When constructing a stress-strain compression diagram for concrete with indirect reinforcement within the framework of the theory of limit state design, it is necessary to assign the strength values of materials with the required security. To do this, a transition is made from average strength value obtained from the results of experiments to reduced characteristic compressive strength and the design value of strength. In view of this, a contradiction arises due to the fact that initially the formulas for determining the deformations corresponding to the top of the compression diagram were obtained for experimental value of strength, and in the calculations of structures it is proposed to use reduced characteristic compressive strength and the design value of strength, which can lead to incorrect results. The article compares the calculated values of strains with experimental data and notes a significant overestimation when calculating by the characteristic compressive strength and the design value of strength.