Concrete Compression Testing Methodology
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ScribdTranslationsConcrete Compression Testing Methodology
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ScribdTranslationsCOMPRESSION TEST
Concrete mixes (Concrete) can be designed in such a way that they have a wide variety
of mechanical properties and durability that meet the design requirements of the
structure. The compressive strength of concrete is the most common performance measure that is
used to design buildings and other structures.
THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH:
The compressive strength is measured by breaking cylindrical concrete samples in a machine for
compression tests. The compressive strength is calculated from the breaking load divided by
by the area of the section that resists the load and is reported in (psi) or in (MPa). The requirements for
the compressive strength can vary from 2,500 psi (17 MPa) for residential concrete to
4,000 psi (28 MPa) and more for commercial structures.
Compression strength tests are mainly used to determine that the
the supplied concrete mixture meets the requirements of the specified strength, f´c, in the
work specification. Used for quality control purposes, acceptance of concrete or for
evaluate the suitability of curing and protecting the structure
To meet the strength requirements of a work specification, the following are applied.
following 2 acceptance criteria:
The average of 3 consecutive tests is equal to or exceeds the specified strength, ƒ´c.
None of the strength tests should yield a result less than ƒ´c by more than 500.
psi (3.45 MPa); it should not be higher than 0.10 ƒ´c when ƒ´c is greater than 5,000 psi (35 MPa).
It is important to understand that an individual test that falls below ƒ´c does not
necessarily constitutes a failure in meeting the work requirements. When the
the average of the endurance tests of a job falls within the required average strength, the
the probability that the individual strength tests are lower than the specified strength is
of approximately 10% and this is taken into account in the acceptance criteria.
SAMPLING OF FRESH CONCRETE:
The samples should be as representative as possible, and the sample volume should be 1.25 to 1.50.
times the volume of the test tube.
When it comes to concrete trucks, the sample must be obtained by passing the collection container to
through the discharge current. It must be ensured that the discharge speed is not too small
to prevent the segregation of the concrete.
The samples will be taken during the discharge interval between ¼ and ¾ of the discharge with the
purpose of checking the homogeneity of the same charge.
The sample must be protected from sunlight, wind, and rain to avoid drying out.
PREPARATION OF SAMPLES:
The cylindrical samples for acceptance tests must be sized 6 x 12 inches (150 x
300 mm), generally used, there are also different sizes where compliance must be met.
that the diameter of the cylinder used must be at least 3 times the maximum nominal size of
coarse aggregate used in concrete.
Compaction by chopping.
It must be used for concretes whose Abrams cone is equal to or greater than 4 cm, the preparation of the
test samples must be made by placing concrete in three layers of equal thickness, where each layer
It must be compacted by means of chopping with a metal bar, with 25 blows distributed.
evenly throughout the mold section. With each blow, the bar must slightly penetrate the layer
underlying.
Vibratory compaction.
It is used in concretes with an Abrams cone of less than 4cm, the test specimens are made.
placing the concrete in two layers of equal thickness, compacted using a needle vibrator, until
that the mortar that rises to the surface of the layer covers the grains of the aggregate. When using a vibrator
The needle must be used in such a way that it penetrates centered and quickly into the concrete and without
touch the walls. When compacting the top layer, the vibrator must penetrate about 20mm into the layer
inferior. It is recommended that the diameter of the vibrator be about 25mm.
Finished from the test tube.
Once the concrete is compacted, the top surface of the sample must be leveled with paste of
cement in such a way that no major irregularities result a the 2.5mm.
Once the specimen is cured before the compression test, it is necessary to reinforce the upper face with
sulfur mortar with the aim of achieving a surface of greater uniformity.
METHODOLOGY OF THE COMPRESSION TEST:
Once the press is prepared, the test tube must first be centered on the lower plate; then it is
Raise the upper plate until it makes contact with the test tube by manually rotating the movable part.
coupled to the joint, in order to achieve uniform contact.
The load must be applied continuously and without jumps. At a constant speed such that the
The increase in load per second produces a voltage increase of 0.5 ± 0.2 N/mm.2It is tolerated
a higher loading speed during the application of the first half of the breaking load. It should not
no correction should be introduced to the machine control when the specimen deforms
quickly moments before the break. The test will continue until the break, recording the load
maximum supported by the test tube.
TYPES OF FAILURE:
Conic.
It presents itself when a well-applied compression load is achieved on
well-prepared test specimen.
Transversal.
It commonly occurs when the load application faces meet at
the specified deviation limit (perpendicularity) of 0.5o.
From the Column.
In specimens that exhibit a convex load surface and deficiency of
reference material.
It presents in specimens with a concave load application face and
deficiencies of the refractometer material.
It occurs when there are stress contractions at points
outstanding on the application load surfaces, as well as by roughness in
the plate or deformation of the load plate.
Conical and Divided.
It occurs when a load application face is convex, irregularities in
the refracted dish.
Conical and Transversal.
It occurs when the load application faces of the specimen are
slightly out of the specified tolerances, it also happens if we have
slight deviations in the centering of the sample with respect to the load axis of the
machine.