Concrete Strength Acceptance Criteria IS:456-2000

Strength of concrete is commonly considered its most valuable property, although in

many practical cases, other characteristics, such as durability and permeability, may in
fact be more important. However, the strength of concrete is almost invariably a vital
element of structural design and is specified for compliance purposes.
Table 1 : Frequency (IS: 456-2000 clause 15.2.2)
The minimum frequency of sampling of concrete of each grade shall be in accordance
with the following:
Quantity of concrete in the
work, m3

Number of samples

15

6 15

16 30

31 50

51 and above

4 plus one additional sample for each additional

50 m3 or part thereof

NOTE: At least one sample shall be taken from each shift where concrete is produced
at continuous production unit, such as ready-mixed concrete plant, frequency of
sampling may be agreed upon mutually by suppliers and purchasers.
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
(A) Compressive strength
The concrete shall be deemed to comply with the strength requirement when both the
following conditions are met:
a) The mean strength determined from any group of four non-overlapping consecutive
test results, complies with the appropriate limits col. 2 of Table 2.
b) Any individual test result complies with the appropriate limits in col. 3 Table 2.
(B) Flexural strength
When both the following conditions are met, the concrete complies with the specified
flexural strength.
a) The mean strength determine from any group of four consecutive test results exceed
the specified characteristic strength by at least 0.3 N/mm2
b) The strength determined from any test result is not less than specified characteristic
strength less 0.3 N/mm2
The quantity of concrete represented by a group of four consecutive test results shall
include the batches from which the first and last samples were taken together with all
intervening batches.

Three test specimens shall be made for each sample for testing at 28 days. Additional
specimens may be required for 7 days strength. In all the cases 28 days strength shall
alone be the criterion for acceptance or rejection of the concrete.
The test results of the sample shall be the average of the strength of three specimens.
The individual variation should not be more than +15 percent of the average. If more,
the test results of the sample are invalid.
Table 2 : Characteristic compressive strength compliance requirement
IS: 456-2000 with amendments Table 11 (Clause 16.1 and 16.3)

Specified Grade

Me
an
of
Gr
ou
p
of
4
No
nOv
erl
ap
pin
g
Co
Individual Test Results in N/mm2
ns
Minimum
ec
uti
ve
tes
t
res
ult
s
in
N/
m
m2
Mi
ni
mu
m

(1)

(2) (3)

M15 and above

fck fck 3 N/mm2

+
0.
82
5
X
est
abl

ish
ed
St
an
da
rd
de
via
tio
n
(ro
un
d
off
to
ne
are
st
0.
5
N/
m
m2
or
fck
+
3
N/
m
m2
wh
ich
ev
er
is
gr
eat
er
NOTE 1: In the absence of established value of standard deviation, the values given in
Table 8 (IS: 456-2000) may be assumed, and attempt should be made to obtained
results of 30 samples as early as possible to establish the value of standard deviation.
NOTE 2: For concrete quantity up to 30 m3 (where the number of samples to be taken
is less than four) as per frequency of sampling given in 15.2.2, the mean of test results
of all such samples shall be fck + 4 N/mm2, minimum and the requirement of minimum
individual test results shall be fck 2 N/mm2, minimum. However, when the number of

samples is only one as per 15.2.2, the requirement shall be fck + 4 N/mm2, minimum.
(Values of column 2 and 3 are equal to or more than)
The acceptance criteria is best illustrated by the following examples:
Grade of concrete : M25
Laboratory design mean target strength for
good quality control: 25 + (1.65 x 4)= 31.6 N/mm2 at 28 days age
In all the case average of three 150 mm cubes shall be taken.
Table 3: Site concrete acceptance.
In one shifts 4 m3 foundation concrete was done.

Table 4: Site concrete acceptance. In 3 shifts 27 m3 foundation concrete was

done.

Table 5: Site concrete acceptance. In 6 shifts 75 m3 roof slab concrete was

done.

A sample consist of three cubes/specimens . It is better for the same concrete sample
cast more than three cubes, so that any defective cube should not be tested or any
doubt full test result due to testing may be rejected and not included in the average of
three cubes.