Cube Compressive Strength Test

The concrete cube compressive strength test is the primary quality control test used on Malaysian construction sites to verify that concrete achieves its specified design strength. Cubes are cast from fresh concrete during placement, cured under controlled conditions, and crushed at specified ages — typically 7 and 28 days — to determine compressive strength in N/mm² (MPa).

At Foundtest, we perform cube testing to Malaysian Standards (MS EN), British Standards (BS EN), and ASTM references. Our machines are calibrated with traceable certificates, our crushing schedule is on-time, and our reports are accepted by JKR, CIDB, and consulting engineers throughout Malaysia.

Test Standards We Follow

When Is Cube Testing Required?

• Every structural concrete pour

  Frequency determined by project specification and pour volume — typically 6 cubes per 30 cubic metres of concrete placed.

• JKR and CIDB specification compliance

  Routinely required for structural concrete on government, public sector, and infrastructure projects across Malaysia.

• Precast element production QC

  Quality control during precast concrete manufacturing to verify each production batch meets specified strength.

• Ready-mix concrete verification

  Independent verification that ready-mix concrete delivered to site matches the supplier’s certified mix design and grade.

• Contract grade verification

  Confirm concrete meets specified grades — Grade 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and above — before proceeding with further construction.

• Progressive pour monitoring

  Track concrete quality consistency across multiple pours over the duration of larger projects.

How the Test Works

• Step 1 — Sampling

  Fresh concrete is sampled from the delivery truck or placement point in accordance with BS EN 12350-1.

• Step 2 — Cube Casting

  Concrete is placed in 100mm or 150mm steel cube moulds in layers and compacted by vibrating table or tamping rod.

• Step 3 — Initial Curing

  Cubes remain in the moulds for 16 to 24 hours under controlled temperature and humidity.

• Step 4 — De-moulding and Marking

  Each cube is de-moulded and marked with a unique identifier linking it to the pour, date, grade, and location.

• Step 5 — Water Curing

  Cubes are stored in a water tank at 20 ± 2 °C until the testing age is reached.

• Step 6 — Compression Testing

  Cubes are crushed in a calibrated compression testing machine at the specified age — typically 7 and 28 days. Load is applied at 0.6 ± 0.2 N/mm² per second until failure.

• Step 7 — Reporting

  Failure load is recorded, compressive strength calculated in N/mm², compared against the specified grade, and a signed report issued within one working day.

Why Foundtest for Cube Testing?

• Compression machines calibrated annually with traceable certificates

• On-time crushing schedule — cubes tested on the exact required age

• Reports issued within one working day of crushing

• Bulk-scale capability for large projects with high cube volumes

• Nationwide collection service from your project site

• Fully compliant with MS EN, BS EN, and ASTM standards

Cube Compressive Strength Test FAQ

How many cubes should I cast per pour?

This depends on your project specification and pour volume. A common Malaysian requirement is 6 cubes per 30 cubic metres, or per day’s pour — 3 for 7-day testing and 3 for 28-day testing. Your consulting engineer or project specification will state the exact requirement.

Why do we test at both 7 and 28 days?

The 7-day result gives an early indicator of concrete performance so that problems can be identified before further construction proceeds. The 28-day result is the definitive strength value against which the specified grade is verified.

What happens if my cubes fail?

A failed 28-day cube result triggers investigation. This typically involves additional non-destructive testing — rebound hammer and UPV — on the actual concrete element, and possibly core extraction and laboratory testing, to determine whether the in-situ concrete meets the required strength.

Do you cast cubes on site or do we?

Both options are available. For large projects, we can station a technician on site during pours. For smaller projects, your team can cast cubes following our supplied procedure, and we collect them for controlled water curing and scheduled crushing.

Are 100mm or 150mm cubes preferred?

Both are recognised by BS EN 12390. 150mm cubes are the traditional standard. 100mm cubes are increasingly common because they use less concrete and are easier to handle. The choice should be consistent within a project and stated in the specification.

Related Concrete Tests

• Rebound Hammer Test — non-destructive surface hardness assessment
• Windsor Probe Test — semi-destructive penetration testing
• Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) Test — internal defect detection
• Concrete Core Test — in-situ strength from extracted cores
• All Concrete Testing Services