Concrete mixtures can be designed to provide a wide range of mechanical and durability properties to meet the design requirements of a structure. The compressive strength of concrete is the most common performances measure used by engineer in designing buildings and other structures. The compressive strength is measured by breaking concrete specimen in a compression-testing machine. The compressive strength is calculated from the failure load divided by the cross-sectional area resisting the load and reported in units of N/mm2. Compressive strength test results are primarily used to determine that the concrete mixture as delivered meets the requirements of the specified strength, in the job specification. Compressive strength is often measured on a universal testing machine; these range from very small table top systems to ones with over 53 MN capacity. Measurements of compressive strength are affected by the specific test method and conditions of measurement. Compressive strengths are usually reported in relationship to a specific technical standard. When a specimen of material is loaded in such a way that it extends it is said to be in tension. On the other hand if the material compresses and shortens it is said to be in compression. On an atomic level, the molecules or atoms are forced apart when in tension whereas in compression they are forced together. Since atoms in solids always try to find an equilibrium position, and distance between other atoms, forces arise throughout the entire material which oppose both tension and compression. The phenomena prevailing on an atomic level are therefore similar. On a macroscopic scale, these aspects are also reflected in the fact that the properties of most common materials in tension and compression are quite similar. The major difference between the two types of loading is the strain which would have opposite signs for tensile and compression. Another major difference is tension tends to pull small
Concrete mixtures can be designed to provide a wide range of mechanical and durability properties to meet the design requirements of a structure. The compressive strength of concrete is the most common performances measure used by engineer in designing buildings and other structures. The compressive strength is measured by breaking concrete specimen in a compression-testing machine. The compressive strength is calculated from the failure load divided by the cross-sectional area resisting the load and reported in units of N/mm2. Compressive strength test results are primarily used to determine that the concrete mixture as delivered meets the requirements of the specified strength, in the job specification. Compressive strength is often measured on a universal testing machine; these range from very small table top systems to ones with over 53 MN capacity. Measurements of compressive strength are affected by the specific test method and conditions of measurement. Compressive strengths are usually reported in relationship to a specific technical standard. When a specimen of material is loaded in such a way that it extends it is said to be in tension. On the other hand if the material compresses and shortens it is said to be in compression. On an atomic level, the molecules or atoms are forced apart when in tension whereas in compression they are forced together. Since atoms in solids always try to find an equilibrium position, and distance between other atoms, forces arise throughout the entire material which oppose both tension and compression. The phenomena prevailing on an atomic level are therefore similar. On a macroscopic scale, these aspects are also reflected in the fact that the properties of most common materials in tension and compression are quite similar. The major difference between the two types of loading is the strain which would have opposite signs for tensile and compression. Another major difference is tension tends to pull small