E702.

Designing Concrete Structures:

Acceptance of Concrete Compressive
Strength Test Results According to
ACI 318-14
 ACI E702.3 Example Problem Acceptance of Concrete Test Results Luke M. Snell

Example Problem: Acceptance of Concrete Compressive Strength

Test Results According to ACI 318-14, “Building Code Requirements
for Structural Concrete and Commentary.”
Problem Statement
Evaluate if concrete is acceptable based on compressive strength cylinder test results. The project
specification states that the concrete compressive strength is required to be 3500 psi at 28 days.

Given Information
Table 1 provides a set of 15 test results performed on 6 x 12 in. cylinders at 28 days.

Table 1
Test Cylinder 1 (psi) Cylinder 2 (psi)
1 4100 4320
2 4320 4190
3 4310 4310
4 4420 4380
5 4200 4160
6 4250 3810
7 3880 4040
8 3570 3680
9 3570 3210
10 3780 3780
11 3680 2980
12 3300 3740
13 3470 3210
14 2770 2750
15 3200 3480

Assumptions
Reference
Sampling frequency is adequate; the minimum frequency is:
a. Once a day for a given class
b. Once for every 150 yd3
c. Once each 5000 ft2 of surface area for slabs or walls ACI 318, 26.12.2.1(a)
Samples are taken on a random basis – concrete was not to be sampled ACI 318R, 26.12.2.1(a)
due to appearance, convenience, or other biased criteria
Each set of cylinders was cast from a different batch of concrete ACI 318R, 26.12.2.1(a)
No water was added to the concrete after the samples were taken ACI 318R, 26.12.2.1(a)
Qualified field testing technicians performed the tests on the fresh ACI 318, 26.12.1.1(c)
concrete
Qualified laboratory technicians performed all required laboratory tests ACI 318, 26.12.1.1(d)

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 ACI E702.3 Example Problem Acceptance of Concrete Test Results
Calculations References
Concrete strength is considered to be satisfactory as long as averages of any three ACI 318,
consecutive compressive strength test results (Arithmetic Average) remain above 26.12.3.1(b)(1)(2)
f’c and as long as no individual strength test (ST) falls below f’c by more than 500 psi
when f’c is 5000 psi or less, or by more than 0.10 f’c when f’c is greater than 5000
psi.

Determination of Compressive Strength

Strength test results calculation is the average strength of two 6 x 12 in. or three ACI 318,
4 x 8 in. cylinder tests from the same batch tested at 28 days or at test age 26.12.1.1(a)
designated for determination of f’c.

For 6 x 12 in. cylinders:

• Cylinder 1 + Cylinder 2 = Strength test result

2

Note: For 4 x 8 in. cylinders the equation becomes:

• Cylinder 1 + Cylinder 2 + Cylinder 3 = Strength test result

3

Strength Test Results

• Strength test No. 1: 4100 + 4320 = 4210
2
The strength test results for each of the 15 tests are as shown (Table 2):

Table 2
Test Cylinder 1 Cylinder 2 Strength Test
(psi) (psi) Result (ST) (psi)
1 4100 4320 4210
2 4320 4190 4255
3 4310 4310 4310
4 4420 4380 4400
5 4200 4160 4180
6 4250 3810 4030
7 3880 4040 3960
8 3570 3680 3625
9 3570 3210 3390
10 3780 3780 3780
11 3680 2980 3330
12 3300 3740 3520
13 3470 3210 3340
14 2770 2750 2760
15 3200 3480 3340

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 Arithmetic Average of Strength Test Calculation ACI 318,
26.12.3.1(b)(1)
• ST1 + ST2 + ST3 = Arithmetic Average
3
Arithmetic Average of Strength Test Results

• Using the first three strength test results:

4210 + 4255 + 4310 = 4258 psi

3
Thus, the arithmetic averages for the tests are shown (Table 3) with each result
compared to f’c:

Table 3
Test Cylinder 1 Cylinder 2 Strength Test Arithmetic
(psi) (psi) Results (ST) (psi) Average (psi)
1 4100 4320 4210 -
2 4320 4190 4255 -
3 4310 4310 4310 4258
4 4420 4380 4400 4322
5 4200 4160 4180 4297
6 4250 3810 4030 4203
7 3880 4040 3960 4057
8 3570 3680 3625 3872
9 3570 3210 3390 3658
10 3780 3780 3780 3598
11 3680 2980 3330 3500
12 3300 3740 3520 3543
13 3470 3210 3340 3397
14 2770 2750 2760 3207
15 3200 3480 3340 3147

Determination of value to verify strength test results are acceptable:

Specified strength is 3500 psi therefore, to be acceptable, no strength test result
can be below f’c – 500, or 3500 – 500, which is equal to 3000 psi. ACI 318,
26.12.3.1(b)(2)
Each Strength Test Result (ST) in Table 2 is to be compared to 3000 psi.

Test Results Evaluation

Determine if either the arithmetic average or the strength test results fail to meet
satisfactory strength levels.

• Arithmetic averages (Table 3) for test numbers 13, 14, and 15 are below f’c.

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 • Strength test results (Table 2) for test number 14 are below 3000 psi (f’c –
500). Individual cylinder test results that fall below required values are not
to be used in this evaluation.

Note: Test 9 has one cylinder test result below 3500 psi (3210 psi). The average ACI 318,
of the two cylinders tested is 3390 psi (the strength test result), which is above 26.12.3.1(c)
3000 psi, so the concrete is acceptable.

Test 11 has a cylinder test result of 2980 psi. The strength test result is 3330 psi,
so the concrete is acceptable.

Steps to be taken:

1. Increase Average of Strength Test Results

Steps to be taken will be dependent on circumstances and could include one or
more of the following:
• Increase in cementitious materials content
• Reduction in, or better control of, water content
• Use of a water-reducing admixture to improve the dispersion of
cementitious materials
• Other changes in mixture proportions
• Reduction in delivery time
• Closer control of air content
• Improvement in the quality of testing, including strict compliance with
ASTM C172, ASTM C31, and ASTM C39.

Note: Changes in operating procedures or small changes in cementitious

materials content or water content should not require a formal resubmission of
mixture proportions; however, changes in sources of cement, aggregates, or
admixtures need to be accompanied by evidence that the average strength level
will be improved.
ACI 318,
2. Investigate Low Strength Results
26.12.3.1(d)
When the strength test results fall below acceptable levels, steps are to be
taken to ensure that the structural adequacy of the structure is maintained.
• Building official should apply judgment as to the significance of the low test
results; however, lower strength may be tolerated under many ACI 318R,
circumstances; this is a matter of judgment on the part of the licensed 26.12.4
design professional and building official.
• If further investigation is deemed necessary, the following methods of
investigation may be used:
In-place testing
Strength testing of cores, in extreme cases

Note: In-place tests of concrete may be useful in determining whether a portion

of the structure actually contains low-strength concrete. Unless these in-place
tests have been correlated with standard strength test results for the concrete in

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 the structure, they are of value primarily for comparisons within the same
structure, rather than as quantitative estimates of strength. In-place tests
include probe penetration (ASTM C803), rebound hammer (ASTM C803), or
pullout test (ASTM C900).

3. Determine if concrete is adequate using coring, if required

When coring is required, three cores are to be taken for each strength test
that falls below f’c by more than the limit allowed for acceptance (ASTM ACI 318,
C42). 26.12.4.1(a)
• Concrete represented by cores is considered structurally adequate if
the average of the three cores equals or exceeds 85 percent f’c with no ACI 318,
single core being less than 75 percent of f’c. 26.12.4.1(d)
• Additional core testing is permitted if the core compressive test results
are considered erratic. ACI 318,
• If additional core tests fail to meet required strength test levels and the 26.12.4.1(e)
structural integrity remains in doubt, the responsible authority is ACI 318,
permitted to order a strength evaluation in accordance with ACI 318 26.12.4.1(f)
Chapter 27 for the questionable portion.

Note: For f’c of 3500 psi, the average core strength must exceed 85 percent of
3500, or 2975 psi. No single tested core can be below 75 percent of 3500 psi, or
2625 psi.

Additional Reading
• ACI 214R-11––Guide to Evaluation of Strength Test Results of Concrete
• ACI 228.1R-03––In-Place Methods to Estimate Concrete Strength
• ACI 228.2R-13––Report on Nondestructive Test Methods for Evaluation of
Concrete in Structures
• ACI 301-16/301M-16––Specifications for Structural Concrete
• ACI 437R-03––Strength Evaluation of Existing Concrete Buildings

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