ASTM International Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates has recently approved a new standard that will facilitate post-crack performance measurement for fiber-reinforced concrete intended for slabs-on-grade, pavements, pre-cast elements and shotcrete. The standard, C 1609/C 1609M, Test Method for Flexural Performance of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (Using Beam With Third-Point Loading), is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee C09.42 on Fiber-Reinforced Concrete.

"C 1609/C 1609M will be prescribed by design engineers and used by test laboratories to test fiber-reinforced concrete on contract to construction contractors," says Stefan Bernard, C09 member and director, Technologies in Structural Engineering Pyt Ltd. Bernard says other users will include fiber manufacturers working to improve their product and research labs investigating fiber-reinforced concrete.

Currently, post-crack parameters listed in C 1018, Test Method for Flexural Toughness and First-Crack Strength of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (Using Beam with Third-Point Loading), are routinely specified as performance requirements for fiber-reinforced shotcrete tunnel lining projects. However, C 1609/C 1609M will now be considered the preferred test method to measure post-cracking performance requirements.

For further technical information, contact Stefan Bernard, Technologies in Structural Engineering Pyt Ltd, Sydney, Australia (phone: +61 418/407-892; s.bernard@tse.net.au). Committee C09 will meet June 11-14, at the June Committee Week in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. For membership or meeting details, contact Jim Olshefsky, ASTM International (phone: 610/832-9714; jolshefs@astm.org).

ASTM standards are available from Customer Service (phone: 610/832-9585; https://www.astm.org/contact) or the Web site store (www.astm.org).

Release #7341