1.

Introduction
The Concrete Cube Crushing Test is used to determine the Compressive Strength of
hardening concrete. Compressive Strength means the ability of the structure to carry the loads
on its surface without any deflections or cracks. In here, under compression, the size of the
structure is reduced.

 The Formula of Compressive Strength of Hardening Concrete

𝑴𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒎𝒖𝒎 𝑳𝒐𝒂𝒅
𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 =
𝑪𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 − 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂

After removing cubes, at the age of 7 and 14 days in curing bath, the cube test can be done
for the harden concrete cubes. Day by day, the compressive strength of concrete increased.
Therefore, The compressive strength of concrete increases according to age. The 28 days
concrete strength considered as the standard day for most of the concrete works. The
temperature and moisture affect the increment rate of the concrete strength in the hardening
process. The Grade 25 (M25) concrete mix is used in the Cube Test. Followings are the
factors affecting the compressive strength of concrete.

 Water-Cement ratio
 Cement Strength
 Quality of concrete materials
 Quality control during production of concrete.

2.Apparatus & Materials

Apparatus

Figure 1 - Concrete Cube Test kit set.

1. Compression Testing Machine

Figure 2 - Compression Testing Machine.

 The Compression Strength Machine is used to test the Compressive Strength of
hardened concrete.
2. Steel Cube Mold

Figure 3. Steel Cube Molds

 The Steel Cube Molds is used to place the fresh concrete for the hardening
process.
3. Steel Rod
 The Steel Rod is used to compact each concrete layer to remove the air voids and
subsequent layers penetrate into the underlying layer.
 Height of Steel Rod – 60 cm
 Diameter of the Steel Rod –
 Figure -4- steel rod

 Steel rod is used to level the surface of concrete over the cube.
 Materials
1. Cement, Sand, Aggregates, fiber glass & Water

Figure 5- Materials of Concrete mix

Materials Cement Fine Coarse Fiber Water

(kg) Aggregat Aggregate glass (kg or
e (kg) (kg) liters)
(kg)
Quantities 8.136 18.59 28.315 5.1597

Table 1 - Quantities of materials used for each types of concrete mixes

 A total of 6 concrete cubes were cast for both normal and special concrete,
including the waste cubes.
 2. Motor oil
 Grease oil is used to prevent the concrete from sticking to the cube mold.
3.Procedure
1. The mold that was used in the cube test was cleaned internally to remove any
residual particles from previous concrete tests.
2. The interior surface of the assembled mold was thinly coated with motor oil to
prevent adhesion of concrete.
3. The mixed concrete was poured with a certain mix proportion into the mold in 3
layers and each layer was tamped 25 times using the compacting steel rod.
The mold was filled up until overflow and leveled the surface using the steel rod.

Figure 6 - filled and compacted cube

4. The concrete mixture cube was left for 24 hours setting.
5. The above steps were repeated for another 2 more cubes with the same mix
proportion.
6. The date of the mixture was recorded for every cube and all 3 cubes were
submerged in the curing tank.
 Figure 7 - filled and compacted cube

7. After the 7th day, When the cube was fully matured it should be weighted and
recorded.

Figure 8 - A harden concrete after 7 days

Cube No. Normal concrete Cube Special concrete Cube

Weight (kg) Weight (kg)

1 7.3 7

2 7.3 7

3 7.3 7

Table 2 - measurements of cube weight

8. The cube was placed to be tested at the center plate of the compression machine.
Both plates were in contact with the lower surface of the concrete plate and it was
ensured by them. The load was released to raise up the bottom plate until the cube
touches the above plate. The maximum load that would crush the tested cube was
recorded.

Figure 9 - compression machine for testing

9. The above steps were repeated using the other cubes. Accordingly, the result was
recorded.
Cube No. Normal concrete Maximum Special concrete Maximum Load
Load (Peak value)
(Peak value)
1 36 tons 28 tons

2 35 tons 30 tons

3 35 tons 28 tons

Table 3 - Maximum load to each cube

 Figure 10 - cubes after 7 days of compressive strength test

4. Results

Cube Date Date Age Normal Special Normal Normal

No. poured Tested during concrete concrete concrete concrete
testing Cube Cube Compression Compression
Weight Weight Strength Strength
(kg) (kg) (MPa) (MPa)

1 May May 7 days 7.3 7 16.0 12.4

13 20

2 May May 7 days 7.3 7 15.55 13.33

13 20

3 May May 7 days 7.3 7 15.55 12.4

13 20

Average 7.3 7 15.7 12.71

Table 4 - Average of Cube Weight and 7 days Compressive Strength

5 Calculations:
 Percentage of Compressive Strength in 7 days = 65%
 Compressive Strength for Grade 25 concrete after 7 days = 25N/mm2
*65/100=16.25N/mm2.
 Size of Cube = 150mm x 150mm x 150mm
Area of Concrete Cube = 150mm x 150mm= 22 500mm2
 We have recorded the maximum load applied to the sample at failure (in kN or MPa).
 We Calculated the compressive strength of the sample using the formula:
Maximum Load
Compressive Strength =
Cross−Sectional Area of the Sample

For controlled Concrete

Total Load=Sample 1=36 Tons and for sample 2 &3 = 35 Tons

A total=225 cm2
36 Tons
For sample 1 Compressive Strength= = 160 Kg/cm2
225 cm2
35 Tons
For sample 2 &3 Compressive Strength= = 155.56 Kg/cm2
225 cm2
Kg Kg
160 +155.56 +155.56 Kg/cm 2
Average Compressive Strength= cm 2 cm 2 =157.04 Kg/cm2
3
For Fiber Reinforced Concrete
Total Load=Sample 1 & 3=28 Tons and for sample 2 = 30 Tons
A total=225 cm2
28 Tons
For sample 1 & 3 Compressive Strength= = 124 Kg/cm2
225 cm2
30 Tons
For sample 2 Compressive Strength= = 133.333 Kg/cm2
225 cm2
Kg Kg
124 +33.33 +124 Kg/cm2
Average Compressive Strength= cm2 cm 2 =127.11 Kg/cm2
3