What Is a Concrete Cube Test? Step-by-Step Process & Standards

These days, many buildings are made of concrete, but the strength of different types of concrete can vary depending on the mix and the method of curing. The concrete cube test lets builders make sure that a building's concrete is up to standard. This test determines the compressive strength of concrete by pouring it into standard molds and testing it after a specified curing period. Heicoin’s test results show if the concrete mix works for its original purpose and can be used as a standard for checking other mixes.

The first step in the concrete testing is to make a uniform mix of cement, aggregates, and water according to the plan requirements. After being mixed, the concrete is put in layers into standard moulds, which are usually 150 mm x 150 mm. To make sure that the cubes show the true density and consistency of the concrete mix, each layer is carefully compressed to get rid of pockets of air. This is done either by hand or with a vibration machine.