11/25/2015 COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE CUBES

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE

CUBES

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. For cube test two types of specimens either
cubes of 15 cm X 15 cm X 15 cm or 10cm X 10 cm x 10 cm depending upon the size
of aggregate are used. For most of the works cubical moulds of size 15 cm x 15cm x
15 cm 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 Compressive strength test of Concrete

Cubes

APPARATUS

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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 none­absorbent 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

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CURING

The test specimens are stored in moist air for 24hours 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 7days 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
140kg/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 there specimens gives the crushing strength
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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 )=225cm2

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

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Average compressive strength of the concrete cube = ………….N/ mm2 (at 7 days)

Average compressive strength of the concrete cube =………. N/mm2 (at 28 days)

Percentage 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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Related Topics

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