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Compressive Strength of Concrete Cubes

Compressive strength testing of concrete cubes is an important test that indicates the quality of the concrete. The test involves pouring concrete into cube molds, curing the cubes for 7 or 28 days, then crushing them in a compression testing machine. The compressive strength result is calculated based on the maximum load at failure divided by the cross-sectional area of the cube. Proper mixing, casting, curing, and testing procedures are outlined to ensure accurate material evaluation. Compressive strength is an essential parameter that concrete must meet for its intended use in structures.

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942 views7 pages

Compressive Strength of Concrete Cubes

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Anonymous LiddTaTaZT

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COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF

CONCRETE CUBES
Home/ Concrete Technology Guide For CIvil Engineer / COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF
CONCRETE CUBES

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Compressive strength of concrete: Out of many test applied to the
concrete, this is the utmost important which gives an idea about all
the characteristics of concrete. By this single test one judge that
whether Concreting has been done properly or not.
Compressive strength of concrete depends on many factors such as
water-cement ratio, cement strength, quality of concrete material,
quality control during production of concrete etc.

Test for compressive strength is carried out either on cube or

cylinder. Various standard codes recommends concrete cylinder or
concrete cube as the standard specimen for the test. American
Society for Testing Materials ASTM C39/C39M provides Standard
Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens.
Procedure: Compressive Strength Test of
Concrete Cubes
For cube test two types of specimens either cubes of 15cm X 15cm
X 15cm or 10cm X 10cm x 10cm depending upon the size of
aggregate are used. For most of the works cubical moulds of size
15cm x 15cm x 15cm are commonly used.
This concrete is poured in the mould and tempered properly so as
not to have any voids. After 24 hours these moulds are removed
and test specimens are put in water for curing. The top surface of
these specimen should be made even and smooth. This is done by
putting cement paste and spreading smoothly on whole area of
specimen.

These specimens are tested by compression testing machine after 7

days curing or 28 days curing. Load should be applied gradually at
the rate of 140 kg/cm2 per minute till the Specimens fails. Load at
the failure divided by area of specimen gives the compressive
strength of concrete.

Following are the procedure for testing Compressive strength of Concrete

Cubes
APPARATUS
Compression testing machine

PREPARATION OF CUBE SPECIMENS

The proportion and material for making these test specimens are
from the same concrete used in the field.
SPECIMEN
6 cubes of 15 cm size Mix. M15 or above

MIXING
Mix the concrete either by hand or in a laboratory batch mixer

HAND MIXING
(i)Mix the cement and fine aggregate on a water tight none-
absorbent platform until the mixture is thoroughly blended and is of
uniform color

(ii)Add the coarse aggregate and mix with cement and fine
aggregate until the coarse aggregate is uniformly distributed
throughout the batch

(iii)Add water and mix it until the concrete appears to be

homogeneous and of the desired consistency

SAMPLING
(i) Clean the mounds and apply oil

(ii) Fill the concrete in the molds in layers approximately 5cm thick

(iii) Compact each layer with not less than 35strokes per layer using
a tamping rod (steel bar 16mm diameter and 60cm long, bullet
pointed at lower end)

(iv) Level the top surface and smoothen it with a trowel

CURING
The test specimens are stored in moist air for 24 hours and after
this period the specimens are marked and removed from the molds
and kept submerged in clear fresh water until taken out prior to
test.

PRECAUTIONS
The water for curing should be tested every 7 days and the
temperature of water must be at 27+-2oC.
PROCEDURE
(I) Remove the specimen from water after specified curing time and
wipe out excess water from the surface.

(II) Take the dimension of the specimen to the nearest 0.2m

(III) Clean the bearing surface of the testing machine

(IV) Place the specimen in the machine in such a manner that the
load shall be applied to the opposite sides of the cube cast.

(V) Align the specimen centrally on the base plate of the machine.

(VI) Rotate the movable portion gently by hand so that it touches

the top surface of the specimen.

(VII) Apply the load gradually without shock and continuously at the
rate of 140 kg/cm2/minute till the specimen fails
(VIII) Record the maximum load and note any unusual features in
the type of failure.

NOTE
Minimum three specimens should be tested at each selected age. If
strength of any specimen varies by more than 15 per cent of
average strength, results of such specimen should be rejected.
Average of three specimens gives the crushing strength of concrete.
The strength requirements of concrete.

CALCULATIONS
Size of the cube =15cm x15cm x15cm

Area of the specimen (calculated from the mean size of the

specimen )=225 cm2
Characteristic compressive strength(f ck)at 7 days =

Expected maximum load =fck x area x f.s

Range to be selected is …………………..

Similar calculation should be done for 28 day compressive strength

Maximum load applied =……….tones = ………….N

Compressive strength = (Load in N/ Area in mm2)=……………N/mm2

=……………………….N/mm2
REPORT
a) Identification mark

b) Date of test

c) Age of specimen

d) Curing conditions, including date of manufacture of specimen

f) Appearance of fractured faces of concrete and the type of fracture

if they are unusual

RESULT
Average compressive strength of the concrete cube = ………….N/
mm2 (at 7 days)
Average compressive strength of the concrete cube =……….
N/mm2 (at 28 days)
Compressive strength of concrete at various ages:
The strength of concrete increases with age. Table shows the
strength of concrete at different ages in comparison with the
strength at 28 days after casting.

Age Strength per cent

1 day 16%

3 days 40%

7 days 65%

14 days 90%

28 days 99%
Compressive strength of different grades of concrete
at 7 and 28 days
Grade of Minimum compressive Specified characteristic compressive
Concrete strength N/mm2 at 7 days strength (N/mm2) at 28 days

M15 10 15

M20 13.5 20

M25 17 25

M30 20 30

M35 23.5 35

M40 27 40

M45 30 45

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