THE UNIVERSITY OF LAHORE

REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN-I

(Lab Part)

PRESENTED BY:
Engr. Muhammad Hassan Ashfaq
muhammad.hassan@ce.uol.edu.pk

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Engr. Muhammad Hassan Ashfaq Reinforced Concrete Design-I 1
 EXPERIMENT # 12

Standard Test Method for the Compressive Strength of Cube Concrete

Specimens.

Code Followed:
BS 1881 :Part 116 :1983

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 Related Theory

Compressive Strength:
Compressive strength or compression strength is the capacity of a material or structure
to withstand loads tending to reduce size, when the axial forces act towards each other
tending to compress or shrink the member. In other words, compressive strength resists
being pushed together, whereas tensile strength resists tension.

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 Related Theory

Scope & Significance:

This test method covers determination of compressive strength of cube concrete
specimens.

Summary of Test Method:

This test method consists of applying a compressive axial load to molded cubes at a rate
which is within a prescribed range until failure occurs. The compressive strength of the
specimen is calculated by dividing the maximum load attained during the test by the
cross-sectional area of the specimen.

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 Related Theory

Significance & Use:

Care must be exercised in the interpretation of the significance of compressive strength

determinations by this test method since strength is not a fundamental or intrinsic
property of concrete made from given materials. Values obtained will depend on the
size and shape of the specimen, batching, mixing procedures, the methods of sampling,
molding, and fabrication and the age, temperature, and moisture conditions during
curing.

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 Related Theory

Apparatus:
• Compression Testing Machine
• Cube Concrete Specimen

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 Related Theory

Specimen Preparation:
The cube dimensions as per standard must be 6” x 6” x 6” (150mm x 150mm x 150mm)

Caping must be done on both surfaces of

cylindrical specimen to make surfaces balance
and smooth so that load must be applied uniform
to the whole surface

𝜎 = 𝑃ൗ𝐴

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 Related Theory

Rate of Loading:

Loading. Without shock, apply and increase the load continuously at a nominal rate within
the range 0.2 MPa/s to 0.4 MPa/s until no greater load can be sustained. On manually
controlled machines as failure is approached the loading rate will decrease; at this stage
operate the controls to maintain as far as possible the specified loading rate. Record the
maximum load applied to the cube.

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Typical Fracture Patterns
Typical Fracture Patterns
 PROCEDURE

• Quantitative Measurements
• Average length or height of the specimen
• Average dimensions
• Contact area under the platens
• Volume of the specimen
• Density
• Smoothening of surface area.
• Capping of the specimen if required.
• Placing the Specimen in the machine
• Application of Load until Failure
• Note down Failure Load
• Calculate Compressive Strength

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 Observation & Calculations
Age of Mean
Depth Area Fracture Compressive
Specime Length Width Compressive
Sr# (mm) (𝒎𝒎𝟐 ) Load Strength
n (mm) (mm) Strength
(kN) (MPa)
(Days) (MPa)

1 28 150 150 150 512

2 28 150 150 150 497

3 28 150 150 150 507

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 Questions ?

1) Why Cube Specimen has more Strength as compared to those of Cylinders?

2) If rate of loading is changed, what will be the effect on compressive strength ?
3) Will result will vary if capping material is changed ?
4) Cube Strength is a true measure of checking compressive strength or not ?
5) Which is more appropriate approach ? Cube or Cylinder ?

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