Importance of Cube Test

Importance of Cube Test

Although cube strength does not represent the actual strength of concrete in the structure because of many reasons as explained in the forthcoming paragraphs, yet the importance of cube testing can’t be underestimated because of the following reasons:

(i)         It indicates the potential strength of the mix.

(ii)        It detects the variation in quality control at site.

(iii)       It helps in determining the rate of gain of strength of concrete.

(iv)        It helps in determining the time of removal of form work.

 However as explained above, the cube strength does not guarantee the same strength in the structure because of the following reasons:

 (i)          The concrete in cubes does not pass through the misadventures of transportation, placement, compaction and curing. All these processes are much superior in cube as compared to the structure.

(ii)         Its shape is different from the shape of structures. Therefore the shape factor also plays an important part in strength. The strength of the actual structure is approximately 2/3rd of cube strength for the same concrete.