Testing Compressive Strength of Cement (IMAGE) North Carolina State University Caption This image shows a representative cement micropillar sample imaged by scanning electron microscope. Samples like this one are key to the use of a 'micropillar compression' technique to characterize the micro-scale strength of cement, allowing for the development of cement with desirable strength properties for civil engineering applications. Credit Rahnuma Shahrin Usage Restrictions Image credit must be given. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.