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Publication Number:  FHWA-HRT-16-007    Date:  January 2016
Publication Number: FHWA-HRT-16-007
Date: January 2016

 

Long-Term Bridge Performance (LTBP) Program Protocols, Version 1

Long-Term Bridge Performance Program Logo

Compressive Strength and Static and Dynamic Elastic Moduli of Concrete Cores
LTBP Protocol #: FLD-DC-MS-002


1.

Data Collected

 
1.1 Compressive strength and static and dynamic elastic moduli of concrete cores.  

2.

Equipment and Personnel Requirements

 
2.1 Equipment:  
2.1.1 PRE-PL-LO-004, Personal Health and Safety Plan.  
2.1.2 Test specimens.  
2.1.3 Compression testing machine meeting the requirements of AASHTO T 22-10 (2011).  
2.1.4 Testing apparatus for determining dynamic modulus of elasticity, conforming to the requirements of ASTM C215-14.  
2.1.5 Compressometer for determining the static modulus of elasticity, conforming to the requirements of ASTM C469/C469M-14.  
2.1.6 Digital camera.  
2.2 Personnel: PRE-PL-LO-005, Personnel Qualifications.  

3.

Methodology

 
3.1 Test preparation:  
3.1.1 A minimum 5-day waiting period between encapsulation of the cores and unwrapping for testing of the cores is recommended to minimize moisture gradients.  
3.1.2 Use a 4-inch diameter core that has been properly obtained and prepared for storage using FLD‑DC-MS-001, Wet Coring of Concrete Decks. Record the unique core identifier, and note any damage to the wrapping.  
3.1.3 Unwrap the core, removing all four layers of wrapping. Compare sample number and other descriptive information on the wrapping with the similar data on the unwrapped core.  
3.1.4 Weigh the uncut sample immediately, and record the result.  
3.1.5 Photograph the sample (top, bottom, and sides at four quadrants), and create a photo log following FLD-DC-PH-002, Photographing for Documentation Purposes.  
3.2 Core testing:  
3.2.1 Conduct dynamic modulus test of the core, and calculate the dynamic Young’s modulus of elasticity, all in accordance with ASTM C215, and record the following:  
3.2.1.1 Unique core identifier.  
3.2.1.2 Diameter.  
3.2.1.3 Length.  
3.2.1.4 Mass.  
3.2.1.5 Description of any defects, including the presence of reinforcement.  
3.2.1.6 Mode of vibration.  
3.2.1.7 Corresponding resonant frequency.  
3.2.1.8 Dynamic Young’s modulus of elasticity.  
3.2.1.9 Correction factor.  
3.2.2 Using the same core, conduct test for static modulus of elasticity of the core, and calculate the static modulus of elasticity, all in accordance with ASTM C469, and record the following:  
3.2.2.1 Curing and environmental histories of the core.  
3.2.2.2 Age of the core.  
3.2.2.3 Unit weight of the concrete.  
3.2.2.4 Stress–strain curves.  
3.2.2.5 Static modulus of elasticity (chord modulus of elasticity).  
3.2.3 Using the same core, conduct compressive strength test of core in accordance with AASHTOT22-10 (2011), and record the following:  
3.2.3.1 Maximum load.  
3.2.3.2 Compressive strength.  
3.2.3.3 Type of fracture.  
3.3 Storing data, documents, and images:  
3.3.1 FLD-DS-LS-001, Data, Document, and Image Storage—Local, for local storage.  
3.3.2 FLD-DS-RS-001, Data, Document, and Image Storage—Remote, for remote storage.  
3.4 Reporting: Transfer all metadata, data, documents, and images to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and/or upload all metadata, data, documents, and images into the Long-Term Bridge Performance (LTBP) Bridge Portal.  

4.

Data Collection Table

 
4.1 Table:  
# Field Name Data Type Accuracy Unit Field Description Row Color
1 State
Text
 
 
State Code; e.g., Virginia = VA
Green
2 NBI structure number
Text
 
 
Item 8, structure number; from NBI Coding Guide
Green
3 Structure name
Text
 
 
Descriptive name for the bridge; e.g., Route 15 SB over I–66
Green
4 Protocol name
Text
 
 
Title of the protocol
Green
5 Protocol version
Text
Month and year
 
Month and year the protocol version was published; e.g., May 2015
Green
6 Personnel performing testing activities
Text
 
 
First name(s) Last name(s)
Green
7 Date testing was performed
Text
Exact date
 
mm/dd/yyyy
Green
8 Sampling site
Text
 
 
Location of core extraction on the bridge (e.g., span number, lane number, right or left shoulder, etc.)
Blue
9 Unique core identifier
Text
 
 
 
Blue
Dynamic Modulus of Elasticity
Pink
10 Equipment name
Text
 
 
 
Green
11 Equipment manufacturer
Text
 
 
 
Green
12 Equipment model name and number
Text
 
 
If available
Green
13 Equipment comments
Text
 
 
 
Orange
14 Core length
Number
0.1
in.
 
Yellow
15 Core diameter
Number
0.1
in.
 
Yellow
16 Overlay depth
Number
0.1
in.
 
Yellow
17 Description of any defects, including the presence of reinforcement
Text
 
 
 
Yellow
18 Mass
Number
0.5
kg
 
Yellow
19 Mode of vibration
Text
 
 
 
Yellow
20 Resonant frequency
Number
10
Hz
 
Yellow
21 Dynamic modulus
Number
0.05x106
psi
 
Yellow
22 Correction factor
Number
0.01
 
Range: 1.00 to 6.34
Yellow
23 Comments
Text
 
 
 
Orange
Static Modulus of Elasticity
Pink
24 Equipment name
Text
 
 
 
Green
25 Equipment manufacturer
Text
 
 
 
Green
26 Equipment model name and number
Text
 
 
If available
Green
27 Equipment comments
Text
 
 
 
Orange
28 Curing and environmental history of the core
Text
 
 
 
Yellow
29 Age of the core
 
 
 
 
Yellow
30 Unit weight of the core
 
 
 
 
Yellow
31 Stress-strain curves
BLOB
 
 
 
Yellow
32 Static modulus of elasticity
 
0.05 x106
psi
 
Yellow
33 Comments
Text
 
 
 
Orange
Compressive Strength
Pink
34 Equipment name
Text
 
 
 
Green
35 Equipment manufacturer
Text
 
 
 
Green
36 Equipment model name & number
Text
 
 
If available
Green
37 Equipment comments
Text
 
 
 
Orange
38 Maximum load
Number
1
lbs
 
Yellow
39 Compressive strength
Number
10
psi
 
Yellow
40 Type of fracture
Text
 
 
 
Yellow
41 Comments
Text
Unlimited
 
 
Orange
4.2 Table Key:  
Column Descriptions
#
Sequential number of data item
Field Name
Data field name
Data Type
Type of data, such as text, number, predefined list, binary large object (BLOB), or PDF file
Accuracy
Accuracy to which the data are recorded
Unit
Unit in which a measurement is taken and recorded
Field Description
Commentary on the data or list of items in a predefined list
Row Color Key
Green
Data items only entered once for each protocol for each day the protocol is applied
Pink
Logical breakdown of data by elements or defect types (not always used)
Blue
Data identifying the element being evaluated or the type of defect being identified
Yellow
LTBP data reported individually for each element or defect identified
Orange
Comments on the data collection or data entered

5.

Criteria for Data Validation

 
5.1 Precision, bias, and repeatability of the individual tests outlined herein are addressed in the respective AASHTO and ASTM standards that govern the laboratory tests being conducted.  

6.

Commentary/Background

 
6.1 The purpose of this protocol is to obtain physical parameters useful for structural evaluation of the concrete bridge members by lab testing of the concrete cores taken by wet coring (FLD‑DC‑MS-001, Wet Coring of Concrete Decks) of reinforced concrete decks.  
6.2 If the concrete core contains distinguishing features about the quality or condition of the material, conduct a visual condition assessment and record details about paste, aggregate type and distribution, defects, deleterious reactions, and embedded items.  
6.3 For static elastic modulus testing, if the outside diameters of the samples are not 4 inches (102 mm), or the lengths are insufficient to fit the elastic modulus jig, adhere two concrete strain gages of no less than three times the nominal aggregate size to diametrically opposite faces.  

7.

References

 
7.1 LTBP Protocols:  
7.1.1 PRE-PL-LO-004, Personal Health and Safety Plan.  
7.1.2 PRE-PL-LO-005, Personnel Qualifications.  
7.1.3 FLD-DC-MS-001, Wet Coring of Concrete Decks.  
7.1.4 FLD-DC-PH-002, Photographing for Documentation Purposes.  
7.1.5 FLD-DS-LS-001, Data, Document, and Image Storage—Local.  
7.1.6 FLD-DS-RS-001, Data, Document, and Image Storage—Remote.  
7.2 External:  
7.2.1 AASHTO T 22-10 (2011), Standard Method of Test for Compressive Strengths of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, DC, 2011.  
7.2.2 ASTMC215-14, Standard Test Method for Fundamental Transverse, Longitudinal, and Torsional Resonant Frequencies of Concrete Specimens, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2014.  
7.2.3 ASTMC469/C469M-14, Standard Test Method for Static Modulus of Elasticity and Poisson’s Ratio of Concrete in Compression, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2014.  

 

 

 

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