The UC Concrete Canoe Team tests the compressive strength of their concrete mix designs using 4" diameter by 8" long concrete cylinders in a hydraulic press, which provides a load-deflection graph and maximum strength. The compressive strength is calculated by dividing the ultimate load by the cylinder's cross-sectional area. Caps placed on the cylinders during testing cause most cylinders to break in a type A cracking pattern rather than a type E pattern.

2.  The UC Concrete Canoe Team uses 4” diameter
by 8” long concrete cylinders to test the
compressive strength of their mix design.
 The test provides a load to deflection graph,
also known as a P-Delta curve, and the
maximum compressive strength of the
concrete.

3.  The test is uses a hydraulic press to crush the
test cylinder.
 The press monitors how much force is being
exerted on the cylinder as the cylinder is being
deflected.

5.  The compressive strength of the mix is found
by dividing the ultimate load the cylinder held
by the cross sectional area of the cylinder.
 Area = r2 = *22 = 12.57 in2
 P/A = value in pounds per square inch

6.  There are five typical types of cracking
patterns.
 Caps are placed on the cylinders to ensure
smooth contact with the testing machine.
These caps cause most breaks to be type a.
 If the caps were not present, type e would be
expected.

7.  If you have any questions at a later time please
feel free to contact us at
UC.OVSC.President@gmail.com