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Compressive Strength of Cubic and Cylindrical Specimens for High Strength

Concrete

Article · September 2002

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Compressive Strength of Cubic and Cylindrical Specimens
for High Strength Concrete.
arltAt ;Jt Jt iit-.,r*JJ ,j*tt aJIJL-,UJ a.'(r a;upt CiteiJt ir3Er

by

Dr. Hussein Ali Ewadh Dr. Jabbar Abbas Al-Khafaji

Lecturer Lecturer
Babylon Technical Institute Babylon Technical Institute

2002

.yY
 Compressive Strength of Cubic and Cylindrical Specimens for
High Strength Concrete.
Abstract
Compressive strength of
concrete is commonly considered as its most valuable
property. A standard compressive test is specified to estimate the compressive
strength of
concrete using cubic or cylindrical specimens. By no mean to expect
same results extracted from testing cubic and cylindrical specimens of the same
concrete mix. Investigation of normal strength concrete showed that cylindrical
specimens underestimate the compressive strength of concrete.
This research aims at investigating the above relation in case of high strength
concrete. This investigation is carried out through mathematical statistical analysis
of data extracted from previous experimental works.
The mathematical statistical analysis of these works results in significant models
that can be specified for the ratio of cylindrical to cubic strength in relation to the
compressive strength of cubic specimens. The developed models are classified into
ages and nature of superplasticized admixing. The developed models show that, the
referred ratio increases about (10-15)% at 28 days of age, while it decreases about
(6-9)% at 56 days of age as strength increases. Also, the ratios decrease
substantially due to superplasticized admixing.

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1. Introduction
Compressive strength of concrete is commonly considered as its most valuable
property. In many practical cases, other characteristics such as durability and
impermeability may be more important. Nevertheless, strength usually gives an
overall indication of the quality of concrete, as it is directly related to the structure
(10).
of the hardened cement paste
A standard compression test is developed to specifically estimate the compressive
strength of concrete using cubic or cylindrical specimens. The cylinders are cast
and tested in the same position, while in a cube, the line of action of the load is at

right angles to the axis of the cube as cast. In structural compression members, the

situation is similar to that existing in a test cylinder. Hence, it has been believed
(3).
that tests of cylindrical specimens are more realistic

The lateral deformation of the testing specimen is directly related to the effect of
restraining, thereby affects on the test results. Axial deformation resulting from the
effective loads is accompanied with a lateral deformation perpendicular to the load
axis. The axial and lateral deformations contribute to the overall strength
capacity(3'6'7). Further, size of aggregates has a pronounced effect
on the

compressive strength. Smaller size aggregate ofthe coarse aggregates is believed

to produce higher strengths because of the less severe concentration ofstress
around the particles caused by the differences between the elastic modulus of the
(6)'
paste and aggregates

In reference to the shape of the testing specimens, it has been expected that the
entire height of
restraining effect ofthe platens oftesting machine extends over the
on the
a cubic specimen but leaves unaffected portion ofa tested cylindrical one'
specimen is
other hand, the stress distribution on horizontal planes in a cylindrical
(5)'
more uniform than on a specimen of a square cross section
Furthermore, cylindrical specimens are believed to
give a gteater uniformity of

resultsfornominallysimilarspecimens,astheirislessinfluencedbytheproperties
ofthecoarseaggregateusedinthemix.However,itisfoundthat,thecoarser

2
aggregate grading gives a lower ratio of the cylinder/ cube strength, for all mixes
having the same cement content and workability. Also, the moisture condition of
the specimens at the time of testing and the level of concrete strength have been
('o).
found an effect on the ratio of strength for the both types of speci-ens
L' Hermit (cited by I 0) developed the following model for the ratio of cylindrical
to cubic strength in relation to the cubic compressive strength for normal strength
concrete:

fcy / fcu = 0.76 + 0.2 log (fcu 119.6) ......................(l)

It can be seen that the ratio is increased as the value of cubic compressive strength
is increased. Also, the effect of the specimen's age is ignored. In summary, it can

be concluded that, the ratio of cylinder / cube strength is not a simple function of
concrete strength only. In this research, it is intended to highlight this relation
conceming the high strength concrete.

2. Research Significance.

Of great value is to develop a relation between the strength ofcubic and cylindrical
shapes of concrete specimens. All the available documents deal with normal
strength concrete (i.e. concrete strength below 41 Mpa). This research deals with
high strength concrete containing no superplastisizer and superplastisizer
admixture. High strength concrete nowadays is defined as that of an average
(r).
compressive strength of 80 Mpa and above

The primary objective of this research is to detect the relation between the high
compressive strength (more than 41 Mpa) of the cubic specimens and the
corresponding cylindrical ones that made from the same concrete mixes.
According to the developed relation, it will be easy for the site engineers as well
as for the construction laboratories to extract results of each shape from that of
another tested ones.

.f
3. Research Scope.
The scope of the work is limited to high levels of target strengths designed
according to the British Standards. Two shapes of specimens are investigated for
the previous designed strengths. Two cases ofhigh strength concrete are studied.

First, mixes are prepared without admixture while the second type of mixes is
prepared with superplasticizer (SP) admixture. The admixed superplasticizer is
Sulphonated Melamine Formaldehyde Condensate (SMFC).

4. The investigated experimental Studies

The mathematical statistical analysis is based on data of published experimental

works involving high strength concrete. Portland cement satis$ing I.O.S 5-1984
and rounded fine aggregate ofAl-Ukhiader area were used. The coarse aggregate
was crashed gravel of maximum aggregate size (l4mm). The grading of fine and
coarse aggregates confims with the standard requirements of B.S. 882-1992. The
following paragraphs are brief explanation of the properties of mixes.

4.1. Concrete Workabilify

The workability results are summarized in Table (1) for mixes with and without SP
addition. As it is expected, the addition ofSP has a distinct effect on the concrete
workability. It can be seen that, the superplasticized concrete mixes are about (36-
55) % higher slump than those corresponding control mixes for normal and high
strength level respectively. This may be attributed to repletion and lubricity effect
(t')
of superplastic izer .

Also, Table (1) shows that there is a significant enhancement inthe Ve.be. time
test when superplasticizer is added. The addition ofSP cannotnettraltze the effect
of reduction in WC ratio. Slump decreases while Ve.be. time increases when WC
ratio decreases irrespective of SP presence.

4
4.2. Compressive Strength Test
This test is performed on hardened concrete specimens according to ASTM 39-86.

Cylinders are grinded before they are tested. The test is carried upon cylindrical
and cubic specimens at ages of 28 days and 56 days. Average values ofseveral
specimens (three cubes & two cylinders) are obtained to represent the compressive
strength. Table (2) demonstrates the increase of compressive strength due to;
decrease in WC ratio, increase of testing age, and adding SP admixture. The
increase in strength with time is less for high strength than that of normal strength
(8).A\so,
level. This results agree with HO et al5).andlravani et al it can be seen
o%
that compressive strength increases by about (18-22% ) and 36 due to addition

of SP admixture for normal and high strength level concrete respectively.

Superplasticized mixes are quite different from notmal mixes due to enhanced
(').
bond between the cement paste and coarse aggregate in the transition ,one

5. Relation between Water Cement Ratio and Compressive Strength

Correlation is detected between water cement ratio and compressive strength for
different mixes, ages and shapes oftesting specimens. The colrelation is carried
out due to the model developed by Duff-Abrams (1919 cited by l0) as follows:
S:K,/K,"(WC) .........(2)
where:

WC = water cement ratio.

K, , K, : practical constants.
S : compressive strength.
Table (3) summarizes the regression analysis and shows good correlation for most

mixes of different ages and shapes of testing specimens. Samples of illustration

that show the trend ofthese relations can be seen in Figure (1)'
It can be seen that compressive strength decreases in similar trends as water
cement ratios increase.

5
 6. Derivation of Cylindrical to Cubic Compressive
Strength Ratio
Based on the
developed models in Table (3), the reration between
cylindricar and
cubic compressive strength is derived for a specified mix (Normal
concrete (NC)
or Superplasticized concrete (SC)) and a specified age of testing specimen (2g
days or 56 days). The range of data for water cement ratio used in
the derivation is
0.29 to 0.48. This range is considered to be valid for both investigated
works of
cubic and cylindrical specimens.
A general model is developed as follows:
fcy / fcu: Kr / fcu ^Kz (3)
Table (4) demonstrates the developed models for the relations between ratio of
cylindrical to cubic compressivestrengthandthatofcubicstrength. Also,Figure
(2) shows the effect of; mix tlpe and age of testing specimens on the trend of these
models. It
can be seen that, the ratio increases as compressive increase within 2g
days age oftesting specimen and decreases at 56 days age oftesting specimens for
normal and superplasticized mixes. Also, the ratios decrease substantially due to
superplasticized admixing. The amount of increases is about (7%) and(10%) for
normal and superplasticized mixes as the strength increases about (20-25) Mpa at
the age of28 days. On the other hand, the depressions are about (2%) and (5%) for
the similar corresponding case at the age of56 days.

The effect of plasticizer presence is within (13%) for the investigated ages. The

ascending and descending trends are steeper for superplasticized mixes compared
with the similar trends of normal mixes. This may be attributed to plasticizer
(11).
action
Residual cement particles may be responsible for the descending trend at 56 days
age. These particles are relatively more in cubic shape than that of cylindrical one.

Continuous moist curing activates these particles at the age of 56 days. Hence,
a substantial enhancement in strength of cubic shape is expected.

In reference with L' Hermit (cited by 10), the ratios of cylindrical to cubic strength
is closer to the present work at lower strength level, especially for normal concrete

6
 (NC) mixes. The case is reversed for superplasticized concrete (SC) mixes. The
present work underestimates these ratios. This behavior is obvious at the higher
strength level. The equation of L'Hermit (cited by l0) introduces increasing rate
continuously with the increase ofstrength excluding the effect ofsuperplasticizer
presence and age progressive. These effects are well considered in the developed
models.

7. Conclusions
a Based on the developed models, high strength can be extracted for any shape
of tested specimens from another shape as well as normal strength.
a The ratio of cylindrical to cubic compressive strength (fcylfcu) of normal
concrete (NC) is closely related to that of L Hermit model in case of 2g and
56 days ages, especially at lower strength levels.
a Mathematical models for strength ratio (fcy/fcu) must be separated according
to ages and plasticizer presence for high strength concrete.
a Superplasticized concrete mixes have lower strength (fcylfcu) ratios for any
age comparing with those of normal strength concrete.

a Hydration rate ofcylindrical shape specimens is higher than that ofcubic one
at earlier ages until 28 days age.

7
8. References

I.ACI committee 363, 1990. State of rheArtonHigh-strengthconcrete.

Manual of Concrete Practice. part L pp.l-37. U.S.
2.Al-Khafaji, J.A. 200r. Some Mechanicar properties of Accererated cured
High Strength Concrete cylinders. ph.D. Thesis. University of Al
Mustansiria. Baghdad. Iraq.
3.Bungey, J.H. 1982. The Testing of concrete in Structures. Surrey University
Press, Distributed in USA by Chapman and Hall, New york.
4.Habib, G.M. 2000. Residual Mechanical properties of rrigh Strength
concrete Subjected to Elevated remperatures. ph.D. Thesis. University of
Al Mustansiria. Baghdad. Iraq.
5.Ho.D.W.S. and Lewis, R.K. 1987. The Water Sorptivity of Concrete., The
Influence of Constituents Under continuous curing. Durability of Building
Materials Magazine Vol.4, No.3, pp.24l-252.
6.Hughes, B.P. and Chapman G.P. 1966. TheDeformationof Concreteand
Micro concrete in compression and rension with particular Reference to
Aggregate Size. Magazine of Concrete Research. Vol. 18, No. 54, pp.l9-24.
7.Hsu, T.C., Slate, F.O., Sturman, G.M., and Winter, G. 1963. Microcracking of
Plain Concrete and The Shape of The Stress-Strain Curve. ACI Joumal.
Vol. 60, No.2, pp.209-224.U.5.
8.Iravani, S. 1996. Mechanical Properties of High-Performance Concrete.
ACI Materials Journal. Vol.93, No.5, pp. 416-426.U.5.
9.Johnston C.D. 1970. Strength and Deformation of Concrete in Uniaxial
Tension and Compression. Magazine of Concrete Research. Vol.22, No.70,
pp.5-16.
lO.Neville, A.M. 1995. Properties of Concrete. 4th and final edition. Wiley.
New York and Longman.. ppl-844. London. U.K.
11.Punkki, J., Galaszewski, J., and Gjqru, O.E. 1996. Workability Loss of High-
Strength Concrete. ACI Materials Joumal. Vol.93, No.5, pp. 427-431.U.5.

8
Table I Concrete Workabili Results derived from 2
WC Ratio Mix Pro ortion /m SP Slump Ve.be
C S G w /o (mm) (sec.)
0.29 740 500 894 216 36.5 1 1.6
0.29 580 638 1040 161 3 56.s o.o
0.30 740 450 965 222 25
0.30 510 645 1040 171 3 30
0.31 700 610 824 216 6.1
0.31 540 125 993 167 3 96.5 3.2
0.41 580 665 875 238 100
0.41 146 830 927 183 ) 105
0.48 450 760 925 216 76 5.6
0.48 350 880 1030 167 J 103 4.0
0.56 42s 820 855 238 110
0.56 l)i | 835 975 183 3 115

Table 2 Ave e Testin Results of Com ressive Stren derived from 2 4

w/C Normal Concrete QllC) Mixes Supe! plasticized Concrete (SC) Mixes
Ratio 28 days Age 56 days Age 28 days Age 56 days Age
fcu fcy lcu fcy fcu fcy fcu fcy
(MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa)
0.29 79.30 78.10 79.30 81 .60
0.30 80.40 86.50 98.50 103.20
0.31 63.20 64.90 74.30 76.30
0.41 65.30 72.10 73.80 85.70
0.48 46.30 56.70 46.30 64.00
0.56 46.62 56.67 56.30 61 .t5
Table (3) Compressive Strength and Water Cement Ratio of Different, Mixes,
Sha es and of Tes s ecimens Due to Duff Model tren h=K,/ tr(: "
Mix Type -Spec. Age Spec. Shape Kr K2 R, Range of (WC)
NC-28 days age Cube 150.55 7.95 0.99 0.30 - 0.56
Cylinder 1s4.88 13.01 0.86 0.29 - 0.48
NC-56 days age Cube 140.69 5.08 0.99 0.30 - 0.s6
Cylinder 106.84 3.81 0.76 0.29 - 0.48
SC-28 days age Cube 182.93 8.42 0.99 0.30 - 0.s6
Cytinder 178.45 16.64 0.99 0.29 - 0.48
SC-56 days age Cube t69.52 5.14 0.99 0.30 - 0.56
Cylinder 113.06 3.29 0.96 0.29 - 0.48

to cubic strength of Testing Specimens and cubic

Table (4) Ratio of cylindrical
Strength for Different Mixes and Ages Due to the Developed Model
/ fcu = Kr / fcu ^tri
Mix Type - Age Kr Kz Range of Data (MPa)
NC-28 days age 0.3 13 0.238 s6-83
NC-56 days age 1.820 -0.177 64-88
SC-28 days age 6.032 0.340 67 - 100
SC-56 age 2.700 -0.273 77 - 105

9
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XI& CstrEdRdio (IyiC)

We CmsdRdio ofr/f,)
b) Normal Concrete (NC)
a) Normal Concrete (NC)
Mix- Cylindrical Specimens- 28 Days Age
Mix- Cubic Specimens- 28 Days Age
I0= 169J2 i S]{)^(ll'/C) rry= u3[6 i G29.grric)
ll0 ? 8{t

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c) Super plasticized Concrete (SP) d) Super plasticized Concrete (SP)
Mix- Cubic Specimens- 56 Days Age Mix- Cylindrical Specimens-56 Days Age

Figure (1) Samples of Relation between Water Cement Ratio and Strength
for Different Mixes, Shapes, and Ages of Testing Specimens
0.90
NC-28 days age

0.88

0.86
tu

fr 0.84

NC-56 days age

0.82

a0 0.80
€) SC-28 days age
a
() 0.78

(.)
0.76 days age

c!
0.74

0.72
U NC- Normal Concrete
SC- Superplastizied Concrete
0.70

0.68

55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 ',115 120

Cubic Compressive Strength (Fcu)' MPa
Fisure (2) Ratio of Cvtiridrical to Cubic'Compressive Strength
toi Oifferent Mixes and Ages of Testing Specimens

10

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