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Designation: C39/C39M − 18

Standard Test Method for

Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C39/C39M; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This test method covers determination of compressive 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
strength of cylindrical concrete specimens such as molded C31/C31M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test
cylinders and drilled cores. It is limited to concrete having a Specimens in the Field
density in excess of 800 kg/m3 [50 lb/ft3]. C42/C42M Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled
Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
are to be regarded separately as standard. The inch-pound units
gregates
are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system may
C192/C192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test
not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used
Specimens in the Laboratory
independently of the other. Combining values from the two
C617/C617M Practice for Capping Cylindrical Concrete
systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
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Specimens
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the for Test Methods for Construction Materials
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responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
C873/C873M Test Method for Compressive Strength of
Concrete Cylinders Cast in Place in Cylindrical Molds

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mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to C943 Practice for Making Test Cylinders and Prisms for
use.(Warning—Means should be provided to contain concrete Determining Strength and Density of Preplaced-
fragments during sudden rupture of specimens. Tendency for Aggregate Concrete in the Laboratory
sudden rupture increases with increasing concrete strength and C1077 Practice for Agencies Testing Concrete and Concrete
ASTM
it is more likely when the testing machine is relatively C39/C39M-18
flexible. Aggregates for Use in Construction and Criteria for
The safety precautions given in the Manual are recommended.)
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Testing Agency Evaluation
1.4 The text of this standard references notes which provide C1176/C1176M Practice for Making Roller-Compacted
explanatory material. These notes shall not be considered as Concrete in Cylinder Molds Using a Vibrating Table
requirements of the standard. C1231/C1231M Practice for Use of Unbonded Caps in
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- Determination of Compressive Strength of Hardened Cy-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- lindrical Concrete Specimens
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the C1435/C1435M Practice for Molding Roller-Compacted
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- Concrete in Cylinder Molds Using a Vibrating Hammer
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical C1604/C1604M Test Method for Obtaining and Testing
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. Drilled Cores of Shotcrete
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
E18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Ma-
1
terials
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
2
C09.61 on Testing for Strength. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2018. Published February 2018. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1921. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as C39/C39M – 17b. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/C0039_C0039M-18. the ASTM website.

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

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 C39/C39M − 18
E74 Practice of Calibration of Force-Measuring Instruments C943, C1176/C1176M, C1231/C1231M, and C1435/C1435M,
for Verifying the Force Indication of Testing Machines and Test Methods C42/C42M, C873/C873M, and C1604/
Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing C1604M.
5.3 The results of this test method are used as a basis for
3. Terminology quality control of concrete proportioning, mixing, and placing
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this operations; determination of compliance with specifications;
practice, refer to Terminology C125. control for evaluating effectiveness of admixtures; and similar
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: uses.
3.2.1 bearing block, n—steel piece to distribute the load 5.4 The individual who tests concrete cylinders for accep-
from the testing machine to the specimen. tance testing shall meet the concrete laboratory technician
3.2.2 lower bearing block, n—steel piece placed under the requirements of Practice C1077, including an examination
specimen to distribute the load from the testing machine to the requiring performance demonstration that is evaluated by an
specimen. independent examiner.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—The lower bearing block provides a NOTE 1—Certification equivalent to the minimum guidelines for ACI
readily machinable surface for maintaining the specified bear- Concrete Laboratory Technician, Level I or ACI Concrete Strength
ing surface. The lower bearing block may also be used to adapt Testing Technician will satisfy this requirement.
the testing machine to various specimen heights. The lower
bearing block is also referred to as bottom block, plain block, 6. Apparatus
and false platen. 6.1 Testing Machine—The testing machine shall be of a type
3.2.3 platen, n—primary bearing surface of the testing having sufficient capacity and capable of providing the rates of
machine. loading prescribed in 8.5.
3.2.3.1 Discussion—The platen is also referred to as the 6.1.1 Verify the accuracy of the testing machine in accor-
testing machine table. dance with Practices E4, except that the verified loading range

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shall be as required in 6.4. Verification is required:
3.2.4 spacer, n—steel piece used to elevate the lower bear-
ing block to accommodate test specimens of various heights. 6.1.1.1 Within 13 months of the last calibration,
6.1.1.2 On original installation or immediately after
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3.2.4.1 Discussion—Spacers are not required to have hard-
ened bearing faces because spacers are not in direct contact
with the specimen or the retainers of unbonded caps.
relocation,
6.1.1.3 Immediately after making repairs or adjustments
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3.2.5 upper bearing block, n—steel assembly suspended
above the specimen that is capable of tilting to bear uniformly
that affect the operation of the force applying system or the
values displayed on the load indicating system, except for zero
adjustments that compensate for the mass of bearing blocks or
on the top of the specimen. specimen, or both, or
3.2.5.1 Discussion—The upper bearing block ASTM
is alsoC39/C39M-18
re-
6.1.1.4 Whenever there is reason to suspect the accuracy of
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ferred to as the spherically seated block and the suspended
the indicated loads.
block.
6.1.2 Design—The design of the machine must include the
following features:
4. Summary of Test Method
6.1.2.1 The machine must be power operated and must
4.1 This test method consists of applying a compressive apply the load continuously rather than intermittently, and
axial load to molded cylinders or cores at a rate which is within without shock. If it has only one loading rate (meeting the
a prescribed range until failure occurs. The compressive requirements of 8.5), it must be provided with a supplemental
strength of the specimen is calculated by dividing the maxi- means for loading at a rate suitable for verification. This
mum load attained during the test by the cross-sectional area of supplemental means of loading may be power or hand oper-
the specimen. ated.
6.1.2.2 The space provided for test specimens shall be large
5. Significance and Use enough to accommodate, in a readable position, an elastic
5.1 Care must be exercised in the interpretation of the calibration device which is of sufficient capacity to cover the
significance of compressive strength determinations by this test potential loading range of the testing machine and which
method since strength is not a fundamental or intrinsic property complies with the requirements of Practice E74.
of concrete made from given materials. Values obtained will NOTE 2—The types of elastic calibration devices most generally
depend on the size and shape of the specimen, batching, mixing available and most commonly used for this purpose are the circular
procedures, the methods of sampling, molding, and fabrication proving ring or load cell.
and the age, temperature, and moisture conditions during 6.1.3 Accuracy—The accuracy of the testing machine shall
curing. be in accordance with the following provisions:
5.2 This test method is used to determine compressive 6.1.3.1 The percentage of error for the loads within the
strength of cylindrical specimens prepared and cured in accor- proposed range of use of the testing machine shall not exceed
dance with Practices C31/C31M, C192/C192M, C617/C617M, 61.0 % of the indicated load.

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 C39/C39M − 18
6.1.3.2 The accuracy of the testing machine shall be verified 6.2 Bearing Blocks—The upper and lower bearing blocks
by applying five test loads in four approximately equal shall conform to the following requirements:
increments in ascending order. The difference between any two 6.2.1 Bearing blocks shall be steel with hardened bearing
successive test loads shall not exceed one third of the differ- faces (Note 3).
ence between the maximum and minimum test loads. 6.2.2 Bearing faces shall have dimensions at least 3 %
6.1.3.3 The test load as indicated by the testing machine and greater than the nominal diameter of the specimen.
the applied load computed from the readings of the verification 6.2.3 Except for the inscribed concentric circles described
device shall be recorded at each test point. Calculate the error, in 6.2.4.7, the bearing faces shall not depart from a plane by
E, and the percentage of error, Ep, for each point from these more than 0.02 mm [0.001 in.] along any 150 mm [6 in.] length
data as follows: for bearing blocks with a diameter of 150 mm [6 in.] or larger,
E5A2B (1) or by more than 0.02 mm [0.001 in.] in any direction of smaller
bearing blocks. New bearing blocks shall be manufactured
E p 5 100~ A 2 B ! /B within one half of this tolerance.
where: NOTE 3—It is desirable that the bearing faces of bearing blocks have a
A = load, kN [lbf] indicated by the machine being verified, Rockwell hardness at least 55 HRC as determined by Test Methods E18.
and NOTE 4—Square bearing faces are permissible for the bearing blocks.
B = applied load, kN [lbf] as determined by the calibrating 6.2.4 Upper Bearing Block—The upper bearing block shall
device. conform to the following requirements:
6.1.3.4 The report on the verification of a testing machine 6.2.4.1 The upper bearing block shall be spherically seated
shall state within what loading range it was found to conform and the center of the sphere shall coincide with the center of the
to specification requirements rather than reporting a blanket bearing face within 65 % of the radius of the sphere.
acceptance or rejection. In no case shall the loading range be 6.2.4.2 The ball and the socket shall be designed so that the
stated as including loads below the value which is 100 times steel in the contact area does not permanently deform when
the smallest change of load estimable on the load-indicating loaded to the capacity of the testing machine.
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mechanism of the testing machine or loads within that portion
of the range below 10 % of the maximum range capacity. NOTE 5—The preferred contact area is in the form of a ring (described
as preferred bearing area) as shown in Fig. 1.

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6.1.3.5 In no case shall the loading range be stated as
including loads outside the range of loads applied during the
verification test.
6.2.4.3 Provision shall be made for holding the upper
bearing block in the socket. The design shall be such that the
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6.1.3.6 The indicated load of a testing machine shall not be
corrected either by calculation or by the use of a calibration
bearing face can be rotated and tilted at least 4° in any
direction.
diagram to obtain values within the required permissible 6.2.4.4 If the upper bearing block is a two-piece design
variation. ASTM C39/C39M-18 of a spherical portion and a bearing plate, a
composed
mechanical means shall be provided to ensure that the spherical
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portion is fixed and centered on the bearing plate.
6.2.4.5 The diameter of the sphere shall be at least 75 % of
the nominal diameter of the specimen. If the diameter of the
sphere is smaller than the diameter of the specimen, the portion
of the bearing face extending beyond the sphere shall have a
thickness not less than the difference between the radius of the
sphere and radius of the specimen (see Fig. 1). The least
dimension of the bearing face shall be at least as great as the
diameter of the sphere.
6.2.4.6 The dimensions of the bearing face of the upper
bearing block shall not exceed the following values:
Nominal Diameter Maximum Diameter Maximum Dimensions
of Specimen, of Round Bearing of Square Bearing
mm [in.] Face, mm [in.] Face, mm [in.]
50 [2] 105 [4] 105 by 105 [4 by 4]
75 [3] 130 [5] 130 by 130 [5 by 5]
100 [4] 165 [6.5] 165 by 165 [6.5 by 6.5]
150 [6] 255 [10] 255 by 255 [10 by 10]
200 [8] 280 [11] 280 by 280 [11 by 11]

T≥R–r 6.2.4.7 If the diameter of the bearing face of the upper

r = radius of spherical portion of upper bearing block bearing block exceeds the nominal diameter of the specimen by
R = nominal radius of specimen more than 13 mm [0.5 in.], concentric circles not more than 0.8
T = thickness of upper bearing block extending beyond the mm [0.03 in.] deep and not more than 1 mm [0.04 in.] wide
sphere shall be inscribed on the face of upper bearing block to
FIG. 1 Schematic Sketch of Typical Upper Bearing Block facilitate proper centering.

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 C39/C39M − 18
6.2.4.8 At least every six months, or as specified by the exceed the clear distance between the smallest graduations.
manufacturer of the testing machine, clean and lubricate the The scale shall be provided with a labeled graduation line load
curved surfaces of the socket and of the spherical portion of the corresponding to zero load. Each dial shall be equipped with a
upper bearing block. The lubricant shall be a petroleum-type zero adjustment located outside the dial case and accessible
oil such as conventional motor oil or as specified by the from the front of the machine while observing the zero mark
manufacturer of the testing machine. and dial pointer.
NOTE 6—To ensure uniform seating, the upper bearing block is NOTE 9—Readability is considered to be 0.5 mm [0.02 in.] along the arc
designed to tilt freely as it comes into contact with the top of the specimen. described by the end of the pointer. If the spacing is between 1 and 2 mm
After contact, further rotation is undesirable. Friction between the socket [0.04 and 0.08 in.], one half of a scale interval is considered readable. If
and the spherical portion of the head provides restraint against further the spacing is between 2 and 3 mm [0.08 and 0.12 in.], one third of a scale
rotation during loading. Pressure-type greases can reduce the desired interval is considered readable. If the spacing is 3 mm [0.12 in.] or more,
friction and permit undesired rotation of the spherical head and should not one fourth of a scale interval is considered readable.
be used unless recommended by the manufacturer of the testing machine.
Petroleum-type oil such as conventional motor oil has been shown to 6.4.4 If the load is displayed in digital form, the numbers
permit the necessary friction to develop. must be large enough to be read. The numerical increment shall
6.2.5 Lower Bearing Block—The lower bearing block shall not exceed 0.1 % of the full scale load of a given loading range.
conform to the following requirements: Provision shall be made for adjusting the display to indicate a
6.2.5.1 The lower bearing block shall be solid. value of zero when no load is applied to the specimen.
6.2.5.2 The top and bottom surfaces of the lower bearing 6.5 Documentation of the calibration and maintenance of
block shall be parallel to each other. the testing machine shall be in accordance with Practice
6.2.5.3 The lower bearing block shall be at least 25 mm C1077.
[1.0 in.] thick when new, and at least 22.5 mm [0.9 in.] thick
after resurfacing. 7. Specimens
6.2.5.4 The lower bearing block shall be fully supported by 7.1 Specimens shall not be tested if any individual diameter
the platen of the testing machine or by any spacers used. of a cylinder differs from any other diameter of the same
6.2.5.5 If the testing machine is designed that the platen
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itself is readily maintained in the specified surface condition, a
lower bearing block is not required.
cylinder by more than 2 %.
NOTE 10—This may occur when single use molds are damaged or

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deformed during shipment, when flexible single use molds are deformed
NOTE 7—The lower bearing block may be fastened to the platen of the during molding, or when a core drill deflects or shifts during drilling.
testing machine.
7.2 Prior to testing, neither end of test specimens shall
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NOTE 8—Inscribed concentric circles as described in 6.2.4.7 are
optional on the lower bearing block. depart from perpendicularity to the axis by more than 0.5°
6.3 Spacers—If spacers are used, the spacers shall be placed (approximately equivalent to 1 mm in 100 mm [0.12 in. in 12
under the lower bearing block and shall conform to the in.]). The ends of compression test specimens that are not plane
following requirements: ASTM C39/C39M-18
within 0.050 mm [0.002 in.] shall be sawed or ground to meet
that tolerance, or capped in accordance with either Practice
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6.3.1 Spacers shall be solid steel. One vertical opening
C617/C617M or, when permitted, Practice C1231/C1231M.
located in the center of the spacer is permissible. The maxi-
mum diameter of the vertical opening is 19 mm [0.75 in.]. The diameter used for calculating the cross-sectional area of
6.3.2 The top and bottom surfaces of the spacer shall be the test specimen shall be determined to the nearest 0.25 mm
parallel to each other. [0.01 in.] by averaging two diameters measured at right angles
6.3.3 Spacers shall be fully supported by the platen of the to each other at about midheight of the specimen.
test machine. 7.3 The number of individual cylinders measured for deter-
6.3.4 Spacers shall fully support the lower bearing block mination of average diameter is not prohibited from being
and any spacers above. reduced to one for each ten specimens or three specimens per
6.3.5 Spacers shall not be in direct contact with the speci- day, whichever is greater, if all cylinders are known to have
men or the retainers of unbonded caps. been made from a single lot of reusable or single-use molds
6.4 Load Indication—The testing machine shall be equipped which consistently produce specimens with average diameters
with either a dial or digital load indicator. within a range of 0.5 mm [0.02 in.]. When the average
6.4.1 The verified loading range shall not include loads less diameters do not fall within the range of 0.5 mm [0.02 in.] or
than 100 times the smallest change of load that can be read. when the cylinders are not made from a single lot of molds,
6.4.2 A means shall be provided that will record, or indicate each cylinder tested must be measured and the value used in
until reset, the maximum load to an accuracy within 1.0 % of calculation of the unit compressive strength of that specimen.
the load. When the diameters are measured at the reduced frequency, the
6.4.3 If the load is displayed on a dial, the graduated scale cross-sectional areas of all cylinders tested on that day shall be
shall be readable to at least the nearest 0.1 % of the full scale computed from the average of the diameters of the three or
load (Note 9). The dial shall be readable within 1.0 % of the more cylinders representing the group tested that day.
indicated load at any given load level within the loading range. 7.4 If the purchaser of the testing services or the specifier of
The dial pointer shall be of sufficient length to reach the the tests requests measurement of the specimen density, deter-
graduation marks. The width of the end of the pointer shall not mine the specimen density before capping by either 7.4.1