The compressive strength of the concrete cube test provides an idea about all the characteristics of concrete. By this single test one judge that whether Concreting has been done properly or not. Concrete compressive strength for general construction varies from 15 MPa (2200 psi) to 30 MPa (4400 psi) and higher in commercial and industrial structures.
Compressive strength of concrete depends on many factors such as water-cement ratio, cement strength, quality of concrete material, quality control during the production of concrete, etc.
Test for compressive strength is carried out either on a cube or cylinder. Various standard codes recommend a concrete cylinder or concrete cube as the standard specimen for the test. American Society for Testing Materials ASTM C39/C39M provides Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens.
Compressive strength is the ability of material or structure to carry the loads on its surface without any crack or deflection. A material under compression tends to reduce the size, while in tension, size elongates.
Compressive strength formula for any material is the load applied at the point of failure to the cross-section area of the face on which load was applied.
Compressive Strength = Load / Cross-sectional Area
For cube test two types of specimens either cubes of 15cm X 15cm X 15cm or 10cm X 10cm x 10cm depending upon the size of aggregate are used. For most of the works cubical molds of size 15cm x 15cm x 15cm are commonly used.
This concrete is poured in the mold and appropriately tempered so as not to have any voids. After 24 hours, molds are removed, and test specimens are put in water for curing. The top surface of these specimen should be made even and smooth. This is done by placing cement paste and spreading smoothly on the whole area of the specimen.
These specimens are tested by compression testing machine after seven days curing or 28 days curing. Load should be applied gradually at the rate of 140 kg/cm2 per minute till the Specimens fails. Load at the failure divided by area of specimen gives the compressive strength of concrete.
Compressive Strength of Concrete at Various Ages
| Age | Strength |
|---|---|
| 1 day | 16% |
| 3 days | 40% |
| 7 days | 65% |
| 14 days | 90% |
| 28 days | 99% |
