As any builder or contractor knows, concrete is a key material in construction. Not only is it strong and durable, but it is also relatively easy to work with. As a result, concrete is often used for everything from foundations to walls to floors. However, not all concrete is created equal. The strength of concrete depends on a number of factors, including the ratio of cement to aggregate, the type of cement used, and the amount of water added. In general, the stronger the concrete, the more resistant it will be to wear and tear. For this reason, it is important to choose the right mix for your project. The next time you are planning a building project, be sure to consult an expert on concrete strength. They will be able to advise you on the best type of concrete for your needs.
2022: Everything You Need to Know About Concrete Strength
Contents
Concrete is the foundation of modern construction. Its strength and durability enable it to support heavy structures over long periods of time. Compressive strength is the prominent concrete specification, but tensile, flexural, and other properties can play a significant role in modern designs. How is concrete strength really measured?
In this article we will take a look at the different types of concrete strength, how they’re tested, why they matter, and how they impact the quality, longevity, and cost of concrete projects. We also demonstrate the differences in strength between traditional concrete and the newer, innovative concrete technology: Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC).
Terminology: Concrete Strength Properties and Why They are Important
Compressive Strength
Compressive strength is the most common and well-accepted measurement of concrete strength. It is the main criteria used to determine if a given concrete mixture can withstand the structural forces being applied. Compressive strength is the “nameplate” concrete rating. It is the most common attribute cited in construction specifications.
Compressive strength is tested by breaking cylindrical concrete specimens in a special machine. Testing conforms to the ASTM (American Society for Testing & Materials) standard C39.
Pounds per square inch (psi) measures the compressive strength of concrete in terms of a standard unit of force (pounds) over a standard unit of area (square inch or SI). SI values are expressed as megapascals (MPa), the metric unit of pressure.
Force is imposed on the concrete matrix from opposite sides, squeezing until it fractures, establishing the limits of a given cured concrete mix. Aggregate materials within the concrete distribute and counterbalance the applied load.
A higher psi indicates higher compressive strength and, typically, a higher cost. But a stronger concrete mix often correlates to more durability, longevity, and, sometimes, a more efficient volume of material than a lower-strength mix.
The ideal concrete psi for a given project depends on various factors. Different types of concrete structures have normally acceptable psi ranges that are governed by design codes and industry standards. The American Concrete Institute (ACI), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and regulatory groups such as the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) are often cited for concrete guidelines or minimum requirements.
The bare minimum is usually between 2,000 and 3,000 psi for fill and simple surfaces (e.g., patios or sidewalks). ACI sets 2,500 psi as the structural concrete minimum. Pavement, slabs, and footings can be up to 4,000 psi. Suspended slabs, beams, and girders (typically found in bridges) might be 5,000 psi. High-rise columns and other high-load-bearing members may require compressive strength from 7,500 to 10,000 psi, or even more than 15,000 psi, depending on structure height and load.
Higher psi values result in other benefits, such as better long-term environmental performance. Freeze-thaw cycles in colder climates can compromise weak mixes and may require increased strength to maintain their intended use over years of cold weather. A higher compressive strength usually provides more resistance to this type of degradation over time.
Compressive strength is normally tested at seven days and then again at 28 days. The seven-day test determines early strength gains and verifies that the mix is on track to set properly. The final cured design strength (and the basis for minimum design values) is the 28-day test as noted in the ACI standards.
Tensile Strength
Tensile strength defines concrete’s ability to resist breaking or cracking under tension. It affects crack formation and the ability of certain members, such as horizontal beams, to withstand transverse loading and the resultant “pulling” forces that effectively act to pry open the concreters belconnen transition zones (comprising the cement/binder that holds aggregates in the matrix). Cracks occur when tensile forces exceed the tensile strength, which is measured in psi.
The tensile strength of traditional concrete is significantly lower than its compressive strength. Therefore, concrete members undergoing tensile stress must be reinforced with materials with high tensile strength, such as steel. This reinforcement introduces other costs, installation requirements, and long-term maintenance considerations.
It’s difficult to directly test the tensile strength of concrete, so indirect methods are used. The most common indirect methods are flexural strength and split tensile strength. Split tensile testing is predominantly performed on concrete cylinders, per the ASTM C496 standard.
Flexural Strength
Flexural strength is an indirect measure of tensile strength. Flexural strength defines an unreinforced concrete slab or beam’s ability to resist failure in bending. As concrete bends, it incurs tensile stresses that eventually result in failure (cracking).
Flexural strength is normally about 10 to 15 percent of the compressive strength, depending on the specific concrete mixture.
There are two standard tests from ASTM that are used to determine concrete’s flexural strength —C78 and C293. Results are expressed in psi, as a Modulus of Rupture (MR).
Flexural tests are very sensitive to concrete preparation, handling, and curing. The test should occur when the specimen is wet.
Compressive strength tests are regularly used when describing concrete’s strength because they are considered more reliable. However, tensile and flexural strength are valuable properties to understand when designing complex members or specifying reinforcement.
Additional Factors
Other factors contributing to the strength of concrete include:
Water/cementitious ratio (w/cm)
This refers to the ratio of water to cement in the concrete mixture. A lower water-to-cement ratio makes stronger concrete, but it also makes working with the concrete more difficult.
A proper balance achieves the desired strength while maintaining workability.
Proportioning
Traditional concrete is made of water, cement, air, and an aggregate mixture of sand, gravel, and stone. Proportioning these ingredients correctly produces stronger concrete. A concrete mixture with too much cement paste may be easy to pour, but it will crack easily and not withstand the test of time. Conversely, too little cement paste will produce concrete that is rough and porous.
Designs may also incorporate different admixtures that contribute additional properties to the concrete. These tend to be specialized to the concrete producer and added for specific use cases (such as extreme climates). The proportion of admixtures must also be specified to avoid over or under-adjusting the mix to achieve the desired performance.
Mixing
Optimal mixing time is important for strength. Strength tends to increase, with mixing time, up to a point. However, over-mixing causes excess water evaporation and the formation of fine particles within the mix. This weakens the concrete and makes it harder to work with.
There is no golden rule for optimal mix time. It is impacted by many factors, such as the type of mixer being used, the speed of the mixer rotation, and the specific components and materials within a given batch of concrete.
Curing methods
Generally, the longer the concrete stays moist, the stronger it will become. To protect the concrete, precautions are taken when curing concrete in extremely cold or hot temperatures. Heat curing is sometimes used to speed up the process, but manipulating concrete with heat may produce other unwanted side effects, depending on the mix.
Traditional Concrete vs. UHPC
New concrete technology is available that has greater strength than traditional concrete, in all aspects. This innovative material is called Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC), and it is now being implemented throughout the construction industry, including many state and federal infrastructure projects, because of its exceptional strength and durability.
UHPC’s composition is similar to traditional concrete (roughly 75 to 80 percent of the ingredients are the same). However, that extra 20 percent makes a big difference. Integrated fibers make UHPC unique, along with slight but significant alterations to water content, admixtures, and the mixing process applied to optimize the fiber reinforcement.
Fibers can include polyester, fiberglass bars, basalt, steel, and/or stainless steel. Each of these materials creates a progressively stronger end product, with steel and stainless steel delivering the greatest strength gains. Modifications to the overall mix composition will be dependent on the fiber size and material.
Here is a closer look at how UHPC compares to traditional concrete:
| Traditional Concrete (Typ.) | Cor-Tuf UHPC | |
| Permeability | 800-1300 Coulombs | 44 Coulombs |
| Freeze/Thaw Resistance | 28 Cycles | 600 Cycles |
| Useful Life | 30 – 100 Years | 100+ Years |
| Compressive Strength | 2,500-5,000 psi | 25,500 psi |
| Flexural Strength | 400-700 psi | 3,148 psi |
| Tensile Strength | 300-700 psi | 1,260 psi |
| Impact Resistance | 1x | 2x |
- Tensile strength – UHPC has a tensile strength over 1,200 psi, while traditional concrete typically measures between 300 and 700 psi.
- Flexural strength – UHPC delivers more than 3,000 psi in flexural strength; traditional concrete normally possesses a flexural strength of 400 to 700 psi.
- Compressive Strength – UHPC’s advanced compressive strength is particularly significant when compared to traditional concrete. Traditional concrete normally has a compressive strength between 2,500 and 5,000 psi, but Cor-Tuf UHPC can have a compressive strength that is 10 times higher than traditional concrete.
Other benefits of UHPC include:
- Freeze/thaw resistance – Studies have shown that UHPC can withstand more than 600 freeze/thaw cycles, while traditional concrete begins to deteriorate in as few as 28 cycles.
- Impact resistance – UHPC can absorb double the energy of regular concrete. Under impact loading, UHPC was twice as strong as regular concrete and dispersed up to four times as much energy. This makes the material a great candidate for earthquake-resistant bridges and buildings.
- Moisture resistance – UHPC is virtually impervious to water infiltration from inundation, atmospheric vapor deposition, or other weather impacts.
- Ductility—UHPC can be stretched out into thinner sections under tensile and flexural stress, unlike regular concrete.
- Longer useful life—UHPC is estimated to last at full load-bearing capacity for more than 100 years. Traditional concrete can vary by design but commonly lasts 30 to 100 years.
- Lighter weight—Even though UHPC is stronger, less material is required, so the end structure weighs less, which reduces footing, support, and shipping requirements.
It is no surprise that UHPC is gaining traction in American infrastructure and being used to repair the country’s aging bridges and roads. This material increases the lives of bridges, decreasing their overall lifecycle cost. UHPC requires less maintenance because of its increased strength and weather resistance. This makes it more cost-efficient to use.
Ideal uses for UHPC include:
- Bridge girders and decks
- Seismic columns
- Accelerated Bridge Construction
- Highway Infrastructure
- Complex structural members
When assessing a given concrete mixture for a project, it is important to know its strength properties. The right concrete mix will achieve the right strength, in the right categories, in the most material-efficient manner for the project.
Concrete innovations such as UHPC outperform traditional concrete in strength and longevity. This makes it a smart choice for designers and planners working on new concrete construction and repairing legacy projects. Reduced maintenance with better performance means that UHPC delivers a win-win: superior strength and lower lifecycle costs.
