web analytics

Calculation of the Equivalent Compressive Strength of Concrete Core

 

 

Ever heard about concrete coring on structural members during and after the construction? The laboratory testing on the compressive strength of concrete may call by the consultant if he/she suspects that the newly built structural members are having a low-quality concrete mix. The testing of the compressive strength of concrete is applicable during the assessment of the existing or ongoing building by collecting concrete samples/specimens through concrete coring. These concrete specimens are obtained when there is doubt about the in-place concrete quality due to low strength test results during construction or if there is significant evidence that the structure might not be structurally sound.

Applicable also to molded concrete cylinders and cubes, the test method was performed by applying a compressive axial load at a rate within a prescribed range until failure occurs. The compressive strength of the specimen is calculated by dividing the maximum load attained during the test by the cross-sectional area of the specimen. The results of this test are used as a basis for quality control of concrete proportioning, mixing and placing operations and to determine whether it complies with the design specifications.

These concrete specimens are required in order to verify through laboratory testing if the compressive strength of the existing concrete that we poured at the site reaches the ultimate compressive strength at 28 days. The compressive strength results taken from the concrete coring are then be measured and calculated depending on the stress registered on the compression testing machine. The reading should be multiplied by a certain correction factor. But how exactly the conversion is being done?

READ ALSO:   Civil Vs. Structural Engineers: What's The Difference?

An Engineer Performing Concrete Compression Tests

1. How to Calculate the Equivalent Compressive Strength?

According to ACI 318M-14, and ASTM C42, to calculate the equivalent cylinder compressive strength for a “normalized sample, we need to multiply the test results by a correction factor according to the table below. The ASTM C42 section 7.7 states that, If the ratio of length to diameter (L/D) of the specimen is 1.75 or less, correct the result by multiplying by the appropriate correction factors as shown in the table below. Interpolation can be used if the values are not given.

Ratio of Length to Diameter (L/D)     1.75     1.50     1.25     1.00

Strength Correction Factor                0.98      0.96     0.93     0.8

Example:

For a clearer picture, let us take a look at table 1.1 below showing the actual compressive test results concrete coring taken from our previous project during the concrete coring in columns.

Specimens 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Test Locations Podium Podium Podium 1st Flr. 1st Flr. 1st Flr. 2nd Flr. 3rd Flr. 4thFlr.
Measured fc’ (MPa) 50 51.3 44.6 46.9 52.6 39.6 58.8 49 65.6
L/D 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Correction Factor 0.87 0.87 0.87 0.87 0.87 0.87 0.87 0.87 0.87
Corrected fc’ (MPa) 43.5 44.6 38.8 40.8 45.8 34.5 51.2 42.6 57.1

Table 1.1 Example Core Tests Results

Notice that a series of coring samples are obtained as per table 1.1. According to ACI 318, as stated in ACI 214-4R-03 Chapter 7, the suspected concrete is considered adequate if the average corrected strength of the three cores exceeds 0.85fc’ and no individual strength is lesser than 0.75fc’. Therefore to calculate the compressive strength fc’ for a certain floor should be calculated using the formula:

fc’avg/0.85 and fc’min/0.75

Using the formula above, the following are the tabulated results of compressive strength fc’:

READ ALSO:   Architects Vs Structural Engineers

Floor Level

fc’avg /0.85

fc’min/0.75

fc’ to consider

Podium

50

52

50

1st Floor

47.5

46

46

2nd Floor

60

68

60

3rd  Floor

50

57

50

4th Floor

67

76

67

Table 1.2 (all units are in Mpa)

2. Compressive Strength Classes

Where concrete is classified according to compressive strength, Table 7 of BS EN 206 should be used. The characteristic compressive strength at 28 days of 150mm diameter by 300mm cylinders or that of 150mm cubes may be used as classification.

To convert the compressive strength fc’ into fcu value, refer to Table 7 of BS EN 206 as tabulated below.

Compressive Strength Class

Minimum Characteristics cylinder strength fck,cyl (N/mm2)

Minimum Characteristics cube strength fck,cube (N/mm2)

C8/10

C12/15

C16/20

C20/25

C25/30

C30/37

C35/45

C40/50

C45/55

C50/60

C55/67

C60/75

C70/85

C80/95

C90/105

C100/115

8

12

16

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

70

80

90

100

10

15

20

25

30

37

45

50

55

60

67

75

85

95

105

115

Table 2.1: Table 7 of BS EN 206

Note that the fcu and fc’ are both concrete characteristics pertaining to the compressive strength of concrete. The difference is that the first uses a cube sample while the latter uses a cylindrical samples/specimen of concrete during testing. The cube compressive strength, fcu is denoted when you are considering a British or Euro Standards while the cylindrical compressive strength fc’ is denoted when American Standard is used.

Considering table 2.1, below are the summary of the results of concrete core compressive strength:

READ ALSO:   FRP & Other Concrete Strengthening Solutions

Floor Level

fc’

fcu

fc/fcu

Concrete Class

Podium

50

60

0.83

C50/60

1st Floor

46

55

0.84

C45/55

2nd Floor

60

75

0.80

C60/75

3rd  Floor

50

60

0.83

C50/60

4th Floor

67

85

0.79

C70/85

 

What do you think about this article? We love to hear your thoughts! Leave a message in a comment form below. You can also follow, like and subscribe to our social media pages below to be updated with the latest posts.

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On YoutubeVisit Us On PinterestVisit Us On Linkedin


References: ASTM C39-3.9M-99A, ASTM C42-42M-99, ACI 318, ACI 214-4R-03, BS EN 206-1

 

Loading

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2019-2020 The Structural World

Advertisements

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Verified by MonsterInsights