CONCRETE LABORATORY

CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

POLYTECHNIC KUCHING SARAWAK

PRACTICAL NO :4

TITLE : COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST ( CUBE TEST )

OBJECTIVES : TEST CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE THE

STRENGTH OF CONCRETE.

THEORY :

Concrete cube are made on site to check that the strength of the concrete is
above the minimum strength which has been specified. Compressive strength is the
ability of material or structure to carry the loads on its surface without any crack or
deflection. Test for compressive strength is carried out either on cube or cylinder.
This test measures the uniaxial compressive strength of concrete cubes which are
made, cured and tested to very specific requirements. It does not measure or predict
in any unique way the strength of the concrete in the structure. The test is simply a
quality control test which measures the consistency of the concrete in terms of one
particular property ‘compressive strength’ using arbitrary test method. Testing the
same concrete under different conditions, for example specimen size, specimen
shape, curing temperature loading rate, etc. will give different results. Casting,
curing, and testing cube should be carried out in the correct manner. Even small
deviations from the standard procedures will usually lead to compressive strength
results which are lower than the true strength of the concrete. For example, for each
1% air entrapped there will be a 4 to 5% loss of strength.
Material:-

I. Cement
II. Sand ( Fine Aggregate )
III. Granite stone ( Coarse Aggregate )
IV. Tapped Water
V. Grease oil

Apparatus :-

I. Compressive Testing Machine

II. Sampling Tray for Concrete Mixing
III. Shovel
IV. Scoop or Trowel
V. Steel Float
VI. Compacting Bar
VII. Standard Cube Mould ( Size 150mm c 150mm )
VIII. Weighing Balance
IX. Brush – for applying grease to mould
X. Spanner – for tightening cube mould
 Materials & Apparatus ( Figures )

Granite Stone ( Coarse

Cement Sand ( Fine Aggregate )
Aggregate )

Tapped Water Grease Oil Compressive Machine

Shovel Standard Cube Mould Compacting Bar

Weighing Scale Brush ( Applying Grease ) Spanner ( Tightening Cube )

Work Procedures:-
 I. First, prepare proportions of ready mix concrete and calculate the material
required. The material od each cube shall be mixed separately according to
their ratios ( using concrete mixture ratio of 1:2:4 and 1:3:6 )
II. All inner surface of standard mould must be wipe by grease oil using brush
III. Pour the concrete mixture with 3 layers of approximately 50mm deep each.
Every layer must be compacted by compacting bar not less than 35 strokes
per layer of concrete. Compaction should be done in a uniform manner over
the cross section of the mould. Smooth the top of the mould level with steel
float. Repeat the procedures for another 2 moulds.
IV. De-mould the specimen after storing it in a vibration free place and in
condition that prevent loss of moisture for 24hours. Immediately, submerge
the specimen in water at 27±2ºC in water tank. Cube will be test on 7 and 28
days.
V. Before immerse, every cubes must be taken their weight and will be state as
M1. Once again on the test day, the cube will be taken the weight and will be
state as M2.
VI. Ensure that all testing machine bearing surfaces are wiped clean and that any
loose grit or other extraneous material is removed from the surfaces of the
cube which will be in contact with the platens.
VII. Carefully centre the cube on the lower platen and ensure that the load will be
applied to two opposite cast faces of the cubes.
VIII. Put the cube on the bottom plate of compressive machine. Make sure the
bottom and upper plate touch the cube by releasing the load valve.
IX. Without shock, apply and increase the load continuously at a nominal rate
within the range 0.22N/(mm2 .s) to 0.4N/(mm2 .s) until no greater load can be
sustained.
X. Due to the constant application of load, the specimen starts cracking at a
point and final breakdown of the specimen must be noted. Record the
maximum load applied to the cube.
XI. Repeat the procedures for another 2 cubes on 14 and 28days.
XII. The compressive strength of specimen can be calculated by dividing
maximum load carried by the specimen by cross-sectional area of the
specimen cubes. Express the results to the nearest 0.5N/mm2 .
Results:-

I. Sketch the type of cube failure obtained in this practical

II. Fill the tables below.

Specimen size : 150MM

Age Of Cross-
Cube Date Of Date Of Weight Of Density (
Cube Sectional
No Batching Test Cube (Kg) 2
kg /m 2)
( Days) Area (m )
1 8.0 22.5 0.35
2 27/9 4/10 7 8.0 22.5 0.35
3 7.5 22.5 0.33
Average 7.83 22.5 0.34
1 8.0 22.5 0.35
2 27/9 18/10 28 8.2 22.5 0.36
3 8.0 22.5 0.35
Average 8.1 22.5 0.35

Date of Date of Age of cube Max load Density (kg /m 2

Cube no
batching test ( days) ( kN ) )
1 260 260000
2 27/9 4/10 7 310 310000
3 265 265000
Average 278.33 275000
1 325 325000
2 27/9 18/10 28 350 350000
3 330 330000
Average 335 335000

Practical Questions:-

I. Draw graph between Compressive Strength Of Concrete versus Time (Days).

II. What is the meaning of characteristics strength of concrete and why it must
be determine when the concrete age 28days?
  Strength of the concrete below which is not more than 5% of the test
results are expected to fall and the proposed model has a good
potential to predict concrete strength at different age.

III. What is the relationship between concrete density and compressive strength
of concrete?
 Concrete must has to ensure satisfactory compressive strength and
durability. The mechanical properties of concrete are highly influenced
by its density. A denser concrete generally provides higher strength
and fewer amount of voids and porosity. Smaller the voids in concrete,
its becomes less permeable to water and soluble elements. So water
absorption will also be less and better durability is expected from this
type of concrete. In this paper an experimental program conducting on
compressive strength, density, absorption capacity and percent voids
of hardened concrete is described. The variation of these properties
with maturity of concrete was focus of this experiment. Comparison is
made between two types of concrete’s property test results. One of
them is lightweight concrete made with crushed brick (BC) as primary
coarse aggregate. Crushed brick is a locally available construction
material in Indian subcontinent. Another type of concrete is a denser
one, made with crushed stone (SC) as primary coarse aggregate. The
comparisons on test result are presented with respect to time. It was
observed from the experiment that, strength and density increases with
maturity of concrete and percent void and absorption capacity
decreases with time. Better results were obtained from stone
aggregate concrete than brick aggregate concrete in cases of all the
tests.

Discussion:-
 Test cubes should be demoulded between 16 and 24 hours after they have
been made. If after this period the concrete has not achieved sufficient strength to
enable demoulding without damaging the cube, then the demoulding should be
delayed for a further 24 hours. When removing the concrete cube from the mould,
take the mould apart completely. Take care not to damage the cube because, if any
cracking is caused, the compressive strength may be reduced.

After demolding, each cube should be marked with a legible identification on

the top or bottom using a waterproof crayon or ink. The mold must be thoroughly
cleaned after demolding the cube. Ensure that grease or dirt does not collect
between the faces of the flanges, otherwise the two halves will not fit together
properly and there will be leakage through the joint and an irregularly shaped cube
may result.

Cubes must be cured before they are tested. Unless required for test at 24
hours, the cube should be placed immediately after demolding in the curing tank or
mist room.

The curing temperature of the water in the curing tank should be maintained
at 27-30°C. If curing is in a mist room, the relative humidity should be maintained at
no less than 95%. Curing should be continued if possible up to the time of testing.

Conclusion :-
 Concrete cube testing and maintaining good cube test records does not mean
quality control of concrete works. Often the records show excellent cube results but
the actual concrete is extremely poor. Concrete cubes are often cast with the stiffer
mix (lower water to cement ratio) or using additional cement while actual concreting
is done without any regards for water to cement ratio which in turn influences
strength and durability of the structure. This approach has to change and the
Engineer must produce concrete of good strength and durability for the structural
members rather than for keeping cube test records satisfactory.

Concrete will deteriorate and disintegrate and give indications of bad quality
after few years even though concrete cube results were very satisfactorily.
Conversely, a concrete structure constructed may be of good quality but the careless
procedure for sampling, casting, curing, and testing of concrete cubes may give
unsatisfactory results indicating low strengths. Careful monitoring of each and every
step is necessary for this important test.