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Founded in 1904 and headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA, the American Concrete Institute is a leading authority and resource worldwide for the development, dissemination, and adoption of its consensus-based standards, technical resources, educational programs, and proven expertise for individuals and organizations involved in concrete design, construction, and materials, who share a commitment to pursuing the best use of concrete.
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Home > Tools > Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is compressive strength the only strength factor of interest? A. No, in the early development of concrete, compressive strength was the primary interest and it became the natural basis for recording the results of experience and research. With respect to its application, other types of strength play a critical role in concrete applications. For example, concrete has relatively low tensile strength compared to its compressive strength. When subjected to bending, such as in beams or slabs, its tensile strength may be the limiting factor in design to minimize or restrain cracking. In pavements, flexural strength becomes a matter of considerable interest. Other types of strength of importance include shear strength, bond strength, fatigue strength, and impact strength. Depending on the design, one of those strengths or their associated strains could be the influential design limit. References: SP-1(02); ACI 214R-11; ASTM D790; ASTM C78; ASTM C1161; ASTM C293 Topics in Concrete: 318 Building Code; Concrete Fundamentals; Pavement; Testing of Concrete
Q. Is compressive strength the only strength factor of interest?
A. No, in the early development of concrete, compressive strength was the primary interest and it became the natural basis for recording the results of experience and research. With respect to its application, other types of strength play a critical role in concrete applications. For example, concrete has relatively low tensile strength compared to its compressive strength. When subjected to bending, such as in beams or slabs, its tensile strength may be the limiting factor in design to minimize or restrain cracking. In pavements, flexural strength becomes a matter of considerable interest. Other types of strength of importance include shear strength, bond strength, fatigue strength, and impact strength. Depending on the design, one of those strengths or their associated strains could be the influential design limit.
References: SP-1(02); ACI 214R-11; ASTM D790; ASTM C78; ASTM C1161; ASTM C293
Topics in Concrete: 318 Building Code; Concrete Fundamentals; Pavement; Testing of Concrete
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