BRITISH STANDARD BS 1881-116:

1983
Reprinted, incorporating
Amendments No. 1 and
No. 2

Testing concrete —
Part 116: Method for determination of
compressive strength of concrete cubes

UDC 666.972.017:691.32:620.1
BS 1881-116:1983

Cooperating organizations

The Cement, Gypsum, Aggregates and Quarry Products Standards

Committee, under whose direction this British Standard was prepared,
consists of representatives from the following:

Association of Consulting Engineers *

Department of Transport
Association of County Councils *Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors
Association of District Councils Gypsum Products Development Association
Association of Metropolitan Authorities Institute of Quarrying
*
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Products Institution of Civil Engineers
Association *Institution of Highway Engineers
*British Precast Concrete Federation Ltd. *Institution of Municipal Engineers
*British Quarrying and Slag Federation Institution of Public Health Engineers
British Railways Board *
Institution of Structural Engineers
*British Ready Mixed Concrete Association *Institution of Water Engineers and Scientists
British Steel Industry *National Federation of Building Trades
Cement Admixtures Association Employers
*
Cement and Concrete Association Natural Environment Research Council
*
Cement Makers’ Federation (Institute of Geological Science)
Chemical Industries Association *Royal Institute of British Architects
*Concrete Society Limited *Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
*
County Surveyors’ Society Sand and Ballast Hauliers and Allied Trades
*
Department of the Environment Alliance
(Building Research Establishment) *Sand and Gravel Association Limited
*
Department of the Environment (PSA) *Society of Chemical Industry
*
Department of the Environment (Transport Stone Federation
and Road Research laboratory)

The organizations marked with an asterisk in the above list, together with the
following, were directly represented on the Technical Committee entrusted
with the preparation of this British Standard:

British Civil Engineering Test Equipment Greater London Council

Manufacturers’ Association Institute of Concrete Technology
Electricity Supply Industry in England and Coopted member
Wales

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Cement,
Gypsum, Aggregates and
Quarry Products Standards
Committee, was published
under the authority of the
Board of BSI and comes
into effect on Amendments issued since publication
31 January 1983.
Amd. No. Date Comments
© BSI 12-1998
6097 July 1989
The following BSI references
relate to the work on this 6720 July 1991 Indicated by a sideline in the margin
standard:
Committee reference CAB/4
Draft for comment 80/12101 DC

ISBN 0 580 12950 0

 BS 1881-116:1983

Contents

Page
Cooperating organizations Inside front cover
Foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 Definitions 1
3 Apparatus 1
4 Test specimens 1
5 Procedure 1
6 Type of failure 1
7 Calculation and expression of results 1
8 Test report 3
Table 1 — Precision data for measurements of the compressive strength of
hardened concrete, expressed as percentages of the mean of the two cube
strengths whose difference is to be compared with r or R 3
Figure 1 — Satisfactory failures 2
Figure 2 — Some unsatisfactory failures 2
Publications referred to Inside back cover

© BSI 12-1998 i
BS 1881-116:1983

Foreword

This Part of this British Standard, prepared under the direction of the Cement,
Gypsum, Aggregates and Quarry Products Standards Committee, is a revision of
clause 2 of BS 1881-4:1970. Together with Parts 115, 117, 118, 119 and 120, this
Part of BS 1881 supersedes
BS 1881-4:1970, which is withdrawn. Diagrams are now included to show the
types of irregular, unsatisfactory failures which can occur mainly due to
misshapen specimens, but also due to poor alignment of the specimen in the
testing machine, or to a machine fault.
An estimate of repeatability for this test is included. No estimate is given for
reproducibility due to lack of information on which to base values for this test.
Reference should be made to BS 5497-1 for further information on the
determination of repeatability and reproducibility.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 4, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.

ii © BSI 12-1998
 BS 1881-116:1983

1 Scope 5.2 Placing the cube in the testing machine.

Ensure that all testing-machine bearing surfaces
This Part of this British Standard describes the
are wiped clean and that any loose grit or other
method for determining the compressive strength of
extraneous material is removed from the surfaces of
concrete cubes.
the cube which will be in contact with the platens.
NOTE The titles of the publications referred to in this Part of Use no packing between the cube and platens, and
this standard are listed on the inside back cover.
the spacing blocks if used.
2 Definitions Carefully centre the cube on the lower platen and
ensure that the load will be applied to two opposite
For the purposes of this Part of this standard the
cast faces of the cube. If auxiliary platens are being
definitions given in BS 5328 and BS 5497-1 apply.
used, align the top auxiliary platen with the cube.
3 Apparatus 5.3 Loading. Without shock, apply and increase the
load continuously at a nominal rate within the
3.1 Testing machine. The testing machine shall
range 0.2 N/(mm2·s) to 0.4 N/(mm2·s) until no
comply with BS 1881-115.
greater load can be sustained. On manually
3.2 Auxiliary platens. When auxiliary platens are controlled machines as failure is approached the
used, the top auxiliary platen shall rest on and be loading rate will decrease: at this stage operate the
aligned with the cube. It shall not be fixed to the controls to maintain as far as possible the specified
upper machine platen. loading rate. Record the maximum load applied to
NOTE It is recommended that auxiliary platens should be used the cube.
in order to save wear on the machine platens and to minimize the
effect of overfilled cubes on strength measurement. 6 Type of failure
4 Test specimens Record any unusual features in the type of failure.
Refer to Figure 1 for examples of satisfactory
4.1 Sampling. Sampling of the concrete shall be failure, and to Figure 2 for examples of some
carried out in accordance with BS 1881-101 unsatisfactory failures.
or 1881-125.
NOTE Unsatisfactory failures are usually caused by
4.2 Preparation. Test specimens shall be concrete insufficient attention to the detail of the various procedures that
cubes made, cured and stored in accordance with the have to be followed to make and test the specimens. For example,
unsatisfactory failure may be due to the cubes being badly made,
relevant Part of this standard. Do not test cubes the use of moulds that do not comply with the specification, or
which have been made in badly assembled moulds mis-placement of the cubes in the testing machine. It is also
or which are clearly misshapen. State the reasons in possible for a machine fault to be the cause of unsatisfactory
the test report. Remove any projecting fins unless failure.
auxiliary platens of the required dimensions are to
be used; report any treatment to remove fins.
7 Calculation and expression of results
4.3 Mass. Weigh each specimen, as-received or 7.1 Calculation of cross-sectional area
saturated, in accordance with BS 1881-114. 7.1.1 Calculate the cross-sectional area of the cube
4.4 Dimensions. Check those dimensions of each from the nominal dimensions if both lie not more
specimen that will be horizontal when it is tested. than 1 % above or below the nominal cube size,
whether the cube is to be tested between the
NOTE Go/no go gauges of appropriate size are recommended as
a convenient means for making these checks.
machine platens or auxiliary platens.
If any dimension is not within 1 % of the nominal
value, determine its average value in accordance
with 6.2.2 of BS 1881-114:1983.
4.5 Density. Determine the density of each
specimen in accordance with BS 1881-114.

5 Procedure
5.1 Preparation. Immerse in water, for a
minimum of 5 min, those cubes which have not been
cured in water or where the surfaces have been
allowed to dry. Remove the cubes from the curing or
density water tank and test while they are still wet.

© BSI 12-1998 1
BS 1881-116:1983

NOTE All four exposed faces are cracked approximately equally, generally with little damage
to faces in contact with the platens.
Figure 1 — Satisfactory failures

NOTE T = tensile crack

Figure 2 — Some unsatisfactory failures
7.1.2 If the cube is to be tested between the machine calculate the cross-sectional area from the average
platens and one or both dimensions is or are dimensions obtained as in 4.4.
oversize or undersize by more than 1 % of the 7.2 Calculation of strength. Calculate the
nominal cube size, calculate the cross-sectional area compressive strength of each cube by dividing the
from the average values obtained as in 4.4. maximum load applied to it by the cross-sectional
7.1.3 If the cube is to be tested between auxiliary area. Express the results to the nearest 0.5 N/mm2.
platens and one or both dimensions is or are 7.3 Precision. Precision data are given in Table 1.
oversize by more than 1 % of the nominal cube size, These apply to compressive strength measurements
calculate the cross-sectional area from the nominal made on cubes from concrete taken from the same
dimensions. If one or both dimensions is or are sample, and when each test result is obtained as the
undersize by more than 1 % of the nominal size, strength of a single cube. They indicate the
variability that occurs when making and curing the

2 © BSI 12-1998
 BS 1881-116:1983

cubes (in accordance with BS 1881-108 and g) required age of the specimens at the time of
BS 1881-111), as well as in the measurement of testing;
their compressive strengths. h) conditions of curing and storage.
Table 1 — Precision data for measurements 8.2.2 Optional information. If requested, the
of the compressive strength of hardened following information shall be provided by the
concrete, expressed as percentages of the producer of the cubes for inclusion in the test report:
mean of the two cube strengths whose
differences is to be compared with r or R a) name of project and place where concrete used;
Test method Repeatability Reproducibility
b) name of supplier and source of concrete;
conditions conditions c) date and time of production of concrete or
sr r sR R delivery to site;
d) specification of concrete mix
% % % %
(e.g. strength grade);
100 mm cubes 3.2 9.0 5.4 15.1
e) consistence of concrete;
150 mm cubes 3.2 9.0 4.7 13.2 f) air content of concrete (if air-entrained).
NOTE 1 The precision data were determined as part of an 8.3 Information to be provided by the test
experiment carried out in 1987 in which precision data were laboratory. The following information shall be
obtained for several of the tests described in BS 1881. The
concretes were made using an ordinary Portland cement, Thames
provided by the test laboratory for inclusion in the
Valley sand, and Thames Valley 10 mm and 20 mm coarse test report:
aggregates.
a) identification of the specimen;
NOTE 2 The difference between two test results from the same
sample by one operator using the same apparatus within the b) checked nominal or measured dimensions of
shortest feasible time interval will exceed the repeatability specimen;
value r on average not more than once in 20 cases in the normal
and correct operation of the method. c) date of receipt of the specimen at the
NOTE 3 Test results on the same sample obtained within the laboratory;
shortest feasible time interval by two operators each using their d) condition of the specimen when received
own apparatus will differ by the reproducibility value R on
average not more than once in 20 cases in the normal and correct
(include poor compaction, honeycombing or bad
operation of the method. dimensions);
NOTE 4 For further information on precision, and for e) describe treatment to remove fins;
definitions of the statistical terms used in connection with
precision, see BS 5497-1; f) conditions of curing or storage at the
laboratory;
8 Test report g) moisture condition at testing
8.1 General. The report shall affirm that the tests (saturated or moist);
were made in accordance with this Part of this h) date of test;
standard. The report shall also state whether or not i) age of the specimen at test;
certificates of sampling, specimen preparation and
j) mass of the specimen
curing are available. If available, a copy of each
(as-received or saturated);
certificate shall be provided.
k) density of the specimen (as-received or
8.2 Information to be provided by the saturated, and the method of determining the
producer of the cubes volume);
8.2.1 Mandatory information.The following l) maximum load at failure;
information shall be provided by the producer of the
m) compressive strength;
cubes for inclusion in the test report:
n) appearance of the concrete and type of fracture
a) date, time and place of sampling and sample
if these are unusual;
identity number;
o) certificate that the test has been carried out in
b) time and place of making cubes;
accordance with this Part of this standard;
c) number and nominal size of specimens;
p) other remarks.
d) method of compaction (hand or vibration)
including type of equipment used;
e) identification number or codes of cubes;
f) name of person making cubes;

© BSI 12-1998 3
4 blank
 BS 1881-116:1983

Publications referred to

BS 1881, Testing concrete.

BS 1881-101, Methods for sampling fresh concrete.
BS 1881-108 Method for making test cubes from fresh concrete.
BS 1881-111, Method for normal curing of test specimens (20 °C method).
BS 1881-114, Methods for determination of density of hardened concrete.
BS 1881-115, Specification for compression testing machines for concrete.
BS 1881-125, Methods for mixing and sampling fresh concrete in the laboratory.
BS 5328, Methods for specifying concrete, including ready-mixed concrete.
BS 5497, Precision of test methods.
BS 5497-1, Guide for the determination of repeatability and reproducibility for a standard test method.

© BSI 12-1998
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