Studies on correlation between f lexural
strength and compressive strength of
concrete
Sharad Y. Mhaiskar and Deepak D. Naik
Rigid pavements are designed on the basis of flexural
strength of cement concrete. However, when such
pavements are constructed, the mix design of concrete
is based on the compressive strength, which is then used
to ensure that the target flexural strength as envisaged
in design is achieved in practice. Correlations between
compressive strength and flexural strength therefore
play a crucial role. Such correlations have been given
by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Indian Roads
Congress (IRC). This paper examines the relation
between flexural strength and compressive strength,
using data gathered from 41 MCGM sites, spread over
the city of Mumbai. It suggests a need for developing
a specific correlation based on the experiences gained
at these sites. Use of these relations would extrapolate
the flexural strength with greater reliability and would
also bring about savings in the cost of pavements. This
correlation can be initially used at sites where quality
control and assurance is sound. Thereafter based on the
experience gained, necessary changes, if required, may
be thought of.
Keywords: Concrete, experimental investigations, flexural-
compression correlation.
Rigid pavements are designed on the basis of flexural
strength of concrete. However, this test is not convenient
for control or compliance purpose. Therefore compressive
strength is used as an indirect variable to assess the
flexural strength. Correlations given by BIS and IRC
are used to extrapolate the flexural strength once
the compressive strength is known.1,2 However, the
outcome of the flexural test is strongly affected by the
moisture conditions of the specimens and generally, the
variability of the modulus of rupture is large (Neville).3
It is therefore, convenient to establish experimentally, a
relation between the modulus of rupture and compressive
strength and to use it in routine testing. With more rigid
pavements getting constructed in Mumbai, the need
to re-examine the relations was increasingly felt. The
results reported herein are a part of the research work
undertaken by Naik.4 Furthermore, new cementitious
materials are also being used increasingly in concrete.
Similar studies were also carried out by Kori Flowers
5
(2004) and other research investigators.
Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has
undertaken a very ambitious program of constructing
rigid pavements over the last three decades. It has a well-
documented, quality control procedure in place for such
construction. The present study is based on data collected
from 41 sites where such construction was carried out
during the last two to three years. These sites were well
spread over the city of Mumbai, reflecting differing site
conditions and possible variations in practice.
Results of these sites were analysed to determine the
flexural compression ratio, and to compare the flexural
strength with the predicted values obtained using the
relationship given by the BIS and IRC codes. Based on
..... 2012 The Indian Concrete Journal 
the analysis, a new relation between flexural strength
and compressive strength emerged. The relation predicts
the flexural strength with a greater reliability as is
apparent by the lower standard deviation as compared
to that obtained from BIS and IRC codal provisions.
Experimental Investigations
Experimental investigations were carefully planned
and undertaken at 41 construction sites where rigid
pavements were being constructed by MCGM,. These
sites were well spread over the city of Mumbai. Amongst
these 41 sites, 13 were in the city limits, 12 were in the
Eastern suburbs, while 16 were in the Western suburbs.
At each site the target compressive strength was M35
corresponding to 28 days age. The minimum cement
content, as recommended by the Design Mix given by the
Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), was specified
as 437 kg/m3. At all these sites 53 grade Ordinary
Portland Cement (OPC) was used in concrete. Ready
Mixed Concrete was used for all these road works. The
sites used, aggregate and sand available from around
Mumbai. The water cement ratio of concrete was
maintained at 0.39.
At each site 15 cm. x 15 cm. x 15 cm. cube samples and
15 x 15 x 70 cm. beam samples were taken for each
days concrete work. These samples were cured and
tested in the Municipal Testing laboratories, Mumbai.
The Flexural strength specimens were tested using the
three point method. Recognising that the flexural as well
 The Indian Concrete Journal .....2012
as compressive strength is sensitive to test procedures,
codal provisions were stringently adhered to. At each
site the number of samples tested for compressive
strength and corresponding flexural strength, varied
depending on the volume of the work. The number of
samples varied from 14 to 123 at various sites, depending
on the volume of concrete used at each site.
Results and discussion
Along with the compressive strength and flexural
strength obtained from these 41 sites, the flexural
strength comparison obtained from the IS 456 and
IRC-58 for were also evaluated. The ratio of Flexural
Strength to Compressive strength designated as Flexure
Compression Ratio (FCR) was calculated.
Table 1 shows the results obtained from a typical site
in the Western Suburbs arranged in increasing order
of compressive strength of concrete, for convenience.
Figure 1 is a plot of this data showing the variation
of both flexural strength and compressive strength at
this site. It is seen from this figure that the compressive
strength ranged from 35.90 to 48.50 MPa, with a mean
value of 40.64 MPa, while the flexural strength varied
from 4.41 to 6.58 MPa., with a mean value of 5.61. The
standard deviation of the compressive strength and
flexural strength are 2.72 and 0.57 respectively. These
values are well within the standard deviation limits
specified by IS 456.
Table 1. Experimental investigations on concrete road code named W-204
Work code no. As obtained from experimental IS 456 1 IRC 58 2 Suggested equation
W-204 investigations
No Date of Compressive Flexural Correlation Flexural Correlation, Flexural Correlation Flexural Correlation
casting strength strength % strength % strength % strength %

1 3/8/2003 35.90 4.65 12.95 4.19 11.68 4.41 12.30 4.94 13.77
2 4/28/2003 36.29 6.04 16.64 4.22 11.62 4.45 12.26 4.99 13.76
3 2/22/2003 37.03 6.16 16.64 4.26 11.50 4.51 12.18 5.08 13.73
4 6/1/2003 37.33 5.49 14.71 4.28 11.46 4.54 12.15 5.12 13.72
5 4/27/2003 37.77 4.95 13.11 4.30 11.39 4.57 12.11 5.17 13.70
6 6/3/2003 37.77 6.22 16.47 4.30 11.39 4.57 12.11 5.17 13.70
7 4/9/2003 37.91 5.80 15.30 4.31 11.37 4.59 12.10 5.19 13.70
8 2/24/2003 38.20 5.61 14.69 4.33 11.33 4.61 12.07 5.23 13.69
9 3/7/2003 38.20 4.65 12.17 4.33 11.33 4.61 12.07 5.23 13.69
10 4/26/2003 38.51 4.68 12.15 4.34 11.28 4.64 12.04 5.27 13.67
11 2/21/2003 38.70 6.04 15.61 4.35 11.25 4.65 12.02 5.29 13.67
12 3/30/2003 38.70 5.56 14.37 4.35 11.25 4.65 12.02 5.29 13.67
13 4/4/2003 38.90 4.95 12.72 4.37 11.22 4.67 12.00 5.31 13.66
14 5/6/2003 39.85 6.28 15.76 4.42 11.09 4.75 11.92 5.43 13.63
15 5/8/2003 39.99 5.86 14.65 4.43 11.07 4.76 11.90 5.45 13.62
16 2/28/2003 40.10 5.20 12.97 4.43 11.05 4.77 11.89 5.46 13.62
17 4/30/2003 40.29 6.04 14.99 4.44 11.03 4.79 11.88 5.48 13.61
18 3/6/2003 40.30 4.41 10.94 4.44 11.03 4.79 11.88 5.49 13.61
19 4/13/2003 40.59 6.52 16.06 4.46 10.99 4.81 11.85 5.52 13.60
20 3/12/2003 40.70 5.38 13.22 4.47 10.97 4.82 11.84 5.53 13.60
21 5/3/2003 40.88 6.34 15.51 4.48 10.95 4.83 11.83 5.56 13.59
22 5/10/2003 40.88 5.86 14.33 4.48 10.95 4.83 11.83 5.56 13.59
23 5/25/2003 41.03 5.34 13.01 4.48 10.93 4.85 11.81 5.58 13.59
24 5/2/2003 41.32 6.04 14.62 4.50 10.89 4.87 11.79 5.61 13.58
25 5/7/2003 41.33 5.92 14.32 4.50 10.89 4.87 11.79 5.61 13.58
26 5/23/2003 41.47 5.79 13.96 4.51 10.87 4.88 11.78 5.63 13.57
27 5/14/2003 42.07 5.74 13.64 4.54 10.79 4.93 11.72 5.70 13.55
28 6/4/2003 42.07 5.28 12.55 4.54 10.79 4.93 11.72 5.70 13.55
29 3/3/2003 42.20 5.19 12.30 4.55 10.78 4.94 11.71 5.72 13.55
30 4/25/2003 42.30 4.86 11.49 4.55 10.76 4.95 11.71 5.73 13.55
31 2/18/2003 42.40 5.01 11.82 4.56 10.75 4.96 11.70 5.74 13.54
32 4/29/2003 42.66 5.80 13.60 4.57 10.72 4.98 11.68 5.77 13.54
33 5/1/2003 43.55 5.31 12.19 4.62 10.61 5.05 11.60 5.88 13.51
34 5/12/2003 43.84 6.58 15.01 4.63 10.57 5.08 11.58 5.92 13.50
35 5/9/2003 44.14 5.46 12.37 4.65 10.54 5.10 11.56 5.95 13.49
36 5/11/2003 44.58 6.46 14.49 4.67 10.48 5.14 11.52 6.01 13.48
37 5/30/2003 46.06 6.10 13.24 4.75 10.31 5.26 11.41 6.19 13.43
38 2/13/2003 48.50 5.67 11.69 4.87 10.05 5.45 11.24 6.48 13.36

mean 40.64 5.61 13.85 4.46 11.00 4.81 11.86 5.53 13.60
Std 2.72 0.57 1.54 0.15 0.36 0.22 0.23 0.33 0.09

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Based on these values obtained from 41 sites a revised
relation is proposed and given in Equation 1. Table 1
also gives the Flexure Compression Ratio based on this
relation. The proposed relation is obtained using the
Best Fit Principle.4
fcr = 0.19 fck0.91 ......(1)
where, fcr is the flexural strength in N/mm.2
fck is the compressive strength in N/mm.2
Figure 2 shows the variation of Flexure Compression
Ratio (FCR) for the samples from this site. It can
be observed that the mean FCR is 13.85 while that
obtained from the proposed relation is 13.60, and that
predicted from the IS and IRC correlation is 11.00 and
11.86 respectively. It is worth noting that the standard
deviation for correlation based on the tested samples
is 1.54 while that for the proposed relation is 0.09,
clearly indicating a higher degree of reliability of the
proposed relation. Similar trends are seen in results
obtained from the 41 sites, Table 2. In this table, the
mean compressive strength, mean flexural strength and
mean FCR obtained from the results of experimental
investigations on concrete roads constructed at different
sites are provided.
IS 456 (Equation 2) and IRC (Equation 3a and 3b) have
given correlation between compressive strength and
flexural strength.
 The Indian Concrete Journal .....2012
fcr = 0.7 fck ......(2)
where fcr is the flexural strength in N/mm.2
fck is ths characteristics compressive strength of concrete
in N/mm.2
fcr = 0.49 fck 0.55 for gravel aggregates ......(3a)
fcr = 0.37 fck0.7 for crushed aggregates ......(3b)
It can be observed from Table 1 and Figure 2 that:
1. The FCR obtained from IS 456 is less compared
to that obtained from IRC 58. The samples tested
at this site show a higher FCR than that predicted
by IS or IRC correlations. The standard deviation
of the FCR is 1.54 for the tested samples, 0.36 for
the IS correlation, 0.23 for the IRC correlation
and 0.09 for the proposed relation for this site.
This shows the higher degree of reliability of the
proposed relation.
2. As mentioned earlier the number of samples
tested at each site ranged from 14 to 123. Table1
are the results of a site presented as a typical
case. Similar trends are observed at all the other
41 sites. Results of all the 41 sites indicate that
the standard deviation with which the proposed
relation predicts the FCR ranged from 0.06 to 0.14,
while the corresponding values for BIS and IRC
correlations ranging from 0.27 to 0.57 and 0.21
to 0.37 respectively reconfirming the degree of
reliability of the proposed relation.
It should be noted that the proposed correlation is
based on tests performed at 41 sites under differing
site conditions, representing all variations possible
during execution. It is therefore felt that the proposed
correlation would be a useful improvement on the
design, site practice and quality control practice.
Conclusions
A re-examination of the correlations between the
compressive strength of concrete and corresponding
flexural strengths shows deviation from the relationships
shown in codes. Based on the investigations a new
relation is proposed.
Table 2. Experimental investigations on concrete roads constructed at different sites
Sr. Site No. of Experimental investigation IS 456 1 IRC 58 2 Suggested equation
No. Samples
Compressive Flexural FCR Flexural FCR Flexural FCR Flexural FCR
strength strength strength strength strength
1 e-173 58 36.50 4.88 13.40 4.23 11.60 4.46 12.24 5.02 13.75
2 c-221 46 36.69 5.05 13.78 4.24 11.56 4.48 12.22 5.04 13.74
3 w-205 123 37.72 5.11 13.62 4.29 11.43 4.57 12.13 5.17 13.71
4 w-211 81 37.73 5.07 13.47 4.30 11.41 4.57 12.12 5.17 13.71
5 w-212 90 37.74 5.17 13.73 4.30 11.41 4.57 12.12 5.17 13.70
6 w-209 39 37.85 5.26 13.96 4.30 11.40 4.58 12.11 5.19 13.70
7 c-224 36 37.98 5.17 13.67 4.31 11.37 4.59 12.10 5.20 13.70
8 e-177 71 38.01 5.01 13.25 4.31 11.38 4.59 12.10 5.21 13.70
9 w-207 54 38.01 5.30 14.01 4.31 11.37 4.59 12.10 5.21 13.70
10 c-219 69 38.04 5.07 13.39 4.31 11.38 4.59 12.10 5.21 13.70
11 w-210 43 38.43 5.25 13.70 4.34 11.31 4.63 12.06 5.26 13.68
12 w-208 35 38.49 5.40 14.07 4.34 11.30 4.63 12.05 5.27 13.68
13 e-176 71 38.89 5.34 13.77 4.36 11.25 4.67 12.02 5.31 13.66
14 e-174 63 38.98 5.14 13.24 4.37 11.24 4.67 12.01 5.32 13.66
15 c-222 25 39.28 5.30 13.58 4.38 11.20 4.70 11.98 5.36 13.65
16 w-206 14 39.60 5.37 13.60 4.40 11.15 4.72 11.96 5.40 13.64
17 c-213 31 39.61 5.65 14.32 4.40 11.14 4.73 11.95 5.40 13.64
18 e-166 60 39.62 5.80 14.68 4.40 11.13 4.73 11.94 5.36 13.52
19 c-216 50 39.68 5.66 14.30 4.41 11.13 4.73 11.94 5.41 13.64
20 e-167 41 39.87 5.66 14.29 4.42 11.12 4.75 11.94 5.40 13.54
21 c-223 62 39.90 5.28 13.32 4.42 11.11 4.75 11.93 5.44 13.63
22 c-220 20 40.15 5.81 14.54 4.43 11.07 4.77 11.90 5.47 13.62
23 c-225 21 40.22 5.23 13.09 4.44 11.06 4.78 11.90 5.48 13.62
24 w-201 30 40.29 5.46 13.61 4.44 11.05 4.78 11.89 5.49 13.62
25 c-217 28 40.41 5.54 13.81 4.45 11.04 4.79 11.88 5.50 13.61
26 w-202 40 40.49 5.58 13.88 4.45 11.03 4.80 11.88 5.42 13.39
27 w-204 38 40.64 5.61 13.85 4.46 11.00 4.81 11.86 5.53 13.60
28 c-214 45 40.67 5.54 13.70 4.46 11.00 4.81 11.86 5.53 13.60
29 w-203 30 40.92 5.42 13.33 4.47 10.97 4.83 11.84 5.56 13.60
30 c-215 65 40.92 5.63 13.81 4.48 10.96 4.84 11.83 5.56 13.59
31 e-175 96 41.22 5.33 13.03 4.49 10.94 4.86 11.82 5.60 13.59
32 e-172 48 41.27 5.67 13.83 4.49 10.92 4.86 11.81 5.60 13.58
33 e-171 35 41.46 5.68 13.82 4.50 10.90 4.88 11.79 5.63 13.58
34 e-169 41 41.80 5.56 13.47 4.52 10.87 4.90 11.77 5.67 13.57
35 e-168 52 41.83 5.69 13.66 4.52 10.85 4.91 11.76 5.68 13.57
36 w-197 26 42.24 5.76 13.72 4.55 10.79 4.94 11.72 5.72 13.55
37 w-198 67 42.47 5.56 13.15 4.56 10.77 4.96 11.71 5.75 13.55
38 e-170 58 42.78 5.80 13.64 4.57 10.73 4.99 11.68 5.79 13.54
39 w-200 47 43.33 5.66 13.16 4.60 10.66 5.03 11.64 5.75 13.26
40 w-199 16 43.72 5.72 13.15 4.62 10.61 5.06 11.60 5.91 13.51
41 c-218 28 45.22 5.72 12.72 4.70 10.43 5.19 11.49 6.09 13.46
Mean 40.02 5.44 13.66 4.42 11.10 4.76 11.92 5.45 13.61
Std. Devn. 1.95 0.25 0.41 0.11 0.26 0.16 0.17 0.24 0.09

..... 2012 The Indian Concrete Journal 

It is suggested that initially this correlation can be used
at sites where stringent quality control, close supervision
and good construction methodology are being practiced.
Experience gained can then be used to review the
correlation further.
Acknowledgement
The authors wish to thank the Municipal Corporation of
Greater Mumbai (MCGM) for permitting usage of data
from the above mentioned sites. The authors also wish
to thank the management of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavans,
Sardar Patel College of Engineering, Mumbai for their
support and encouragement during this research.
References
1. ______Code of practice for plain and reinforced concrete, IS 456:2000, Bureau of
Indian Standards, New Delhi.
2. ______Guidelines for design of plain jointed rigid pavements for highways, IRC
58-2002, Indian Roads Congress, New Delhi
3. Neville Adam M, Properties of Concrete, 4th Edition, John Wiley, 1990.
4. Naik Deepak D., Correlation between compressive strength of concrete and
flexural strength of concrete, Ph.D. Thesis, submitted to the University of
Mumbai, (2009)
5. Relationship between compressive and tensile strength with special emphasis on
flexural strength: Special Project Report by Kori Flowers, Howard University,
summer 2004.
Professor Sharad Y. Mhaiskar holds a BE in
Civil Engineering from the University of Mumbai
and M.Tech. and PhD from Indian Institute of
Technology, Mumbai. He is former Principal,
Sardar Patel College of Engineering, Mumbai.
He is a Fellow of the Indian Geotechnical Society.
His research interests include geosynthetics,
ground improvement and concrete technology and its
applications to pavements and foundations. At present he is
the Dean, Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management
and Engineering, 'Narsee Monjee Institute of Management
Studies' University, Mumbai.
Dr. Deepak D. Naik holds a BE from University
of Mumbai; MS in Civil Engineering from Leigh
University, USA and PhD in Civil Engineering from
the University of Mumbai. He is former Deputy
Municipal Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of
Greater Mumbai (MCGM). His research interests
include concrete technology and innovations in
foundation design and construction.

 The Indian Concrete Journal .....2012