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Compressive Strength of Concrete - Cube Test Procedure Results

Compressive strength of concrete cube tests provides information about concrete quality and properties. The test involves pouring concrete into cube molds, curing the cubes, and then crushing them in a compression testing machine to determine the maximum load and compressive strength. Compressive strength depends on factors like water-cement ratio and curing time, and generally increases with age, ranging from 15 to over 40 MPa for various commercial and structural applications.

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885 views5 pages

Compressive Strength of Concrete - Cube Test Procedure Results

Compressive strength of concrete cube tests provides information about concrete quality and properties. The test involves pouring concrete into cube molds, curing the cubes, and then crushing them in a compression testing machine to determine the maximum load and compressive strength. Compressive strength depends on factors like water-cement ratio and curing time, and generally increases with age, ranging from 15 to over 40 MPa for various commercial and structural applications.

Uploaded by

Ariyan Ariyan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Compressive Strength of Concrete -Cube Test, Procedure,

Results
theconstructor.org/concrete/compressive-strength-concrete-cube-test/1561/

Compressive strength of concrete cube test provides an idea about all the
characteristics of concrete. By this single test one judge that whether Concreting has
been done properly or not. Concrete compressive strength for general construction
varies from 15 MPa (2200 psi) to 30 MPa (4400 psi) and higher in commercial and
industrial structures.

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.

Compressive Strength Definition


Compressive strength is the ability of material or structure to carry the loads on its
surface without any crack or deflection. A material under compression tends to reduce
the size, while in tension, size elongates.

Compressive Strength Formula


Compressive strength formula for any material is the load applied at the point of failure
to the cross-section area of the face on which load was applied.

Compressive Strength = Load / Cross-sectional Area

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.

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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 for Concrete Cube Test


Compression testing machine

Preparation of Concrete Cube Specimen


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

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Mixing of Concrete for Cube Test
Mix the concrete either by hand or in a laboratory batch mixer

Hand Mixing

1. Mix the cement and fine aggregate on a water tight none-absorbent platform until
the mixture is thoroughly blended and is of uniform color
2. Add the coarse aggregate and mix with cement and fine aggregate until the coarse
aggregate is uniformly distributed throughout the batch
3. Add water and mix it until the concrete appears to be homogeneous and of the
desired consistency

Sampling of Cubes for Test


1. Clean the mounds and apply oil
2. Fill the concrete in the molds in layers approximately 5 cm thick
3. Compact each layer with not less than 35 strokes per layer using a tamping rod
(steel bar 16mm diameter and 60cm long, bullet pointed at lower end)
4. Level the top surface and smoothen it with a trowel

Curing of Cubes
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 for Tests


The water for curing should be tested every 7 days and the temperature of water must
be at 27+-2oC.

Procedure for Concrete Cube Test


1. Remove the specimen from water after specified curing time and wipe out excess
water from the surface.
2. Take the dimension of the specimen to the nearest 0.2m
3. Clean the bearing surface of the testing machine
4. Place the specimen in the machine in such a manner that the load shall be applied
to the opposite sides of the cube cast.
5. Align the specimen centrally on the base plate of the machine.
6. Rotate the movable portion gently by hand so that it touches the top surface of the
specimen.
7. Apply the load gradually without shock and continuously at the rate of 140
kg/cm 2/minute till the specimen fails
8. Record the maximum load and note any unusual features in the type of failure.
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Note:

Minimum three specimens should be tested at each selected age. If strength of any
specimen varies by more than 15 percent 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 of Compressive Strength


Size of the cube =15cmx15cmx15cm

Area of the specimen (calculated from the mean size of the specimen )=225 cm 2

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 mm 2) =……………N/mm2

=……………………….N/mm2

Reports of Cube Test


1. Identification mark
2. Date of test
3. Age of specimen
4. Curing conditions, including date of manufacture of specimen
5. Appearance of fractured faces of concrete and the type of fracture if they are
unusual

Results of Concrete Cube Test


Average compressive strength of the concrete cube = ………….N/ mm 2 (at 7 days)

Average compressive strength of the concrete cube =………. N/mm 2 (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.

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Age Strength percent

1 day 16%

3 days 40%

7 days 65%

14 90%
days

28 99%
days

Compressive Strength of Different Grades of Concrete at


7 and 28 Days

Grade of Minimum compressive Specified characteristic


Concrete strength N/mm2 at 7 days compressive 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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