Concrete technology-Neville & Brooks,2nd ed,2010-chapter 17

Variability of strength

Since strength is a variable quantity, when designing a concrete mix, we must aim
at a mean strength higher than the minimum required from the structural standpoint
so that we can expect every part of the structure to be made of concrete of
adequate strength.

Let us suppose that we have a large sample of similar test specimens which
represent all of the concrete in a structure. The results of testing will show a scatter
or a distribution of strengths about the mean strength. This can be represented by
a histogram in which the number of specimens falling within an interval of strength
(frequency) is plotted against the interval of strength. Figure 17.1 shows such a
histogram in which the distribution of strength is approximated by the dashed
curve, which is called the frequency distribution curve. For the strength of
concrete, this curve can be assumed to have a characteristic form called the
normal or Gaussian distribution.
This curve is described in terms of the mean strength fm and the standard deviation
s, the latter being a measure of the scatter or dispersion of strength about the
mean, defined as

The theoretical normal distribution is represented graphically in Fig. 17 .2.

It can be seen that the curve is symmetrical about the mean value and extends to
plus and minus infinity. In practice, these very low and very high values of strength
do not occur in concrete but these extremes can be ignored because most of the
area under the curve (99.6 per cent) lies within ±3 s and can be taken to represent
all the strength values of concrete. In other words, we can say that the probability
of a value of strength falling within ±3 s from the mean value is 99.6 per cent.
Likewise, the probability of a value falling between any given limits about the mean
value (fm ± ks) can be stated. Table 17.1 lists values of probability for various
values of k (probability factor) together with the probability of encountering a
strength below (fm - ks).
The first step in designing a mix, viz. the use of standard deviation so that the mean
strength (or required average strength) can be calculated. The mean strength, fm

is given by: fm =fmin+ ks (17.2)

Where fmin = minimum strength which, in compression, is termed the characteristic

strength, fck (UK) or the specified design strength, fc′ (US).

k = a constant depending upon the definition of characteristic strength , fck or the

specified design strength, fc′ and is derived from the mathematics of normal
distribution.

The probability factor, k, is usually chosen as 1.64 or 2.33, i.e. there is a probability
that 1 in 20 or 1 in 100, respectively, of the strength values will fall below the
minimum strength (see Table 17.1).

ACI 318-19(SI) & Commentary

fc' Specified compressive strength of concrete.

26.12.2.1 Compliance requirements:

(a) Samples for preparing strength-test specimens of each concrete mixture placed
each day shall be taken in accordance with (1) through (3):

(1) At least once a day.

(2) At least once for each 110 m3 of concrete.

(3) At least once for each 460 m2 of surface area for slabs or walls.

A strength test is the average of the compressive strengths of at least two 150
x 300 mm cylinders or at least three 100 x 200 mm cylinders at 28 days or at test
age designated for fc′.
26.4.4.1 Compliance requirements:

(b) If field or laboratory test data are not available, and fc′ ≤ 35 MPa, concrete
proportions shall be based on other experience or information, if approved by the
licensed design professional. If fc′ > 35 MPa, test data documenting the
characteristics of the proposed mixtures are required

Evaluation and acceptance criteria in ACI

26.12.3.1 Compliance requirements:

a) Strength level of a concrete mixture shall be acceptable if (1) and (2) are
satisfied:
(1) Every average of any three consecutive strength tests equals or
exceeds fc′.

(2) No strength test falls below fc′ by more than 3.5 MPa if fc′ is ≤35
MPa

or by more than 0.10fc′ if fc′ ˃ 35 MPa.

The concrete strength is satisfactory

1) The average of any three consecutive strength tests equals or exceeds fc′.
1) No strength test (the average of two- or three-cylinder tests depending on
cylinder size) falls below the specified fc′ by more than 3.5 MPa when fc′ is
35 MPa or less; or by more than 0.10 fc’ when fc’ is more than 35 MPa.
Note: - According to ACI 301M-10

4.2.3.3 Required average compressive strength-Calculate fcr’ for the

specified class of concrete in accordance with 4.2.3.3.a OR 4.2.3.3.b.
For Concrete cores: - 26.12.4.1 &26.12.6.1.e Compliance requirements:

The core samples have to be tested after 48 hours but not greater than 7 days.
This must be properly guided by the licensed design professional in charge. The
strength of concrete is taken as acceptable,

1) If the average of the three cores strength is equal to minimum of 85% of fc’.
2) And, the strength of single cores is not less than 75% of fc’

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British

Properties of Concrete for use in Eurocode 2,2008

3.1 Strength class

In BS EN 206-1: Concrete – Specification, performance, production and

conformity, compressive strength is expressed as a strength class. BS EN 1992-
1-1 uses the characteristic compressive cylinder strength fck (based on 2:1
cylinders) as the basis of design calculations.

In the UK the compressive strength is tested using cubes (100mm or 150mm)

rather than cylinders. A higher strength is obtained for cubes because the test
machine platens offer greater lateral restraint due to the lower aspect ratio. In BS
EN 206-1 the 2:1-cylinder strength is taken to be about 20% less than the cube
strength for normal structural concrete but with higher strength classes, the
cylinder strength achieves a higher proportion of the cube strength. To
accommodate these differences, the strength class is defined by both the cylinder
and the cube strength (for example, C30/37 C cube/cyl).

3.2 Characteristic strength, fck The characteristic strength is the strength of

concrete below which not more than 5% of the test results are expected to fall.
Individual results below fck may be obtained but, in general, only need to be

investigated if they fall more than 4MPa below fck (BS EN 206, cl 8.2).

INDIAN

fcu,28 is the characteristic cube strength at 28 days (in N/mm2).

The compressive strength of concrete is given in terms of the characteristic

compressive strength of 150 mm size cubes tested at 28 days (fck)- as per Indian
Standards (ACI standards use cylinder of diameter 150 mm and height 300 mm).
The characteristic strength is defined as the strength of the concrete below which
not more than 5% of the test results are expected to fall. Characteristic strength of
concrete is the strength of concrete specimens casted and tested as per given
code of practice and cured for a period of 28 days; 95% of tested cubes should not
have a value less than this value.

Mix design…Concrete technology-Neville & Brooks,2nd ed,2010

fm =fmin + ks (margin)

where fmin = minimum strength which, in compression, is termed the characteristic

strength, fck (UK) or the specified design strength, fc (US).

The probability factor, k, is usually chosen as 1.64 or 2.33, i.e. there is a probability
that 1 in 20 or 1 in 100, respectively.

s is the standard deviation used to calculate the margin should be based on results
obtained using the same plant, materials and supervision. In the absence of such
data, we use a value which depends upon the number of available results, n, and
the characteristic strength, fmin:-
When n < 20,

s= 0.40 fmin (for fmin less than or equal 20 MPa (2900 psi))

s = 8 MPa (1160 psi) (for fmin more than or equal 20 MPa (2900 psi))

When n more than or equal 20,

s = 0.20 fmin (for fmin less than or equal 20 MPa (2900 psi))

s = 4 MPa (580 psi) (for fmin more than or equal 20 MPa (2900 psi)

BS 8500, BS 8500-1-2015+A2-2019,Method of specifying &guidance for the

specifier & BS EN 206:2013 +A1:2016

BS 8500 requires three tests to be assessed in a group; the mean of each group
must exceed the characteristic strength by at least 4 N/mm² and individual
results must not fall more than 4N/mm² below it. If the group fails either test,
the entire volume of concrete it represents must be rejected.

(3 tests, each test result shall be that obtained from an individual specimen or
the average of the results when two or more specimens made from one sample
are tested at the same age. See 8.2.1.2 Sampling and testing plan-(3) below).

* BS 8500 for Concrete under production control certification requires tests to be

assessed in non-overlapping groups of six; the mean of each group must
exceed the characteristic strength by at least 2 N/mm² and individual results
must not fall more than 4N/mm² below it. If the group fails either test, the entire
volume of concrete it represents must be rejected. This is shown in BS 8500-Item
B5 below.

(For groups with n from 1 to 6 see details in Table B1 below).

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BS EN 206-2013+A1-2016, Conc. Spec, perf, production & conformity

8.2 Conformity control for designed concrete

8.2.1.1, (5): Initial production covers the production until at least 35 test results are
available.

8.2.1.1, (6): Continuous production is achieved when at least 35 test results are
obtained over a period not exceeding 12 months.

Table 12 & 13 gives the Compressive strength classes.

Table 17 gives the Minimum rate of sampling for assessing conformity.

.fck Characteristic compressive strength of concrete, fck,cyl OR fck,cube.

fcm Mean compressive strength of concrete.

fci Individual test result for compressive strength of concrete

8.2.1.2 Sampling and testing plan

(3) The test result shall be that obtained from an individual specimen or the
average of the results when two or more specimens made from one sample
are tested at the same age.

8.2.1.3 Conformity criteria for compressive strength

8.2.1.3.1 Criteria for individual results

(1) Conformity of concrete compressive strength is assessed on specimens

tested at 28 days in accordance with 5.5.1.2. Each individual test result, fci ,
shall satisfy:

fci ≥ (fck - 4) N/mm2 (1)

NOTE If the strength is specified for a different age, the conformity is assessed
on specimens tested at the specified age.

8.2.1.3.2 Criteria for mean results

(1) The achievement of the specified characteristic strength shall be assessed by

one of the following methods.

Method A: Initial production

(2) For initial production, the mean strength of non-overlapping or overlapping

groups of three consecutive results shall satisfy:

fcm ≥ ( fck + 4) N/mm2 (2)

NOTE 1 The conformity criteria are developed on the basis of non-overlapping

test results. Application of the criteria to overlapping test results increases the risk
of rejection.

Method B: Continuous production

(3) Method B is an option when conditions of continuous production are

established.

The mean strength of non-overlapping or overlapping groups of consecutive test

results obtained from a single concrete or a concrete family in an assessment
period shall satisfy:

fcm ≥ ( fck +1.48δ) N/mm2

Then, according to Concrete technology-Neville & Brooks,2nd ed,2010, Tables

17.4 and 17.5, the standard deviation, s, is calculated from at least 35 consecutive
test results taken over at least a 3-month period.
See also BS EN 206:2013+A1:2016 table 17 below:

BS EN 206:2013+A1:2016
EN 206:2013+A1:2016 (E)

Table 17 — Minimum rate of sampling for

assessing conformity

Minimum rate of sampling

Production Subsequent to first 50 m3 of productiona, the

highest rate given by:
First 50 m3 of
production Concrete without
Concrete with production
production control
control certification
certification
Initial (until at least 35 1 per 200 m3 or
3 samples
test results are obtained) 1 per 3 production daysd
1 per 150 m3 or
Continuousb (when at 1 per 400 m3 or 1 per production dayd
least 35 test results are --- 1 per 5 production daysc, d
available) or 1 per calendar month
a Sampling shall be distributed throughout the production and should not be more than 1 sample within each
25 m3.
b Where the standard deviation of the last 15 or more test results exceeds the upper limits for s according to
n
Table 19, the sampling rate shall be increased to that required for initial production for the next 35 test results.
c Or if there are more than 5 production days within 7 consecutive calendar days, once per calendar week.

d The definition of a ´production day´ shall be stated in provisions valid in the place of use.
See also BS EN 206:2013+A1:2016, 8.2.1.3.2, (5) The mean strength of non-
overlapping or overlapping groups of consecutive test results obtained from a
single concrete or a concrete family in an assessment period shall satisfy:

fcm ≥ ( fck +1.48δ) N/mm2

B.3 Identity criteria for compressive strength

B.3.1 Concrete under production control certification

(1) Identity of concrete is assessed for each individual strength test result and the
average of n non-overlapping discrete results.

(2) Concrete is deemed to come from a conforming population if both the criteria
in Table B.1 are satisfied for n results derived from strength tests on samples taken
from the defined volume of concrete. (see BS EN 206:2013+A1:2016-Table B.1)

Table B.1 — Identity criteria for

compressive strength

Number n of test results Criterion 1 Criterion 2

for compressive strength
Mean of n results (fcm) Any individual test result (fci)
from the defined volume of
concrete N/mm2 N/mm2
1 Not applicable ≥ fck – 4

2 to 4 ≥ fck + 1 ≥ fck – 4

5 to 6 ≥ fck + 2 ≥ fck – 4
NOTE The identity criteria of Table B1 give a probability of 1 % that a conforming concrete
volume is rejected.
BS 8500-1-2015+A2-2019,Method of specifying &guidance for the specifier

B.5 Additional requirements for compressive strength

Table B.1, criterion 1 if there are two to six results in the volume of concrete.
Where there are more than six results in the volume of concrete, the results shall
be split into non-overlapping groups of six results taken in chronological sequence.
BS EN 206:2013 +A1:2016 , Table B.1, criterion 1 shall be applied to each of
the groups of six results and, where applicable, the last group with less than six
results.

Evaluation and acceptance criteria in ECP

The result of one test is the average of at least 3 cubes of the same batch. Any
cube strength that decrease or increase above the average by 25 percent of the
its value is excluded. and the final result of the test will be the average of the remain
strengths of cubes.

And the final result of the test should satisfy the following: -

1. Should be at least 90 % of the characteristic strength, and the tests which did
not reach the characteristic strength should not be more than 5% of the total
number of tests

2. The average of the final result of that test and 2 tests previously of the same
concrete strength and the same contractor should not be less than the
characteristic strength.