COMPARISON OF CORE AND CUBE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF HARDENED CONCRETE

M. Yaqub*, University of Engineering and Technology Taxila, Pakistan

M. Anjum Javed, Concordia University, Canada

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COMPARISON OF CORE AND CUBE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF HARDENED CONCR

M. Yaqub*, University of Engineering and Technology Taxila, Pakistan
M. Anjum Javed, Concordia University, Canada

Abstract
This paper presents the result of core and cube compressive strength of hardened concrete. Non destructive te
Sixteen cores (diameter 75mm) were extracted from the hardened concrete of 12- years old building. Twel

Keyword: Compressive strength, core strength, cube strength, Non-destructive tests.

1. Introduction
Once concrete has hardened it can be subjected to wide range of tests to prove its ability to perform as planned or to discov
For existing concrete samples will need to be taken from the structure. Non destructive testing methods are usefu
In laboratory many techniques can be used to examine and test hardened concrete to assess a wide Varity of properties.
This paper also describes the effect of diameter of core on compressive strength of concrete and effect of size of
2. Objectives
The objectives of this research were:
(1) To develop a relationship between core compressive strength and cube compressive strength.
(2) To study the effect of core diameter on the compressive strength of concrete.
(3) To study the effect of cube size on compressive strength of concrete.
3. Experimental Program
Sixteen and eleven cores of 75mm diameters and 48mm diameters were extracted from the 12-years old concrete buildings
The extracted cores were trimmed to make smooth edges parallel and then capped with sulphur to make the ends smooth
The average compressive strength of 150mm x 150mm x 150mm cubes was 24MPa [3508psi] and the average compressiv
Table 1 Results of Cores (75mm diameter)
Sr.
Location
Weight
Dia (mm)
Length
Area
Corrected Compressive
No.
(gm)
(mm)
(mm )
Strength of core (MPai)
2

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

RCC Column
RCC Column
RCC Column
RCC Column
RCC Slab
RCC Slab
RCC Slab
RCC Slab
RCC Wall

1524
1516
1608
1572
1500
1448
1196
1138
1480

75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75

150
150
150
150
150
140.462
121.41
114.046
150

4418
4418
4418
4418
4418
4418
4418
4418
4418

12.627
10.885
19.158
19.375
14.1509
26.930
23.2198
25.749
7.619

10. RCC Beam

1568
75
11. RCC Beam
1564
75
12. RCC Slab
1124
74.93
13. RCC Wall
1546
74.93
14. RCC Column
1562
74.93
15. RCC Beam
1518
74.93
16. RCC Beam
1486
74.93
Table 2 Results of Core (48mm diameter)
Sr.
Location
Weight
Dia (mm)
No.
(gm)

150
150
4.78
113.79
113.79
113.79
150
Length
(mm)

4418
4418
4418
4418
4418
4418
4418

21.770
21.537
14.142
13.596
16.733
12.550
10.0145

Area
(mm )
2

Corrected Compressive
Strength of core (MPa)

1. CS-3
360.91
48
92.40
1809.557
15.840
2. BS-2
392.92
48
96.64
1809.557
22.3117
3. BS-1
389.93
48
97.18
1809.557
23.3710
4. CS-1
400.53
48
100.12
1809.557
22.3117
5. GS-2
385.97
48
98.17
1809.557
13.810
6. CS-2
398.36
48
100.15
1809.557
19.120
7. R-7
300
48
77.26
1809.557
12.352
8. R-3
258.52
48
64.77
1809.557
15.507
9. BS-4
250.31
48
64.70
1809.557
12.00
10. R-3 (RAFT)
239.72
48
61.69
1809.557
15.877
11. R-3
212.62
48
52.64
1809.557
21.347
Table 3 Results of Cubes
Sr.
Cube size
Location
Corrected Compressive Strength of
No
core (MPa)
.
1. 150 x 150 x 150
Column
25.
2. 150 x 150 x 150
Column
20
3. 150 x 150 x 150
Column
28
4. 100 x 100 x 100
Slab
33
5. 100 x 100 x 100
Slab
33
6. 100 x 100 x 100
Slab
28
7. 100 x 100 x 100
Slab
35
8. 100 x 100 x 100
Slab
32
9. 100 x 100 x 100
Wall
32
10. 100 x 100 x 100
Wall
26
11.
100 x 100 x 100
Wall
27
12. 100 x 100 x 100
Wall
35
13. 100 x 100 x 100
Slab
31
14. 100 x 100 x 100
Slab
35
15. 100 x 100 x 100
Slab
36
4. Results and Discussion
The cores (diameter 48mm) show greater compressive strength of concrete as compared to the cores (diameter 75mm). T
The smaller size cores have smaller cross-sectional area. The compressive strength is load per unit area. Due to smaller
5. Relation between Core Compressive Strength and Cube Strength
It was found from the result; the compressive strength of cores (75mm diameter) is 0.693 times the compressive strength
The compressive strength of cores (48mm diameter) is 0.552 times the compressive strength of cubes (100mm x 1
6. Conclusion
From the results of the tested specimen the following conclusion were made.
1. The compare strength of cubes was greater than the compressive strength of cores.
2. The smaller size cubes (100mm x 100mm x 100mm) give greater compressive strength of cubes as compared to larger
3. The smaller size cubes strength is 1.311 times larger size cube compressive strength.
4. The strength of cores (48mm) is 5% greater than cores (75mm).
7. Reference
[1]. British standard institution, Guide to the use of non-destructive methods of test for hardened concrete, BS, 881
[2]. Fookes P.G concrete in the middle test past, present ad future , review Damage Assessment Repair Techniques and
[3]. Pocock ,D.C the selection o cost-effective repair strategies for corrosion damage concrete an determination and respir
[4]. Rasheed uzzafar , D and Gahtani, A.S corrosion of reinforcement in concrete structure in the middle of east concrete
[5]. Rasheed uzzafar Dakhil , F.H and Bader,A.M toward solving the concrete determination problem in the gulf region, th

ED CONCRETE

ARDENED CONCRETE

e. Non destructive test methods are used to investigate the properties and strength of hardened concrete. In exis
ars old building. Twelve cores (48mm diameter) were also extracted from the same hardened concrete building. Two

m as planned or to discover its characteristics if its history is unknown. For new concrete this usually involves casting specimens from
ting methods are useful in some instances and can help identify areas from which samples should be taken. The normal me
e Varity of properties. Non destructive and semi-destructive methods play an important role in evaluating the existing structure c
ete and effect of size of cube on compressive strength of concrete.

ve strength.

ars old concrete buildings at different locations of the structural members. Some cores were taken from columns, beams and some co
make the ends smooth. After capping, cores were tested in compression testing machine in the concrete laboratory. No rebars
the average compressive strength of 100mm x 100mm x 100mm was found to be 32MP [4608psi]. The average corrected compressive

res (diameter 75mm). The cubes (100mm x 100mm x 100mm) show greater compressive strength as compared to cubes (150m
t area. Due to smaller size, the strength of smaller diameter cores was greater as compared to the larger size diameter of cores

compressive strength of cubes (150mm x 150mm x150mm). The compressive strength of cores (75mm diameter) is 0.528 time
th of cubes (100mm x 100mm x 100mm).

s as compared to larger size (150mm x 150mm x 150mm).

dened concrete, BS, 881, 1986, part 201.

Repair Techniques and strategies for reinforcement concrete Macmillan, G.L ed. Bahrain society of Engineers 1991.
determination and respire of reinforced concrete In the Persian Gulf , oct,1997, Bahrain vol. ,PP147- 161.
middle of east concrete international , American concrete institute , vol., 7. No 9. Sep.1985, PP , 48- 55.
m in the gulf region, the Arabian , Journal of science and Engineering , theme issue on concrete durability vol.11nov

ened concrete. In existing concrete structures there was no direct relation between the results of non-destructive t
concrete building. Two sizes of cubes (150mm x 150 x 150mm) and (100mm x 100mm x 100mm) were made from the

casting specimens from fresh concrete and testing them for various properties as the concrete matures. The concrete cube test
e taken. The normal method of concrete sampling is by coring although same chemical analysis techniques can be carried out
ing the existing structure conditions [1, 2]. Non destructive test methods are used to indicate properties other than strength [3, 4]. Britis

ns, beams and some cores were taken from base slab, floor slabs and walls. In the same location concrete stone pieces were
crete laboratory. No rebars were found in the cores. The results of cores are shown in table 1 & 2. After making the regular shape of cub
age corrected compressive strength of cores having diameter 75mm was 17MPa [2466psi]. The average compressive strength of cores

compared to cubes (150mm x 150mm x 150mm).

ger size diameter of cores. Similarly the smaller size cubes give greater strength as compared to larger size cubes.

m diameter) is 0.528 times the compressive strength of cubes (100mm x 100mm x 100mm). The core (48mm diameter) compressive

rability vol.11nov

ts of non-destructive tests. This paper describes the relation between core compressive strength and cube compre
) were made from the hardened concrete from stone pieces which were taken from the structural members of building

es. The concrete cube tests, concrete cylinder tests are the most familiar tests and are used as the standard method of measuring c
niques can be carried out on drilling dust samples.
than strength [3, 4]. British Standard defined non destructive testing as a test that does not impair the intended performance of the elem

oncrete stone pieces were taken. The length of cores was variable as shown in the table 1 & 2. The concrete stones were made into t
g the regular shape of cubes of sizes 150mm x150mm x 150mm and 100mm x100mm x 100mm they were tested in compression testin
pressive strength of cores having diameter of 48mm was 18MPa [2611psi]. All cores were tested in dry condition. The strength of cores

m diameter) compressive strength is 0.724 times the compressive strength of cubes (150mm x 150mm x 150mm).

ngth and cube compressive strength of hardened concrete in existing structures.

al members of building with help of stone cutting machine. The cores and cubes compressive strength was determine

method of measuring compressive strength for quality control purposes. Concrete beam specimens are cast to test for flexural st

ed performance of the element or member under investigation [5]. The non- destructive evaluation techniques are used to assess the co

e stones were made into the regular cube shape of size 150mm x 150mm x 150mm and 100mm x100mm x 100mm by stone cutting m
sted in compression testing machine. The results of cubes are shown in table 3.
on. The strength of cores was calculated after applying all the factors given in ASTM C42-90.

x 150mm).

trength was determined in compression testing machine. It was found that smaller size cubes (100mm x 100mm x

e cast to test for flexural strength and cast cylinder cone be used for tensile strength. Specimens for many other tests can be made

are used to assess the condition of concrete structures, to predict future performance and allow minor repair system. The best kn

00mm by stone cutting machine. The cores were extracted by using rotary cutting machine with diamond bits.

s (100mm x 100mm x 100mm) and cores (48mm diameter) show greater strength as compared to larger size cubes (15

other tests can be made at the same time to assess other properties.

air system. The best known non destructive evaluation techniques use ultrasonic waves, core testing, Schmidt hammer test. T

larger size cubes (150mm x 150 x 150mm) and cores (diameter 75mm). It was also found that the cubes (150mm x 1

Schmidt hammer test. The estimation of in place concrete strength requires that a known relationship between the results of

the cubes (150mm x 150 x 150mm) compressive strength is 76% the cubes (100mm x 100mm x 100mm) compressive

p between the results of in-situ testing and the strength of concrete. For existing construction the relationship has to be assessed o

100mm) compressive strength. The 75mm diameter cores compressive strength is sixty nine percent the compressive

ship has to be assessed on site correlating non-destructive test results to strength of core. There was no any relation between core stre

ercent the compressive strength of cubes (150mm x 150 x 150mm).

relation between core strength and cube strength of hardened concrete. In this research work a relationship between core strength and

etween core strength and cube strength was developed.