Rationale

An apparent inconsistency regarding the proportions of alternative specimens between sections 7.3, A1.1.2, A2.1.2, and A3.1.2 of E1820-23 has been identified. Specifically: • Section 7.3 mentions suggested alternative proportions as 1 ? W/B ? 4 for SE(B) specimens and 2 ? W/B ? 4 for C(T) and DC(T) specimens, adding that “any thickness can be used as long as the qualification requirements are met.” • Sections A1.1.2 (single edge bend specimens), A2.1.2 (compact specimens), and A3.1.2 (disk-shaped compact tension specimens) only mention the suggested ratios above for alternative specimens. When this item was first balloted at E08.07 subcommittee level (28-02), it was proposed to remove the last sentence in 7.3, thus making those W/B ranges the only ones allowed. Two negatives were received, which advocated retaining the possibility of using any W/B ratios. Following discussion during the E08.07.05 task group meeting in Denver (May 2023), it was decided that these ranges should indeed be retained as mandatory. In this ballot, the last sentence in 7.3 is clarified by specifying that any thickness can be used, as long as the recommended W/B ratios are maintained and specimen buckling is avoided.