Approach to Compressive Strength Inspection in the JSCE Standard Specifications for Concrete Structures-2023 [ Materials & Construction]
By T. Ayano and K. Nakura
Concrete Journal, Vol.64, No.8, Aug. 2026
- Synopsis
- The compressive strength of concrete is the most important and fundamental material property in the design and construction of concrete structures. Depending on the context, compressive strength is used under various names, such as design strength, design standard strength, characteristic strength, nominal strength, and mix proportioning strength. Further, concepts such as material factor, coefficient of variation, probability of falling below the characteristic strength, and producer’s risk are used to express the relationships among these values. Although design standard strength and characteristic strength are numerically identical, they differ in meaning. Furthermore, although characteristic strength and probability of falling below the characteristic strength are terms commonly used in other fields as well, the JSCE Standard Specifications for Concrete Structures adopt definitions and usage that differ from their general meanings. Based on the 2023 edition of the Standard Specifications for Concrete Structures [Construction], this paper explains the approach to compressive strength inspection as expressed through these terms.
- Keywords:
- Design standard strength, Characteristic strength, Acceptance criterion value, Nominal strength, Coefficient of variation, Probability of falling below the characteristic strength, Producer’s risk, Normal distribution
