ASTM C39/C39M-17

Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Care must be exercised in the interpretation of the significance of compressive strength determinations by this test method since strength is not a fundamental or intrinsic property of concrete made from given materials. Values obtained will depend on the size and shape of the specimen, batching, mixing procedures, the methods of sampling, molding, and fabrication and the age, temperature, and moisture conditions during curing.  
5.2 This test method is used to determine compressive strength of cylindrical specimens prepared and cured in accordance with Practices C31/C31M, C192/C192M, C617/C617M, C1176/C1176M, C1231/C1231M, and C1435/C1435M, and Test Methods C42/C42M, C873/C873M, and C1604/C1604M.  
5.3 The results of this test method are used as a basis for quality control of concrete proportioning, mixing, and placing operations; determination of compliance with specifications; control for evaluating effectiveness of admixtures; and similar uses.  
5.4 The individual who tests concrete cylinders for acceptance testing shall meet the concrete laboratory technician requirements of Practice C1077, including an examination requiring performance demonstration that is evaluated by an independent examiner.
Note 1: Certification equivalent to the minimum guidelines for ACI Concrete Laboratory Technician, Level I or ACI Concrete Strength Testing Technician will satisfy this requirement.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers determination of compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimens such as molded cylinders and drilled cores. It is limited to concrete having a density in excess of 800 kg/m3 [50 lb/ft3].  
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The inch-pound units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. (Warning—Means should be provided to contain concrete fragments during sudden rupture of specimens. Tendency for sudden rupture increases with increasing concrete strength and it is more likely when the testing machine is relatively flexible. The safety precautions given in the Manual are recommended.)  
1.4 The text of this standard references notes which provide explanatory material. These notes shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2017
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Drafting Committee: C09.61 - Testing for Strength

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: C39/C39M − 17
Standard Test Method for
1
Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C39/C39M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last 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. Scope* C192/C192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test
Specimens in the Laboratory
1.1 This test method covers determination of compressive
C617/C617M Practice for Capping Cylindrical Concrete
strength of cylindrical concrete specimens such as molded
Specimens
cylinders and drilled cores. It is limited to concrete having a
3 3 C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
density in excess of 800 kg/m [50 lb/ft ].
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
C873/C873M Test Method for Compressive Strength of
are to be regarded separately as standard.The inch-pound units
Concrete Cylinders Cast in Place in Cylindrical Molds
are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system may
C1077 Practice forAgencies Testing Concrete and Concrete
not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used
Aggregates for Use in Construction and Criteria for
independently of the other. Combining values from the two
Testing Agency Evaluation
systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
C1176/C1176M Practice for Making Roller-Compacted
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Concrete in Cylinder Molds Using a Vibrating Table
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the C1231/C1231M Practice for Use of Unbonded Caps in
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Determination of Compressive Strength of Hardened Cy-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- lindrical Concrete Specimens
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. (Warning—Means
C1435/C1435M Practice for Molding Roller-Compacted
should be provided to contain concrete fragments during Concrete in Cylinder Molds Using a Vibrating Hammer
sudden rupture of specimens. Tendency for sudden rupture
C1604/C1604M Test Method for Obtaining and Testing
increaseswithincreasingconcretestrengthanditismorelikely Drilled Cores of Shotcrete
when the testing machine is relatively flexible. The safety
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
precautions given in the Manual are recommended.)
E18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Ma-
1.4 The text of this standard references notes which provide terials
explanatory material. These notes shall not be considered as
E74 Practice of Calibration of Force-Measuring Instruments
requirements of the standard. for Verifying the Force Indication of Testing Machines
Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3. Terminology
C31/C31M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
Specimens in the Field
practice, refer to Terminology C125.
C42/C42M Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete
3.2.1 bearing block, n—steel piece to distribute the load
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
from the testing machine to the specimen.
gregates
3.2.2 lower bearing block, n—steel piece placed under the
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
specimen to distribute the load from the testing machine to the
Concrete and ConcreteAggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
specimen.
C09.61 on Testing for Strength.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—The lower bearing block provides a
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2017. Published March 2017. Originally
readily machinable surface for maintaining the specified bear-
approved in 1921. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as C39/C39M – 16b.
DOI: 10.1520/C0039_C0039M-17.
ing surface.The lower bearing block may also be used to adapt
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
the testing machine to various specimen heights. The lower
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
bearing block is also referred to as bottom block, plain block,
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. and false platen.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United Sta
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: C39/C39M − 16b C39/C39M − 17
Standard Test Method for
1
Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C39/C39M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last 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. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers determination of compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimens such as molded cylinders
3 3
and drilled cores. It is limited to concrete having a density in excess of 800 kg/m [50 lb/ft ].
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The inch-pound units are
shown in brackets. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used
independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. (Warning—Means should be provided to contain concrete fragments during sudden rupture of specimens.
Tendency for sudden rupture increases with increasing concrete strength and it is more likely when the testing machine is relatively
flexible. The safety precautions given in the Manual are recommended.)
1.4 The text of this standard references notes which provide explanatory material. These notes shall not be considered as
requirements of the standard.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C31/C31M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field
C42/C42M Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
C192/C192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Laboratory
C617/C617M Practice for Capping Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
C873/C873M Test Method for Compressive Strength of Concrete Cylinders Cast in Place in Cylindrical Molds
C1077 Practice for Agencies Testing Concrete and Concrete Aggregates for Use in Construction and Criteria for Testing Agency
Evaluation
C1176/C1176M Practice for Making Roller-Compacted Concrete in Cylinder Molds Using a Vibrating Table
C1231/C1231M Practice for Use of Unbonded Caps in Determination of Compressive Strength of Hardened Cylindrical
Concrete Specimens
C1435/C1435M Practice for Molding Roller-Compacted Concrete in Cylinder Molds Using a Vibrating Hammer
C1604/C1604M Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores of Shotcrete
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
E18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Materials
E74 Practice of Calibration of Force-Measuring Instruments for Verifying the Force Indication of Testing Machines
Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.61 on
Testing for Strength.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2016Feb. 1, 2017. Published August 2016March 2017. Originally approved in 1921. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as
C39/C39M – 16a.16b. DOI: 10.1520/C0039_C0039M-16B.10.1520/C0039_C0039M-17.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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C39/C39M − 17
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to Terminology C125.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 bearing block, n—steel piece to distribute the load from the testing machine to the specimen.
3.2.2 lower bearing block
...