Designation: C99/C99M − 15

Standard Test Method for

Modulus of Rupture of Dimension Stone1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C99/C99M; 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.

1. Scope 5.2 Load Application and Support Blocks—The supports for

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the modu- the specimen shall be of the rocker type (Fig. 1) with edges at
lus of rupture of all types of dimension stone except slate. least as long as the width of the specimen. The load application
block may be of either the rocker or rigid type. The portions of
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units the load application and support blocks contacting the stone
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in shall be rounded, with a nominal radius of 1⁄2 in. [13 mm].
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining 6. Sampling
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
with the standard. 6.1 Select the sample to represent a true average of the type
or grade of stone under consideration and of the quality
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the supplied to the market under the type designation to be tested.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the The sample may be selected by the purchaser or his authorized
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- representative from the quarried stone or taken from the natural
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- ledge and shall be of adequate size to permit the preparation of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. the desired number of test specimens. When perceptible
2. Referenced Documents variations occur, the purchaser may select as many samples as
are necessary for determining the variations in modulus of
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
rupture.
C119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone
NOTE 1—Refer to Guide C1799 for additional information on selecting,
C1799 Guide to Dimension Stone Test Specimen Sampling preparing, and conditioning test specimens.
and Preparation
3. Terminology 7. Test Specimens
3.1 Definitions—All definitions are in accordance with Ter- 7.1 The specimens shall be 4 by 8 by 21⁄4 in. [100 by 200 by
minology C119. 60 mm] in size and fabricated to tolerances of 61⁄16 in. [62
mm]. They shall be sawed from the sample and finished by
4. Significance and Use grinding to smooth surfaces. The 4 by 8-in. [100 by 200-mm]
4.1 This test method is useful in indicating the differences in faces shall be as nearly plane and parallel as practicable. For
modulus of rupture between the various dimension stones. This loading perpendicular to the rift (Note 2) five specimens shall
test method also provides one element in comparing stones of be prepared with the 4 by 8-in. [100 by 200-mm] faces parallel
the same type. to the rift planes (see Fig. 1), and for loading parallel to the rift,
five specimens shall be prepared with the 4 by 21⁄4-in. [100 by
5. Apparatus 60-mm] faces parallel to the rift (Note 3). When tests are
5.1 Testing Machine—The accuracy of the testing machine desired on the stone in both the wet and dry condition, ten
shall be within 1 % for the range from 10 to 1000 lbf [50 to specimens shall be prepared for each direction of loading; that
5000 N]. is, five for tests dry, perpendicular to the rift, five for tests wet,
perpendicular to the rift, etc.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C18 on
Dimension Stone and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C18.01 on Test
NOTE 2—The term rift is used here to designate the direction in which
Methods. the stone splits most easily. In stratified stones it is considered to coincide
Current edition approved May 1, 2015. Published July 2015. Originally approved with the bedding or stratification. The rift direction should always be
in 1931. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as C99–09. DOI: 10.1520/C0099 marked on the sample by the quarryman, since it often is not possible to
_C0099M-15. determine it on a small block.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or NOTE 3—Another condition of loading may occur in structures when
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM the rift planes are vertical and parallel to the length of the beam. The
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on strength of the stone may be obtained for such loading by cutting the
the ASTM website. specimens with the 21⁄4 by 8-in. [60 by 200-mm] face parallel to the rift.

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

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 C99/C99M − 15

SI Unit Equivalents
21⁄4 in. [60 mm]
31⁄2 in. [90 mm]
4 in. [100 mm]
8 in. [200 mm]

FIG. 1 Specimens and Preferred Type of Load Application and Support Blocks for Determining the Modulus of Rupture of Building
Stone

The meager data available for this condition of loading indicates that the 8.2 Measure the dimensions of the cross section on the
strength is at least as high as when the load is applied perpendicular to the center line. Measure the width to the nearest 0.01 in. [0.1 mm]
rift as shown in Fig. 1.
and take the thickness as the average of three measurements to
8. Marking and Measuring Specimens the nearest 0.01 in. [0.1 mm], one taken at the center and one
near each edge.
8.1 On the 4 by 8-in. [100 by 200-mm] face draw the center
line perpendicular to one edge (8 by 21⁄4-in. [60 by 200-mm] 9. Conditioning
face) and extend down both edges perpendicular to the 4 by
8-in. [100 by 200-mm] face. At a distance of 31⁄2 in. [90 mm] 9.1 Before testing the specimens in a dry condition, dry
each way from the center line, draw two similar sets of lines them for 48 h at 140 6 4°F [60 6 2°C]. At the 46th, 47th and
(span lines in Fig. 1). Mark each specimen to indicate the 48th hour, weigh the specimens to ensure that the weight is the
direction of the rift and label with suitable numbers or letters same. If the weight continues to drop, continue to dry the
for identification in measuring and testing. specimens until there are three successive hourly readings with

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 C99/C99M − 15
the same weight. After removing the specimens from the oven, b = width of specimen, in. [mm], and
cool them to room temperature in a desiccator before testing d = thickness of specimen, in. [mm].
them.
12. Report
9.2 Before testing the specimens in a wet condition, im-
merse them in water for 48 h at 72 6 4°F [22 6 2°C]. Test 12.1 Report the average of all values of modulus of rupture
them immediately upon removal from the bath, wiping the for test specimens loaded perpendicular to the rift as the
specimens free of surface water. modulus of rupture perpendicular to the rift, and report the
average for all test specimens loaded parallel to the rift as the
10. Procedure modulus of rupture parallel to the rift. In case any specimen
10.1 Lay the specimen flatwise on the support blocks, gives a value of as much as 20 % under the average it shall be
spaced 7 in. [180 mm] apart and equidistant from the load examined for defects and, if the low value appears to be due to
application block (Note 4), with all three load application and a flaw or faulty test piece, report the average of the remaining
support blocks parallel. When a load of 10 lbf [50 N] has been specimens of the group as the modulus of rupture of the sample
applied, stop the loading and make all load application and for the condition of loading under consideration. Report all
support blocks coincide with the marks on the specimen by determinations as information.
centering the specimen under the load application block and 12.2 Report the following additional information:
moving the support blocks under the span marks. Apply the 12.2.1 Identification of the sample, including the name and
loading at a rate not exceeding 1000 lbf/min [5000 N/min] until location of the quarry, name and position of the ledge, date
failure of the specimen. when sample was taken, and trade name or grade of the stone,
NOTE 4—When all three load application and support blocks are of the 12.2.2 Size and shape of specimens used in the test, and
rocker type, care must be taken to adjust all three until the top face of the 12.2.3 A description of the way in which the specimens
specimen is horizontal when loaded. were prepared.
11. Calculation 13. Precision and Bias
11.1 Calculate the modulus of rupture of each specimen as 13.1 Individual variations in a natural product may result in
follows: deviation from accepted values. A precision section will be
R 5 3Wl/2bd2 (1) added when sufficient data are available to indicate acceptable
tolerances in repeatability and reproducibility.
where:
R = modulus of rupture, psi [MPa], 14. Keywords
W = breaking load, lbf [N], 14.1 dimension stone; flexure; modulus of rupture; stone;
l = length of span, in. [mm], test

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