Making of Test Cubes From Fresh Concrete

IS-456 has laid down the acceptance criteria of quality concrete. In all the cases, the 28-days compressive strength shall alone be the criterion for acceptance or rejection of the concrete. 7 days compressive strength of concrete can be carried out in order to get a relatively quicker idea regarding the quality of concrete.

Procedure of Test Cube Preparation

EQUIPMENT

The following equipments are needed for the preparation of concrete cubes.

1. Sample tray;
2. Mould for making test cube;
3. Spanner;
4. Scoop;
5. Steel float or trowel;
6. Compacting bar;
7. Cleaning rags;
8. A bucket or barrow for transporting the samples;
9. Curing tank
10. Permanent Marker.

NO OF CUBES

6 no of Cubes of 150 x 150 x 150 mm size shall be cast, 3 for 7-days testing and 3 for 28-days testing. A sample consists of 3 cube specimens and their average compressive strength represents the test result of that sample. The individual variation of a set of 3 cubes should not be more than ± 15% of the average. If more, the test result of the sample is invalid.

SAMPLE OF CONCRETE

Sample of concrete for test specimen shall be taken at the mixer or in the case of ready mixed concrete from the transportation vehicle at the time of discharge. Such samples shall be obtained by repeatedly passing a scoop or pail through the discharge stream of the concrete. The samples thus obtained shall be mixed on a non-absorbent base with shovel until it is uniform in appearance.

Number of samples to be taken depends on the quantity of concrete. As per IS-456, the following table shall be followed during sampling.

Quantity of concrete in the work (m3)	Number of samples
1-5	1
6-15	2
16-30	3
31-50	4
51 and above	4 plus one additional sample for each additional 50 m3 or part thereof.

Note:- Frequency of sampling may be agreed upon internally by supplier and purchaser.

CASTING OF CUBES

The cube mould plates should be removed, properly cleaned assembled and all the bolts should be fully tight. A thin layer of oil then shall be applied on all the faces of the mould. It is important that cube side faces must be parallel.

After taking concrete samples and mixing them, the cubes shall be cast as soon as possible as described below.

CASTING & COMPACTION BY HAND

The concrete sample shall be filled into the cube moulds in 3 layers, each layer approximately 5 cm deep. In placing each scoopful of concrete, the scoop shall be moved around the top edge of the mould as the concrete slides from it, in order to ensure a symmetrical distribution of the concrete within the mould. Each layer shall be compacted either by hand or by the vibration. Each layer of the concrete filled in the mould shall be compacted by not less than 35 strokes by tamping bar. The strokes shall be penetrating into the underlying layer and the bottom layer shall be rodded throughout its depth. Where voids are left by the tamping bar the sides of the mould shall be tapped to close the voids.

CURING

The casted cubes shall be stored under shed at a place free from the vibration at a temperature 22⁰C to 33⁰C for 24 hours covered with wet straw or gunny sacking.

MARKING

Immediately after initial curing of the cubes they should be marked clearly. This can be done by writing the details of the cube in ink on a small piece of paper and placing on top of the concrete until it is demoulded.

The cube shall be removed from the moulds at the end of 24 hours and immersed in clean water at a temperature 24⁰C to 30⁰C till the 7 or 28-days age of testing. The cubes shall be tested in the saturated and surface dry condition.

For the true representation of actual strength of concrete in the structure, extra cubes shall be cast, stored and curded as per the identical conditions of that structure, and tested at required age.

Note: When moulds are not in use, apply a thin layer of oil over the inside surface of the mould and keep it in a safe place.