What Next, If Concrete Cube Fails in

Test.
What to do if Concrete Cube Fails in Test , Such situation arise in many times on
construction site. This article explain you what to do and not do during such type of
situation on construction site.

Compressive strength of concrete cube:

The Concrete cube test provides details about all the characteristics strength of
concrete. From result of this cube test, we can judge whether Concreting has been
done properly or not. The strength of concrete for general construction varies
according to grade of concrete from 15 MPa (2200 psi) to 30 MPa (4400 psi) and higher
in commercial and industrial structures.

Compressive Strength Definition:

The Compressive strength is the ability of material (concrete) or structure to carry the
loads on its surface without any crack or deflection.
Compressive Strength Test of Concrete Cubes:

For Checking compressive strength of concrete two types of specimen samples are
used. Cube sample size 15cm X 15cm X 15cm or 10cm X 10cm x 10cm depending upon
the size of aggregate are used. Generally, we used molds of size 15cm x 15cm x 15cm.

Sample preparation:
During Concreting work random concrete sample is poured in the mold and tempered
properly so as not to have any voids. On next day, concrete from these moulds are
released and test specimens are put in water for curing. For Cube test it is essential to
make the top surface of this specimen should even and smooth. It should be done by
putting cement paste and spreading smoothly on the whole area of the specimen.

Concrete Cube Sample

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Testing of Cube Samples:

Concrete cube samples area tested on compression testing machine after 7 days curing
or 28 days curing. The application load is gradua at the rate of 140 kg/cm2 per minute
till the Specimens fails.
The compressive strength of the concrete cube is the load applied at the point of failure
to the cross-section area of the face on which load was applied

Concrete Cube Testing

Compressive strength of concrete can be calculated from following Equation for (15 cm
x 15 cm x 15 cm):

Compressive Strenght = Load at failure in Machine(N) / C/S Area of Cube (mm²)

Compressive Strength of Concrete at Various Ages:

It is known fact that concrete strength increases with age. Below shows the strength of
concrete at different ages in comparison with the strength at 28 days after casting.

Age of concrete Compressive strength Gain (%)

3 days 30 %

7 days 67.5 % (70% for safety)

14 days 90 %

28 days 99 % (70% for safety)

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Compressive Strength of Cube at 7 and 28 Days Test:

Minimum Minimum
Specified characteristic
Grade of compressive strength compressive strength
compressive strength
Concrete N/mm2 at 3 days (N/mm2) at 7 days
(N/mm2) at 28 days(100%)
(30%) (70%)

M – 15 4.5 10 15

M – 20 3 13.5 20

M – 25 7.5 17.5 25

M – 30 9 21 30

M – 35 10.5 21 35

What to do if Concrete Cube fails in Test:

 Concrete Cube Fail in Machine


Concrete Cube Fail Sample

The first reaction is ” Prevention is better than cure”- The failure of the Cube test
depends up on the various aspect even the way it has been tested is also important.
The sampling for the cube is also very important.

The Failure result of a concrete cube is a serious issue. You need to analyze why the
cubes have failed. By finding out a proper reason for failure, we may avoid further
reoccurrences of the same.

When we are doing concreting on site and collecting Sample for the test there are four
possible combinations behind Concrete Cube fails in Test as listed below.

1. It may be, Concrete is strong; cube is also strong.

2. It may be, Concrete is weak; cube is also weak.

3. It may be, Concrete is strong; but cube is weak.

4. It may be, Concrete is weak; but cube is strong.

Generally, we focus on the first two possibilities while analyzing cube test results, the
third and fourth possibilities are generally being neglected. The 3rd option does not
harm the structure. But the option four….well…it is better to be optimistic in such
situations.

While you get reports showing that the 28th day cube tests are failed, remember that it
is something serious. This test result of 28th days cannot be treated just like in the case
of 7th day test failure. As we know that must attain it 99 % strength on 28th day cube
test result and tests are considered as the deciding criterion for acceptance of the
concrete.

Before considering that our 28th day cube test is fail or pass and going deep into our
scenario of cube failure, let us quickly see how the cube results are generally
interpreted as per IS code.
There are two conditions are to be met for accepting a concrete after cube test as per
IS 456 2000 Cl 16.1,

For concrete of grade M – 20 and above,

1. The average strength of a group of four consecutive test results should not be less
than the greater of fck(20)+ 4 N/mm2 or fck+0.825σ where σ is the standard
deviation established
2. Individual cube strength should not be less than fck – 4 N/mm2

Let us analyze this with an example.

If 28th days concrete cube test results fails check if result of all 7 days cubes is the
same. If even one passes the acceptable criteria you are sure that the concrete mix is
OK.

1. Now the question of workmanship.

2. Even if one of the cubes is OK wait for 28 Day result.
3. If 28 days result fails then again there is a possibility that cubes are not filled
properly or they were not cured properly in first 7 days. But it is possible that slab
concrete is OK. Go for Hammer test.
4. If hammer test is also as per failed cube result then go for core cutter and test it to
get actual strength of laid concrete
5. Take this core cutter result to consultant and he will take a decision whether he can
retain the concrete with rectification like grouting and all. If not then weatherhe can
find ways to strengthen the slab. If not then he has to get the slab recast.

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We must consider following before any decision is taken by site

engineer on discarding concrete:

 Whether cubes filled by trained supervisor?

 Whether the strength is unacceptable as per the acceptable formula?
 if so whether they satisfy the designer with corrective methods as suggested and
NDT test results received from labs?
 Still doubtful go for loading test?
In many cases, I have experienced horrible results by few labs but the site engineer
should have his own judgment about place of concrete where failed and taking risks.
Contractor shall always happy if reduced rates are paid for such works but always
 note any failures needs your pre action reports as suggested above and that only a
site person can decide to discard concrete

What to do if we do not want to dismantle the concrete member:

We can strengthening the weak member / members to take the original designed load.
This is more advisable than redesign since in this method modification is mostly limited
to the members that are weak, and hence is easy to keep a track on the process.
However, the suitability of this method depends on other factors also. There are many
options to strengthen a weak concrete member, like,

Providing steel casing:

Providing steel casing around the structure, especially columns, to make it a composite
member to improve its structural performancer.

Providing steel stiffeners:

Providing Steel stiffeners on the sides of the member to increase its load carrying
capacity. The steel stiffeners are may bolted or epoxy bonded to the concrete membe

Providing Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) sheet bonding:

Reinforced Polymer (FRP) sheet basically with glass fiber – GFRP or carbon fiber and
lesser thickness are wrapped around the surface of the concrete member and bonded
with epoxy adhesive. So, Concretes structural behavior is improved
Concrete Repair by Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) sheet

Sprayed concrete / shotcreting:

Sprayed concrete / shotcreting can be done by drilling reinforcement around the
periphery of the member and shotcreting is done on the surface of the member to
increase its cross-section to modify the structural performance.
Bridge Column Repair by shotcreting

Attaching pre-tensioned cables to the concrete members :

Attaching pre-tensioned cables to the concrete member method is not so commonly
used. In this method, we induce the effect of the pre-stressed member into the existing
member.

Concrete Column & Beam Jacketing

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Concrete Jacketing:
The concrete Jacketing involves covering the structural member at any or all sides with
skillfully placed reinforced concrete. In this method, reinforcement is welded to the
existing reinforcement to impart proper bonding of jacket to the existing member.
Concrete Jacketing increases the cross-section area of the member and thereby
improving its structural performance.

From the above Solution option, 6 would seem to be the easiest one to over comethe
situation Concrete Cube Fails in Test, but there are several impediments with this
method, like disposal of debris, the practical difficulty in demolition without damaging
other members. There is also the risks of the safety of the workmen, practical difficulty
in shuttering and casting new member in the original position, quality control etc are a
few hurdles to mention with this option.