MODULUS

OF
ELASTICITY
REPORT
September 24th, 2003

Report Prepared By:

Sean Mulligan

Testing Performed By:

Bob Thompson
Chuck Cook
Donita Weatherspoon

Modulus of Elasticity
Report

PURPOSE
The purpose of this experiment was to determine the variation in the modulus of elasticity (E) of three (3)
different classes of concrete (a normal concrete [Class S] and two high performance concretes [Class HP3 and Class HP-4]). The chord modulus of elasticity (Ec) was determined for each class of concrete using
data on cylinder deformation obtained during in-house experimentation. The value determined for Ec for
each class of concrete was then substituted into the equation for the secant modulus of elasticity (Es), and
the coefficient (C) for the secant modulus was calculated for each class of concrete for comparison
purposes.
PROCEDURE
ASTM C 469-94 was used as the procedure for this experiment. In summary, numerous six inch by 12
inch (6" x 12") pairs of concrete cylinders were tested as follows:
1) The first cylinder of each pair was tested to compressive failure and the load at failure was
recorded (Cyl. #1 Failure).
2) The second cylinder of each pair was fitted with a compressometer such that the compressometer
was centered around the cylinder making the deformation experienced by the cylinder equal to
the gage reading.
3) A load equal to approximately 40% of the load at failure of the first cylinder was applied to the
second cylinder to seat the gage, then the load was released and adjustments were made if
necessary to ensure the compressometer was properly seated.
4) A load was re-applied to the second cylinder until the compressometer gage read 0.0005 inches
and the corresponding load at a gage reading of 0.0005 inches was recorded (LL).
5) The load was increased to approximately 40% of the load at failure of the first cylinder and the
corresponding load (HL) and gage reading (HG) were recorded.
6) The load was released then the HL was re-applied to to check the accuracy of the HG reading.
7) The load was released and the compressometer was removed.
8) The second cylinder was tested to compressive failure and the load at failure was recorded (Cyl.
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Modulus of Elasticity
Report
#2 Failure).

CALCULATIONS
The method used in this experiment to calculate the modulus of elasticity is based upon deformation of
concrete cylinders under a compressive load. This yields the chord modulus of elasticity (Ec). The
equation for the chord modulus of elasticity is [equation 1] Ec = (S2 - S1) / (e2 - e1), where:
Ec = chord modulus of elasticity
S1 = stress corresponding to longitudinal strain of e1
S2 = stress at HL where HL is 40% of the load at compressive failure for cylinder #1
e1 = longitudinal strain at S1
e2 = longitudinal strain at S2
Longitudinal strain is the deformation that the specimen is subjected to when under compression.
According to the compressometer used, each longitudinal strain (e1, e2) is equivalent to the gage reading
divided by the effective gage length where the effective gage length is 8 inches. The first gage reading for
each pair of cylinders was 0.0005 inches. The second gage reading (HG) varied among the cylinder pairs
and was taken at 40% of Cyl. #1 Failure. This yields:
(e2 - e1) = [HG / (2 x 8')] - [0.0005 in. / (2 x 8")] = (HG - 0.0005 in.) / 16"
Stress is the force exerted on the cylinder in pounds per square inch. Stress is calculated by dividing the
load (pounds) by the surface area (square inches) of the cross section of the specimen. Each specimen
was a 6" diameter cylinder which equates to a surface area of PI x (D)2 /4 = 3.142 x (6 inches)2 / 4 =
28.27 square inches. The first stress (S1) is equivalent to the load at e1 divided by 28.27 square inches
(LL). The second stress (S2) is equivalent to 40% of the ultimate load divided by 28.27 square inches
(HL). This yields:
(S2 - S1) = [(0.4 x HL) / 28.27 in2]- (LL / 28.27 in2) = [(0.4 x HL) - LL)] / 28.27 in. 2
Substituting stresses and longitudinal strains back into the original equation yields:
Ec = (S2 - S1) / (e2 - e1) = {[(0.4 x HL) - LL] / 28.27 in. 2} / [(HG - 0.0005 in.) / 16]
=> Ec = (0.566 / in.) x [(0.4 x HL) - LL] / (HG - 0.0005 in.)
where HL and LL are in pounds, HG is in inches, and HL, LL, and HG were recorded during the
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Modulus of Elasticity
Report
experiment.
Another method that can be used to calculate the modulus of elasticity is based upon the ultimate strength
of concrete cylinders. This yields the secant modulus of elasticity (Es). The secant modulus of elasticity
is equivalent to a factor multiplied by the square root of the ultimate strength of the concrete. The equation
for the secant modulus of elasticity is [equation 2] Es = C x (Fc)1/2 where:
Es = Secant Modulus of Elasticity
C = coefficient that is dependent upon density where the equation is [equation 3] CEXP = 33 x
(concrete density) 1.5
Fc = ultimate strength of the concrete (average of a pair of cylinders at failure)
When Ec is substituted into equation 2 for Es and the equation is rearranged to solve for C, the equation
becomes [equation 4] C = Ec / (Fc)1/2.
Determining the numerical values of C between the different classes of concrete was the main intent of this
experiment. A value for C was determined for each set of cylinders tested using equation 4. CAVG was
determined for each class of concrete by averaging the individual results for C. CCALC was determined by
using equation 4 and the average values of Ec and Fc for that class of concrete. CEXP was determined
using equation 3 and the average density for each class of concrete. For normal density concrete, the
generally accepted value for CEXP is approximately 57,000.
RESULTS
Appendix A shows all results in tabular and graphic format:
Table A on page A-1 and Graph A on page A-4 shows all results for the class S concretes.
Table B on page A-2 and Graph B on page A-5 shows all results for the class HP-3 concretes.
.
Table C on page A-3 and Graph C on page A-6 shows all results for the class HP-4 concretes.
A summary of the results is shown below (Table 1). These results are shown graphically on page 4 (Graph
1).

TABLE 1 - E, Fc, and C by Class

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Modulus of Elasticity
Report

Class
of
Concrete

# of
Cylinder
Pairs
Tested

Average
Modulus
of Elasticity
E (PSI)

Average
Strength
Fc (PSI)

Average
Coefficient
CAVG

Calculated
Coefficient
CCALC

Average
Concrete
Density
(lbs./cf)

Expected
Coefficient
CEXP

26

4.05E+06

5,615

54,380

54,057

140.48

54,946

HP-3

21

3.81E+06

6,228

48,375

48,293

140.39

54,893

HP-4

25

3.89E+06

7,065

46,462

46,227

138.89

54,015

GRAPH 1 - E, Fc, and C by Class

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Modulus of Elasticity
Report

Cavg / 10
Ccalc / 10

HP-4

F'c (PSI)
E (PSI) / 1,000
Cavg / 10
Ccalc / 10

HP-3

F'c (PSI)
E (PSI) / 1,000
Cavg / 10
Ccalc / 10
S

F'c (PSI)
E (PSI) / 1,000
0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
Table 1 and Graph 1 indicate the following:
1) Class HP-4 concrete has the highest strength (Fc = 7,065 PSI), Class HP-3 had the second
highest strength (Fc = 6,228 PSI), and Class S had the lowest strength (Fc = 5,615 PSI)
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Modulus of Elasticity
Report

2) Class S concrete has the highest modulus of elasticity (E = 4.05E+06 PSI) and the highest
coefficient (CCALC = 54,057 and CAVG = 54,380).
3) Class HP-3 concrete has the lowest modulus of elasticity (E = 3.81+06 PSI) and second
highest coefficient (CCALC = 48,293 and CAVG = 48,375).
4) Class HP-4 concrete has the second highest modulus of elasticity (E = 3.89+06 PSI) and
lowest coefficient (CCALC = 46,227 and CAVG = 46,442).
5) The modulus of elasticity for the high performance concretes are similar (E = 3.81+06 for class
HP-3 and E = 3.89+06 for Class HP-4).
6) The calculated coefficient for the Class S concrete (CCALC = 54,057 for Class S) is close to
the expected coefficient (CEXP = 54,946) which is also reasonably close to the generally
accepted value of 57,000, but the calculated coefficients for the high performance concretes
are not close to their expected coefficients (CCALC = 48,293, CEXP = 54,893 for Class HP-3
and CCALC = 46,227, CEXP = 54,015 for Class HP-4) or to the generally accepted value of
57,000. All of the calculated coefficient values (CC A L C) are very close to their respective
average coefficient values (CAVG) indicating the calculated values (CCALC) are accurate.
Graphs A, B, and C in Appendix A indicate the following:
1) From Graph A (page A-4), the modulus of elasticity (E) and the coefficient (C) curves for the
class S concrete (normal concrete) both increase as the strength of the concrete increases, but
the increase in each of these is at a rate lower than the rate of strength increase. The modulus
of elasticity (E) and the coefficient (C) curves have the same shape, but the modulus of
elasticity (E) curve increases at a slightly higher rate than the coefficient (C) curve.
2) From Graph B (page A-5), the modulus of elasticity (E) and the coefficient (C) curves for the
class HP-3 concrete (high performance concrete) both increase as the strength of the concrete
increases, but the increase in each of these is at a rate lower than the rate of strength increase.
The modulus of elasticity (E) and the coefficient (C) curves have the same shape, but the
modulus of elasticity (E) curve increases at a slightly higher rate than the coefficient (C) curve.
The increase in the coefficient (C) curve is small.
3) From Graph C (page A-6), the modulus of elasticity (E) and the coefficient (C) curves for the
class HP-4 concrete (high performance concrete) both stay flat as the strength of the concrete
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Modulus of Elasticity
Report
increases. The modulus of elasticity (E) and the coefficient (C) curves have the same shape,
but the coefficient curve (C) curve decreases at a slightly greater rate than the modulus of
elasticity (E) curve. The decrease in the modulus of elasticity (E) curve is small.
4) Graphs A, B, and C show that the rates at which E and C increase with increasing strength are
higher for the class S concrete.
CONCLUSIONS
With respect to concrete, the modulus of elasticity (E) is an indication of a concretes ability to retain its
original shape after being subjected to stresses and strains. E is calculated by dividing stress by strain
where stress is an external force imposed upon the concrete and strain is the deformation of the concrete
caused by the external force. In short, E is really the sponginess or forgiveness of a concrete.
Since E is stress over strain, one would expect concretes with a high E to be harder, or more brittle, than
concretes with a low E. The reason for this is that strain is nothing more than deformation, and if the
deformation is low, E will be high because deformation is the denominator when calculating E. As the
deformation increases, E decreases.
It is logical to assume that a concrete with a higher strength will have less deformation, and therefore a
higher E, than a concrete with a lower strength which should have more deformation. This means
concretes with high strengths should be more rigid or brittle, and less forgiving than concretes with low
strengths. The basic premise behind this research project was to determine if higher strength concretes are
more rigid and brittle than lower strength concretes by evaluating E for a normal concrete and 2 high
performance concretes.
Test results indicated the following:
1) The Class S concrete had the lowest strength (fc = 5,615 PSI), the Class HP-4 had the highest
strength (fc = 7,065 PSI), and the Class HP-3 had the second highest strength (fc = 6,228 PSI).
2) The lowest strength concrete (Class S) had the highest modulus of elasticty (E = 4.05E+06), the
highest strength concrete (Class HP-4) had the second highest modulus of elasticity (E =
3.89E+06), and the second highest strength concrete (Class HP-3) had the lowest modulus of
elasticity (E = 3.89E+06).
3) The coefficient for the lowest strength concrete (CCALC = 54,057) determined by this research
project was found to be accurate (CEXP = 54,946) and relatively close to the generally accepted
C value of 57,000.
4) The coefficients for the high performance concretes (CCALC = 48,293 for Class HP-3 and CCALC
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Modulus of Elasticity
Report
= 46,227 for Class HP-4) determined by this research project were not accurate (CEXP = 54,893
for Class HP-3 and CEXP = 54,015 for Class HP-4), and neither result was very close to the
generally accepted C value of 57,000.
In conclusion, modulus of elasticity generally increases with strength. The high performance concretes
tested did have higher strengths than the normal concrete tested, but their values for modulus of elasticity
were lower than the normal concrete tested. This means that the high performance concretes (HP-3 and
HP-4) are stronger yet less brittle than the normal concrete (Class S), which is contrary to the belief that
higher strengths are less forgiving and produce higher values for modulus of elasticity.
In this case, the high performance concretes were able to have higher strengths and lower values for
modulus of elasticity because the rates at which E increased with strength for the high performance
concretes was less than the rate for the normal concrete. The normal concrete (Class S) showed a steady
increase in E as strength increased while the first high performance concrete (Class HP-3) showed a small
increase for E and the other high performance concrete (Class HP-4) showed no increase at all for E.
The equation [Es = C x (Fc)1/2 where C is 57,000] is valid for estimating the modulus of elasticity for class
S concretes, but using a value of approximately 54,000 for C would yield better estimates. For the class
HP-3 and HP-4 concretes, the equation [Es = C x (Fc)1/2 where C is 57,000] will not provide an accurate
estimate unless a value of approximately 47,000 is used for C.

Page 8

Appendix A

Modulus
of
Elasticity
Report

TABLE A - CLASS S CONCRETE RESULTS

Sample
ID

Cyl. #1
Failure
(pounds)

Low
Load
(pounds)

High
Load
(pounds)

High
Gage
(inches)

Cyl. #2
Failure
(pounds)

Modulus
of
Elasticity,
Ec (PSI)

Average
Strength
Fc (PSI)

635645-01

164,500

3,800

65,900

0.0100

156,000

3.70E+06

5,669

49,139

629764-01

121,600

2,500

48,600

0.0085

184,900

3.26E+06

5,421

44,296

629764-01

114,900

3,000

47,000

0.0075

122,100

3.56E+06

4,192

54,948

634858-01

171,400

6,800

69,000

0.0095

172,600

3.91E+06

6,084

50,147

629764-01

119,200

4,600

47,400

0.0065

118,800

4.04E+06

4,209

62,227

631098-01

185,000

6,200

74,100

0.0085

188,000

4.80E+06

6,597

59,142

635741-01

250,300

5,300

100,000

0.0115

247,100

4.87E+06

8,797

51,949

628901-01

209,600

2,800

84,200

0.0090

247,400

5.42E+06

8,083

60,286

627560-01

176,200

11,600

70,800

0.0065

164,600

5.58E+06

6,028

71,927

631554-01

159,800

5,600

48,100

0.0085

131,900

3.01E+06

5,159

41,860

631124-01

135,400

3,300

54,200

0.0100

120,000

3.03E+06

4,517

45,119

635615-01

84,200

3,000

33,600

0.0060

77,100

3.15E+06

2,853

58,954

632030-01

153,300

4,800

61,900

0.0105

146,400

3.23E+06

5,301

44,388

615627-01

139,500

2,200

93,500

0.0155

153,500

3.44E+06

5,182

47,854

632642-01

166,400

4,850

66,500

0.0100

162,500

3.67E+06

5,817

48,156

633862-01

137,000

6,000

66,700

0.0095

128,200

3.82E+06

4,690

55,735

626187-01

137,000

1,000

57,400

0.0085

130,800

3.99E+06

4,736

57,977

625705-01

136,500

4,000

54,900

0.0075

140,300

4.12E+06

4,896

58,818

630994-01

158,900

5,000

63,300

0.0085

162,700

4.12E+06

5,688

54,688

625842-01

135,500

2,900

54,800

0.0075

144,100

4.20E+06

4,945

59,672

617131-01

159,800

3,500

63,900

0.0085

150,800

4.27E+06

5,493

57,653

629401-01

211,000

5,200

84,500

0.0110

125,400

4.27E+06

5,950

55,415

631723-01

190,600

5,700

76,200

0.0095

196,500

4.43E+06

6,846

53,581

628251-01

146,300

3,400

58,600

0.0075

160,200

4.46E+06

5,421

60,617

635143-01

200,600

5,000

80,100

0.0100

198,800

4.47E+06

7,064

53,233

632696-01

158,700

4,000

63,300

0.0080

201,000

4.47E+06

6,362

56,104

Page A-1

CCALC = 54,057

AVERAGE

4.05E+06

5,615

54,380

TABLE B - CLASS HP-3 CONCRETE RESULTS

Sample
ID

Cyl. #1
Failure
(pounds)

Low
Load
(pounds)

High
Load
(pounds)

High
Gage
(inches)

Cyl. #2
Failure
(pounds)

Modulus
of
Elasticity,
Ec (PSI)

Average
Strength
Fc (PSI)

635035-01

166,200

5,700

66,600

0.0095

180,100

3.83E+06

6,125

48,935

629966-01

166,100

2,300

74,200

0.0105

178,000

4.07E+06

6,086

52,163

627875-01

188,500

5,400

75,300

0.0100

187,100

4.16E+06

6,643

51,093

635048-01

140,900

5,000

56,500

0.0075

200,300

4.16E+06

6,035

53,601

629966-01

166,100

4,000

66,700

0.0090

167,000

4.17E+06

5,891

54,392

627082-01

160,000

4,600

64,400

0.0080

160,400

4.51E+06

5,667

59,947

632010-02

123,600

4,850

49,600

0.0090

142,300

2.98E+06

4,703

43,450

635672-02

139,500

4,600

55,800

0.0100

143,400

3.05E+06

5,004

43,122

635672-01

148,800

4,400

59,400

0.0105

149,300

3.11E+06

5,272

42,870

632010-01

133,900

3,300

53,600

0.0095

145,100

3.16E+06

4,935

45,029

632010-01

134,300

2,800

53,600

0.0095

160,700

3.19E+06

5,218

44,226

617442-02

146,900

3,200

58,600

0.0095

152,500

3.48E+06

5,295

47,876

631131-02

186,900

4,000

74,900

0.0120

181,700

3.49E+06

6,519

43,216

631131-01

186,000

3,900

74,400

0.0115

178,500

3.63E+06

6,447

45,177

632413-01

166,000

4,000

66,300

0.0100

187,700

3.71E+06

6,243

46,973

628590-01

169,000

5,000

67,700

0.0100

174,700

3.74E+06

6,079

47,910

615512-01

181,400

5,400

72,800

0.0100

181,500

4.02E+06

6,418

50,120

635441-01

226,400

6,300

90,600

0.0120

230,000

4.15E+06

8,072

46,177

625875-01

200,700

3,300

80,900

0.0110

198,200

4.18E+06

7,055

49,798

615512-01

233,300

5,100

93,500

0.0120

243,600

4.35E+06

8,435

47,371

633697-01

240,400

6,000

96,400

0.0110

248,100

4.87E+06

8,640

52,423

Page A-2

CCALC = 48,293

AVERAGE

3.81E+06

6,228

48,375

TABLE C - CLASS HP-4 CONCRETE RESULTS

Sample
ID

Cyl. #1
Failure
(pounds)

Low
Load
(pounds)

High
Load
(pounds)

High
Gage
(inches)

Cyl. #2
Failure
(pounds)

Modulus
of
Elasticity,
Ec (PSI)

Average
Strength
Fc (PSI)

635216-01

194,900

4,800

78,100

0.0135

183,900

3.19E+06

6,700

38,988

632375-01

174,600

3,700

70,000

0.0120

175,400

3.26E+06

6,190

41,472

632379-01

210,700

4,000

84,200

0.0140

189,700

3.36E+06

7,082

39,954

627781-01

220,300

4,100

88,000

0.0145

231,700

3.39E+06

7,994

37,935

627555-01

199,800

3,100

81,900

0.0135

195,500

3.43E+06

6,992

41,029

632859-01

218,900

4,300

87,300

0.0140

171,800

3.48E+06

6,910

41,860

627555-02

220,100

3,900

87,900

0.0140

218,400

3.52E+06

7,756

39,988

627555-01

217,700

3,200

87,300

0.0140

216,200

3.53E+06

7,674

40,248

632313-01

188,300

3,000

75,500

0.0120

208,600

3.57E+06

7,020

42,586

632366-01

204,400

3,100

81,900

0.0125

178,600

3.72E+06

6,774

45,156

631298-01

248,500

3,700

99,600

0.0150

260,800

3.74E+06

9,008

39,440

631289-01

213,700

3,000

85,800

0.0130

212,400

3.75E+06

7,533

43,196

633397-01

165,900

5,600

66,300

0.0095

136,000

3.82E+06

5,340

52,238

626671-01

224,200

1,300

89,500

0.0135

231,800

3.84E+06

8,065

42,758

632304-01

217,400

5,300

86,800

0.0125

195,500

3.84E+06

7,303

44,981

632016-01

173,300

5,450

72,300

0.0100

178,300

3.98E+06

6,219

50,504

615547-01

169,300

7,300

67,600

0.0090

154,000

4.02E+06

5,718

53,097

615547-01

169,300

7,300

67,600

0.0090

203,300

4.02E+06

6,590

49,459

626402-01

187,700

4,000

75,000

0.0100

189,700

4.23E+06

6,675

51,773

633064-01

192,600

5,000

77,000

0.0100

204,900

4.29E+06

7,030

51,158

632379-01

211,100

5,800

84,300

0.0105

205,700

4.44E+06

7,372

51,746

634111-01

202,700

2,700

81,200

0.0105

202,400

4.44E+06

7,165

52,488

Page A-3

633064-01

198,600

4,800

79,400

0.0100

227,800

4.44E+06

7,542

51,177

615547-01

172,700

3,900

69,000

0.0085

154,000

4.61E+06

5,778

60,588

628189-01

232,800

5,600

93,300

0.0100

230,300

5.22E+06

8,191

57,731

3.89E+06

7,065

46,462

CCALC = 46,227

AVERAGE

GRAPH A
CLASS S CONCRETE RESULTS

9,000
Results shown in ascending order by strength
8,000
Strength (PSI)
7,000
C / 10

Page A-4

6,000

5,000

4,000
E (PSI) / 1,000
3,000

2,000

GR
AP
HB

CLASS HP-3 CONCRETE RESULTS

9,000
Results shown in ascending order by strength
8,000

7,000
C / 10
6,000

5,000

4,000
E (PSI) / 1,000
3,000

2,000

Strength (PSI)

Page A-5

GRAPH C
CLASS
HP-4
CONCRET
E
RESULTS

10,000
Results shown in ascending order by strength
9,000

8,000
Strength (PSI)

Page A-6

7,000

6,000

5,000
C / 10
4,000
E (PSI) / 1,000
3,000