EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF CORE DIAMETER VARING H/D RATIO ON

CONCRETE CORE STRENGTH

MID-TERM SUBMISSION REPORT
SUBMITTED BY
PAWAN KUMAR AGGARWAL
UNIVERISTY ROLL NO.81402105007
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE
OF
MASTER OF TECHNOLOGY
IN
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Under the Guidance of
SH.SANJEEV NAVAL
DR.SANJAY SHARMA
ASSTT.PROF. & HEAD
PROF. & HEAD
DEPTT.OF CIVIL ENGG.
DEPTT.OF CIVIL ENGG.
DAVIET JALANDHAR
NITTR CHANDIGAR H
AT

PTU REGIONAL CENTRE

DAV INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
JALANDHAR
2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS
S.NO.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

TITLE
Introduction
Literature Review
Objectives
Material and Methods
Results and Discussion
Summary and Conclusion
References

PAGE NO.
5
7
9
10
13
17
18

LIST OF FIGURES
4.1

Compression Testing Machine

11

4.2

Failure of cube at Maximum Load

11

4.3

Core drilling Machine

12

5.1

Correction factor of H/D ratio and core diameter 50mm

15

5.2

Correction factor of H/D ratio and core diameter 75mm

15

5.3

Correction factor of H/D ratio of core as per IS:516

16

LIST OF TABLES
4.1

Compressive Strength of Standard Cubes and core 50mm

and 75 mm Diameter

12

5.1

Correction factors for 75mm diameter cores

14

5.2

Correction factors for 50mm diameter cores

14

5.3

Comparison of actual compressive strength from C.T.M.,

and core strength as calculated as per curve of IS:516 and
fro equation no. 1 & 2

16

1. Introduction
For the design of any concrete structure , the compressive strength of concrete is of prime
importance .If the strength of concrete is known, its capacity to withstand applied loads of any
nature can be ascertained. To check the quality and compressive strength of concrete, standard
test specimens are taken at the time of construction. These specimens are prepared and cured as
specified by relevant codes. The compressive strength of these specimens is generally tested at
the age of 7 days and 28 days. However 28 days strength is generally taken as compressive
strength of concrete.
But this 28 days strength of standard specimen is not always the actual strength of concrete
because:
i)
ii)

It depends upon curing and compaction of concrete

It is not possible to prepare and test standard specimens at a later stage, if the
current strength of structure is to be determined to check whether or not strength and
durability of concrete is adequate.

To overcome this problem one of the method is core testing of suspected structural elements. In
this method cores are drilled from the structure as per IS: 1199-1959[15] and tested for
compressive strength.
As per BS: 1881: part 4, 1970(2)[5], the need for compressive strength of cores to yield an
estimate of strength of suspected concrete is well established. This code also contains
recommendation for core testing of concrete. Also more detailed and comprehensive
recommendations for core testing is provided by Concrete society technical report no.11 of
1976[7].This report gives detailed procedure for testing and interpretation of results of core
testing. Both BS:1881 and the report of concrete society recommends the diameter of cores as
150mm and 100mm. However is not always possible to obtain cores of this diameter, with
required minimum H/D ratio of 1.0.This may be due to limitation of dimensions of the member
or critical reinforcement location. To overcome this problem CSTR 11,1976[7] has allowed the
use of 50mm and 75mm diameter cores.BS:1881, part (120) 1983[3], and ASTMC 4290,1994[2], allows a minimum core diameter of 102mm, provided that diameter of core is at
least 3times greater than maximum aggregate size of concrete mix. As per Bartlett F.M. et.al
1994[4], the diameter of core affects the compressive strength of cores. Arioz , O. et.al, 2006[1],
concluded through his research that though , smaller diameter cores should give higher average
strength than larger diameter cores for the same H/D ratio, due to size effect, but is not always
true , since the concrete is susceptible to micro cracking during drilling operation.
From the above discussion it is evident that core strength is dependent of H/D ratio and
diameter of the core specimen.IS:1199-1959[15] recommends the H/D ratio of core as 2, and IS:

516-1959[14], gives the correction factor to be applied , if the H/D ratio is less than 2.0.But this
relation does not give particular values of different core diameter.

2. LITRATURE REVIEW
To find the in situ strength of concrete, generally core strength test is used. In this method cores
are drilled from the structure, and are tested for compressive strength. Compressive strength of
the core is then converted into equivalent cube strength. Though it seems to be a simple
procedure, it is not easy to interpret the results. The following are some of the factors which
affect the accuracy of results:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Height to Diameter Ratio (H/D) ratio.

Moisture condition at the time of testing.
Age of concrete.
Strength level of concrete.
Disturbance during drilling operation of cores.

Also the condition of placing, compacting and curing may not be the same at site which were
used for preparing standard specimens.
J.H. Nevile et.al.(1956) [17], suggested that measured core strength increases with the decrease
of core size. The smaller size cores give more variable results. Mcintyre. et. al(1990)

[20]

through their studies concluded that with the decrease in diameter, the homogeneity of the
material in test specimen diminishes, thereby affecting the internal failure mechanisms of the
specimen. Indelicato F.et.al(1993)

[9]

, showed that with the decrease in diameter, the

assessment of correct results become hard. The core strength obtained by converting these to
standard cube or cylinder may not give true value. Neville.et.al (1995) [21] , showed that as the
core diameter decreases, the volume the specimen also decreases significantly for a given H/D
ratio. Hence the strength of specimen decreases with the increase in its size. Bungey J.H. Et.al
(1996) [6] , showed that the properties of insitu concrete will vary with in a member , due to
difference in compaction and curing as well as non uniformity of material. The effects of
drilling are more pronounced for small diameter cores, as suggested by Barlet F.M. et al.
(1997) [4] They showed that is because damaged parts of the core have a constant thickness
independent of core diameter. They used 102mm diameter and 204mm height of the cores as
standard specimen and concluded that a factor of 0.98 and 1.06 has to be applied for cores of
152mm and 51mm respectively.
Indelicato F.et.al(1997)

[10]

through their tests on cores , showed that choice of smaller

diameter of cores is motivated by the need to reduce costs and minimize the damage to the
structure, and by possibility of drilling out samples more easily by means of smaller tools for
these reasons concrete society has recommended the ise of 50mm and 75 mm diameter cores.
Indelicato F.et.al (1998 and 1999) [11,12], concluded that potential strength of concrete is related

to quality of material used and is an estimate of standard test specimen. However in situ
strength of the concrete as it exists in construction is the end result of quality of concrete used
in the construction. Yusuhi Shmizu(2000) [23], studied the effect of design strength and date of
completion upon the compressive strength and showed that:
i)

Compressive strength changes by the floor in the same building even though placing

ii)

concrete was same

Average compressive strength increased and exhibited less chance to become low,
when date of completion become younger.

Erdogan T.Y. et. al(2003) [8] , indicate that variability of strength of small diameter cores is
greater than that of large diameter cores , even when strength are very close to each other . Jee
Namyong .et.al(2004)

[18]

in their study presented a regression equation for predicting

compressive strength of in-situ concrete based upon mix proportions and concluded that , water
cement ratio, cement contents, cement aggregate ratio are the main influential factors for
reliability prediction of compressive strength. Tuncan et.al(2006) [22] has shown that concrete
strength is a further factor which may influence the behavior of a core, and it is possible that
this also may affect the relative behavior of small and large cores. The complexity of these
problems contributed to the decision to confine the investigation to a single small core
size .M.Yaqub.et.al (2006)

[19]

in their research established the relation between core

compressive strength and cube compressive strength of hardened concrete in existing

structures, and concluded that core strength of 75mm cores is 69% of compressive strength of
150mmX150mmX150mm cubes. I. M. Nikbin et.al (2009)

[16]

revealed that the age of the

concrete was found to be an effective factor in the interpretation of the core strength results.
Test results also revealed that the l/d ratio of the specimen is more effective for small diameter
cores. The coefficient of variation of strength values was noticed to be somewhat higher for 50
mm diameter cores.

3. OBJECTIVES
The objectives are
1. To find the correction factors of 50mm dia core of M-25 mix with H/D Ratio i.e. 1.0, 1.25,
1.5, & 2.00
2. To find the correction factors of 75mm dia core of M-25 mix with H/D Ratio i.e. 1.0, 1.25,
1.5, & 2.00
3. To find the variation of cube & core strength by CTM

4. Materials and Methods

4.1 General:
This chapter deals with the materials used and methods adopted to conduct
the study of core diameter varying H/D ratio on concrete core strength
4.2 Materials Used
4.2.1Cement:
The cement used should have a minimum compressive strength at different ages according
to the relevant IS specificationIS:2691987 (33 grade OPC), IS: 81121982 (43 grade OPC),
IS:122691987 (53 grade OPC), IS:122301988 (Sulphate resisting cement), IS:1489-1976
(Portland Puzzolana cement), IS:4551976 (Portland slag cement). All types of Portland
cements are interchangeable for mix design, and the most commonly used ones are OPC, PPC,
PSC, and SRC.
After water is added to the cement hydration occurs and continues as long as the relative
humidity in the pores is above 85 per cent and sufficient water is available for the chemical
reactions. On an average, 1 g of cement requires 0.253 g of water for complete hydration. As
hydration proceeds, the ingress of water by diffusion through the deposit of hydration products
around the original cement grain becomes more and more difficult, and the rate of hydration
continuously decreases. In mature paste, the particles of calcium-silicate hydrates form an
interlocking network which is a gel having a specific surface of about 200 m 2/g. This gel is
poorly crystalline, almost amorphous, and appears as randomly oriented layers of thin sheets or
buckled ribbon. The gel is the heart of the concrete and is a porous mass. The interstitial spaces
in the gel are called gel pores. The strength giving properties and phenomena, such as creep

and shrinkage are due to the porous structure of the gel, and the strength is due to the bond
afforded by the enormous surface area.
The ordinary Portland cement is the most important type of cement. It is classified into three
grades 33grade,43grade,53grade depending upon the compressive strength of cement at 28
Days.
Ambuja 43 grade OPC was used in this study. It was fresh and free from lumps. The properties
of the cement were determined and are given in Chapter IV.
4.2.2 Aggregate
The size of the aggregate, particle shape, colour, surface texture, density (heavyweight or
lightweight), impurities, all of which have an influence on the durability of concrete, should
conform to IS: 3831970.
During the process of hydration the products of hydration completely surround and bind
together the aggregate particles in a solid hardened mass. Aggregates constitute nearly 7075
per cent of the total volume of concrete. The strength of concrete is governed by the weakest
element, be it the cement paste, the aggregate or the interface of the aggregate-cement paste.
Strong aggregates are also more sound and durable in aggressive environments. The strength at
the aggregate mortar interface is perhaps more critical, hence the shape, size and texture of the
coarse aggregate is important. The aggregate should be clean, hard, strong, and durable, free
from chemicals or coatings of clay or other fine material that can affect the bond with the
cement paste.
Very sharp and rough aggregate particles or flat and elongated particles require more fine
material to produce a workable concrete. Accordingly the water requirement and there from the
cement content increases. Excellent concrete is made by using crushed stone but the particles
should be roughly cubical or spherical in shape. Natural rounded aggregates having a smooth
surface are better from the point of view of workability, but their bond with mortar may be
weaker and are likely to produce concrete of lower flexural strength.

The maximum size of aggregate governs the strength and workability of the concrete. For a
lean mix, a larger maximum size of aggregate gives better results, because for a given volume
of aggregate, the total surface area is less. Depending on the maximum size of aggregate, the
cement content for a specific strength is altered because at the same water-cement ratio
different ranges of strength are possible for different sizes of aggregate. However, for a mix of
high compressive strength a smaller maximum size of aggregate is preferable, and it is just not
economically possible to make concretes of 28-days compressive strengths exceeding
40 N/ mm2 using 40-mm aggregate.
A statement of fact valid for all mix design is: The smaller the maximum size of aggregate the
greater the proportion of fine aggregate needed for concretes of identical cement contents and
workability. Also, the lower the cement content of the mix, and/or the more angular the coarse
aggregate, the greater is the proportion of the fine aggregate required.
4.2.3 Water:
Fresh and clean tap water was used for casting the specimen in present study. The water
was relatively free from the organic matter, silt, oil, sugar, chloride and acidic material as per
Indian Standard.
4.3

METHODS OF CONCRETE MIX DESIGN

In the present study mix design was done by ISI mix design method.

ISI Mix Design method:

1. Determine the mean target strength fcm from the desired characteristic strength fck :
fcm = fck+165.
Where the standard deviation depends on the quality control, which may be assumed
for design in the first instance, are listed in Table 8 of the Code. As test results of
samples are available, actual calculated value is to be used].

2. Determine the water-cement ratio, based on the 28-day strength of cement and the mean
target strength of concrete, using appropriate charts (such as Fig. 4.1); this ratio should
not exceed the limits specified in Table 5 of the Code (for durability considerations).

Fig. 4.1 Relation between water-cement ratio and compressive strength

3. Determine the water content Vw based on workability requirements, and select the ratio
of fine aggregate to coarse aggregate (by mass), based on the type and grading of the
aggregate; the former is generally in the range of 180200 lit/m3 (unless admixtures are
employed), and the latter is generally 1:2 or in the range of 1:1 to 1:2.

4. Calculate the cement content Mc (in kg/m3) by dividing the water content by the watercement ratio, and ensure that the cement content is not less than that specified in the
Code [Tables 4 and 5] for durability considerations. [Note that the Code (Cl.8.2.4.2)
cautions against the use of cement content (not including fly ash and ground granulated
blast furnace slag) in excess of 450 kg/m3 in order to control shrinkage and thermal
cracks]. Also, calculate the masses of fine aggregate Mfa and coarse aggregate Mca
based on the absolute volume principle:

where c, f, ac,, denote the mass densities of cement, fine aggregate and coarse
aggregate respectively, and Vv denotes the volume of voids (approx. 2 percent) per cubic
metre of concrete.

6. Determine the weight of ingredients per batch, based on the capacity of the concrete
mixer.

4.4 METHODS
The procedure of methods used for testing cement, coarse aggregates, fine aggregate and
concrete are given below:
4.4.1 Specific Gravity:
The specific gravity is a dimensionless unit defined as the ratio of density(mass of a unit
volume) of a substance to the density ( mass of same unit volume) of a reference substance.
The reference substance is water for liquids and air for gases. The specific gravity of the solid
is the ratio of its weight in air and weight immersed in water.
4.4.2 Standard Consistency of cement
300 g of cement is mixed with 25 per cent water. The paste is filled in the mould of Vicats
apparatus (Fig. 5.9) and the surface of the filled paste is smoothened and leveled. A square
needle 10 mm x 10 mm attached to the plunger is then lowered gently over the cement paste
surface and is released quickly. The plunger pierces the cement paste. The reading on the
attached scale is recorded. When the reading is 5-7 mm from the bottom of the mould, the
amount of water added is considered to be the correct percentage of water for normal consistency.

Fig.4.2 Vicats Apparatus

4.4.3 Determination of Initial and Final Setting Time

When water is added to cement, the resulting paste starts to stiffen and gain strength and
lose the consistency simultaneously. The term setting implies solidification of the plastic
cement paste. Initial and final setting times may be regarded as the two stiffening states of the
cement. The beginning of solidification, called the initial set, marks the point in time when the
paste has become unworkable. The time taken to solidify completely marks the final set, which
should not be too long in order to resume construction activity within a reasonable time after
the placement of concrete. Vicats apparatus used for the purpose is shown in Fig. 5.9. The
initial setting time may be defined as the time taken by the paste to stiffen to such an extent that
the Vicats needle is not permitted to move down through the paste to within 5 0.5 mm
measured from the bottom of the mould. The final setting time is the time after which the paste
becomes so hard that the angular attachment to the needle, under standard weight, fails to leave
any mark on the hardened concrete. Initial and final setting times are the rheological properties
of cement
It is important to know the initial setting time, because of loss of useful properties of cement if
the cement mortar or concrete is placed in moulds after this time. The importance of final
setting time lies in the fact that the moulds can be removed after this time. The former defines
the limit of handling and the latter defines the beginning of development of mechanical
strength.
4.4.4 Compressive strength of cement:
Compressive strength is the basic data required for mix design. By this test, the quality and
the quantity of concrete can be controlled and the degree of adulteration can be checked.
The test specimens are 70.6 mm cubes having face area of about 5000 sq. mm. large size
specimen cubes cannot be made since cement shrinks and cracks may develop. The temperature
of water and test room should be 27 2C. A mixture of cement and standard sand in the
proportion 1:3 by weight is mixed dry with a trowel for one minute and then with water until

the mixture is of uniform colour. Three specimen cubes are prepared. The material for each
cube is mixed separately. The quantities of cement, standard sand and water are 185 g, 555 g
and (P/4) + 3.5, respectively where P = percentage of water required to produce a paste of
standard consistency. The mould is filled completely with the cement paste and is placed on the
vibration table. Vibrations are imparted for about 2 minutes at a speed of 12000400 per
minute. The cubes are then removed from the moulds and submerged in clean fresh water and
are taken out just prior to testing in a compression testing machine. Compressive strength is
taken to be the average of the results of the three cubes. The load is applied starting from zero
at a rate of 35 N/sq mm/ minute. The compressive strength is calculated from the crushing load
divided by the average area over which the load is applied. The result is expressed in N/mm2.
4.4.5

Sieve analysis for coarse and fine aggregates:

i)

The sample was dried in an oven at a temperature of 110C.

ii)

The air dried sample was weighed and sieved successively on the appropriate sieves
starting with the large.

iii)

Each sieve was shaken separately over a clean tray until not more than a trace passes ,
but in many cases for a period not less than two minutes. The shaking was done with a
varied motion, left to right ,backward and forward, circular clockwise , and with
frequent jarring, so that material is kept moving over the seve surface in frequently
changing directions.

iv)

Lumps of the fine material if any was broken by gentle pressure with fingers against the
side of sieve. Light brushing with soft brush on the underside of the sieve was used to
clear the sieve openings.

v)

On completion of sieving, the material retained on each sieve together with any material
cleaned from the mesh was weighed.

4.4.6

Compressive strength of concrete:

The required quantities of cement, coarse aggregates (20mm and 10mm) , and fine
aggregates were taken for 44 cubes, as per mix design. Water was added to the mix and
then mixed thoroughly for 3 to 4 minutes in mechanical mixer.
Cubes were cleaned and oil was applied. The concrete was filled into the cube moulds
and get vibrated to ensure proper compaction. The surface of the concrete was finished
level with the top of the mould using trowel. The finished specimen were left to harden
in air for 24 hours. The specimens were removed from the moulds after 24 hours of
casting and were placed in the mould tank, filled with potable water.
Specimens were taken out from the curing tank at the age of 28 days. Surface water was
wiped off.
In all 44 numbers of 150X150X150 mm (were casted and cured in the laboratory
condition) .50 and 75 mm diameter cores were cut from the cubes by using a diamondtipped core-cutter and trimmed to give over- all H/D ratios between 1.0 and 2.0. The
H/D ratios of capped core specimens were 2.0, 1.5, 1.75, 1.25 and 1.0. Fig.4.3 shows
core drilling operation. The compressive strength values of the standard specimens and
cores were determined at the age of 28 days.
The compressive strength of the standard specimens and the cores was determined by a
Compression testing machine. The compressive strength test results were taken as the
average of four specimens. A total of 4 standard and 40 core specimens were tested in
this investigation.

Mix Design
Properties of Materials
(i) Characteristic compressive strength at 28 days,
fck
(ii) Maximum size of the available aggregate
(iii) Shape of coarse aggregate
(iv) Degree of workability desired, compacting
factor
(v) Degree of quality control
(vi) Type of exposure
Test data for concrete making materials

25N/mm2

20 mm
angular
0.85

good
moderate

Specific gravity of cement

3.15

Specific gravity of coarse aggregate

2.72

Specific gravity of fine aggregate

2.66

Water absorption (air dry to saturated surface dry)

in coarse aggregate, per cent

0.5

Surface moisture
Coarse aggregate

nil

Fine aggregate, per cent

Compressive strength of cement

IS

51 N/mm2

Cumulative % age passing

Fraction I
Fraction II

Sand

Designatio
n
40mm
25mm
20mm
12.5mm
10mm.
4.75mm
2.36mm
1.18mm

10mm

20mm

100
100
100
100
90
4
3
-

100
100
88
24
12
1
-

100
92
86
78

600
300
150
Passing

64
16
2
-

Through
150
Note :Sand conforming to zone II
Step 1: For the degree of quality control specified, namely, good the value of standard
deviation _ read from Table 11.7 = 5.3 N/mm2. Hence, the target mean strength for the desired
characteristic compressive strength
= 25 + 1.65 5.3
= 33.745 N/mm2
Step 2: Corresponding to this target mean strength the water cement ratio is read from the
appropriate curve corresponding to the 28 days strength of cement (Fig. 11.2). For a cement
strength of 51 N/mm2, curve D is selected and the water-cement ratio 0.46 obtained. This value
has now to be checked against the maximum limit of the water-cement ratio for the given
exposure condition. Table 11.1 for moderate exposure and reinforced concrete the maximum
water-cement ratio recommended is 0.50. Hence value of 0.46 obtained is acceptable.
Step 3: For maximum size of aggregate of 20 mm, the air content is taken as 2.0 per cent (Table
11.11). Since the required grade of concrete is M 25 which is lower than M 35 grade, water
content per m3 of concrete = 186 litres and sand as percentage of total aggregate by absolute
volume = 35 (Table 11.9).
Since Table 11.9 is based on certain specific conditions, adjustments as per Table 11.10 have to
be made for any deviations in these values as given below.
Adjustment in
water,
content, per

Adjustment in
sand content

cent

per cent of total

aggregates

by volume
(i) For sand conforming
to
grading zone III

nil

(ii) Increase in value of

the compacting factor nil
by(0.850.80) = 0.05

1.50%

0.05/0.1x3=1.5

nil

(iii) Decrease in the value

of water-cement ratio by
nil
(0.500.46) = 0.04

Nil

0.04/0.05x1=-0.8

Over all adjustment

1.5
-2.8
Thus after incorporating the above adjustments the sand content = 35 2.8 = 32.2 and the water
content =
1.86 + 1.5 186/100= 188.8 lit.
Step 4: Determination of cement content:
Water-cement ratio = 0.46
Quantity of water after adjustment = 188.8 liters
Therefore, cement content =188.8/0.46= 410.43 kg
This cement content has now to be checked against the minimum cement content required for
mild exposure condition in reinforced concrete. The minimum cement content specified in
Table 11.1 is 300 kg/m3 from durability consideration. Therefore, the value of 410.43 kg/m3 is
acceptable.
Step 5: Now quantities of coarse and fine aggregates are worked out per m3 of concrete as
given below.
Volume of concrete = 10.02 (entrapped air)
= 0.98 m3
= 980 liters.
980 = 188.8 + 410.43/3.15+fs/0.322 / 2.66
fs= 566.08 kg

Similarly,
980 = 188.8 +410.43/3.15+Cs/(1 - 0.322) /2.72
Cs= 1218.81 kg
Therefore, the mix proportion becomes:
Cement

Water

Sand

410.43

188.8

566.08

0.46

1.379

or 1

Coarse aggregate
1218.81
2.97

Adjustments required for water absorption:

Water absorbed by coarse aggregate
=1218.81 / 0.5X100= 6.09 lit
Free water in fine aggregate
=566.08X/100= 11.32 lit
Therefore, actual quantity of water required
= 188.8 + 6.09 11.32 = 183.57 lit
Actual quantity of coarse aggregate
1218.81 6.09 = 1212.72 and sand = 566.08 + 11.32 = 577.4

Therefore, the actual quantities of materials required are:

Cement

Water

Sand

410.43 kg

183.57 lit

577.4 kg

Coarse
1212.72 kg.

Step 6: The fraction I and II of the coarse aggregate are to be now combined to give a
combined grading in accordance with IS: 3831970 of 20 mm maximum size aggregate. To
obtain a combined grading, IS: 3831970 recommends that the fraction passing the 10 mm
sieve shall be in the range of 25 to 55 per cent, or on an average of 40 per cent. Trials are then
made to combine the fraction I and II in the proportion of, say 40:60 to see whether the
combined grading is obtained. This is given below:

IS

Sieve Fraction I,10mm Fraction

Designation
40mm
25mm
20mm
12.5mm
10mm
4.75mm
2.36mm

II

, Combined

Desired Grading

MSA, 40 percent

20mm MSA, 60 Grading

20mm MSA , as

40
40
40
40
35.2
4.8
1.2

percent
60
60
55.2
15
8.4
1.8
-

per IS:383
100
100
95 to 100
25 to 55
0 to 10
-

100
100
95.2
55
43.6
5.6
1.2

It can be observed that if the fractions I and II are combined in the ratio of 40:60 the desired
combined grading as recommended in IS: 3831970 is obtained. The mix proportions for the
trial mix will now be
Cement

410.43
1

Water

183.57
0.447

Sand

577.4
1.406

Coarse

Aggregate

fraction

fraction

10mm MSA
485.09
1.182

20mm MSA
727.63
1.773

II

5.2 Measurement of compressive strength

For cubes and core drilled were tested with a compression machine with a
maximum capacity of 3000 kN, shown in Fig.4.1

Figure 5.1:

Compression Testing

Machine

Figure 5.2:
Maximum load

Failure of cube under

Figure 5.3: Core

In the present study, the

Drilling Machine
cores
with
two

different diameters and

four

different

H/D

ratios were tested and the effects of specimen as H/D ratios of core on concrete core strengths
were examined. The strengths of cores were compared to those of standard cube specimens.
The compressive strength developments of cube specimens are listed in Table 5.2.
Table 5.1 Compressive strength of standard cubes and cores50 mm dia and 75mm dia
H/D
RATIO

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH in Mpa

Core
Cube
50mm Dia

75mm Dia

1.00

22.28

21.45

31.54

1.25

22.9

22.2

31.54

1.50

23.53

22.94

31.54

1.75

24.15

24.19

31.54

2.00

24.9

24.94

31.54

5.3 Correction Factors as per IS: 516

Fig. 5.1: Correction factor as per IS:516

As shown in fig. IS: 516, give the correction factors to be applied if the H/D ratio is less than
2.0.But it does not give particular values for different diameters of core.

5.4

Correction factors as determined form cores:

In this research correction factors is established for core diameter 50mm and 75 mm

diameter with M25 concrete, for different H/D ratios

Correction Factor for a particular diameter with a particular H/D ratio =

Strengthof core of particular diameter with particular

Strength of core of particular diameter with

H
raio
D

H
ratio 2.0
D

In this study for each mix the average values of measured core strength, were compared for
each different value of H/D and expressed in terms of a core with H/D = 2.0, as correction
factor for H/D=2.0 is 1.0. The numerical formula for 50mm core and 75 mm cores is given in
equation no.1&2 respectively.

Table 5.2: Correction Factors for 75mm cores

No.

Diameter(mm)

H/D Ratio

Core Compressive
Strength(Mpa)

Correction
Factor

1.

75

24.08

0.86

2.

75

1.25

24.94

0.89

3.

75

1.5

25.82

0.92

4.

75

1.75

27.13

0.96

5.

75

28.15

1.00

Table 5.3: Correction factors for 50mm cores

No.

Diameter(mm)

H/D Ratio

Core Compressive
Strength(Mpa)

Correction
Factor

1.

50

24.16

0.85

2.

50

1.25

25.93

0.91

3.

50

1.5

26.66

0.93

4.

50

1.75

27.6

0.97

5.

50

28.54

1.00

The following graphs are obtained between the Correction factors and
different Height/Diameter Ratio, for 50mm and 75mm Diameter cores.

50mm Diameter
1.05
1.00
0.95
Correction Factor

f(x) = 0.21 ln(x) + 0.85

R = 0.99
50mm Diameter

0.90

Logarithmic (50mm
Diameter)

0.85
0.80
0.75
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
H/D

Fig. 5.1: Correction factor for H/D ratio of core dia. 50 mm

75mm Diameter
1.05
1.00
0.95
Correction Factor

0.90
0.85

f(x) = 0.21 ln(x) + 0.85

75mm Diameter
R = 0.97
Logarithmic (75mm
Diameter)

0.80
0.75
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
H/D

Fig. 5.2: Correction factor for H/D ratio of core dia. 75 mm

k = 0.2127ln () + 0.8512
k= 0.2094ln () + 0.8457

(1)
(2)

Where k is the correction factor of core strength for a core with H/D =

Table 5.3 Comparison of actual compressive strength from C.T.M., and core strength as
calculated as per curve of IS: 516 and from equation no. 1 & 2

24.00

23.06

75

1.25

22.2

0.92

0.89

25.53

24.70

75

1.5

22.94

0.945

0.92

27.10

26.38

75

1.75

24.19

0.97

0.96

29.33

29.03

75

24.94

31.18

31.18

31.5
4
31.5
4
31.5
4
31.5
4
31.5
4

3.9
1
3.2
6
2.6
5
1.0
3
0.0
0

26.8
9
21.6
9
16.3
6
7.96
1.16

Between 1&3

0.86

Between 2&3

0.895

Between 1&2

Correction Factor as per

curve

21.45

% age Variation

CTM(Ave3.As Per

Correction Factor as per

IS:516

2.As Per Curve

Core Compressive
Strength(Mpa)

75

1.As per IS:516

H/D Ratio

No.

Diameter(mm)

Corrected Compressive
Strength as per curve

23.92
19.06
14.08
7.01
1.16

50

22.28

0.895

0.85

24.93

23.67

50

1.25

22.9

0.92

0.91

26.34

26.05

50

1.5

23.53

0.945

0.93

27.79

27.35

50

1.75

24.15

0.97

0.97

29.28

29.28

10

50

24.9

31.13

31.13

31.5
4
31.5
4
31.5
4
31.5
4
31.5
4

5.0
3
1.0
9
1.5
9
0.0
0
0.0
0

24.9
4
17.4
1
13.2
7
7.16
1.32

20.97
16.50
11.87
7.16
1.32

6. Summary and Conclusion Remarks

For small cores of 50 and 75 mm diameters, the following conclusion may be drawn:

It has been observed that there is variation of 12.30%age between the cube strength
tested by C.T.M., and that of core strength tested by C.T.M. as per IS:516 , and is
13.82% between the cube strength tested by C.T.M., and that of core strength tested by

C.T.M. as per curve obtained.

It is also observed that the correction factor as per IS:516 may be adopted for50mm and
75mm core diameter as well.

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