Proposed Concrete Standard Will Aid in Measuring Strength of Fiber Reinforced Concrete

ASTM International’s concrete and concrete aggregates committee (C09) is developing a proposed standard that will be used to help measure the tensile strength of fiber reinforced concrete.

According to ASTM International member Luke Pinkerton, the use of fiber reinforcement as an alternative to conventional reinforcement of various concrete structures has been limited in the construction industry. The proposed standard (WK60666) will give the engineering community the data and confidence needed to evaluate performance of fibers.

“The tensile strength is the most basic and important property of concrete that fibers can improve,” says Pinkerton. “Structural engineers need a reliable way to measure that value to be able to take advantage of fibers for design.”

This effort directly relates to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #9 on industry, innovation, and infrastructure.

“Typically, tensile capacity of concrete is ignored when designed with reinforced concrete,” says Pinkerton. “Being able to measure tension accurately would give engineers the confidence to use the tensile strength rather than ignore it. Concrete with fiber reinforcement is stronger, less brittle, more durable, and resilient.”

Media Inquiries: Dan Bergels, tel +1.610.832.9602; dbergels@astm.org
Committee Contact: Scott Orthey, tel +1.610.832.9730; sorthey@astm.org

Release #11599

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Committee
C09
January 30, 2023