What is Concrete Cube Testing?

Concrete cube testing is an essential procedure in the construction industry, used to determine the compressive strength of concrete. Measuring the strength of your concrete is crucial to understanding how much load it can withstand before failure. 

In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about concrete cube testing, and how you can make sure you receive concrete of the highest quality.

What is Concrete Cube Testing & What is its Purpose?

The compressive strength of concrete is influenced by many factors, including the water-cement ratio, cement strength, and the quality of concrete materials used?. 

When you purchase concrete, it’s important to choose a supplier who adheres to strict quality standards and uses high-grade materials, as this will directly impact the final strength of your concrete.

Concrete cube testing is a way to accurately assess the true strength of your concrete. The process includes pouring fresh concrete into moulds to form cubes, which are then cured and tested typically after 7 and 28 days?.

The test can tell you whether the concrete mix you’re using meets the required standards for your project?.

How is a Concrete Cube Test Carried Out?

The concrete cube test involves several steps:

• Preparation of Concrete Cube Specimen

The concrete mix, consisting of coarse aggregates, cement and water, is prepared for sampling.

• Sampling of Cubes for Test

The mix is poured into moulds in layers and compacted to ensure there are no gaps.

• Curing of Cubes

After pouring the concrete into the moulds, they are left to set for 24 hours. Once the concrete is suitably set, the cubes are submerged in water for curing until the test day?.

• Testing Procedure

The cured cubes are tested using a compression testing machine. This is where a  load is gradually applied at a specific rate until the concrete gives in. 

What Size Should the Cubes Be and When Should They Be Tested?

The typical size for the cube moulds is 15cm x 15cm x 15cm. However, this can vary depending on the size of the aggregate used in the concrete mix?. In situations where the aggregate size exceeds 20mm, larger cube sizes may be required to accurately represent the concrete’s characteristics.

As for the timing of the tests, the cubes are typically tested at two key ages: 7 days and 28 days after casting. The 7-day test helps in quickly identifying any potential problems with the concrete mix, while the 28-day test is generally considered the standard time for assessing the cured strength of the concrete.

Be 100% Confident with Quality, Guaranteed Concrete from Total Concrete

At Total Concrete, we understand the importance of concrete strength for the durability and safety of your construction projects. That’s why we adhere to rigorous testing methods to ensure that our concrete is of the highest quality. 

By incorporating concrete cube testing in our quality control process, we guarantee that the concrete we supply will meet your project’s specific requirements and will perform reliably under the stresses and strains of everyday use. 

Whether for domestic or commercial needs, you can be confident in the strength and quality of our concrete?.

Get your free online quote today.