To Determine the Compressive Strength of Concrete

Apparatus
-Compression testing machine

Theory-
Out of many test applied to the concrete, this is the utmost important which gives an idea about all
the characteristics of concrete. By this single test one judge that whether Concreting has been done
properly or not. For cube test cubes of 15 cm X 15 cm X 15 cm are commonly used. For cylinder test
cylinders of diameter 15 cm and height 30 cm are taken.

This concrete is poured in the mould and tempered properly so as not to have any voids. After 24
hours these moulds are removed and test specimens are put in water for curing. The top surface of
this specimen should be made even and smooth. This is done by putting cement paste and spreading
smoothly on whole area of specimen.

These specimens are tested by compression testing machine after 7 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.

Mixing
1. Mix the cement and fine aggregate on a water tight none-absorbent platform until the
mixture is thoroughly blended and is of uniform colour.
2. Add the coarse aggregate and mix with cement and fine aggregate until the coarse
aggregate is uniformly distributed throughout the batch.
3. Add required amount water and mix it until the concrete appears to be homogeneous and of
the desired consistency.

Sampling-
1. Clean the mounds and apply oil.
2. Fill the concrete in the moulds in layers approximately 5cm thick
3. Compact each layer with not less than 35 strokes per layer using a tamping rod (steel bar
16mm diameter and 60cm long, bullet pointed at lower end)
4. Level the top surface and smoothen it with a trowel.

Curing-
The test specimens are stored in moist air for 24 hours and after this period the specimens are
marked and removed from the moulds and kept submerged in clear fresh water until taken out prior
to test.

Procedure-
1. Remove the specimen from water after specified curing time and wipe out excess water
from the surface.
2. Take the dimension of the specimen to the nearest 0.2m3.
3. Clean the bearing surface of the testing machine.
 4. Place the specimen in the machine in such a manner that the load shall be applied to the
opposite sides of the cube/cylinder.
5. Align the specimen centrally on the base plate of the machine so that only the flat faces of
the cubes/cylinders touch the base plates.
6. Rotate the movable portion gently by hand so that it touches the top surface of the
specimen.
7. Apply the load gradually without shock and continuously at the rate of 140kg/cm2/minute till
the specimen fails.
8. Record the maximum load and note any unusual features in the type of failure.

To Determine the Split Tensile Strength of Concrete

(Preparation of Concrete mix, moulding etc. are same till procedure 4 of Compression Test)
Procedure for Split Tensile Strength of Concrete:
5. As per IS 5816:1999, the cylinder should be placed in the compression testing machine such
that minimum loading area on the curved surface is 12mm x length of the specimen.
6. Apply the load gradually without shock and continuously at the rate of 140kg/cm2/minute
till the specimen fails.
7. Record the maximum load and note any unusual features in the type of failure.

The split Tensile Strength = (2P)/(πDL)

Where,
P = Applied Load D = Diameter L = Length
 To Determine Modulus of Rupture

(4 – point Bending test)

Procedure:
1. The specimen is placed on two supporting pins a set L distance apart and two loading pins
placed at L2 distance around the centre. [ L = 2L1 + L2 ]
2. These two loadings are lowered from above at a constant rate until the failure of the
specimen.
3. Flexural Stress is calculated (for a rectangular cross section):

When the loading span is one-third of the support span [ L2=L1 ]:

Flexural stress = σ = (FL) / (bd2)

When the loading span is 1/2 of the support span [ L2 = 0.5L = 2L1 ]:
Flexural stress = σ = (3FL) / (4bd2)

When the loading span is neither 1/3 nor 1/2 the support span:
Flexural stress = σ = (3F(L-L2)) / (2bd2)

Where,
σ = Stress in outer fibers at midpoint, (MPa)
F = load at a given point on the load deflection curve, (N)
L = Support span, (mm)
b = Width of test beam, (mm)
d = Depth of tested beam, (mm)