T 159 METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING
Standard Method of Test for
Comparing Concrete on the Basis of the Bond Developed With Reinforcing Steel
AASHTO DESIGNATION: T 159-88
(ASTM DESIGNATION: C 234-87)
1. SCOPE 3. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE attached to the concrete specimens with
setscrews. At the loaded end of the bar,
adjustment is accomplished by changing the
1.1 This test method covers comparison 3.1 This test method is not intended height of the cap screws on the ends of the
of concretes on the basis of the bond either for use in tests in which the split-ring cross bar on which the stems of the
developed with reinforcing steel. principal variable is the size or type of gages bear. The split-ring cross bar is attached
reinforcing bar or for establishing bond to the reinforcing bar through four screws in
1.2 This standard may involve hazardous the arms of the cross bar which bring the
materials, operations, and equipment. values for structural purposes. This test
gasket rubber lining into firm contact with the
This standard does not purport to address method is adoptable to use for research reinforcing bar. The three set-screws as shown
all of the safety problems associated with purposes by varying the conditions as are used to ensure additional cross bar contact.
its use. It is the responsibility of whoever desired, but no attempt to do so has been The cross bar is located in a slot machined in
uses this standard to consult and establish included in the method. This test method the intermediate bearing plate, but is fastened
may also be used to determine the to the reinforcing bar in such a way that no
appropriate safety and health practices
conformance of a product or a treatment contact is made with the bearing plate during
and determine the applicability of the test.
regulatory limitations prior to use. with a requirement relating to its effect
on the bond developed between concrete
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units and reinforcing steel.
are to be regarded as the standard. The SI 4.3 Testing Apparatus-The capped or
equivalents of inch-pound units may be bearing surface of the concrete cube shall
approximate. 4. APPARATUS be supported on a machined steel bearing
plate at least 6 in. (150 mm) square and
3/, in. (19 mm) thick, with a hole drilled
2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS 4.1 Molds for Bond Test Specimens-Two through its center of sufficient diameter
types of molds will be required: for 6 in. to accommodate the reinforcing bar. If a
(150 mm) concrete cubes each containing cross bar measuring apparatus similar to
2.1 AASHTO Standards: a vertically embedded bar, and for 6 by 6 that shown in Figure 2 is used, the
M 31 Deformed and Plain Billet, by 12 in. (150 by 150 by 300 mm) prisms bearing plate should be supported on a
Steel Bars for Concrete each containing two horizontally steel block at least 5 in. (125 mm) in
Reinforcement embedded bars. The molds preferably diameter and 3 in. (75 mm) thick. This
M 201 Moist Cabinets, Moist shall be made of metal, not less than ¼, block should have a central hole to
Rooms, and Water Storage in. (6 mm) thick. If made of wood, they accommodate the reinforcing bar, and in
Tanks Used in the Testing of shall be lined with smooth sheet metal addition, on its top side should have a
Hydraulic Cements and approximately 1/8 in. (3 mm) thick. The diametrical slot and central hole of
Concretes molds shall be watertight. With all-metal dimension sufficient to accommodate the
molds, watertightness may be cross bar. This slotted block shall rest in
T 22 Compressive Strength of
accomplished by using grooved joints, or turn on a spherically seated bearing block
Cylindrical Concrete
a sealing compound may be applied at least 5 in. in diameter and having a
Specimens
along the exteriors of the end joints after central hole at least 1½, in. (38 mm) in
T 119 Slump of Hydraulic Cement assembly. Particular care shall be taken diameter (Figure 2).
Concrete to seal the openings where reinforcing
T 121 Weight per Cubic Foot, bars extend through the molds. The
Yield, and Air Content molds shall be designed to hold the bars 5. TEST SPECIMENS
(Gravimetric) of Concrete rigidly in place, including the free ends of
T 126 Making and Curing Concrete projecting bars. The molds shall be 5.1 The test specimens shall be of two
Test Specimens in the constructed for each removal without types: one containing one reinforcing bar
Laboratory disturbance of embedded bars. Suitable embedded vertically, and the other
molds are shown in Figure 1. containing two bars embedded
T 152 Air Content of Freshly Mixed
Concrete by the Pressure 4.2 Measuring Apparatus-Apparatus horizontally. Three specimens of each
Method shall be provided for measuring the type shall constitute a set of test
movement of the reinforcing bar with specimens.
T 177 Flexural Strength of Concrete respect to the concrete at the loaded end
(Using Simple Beam with 5.2 Specimens for Vertically Embedded
of the bar. Dial gages shall be graduated Bar-These specimens shall consist of
Center-Point Loading) in 0.001 in. (0.025 mm) units; a range of concrete cubes, 6 in. (150 mm) on each
T 196 Air Content of Freshly Mixed at least 0.5 in. (13 mm) shall be provided, edge with a single reinforcing bar
Concrete by the Volumetric and a range of 1.0 in. (25 mm) is embedded vertically along a central axis
Method desirable. in each specimen. The bar shall project
T 231 Capping Cylindrical Concrete downward from the bottom face of the
Specimens NOTE 1-type of apparatus that has been found cube as cast a distance of about 3/8 in. (10
T 244Mechanical Testing of Steel satisfactory is shown in Figure 2. The dial mm), and shall project upward from the
Products gages are mounted on suitable yokes which are top face whatever distance is necessary to
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T 159 METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING
7.2 The manner of placing the concrete in
the molds may in some cases be a
variable in tests of bond. When this is not
the case, use the following procedures for
the respective types of specimens (NOTE
4).
7.2.1 For the 6 in. (150 mm) cubes.
place the concrete in two layers of
approximately equal thickness and rod
each layer 25 times with the 1/8 in. (16
mm) diameter tamping rod.
7.2.2 For the 6 by 6 by 12 in. (150 by
150 by 300 mm) prisms, place the
concrete in four layers of approximately
equal thickness and rod each layer 25
times with the tamping rod (NOTE 5).
NOTE 4-In concrete of 1 in. (25 mm) slump
or less, or under some condition when the
slump is between I in. (25 mm) and 3 in. (75
mm), consolidation by rodding may prove
unsatisfactory (see Section 5.4.1 of T 126). In
such cases, internal vibration by means of a
laboratory type, low-amplitude, high-
provide sufficient length of bar to extend conforming to M 31. Care shall be taker frequency vibrator is recommended. Care shall
through the bearing blocks and the that all bars used in a given series o tests be taken not to vibrate the concrete
support of the testing machine and to are of the same type and have tin same excessively, unless this factor is being
investigated in the tests.
provide an adequate length to be gripped size, shape, and pattern of deforma tions.
for application of load (Figure 1). The lengths of the individual bar shall be
5.3 Specimens for Horizontally such as to meet the requirement: of the NOTE 5-The first and third layers shall be of
test specimens. such thickness that the lower and then the
Embedded Bars-These specimens shall
upper horizontally embedded reinforcing bars,
consist of concrete prisms 6 by 6 by 12 respectively, are completely covered by the
in. (150 by 150 by 300 mm) with the NOTE 3-In consideration of the size o the test consolidated concrete.
longer axes vertical. Two bars shall be specimens and the consequent limite(
embedded in each specimen, clearances between the reinforcing bars an( the
perpendicular to the long axis and sides of the molds, and for standardization it is 7.3 After the top layer has been
parallel to and equidistant from the recommended that the size of the coarse consolidated, strike off the surface with a
vertical sides of the prism (Figure 1). In aggregate used in the concrete be not greate trowel and protect against evaporation of
than 1 in. (25 mm). moisture by one of the acceptable
the vertical direction, one bar shall be
located with its axis 3 in. (75 mm) from methods described in Section 7.1 of T
the bottom of the prism, and the other its 6. MIXING CONCRETE 126. Take care that evaporation does not
axis 9 in. (225 nun) from the bottom. take place in the area adjacent to the
Both bars shall project from the two ends protruding reinforcing bar for the
of the specimen distances corresponding 6.1 The concrete shall be batched vertically cast specimens.
to those specified in Section 3.2 for the machine mixed, molded, and cured it 7.4 Make at least three standard 6 by 12
specimens having a vertically embedded accordance with the applicable portion of
in. (150 by 300 mm) or 4 by 8 in. (100 by
bar. A triangular groove or chamber shall T 126, except as may be otherwise 200 mm) control cylinders from each
be formed in each of the two opposite directed herein. Immediately after mix
batch of concrete for determining
sides of the prism parallel to the axes of ing, the consistency of each batch o compressive strength.
the bars and at midheight of the prism. concrete shall be measured in accordant
These grooves shall be at least ½, in. (13 with T 119. The air content of the freshl:
mm) deep, measured perpendicularly mixed concrete shall be determined in 8. CURING SPECIMENS
from the surface of the concrete. They are accordance with T 196 for lightweight
for the purpose of facilitating the aggregate concrete, or T 152 for concrete
containing relatively dense natural 8.1 Remove the molds from the
breaking of the prism into two test specimens not earlier than 20 hours after
specimens at this weakened plane prior to aggregate.
casting. Take extreme care to prevent
making the bond tests. striking or otherwise disturbing the
7. CASTING SPECIMENS reinforcing bars.
NOTE 2-To obtain the expected maximum
effect on bond due to bleeding, settlement, and NOTE 6-If the method of sealing the openings
7.1 Prior to casting the test specimens,
accumulation of air voids unde the bars, the around the reinforcing bars shown in Figure 1
common plane of the two longi tudinal ribs on coat the inside surfaces of the molds with
a thin film of mineral oil. petroleum jelly, is used, remove the packing around the bar
each bar should be in a horizontal plane in the first; then unbolt the collar from the side of the
as-cast position. or stearic acid paste. Clean the
mold and carefully remove from the bar. The
reinforcing bars of loose rust or scale bottom of the mold may then be slipped easily
with a wire brush, and clean off oil or over the projecting bar.
5.4 Reinforcing Bars-The reinforc ing grease by washing with a suitable
bars shall be Nº 6 deformed bar: solvent.
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T 159 METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING
8.2 Immediately after removing the and be gripped for tension by the jaws of the bearing surface of the concrete cube
molds, cure the specimens in a room in the testing machine. and the point on the reinforcing bar
accordance with M 201, until the time of 10.2 In assembling the testing where the measuring device was
test. Test the specimens at an age of 28 apparatus on the specimen, carefully attached. For calculating this elongation,
days. measure, to the nearest 0.1 in. (2.5 mm), the nominal cross-sectional area of a Nº 6
and record the distance between the bar may be taken as 0.44 in2 (284 mm2),
bearing face of the concrete and the and the modulus of elasticity may be
9. SPECIMEN PREPARATION assumed to be 29,000,000 psi (200 GPa).
horizontal plane passing through the
point on the reinforcing bar where the
9.1 When the specimens are between 7 cross bar of the device for measuring slip NOTE 9-Theoretically, a similar correction is
and 14 days old, break the 6 by 6 by 12 plus elongation is attached so that the required for the compression of the concrete
in. (150 by 150 by 300 mm) prisms in elongation of the reinforcing bar over this between the bearing surface and the location at
half in flexure to form two 6 in. (150 distance may be calculated and deducted which the yoke holding the dials is attached if
nun) cubes. Do this by arranging the from the measured slip plus elongation. the apparatus illustrated in Figure 2 is used.
specimen as a simple beam with This movement, however, is usually very
10.3 Apply the load to the reinforcing small and may be neglected.
centerpoint loading in accordance with T bar at a rate not greater than 5,000 lbf (22
177 with the two triangular grooves in kN)/min) or at the no-load speed of the
the upper and lower faces of the beam at testing machine head of not greater than 12. REPORT
midspan. Apply the load to a ¼ in. (19 0.05 in. (1.27 mm)/min) depending on
mm) diameter bar laid in the upper the type of testing machine used and the
groove and continue until fracture occurs. 12.1 The report shall include such of
means provided for ascertaining or the following data are as pertinent to the
Take care not to strike or otherwise controlling speeds.
disturb the reinforcing bars during the variables or combinations of variables
operation. 10.4 Read and record the applied load studied in the tests:
and the two dial gage readings, at a 12.1.1 Properties of Concrete Mixture:
9.2 Cap the surface of the 6 in. (150 mm) sufficient number of intervals throughout
cube containing the vertically embedded the test to provide at least 15 readings by 12.1.1.1 Type and proportions of
bar, which is to be utilized as the bearing the time a slip of 0.010 in. (0.25 mm) has hydraulic cement, fine aggregate, and
surface in the pull-out test. The occurred at the loaded end of the bar. coarse aggregate (including maximum
applicable portions of T 231, relative to Record the dial-gage readings to an size and grading or designated grading
capping materials and procedures shall be estimated 0.1 of the least division of the indexes), and net water-cement ratio of
used. dial (NOTE 8). the concrete.
10.5 Continue the loading and 12.1.1.2 Type and proportion of any
NOTE 7-The recommended procedure for readings at appropriate intervals until (1) admixture used.
capping the specimens with vertically cast bars the yield point of the reinforcing bar has 12.1.1.3 Twenty-eight day
is as follows: Align the reinforcing bar
been reached, (2) the enclosing concrete compressive strength of control cylinders
vertically by use of a carpenter's level. Placing
the specimens on the base of the mold will splits, or (3) a slippage of at least 0.10 in. as determined by T 22.
facilitate the use of shims generally required to (2.5 mm) has occurred at the loaded end. 12.1.1.4 Air content of freshly mixed
align bars. Oil the ¾ in. (19 mm) drilled steel concrete, indicating whether the
plate used in the pull-out operation and use the Volumetric Method (T 146) of the
NOTE 8-The operation of applying the load
capping plate. After a sufficient quantity of Pressure Method (T 152) was used.
and reading and recording the two dial gages is
capping material has been placed on the
best performed by a crew of five: the machine 12.1.1.5 Unit weight of the concrete as
specimen, slip the plate over the reinforcing
operator, two people to read the dial gages, determined by T 121.
bars and press firmly on the capping material
and two to record. The machine operators calls
until it extrudes at all edges of the plate. Level 12.1.1.6 Consistency of the concrete
"Read" as the first 500 lbf (2.2 kN) of load is
the plate with.a carpenter's level. Removal of
material that extrudes through the drilled hole
applied and as each 1,000 lbf (4.4 kN) as determined by T 119.
increment of load is applied. On this signal the
in the plate before it hardens will aid in 12.1.2 Properties of Reinforcing Bars:
dial gage readers call out the respective
removing the plate without damage to the cap.
readings to the crew member recording for the 12.1.2.1 Nominal diameter or
Unless machine molds are used for specimens
containing horizontally cast bars, it is
respective dial gages. The readings are taken designation of reinforcing bars, and
and recorded simultaneously without stopping measured mass per foot or metre of
recommended that they also be capped in the
the application of load. length.
same manner.
12.1.2.2 Measured values of
10. PROCEDURE 11. CALCULATIONS deformation characteristics including
spacing, height, inclination, and gap
determined as specified in M 31. If
10.1 Mount the specimen in the testing 11.1 Calculate the nominal average possible, a photograph or drawing of the
machine so that the surface of the cube bond stress as the load on the bar as bar, showing the pattern of surface
from which the long end of the bar recorded at any stage in the test divided deformation, shall be included.
projects is in contact with the bearing by the nominal surface area of the entire
embedded length of the bar. For Nº 6 12.1.2.3 Yield point of bars,
block assembly described in Section 4.3 determined in accordance with T 244.
and shown in Figure 2. The spherically deformed bars having an embedded
seated bearing block shall rest on a length of 6 in. (150 mm), the surface area 12.1.3 Mixing Concrete and Casting
support which transfers the reaction from to be used in this calculation may be Specimens:
this block to the weighing table of the taken as 14.14 in.2 (90 cm2). 12.1.3.1 Method of Mixing-If the
testing machine. The projecting 11.2 Calculate the slip of the bar as the standard method of mixing is not used,
reinforcing bar shall extend through the average of the readings of the two dial describe the method actually used in
bearing block assembly and the support, gages, corrected for the elongation of the detail, giving data on the order of adding
reinforcing bar in the distance between and mixing the various ingredients and a
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T 159 METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING
time table of the various steps in the point on the reinforcing bar where the the variables be based primarily on the
process. measuring apparatus was attached. relation of nominal average bond stress to
12.1.3.2 Method of Casting-If the 12.15.2 Type of testing machine used. the slip. For such comparisons, the
method of casting the specimens differs nominal average bond stress measured at
12.1.5.3 Rate at which load was five equal intervals of slip, taken from the
from that specified previously in this test applied in the test, and how measured.
method, describe the method used in bond stress curves, shall be used. The-
detail. 12.1.6 Results: values of slip to be used shall be from 0
12.1.6.1 It is recommended that the to some specified limit which, in general,
12.1.4 Curing: should not exceed 0.01 in. (0.25 mm).
results of each test, or the average of the
12.1.4.1 Age at which molds were results obtained in tests of three 12.1.6.3 For the horizontally
removed. companion specimens, be presented by embedded bars, the orientation of the
12.1.4.2 Environment of specimens plotting the nominal average bond stress longitudinal ribs of the reinforcing bars
during curing if different from that as the ordinate, and the slip (between the should be stated. Preferably, the two ribs
specified, and length of time in reinforcing bar and the concrete) as the of a bar should be in a common
environment. abscissa. The results of tests on the three horizontal plane as cast. Also, results for
12.1.5 Procedure: types of specimens (vertical and the lower bar should be compared with
horizontal at two depths of cover) shall results for the upper bar.
12.1.5.1 The capping material used not be averaged together.
and the capping procedure, if different
from that described. Distance from the 12.1.6.2 It is recommended that
bearing face of the concrete cube to the comparisons between different values of
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