I t
‘k-----Span Length, 12’_’ Bottom Platen of
Testing Machine

Figure 1 -
n

Cast or sawn beams of fiber-reinforced concrete are cracked using the third-point
loading arrangement specified in Test Method C 78.
 //////////////// -Figure 2 -
A steel plate is used to support the
span of the concrete beam so that
the beam can be cracked at a
controlled deflection rate on an
open-loop loading system.

+--Concrete Specrmen

- Figure 3 -
The steel plate is
removed and the
cracked beam is
reloaded to obtain a
residual load-deflection
curve.

. . .
rantfrcance and Use
This test method allows for quantitative evaluation of fiber-reinforced concrete utilizing
different fiber configurations and addition rates. Results can be used to design fibrous
concrete mixes, verify compliance with construction specifications, evaluate the quality
of fibrous concrete already in service, and conduct research and development of
fiber-reinforced concrete,
 I( Peak Load
(Beam + Plate)
L
- Figure 4 - 0
The residual strength index is A
cl
an average of the residual
stresses at deflections taken at P +---Stop Test at 0.005 from Peak
0
0.020, 0.030, 0.040 and 0.050 IJ
inches after reloading of the N
D
cracked specimen without the S
steel plate.
o-
0 0.02 0.03 0.04 0 06

DEFLECTION - INCHES

Residual Strength Index

- Figure 5 -
Residual Strength Index (RN)
PSI values for A, B, C and D are
averaged to obtain the Residual
Strength index in PSI.

A+B+C+D/4=RSI

Results and Conclusions

This proposed test method for residual strength index is a quantitative measure of the
reinforcing fibers’ ability to hold cracked concrete together while sustaining a load. The
residual strength index is an average of the residual stresses at deflections taken at
0.020, 0.030, 0.040 and 0.050 inches after reloading of the cracked specimen without
the steel plate. The level of load sustaining performance is primarily a function of the
type, design, length and addition rate of the fibers employed.

The results will give users a measuring stick to identify enhancement qualities which the
m
fibers i part to concrete such as: impact levels, fatigue or life expectancy measures,
abrasicn resistance levels, etc. Any improved qualities of concrete can be related to a
base olr anchor, namely, the residual strength index.