This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what

changes have been made to the previous version. Because

it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.

Designation: D1635/D1635M − 12 D1635/D1635M − 19

Standard Test Method for

Flexural Strength of Soil-Cement Using Simple Beam with
Third-Point Loading 1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1635/D1635M; 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*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flexural strength of soil-cement by the use of a simple beam with third-point
loading.
NOTE 1—For methods of molding soil-cement specimens, see Practice D1632.
1.2 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026 unless superseded by this standard.
1.2 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated
in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used
independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined. The SI units are presented in brackets.
1.2.1 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used when dealing with inchpound units. In this system, the pound (lbf)
represents a unit of force (weight), while the unit for mass is slugs. The rationalized slug unit is not given, unless dynamic (F =
ma) calculations are involved.
iTeh Standards
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026.
(https://standards.iteh.ai)
1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated in the standard are regarded as industry
standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not
Document Preview
consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives;
and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations.
It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.
1.4 This standard does not purport to addressASTM D1635/D1635M-19
all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/f01bd59a-b0dd-4ebe-a31d-14996c5ac715/astm-d1635-d1635m-19
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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.

2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D1632 Practice for Making and Curing Soil-Cement Compression and Flexure Test Specimens in the Laboratory
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines

1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.15 on Stabilization With
Admixtures.
Current edition approved May 1, 2012Nov. 1, 2019. Published June 2012December 2019. Originally approved in 1959. Last previous edition approved in 20002012 as
D1635 – 00D1635 – 12.(2006). DOI: 10.1520/D1635_D1635M-12.10.1520/D1635_D1635M-19.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 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

1
 D1635/D1635M − 19
3. Terminology
3.1 For common definitions of common technical terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 flexural strength, n—maximum resistance of a specimen subjected to bending.
3.2.2 modulus of rupture, n—calculated stress, assuming linear-elastic behavior, in the tensile face of a beam specimen at the
maximum bending moment during a standard test method.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A beam, typically 3 by 3 by 111⁄4 in. [76 by 76 by 290 mm], is placed in a third-point loading apparatus and loaded until
failure.
4.2 The maximum applied load, specimen dimensions, and span length are used to calculate the modulus of rupture.
4.3 Practice D1632 provides methods of molding soil-cement test specimens.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method is used to determine the flexural strength of soil-cement. Flexural strength is significant in pavement design
and is can be used to determine slab thickness.the thickness of pavement layers.
NOTE 2—The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the
equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective
testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable
results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.

6. Apparatus
6.1 Compression Testing Machine—The testing machine may be of any type having sufficient capacity and control to provide

iTeh Standards
the rate of displacement or loading (prescribedprescribed in 7.28.2). It shall conform to the requirements of Section 15 of Practices
E4. The testing machine shall be equipped with a spherically seated head block having a bearing surface of at least 75 % of the

(https://standards.iteh.ai)
width of the beam but not greatly in excess of the width of the beam. The movable portion of this block shall be held closely in
the spherical seat, but the design shall be such that the bearing face may be rotated freely and tilted through small angles in any
direction. The compression machine shall be verified in accordance with Practice E4 at least annually to determine if indicated
Document Preview
loads are accurate to 61.0 % in the applicable range of loading
6.2 Flexural Testing Apparatus—The third-point loading method used in making flexure tests of soil-cement A four-point
loading apparatus shall employ bearing blocks that will ensure that forces applied to the beam will be vertical only and applied
without eccentricity. A diagrammatic drawing ofASTM D1635/D1635M-19
an apparatus that accomplishes this purpose is shown in Fig. 1. The apparatus
shall be designed to incorporate the following principles:This type of loading apparatus is commonly referred to as third-point
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/f01bd59a-b0dd-4ebe-a31d-14996c5ac715/astm-d1635-d1635m-19
loading since the bearing blocks are located at third points of the span.
5.2.1 The distance between supports and points of load application shall remain constant for a given apparatus.
5.2.2 The direction of the reactions shall be parallel to the direction of the applied load at all times during the test.
5.2.3 The load shall be applied at a uniform rate and in such a manner as to avoid shock.
6.2.1 The directions of loads and reactions may be maintained parallel by judicious use of linkages, rocker bearings, and flexure
plates. Eccentricity of loading can be avoided by use of spherical bearings.apparatus shall be designed to incorporate the following
principles:
6.2.1.1 The distance between supports and points of load application shall remain constant for a given apparatus.
6.2.1.2 The direction of the reactions shall be parallel to the direction of the applied load at all times during the test.
6.2.1.3 The directions of loads and reactions may be maintained parallel by judicious use of linkages, rocker bearings, and
flexure plates. Eccentricity of loading can be avoided by use of spherical bearings.
6.2.1.4 The steel plate and bed of testing machine shall be of sufficient hardness and size to support the testing apparatus.
6.3 Drying Oven—Conforming to the requirements of Test Methods D2216.
6.4 Measuring Device—A measuring device suitable for measuring the width and depth of test specimens to the nearest 0.01
in. [0.25 mm].
7. Test Specimens
7.1 The standard test specimens shall beare typically beams 3 by 3 by 111⁄4 in. [76 by 76 by 290 mm], but mm] as described
in D1632. However, a similar test method may be used for testing specimens of other sizes. Test the specimens on their sides with
respect to their molded position.
7.2 Make flexural tests of moist cured specimens as soon as practicable after removing them from the moist room, and during
the period between removal from the moist room and testing keep the specimens moist by a wet burlap or blanket covering. Curing
and conditioning procedures shall be given in detail in the report.