ADC

UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CALOOCAN

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING

EXPERIMENT No. 6
Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens

ASTM Designation
ASTM C39
Purpose
To determine the compressive strength of cylindrical PCC specimens, such as molded cylinders
and drilled cores.

Significance and Use

This test provides the compressive strength of concrete, which is used universally as a measure
of concrete quality.

Apparatus
 Loading machine (Universal Testing Machine).

Test Specimens
 The standard specimen size used to determine the compressive strength of concrete is
152 mm diameter by 304 mm high for a maximum aggregate size up to 50 mm
 Conduct the compression test on the moist-cured specimens directly after removing
them from the curing room. Test specimens must be moist when tested.
 Specimen age, at time of testing, should be 24 hours ± 0.5 hours, 3 days ± 2 hours, 7days
± 6 hours, 28 days ± 20 hours, or 90 days ± 2 days

Test Procedure
1. Measure the diameter of the test specimen to the nearest 0.25mm by averaging two
diameters measured at right angles to each other at the middle height of the specimen.
2. Adjust the bearing block into position.
3. Clean the faces of the bearing blocks and the specimen.
4. Carefully align the axis of the specimen with the center of the thrust of the spherically-
seated block.
5. Apply the load continuously and without shock. For hydraulically operated machines,
apply the load at a constant rate within the range of 20 psi/sec to 50 psi/sec.
6. Continue applying the load until the specimen fails.
7. Record the maximum load carried by the specimen during the test.
8. Note the type of failure and the appearance of concrete.

Analysis and Results

 Calculate the compressive strength as

P max
f ' c=
A

Experiment No. 7 Page 1

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Report
 Specimen identification number
 Diameter and length in mm
 Cross-sectional area
 Maximum load
 Compressive strength, calculated to the nearest 0.07 MPa
 Types of failure
 Age of specimen

Figure 7.1 Typical fracture patterns of concrete cylinders

Experiment No. 7 Page 2