2.

2 Compressive Strength 17

Table 2.1 Effect of Size of Compression Specimen on Strength of Concrete

Size of Cylinder
in. mm Relative Compressive Strength

2×4 50 × 100 1.09

3×6 75 × 150 1.06
6 × 12 150 × 300 1.00
8 × 16 200 × 400 0.96
12 × 24 300 × 600 0.91
18 × 36 450 × 900 0.86
24 × 48 600 × 1200 0.84
36 × 72 900 × 1800 0.82

Table 2.2 Strength Correction Factor for Cylinders of Different Height–Diameter Ratios

Ratio 2.0 1.75 1.50 1.25 1.10 1.00 0.75 0.50

Strength correction factor 1.00 0.98 0.96 0.93 0.90 0.87 0.70 0.50
Strength relative to standard cylinder 1.00 1.02 1.04 1.06 1.11 1.18 1.43 2.00

Table 2.3 Relative Strength of Cylinder versus Cube [6]

Compressive strength (psi) 1000 2200 2900 3500 3800 4900 5300 5900 6400 7300
(N/mm2 ) 7.0 15.5 20.0 24.5 27.0 24.5 37.0 41.5 45.0 51.5
Strength ratio of cylinder to cube 0.77 0.76 0.81 0.87 0.91 0.93 0.94 0.95 0.96 0.96

for various sizes of cylinders as a percentage of the strength of the standard cylinder; the heights
of all cylinders are twice the diameters.
Sometimes concrete cylinders of nonstandard shape are tested. The greater the ratio of
specimen height to diameter, the lower the strength indicated by the compression test. To compute
the equivalent strength of the standard shape, the results must be multiplied by a correction factor.
Approximate values of the correction factor are given in Table 2.2, extracted from ASTM C
42/C 42 M. The relative strengths of a cylinder and a cube for different compressive strengths
are shown in Table 2.3.

2.2 COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

In designing structural members, it is assumed that the concrete resists compressive stresses and
not tensile stresses; therefore, compressive strength is the criterion of quality concrete. The other
concrete stresses can be taken as a percentage of the compressive strength, which can be easily
and accurately determined from tests. Specimens used to determine compressive strength may
be cylindrical, cubical, or prismatic.
Test specimens in the form of a 6-in. (150-mm) or 8-in. (200-mm) cube are used in Great
Britain, Germany, and other parts of Europe.