On the relation between the mean compressive strength and the characteristic one. (21st October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Torrenti, Jean Michel; Dehn, Frank
• Is Part Of: Structural concrete. Volume 21:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 409
• Page End: 412
• Publication Date: 2019-10-21
• Subjects: characteristic strength -- concrete -- mean strength; Reinforced concrete -- Periodicals; 624.1834
• DOI: 10.1002/suco.201900153
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-4177

Abstract

Abstract: Since the beginning of the construction of structures with reinforced concrete, it has been known that concrete presents a variability that should be taken into account. In modern codes, this variability implies the use of a characteristic strength corresponding to a 5% fractile of the distribution of strength. The actual relation in Eurocode 2 between the characteristic and the mean strength f ck = f cm − 8 MPa was introduced several years ago by Rüsch and is integrated in CEB or fib model codes since 1978. In this article, it is presented how the relation was obtained and it is discussed if this relation is still valid considering the fact that the range of concrete strengths is now larger. Considering the scatter of the SD, the relation proposed by Rüsch could still be used but engineers should keep in mind that the SD on site could be very different from the one predicted by means of the relation between f ck and f cm .