ASTM C880/C880M-23

Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Dimension Stone

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is useful in indicating the differences in flexural strength between the various dimension stones. This test method also provides one element in comparing stones of the same type.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining the flexural strength of stone by use of a simple beam using quarter-point loading.  
1.2 Stone tests shall be made when pertinent for the situation when the load is perpendicular to the bedding plane and when the load is parallel to the bedding plane.  
1.3 As required, the flexural tests shall also be conducted under wet conditions.  
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. 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.  
1.5 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2023
• ICS: 91.100.15 - Mineral materials and products
• Technical Committee: C18 - Dimension Stone
• Drafting Committee: C18.01 - Test Methods

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C880/C880M-18e1 - Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Dimension Stone
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Referred By: ASTM C1526-19(2023)e1 - Standard Specification for Serpentine Dimension Stone
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Referred By: ASTM C1527/C1527M-11(2018) - Standard Specification for Travertine Dimension Stone
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Referred By: ASTM C503/C503M-22 - Standard Specification for Marble Dimension Stone
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Referred By: ASTM C615/C615M-18e1 - Standard Specification for Granite Dimension Stone
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023

Overview

ASTM C880/C880M-23, "Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Dimension Stone," published by ASTM International, establishes a standardized procedure for determining the flexural strength of natural dimension stones. This method uses a simple beam with quarter-point loading to assess the mechanical performance of stone materials, providing comparative data across different types and grades of dimension stone. Flexural strength testing helps architects, engineers, and stone suppliers evaluate the durability and suitability of stone for construction and architectural applications.

Key Topics

• Flexural Strength Testing: Outlines the process of determining the bending strength of stone, utilizing a quarter-point loading setup for reliable measurement.
• Test Conditions: Specifies requirements for testing when the load is applied both perpendicular and parallel to the stone’s bedding plane, and under both wet and dry conditions.
• Specimen Preparation: Provides guidelines for specimen size, surface finish, and orientation to ensure consistent and accurate results.
• Measurement Units: Details the requirement to use either SI or inch-pound units independently, reaffirming data integrity and standard compliance.
• Reporting Results: Emphasizes the need to record key specimen data, test conditions, and statistical measures such as averages and standard deviations.
• Safety and Best Practices: Reminds users to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental measures when performing these tests.

Applications

• Quality Control in Stone Production: Enables stone producers to verify that their products meet required flexural strength criteria before release.
• Material Selection for Construction: Assists architects, engineers, and procurement specialists in selecting the appropriate type and grade of stone based on robust, comparable strength data.
• Project Specification Compliance: Supports compliance with building codes, project specifications, or contract requirements that reference ASTM C880/C880M for stone testing.
• Comparison of Stone Types: Provides essential data for side-by-side comparison of different dimension stones or variations within the same stone type, ensuring fit-for-purpose selection.
• Assessment under Various Conditions: By conducting tests under both dry and wet conditions and in different orientations, the standard ensures a comprehensive understanding of stone performance in real-world scenarios.

Related Standards

• ASTM C119 - Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone: Defines terms used in the context of dimension stone testing.
• ASTM C1799 - Guide to Dimension Stone Test Specimen Sampling and Preparation: Offers additional guidance on how to select and prepare representative stone specimens.
• ASTM E4 - Practices for Force Calibration and Verification of Testing Machines: Ensures the accuracy and reliability of testing equipment used in flexural strength measurements.
• ASTM E2586 - Practice for Calculating and Using Basic Statistics: Supports the statistical analysis of test results for quality assurance.

Practical Value

Following ASTM C880/C880M-23 ensures that stakeholders in the stone industry, including designers, contractors, and material suppliers, have access to reliable and standardized test data regarding the flexural strength of dimension stone. This supports safer, more durable designs, informed procurement, and compliance with international best practices, providing significant value for construction and architectural projects around the world. Using this standard helps mitigate risks related to material failure and contributes to the longevity and safety of stone installations.

Keywords: ASTM C880, flexural strength, dimension stone, stone testing, building materials, quarter-point loading, stone quality, construction standards, material selection.

Standards Content (Sample)

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: C880/C880M − 23
Standard Test Method for
Flexural Strength of Dimension Stone
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C880/C880M; 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.
1. Scope C1799 Guide to Dimension Stone Test Specimen Sampling
and Preparation
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining
E2586 Practice for Calculating and Using Basic Statistics
the flexural strength of stone by use of a simple beam using
quarter-point loading.
3. Terminology
1.2 Stone tests shall be made when pertinent for the situa-
3.1 Definitions—All definitions are in accordance with Ter-
tion when the load is perpendicular to the bedding plane and
minology C119.
when the load is parallel to the bedding plane.
4. Significance and Use
1.3 As required, the flexural tests shall also be conducted
under wet conditions.
4.1 This test method is useful in indicating the differences in
flexural strength between the various dimension stones. This
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
test method also provides one element in comparing stones of
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
the same type.
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
5. Apparatus
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
with the standard. 5.1 Testing Machine (Fig. 1), conforming to the require-
ments of the applicable sections of Practices E4. The quarter-
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
point loading method shall be used in making flexure tests of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
stone employing bearing blocks which will ensure that forces
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
applied to the beam will be vertical only and applied without
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
eccentricity. The apparatus should be capable of maintaining
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the span length and distances between load-applying blocks
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
and support blocks constant within 60.05 in. [61 mm]. The
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
load should be capable of being applied at a uniform rate and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
in such a manner as to avoid shock.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
6. Sampling
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
6.1 Select the sample to represent a true average of the type
or grade of stone under consideration and of the quality
2. Referenced Documents
supplied to the market under the type designation to be tested.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
The sample may be selected by the purchaser or his authorized
E4 Practices for Force Calibration and Verification of Test-
representative from the quarried stone or taken from the natural
ing Machines
ledge and shall be of adequate size to permit the preparation of
C119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone
the desired number of test specimens. When perceptible
variations occur, the purchaser may select as many samples as
are necessary for determining the variations in flexural
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C18 on
strength.
Dimension Stone and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C18.01 on Test
NOTE 1—Refer to Guide C1799 for additional information on selecting,
Methods.
preparing, and conditioning test specimens.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2023. Published December 2023. Originally
ɛ1
approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as C880/C880M–18 .
7. Test Specimen
DOI: 10.1520/C0880_C0880M-23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
7.1 The test specimens shall measure 4 in. [100 mm] wide
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
by 1.25 in. [30 mm] thick by 15 in. [350 mm] long, with a span
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. as tested of 12.5 in. [300 mm]. The sides of the specimen shall
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C880/C880M − 23
NOTE 1—Apparatus may be used inverted.
FIG. 1 Diagrammatic View of a Suitable Apparatus for Flexure Test of Stone
be at right angles with the top and bottom. The specimens shall 7.5 Where the specimens conform to the requirements of 7.3
and 7.4, the average value of the test results shall be reported
have a fine abrasive finish on the planes perpendicular to the
load and a fine saw finish on the other four planes. The as the flexural strength of the stone at the job thickness and
surface finish.
dimensions of the specimen shall be measured and recorded to
the nearest 0.01 in. [0.1 mm]. A minimum of five specimens
7.6 Test results obtained by this test method are those of
shall be tested for each condition of test. The average value of
flexural strength properties. In specific applications, test speci-
the test results is reported as the flexural strength of the stone.
mens of different geometry may give useful results in terms of
a modulus of rupture value.
7.2 Where this test method is specified in the physical
requirements of an ASTM C18 Standard Specification for a
8. Conditioning
dimension stone, the test specimens shall meet the require-
8.1 Before testing the specimens in a dry condition, dry
ments under 7.1.
them for 48 h at 140 °F 6 4 °F [60 °C 6 2 °C]. At the 46th,
7.3 Where the job thickness has been set (for example, the
47th and 48th hour, weigh the specimens to ensure that the
thickness of t
...

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.
´1
Designation: C880/C880M − 18 C880/C880M − 23
Standard Test Method for
Flexural Strength of Dimension Stone
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C880/C880M; 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.
ε NOTE—In 9.2 the value in brackets was corrected editorially from [4 MPa] to [4 MPa ⁄min] in May 2022.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining the flexural strength of stone by use of a simple beam using
quarter-point loading.
1.2 Stone tests shall be made when pertinent for the situation when the load is perpendicular to the bedding plane and when the
load is parallel to the bedding plane.
1.3 As required, the flexural tests shall also be conducted under wet conditions.
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. 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.
1.5 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E4 Practices for Force Calibration and Verification of Testing Machines
C119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone
C1799 Guide to Dimension Stone Test Specimen Sampling and Preparation
E2586 Practice for Calculating and Using Basic Statistics
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—All definitions are in accordance with Terminology C119.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C18 on Dimension Stone and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C18.01 on Test Methods.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2018Sept. 1, 2023. Published October 2018December 2023. Originally approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 20152018
ɛ1
as C880C880/C880M–15.–18 . DOI: 10.1520/C0880_C0880M-18E01.10.1520/C0880_C0880M-23.
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C880/C880M − 23
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This test method is useful in indicating the differences in flexural strength between the various dimension stones. This test
method also provides one element in comparing stones of the same type.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Testing Machine (Fig. 1), conforming to the requirements of the applicable sections of Practices E4. The quarter-point loading
method shall be used in making flexure tests of stone employing bearing blocks which will ensure that forces applied to the beam
will be vertical only and applied without eccentricity. The apparatus should be capable of maintaining the span length and distances
between load-applying blocks and support blocks constant within 60.05 in. [61 mm]. The load should be capable of being applied
at a uniform rate and in such a manner as to avoid shock.
6. Sampling
6.1 Select the sample to represent a true average of the type or grade of stone under consideration and of the quality supplied to
the market under the type designation to be tested. The sample may be selected by the purchaser or his authorized representative
from the quarried stone or taken from the natural ledge and shall be of adequate size to permit the preparation of the desired number
of test specimens. When perceptible variations occur, the purchaser may select as many samples as are necessary for determining
the variations in flexural strength.
NOTE 1—Refer to Guide C1799 for additional information on selecting, preparing, and conditioning test specimens.
7. Test Specimen
7.1 The test specimens shall measure 4 in. [100 mm] wide by 1.25 in. [30 mm] thick by 15 in. [350 mm] long, with a span as
tested of 12.5 in. [300 mm]. The sides of the specimen shall be at right angles with the top and bottom. The specimens shall have
a fine abrasive finish on the planes perpendicular to the load and a fine saw finish on the other four planes. The dimensions of the
specimen shall be measured and recorded to the nearest 0.01 in. [0.1 mm]. A minimum of five specimens shall be tested for each
condition of test. The average value of the test results is reported as the flexural strength of the stone.
7.2 Where this test method is specified in the physical requirements of an ASTM C18 Standard Specification for a dimension
stone, the test specimens shall meet the requirements under 7.1.
7.3 Where the job thickness has been set (for example, the thickness of the stone panels for the project has been established), it
is often requested to perform flexure tests at the job thickness. The following shall govern the specimen size where it is requested
to test at the job thickness and the job thickness is other than 1.25 in. [30 mm]. The span as tested shall be 10 times the thickness.
The specimen lengths shall be not less than 2 in. [50 mm] and not more than 4 in. [100 mm] greater than the span as tested. Where
the thickness is less than 2.67 in. [70 mm], the width of the specimen shall be 4 in. [100 mm]. Where the thickness is greater than
2.67 in. [70 mm] the width
...