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Compressive strength of
concrete: Out of many test
ABOUT THE
applied to the concrete, this is the
AUTHOR
utmost important which gives an
idea about all the characteristics of This blog is
authored and
concrete. By this single test one
maintained by
judge that whether Concreting has been done properly or not. For cube test Gopal Mishra.
He is the
two types of specimens either cubes of 15 cm X 15 cm X 15 cm or 10cm X founder of The
10 cm x 10 cm depending upon the size of aggregate are used. For most of Constructor.

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.
WE ARE ON
These specimens are tested by compression testing machine after 7 days FACEBOOK
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

Compression testing machine

PREPARATION OF CUBE SPECIMENS

POPULAR

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COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE CUBES Page 2 of 5

The proportion and material for making these test specimens are from the Concrete Technology
same concrete used in the field.
How To Guide

SPECIMEN
Geotechnical Engineering

6 cubes of 15 cm size Mix. M15 or above

Structural GE Lab Tests

MIXING Structural Design

Mix the concrete either by hand or in a laboratory batch mixer Material Testing Guide

Construction Buildings
HAND MIXING

Building Materials Soil

(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 Foundation

(ii)Add the coarse aggregate and mix with cement and fine aggregate until Construction Management

the coarse aggregate is uniformly distributed throughout the batch

Structure Design

(iii)Add water and mix it until the concrete appears to be homogeneous and Structural Analysis
of the desired consistency
Water Resources

SAMPLING
Earthquake Engineering

(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 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

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(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 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 )
2
=225cm

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

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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)

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 Specified characteristic

Concrete compressive compressive strength
strength N/mm2 at (N/mm2) at 28 days
7 days
M15 10 15
M20 13.5 20
M25 17 25

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COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE CUBES Page 5 of 5

M30 20 30
M35 23.5 35
M40 27 40
M45 30 45

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