(2) Standard protocols for measurement of properties of HSC as a function of temperature. Most current
engineering property data were obtained by testing HSC specimens using different heating rates, specimen
sizes and shapes, and loading combinations. These differences may result in incompatible test results,
especially for HSC since the rate of pore pressure buildup and the moisture escape path have an important
influence on the performance of the test specimen. In order to permit the comparison of data from different
research programs, it will be necessary to establish a suite of standard test methods. Factors such as maturity
and conditioning prior to testing need to be studied and standardized. Experimental studies should also
include measurements of other mechanical properties such as tensile strength, time-dependent behavior, and
fracture mechanics parameters. The effects of specimen shape and size and of previous load histories on
measured properties should also be examined. In addition, other material characteristics, including transport
properties, thermal properties, sorption isotherms, and water release during dehydration, need to be measured
as functions of temperature to provide input data for numerical models.