What is B2 compressive strength?
B2 is an old Dutch quality designation for concrete, based on cube compressive strength. The designation B2 represented a characteristic cube compressive strength of approximately 22.5 N/mm². This classification has since been replaced by the European C-classes according to the Eurocode (NEN-EN 206).
Application
The B-classification was used in the Netherlands for many years to indicate the compressive strength of concrete. The number after the B referred to the strength class, with B2 being a relatively low strength class. This type of concrete was used in less heavily loaded structures, such as foundations for lightweight buildings, paving, and non-load-bearing walls.
With the transition to the Eurocode, B2 was replaced by the designation C12/15 or C16/20, depending on the exact specifications. The C-classes indicate two values: the cylinder compressive strength and the cube compressive strength in N/mm². For example, C16/20 represents a cylinder compressive strength of 16 N/mm² and a cube compressive strength of 20 N/mm².
In building practice, the old B-designations are still encountered in existing specifications, construction drawings, and structural calculations of older buildings. When renovating or converting these properties, it is important to correctly convert the old classification to the current C-classes to meet applicable standards.
For new construction, only the C-classification is used today. The most common concrete classes in residential construction are C20/25 and C30/37, which are considerably stronger than the old B2 concrete.
Related terms
- Compressive strength
- Concrete quality
- Eurocode
- C-class (C12/15, C20/25)
- Cube compressive strength
- NEN-EN 206
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