Compressive Strength of Concrete -Cube Test

The compressive strength of the 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 the production of concrete, etc.

Test for compressive strength is carried out either on a cube or cylinder. Various standard codes
recommend a 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 150 mm x 150 mm x 150 mm or 10 mm x
100 mm x 100 mm depending upon the size of aggregate are used. For most of the works cubical
molds of size 150 mm x 150 mm x 150 mm are commonly used.
This concrete is poured in the mold and appropriately tempered so as not to have any voids. After
24 hours, molds 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 placing cement paste and
spreading smoothly on the whole area of the specimen.

These specimens are tested by compression testing machine after seven 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.
 Procedure for testing the Compressive strength of Concrete Cubes

1) Apparatus for Concrete Cube Test

• Compression testing machine
2) Preparation of Concrete Cube Specimen
• The proportion and material for making these test specimens are from the same concrete
used in the field.
3) Specimen
• 6 cubes of 150 mm size
4) Mix.
• M15 or above

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 watertight 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 freshwater until taken out prior
to the test.

Precautions for Tests

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

Procedure for Concrete Cube Test

1. Remove the specimen from the 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/cm2/minute
till the specimen fails
8. 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 the strength of any specimen
varies by more than 15 percent of average strength, the results of such specimens should be
rejected. The average of three specimens gives the crushing strength of concrete. The strength
requirements of concrete.

Calculations of Compressive Strength

Size of the cube =150 mm x 150 mm x 150 mm

Area of the specimen (calculated from the mean size of the specimen) = 225 cm2 or 22500 mm2
Characteristic compressive strength (f ck) at 7 days =

Expected maximum load =fck x area x fs

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
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/ 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. The table shows the strength of concrete at different
ages in comparison with the strength at 28 days after casting.
Compressive Strength of Different Grades of Concrete at 7 and 28 Days

Some Facts on Concrete Strength Test

Why Compressive Strength Test of Concrete is Important?
The compressive strength of the 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.
What is compressive strength of commonly used concrete?

Concrete compressive strength for general construction varies from 15 MPa (2200 psi) to 30 MPa
(4400 psi) and higher in commercial and industrial structures.
What is compressive strength after 7 days and 14 days?

Compressive strength achieved by concrete at 7 days is about 65% and at 14 days is about 90% of
the target strength.
Which test is most suitable for concrete strength?

A concrete cube test or concrete cylinder test is generally carried out to assess the strength of
concrete after 7 days, 14 days or 28 days of casting.
What is the size of concrete cubes used for testing?

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 molds of size
15cm x 15cm x 15cm are commonly used.
Which machine is used for concrete strength test?

The compression testing machine is used for testing the compressive strength of concrete.
What is the rate of loading on compression testing machine?
Load should be applied gradually at the rate of 140 kg/cm2 per minute till the Specimens fails.

strength of concrete is generally tested after 28 days as concrete cube strength or concrete cylinder
strength. The reason for testing concrete strength after 28 days is discussed.

Why do we test concrete compressive strength after 28 days?

Concrete gains strength with time after casting. It takes much time for concrete to gain 100%
strength and the time for same is still unknown. The rate of gain of concrete compressive strength
in higher during the first 28 days of casting and then it slows down. The table below shows the
compressive strength gained by concrete after 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days with respect to the grade of
concrete we use.

rom above table, we see that, concrete gains 16 percent strength in one day, 40 percent in 3 days,
65% in 7 days, 90% in 14 days and 99% strength in 28 days. Thus, it is clear that concrete gains
its strength rapidly in the initial days after casting, i.e. 90% in only 14 days. When, its strength
have reached 99% in 28 days, still concrete continues to gain strength after that period, but that
rate of gain in compressive strength is very less compared to that in 28 days
After 14 days of casting concrete, concrete gains only 9% in next 14 days. So, rate of gain of
strength decreases. We have no clear idea up to when the concrete gains the strength, 1 year or 2
years, but it is assumed that concrete may gain its final strength after 1 year. So, since the concrete
strength is 99% at 28 days, it's almost close to its final strength, thus we rely upon the results of
compressive strength test after 28 days and use this strength as the base for our design and
evaluation. Though there are also some rapid methods of testing concrete compressive strength
which gives relation between rapid test methods and 28-day strength. This rapid test is done where
time is limited for construction and strength of structural member must be known to carry out
further construction work.

Prepared by L. Kiute – Course lecturer