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: C469/C469M − 14´1

Standard Test Method for

Static Modulus of Elasticity and Poisson’s Ratio of Concrete
in Compression1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C469/C469M; 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.

ε1 NOTE—Footnote 3 was editorially updated in February 2021.

1. Scope* C42/C42M Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled

1.1 This test method covers determination of (1) chord Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete
modulus of elasticity (Young’s) and (2) Poisson’s ratio of C174/C174M Test Method for Measuring Thickness of Con-
molded concrete cylinders and diamond-drilled concrete cores crete Elements Using Drilled Concrete Cores
when under longitudinal compressive stress. Chord modulus of C192/C192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test
elasticity and Poisson’s ratio are defined in Terminology E6. Specimens in the Laboratory
C617 Practice for Capping Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in E6 Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each E83 Practice for Verification and Classification of Exten-
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining someter Systems
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
with the standard. ASTM Test Methods
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the Compressometers (two drawings) and Extensometers (two
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- drawings)3
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3. Significance and Use
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- 3.1 This test method provides a stress to strain ratio value
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- and a ratio of lateral to longitudinal strain for hardened
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the concrete at whatever age and curing conditions may be
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- designated.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.2 The modulus of elasticity and Poisson’s ratio values,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
applicable within the customary working stress range (0 to
2. Referenced Documents 40 % of ultimate concrete strength), are used in sizing of
reinforced and nonreinforced structural members, establishing
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 the quantity of reinforcement, and computing stress for ob-
C31/C31M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test served strains.
Specimens in the Field
C39/C39M Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylin- 3.3 The modulus of elasticity values obtained will usually
drical Concrete Specimens be less than moduli derived under rapid load application
(dynamic or seismic rates, for example), and will usually be
greater than values under slow load application or extended
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
load duration, given other test conditions being the same.
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.61 on Testing for Strength. 4. Apparatus
Current edition approved March 1, 2014. Published April 2014. Originally
approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as C469–10. DOI:
4.1 Testing Machine—Use a testing machine capable of
10.1520/C0469_C0469M-14E01. imposing a load at the rate and of the magnitude prescribed in
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No.
the ASTM website. ADJC0469-E-PDF. Adjunct converted to digital format in 2021.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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 C469/C469M − 14´1
6.4. The machine shall conform to the requirements of Prac- reading) is equal to the sum of the displacement due to
tices E4 (Constant-Rate of-Traverse CRT-Type Testing Ma- specimen deformation and the displacement due to rotation of
chines section). The spherical head and bearing blocks shall the yoke about the pivot rod (see Fig. 2).
conform to the Apparatus Section of Test Method C39/C39M. 4.2.1 Measure deformation by a dial gauge used directly or
4.2 Compressometer3—For determining the modulus of with a lever multiplying system, by a wire strain gauge, or by
elasticity use a bonded (Note 1) or unbonded sensing device a linear variable differential transformer. If the distances of the
that measures to the nearest 5 millionths the average deforma- pivot rod and the gauge from the vertical plane passing through
tion of two diametrically opposite gauge lines, each parallel to the support points of the rotating yoke are equal, the deforma-
the axis, and each centered about midheight of the specimen. tion of the specimen is equal to one-half the gauge reading. If
The effective length of each gauge line shall be not less than these distances are not equal, calculate the deformation as
three times the maximum size of the aggregate in the concrete follows:
nor more than two thirds the height of the specimen; the d 5 ge r / ~ e r 1e g ! (1)
preferred length of the gauge line is one half the height of the
where:
specimen. Either use gauge points embedded in or cemented to
the specimen, and read deformation of the two lines indepen- d = total deformation of the specimen throughout the effec-
dently; or use a compressometer (such as is shown in Fig. 1) tive gauge length, µm [µin.],
consisting of two yokes, one of which (see B, Fig. 1) is rigidly g = gauge reading, µm [µin.],
attached to the specimen and the other (see C, Fig. 1) attached er = the perpendicular distance, measured to the nearest 0.2
at two diametrically opposite points so that it is free to rotate. mm [0.01 in.] from the pivot rod to the vertical plane
At one point on the circumference of the rotating yoke, passing through the two support points of the rotating
midway between the two support points, use a pivot rod (see A, yoke, and
eg = the perpendicular distance, measured to the nearest 0.2
Fig. 1) to maintain a constant distance between the two yokes.
mm [0.01 in.] from the gauge to the vertical plane
At the opposite point on the circumference of the rotating yoke,
passing through the two support points of the rotating
the change in distance between the yokes (that is, the gauge
yoke.
Procedures for calibrating strain-measuring devices are
given in Practice E83.
NOTE 1—Although bonded strain gauges are satisfactory on dry
specimens, they may be difficult, if not impossible, to mount on specimens
continually moist-cured until tested.
4.3 Extensometer3—If Poisson’s ratio is desired, the trans-
verse strain shall be determined (1) by an unbonded extensom-
eter capable of measuring to the nearest 0.5 µm [25 µin.] the
change in diameter at the midheight of the specimen, or (2) by
two bonded strain gauges (Note 1) mounted circumferentially
at diametrically opposite points at the midheight of the
specimen and capable of measuring circumferential strain to
the nearest 5 millionths. A combined compressometer and
extensometer (Fig. 3) is a convenient unbonded device. This
apparatus shall contain a third yoke (consisting of two equal

d = displacement due to specimen deformation

r = displacement due to rotation of the yoke about the pivot rod
a = location of gauge
b = support point of the rotating yoke
c = location of pivot rod
g = gauge reading

FIG. 1 Suitable Compressometer FIG. 2 Diagram of Displacements

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 C469/C469M − 14´1

e'g = the perpendicular distance, measured to the nearest 0.2

mm [0.01 in.] from the gauge to the vertical plane
passing through the support points of the middle yoke.

4.4 Balance or Scale, accurate to 50 g [0.1 lb] shall be used

if necessary.

5. Test Specimens
5.1 Molded Cylindrical Specimens—Mold test cylinders in
accordance with the requirements for compression test speci-
mens in Practice C192/C192M, or in Practice C31/C31M.
Subject specimens to the specified curing conditions and test at
the age for which the elasticity information is desired. Test
specimens within 1 h after removal from the curing or storage
room. Specimens removed from a moist room for test shall be
kept moist by a wet cloth covering during the interval between
removal and test.
5.2 Drilled Core Specimens—Cores shall comply with the
requirements for drilling, and moisture conditioning applicable
to compressive strength specimens in Test Method C42/C42M,
except that only diamond-drilled cores having a length-to-
diameter ratio greater than 1.50 shall be used. Requirements
relative to storage and to ambient conditions immediately prior
to test shall be the same as for molded cylindrical specimens.
5.3 The ends of the test specimens shall be made perpen-
dicular to the axis 60.001 rad [60.5°] and plane within 0.05
mm [0.002 in.]. If the specimen as cast does not meet the
FIG. 3 Suitable Combined Compressometer-Extensometer
planeness requirements, planeness shall be accomplished by
capping in accordance with Practice C617, or by lapping, or by
grinding. It is not prohibited to repair aggregate popouts that
occur at the ends of specimens, provided the total area of
segments) located halfway between the two compressometer popouts does not exceed 10 % of the specimen area and the
yokes and attached to the specimen at two diametrically repairs are made before capping or grinding is completed (Note
opposite points. Midway between these points use a short pivot 2). Planeness will be considered within tolerance when a 0.05
rod (A', see Fig. 3), adjacent to the long pivot rod, to maintain mm [0.002 in.] feeler gauge will not pass between the
a constant distance between the bottom and middle yokes. specimen surface and a straight edge held against the surface.
Hinge the middle yoke at the pivot point to permit rotation of
the two segments of the yoke in the horizontal plane. At the NOTE 2—Repairs may be made by epoxying the dislodged aggregate
back in place or by filling the void with capping material and allowing
opposite point on the circumference, connect the two segments adequate time for it to harden.
through a dial gauge or other sensing device capable of
measuring transverse deformation to the nearest 1.27 µm [50 5.4 Measure the diameter of the test specimen by caliper to
µin.]. If the distances of the hinge and the gauge from the the nearest 0.2 mm [0.01 in.] by averaging two diameters
vertical plane passing through the support points of the middle measured at right angles to each other near the center of the
yoke are equal, the transverse deformation of the specimen length of the specimen. Use this average diameter to calculate
diameter is equal to one-half the gauge reading. If these the cross-sectional area. Measure and report the length of a
distances are not equal, calculate the transverse deformation of molded specimen, including caps, to the nearest 2 mm [0.1 in.].
the specimen diameter in accordance with Eq 2. Measure the length of a drilled specimen in accordance with
Test Method C174/C174M; report the length, including caps,
d' 5 g'e' h / ~ e' h 1e' g ! (2) to the nearest 2 mm [0.1 in.].
where:
d' = transverse deformation of the specimen diameter, µm 6. Procedure
[µin.], 6.1 The temperature surrounding the specimen shall not
g' = transverse gauge reading, µm [µin.], vary by more than 2°C [4°F] during a test.
e'h = the perpendicular distance, measured to the nearest 0.2 6.2 Except as provided in 6.5, use at least two companion
mm [0.01 in.] from the hinge to the vertical plane specimens to determine the compressive strength in accordance
passing through the support points of the middle yoke, with Test Method C39/C39M prior to the test for modulus of
and elasticity.

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 C469/C469M − 14´1
6.3 Place the specimen, with the strain-measuring equip- least 40 % of the ultimate load and determine the strain value
ment attached, on the lower platen or bearing block of the at 40 % of the ultimate by interpolation.
testing machine. Carefully align the axis of the specimen with 6.6 If intermediate readings are taken, plot the results of
the center of thrust of the spherically-seated upper bearing each of the tests with the longitudinal strain as the abscissa and
block. Note the reading on the strain indicators. Before the compressive stress as the ordinate. Calculate the compres-
applying the load on the specimen, tilt the movable portion of sive stress by dividing the testing machine load by the
the spherically seated block by hand so that the bearing face cross-sectional area of the specimen calculated from the
appears to be parallel to the top of the test specimen based on diameter determined in accordance with 5.4.
visual observation.
7. Calculation
6.4 Load the specimen at least three times. Do not record
any data during the first loading. Base calculations on the 7.1 Calculate the modulus of elasticity, to the nearest
average of the results of the subsequent loadings. 200 MPa [50,000 psi] as follows:
6.4.1 Apply the load continuously and without shock. Set E 5 ~ S 2 2 S 1 ! / ~ ε 2 2 0.000050! (3)
testing machines of the screw type so that the moving head where:
travels at a rate of about
E = chord modulus of elasticity, MPa [psi],
1 mm/min [0.05 in./min] when the machine is running idle. In S2 = stress corresponding to 40 % of ultimate load,
hydraulically operated machines, apply the load at a constant S1 = stress corresponding to a longitudinal strain, ε1, of 50
rate within the range 250 6 50 kPa/s [35 6 7 psi/s]. Load the millionths, MPa [psi], and
specimen until the applied load is 40 % of the average ultimate ε 2 = longitudinal strain produced by stress S2.
load of the companion specimens. This is the maximum load
for the modulus of elasticity test. 7.2 Calculate Poisson’s ratio, to the nearest 0.01, as follows:
6.4.2 During the first loading, observe the performance of µ 5 ~ ε t2 2 ε t1 ! / ~ ε 2 2 0.000050 ! (4)
the gauges (Note 3). Correct any attachment or alignment where:
defects that may be causing erratic readings prior to the second
µ = Poisson’s ratio,
loading. For the second and subsequent loadings, obtain each
εt2 = transverse strain at midheight of the specimen pro-
set of readings as follows: Record, without interruption of
duced by stress S2, and
loading, the applied load and longitudinal strain at the point (1) εt1 = transverse strain at midheight of the specimen pro-
when the longitudinal strain is 50 microstrain and (2) when the duced by stress S1.
applied load is equal to 40 % of the ultimate load of the
companion specimens (see 6.5). Longitudinal strain is defined 8. Report
as the measured longitudinal deformation of the specimen 8.1 Report the following information:
divided by the effective gauge length. 8.1.1 Specimen identification number,
NOTE 3—The first loading is primarily for the seating of the gauges. If 8.1.2 Dimensions of specimen, in millimetres [inches],
a dial gauge is used to measure longitudinal deformation, it is convenient 8.1.3 Curing and environmental histories of the specimen,
to set the gauge before each loading so that the indicator will pass the zero 8.1.4 Age of the specimen,
point at a longitudinal strain of 50 microstrain. 8.1.5 Strength of the concrete, if determined,
6.4.3 If Poisson’s ratio is to be determined, record the 8.1.6 Unit weight of the concrete, if determined,
transverse strain at the same points. The transverse strain is the 8.1.7 Stress-strain curves, if plotted,
measured change in specimen diameter divided by the original 8.1.8 Chord modulus of elasticity, and
diameter. 8.1.9 Poisson’s ratio, if determined.
6.4.4 If a stress-strain curve is to be determined, take 9. Precision and Bias
readings at two or more intermediate points without interrup-
9.1 Precision—The single-operator-machine multibatch
tion of loading; or use an instrument that makes a continuous
precision is 64.25 % (R1S %) max, as defined in Practice
record of the gauge readings.
E177, over the range from 17 to 28 GPa [2.5 to 4 × 106 psi];
6.4.5 Upon reaching the maximum load, except on the final therefore, the results of tests of duplicate cylinders from
loading, reduce the load to zero at the same rate at which it was different batches should not depart more than 5 % from the
applied. average of the two.
6.5 It is not prohibited to obtain the modulus of elasticity 9.2 Bias—This test method has no bias because the values
and strength on the same loading provided that the gauges are determined can only be defined in terms of the test method.
expendable, removable, or adequately protected so that it is
possible to comply with the requirement for continuous loading 10. Keywords
given in Test Method C39/C39M. In this case, record several 10.1 compression testing; concrete; modulus of elasticity;
intermediate readings to obtain a stress-strain curve up to at Poisson’s ratio

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 C469/C469M − 14´1
SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(C469/C469M – 10) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved March 1, 2014)

(1) Section 6 was revised extensively. Three loading cycles is

mandatory.

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