Designation: C170/C170M – 09

Standard Test Method for

Compressive Strength of Dimension Stone1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C170/C170M; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope This test method also provides one element in comparing

1.1 This test method covers the sampling, preparation of stones of the same type.
specimens, and determination of the compressive strength of
dimension stone. 5. Apparatus
1.2 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch- 5.1 Any testing machine conforming to Practices E4 and to
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The the speed of testing requirements prescribed in Section 9 of
values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; this test method may be used.
therefore, each system shall be used independently of the 5.2 In vertical testing machines, the spherical bearing block
other. Combining values from the two systems may result in shall be suspended from the upper head of the machine in such
non- conformance with the standard. a manner that the contact plate remains in a central position
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the (spherical surfaces in full contact) when not loaded. The
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the spherical surfaces shall be well lubricated, and the center of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- curvature shall lie in the surface of contact with the specimen.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 6. Sampling
6.1 The sample shall be selected to represent a true average
2. Referenced Documents of the type or grade of stone under consideration and shall be
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 of the quality supplied to the market in finished form under the
C119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone type designation to be tested. The sample may be selected by
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines the purchaser or his authorized representative from quarried
stone or taken from the natural ledge and shall be of adequate
3. Terminology
size to permit the preparation of the desired number of test
3.1 Definitions—All definitions are in accordance with Ter- specimens. When perceptible variations occur, the purchaser
minology C119. may select as many samples as are necessary for determining
the variation in compressive strength.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This test method is useful in indicating the differences 7. Test Specimens
in compressive strength between the various dimension 7.1 The test specimens may be cubes or cylinders and shall
stones. be cut from the sample with saws or core drills. The diameter
or lateral dimension (distance between opposite vertical faces)
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C18 on
shall be not less than 2 in. [50 mm] (Explanatory Note 1), and
Dimension Stone and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C18.01 on the ratio of height (Explanatory Note 2) to diameter or lateral
Test Methods. dimension shall be 1:1. At least five specimens shall be
Current edition approved April 1, 2009. Published April 2009. Originally prepared for each condition of the test; that is, when the
approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as C170–06. DOI:
10.1520/C0170_C0170M-09. compressive strength is desired for the wet and dry conditions
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, but in only one direction, such as perpendicular to the bed (or
or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of rift) (see Fig. 1(a)), ten specimens will be required. For wet
ASTM Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document
Summary page on the ASTM website. and dry strength tests both perpendicular and parallel to the
bed (or

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Dr. P.O. box C700 West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428-2959, United States

1
 C170/C170M – 09

(a) Loading Perpendicular to Bedding or Rift (b) Loading Parallel to Bedding or Rift

NOTE—Dashed lines indicate direction of bedding or rift. Arrows indicate direction of loading.
FIG. 1 Methods of Applying Load with Reference to Bedding or Rift

rift) (see Fig. 1(a) and (b)), twenty specimens are required
C = compressive strength of the specimen, psi [MPa]
(Explanatory Note 3). The load-bearing faces shall be finished
W = total load, lbf [N], on the specimen at failure, and
by grinding to as nearly true and parallel planes (Explanatory
A = calculated area of the bearing surface in in.2 [mm2].
Note 4) as practicable.
Round each individual result to the nearest 100 psi [1 MPa].
7.2 The load-bearing surfaces and the direction of bedding
(or rift) shall be marked on each specimen after finishing. 11. Report
7.3 The load-bearing areas of the specimen shall be calcu-
11.1 Report the average of all values of compressive
lated from measurements taken midway between the load-
strength of specimens loaded perpendicular to the bedding (or
bearing surfaces. The dimensions of the specimens shall be
rift) as shown in Fig. 1(a) in a dry condition as the
measured to the nearest 0.02 in. (0.5 mm) and the load-bearing
compressive strength perpendicular to the rift in a dry
areas calculated to the nearest 0.04 in.2 [0.10 mm2].
condition. Similarly report the values perpendicular/wet,
8. Conditioning parallel/dry as shown in Fig. 1(b) and parallel/wet. All
determinations shall be reported as information.
8.1 Before testing the specimens in a dry condition, dry
11.2 The following additional information shall be reported:
them for 48 h at 140 6 4°F [60 6 2°C]. At the 46th, 47th, and
11.2.1 Identification of the sample, including name and
48th h, weigh the specimens to ensure that the weight is the
location of the quarry, name or position of the ledge, date
same. If the weight continues to drop, continue to dry the
when sample was taken and trade name or grade of stone,
specimens until there are 3 successive hourly readings with the
11.2.2 Size and shape of specimens used in the tests, and
same weight. After removing the specimens from the oven,
11.2.3 A description of the way in which the specimens
cool them to room temperature in a desiccator before testing
were prepared.
them.
8.2 Before testing the specimens in a wet condition, im- 12. Precision and Bias
merse them in water for 48 h at 72 6 4°F [22 6 2°C]. Test
them immediately upon removal from the bath, wiping the 12.1 Individual variations in a natural product may result in
specimens free of surface water. deviation from accepted values. A precision section will be
added when sufficient data are available to indicate acceptable
9. Procedure tolerances in repeatability and reproducibility.
9.1 Center the specimens in the testing machine and apply
EXPLANATORY NOTES
the initial load at a rate that will permit hand adjustment of the
contact plate on the specimen. Rotate the plate back and forth NOTE 1—For very coarse-grain materials like some of the granites, the
through an angle of about 30° under a small load to properly diameter of the specimen should not be less than 2.5 in. [65 mm].
seat the spherical block, but take care not to move the NOTE 2—The height of the specimen is considered as the distance
between the load-bearing faces.
specimen out of the central position. Preferably, the rate of NOTE 3—In some materials, such as granite, three directions with
loading should not exceed 100 psi/s [0.5 MPa/s], but this respect to fissility are recognized, as follows: “rift” (the plane of easiest
requirement may be considered as being met if the speed of splitting), “grain” (the plane of next easiest splitting), and “head-grain”
the loading head is not more than 0.05 in./min [1 mm/min]. (the plane of hardest splitting). Occasionally, tests are required for
determining the strength perpendicular to each of these directions. In such
10. Calculation cases, the sample shall be marked at the quarry to show which faces are
grain, rift, and head-grain, and the required number of specimens shall be
10.1 Calculate the compressive strength of each specimen prepared with load-bearing faces parallel to each of these planes and
as follows: properly labeled for the various tests.
C 5 W/A (1) NOTE 4—Accuracy of test results depends largely on uniform distribu-
tion of the load over the bearing faces. In order to grind the surfaces to
where: reasonably true planes, considerable care is necessary. The following
procedure is suggested: Assuming that the specimen is a cube or cylinder

2
 C170/C170M – 09
and the load is to be applied to the ends, mark two adjacent sides for
reference, then grind the ends on a grinding wheel or lap until they are consists of a small motor and arbor carrying an abrasive wheel which
perpendicular to these reference sides as gaged by a try square. Complete turns at about 5000 rpm. A three-point chuck is used to permit the
the grinding by rubbing the ends on a smooth machine-planed surface of surfacing of cylindrical, square prism, or cubical specimens. When the
square-type specimen is used it will be necessary to place a small piece of
a cast iron plate with No. 80 emery and water. The specimen should be
notched metal between the specimen and one chuck point. This causes the
grasped as near the surface of the plate as possible to prevent rocking of
specimen to be placed somewhat off-center but does not interfere with the
the specimen. A suitable way to determine when the surfaces are
surfacing process. The surface can be tested for planeness by holding a
reasonably plane is to dip the specimen in water and press the ends on a
straightedge on the surface and viewing it before a strong light.
smooth machine-planed and polished surface of a 10-lb [5-kg] weight. If Specimens finished in this way commonly give considerably higher test
the weight can be lifted by raising the specimen, the surfaces may be results than specimens prepared by hand.
considered to be sufficiently accurate. A satisfactory mechanical means
of finishing the bearing surfaces of the specimens is to place them in a 13. Keywords
chuck in a lathe and surface the ends with a tool post grinder. This
grinder 13.1 compressive strength; dimension stone; stone; test

ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the
risk of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years
and if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional
standards and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a
meeting of the responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair
hearing you should make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-
2959, United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the
above address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or service@astm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org).