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Compressive Strength of Concrete | Cube Test – The Civil Engineering

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Compressive Strength of Concrete | Cube Test, Procedure, Apparatus & Results

In this Article today we will talk about the Compressive Strength of Concrete | Cube Test of Concrete as per IS Code | 7 Days Compressive Strength of Concrete | How to Determine Compressive Strength of Concrete | 28 Days Compressive Strength of Concrete | Concrete Cube Test Report | Compressive Strength Concrete Formula

Concrete being the major consumable material after water makes it quite inquisitive in its nature. The strength of concrete is majorly derived from aggregates, where-as cement and sand contribute binding and workability along with flowability to concrete.

What is the Compressive Strength?

Compressive strength is the capacity of material or structure to resist or withstand under compression. The Compressive strength of a material is determined by the ability of the material to resist failure in the form cracks and fissure.

In this test, the push force applied on the both faces of concrete specimen and the maximum compression that concrete bears without failure is noted.

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In technical point of view, Cube Test of Concrete as per IS Code

Compressive Strength of concrete is defined as the Characteristic strength of 150mm size concrete cubes @28 days.

Compressive strength of Concrete and its importance:

As we all know that concrete is a mixture of sand, cement, and aggregate. The strength of the concrete depends upon many factors like individual compressive strength of its constituents (Cement, Sand, aggregate), quality of materials used, air entrainment mix proportions, water-cement ratio, curing methods and temperature effects.

Compressive strength gives an idea of the overall strength and above-mentioned factors. Through conducting this test, one can easily judge the concrete strength psi and quality of concrete produced. Cube Test of Concrete as per IS Code

Factors affecting compressive strength of concrete:

Coarse aggregate:

Concrete is made homogenous by combining aggregates, cement, sand, water and various other admixtures. But even with proper mixing, there may arise some microcracks due to differences in thermal and mechanical properties of coarse aggregates and cement matrix, which leads to failure of concrete.

Concrete technologists came up with theoretical concepts regarding size of aggregates, which as the size of aggregate being the major contributor of compressive strength. So if the size of aggregate is increased, then it would lead increased compressive strength.

This theory was later discarded, as experiments proved that greater size of aggregates showed increased strength in initial phases but reduced exponentially.

The sole reason for this strength drop was due to the reduced surface area for bond strength between cement matrix and aggregates and weaker transition zone.

Air-entrainment:

Air entrainment in concrete was one of the concepts developed by cold countries in order to prevent damages due to freezing and thawing. Later on, as experimentation’s proved multidimensional benefits of air entrainment along with improved the workability of concrete at lower water/cement ratio.

As the achievement of the desired workability at lower water content helped one to achieve concrete with the greater compressive strength which in turn, leads to light concrete with greater compressive strength. 7 Days Compressive Strength of Concrete

Water/Cement ratio:

We are all very aware of how excess water can be harmful to the strength of concrete. Cement being the major binding material in concrete needs water for hydration process, but that is only limited to about (0.20 to 0.25) % of cement content. The excess water turns out to be beneficial in contributing to workability and finishing of concrete.

The very aspect where excess water is considered harmful because as the water in the concrete matrix dries, it leaves large interstitial spaces among aggregate and cement grains. This interstitial space becomes primary cracks during compressive strength testing of concrete. How to Determine Compressive Strength of Concrete

Why do we test concrete for 7 days, 14 days & 28 days ?

Concrete gains maximum strength at 28days. Since in construction sector great amount of capital is at stake, so instead of checking strength at 28 days we can check strength in terms of concrete strength psi at 7 and 14 days to predict the target strength of construction work.

From the below table it is clear that, Concrete gains 16 % of its strength within 24 hrs, whereas concrete gains 65% of the target strength by the time of 7 days of its casting.

Till 14 days concrete shows 90% of the target strength and thereafter the gain in strength slows down and it takes 28days to achieve 99% of strength.

We cant judge the strength of concrete until it becomes stable. And we also won’t wait for 28 days to judge the concrete whether it suitable for construction or not to keep it balanced, concrete is tested at various intervals. How to Determine Compressive Strength of Concrete

Age in Days Percentage of Strength
1 Days 16%
3 Days 40%
7 Days 65%
14 Days 90%
21 Days 94%
28 Days 99%

 

The maximum strength gain spike is observed till 14 days, so we test concrete at an intervals of 7 days, 10 days & 14days and If concrete fails to show results of 90% of its overall strength @14 days then that batching is rejected. How to Determine Compressive Strength of Concrete

Compressive Strength of Different Grades of Concrete at 7, 14, 21 and 28 Days:

Concrete Grade Compressive strength in N/mm² at 3 days Compressive strength in N/mm² at 7 days Compressive strength in N/mm² at 14 days Compressive strength in N/mm² at 28 days
M10 4 6.5 9 10
M15 6 9.75 13.5 15
M20 8 13 18 20
M25 10 16.25 22.5 25
M30 12 19.5 27 30
M35 14 22.75 31.5 35
M40 16 26 36 40
M45 18 29.25 40.5 45
M50 20 32.5 45 50

 

Compressive Strength Testing of Concrete:

The test is carried out using 150mm concrete cubes on a Universal testing machine or compressive testing machine. Concrete Cube Test Report

Apparatus

As per IS: 516-1959 Compressive testing machine (2000Kn),15cm×15cm×15cm steel cube molds or Cylinder having Dia 15cm and length 30cm are used.
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The test includes following steps:- Concrete Cube Test Report

Preparing of material for Cube test:

All the material must be brought and stored to an approximate temperature of 27 ±3 degree Celsius. Cement must be uniformly mixed with a trowel in order there exist no lumps. Compressive Strength of Concrete formula

Mixing of concrete:

Machine mixing: The ingredient must not be rotated for more than 2 minutes and the following pattern must be followed
 
1>Calculated water,2>50% coarse aggregates,3>fine aggregates,4>cement,5>50% coarse aggregates.
Hand mixing: The process must be done on the rectangular pan until a homogenous mix is obtained.
Dry mixing of fine aggregates and cement>addition of coarse aggregate with the even distribution>addition of calculated water in batch till consistency is achieved.

Casting of specimen

The casting molds are chosen to be made of cast iron and must be rubbed with grease on inner side for easy removal of cubes. The specimen must be cast in 3 layers (5cm each) and properly compacted in order that honeycombing formation does not take place.

Compaction

In compacting through tamping bar, 35 strokes must be done in all parts of a cube for proper compacting. This tamping bar has the dimension of diameter 16mm and length of 0.6m. Concrete Cube Test Report

Age of test

The cube test for Compressive strength can be done on 1,3, 7, 14 and 28 days. In some cases, the strength of greater ages is required which is performed from 13 to 52 weeks.

Number of specimens

It is mandatory to have at least 3 specimens for testing from different batches. The mean of compressive strength achieved by this specimen is used to determine actual strength of the batch. Compressive Strength of Concrete formula

Procedure for Compressive strength of concrete or Cube test:

  1. Place the prepared concrete mix in the steel cube mould for casting.
  2. Once it sets, After 24 hours remove the concrete cube from the mould.
  3. Keep the test specimens submerged underwater for stipulated time.
  4. As mentioned the specimen must be kept in water for 7  or 14 or  28 days and for every 7 days the water is changed.Compressive Strength of Concrete, Cube Test of Concrete as per IS Code, 7 Days Compressive Strength of Concrete, Tips How to Determine Compressive Strength of Concrete, 28 Days Compressive Strength of Concrete, Concrete Cube Test Report, compressive strength of concrete formula, compressive strength of concrete pdf, compressive strength of concrete at 7 days and 28 days pdf, compressive strength of concrete definition, standard compressive strength of concrete at 7 days and 28 days, compressive strength of concrete after 7 days as per is 456, compressive strength of concrete in knm2, compressive strength of concrete cube, compressive strength of concrete cube test pdf, compressive strength of concrete blocks pdf, compressive strength of concrete cubes lab report, 7 day compressive strength of concrete formula, how to calculate compressive strength of concrete, standard compressive strength of concrete hollow blocks, is code for compressive strength of concrete, characteristic compressive strength of concrete, maximum compressive strength of concrete, factors affecting compressive strength of concrete, specified compressive strength of concrete, cube test of concrete as per is code, concrete cube test report, astm compressive strength of concrete cubes, is 456 cube test, concrete cube test lab report, concrete cube test results 7 days, concrete cube test equipment, cube test of concrete calculation, cube test of concrete procedure, cube test of concrete pdf, cylinder and cube test of concrete, definition cube test of concrete, importance of concrete cube test, permeability test of concrete cube, how to calculate cube test of concrete, cube test of concrete cubes, standard test method for compressive strength of cube concrete specimens, cube strength test of concrete, number of concrete test cubes required, accelerated curing test of concrete cubes, compressive strength of concrete cube test as per is code, compressive strength of concrete, concrete testing, compressive strength test of concrete, concrete compression test, concrete strength test, compressive strength machine, compressive strength testing machine, concrete applications, concrete testing procedures, concrete compressive strength testing machine, concrete strength testing machine, compressive strength testing, compression testing machine for concrete, concrete lab tests, cube test, concrete compression machine, concrete testing, compressive strength of concrete, concrete strength test, concrete cylinder test, concrete strength at 7 days, concrete testing method, compressive strength test of concrete, concrete strength testing equipment, concrete compression test, concrete testing procedures, concrete testing laboratory, concrete strength measurement, cube of concrete, concrete testing lab, concrete compression testing machine, concrete compressive strength testing machine, concrete sample,
  5. Ensure that concrete specimen must be well dried before placing it on the UTM.
  6. Weight of samples is noted in order to proceed with testing and it must not be less than 8.1Kg.
  7. Testing specimens are placed in the space between bearing surfaces.
  8. Care must be taken to prevent the existence of any loose material or grit on the metal plates of machine or specimen block.Compressive Strength of Concrete, Cube Test of Concrete as per IS Code, 7 Days Compressive Strength of Concrete, Tips How to Determine Compressive Strength of Concrete, 28 Days Compressive Strength of Concrete, Concrete Cube Test Report, compressive strength of concrete formula, compressive strength of concrete pdf, compressive strength of concrete at 7 days and 28 days pdf, compressive strength of concrete definition, standard compressive strength of concrete at 7 days and 28 days, compressive strength of concrete after 7 days as per is 456, compressive strength of concrete in knm2, compressive strength of concrete cube, compressive strength of concrete cube test pdf, compressive strength of concrete blocks pdf, compressive strength of concrete cubes lab report, 7 day compressive strength of concrete formula, how to calculate compressive strength of concrete, standard compressive strength of concrete hollow blocks, is code for compressive strength of concrete, characteristic compressive strength of concrete, maximum compressive strength of concrete, factors affecting compressive strength of concrete, specified compressive strength of concrete, cube test of concrete as per is code, concrete cube test report, astm compressive strength of concrete cubes, is 456 cube test, concrete cube test lab report, concrete cube test results 7 days, concrete cube test equipment, cube test of concrete calculation, cube test of concrete procedure, cube test of concrete pdf, cylinder and cube test of concrete, definition cube test of concrete, importance of concrete cube test, permeability test of concrete cube, how to calculate cube test of concrete, cube test of concrete cubes, standard test method for compressive strength of cube concrete specimens, cube strength test of concrete, number of concrete test cubes required, accelerated curing test of concrete cubes, compressive strength of concrete cube test as per is code, compressive strength of concrete, concrete testing, compressive strength test of concrete, concrete compression test, concrete strength test, compressive strength machine, compressive strength testing machine, concrete applications, concrete testing procedures, concrete compressive strength testing machine, concrete strength testing machine, compressive strength testing, compression testing machine for concrete, concrete lab tests, cube test, concrete compression machine, concrete testing, compressive strength of concrete, concrete strength test, concrete cylinder test, concrete strength at 7 days, concrete testing method, compressive strength test of concrete, concrete strength testing equipment, concrete compression test, concrete testing procedures, concrete testing laboratory, concrete strength measurement, cube of concrete, concrete testing lab, concrete compression testing machine, concrete compressive strength testing machine, concrete sample,
  9. The concrete cubes are placed on bearing plate and aligned properly with the center of thrust in the testing machine plates.
  10. The loading must be applied axially on specimen without any shock and increased at the rate of 140kg/sq cm/min. till the specimen collapse.
  11. Due to the constant application of load, the specimen starts cracking at a point & final breakdown of the specimen must be noted.

Calculations

Compressive strength of Concrete Formula:

The Compressive strength of specimen can be calculated by dividing maximum load carried by the specimen by cross-sectional area of the specimen cubes.
 
The surface area of specimen: = 150 x 150 = 22500mm² = 225cm² Assume, The Max compression load is 450KN
 
1KN = 1000N ; 450Kn = 450×100 = 450000N
Compressive Strength of Concrete  = 450000 /22500 = 20N/mm² = 203Kg/cm²
 
Refer google unit conversion tools if required.
 
The same calculation is done for the specimen at different ages as stated below:

Compressive Strength of Concrete formula

Details   Specimens  
  Specimen 1 @ 7 days Specimen 2 @ 14 days Specimen 3 @ 28 days
Max load that Specimen bear (Assumed Test results) in (KN) 310KN 408KN 445KN
Compressive Strength in N/mm² 310000/22500 = 13.7N/mm² 408000/2250 =18.13N/mm² 448000/2250 = 19.9N/mm²
As we assumed M20 grade concrete mix which bear a max load upto 20N/mm²
Minimum Strength to be achieved at different days 65% @7 days 90% @14 days 99% @28 days
Percentage of Concrete gain (test results) (13.7×100)/20 = 68.5%>65% (18.13×100)/20 = 90.6%>90% (19.9×100)/20 = 99.1%>99%
A good concrete should not show less than the minimum Compressive strength at respective days. Hence concrete is safe to use.
 
Important Note: As per IS: 516-1959  Minimum three specimens should be tested at each selected age (that means three specimens at 7 days, three specimens @ 14 days & 28 days) If strength of any specimen varies by more than 15%  of average strength, such specimen should be rejected.

Results of cube test:

Average Compressive strength at 7 days = _____N/mm²
The average Compressive strength at 28 days = _____N/mm²

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Conclusion:

Full article on Compressive Strength of Concrete | Cube Test of Concrete as per IS Code | 7 Days Compressive Strength of Concrete | How to Determine Compressive Strength of Concrete | 28 Days Compressive Strength of Concrete | Concrete Cube Test Report | Compressive Strength Concrete Formula. Thank you for the full reading of this article in “The Civil Engineering” platform in English. If you find this post helpful, then help others by sharing it on social media. If any formula of BBS is missing from this article please tell me in comments.
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Hi! Welcome to my blog. My name is Engr Waseem Raja and I’m the author of TheCivilEngineerings.com. I am a Civil Engineer by profession but I’ve specialized and taken the journey in the field of Quality Engineering. I’ve worked as a Quality Engineer & Manager in the well-known companies in the Gulf region for almost Ten years.

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