Experimental Tests to Determine the Capacity of Prefabricated Concrete Columns

Abstract

This document develops a method for comparison and correlation of two methods for testing reinforced concrete prefabricated columns. The main objective of this article is to simplify the quality control methods in this field and bring information on how to extrapolate the results that may be obtained from a simpler testing method as the ASTM C78M, Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Concrete (using simple beam with third-point loading) to a method which represents better the condition of loading that often are used in analytical design of this elements, which is the Method for Flexural Strength of Concrete (using cantilevered beam at 0,220 · L and loaded at 0,728 · L). For the investigation 5 producing factories of columns were evaluated, For each factory, were 7 columns were tested with a method and 7 columns with the other method. The experimental result indicates that apparently does not exist significant difference between both methods.