Compression test on concrete

Introduction :
A compression test measures the compressive strength of amaterialon atest machine
mechanicsaccording to a protocolnormalizedCompression tests are often conducted on the same
device that thetensile testbut by applying the load incompressioninstead of applying it in
traction.

During the compression test, the sample shortens and widens. The relative deformation is
‘negative’ in the sense that the length of the sample decreases. Compression tends to also
amplify the lateral irregularities of the sample and, beyond a critical stress, the sample
can bend and thearrowcan intensify until thebuckling

The different types of tests on concrete:

There are two types of tests that allow for the verification of concrete resistance to
compression at age (j):

Non-destructive testing, the non-destructive testing of concrete is of great scientific importance and
pratque. The topic has garnered increasing attention in recent years, particularly regarding the
need for characterization of the quality of damaged concrete constructions, using
non-destructive methods.. Among these tests is the sclerometer test

Destructive tests: which are carried out with the press on two standard samples of 16cm
diameter and 32cm in height aged up to 28 days of concrete curing.

Sclereometer test (non-destructive test):

Introduction :
The scleroscope test involves projecting a mass onto the surface of the concrete with an initial energy.
constant. Following the shock, part of the energy is absorbed by the concrete, the other part causes the
rebound of the mass. The impact energy is produced by a spring system of which
The amplitude of the recoil movement is a function of: The recoil energy; Characteristics of the systems
shock springs, The measurement of impact hardness allows for the evaluation of concrete resistance in a non-destructive manner.
destructive. This method is interesting due to its simplicity; it allows for quick execution.
regularity controls of the concrete of a structure. The determination of hardness is based on the
measurement of the recoil experienced by a mobile device (operated by a spring) following a collision
between the device and the surface of the concrete. This test is one of the oldest non-destructive tests and it is
still very much used today it was developed by ERNST SCHMIDT IN (1948) and is known as the
name the Schmidt hammer test or sclerometer test. The Schmidt hammer (photo III.1) has remained
the only known instrument that uses the rebound principle for concrete testing according to
R.F FELDMAN (1977). In (1984) [Link] AND [Link] stated that despite its
apparent simplicity, the sclerometer test underlies complex issues of impact and
propagation of the wave associated with it.
Principle:
The basic principle of the sclerometer test is that the rebound of an elastic mass depends on the
hardness of the surface on which the mass strikes.

In the sclerometer test, an approximate mass of 1.8 kg mounted on a spring has a quantity
potential energy fixed that is transmitted to it by a stretched spring from a fixed position, what
it is obtained by pressing the head of the hammer against the surface of the concrete being tested. During its
relaxation, the mass bounces from the head, always in contact with the surface of the concrete and the
the distance it travels, expressed as a percentage of the initial extension of the spring is called
the rebound index. This index is indicated by a slider that moves along a ruler
graduate.

Equipment:
There are several models of sclerometers depending on the type of recoil as well as the impact energy.
the most widely used model is the SCHMIDT sclerometer (Switzerland). The device consists of a weight
charged by a spring that projects onto a metal rod called a striker rod. It is delivered
with a sharpening stone and a calibration block

Operating Procedure:

Surface preparation:
Measurements must be taken on clean surfaces without gravel nests.
scales, of coarse texture, of high porosity or flush reinforcements. The preparation of the
The surface consists of removing any adhering coating or paint or sanding if this surface is made up of
of a flaky superficial layer. Any trace of water on the surface must be wiped away.

Measurement points:
The measuring surface must be divided into zones of at least 400 cm² and structured in a grid of
Measuring points with a spacing of d = 30÷50 mm. The extreme measurement points must be
at least 30 mm from the edges of the tested surface.
 Figure: Measurement grid on work

Take at least 10 successive measurements in the same area. The area of this zone is
equivalent to that of a square of about 25 cm on each side. During these measurements, it is important not to
perform the test no less than 3 to 4 cm from the edges of the tested element.

Destructive test (crushing):

Compressive strength:
Inmaterial resistance, the resistances to thetractionto thecompressionand at theshearare
analyzed separately.
The compressive strength is the ability of a material or structure to bear loads.
which aim to reduce its size by compression (crushing), as opposed to resistance to the
traction which is a resistance to elongation (bursting) and to shear resistance which is
mainly a resistance to twisting (torque).
It is a key value for the design of structures. It is measured on materials as well as on
components or structures.
By definition, the compressive strength of a material is thecompression effortuni axialreached
to the complete rupture of the material. If the material is ductile, this rupture will not occur but the
the material will deform irreversibly, so that the resistance to compression is assimilated
at the effort reached at the limit of deformation
Compression test tube:
The compression test involves an elastic shortening of atest tubegenerally
cylindrical and its crushing beyond theelastic limitof the material.
Short cylindrical test specimens are preferable for these tests to specimens that are too
long or rectangular section
The standard:
A standard represents a reference on a specific subject. It must be approved beforehand by
the recognized standardization body in the considered geographic area, AFNOR being
the French standardization body.
A standard is the result of a request made by professionals and companies and takes
form after obtaining a consensus from the commission of the recognized body. It has
several areas of action such as defining the conditions for the realization of a product, a service,
of an operation and can also provide calculation methods for analysis techniques. To be
Stakeholder in the standardization involves understanding the workings of the committees.
de-normalization.

The different types of standards

XP represents an experimental standard (minimum testing period of 3 years before approval
official and removed after 5 years of trials). These standards are generally the future of construction,
It is therefore important to take this into account in order to stay ahead of your time.

French standards
NF: French standard officially recognized in general (100% French origin standard!)
NF EN: French standard being the translation (sometimes with interpretation) of a standard
European.
NF ISO: French standard being the translation (sometimes with interpretation) of a standard
international.
NF EN ISO: standard copying a European standard, which itself comes from a standard
international.

To easily navigate through the classification of French standards, lettered indices have been implemented.
in place to easily find one's way around depending on the work area.
NF EN 206-1 This standard was officially established in 2002, and it became the normative reference for
all structural concrete since 2005. Recently, it underwent a modification and became
the standard NF EN 206-1 / CN since December 14, 2012.
Whether for prestressed concrete, any concrete made on site, or ready-mixed concrete,
This standard applies to all buildings and civil engineering works.
NF EN 12390-3 Tests on hardened concrete – Part 3: compressive strength of test specimens

Measured grandeur:
The compression test begins with a linear region where the material's deformation ε is
proportional to the stressσ σ according to theHooke's lawσ =Eεwhere E is theYoung's modulus.
In this linear region, the material deforms elastically and returns to its initial length.
when the constraint is removed.
The linear region ends at the pointelastic limitAbove this point, the material undergoes
oneplastic deformationand does not return to its original length once the load is removed.
 F
By definition, theuniaxial constraintis the force divided by the area σ= where F is the charge
A
applied in newtons and A is the area of the cross-section in m2.
−l0
The corresponding deformation is e e e= where l is the length of the compressed sample and l0sa
l0
initial length. The compressive strength corresponds to the point on the stress-strain curve.
F∗¿ l−l0
deformation defined byσ σ∗¿ e=
¿ and where F* is the load applied just before
A0
destroy the sample and it* is the length of the sample just before its destruction.

Conclusion
Firstly, by crushing test, this destructive method displays results related to
dimensions of the carrots, its only disadvantage is that the test tubes made differ from
procedures for setting up and tightening regarding the formwork concrete on site.
The second method is by sclerometer, this non-destructive method is applied directly to
the concrete to be studied, it therefore allows to maintain the conditions of implementation but its only drawback
and during the transformation of the rebound into resistance.