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Concrete Cube Tests Explained

An easy to use guide to Concrete Cube Tests

Concrete Cube Tests Explained


Tell me about concrete cube tests...
The cube test is a simple, inexpensive test of the compressive strength of concrete, providing your peace of mind that your concrete is fit for purpose. Samples are taken from the concrete as it is cast into the structure, cured under standard conditions and crushed to determine the maximum compressive strength. If this test is not carried out, or not done properly, there can be costs and losses to your business due to delay, further investigation, possible litigation process or removal and replacement of faulty concrete. This is the main compliance tests for all structural concrete, which tends to be specified in terms of required strength at 28 days. E.g. a C32/40 grade of concrete should achieve a minimum strength of 40N/mm at 28 days. (The 32 figure refers to a cylinder tests common in some European countries but rarely used in the UK) The test remains almost unchanged from when we first opened our doors forty years ago and was well established even then. Many thousands of cubes pass through our UKAS accredited laboratories every year. Visitors to our Testcrete Head Office at Carlton cannot fail to notice that we have about half a mile of access roads made form surplus cubes!

What will the results tell me?


You will receive a Testcrete certificate stating the density of the concrete and the compressive strength in N/mm, which can be compared with the specification. There may be other items in the specification such as minimum cement content and maximum water: cement ratio. Although the cube tests will not tell you directly whether these have been complied with, they are strength related and a low strength may indicate problems with water or cement content.

What constitutes a pass?


Strictly speaking, if the 28 days cube results are above the specified strength, then that is a pass result. However there are more factors involved over a period of several tests. If the results are only just above the minimum or are very variable, then, statistically, there may be a very high probability that there will be some failures over a period of time. To allow for the inherent variability of concrete, the average results should be about 8-10 N/mm above the specified strength to minimise the possibility of failures. Please be aware that many cube failures are due to poor quality cubes.

Ok, so who makes these cubes?


You can make your own if you wish, but we are finding that more and more of our clients are having these cubes made by our trained technicians. This lessens the likelihood of poor quality cubes being made and a cube failing through no fault of the concrete itself.

What if I want to make my own?


No problem. You will need;
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a quantity of purpose made, machined, steel moulds sampling equipment tools and mould oil for stripping and cleaning a thermostatically controlled curing tank to store the cubes a shed with a bench and a power supply you will also need someone who is trained to use all the equipment listed and keep proper records.

We can supply all of the equipment on a purchase or hire basis and train your staff, just contact us for details. When is this most common?

A few dont's
Cube failures can be very expensive, in terms of both time and money, whilst they are resolved. Ensure that you avoid them if at all possible by following our tips; Dont make your own moulds - Over the years we have seen a wonderful selection of home-made cube moulds, from those that a cabinet maker would be proud of, to those made from five old bits of chipboard nailed together. None were any good whatsoever. The moulds must be made from machined steel to ensure perfect contact with the testing machine. Dont be tempted by single use polystyrene moulds that you may have seen. These are suitable for very low strength concrete such as trench fill. When used for structural concrete, you will be left with an orange peel surface that, again, will not make full contact with the testing machine. Dont give the job to your most junior, inexperienced member of the staff unless you are satisfied that they are conscientious and fully trained.

What if Testcrete make the cubes?


We cant guarantee that you will never have a cube failure, but we can promise you that it wont be due to badly made cubes. All you need to do is book our technician at the same time as you order the concrete and we will take it from there. The procedure relieves you of all the problems of finding and maintaining equipment, looking after the cubes and ensuring that someone is available to make them. Your site staff probably have plenty to do during a concrete pour without worrying about cubes, after all you wouldnt want the hassle of mixing your own concrete why make your own cubes? On the day: 1. 2. 3. 4. Our trained technician will arrive at the appointed time with his own equipment. He will sample the concrete in the prescribed manner Make rge required sets of cubes Complete all necessary paperwork.

All he needs from you is access for his van to the point of discharge next to the truck mixer.

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What happens after the cubes are made?


If we make them, we will take them straight back to the laboratory. They will be stripped and placed in our curing tanks as soon as possible. If you make them, strip them, mark them with a date and reference number and place them in your own tank, call Testcrete and we will collect them when we are next in your area. When the due date arrives, we will test the cubes in accordance with our UKAS accredited procedures and issue a report.

How many cubes do we need?


Cubes should always be made in sets. The number of cubes in the set will vary according to your needs but we recommend a minimum of 4. One for 7 day test, 2 for 28 days test and a spare. Each set should be made from one batch of concrete. Although the 28th day strength is the main criterion, a 7 day test gives a good idea of whether the strengths are pregressing properly. How many sets are required will depend upon the Engineers requirements and the importance of and confidence in the concrete. A starting point may be a set of cubes every 3rd load, relaxing this with the Engineers consent when a good pattern of results has been established.

I need cube results for stripping formwork is this the same procedure?
More or less. The cubes are made in the same way but should be additional to and separate from the quality control cubes. The stripping cubes should be kept at the same ambient temperature as the shuttered concrete until theyre taken to our laboratory. If you tell us your requirements, we will then cure them in a similar way until we start crushing them.

What next?
We hope that this gives you a basic understanding of cube procedures. If you would like more information or would like to arrange for us to make or collect your cubes, please call us or follow the links below, email us at info@testcrete.co.uk or call us on 01405 860905;

Concrete Cube Collection and Test Request Form

Request for cube making or collection What to do in the event of cube failures Monitoring of concrete pours Workability (slump) tests

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