What does a compressive strength test determine?

The compressive strength test is an essential procedure in the construction and civil engineering fields, focused primarily on evaluating the ability of concrete to withstand axial loads. This test measures the maximum load a concrete sample, often in the form of a cylinder, can endure before failure occurs.

In practice, this involves subjecting the concrete sample to increasing pressure until it breaks, allowing engineers and contractors to assess both the quality of the mix and the design adequacy for structural applications. The results provide crucial information for predicting how the concrete will perform under loads it will encounter throughout its service life.

The other options relate to different aspects of concrete and construction but do not accurately convey the purpose of the compressive strength test. For instance, the cost of concrete materials relates to budget considerations, the type of aggregates pertains to the mix design and performance characteristics, and the setting time involves the hardening process of concrete, none of which directly reflect the function of a compressive strength test.