Lab Test
Standard(s): BS EN 12390-3
Compressive Strength - Cubes

Concrete cube testing is the most common method for assessing the compressive strength of concrete. This essential test evaluates the material’s ability to withstand crushing loads, ensuring that it meets the required performance standards for structural applications.

The Process

  1. Specimen Preparation
    Concrete is poured into cube molds of standard dimensions (typically 150mm or 100mm). The molds are compacted to eliminate air voids and ensure uniform density. After casting, the specimens are cured under controlled conditions for a specified period, typically 28 days.
  2. Testing Procedure
    • The cured concrete cubes are removed from their molds and inspected for any visible defects.
    • Each cube is placed in a compression testing machine, with uniform pressure applied to the top and bottom faces.
    • The load is gradually increased until the specimen fails, and the maximum load sustained is recorded.
  3. Result Analysis
    The recorded load is used to calculate the compressive strength in megapascals (MPa) or newtons per square millimetre (N/mm²). These values are then compared against the specified strength requirements for the project.

Why Is This Test Important?

  • Structural Safety: Verifies the concrete’s ability to bear loads, preventing potential structural failures.
  • Quality Assurance: Ensures the concrete mix meets design and project specifications.
  • Compliance: Confirms adherence to regulatory and contractual requirements in construction projects.
  • Performance Monitoring: Provides a benchmark for concrete quality, ensuring long-term durability and reliability.

Applications in Construction

Compressive strength testing is a critical step in projects such as:

  • Foundations, beams, and columns
  • High-rise buildings and bridges
  • Roads, pavements, and industrial slabs

By accurately determining the strength of concrete through cube testing, construction professionals can ensure safety, compliance, and the longevity of the structures they build. Contact us to schedule your testing and receive expert analysis and detailed reports.

Get in Touch
Back to all tests
cubes moulded on site straight from the source

View more Concrete testing services:

View all
Concrete

Air Content

Lab Test
Site Test
Air content test for air-entrained concrete.
Concrete

Pull Out Test

Lab Test
Site Test
Evaluates the strength and security of fixings by applying tension to the desired load level.
Concrete

Polypropylene Fibres

Lab Test
Site Test
Measures density of steel, polypropylene, or glass fibers by washing and weighing sample.
Concrete

Residual Flexural Tensile Strength (RFTS) of Concrete Beams

Lab Test
Flexural strength tested through application of load through upper and lower roller.
Concrete

Young's Modulus

Lab Test
Young’s Modulus is a measure of a material’s stiffness, indicating how much it will deform under a given stress.
Concrete

Chloride Migration

Lab Test
Site Test
This procedure determines the chloride migration using non-steady-state experiments.
Concrete

Water Permeability

Site Test
Measures water penetration depth under pressure in concrete samples.
Concrete

Slump / Flow / L Box

Site Test
Tests include slump, flow table, degree of compactability, setting time, and air content.
Concrete

Compressive Strength - Cylinders

Lab Test
Site Test
Cores are taken and tested to assess concrete strength.
Concrete

Compressive Strength - Cubes

Lab Test
Evaluates concrete’s load-bearing capacity, ensuring compliance with construction standards and structural integrity.
amtest logo white

AMTEST UK Ltd delivers top-tier services to civil engineering and infrastructure clients across the UK, backed by expert in-house concrete consultants.

Unit A 2D/6, Project Park, North Crescent, London E16 4TQ

Lab Test
Compressive Strength - Cubes

Concrete cube testing is the most common method for assessing the compressive strength of concrete. This essential test evaluates the material's ability to withstand crushing loads, ensuring that it meets the required performance standards for structural applications.

The Process

  1. Specimen Preparation
    Concrete is poured into cube molds of standard dimensions (typically 150mm or 100mm). The molds are compacted to eliminate air voids and ensure uniform density. After casting, the specimens are cured under controlled conditions for a specified period, typically 28 days.
  2. Testing Procedure
    • The cured concrete cubes are removed from their molds and inspected for any visible defects.
    • Each cube is placed in a compression testing machine, with uniform pressure applied to the top and bottom faces.
    • The load is gradually increased until the specimen fails, and the maximum load sustained is recorded.
  3. Result Analysis
    The recorded load is used to calculate the compressive strength in megapascals (MPa) or newtons per square millimetre (N/mm²). These values are then compared against the specified strength requirements for the project.

Why Is This Test Important?

  • Structural Safety: Verifies the concrete’s ability to bear loads, preventing potential structural failures.
  • Quality Assurance: Ensures the concrete mix meets design and project specifications.
  • Compliance: Confirms adherence to regulatory and contractual requirements in construction projects.
  • Performance Monitoring: Provides a benchmark for concrete quality, ensuring long-term durability and reliability.

Applications in Construction

Compressive strength testing is a critical step in projects such as:

  • Foundations, beams, and columns
  • High-rise buildings and bridges
  • Roads, pavements, and industrial slabs

By accurately determining the strength of concrete through cube testing, construction professionals can ensure safety, compliance, and the longevity of the structures they build. Contact us to schedule your testing and receive expert analysis and detailed reports.

BS EN 12390-3