Lab Report: NO.

11
Name of student: Pablo Gomes
REG #: 13/0905/0276

UG: TECHNOLOGY
Course Name: Materials Technology (CIV 1101)
Title: Compressive strength of Concrete Cubes
Aim: To determine the compressive strength of concrete cubes

Introduction
The purpose of carrying out this lab report is to obtain the compressive strengths of
concrete cubes, which was done by making mortar cubes of sand, cement, stone
and water. These were mixed accordingly and allowed to set, then, placed in
water to cure for 7 days, removed from the water and crushed using the
compression testing machine.
The compressive strength of particular building materials such as mortar cubes are
needed by researchers to determine whether the material or method of using the
material is suitable for the project that is being conducted or to see how a specific
aggregate may affect the mix .
According to reference and background information, the results obtained for the
compressive strengths obtained for the 7 day cement cube was found to be
consistent. On the other hand, the 14 day mortar cube was found to be inconsistent;
this may have been due to various contaminations and other circumstances
affecting the cube.

Theoretical Information
In general concrete cubes are far stronger than mortar cubes, due to the addiction
of gravel, adding strength to the block when a force concentrated on the area object
or sample becomes too large that it causes the object to start breaking down this is
called compressive strength. Strength of cement depends upon the correct mixture
and proportioning of aggregates. The Compressive strength of a concrete cube is
failure load (Lbs) divided by its area (inches2) or using the weight in Newtons and
divided this by area in meters squared (m2). The unit therefore for the compressive
strength is pounds per square inch (psi) or Newton meters (N/m2). Compressive
testing is done to ensure that the materials to be used in a researchers project are
suitable. In the field a specified strength f may be given to the researcher and to
suit this compressive test must be done on the materials to be used; the
compressive strength of the researchers materials should not fall 500psi below the
required strength, nor should it be more than 5000psi for that specified strength.

Materials
Portland type 1 cement
Water: source- tap
Sand
Stones /gravel
Furniture Oil- to lubricate moulds

Equipment
Stamping Rod
Electronic balance- Avery Berkel, model no. 6405, max- 30kg, min 100g, error5/log (value)
Moulds
Measuring cylinder- Jay Tec, 1000ml, BS 604, 20 C
Mixing Pan
Trowel
Compression testing machine

Experimental Procedure
1. A sample of sand stone/gravel and cement of fixed ratios was mixed (1, 2,
and 3 respectively).
2. Three moulds were prepared by cleaning and lubricating the inner surface
with oil.
3. The cement was placed in moulds of 3 layers; the layers were compacted by
tamping 25 times each to ensure compatibility.
4. The cubes were removed from the moulds after 24 hours. The moulds were
then submerged for seven (7) days
5. The moulds were weighed.
6. The dimensions of the mould were recorded and the volumes calculated.
7. The failure loads of the cubes were established by the use of compactiontesting machine.
8. For each cube the density and compressive strength was calculated and
recorded.

Experimental results
Block

Age

(days) s

1
2
3

7
7
7

Dimension

Weight

Failure

(lbs)

load(lbs)

(inches)
2.75

0.920

35000

2.75
2.75

kg/2.03lbs
0.910kg/2.01lbs 27000
0.920/2.03lbs
33000

Table 1: showing results for concrete cubes collected from

compression tester.

Analysis of results
Compressive strength (C.S) = failure load (lbs) / cross sectional area of cube
(inches)
Volume of cube = length x width x breath (inches3)
Area of cube = length x width (inches2)
Density = mass/volume
Block

Compressive

density

Volume

strength of cement

(lbs/ft3)

(ft3)

1
2
3

cubes(psi)
4605.3
3552.6
4342.1

1.2
1.1
1.2

1.75
1.75
1.75

Table 2: showing the results for mortar cube calculations

Area (inhes2)

7.6
7.6
7.6

Discussion
These concrete blocks showed far stronger compression
resistance than mortar cubes. Each mould was given a day to
harden and 7 days to cure. The compressive strengths for cubes
1, 2 and 3 had varying results as no two blocks will be alike due to
varying air pockets, human error and packing of mould. The
density of each block varied but a correlative feature was
observed , in that the higher the density the greater the cubes
resistance to force exerted by the compression tester machine
and this due to the greater compaction of the mortar cube
(tighter bonding) . The highest recorded compressive strength
was obtained from block 1, having a value of 4605.3 psi which
also had the highest density value of 1.2.

Conclusion
The compressive strength of concrete blocks 1, 2 and 3 were
determined to be 4605.3, 3552.6, and 4342.1.

References:
Concrete in practice, http://www.nrmca.org/aboutconcrete/cips/35p.pdf,
date obtained 2013-11-07

Appendix

Figure 1: showing compression of cement block. Obtained 2013-10-31