Two weeks after the Mix Team let the cubes cure, the team went in to test their strengths. It was predicted the second mix would have the highest compressive strength, as the first mix’s aggregates were too large for the mold, making it difficult to fill with the other materials and multiple aggregates, and the third mix’s aggregates were run through a #4 sieve and would have less strength.

The three cubes for Mix 1 had a compressive strength of 845 psi, 821 psi, and 831 psi, leaving that at an average of 832 psi. Mix 2’s cubes resulted in compressive strengths of 738 psi, 643 psi, and 655 psi, with an average of 679 psi. Lastly, Mix 3 had an average strength of 639 psi, with individual cube strengths of 634 psi, 666 psi, and 616 psi. The team concluded that Mix 1 was the strongest due to the larger aggregate sizes.

In the upcoming week, the Mix Team will be testing cubes using various admixtures and researching possible lightweight materials, as the mixes previously made, although strong enough to support the team members, would not be able to float in water. Less dense mixes will need to be tested in order to narrow down the design process.