Compressive Strength Test
Compressive Strength Test on Concrete Cubes : A Review
Muhammad Elhamme Abdul Karim
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Pulau Pinang, Kampus Permatang Pauh,
13500 Permatang Pauh, Pulau Pinang
Tel: +6058883241 Email: elhammek@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Most plain and reinforced concrete structures are designed on the principle that the effective concrete area shall be stressed
in compression only. Consequently, the compressive strength becomes the most important quality of concrete, and its
accurate determination the most outstanding problem for the engineering profession. Ever since the first uses of concrete,
attempts have been made to ascertain its compressive strengths. The compressive strength of the concrete cubes provides
an idea about all characteristics and composition of concrete. By this single test also one judge whether the concreting has
been done properly or not. The strength of the concrete is determined by their composite materials in the concrete itself.
Normally, the compressive strength for the concrete cubes with the size of 150mm x 150 mm x 150mm need to be tested
after 28 days of curing to obtain the greater compression strength.
Keywords: Compressive strength, curing period, concrete cubes.
1. INTRODUCTION workability while a rougher surface generates a stronger
bond between the paste and the aggregate creating a
Compressive strength is the capacity of material or better strength.
structure to withstand the loads on its surface without
any crack or deflection. A material under compression In standard industrial cases, the full strength of
tends to reduce the size, while in tension the size will concrete is recognized at 28 days. At that particular time,
elongate. Compressive strength of concrete depends on the concrete archive of the ultimate strength and this
many factors such as water-cement ratio, quality of compressive strength is determined as a benchmark for
concrete material such as cement, sand and aggregates, the design and evaluation even though another period of
cement strength, quality control during the production of curing like 7, 14, and 21 days can also be determining
concrete, curing method, and others. their compressive strength values.
The selection of the aggregates is the major factor 2. METHODOLOGY
that affects the compressive strength of the concrete.
Aggregate is classified as two different types which are While any method of the test may be useful and
coarse and fine aggregates. The size of the coarse valuable for pure research purposes, definite methods
aggregate is usually greater than 4.75 mm, while fine have to be established for the correlation of research and
aggregate is less than of this size. The properties of practical application. However, the compressive strength
aggregates must be known before mixing concrete to can be carried out on Universal Testing Machine – UTM
obtain a better mixture. These properties include shape under the procedures outlined in BS 1881-116: (1983) as
and texture, size gradation, moisture content, specific below:
gravity, reactivity, and unit weight. These properties
along with the water/cement ratio determine the 2.1 Sampling
strength, workability, and durability of concrete. A sampling of concrete shall be carried out
under BS 1881-101 or BS 1881-125 where the concrete
The shape and texture of aggregate affect the is cast in a cube mold of 150 mm x 150 mm x 150 mm
properties of fresh concrete over hardened concrete. size. The concrete cube shall be cured in the tank for 28
Concrete is more workable when smooth and rounded days at the temperature of 27 °C ± 2°C and free from
aggregate is used rather than rough angular or elongated vibration for greater compressive strength. At least three
aggregate. Most natural sands and gravel are smooth and samples of concrete cubes shall be tested for the mean
rounded and are excellent aggregates. Crushed aggregate compressive strength.
produces much more angular and elongated aggregates,
which have a higher surface-to-volume ratio, better bond 2.2 Procedure
characteristics but require more cement paste to provide Remove the cubes from the curing tank and test
a workable mixture. The surface texture of the aggregate while they are still wet. Surface water and grit shall be
can be smooth or rough. A smooth surface can improve cleaned the specimens and any projecting fins removed.
1
Compressive Strength Test
Specimens, when received dry, shall be kept in water for 3.2 Effect of Curing Period on Concrete
24 hours before they are taken for testing. Compressive Strength
Curing Period (Days) Compressive Strength
2.3 Placing the Cube in the Testing Machine
(N/mm2)
Ensure that all testing-machine bearing surfaces
are wiped clean and that any loose grit or other 7 22
irrelevant material is removed from the surfaces of the 14 23
cube which will be in contact with the platens. Use no 21 24
packing between the cube and platens, and the spacing
blocks if used. Carefully center the cube on the lower 28 28
platen and ensure that the load will be applied to two Table 1 Comparison of Compressive Strength due to Curing Period
opposite cast faces of the cube. If auxiliary platens are
being used, align the top auxiliary platen with the cube. Table 1 shows the example comparison of the
compressive strength of the concrete cube depending on
2.4 Calculation the period of curing. It could be seen that there was a
The measured compressive strength of the significant increase in compressive strength with the
specimen shall be calculated by dividing the maximum curing period. According to specification in BS1881-116
load applied to the specimen during the test by the cross- (1983), compressive strength for normal concrete at 28
sectional area. calculated from the mean dimensions of days curing should not be less than 20 N/mm2.
the section.
4. CONCLUSION
3. RESULTS AND FINDINGS
Based on the results and findings of this review, the
This review is carried out to find the comparison of following conclusion can be drawn:
compressive strength of the concrete cubes which 1. The compressive strength of a concrete cube
affected by the size of the coarse aggregate after 28-days increases with the increase of the coarse
curing and the curing period of the concrete cube. aggregate sizes.
2. The longer curing period may increase the
3.1 Effect of Coarse Aggregate Size on Concrete compressive strength of the concrete cube,
Compressive Strength where the 28-days curing may the concrete
cube archive the ultimate compressive strength.
5. REFERENCES
S.O Ajamu & J.A Ige. 2015. Effect of Coarse Aggregate
Size on the Compressive Strength and the
Flexural Strength of Concrete Beam. Journal of
Engineering Research and Applications Vol. 5,
Issue 1(Part 4), January, pp.67-75.
T. James, A. Malachi, E.W. Gadzama, V.
Anametemfioka. 2011. Effect of Curing
Methods on The Compressive Strength of
Concrete. Nigerian Journal of Technology Vol.
30, No. 3. November
Fig. 1 Differences of Compressive Strength due to the Size of Coarse I.Lyse. 1935. Compressive strength of concrete, Report
Aggregates of Significance of Tests of Concrete and
Concrete Aggregates, ASTM Special Technical
Figure 1 illustrates the example effect Bulletin 22, Reprint No. 40 (33-11).
differences of coarse aggregate size on the compressive BS1881-116 (1983): “Method for determining
strength of the concrete cube after 28-days of curing. It compressive strength”, British Standards
was observed that 28-days compressive strength of Institution, London.
concrete increases relatively with the increase in coarse IS: 516 – 1959 Indian Standard Methods of Tests for
aggregate size. The increase in the size of coarse Strength of Concrete. Bureau of Indian
aggregate, compressive strength was found to increase Standards.
significantly.
