CCIL - Canadian Council of Independent Laboratories Concrete Compressive Strength Testing Questions and Answers

Question 1

A technician tests a standard 100 mm x 200 mm concrete cylinder and applies the load much faster than the rate specified in CSA A23.2-9C. What is the most likely effect on the measured compressive strength?

Accepted Answer

The measured strength will be artificially high.

Answer

Applying the load too quickly does not allow for the natural progression of micro-cracking before failure, leading to a higher-than-actual failure load. CSA A23.2-9C specifies a controlled stress rate (0.15 to 0.35 MPa/s) to ensure consistent and accurate results.

Question 2

According to CSA A23.2-9C, what is the primary purpose of capping concrete cylinders with sulphur mortar or using unbonded neoprene pads before testing?

Accepted Answer

To ensure the load is applied uniformly over the entire cross-section.

Answer

The ends of concrete cylinders are rarely perfectly plane and parallel. Capping creates smooth, parallel bearing surfaces that are perpendicular to the cylinder's axis, which is crucial for uniform load distribution. Non-uniform loading creates stress concentrations that can cause premature failure and inaccurate results.

Question 3

As per CSA A23.2-9C, what is the required moisture condition of a standard-cured concrete cylinder immediately before compressive strength testing?

Accepted Answer

It must be tested in a moist condition, immediately after removal from curing.

Answer

CSA A23.2-9C and related standards require that specimens be tested in a moist condition after being removed from the standard curing environment (moist room or lime-saturated water). Allowing the cylinder surface to dry can result in a significant, artificial increase in measured compressive strength.

Question 4

A technician needs to test a cored concrete specimen with a diameter of 100 mm and a length of 175 mm. According to CSA A23.2-14C, what must be done before reporting the final compressive strength?

Accepted Answer

The calculated compressive strength must be multiplied by a correction factor.

Answer

The standard compressive strength test is based on a length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio of 2.0. When this ratio is not met (in this case, 1.75), confining stresses affect the failure load. CSA A23.2-14C provides a table of correction factors for L/D ratios between 1.00 and 1.99 to normalize the result to an equivalent L/D of 2.0.

Question 5

After testing a concrete cylinder, a technician observes a fracture pattern that consists of well-formed cones on both ends of the specimen. According to CSA A23.2-9C and referenced standards like ASTM C39, what does this type of fracture typically indicate?

Accepted Answer

A valid and acceptable test result.

Answer

The 'Cone' or 'Cone and Shear' fracture is considered the standard, ideal fracture for a compressive strength test. It indicates that the failure was not unduly influenced by testing machine issues, improper capping, or eccentric loading. While other fracture types can be acceptable, this type is the most desirable.

CCIL - Canadian Council of Independent Laboratories Practice Test

CCIL - Canadian Council of Independent Laboratories Practice Test

CCIL - Canadian Council of Independent Laboratories Concrete Compressive Strength Testing Questions and Answers