COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST OF

CONCRETE CUBES

AIM:
To determine the compressive strength of concrete.

APPARATUS & EQUIPMENT:

1. Compression test machine,

2. Cube mold of 150 mm size,

3. Curing Tank,

4. Tamping bar,

5. Weighing balance.

SPECIMEN FOR TEST:

The cube samples shall be of 150 x 150 x 150 mm. If the largest nominal size of the aggregate does
not exceed 20 mm, then cube samples of 100 mm may be used as an alternative.

PROPORTIONING:
The ingredients should be proportioned as per design standard.

MIXING OF CONCRETE:
The concrete should be mixed either by hand or in a laboratory machine mixer in such a manner as
to reduce wastage of water and other materials.

MACHINE MIXING:
The machine mixing should be done as follows:

1. Add one half of the coarse aggregate into the mixing drum.

2. Then add cement and fine aggregates and finally add the remaining coarse aggregates.

3. Add required amount of water.

4. Start the mixing machine until the resulting concrete gives uniform texture.
HAND MIXING:
The mixing should be done on a watertight, non-absorbent platform with a trowel or shovel using the
following procedure:

1. Mix the cement and fine aggregates thoroughly in dry condition.

2. Add Coarse aggregates and thoroughly mix with cement and fine aggregates.

3. Add required amount of water and mix it properly until the concrete becomes homogeneous of
desired consistency.

SAMPLING OF CONCRETE CUBES:

1. Fill the mold with freshly mixed concrete in layers approximately 50 mm deep.

2. Compact the concrete either by vibrator or by using the tamping bar. (Minimum 35 strokes per
layer for 150 mm cubes and 25 strokes for 100 mm cubes).

3. Finish the top level of the mold using a trowel.

4. Cover the mold with a glass plate or gunny bag to protect evaporation.

CURING OF CONCRETE CUBES:

1. Keep the specimens in a place, free from vibration, in moist air and at a temperature of 20°C for
24 hours.

2. After 24 hours, mark and remove the samples from mold.

3. Submerge the cubes immediately in fresh and clean water until taken out prior to test. The water
should be renewed every 7 days.

PROCEDURE OF COMPRESSIVE TEST:

1. Remove the specimens from water before 30 minutes of testing.

2. Remove any loose sand or other material from the surface of the specimens and let them dry.

3. Clean the bearing surface of the compression testing machine.

4. Now place the cube in the testing machine in such a manner that the load is applied on the
opposite sides of the cubes.

5. Align the axis of the specimen with the center of thrust of spherically seated platen.

6. Apply the load increasingly at a rate of 13.7293 N/mm² per minute until the cube collapse.

7. Note down the maximum load applied to the specimen and any other unusual activities at the time
of failure.
POINTS TO BE REMEMBERED:
1. AGE OF TEST:
The test should be done at 7 days and 28 days.

2. NUMBER OF SPECIMEN:
At least three specimens, preferably from different batches for testing at each selected age.

CALCULATION:

Let assume the maximum applied load is 400 kN = 400000 N

Cross-sectional area of cube =150 x 150 = 22500 mm²

Compressive strength = 400000/22500 = 17.78 N/mm² or 17.78 x 100/9.81 = 181 Kg/cm²

REPORTS:
Samples
Details
Specimen 1 Specimen 2 Specimen 3

Compressive Load
380 KN 400 KN 425 KN
(KN)

Compressive Strength (380000/22500) (400000/22500) (425000/22500)

(N/mm²) = 16.89 N/mm² = 17.78 N/mm² = 18.89 N/mm²

Average Compressive = (16.89 + 17.78 + 18.89) / 3 

Strength = 17.85 N/mm²
PRECAUTION:
This test should be done at a temperature of 20°C

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE OVER TIME