Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License (CSL) Practice Test

For what purpose is the compressive strength of concrete measured?

1. To determine its weight

2. To assess its durability

3. To evaluate its load bearing capacity

4. To analyze its mix proportions

The correct answer is: To evaluate its load bearing capacity

The compressive strength of concrete is primarily measured to evaluate its load-bearing capacity. This strength indicates how much load the concrete can withstand before failing or deforming excessively, which is crucial for designing structural elements like beams, columns, and slabs in construction. The higher the compressive strength, the more load the concrete can support, making it a critical factor in ensuring the safety and stability of structures. While aspects such as weight, durability, and mix proportions are important considerations in concrete work, they do not directly correlate with the specific purpose of measuring compressive strength. This measurement is focused on quantifying the material’s ability to resist axial loads, which is fundamental in construction applications.