ACI_318M-05 Sec 5.1.1 - 5.6.5.5 - .5.6.5.

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5.1.1 - Concrete shall be proportioned to provide an average compressive strength, fcr, as
prescribed in 5.3.2 and shall satisfy the durability criteria of Chapter 4. Concrete shall be
produced to minimize the frequency of strength tests below fc, as prescribed in 5.6.3.3. For
concrete designed and constructed in accordance with the code, fc shall not be less than 17
MPa.

5.6.5.4 - Concrete in an area represented by core tests shall be considered structurally adequate
if the average of three cores is equal to at least 85 percent of fc and if no single core is less
than 75 percent of fc. Additional testing of cores extracted from locations represented by
erratic core strength results shall be permitted.

5.6.5.5 - If criteria of 5.6.5.4 are not met and if the structural adequacy remains in doubt, the
responsible authority shall be permitted to order a strength evaluation in accordance with
Chapter 20 for the questionable portion of the structure, or take other appropriate action .
A core obtained through the use of a water-cooled bit results in a moisture gradient between
the exterior and interior of the core being created during drilling. This adversely affects the
cores compressive strength.5.9 the restriction on the commencement of core testing provides
a minimum time for the moisture gradient to dissipate.
Core tests having an average of 85 percent of the specified strength are realistic. To expect
core tests to be equal to fc is not realistic, since differences in the size of specimens,
conditions of obtaining samples, and procedures for curing, do not permit equal values to be
obtained.
The code, as stated, concerns itself with assuring structural safety, and the instructions in 5.6
are aimed at that objective. It is not the function of the code to assign responsibility for
strength deficiencies, whether or not they are such as to require corrective measures.
Under the requirements of this section, cores taken to confirm structural adequacy will usually
be taken at ages later than those specified for determination of fc.