The mechanical properties of the strand are determined by a test in which fracture of the specimen occurs in the free span between the jaws of the testing machine.

Mechanical properties of the strand will be negatively affected if proper care is not taken to prevent damage such as severe bending, abrasion, or nicking of the strand during sampling.

Premature failure of the test specimens may result if there is appreciable notching, cutting, or bending of the specimen by the gripping devices of the testing machine.

Errors in testing will result if the wires constituting the strand are not loaded uniformly.

The mechanical properties of the strand will be materially affected by excessive heating during specimen collection or preparation.

4.6 Gripping difficulties will be minimized by following the suggested methods of gripping described in Section 7.

1.1 These test methods describe procedures for testing the mechanical as well as relaxation properties of multi-wire steel strand.

1.2 These test methods are intended for use in evaluating specific strand properties prescribed in specifications for multi-wire steel strand, but they do not quantify acceptance criteria specified in the applicable specification for the strand being tested.

1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.