Table of Contents

Introduction ...................................................................................................... 2
Objective/Aim................................................................................................... 2
Theory .............................................................................................................. 2
Apparatus ......................................................................................................... 3
Method.............................................................................................................. 3
Concrete Mix Design ...................................................................................... 4
Compressive Strength .................................................................................... 4
Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 6
References....................................................................................................... 7

1|Page
The Concrete Cube Test
Introduction
A concrete cube test involves taking sample of freshly mixed concrete,
letting it cure then crushing it and measuring its compressive strength.
Objective/Aim
The purpose of the cube test it to ensure that the concrete meets the
required compressive strength.
Theory
One of the most important characteristics of concrete is its compressive
strength, as it has a directly proportional relationship with all the other
properties of concrete in a such a way that if it improves the other
properties improve as well.

2|Page
Apparatus
• Fresh concrete (cement, sand, stone, water)
• Tamping rod
• 3 steel mould cubes
• Shovel
• Compression testing machine
• Brush
• Oil
• Trowel
• Beaker (Graduated glass cylinder)
• Tank water
Method
1. Check that moulds are clean and do not have dust or dirt on them.
2. Smear release oil very thinly on the inside faces of the moulds and
place the moulds on a firm, flat surface.
3. Mix the concrete well in the wheelbarrow.
4. Fill the moulds with three 50mm layers of concrete, tamping each
layer at least 45 times with the rounded end of the tamping rod to
get the air bubbles out.
5. Use the trowel to level concrete at the top surface of the mould to
strike off excess concrete.
6. Label each cube.
7. Cover the cubes with damp sacking followed by a sheet of plastic
and store them in the shade, away from wind and where they will
not be disturbed.
8. The next day, loosen all the bolts and gently remove the sides of
the mould.

3|Page
Concrete Mix Design
Water content = 210 L + 6 L
= 216 L
Water: Cement (W:C) ratio = 0.53

Cement content:
= 216
0.53
= 407.55 kg/m^3
St = CBDst (K – 0.1FM)
St = 1580 (0.94 – 0.1x 2.3)
St = 1120 kg/m^3

Volume of sand = 1 – (volume of cement + volume of stone + volume of

water)
Volume of sand = 1000 – (384/3.14 + 1120/2.72 + 210)
Volume of sand = 255.94 x 2.72
= 696.16 kg/m^3
Concrete strength = 315.5 kN
= 315500 N

Compressive Strength
Cube 1 = 315.3
(15^3/1000)
= 93.4 MPa
Cube 2 = 314
(15^3/1000)
= 93.04 MPa

4|Page
Cube 3 = 315.7
(15^3/1000)
= 93.54 MPa

Average Compressive Strength = 93.4 + 93.04 + 93.54

3
= 93.33 MPa

5|Page
Conclusion
As we conducted the cube test to determine the concrete mixture’s
compressive strength, we found that cube 3 has the highest
compressive strength at 93.54 MPa. This means that our concrete has a
concrete strength of 315.5 kN and can maintain a load of 93.54 MPa.

6|Page
References
• Amsterdam, E.v. 2013. Chapter 2: Concrete. In: Wet, J. d. ed.
Construction Material for Civil Engineering. Second ed.
Lansdowne, Cape Town: Juta & Company Ltd, 77 - 123.

7|Page