ACI Concrete Strength Testing Technician Practice Test

Which property of concrete is primarily assessed using a flexural strength test?

1. Compressive strength

2. Tensile strength

3. Shear strength

4. Flexural strength

The correct answer is: Flexural strength

Flexural strength is the property of concrete that is specifically evaluated through a flexural strength test. This test measures the ability of concrete to resist deformation under load, particularly its ability to withstand bending or flexural forces. In this context, flexural strength is crucial for applications where concrete elements, such as beams and slabs, are subjected to bending loads. The testing method typically involves creating a beam sample of concrete and applying a load to its center until failure occurs. The resulting measurement indicates how much load the concrete can withstand before cracking or breaking, which is a direct assessment of its flexural strength. In contrast, compressive strength assesses how well concrete withstands axial loads and focuses on how the material reacts to being compressed. Tensile strength measures the resistance of the concrete to tension forces, while shear strength evaluates the material's ability to resist sliding forces. Each of these properties is important, but for the purpose of this particular test, the focus is solely on the concrete's performance under flexural conditions.