The Cube Test

The Cube test measures the uniaxial compressive strength of concrete cubes which are made,
cured and tested to very specific requirements. The test is simply a quality control test which
measures the consistency of the concrete in terms of compressive strength.
Testing the same concrete under different conditions, for example specimen size, specimen
shape, curing temperature, loading rate, etc. will give different results.
Method of Cube Test:
Test for compressive strength is carried out on cube. For cube test two types of specimens either
cubes of 15 cm X 15 cm X 15 cm or 10cm X 10 cm x 10 cm depending upon the size of
aggregate are used. This concrete is poured in the mould and tempered properly so as not to have
any voids. After 24 hours these moulds are removed and test specimens are put in water for
curing. The top surface of this specimen should be made even and smooth. This is done by
putting cement paste and spreading smoothly on whole area of specimen.
These specimens are then tested by compression testing machine after 7 days curing or 28 days
curing. The Specimens is then taken for the compression until it fails. Load at the failure is
divided by area of specimen to have the results of compressive strength of concrete.
By using Cube Test method, we can define the quality of concrete. To pass the Cube Test, the
result of the test shall meet the required compressive strength by number of days of curing. For
Example, Concrete Grade 15 will have the compressive strength of 10.5N/mm2 in 3days old and
15N/mm2 in 28 days old.