E702.

3M

Designing Concrete Structures:

Acceptance of Concrete Compressive
Strength Test Results According to
ACI 318M-19
 ACI E702.3M-21

Designing Concrete Structures: Acceptance of

Concrete Compressive Strength Test Results
According to ACI 318M-19
Reported by ACI Committee E702

Kimberly Waggle Kramer, Chair

John Aidoo Carl Larosche Lawrence Taber

Bryan Castles Lei Lou Jairo Uribe
Om Dixit Katelyn Low Kari Yuers
Claude Goguen William Rushing
Todd Hawkinson Luke Snell*

*Primary author

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Structural Disclaimer
This document is intended as a voluntary field guide for the
Owner, design professional, and concrete repair contractor.
It is not intended to relieve the user of this guide of respon-
sibility for a proper condition assessment and structural
evaluation of existing conditions, and for the specification of
concrete repair methods, materials, or practices by an expe-
rienced engineer/designer.
ACI E702.3M-21 Designing Concrete Structures: Accep-
tance of Concrete Compressive Strength Test Results
According to ACI 318M-19.
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1
 ACI E702.3M Example Problem Acceptance of Concrete Test Results

Example Problem: Acceptance of Concrete Compressive Strength Test

Results According to ACI 318M‐19, “Building Code Requirements for
Structural Concrete and Commentary.”
Problem Statement
Evaluate if concrete is acceptable based on compressive strength cylinder test results. The project
specification states that the concrete compressive strength is required to be 24 MPa at 28 days.

Given Information
Table 1 provides a set of 15 test results performed on 150 x 300 mm cylinders at 28 days.

Table 1
Test Cylinder 1 (MPa) Cylinder 2 (MPa)
1 28.27 29.79
2 29.79 28.89
3 29.72 29.72
4 30.47 30.20
5 28.96 4160
6 4250 28.68
7 29.30 27.85
8 24.61 25.37
9 24.61 22.13
10 26.06 26.06
11 25.37 20.54
12 22.75 25.79
13 23.92 22.13
14 19.10 18.96
15 22.06 23.99

Assumptions
Reference
Sampling frequency is adequate; the minimum frequency is:
a. Once a day for a given class
b. Once for every 110 m3 ACI 318M, 26.12.2.1(a)
c. Once each 460 m2 of surface area for slabs or walls
Samples are taken on a random basis—concrete was not to be sampled ACI 318M, R26.12.2.1(a)
due to appearance, convenience, or other biased criteria
Each set of cylinders was cast from a different batch of concrete ACI 318M, R26.12.2.1(a)
No water was added to the concrete after the samples were taken ACI 318M, R26.12.2.1(a)
Certified field‐testing technicians performed the tests on the fresh ACI 318M, 26.12.1.1(d)
concrete
Certified laboratory technicians performed all required laboratory tests ACI 318M, 26.12.1.1(e)

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 ACI E702.3M Example Problem Acceptance of Concrete Test Results
Calculations Reference
Concrete strength is considered satisfactory as long as averages of any three ACI 318M,
consecutive compressive strength test results (arithmetic average) remain above 26.12.3.1(a)(1) and
fc′ and as long as no individual strength test (ST) falls below fc′ by more than 3.5 (2)
MPa when fc′ is 35 MPa or less, or by more than 0.10fc′ when fc′ is greater than 35
MPa.

Determination of Compressive Strength

Strength test results calculation is the average strength of at least two 150 x 300 ACI 318M,
mm or at least three 100 x 200 mm cylinder tests from the same batch tested at 26.12.1.1(a)
28 days or at test age designated for determination of fc′.

For 150 x 300 mm cylinders:

 Cylinder 1 + Cylinder 2 = Strength test result

2

Note: For 100 x 200 mm cylinders, the equation becomes:

 Cylinder 1 + Cylinder 2 + Cylinder 3 = Strength test result

3

Strength Test Results

 Strength test No. 1: 28.27 + 29.79 = 29.0 MPa
2
The strength test results for each of the 15 tests are as shown (Table 2):

Table 2
Test Cylinder 1 Cylinder 2 Strength Test
(MPa) (MPa) (ST) Result
(MPa)
1 28.27 29.79 29.0
2 29.79 28.89 29.3
3 29.72 29.72 29.7
4 30.47 30.20 30.3
5 28.96 28.68 28.8
6 29.30 26.27 27.8
7 26.75 27.85 27.3
8 24.61 25.37 25.0
9 24.61 22.13 23.4
10 26.06 26.06 26.1
11 25.37 20.55 23.0
12 22.75 25.79 24.3
13 23.92 22.13 23.0
14 19.10 18.96 19.0
15 22.06 23.99 23.0

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 ACI 318M,
Arithmetic Average of Strength Test Calculation 26.12.3.1(a)(1)

 ST1 + ST2 + ST3 = Arithmetic Average

3
Arithmetic Average of Strength Test Results

 Using the first three strength test results:

29.0 + 29.3 + 29.7 = 29.4 MPa

3
Thus, the arithmetic averages for the tests are shown (Table 3):

Table 3
Test Cylinder 1 Cylinder 2 Strength Test Arithmetic
(MPa) (MPa) (ST) Results Average
(MPa) (MPa)
1 28.27 29.76 29.0 —
2 29.79 28.89 29.3 —
3 29.72 29.72 29.7 29.4
4 30.47 30.20 30.3 29.8
5 28.96 28.68 28.8 29.6
6 29.30 26.27 27.8 29.0
7 26.75 27.85 27.3 28.0
8 24.61 25.37 25.0 26.7
9 24.61 22.13 23.4 25.2
10 26.06 26.06 26.1 24.8
11 25.37 20.55 23.0 24.1
12 22.75 25.77 24.3 24.4
13 23.92 22.13 23.0 23.4
14 19.10 18.96 19.0 22.1
15 22.06 23.99 23.0 21.7

Determination of Value to Verify Strength Test Results are Acceptable

Specified strength is 24 MPa; therefore, to be acceptable, no strength test result ACI 318M,
can be below fc′ – 3.5 MPa, or 24 – 3.5, which is equal to 20.5 MPa. 26.12.3.1(a)(2)

Each strength test (ST) result in Table 2 is to be compared to 20.5 MPa.

Test Results Evaluation

Determine if the arithmetic average of the strength test results fail to meet
satisfactory strength levels.

 Arithmetic averages (Table 3) for Tests 13, 14, and 15 are below fc′.
Strength test result (Table 2) for Test 14 is below 20.5 MPa (fc′ – 3.5).

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 Note: Test 9 has one cylinder test result below 24 MPa (22.1 MPa). The
average of the two cylinders tested is 23.4 MPa (the strength test result), ACI 318M,
which is above 20.5 MPa, so the concrete is acceptable. 26.12.3.1(b)

Test 11 has a cylinder test result of 20.5 MPa. The strength test result is 23.0
MPa, so the concrete is acceptable.

Steps to be taken because the arithmetic averages were low (arithmetic average
of Tests 13, 14, and 15) and because the strength in the Test 14 strength test
result was below fc′ by more than 3.5 MPa:

1. Increase Average of Strength Test Results ACI 318M,

Steps to be taken will be dependent on circumstances and could include one R26.12.3.1(b)
or more of the following:
 Increase in cementitious materials content
 Reduction in, or better control of, water content
 Use of a water‐reducing admixture to improve the dispersion of
cementitious materials
 Other changes in mixture proportions
 Reduction in delivery time
 Closer control of air content
 Improvement in the quality of testing, including strict compliance with
ASTM C172, ASTM C31, and ASTM C39.

Note: Changes in operating procedures or small changes in cementitious

materials content or water content should not require a formal resubmission
of mixture proportions; however, changes in sources of cement, aggregates, or
admixtures need to be accompanied by evidence that the average strength
level will be improved.
ACI 318M,
2. Investigate Low Strength Results in the Area Represented by Test 14 Strength
26.12.3.1(c)
Test Result
When the strength test results fall below acceptable levels, steps are to be
taken to ensure that the structural adequacy of the structure is maintained.
 Building official should apply judgment as to the significance of the low ACI 318M, R26.12.6
test results; however, lower strength may be tolerated under many
circumstances—this is a matter of judgment on the part of the licensed
design professional and building official.
 If further investigation is deemed necessary, the following methods of
investigation may be used:
a) In‐place testing
b) Strength testing of cores, in extreme cases

Note: In‐place tests of concrete may be useful in determining whether a

portion of the structure actually contains low‐strength concrete. Unless these
in‐place tests have been correlated with standard strength test results for the

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 concrete in the structure, they are of value primarily for comparisons within
the same structure, rather than as quantitative estimates of strength. In‐place
tests include probe penetration (ASTM C803), rebound hammer (ASTM C805),
or pullout test (ASTM C900).

3. Determine if Concrete is Adequate Using Coring, if Required ACI 318M,

When coring is required, three cores are to be taken for each strength 26.12.6.1(b)
test that falls below fc′ by more than the limit allowed for acceptance
(ASTM C42). ACI 318M,
 Concrete represented by cores is considered structurally adequate if 26.12.6.1(e)
the average of the three cores equals or exceeds 85 percent of fc′
with no single core being less than 75 percent of fc′. ACI 318M,
 Additional core testing is permitted if the core compressive test 26.12.6.1(f)
results are considered erratic. ACI 318M,
 If additional core tests fail to meet required strength test levels and 26.12.6.1(g)
the structural integrity remains in doubt, the responsible authority is
permitted to order a strength evaluation in accordance with ACI
318M Chapter 27 for the questionable portion.

Note: For fc′ of 24 MPa, the average core strength must exceed 85 percent of
24, or 20.4 MPa. No single tested core can be below 75 percent of 24 MPa, or
18.0 MPa.

Conclusions:
1. Steps must be taken to increase the average of the strength results.

2. Concrete in the area represented by strength Test 14 must be investigated and

evaluated.

3. Concrete in all other areas (except concrete in Strength test areas number 14)
is considered to have met code requirements.

Additional Reading

 ACI 214R‐11—Guide to Evaluation of Strength Test Results of Concrete

 ACI 228.1R‐19—Report on Methods for Estimating In‐Place Concrete
Strength
 ACI 228.2R‐13—Report on Nondestructive Test Methods for Evaluation of
Concrete in Structures
 ACI 301‐16/301M‐16—Specifications for Structural Concrete
 ACI 437R‐19—Strength Evaluation of Existing Concrete Buildings

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