Al ZAYTOONAH UNIVERSITY OF JORDAN

Faculty of Engineering and Technology

Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering

ABET- EAC

0908223 Construction Materials

Laboratory

Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering

Spring, 2018

Instructor’s Signature

Engineer Duha Taha Shehadeh

 Al ZAYTOONAH UNIVERSITY OF JORDAN
Faculty of Engineering and Technology
Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering

Course Syllabus
1. Course Number and Name: 0908223, Construction Materials Laboratory

2. Credit and Contact Hours: 1 credit, 3 hours of contact /week

3. Course Coordinator and Lecturers :

 Eng. Duha Taha Shehadeh

4. Textbook, Title, Author(s), Publisher and Year:

Concrete Technology, 2nd edition, A.M. Neville, J.J. Brooks, Pearson education, 2010
References, Title, Author, Publisher and Year:
Properties of concrete, 5th edition, A.M. Neville, Pearson education, 2011

5. Specific Course Information

Catalog description: This course covers the following topics: Aggregate tests: Sieve
analysis, specific gravity, unit weight, abrasion, strength, impact. Cement tests: Normal
consistency, setting time. Mortar tests: workability, strength. Fresh concrete tests:
Workability. Destructive and non-destructive hardened concrete tests. Brick tests. Steel
tests.

Prerequisites or co-requisites: co-requisite: 0908223, Construction Materials.

6. Course Specific Performance Indicators

Performance indicators addressed by the course and SO mapping

Course Performance Indicators Student Level of Learning

Outcome
Calculate mechanical and physical characteristics of (a) 2
construction materials.
Conduct experiments for testing mechanical and physical (b) 2
properties of construction materials.
Analyze collected data from experiments using ASTM (k) 2
standards.

* Student Outcome: according to ABET’s program outcomes (a letter between a and k), linked to the
Performance Indicator.
** Level of Learning: a number (1, 2 or 3) that represents the correlation between the Performance
Indicator and Student Outcome, where 3 is high, 2 is medium and 1 is low.

DUHA SHEHADEH,FARAH AL-HUSSEINI 2

 Al ZAYTOONAH UNIVERSITY OF JORDAN
Faculty of Engineering and Technology
Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering

7. Topics Covered

A- Aggregates tests:
1. Sieve analysis
2. Specific gravity
3. Unit weight
4. Abrasion
5. Strength (Aggregate Crushing Value)
6. Resistance to Impact (Aggregate Impact Value)
B- Cement and mortar tests:
1. Normal consistency
2. Setting time
3. Workability of mortar
4. Strength of mortar
C- Fresh and hardened concrete tests:
1. Workability tests: Slump and Compacting factor tests
2. Destructive and non-destructive hardened concrete tests: Ultrasonic and Schmidt
hammer tests
D- Steel tests.

8. Direct Assessment Tools and Weights:

1. Midterm Exam 30%

2. Participation and reports 30%
3. Final Exam. 40%

9. Indirect Assessment Tools:

1. Course performance indicators survey by students

10. Performance Targets Passing Criteria:

Direct 1. 65% of the class students score over 60% in each performance indicator and
performance each supported program outcome
Targets 2. The class average is at least 65% in each performance indicator and each
supported program outcome

Indirect 65% of the class students score over 60% in each performance indicator for each
performance supported program outcome.
Targets

How to write a laboratory report

DUHA SHEHADEH,FARAH AL-HUSSEINI 3
 Al ZAYTOONAH UNIVERSITY OF JORDAN
Faculty of Engineering and Technology
Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering

The following arrangement of the report is suggested:

Title This should indicate the nature of the test and the specifications
number used.

Scope of the test : A brief statement of the purpose and significance

of the test should be indicated.

Materials : The materials used or tested should be described.

Apparatus and method of testing: Special equipment used should

be briefly described. The testing procedure should be also described.

Data and results of the test: All laboratory data shall be submitted
in tabular form. Observations relating to the behavior of the materials
should be included. All equations or formulas used should be clearly
indicated. Calculations should be properly checked. The results of the test
should be summarized in tabular or graphical form.

Discussion There should be included a brief discussion in which

attention is drawn to the silent facts shown by the tables and diagrams.
The test results should be compared with the standard values and
conclusion should be drawn.

DUHA SHEHADEH,FARAH AL-HUSSEINI 4

 Al ZAYTOONAH UNIVERSITY OF JORDAN
Faculty of Engineering and Technology
Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering

Aggregates Testing

DUHA SHEHADEH,FARAH AL-HUSSEINI 5

 Al ZAYTOONAH UNIVERSITY OF JORDAN
Faculty of Engineering and Technology
Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering

Reducing Field Sample of Aggregate to Test Sample

ASTM C 702, D75

Purpose: To obtain laboratory samples of aggregates from stockpiles.

Equipment: Shovel, scoop, boom.

Procedure:
1-Obtain a sample of aggregate (about 50 kg) from three places in the
stockpile: from the top third, at the midpoint, and from the bottom third
of the volume of the pile.
2- Place the field sample on a hard, clean level surface.
3- Mix the material thoroughly by turning the entire sample three times.
4- Shovel the entire sample into a conical pile.
5- Carefully flatten the conical to a uniform thickness and diameter
by pressing down the apex with a shovel. (The diameter should be
approximately four to eight times the thickness).
6- Divide the flattened mass into four equal quarters with a shovel.
7- Remove two diagonally opposite quarters. Brush the cleared spaces
clean.
8-Mix and quarter the remaining materials until the sample is reduced to
the desired size.

Note
The sample splitters can be used instead of flattening the mass on a
level surface.

DUHA SHEHADEH,FARAH AL-HUSSEINI 6

Fig. (1) The sample splitters for fine &coarse aggregates

Fig.(2) Reducing Field Sample of Aggregate to Test Sample

Test No.1:

“Moisture Content of Concrete Aggregate”

(ASTM C-566- 84)

Scope of test:
One of the properties of the aggregates which should be known to design a
concrete mix is its moisture content. It is necessary in order to determine the net
water -cement ratio in a batch of concrete made with job aggregate.

Materials:
The amount of materials depends on the nominal maximum size of aggregate as
follows:

N.M.S Weight of Sample

(mm) (kg)

4.75 0.5
9.5 1.5
12.5 2
19 3
25 4
37.5 6

Apparatus:
1. A balance sensitive to 0.5gm.
2. Electrical oven at temperature 105 °C.
3. Container with a cover.
4. Sample splitter.

Procedure:
1- Prepare the container clean, record its empty weight (A).
2- Weigh the suitable sample of aggregate and keep it in a container, put the cover on.
3-The weight of the container with the cover and the gravel is (B).
4-Remove the cover, then put the sample in the oven at 105 °C for 24 hours.
5-Remove the sample forms the oven and put the cover on it, then leaves it for half
 an hour, and then weigh it (D).
6- Repeat the same steps for the sand sample.

Calculations and Results:

Moisture Content % = [(B – D) / (D – A)] x 100

Discussion:
1- Comment on the results you get.
2- Do you think that your results are affected by the weather conditions?
Test 2:

“Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate”

(ASTM C 127 – 88)
Scope:

This test method covers the determination of Specific Gravity and Absorption
of coarse aggregate. The specific gravity may be expressed as bulk specific gravity,
bulk specific gravity SSD or apparent specific gravity. The bulk specific gravity and
absorption are based on aggregate after 24hour soaking in water.

Materials:

1- Coarse aggregate, must be sampled using sample splitter.

2- The weight of the sample depends on nominal maximum size (NMS) of the
aggregate as follows.

N.M.S Minimum Weight of Sample

(mm) (kg)
12.5 or less 2
19 3
25 4
37.5 5
50 8

Apparatus:
1-A weighing balance sensitive, readable and accurate to 0.5gm.
2-The balance shall be equipped with suitable apparatus for suspending the
sample container in water.
3. Sample container (A wire basket) [20cm diameter& 20cm in height].
4. Water tank; a watertight tank into which the sample container may be
placed while suspended below the balance.
5-Sieves; 4.75mm (No.4) or other sizes as needed

Procedure:

1- Take the sample of coarse aggregate using the sample splitter.

2-Sieve the sample with 4.75mm sieves and ignore the
materials passing through No.4.75 sieve. -
3- Wash the sample to remove dust..
4- Put the sample in the oven at 105°C.for 24hours.
5- Get the sample out of the oven, leave it to cool then determine its weight.
6- Submerge the sample in water for 24hours.
7- Remove the sample from the water and roll it in a large absorbent cloth until all
visible films of water are removed .Wipe the larger particles individually. Take
care to avoid evaporation of water from aggregate pores during the operation
of surface- drying.
8- Take the required weight of the sample in its (S.S.D) (saturated surface dry)
condition.
9-After weighing ,immediately place the S.S.D sample in the sample container
and determine its weight in water at 23±1°C.Take care to remove all entrapped a
before weighing by shaking the container while immersed.
10-Dry the test sample to constant weight at a temperature of 110±5°C, Cool in air at
room temperature 1 to 3 hours, or until the aggregate has cooled to a temperature
that is comfortable to handle, and weigh.

Calculations :-

1-Specific Gravity:-

a. Bulk specific gravity: - Calculate the bulk specific gravity as follow :

Bulk Specific Gravity = A /(B-C)

Where:
A=Weight of oven-dry test sample in air,(gm).
B= Weight of S.S.D. sample in air,(gm).
C=Weight of saturated sample in water,(gm).

b- Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD) = B / (B-C)

c-Apparent Specific gravity: - Calculate the apparent sp. gr. As follows:

Apparent Specific Gravity = A / (A - C)

2- Absorption:-

Calculate the percentage of absorption as follows:

Absorption% = [(B – A) / A ]x100

Discussion:
1-Comment on the results.
2- Compare the results with the typical values.
3- How can the percentage of absorption affect on a concrete mix?
Fig.(3) A balance with suitable apparatus for suspending the sample
container in water.
Test No.3
“Specific Gravity and Absorption of fine Aggregate”
(ASTM C 127 – 88)

Scope:. This test method covers the determination of Bulk and Apparent Specific
Gravity and Absorption of fine aggregate.

Materials:- l kg of sand is used using sample splitter.

Apparatus:

1-A balance having capacity of 1kg or more sensitive to 0.1gm

2- Pycnometer: A flask or other suitable container into which the fine
aggregate
sample can be introduced .It is
3
usually of 500cm capacity.
3-Mold: a metal mold in the form of a frustum of a cone with dimensions as follows:
37mm inside diameter at the top, 90mm inside diameter at the bottom and 75mm
in height.
4-Tamper: A metal tamper weighing 340±15gm and having a flat circular
tamping face 25mm in diameter.
5- Electrical Oven.
6- A container suitable to submerge the sample with water.

Preparation of the test Specimen:-1-Obtain approximately 1kg of the

fine aggregate using sample splitter.
2- Dry it in a suitable pan or vessel to constant weight at 110°C. Allow it to cool to
a comfortable handling temperature, cover with water by immersion and permit to
stand for 24 hours.
3- Decant excess water with care to avoid loss of fines, spread the sample on a
flat nonabsorbent surface exposed to a gently moving current of warm air.
4- Stir frequently to get homogeneous drying until achieving the saturated surface
dry condition. Use cone test for surface moisture.
5- Hold the mold firmly on a smooth nonabsorbent surface with the large
diameter down. Place a portion of partially dried fine aggregate loosely in the
mold by filling it to over following and heaping additional materials above the
top of the mold.
6- Lightly tamp the sand into the mold with 25 light drops of the tamper. Each drop
should start about 5mm above the top surface of the sand. Permit the tamper to fall
freely under gravitational attraction on each drop.
7- Adjust the surface, remove loose sand from the base and lift the mold vertically. If
surface moisture is still present the sand will retain the molded shape. When the
sand slumps slightly, it indicates that it has reached S.S.D condition.
Procedure:-

1 -Weigh 500gm of the S.S.D sample.

2- Partially fill the pycnometer with water. Immediately put into the pycnometer
500gm saturated surface dry aggregate.
3- Then fill with additional water to approximately 90%of capacity.
4- Roll; invert the pycnometer to eliminate all air bubbles.
5-Adjust its temperature to 23±1.7 °C by putting the pycnometer in a water bath for
an hour.
6-Bring the water level in the pycuometer to its calibrated capacity.
7- Determine the total weight of the pycnometer, specimen and water.
8- Remove the fine aggregate from the pycnometer, dry to constant weight at temp.
110±5 C, cool in air at room temperature for one hour, and weigh.
o
9- Determine the weight of the pycnometer filled to its capacity with water at 23 C

Calculations:

1-Calculat the bulk specific gravity as follows:-

Bulk sp. gr. = A / ( B + S – C )

Where: A: Weight of oven —dry specimen in air, (gm).

B: Weight of pycnometer filled with water, (gm)
S: Weight of the saturated surface-dry specimen. (500 gm)
C: Weight of pycnometer with specimen and water to calibration
mark, (gm).

1-Calculat the bulk specific gravity (SSD) as follows:

Bulk sp. gr.(SSD) = S / ( B + S – C )

3- Calculate the apparent Specific Gravity as follows:-

Apparent sp. gr=. A / ( B + A - C )

3-Calculate the percentage of absorption as follows:-

Absorption = [ ( S – A) / A x] 100

Discussion:

1- Comment on the results.

2- Compare the results with the typical values.
3- How can the percentage of absorption affect on a concrete mix?
 Fig.(4) Exposing the
fine aggregate to a
gently moving
current of warm air.

Fig.(5) The fine aggregate is still damp. Fig.(6) The fine aggregate is
in SSD condition.
Test No.4

“Resistance to Degradation of Small-size coarse Aggregate

by Abrasion in the Los Angeles Machine.”
ASTM C 131-81(1987)

Scope of test: This test method cover testing sizes of coarse of (12.5mm)
for resistance to degradation using the Los Angeles testing machine.

Summary of test:

The Los Angeles test is a measure of degradation of mineral aggregates of

standard grading resulting form a combination of actions including abrasion or
attrition, impact, and grinding in a rotating steel drum containing a specified number
of steel spheres, the number depending upon the grading of the test sample. As the
drum rotates a shelf plate picks up the sample and the steel spheres, carrying them
around until they are dropped to the opposite side of the drum, creating an impact-
crushing effect. The contents then roll within thedm with an abrading and grinding
action until the shelf plate impacts and the cycle is repeated. After the prescribed
number of revolutions, the content is removed from the drum and the aggregate
portion is sieved to measure the degradation as percent loss.

Materials:
O
The test sample shall be washed and oven-dried at (105-110) C and
separated into individual size fractions and recombined to the grading of table (1)
most nearly corresponding to the range of sizes in the aggregate as furnished for the
work.

Apparatus:-
1. Los Angeles Machine.
2. Sieves.
3. Balance accurate to 0.5 gm.
4. Oven. And containers.

5. Charge – The Charge must consist of steel spheres averaging (46.8mm) in

diameter and each weighing between 390 to 445gm. The charge, depending upon
the grading of the test sample as follows:
Grading No: of spheres Wt of charge (gm)

A 12 5000+25

B 11 4584+25

C 8 3330+20

D 6 2500+15

Procedure:

1. Put the sample of coarse aggregate in an oven at 105°C to get oven-dry sample.
2. Prepare the sample, then Weigh and record its weight to the nearest 1gm.
3.Placc the test sample and charge in the Los Angeles testing
machine and rotate the machine at 30to33 round/mm for 500
revolutions.
4. Discharge the material from the machine and make preliminary separation of the
sample a sieve coarser then (1.7mm).The finer portion shall then be sieved on a
1.7mm sieve.
o
5. The material coarser then the 1.7mm sieve shall be washed, oven dried at 105 C
to substantially constant weight, and weighed to
the nearest 5gm.

Calculations:

%Abrasion = wt of the initial sample- wt of retained of 1.7mm sieve x 100

Wt of initial sample

Or = wt of passing sieve (1.7mm) x 100

wt. of initial sample

Note:

ASTM Specifications C33-86 requires that the abrasion percent should not
exceed 50% for coarse aggregate used in concrete mixes.
Table (1): Grading of test samples:

Sieve size (mm) Weight of indicated sizes (gm)

Grading
Passing Retained
A B C D
on
37.5 25 1250+25 - - -
25 19 1250+25 - - -
19 12.5 1250+10 2500+10 - -
12.5 9.5 1250+10 2500+10 - -
9.5 6.3 - - 2500+10 -
6.3 4.75 - - 2500+10 -
4.75 2.36 - - - 5000+10
Total 5000+10 5000+10 5000+10 5000+10

Fig. (7) The

Los Angeles
Machine.
 AGGREGATE CRUSHING STRENGTH TEST
Theory and Scope:
This is one of the major Mechanical properties required in a road stone. The test
evaluates the ability of the Aggregates used in road construction to withstand the stresses
induced by moving vehicles in the form of crushing. With this the aggregates should also
provide sufficient resistance to crushing under the roller during construction and under
rigid tyre rims of heavily loaded animal drawn vehicles.
The crushing strength or aggregate crushing value of a given road aggregate is
found out as per IS-2386 Part- 4.
The aggregate crushing value provides a relative measure of resistance to crushing
under a gradually applied compressive load. To achieve a high quality of pavement
aggregate possessing low aggregate crushing value should be preferred.
The aggregate crushing value of the coarse aggregates used for cement concrete
pavement at surface should not exceed 30% and aggregates used for concrete other than for
wearing surfaces, shall not exceed 45% as specified by Indian Standard (IS) and Indian
Road Congress (IRC).

Aim: To determine crushing strength of a given aggregate as per IS: 2386 part - IV

Apparatus:
.,/ A steel cylinder of internal diameter 15.2 cm (Steel cylinder with open ends) .,/
A square base plate, plunger having a piston diameter of 15 cm .
.,/ A cylindrical measure of internal diameter of 11.5 and height 18
cms . .,/ Steel tamping rod having diameter of 1.6 cms length 45 to 60
cms . .,/ Balance of capacity 3 kg with accuracy up to 1 gm .
.,/ Compression testing machine capable of applying load of 40 tonnes at a loading

rate of 4 tonnes per minute

Procedure:

~ The aggregate in surface-dry condition before testing and passing 12.5 mm sieve
and retained on 10 mm sieve is selected.
~ The cylindrical measure is filled by the test sample of the aggregate in three
layers of approximately equal depth, each layer being tamped 25 times by the
rounded end of the tamping rod.
~ After the third layer is tamped, the aggregates at the top of the cylindrical
measure are leveled off by using the tamping rod as a straight edge. Then the
test sample is weighed. Let that be WI gm.
~ Then the cylinder of test apparatus is kept on the base plate and one third of the
sample from cylindrical measure is transferred into cylinder and tamped 25
times by rounded end of the tamping rod.
~ Similarly aggregate in three layers of approximately equal depth, each layer
being tamped 25 times by rounded end of the tamping rod.
~ Then the cylinder with test sample and plunger in position is placed on
compression testing machine.
~ Load is then applied through the plunger at a uniform rate of 4 tonnes per
minute until the total load is 40 tonnes and the load is released.
~ Aggregates including the crushed position are removed from the cylinder and
sieved on a 2.36mm IS. sieve and material which passes this sieve is collected
and weighed. Let this be W2 gm.
~ The above step is repeated with second sample of the same aggregate. The two
tests are made for the same specimen for taking an average value.
~ Total weight of dry sample taken is WI gm weight of the portion of
crushed material passing 2.36mm IS sieve be W2 gm.
Then the aggregate crushing value is defined as the ratio of weight of fines
passing the specified IS sieve to the total weight of the sample (WI).
Aggregate crushing value = 100*W2/WI%
Aggregate Crushing Test Apparatus

Crushing Test in Progress

Observation and Calculation:

Weight of fines Total weight

Average aggregate Aggregate
crushing strength crushing value passing of dry Trials
2.36mm IS aggregate
value %
sieve, w2gm sample 10 gm

Aggregate crushing value = 100*W2/Wl.

Result:
The mean (average) of the crushing value aggregate is ______________________ %
Viva voce:
1. What do you understand by the term "Ten percent Fines value"?
2. Define aggregate crushing value and how crushing strength test is carried out on
cylindrical stone specimen explain.
3. What is the use or application of the aggregate crushing test?
Reference:
2. Indian Standard Methods of Test for Aggregate for concrete IS: 2386 Part-IV,
Indian Standards Institution.
3. Indian Standard Specifications for Coarse and Fine Aggregate from Natural
Sources for Concrete, IS: 383 Indian Standards Institution.
4. S.K. Khanna, C.E.G. Justo, Highway Material Testing Laboratory Manual, Nem
Chand & Bros., Roorkee.
 ABRASION TEST

Theory and Scope:

Abrasion is a measure of resistance to wear or hardness. It is an essentially property for
road aggregates especially when used in wearing coarse. Due to the movements of traffic,
the road stones used in the surfacing course are subjected to wearing actions at the top.
When traffic moves on the road the soil particle (sand) which comes between the wheel and
road surface causes abrasion on the road stone. The abrasion test on
aggregate is found as per I.S.-2386 part-IV.
Abrasion tests on aggregates are generally carried out by anyone of the
following methods-
1. Los Angeles abrasion test.
2. Deval abrasion test.
3. Dorry abrasion test.

Los Angeles Abrasion Test: - The principle of Los Angeles abrasion test is to find the
percentage wear due to the relative rubbing action between the aggregates and steel balls
used as abrasive charge pounding action of these balls also exist while conducting the test.
Maximum Allowable Los Angeles Abrasion Values of Aggregates in Different types of
pavement layers as per Indian Road Congress (IRC) are:-
For sub-base course a value of 60%. For base course such as WBM, Bituminous
Macadam (B.M.), Built - Up spray grout base course and etc. value of 50%.
For surface course such as WBM, BM, Bituminous Penetration Macadam, Built-Up
spray grout binder course and etc. a value of 40%.
If aggregates are used in surface course as Bituminous carpet, Bituminous surface dressing,

single or two coats, cement concrete surface coarse and etc. a value of 35%.
 If aggregates are used for Bituminous concrete, Cement concrete pavement
as surface coarse than aggregate abrasion value of 30% maximum.
Aim: To determine the abrasion value of given aggregate sample by conducting Los
Angeles abrasion Test.

Apparatus:
1/' Los Angeles machine with inside diameter 70cm and inside length of
50%.Abrasive charges.
1/' L S Sieve with 1.7mm opening.
1/' Weighting Balance ofO.1gm accuracy.

Procedure:

~ Clean and dry aggregate sample confirming to one of the grading A to G is used
for the test. (Refer table no. 1)
~ Aggregates weighing 5Kg for grading A, B, C or D and 10Kg for gradings E, F
or G may be taken as test specimen and placed in the cylinder.
~ The abrasive charge is also chosen in accordance with table no. 1 and placed in
the cylinder of the machine, and cover is fixed to make dust tight.
~ The machine is rotated at a speed of30 to 33 revolutions per minute.
~ The machine is rotated for 500 revolutions for gradings A, B, C and D, for
gradings E, F and G, it shall be rotated for 1000 revolutions.
~ After the desired number of revolutions, the machine is stopped and the material
is discharged from the machine taking care to take out entire stone dust.
~ Using a sieve of size larger than 1.70mm LS sieve, the material is first separated
into two parts and the finer position is taken out and sieved further on a 1.7mm
L S sieve.
~ Let the original weight of aggregate be Wlgm, weight of aggregate retained on
1.70mm L S sieve after the test be W2gm.
 1
Concrete and Highway Materials Testing Laboratory 1

lV,-W
1 2
Los Angeles abrasion value %= w, xlOO .

Schematic Diagram of Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine

Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine

 Observation and Calculation:

Trail 2 Trail 1
Average Details of Sample

Weight of Specimen = WIg

Weight of Specimen after abrasion test, coarser
thanl. 70 mm IS sieve = W 2 g
Percentage wear = «WI- W2) I WI) * 100
 TABLE NO.1

Abrasive Charge. Weight in grams of each test sample in the size range, mm (passing and retained on Square
holes) ~

Weight of No. of "'"

4.75-2.36 6.3-4.75 10-6.3 12.5-10 20-12.5 25-20 40-25 50-40 63-50 80-63 CJ
charge, g Spheres
5000± 25 12 - - - 1250 1250 1250 1250 - - - A
4584± 25 11 - - - 2500 2500 - - - - - B
3330± 20 8 - 2500 2500 - - - - - - - C
2500± 15 6 5000 - - - - - - - - - D
5000± 25 12 - - - - - - - 5000 2500 2500 E
5000± 25 12 - - - - - - 5000 5000 - - F
5000± 25 12 - - - - - 5000 5000 - - - G
Result:
The average value of two Los Angeles abrasion test is ___________________ %

Viva voce:

1. The abrasion value found from Los Angeles test for two aggregates A and B are 50% and
38% respectively. Which aggregate is harder? Why? For what types of constructions are
these suitable?
2. Why Los Angeles abrasion test is considered superior to the other form of tests which are
used to determine the hardness of aggregates?
3. Two materials have abrasion values 3 and 10 respectively. Which one is harder and why?
Reference:

1. Indian Standard Methods of Test for Aggregate for concrete IS: 2386 Part-IV, Indian
Standards Institution.
2. Indian Standard Specifications for Coarse and Fine Aggregate from Natural Sources for
Concrete, IS: 383 Indian Standards Institution.
3. S.K. Khanna, C.E.G. Justo, Highway Material Testing Laboratory Manual, Nem Chand &
Bros., Roorkee.
 IMPACT TEST
Theorv and Scope:
Toughness is the property of a material to easiest impact. Due to moving loads the aggregates
are subjected to pounding action or impact and there is possibility of stones breaking into smaller
pieces. Therefore a test designed to evaluate the toughness of stones i.e., the resistance of the stones
to fracture under repeated impacts may be called Impact test on aggregates. The test can also be
carried on cylindrical stone specimen known as Page Impact test. The aggregate Impact test has been
standardized by Indian Standard Institution. The aggregate impact test is conducted as per IS-2386
Part IV.
The aggregate Impact value indicates a relative measure of the resistance of aggregate to a
sudden shock or an Impact, which in some aggregates differs from its resistance to a slope
compressive load in crushing test. A modified Impact test is also often carried out in the case of soft
aggregates to find the wet Impact value after soaking the test sample.
Various agencies have specified the maximum permissible aggregate Impact values for the
different types of pavements. IRC has specified the following values.
The maximum allowable aggregate Impact value for water bound Macadam; Sub-Base coarse
50% where as cement concrete used in base course is 45%. WBM base course with

Bitumen surface in should be 40%. Bituminous Macadam base course should have A.I.V of 35%.
All the surface courses should possess an A.I.V below 30%.

Aim: To determine the aggregate impact value of given aggregate as per I.S-2386 Part IV.

Apparatus: The apparatus consists of an

.,/ Impact testing machine: The machine consists of a metal base. A detachable
cylindrical steel cup of internal diameter 10.2cm and depth 5cm. A metal hammer of
weight between 13.5 to 14Kg, lOcm in diameter and 5cm long. An arrangement for
raising the hammer and allow it to fall freely between vertical guides from a height of
38cm on the test sample in the cup.
 .,/ A cylindrical metal measure having 7.5cm and depth of 5cm for measuring aggregates .
.,/ A tamping rod of circular cross section, lcm in diameter and 23cm long, rounded at
one end .

.,/ I.S. sieve of sizes 12.5mm, lOmm and 2.36mm .

.,/ Balance of capacity not less than 500gm to weigh accurate up to O.Olgm.

Procedure:

~ The test sample consists of aggregates passing 12.5mm sieve and retained on lOmm
sieve and dried in an oven for 4 hours at a temperature of 100 C to 110 C.
~ The aggregates are filled upto about 1/3 full in the cylindrical measure and tamped 25
times with rounded end of the tamping rod.
~ The rest of the cylindrical measure is filled by two layers and each layer being tamped
25 times.
~ The overflow of aggregates in cylindrically measure is cut offby tamping rod using it has a
straight edge.
~ Then the entire aggregate sample in a measuring cylinder is weighted nearing to O.Olgm.
~ The aggregates from the cylindrical measure are carefully transferred into the cup which is
firmly fixed in position on the base plate of machine. Then it is tamped 25 times.
~ The hammer is raised until its lower face is 38cm above the upper surface of aggregates in the cup and
allowed to fall freely on the aggregates. The test sample is subjected to a total of 15 such blows each
being delivered at an interval of not less than one second. The crushed aggregate is than removed
from the cup and the whole of it is sieved on 2.366mm sieve until no significant amount passes. The
fraction passing the sieve is weighed accurate to O.lgm. Repeat the above steps with other fresh
sample.
 ~ Let the original weight of the oven dry sample be Wlgm and the weight of fraction passing
2.36mm I.S sieve be W2gm. Then aggregate Impact value is expressed as the % of fines
formed in terms of the total weight of the sample.
100 * w
Aggregate Impact Value = 2 %.
WI

Aggregate Impact Testing Machine

Observation and Calculation:
 Sl.
Trail 2 Trail 1
Average Details of Sample No.

Total Weight of aggregate sample filling the cylinder 1

measure = WIg
Weight of aggregate passing 2.36 mm sieve after the test 2

=W2g
Weight of aggregate retained 2.36 mm sieve after the 3

test = W 2 g
(WI- W2 + W3) 4

Aggregate Impact Value = (W2! WI) * 100 Percent 5

Result:
The mean A.I.V is %.

Viva voce:
1. How is aggregate Impact expressed?
2. What do you understand by dry and wet Impact value?
3. Aggregate Impact value of material A is 15 and that of B is 35. Which one is better for surface

course?

Reference:

1. Indian Standard Methods of Test for Aggregate for concrete IS: 2386 Part-IV, Indian
Standards Institution.
2. Indian Standard Specifications for Coarse and Fine Aggregate from Natural Sources for
Concrete, IS: 383 Indian Standards Institution.
3. S.K. Khanna, C.E.G. Justo, Highway Material Testing Laboratory Manual, Nem Chand & Bros.,

Roorkee.
 SHAPE TEST (Flakiness Index)
Theorv and Scope:
The particle shape of aggregate is determined by the percentages of flaky and elongated
particles contained in it. In case of gravel it is determined by its Angularity Number. Flakiness and
Elongation tests are conducted on coarse aggregates to assess the shape of aggregates. Aggregates
which are flaky or elongated are detrimental to the higher workability and stability of mixes. They are
not conducive to good interlocking and hence the mixes with an excess of such particles are difficult
to compact to the required degree. For base coarse and construction of bituminous and cement
concrete types, the presence of flaky and elongated particles are considered undesirable as they may
cause inherent weakness with probabilities of breaking down under heavy loads. Rounded aggregates
are preferred in cement concrete road construction as the workability of concrete improves. Angular
shape of particles are desirable for granular base coarse due to increased stability derived from the
better interlocking when the shape of aggregates deviates more from the spherical shape, as in the
case of angular, flaky and elongated aggregates, the void content in an aggregate of any specified size
increases and hence the grain size distribution of the graded aggregates has to be suitably altered in
order to obtain minimum voids in the dry mix or the highest dry density. It is determined according to
the procedure laid down in IS-2386 (pART-I).

FLAKINESS INDEX: The flakiness index of aggregates is the percentage by particles whose least

dimension (thickness) is less than 3/S th (0.6) of their mean dimension. The test is not applicable to
sizes smaller than 6.3mm.

ELONGATION INDEX: The elongation index of an aggregate is the percentage by weight of

particles whose greatest dimension (length) is greater than 1 and 4/S th times (1.8 times) their mean
dimensions. The elongation test is not applicable to sizes smaller than 6.3mm.
ANGULARITY NUMBER: The angularity number of an aggregate is the amount by which the
percentage voids exceeds 33 after being compacted in a prescribed manner. The minimum allowable
combined index of aggregates used in surface course in different types of pavement is 30%.

Aim: - To determine the flakiness Index of a given aggregates sample.

Apparatus: - The apparatus consists of a standard thickness gauge, I.S. sieves of sizes 63, 50,
40,31.5,25,20, 16, 12.5, 10 and 6.3mm and a balance to weigh the samples.
Procedure:
~ The sample is sieved with the sieves mentioned in the table.
~ A minimum of 200 pieces of each fraction to be tested are taken and weighed (wlgm).

~ In order to separate flaky materials, each fraction is then gauged for thickness on thickness gauge,
or in bulk on sieve having elongated slots as specified in the table.
~ Then the amount of flaky material passing the gauge is weighed to an accuracy of atleast 0.1 %
of test sample.
~ Let the weight of the flaky materials passing the gauge be wlgm. Similarly the weights of the
fractions passing and retained on the specified sieves be wI, w2, w3,
etc. are weighed and the total weight wI +w2+w3+ ...................... = wg is found. Also the weights
of the materials passing each of the specified thickness gauge are found = WI, W2, W3

... and the total weight of the material passing the different thickness
gauges = WI+W2+W3+ ................ =Wg is found.
~ Then the flakiness index is the total weight of the flaky material passing the various
thickness gauges expressed as a percentage of the total weight of the sample gauged

F l aki Id (WI + W2 + W3 + ......... ) 100

ness n ex = (~ +
W
W; + ~ + ..........
--------
x )
= -x100 %

W
 Thickness Gauge

Flakiness Index Test in Progress

Observation and Calculation:

Weight of SIZE OF AGGREGATE

Weight of the
aggregates in fraction THICKNESS
each fraction GAUGE (0.6 PASSING
consisting of RETAINED ON
TIMES THE MEAN
passing THROUGH I.S.
atleast 200 I.S. SIEVE mm
thickness SIEVE) mm SIEVE mm
pieces in gm.
gauge, gm.
33.90 50 63
27.00 40 50
19.50 25 40
16.95 25 31.5
13.50 20 25
10.80 16 20
8.55 12.5 16
6.75 10.0 12.5
4.89 6.3 10

Result: The flakiness index of the given sample of aggregates is _________________%.

 SHAPE TEST (Elongation Index)

Aim: To determine the Elongation Index of the given aggregate sample.

Apparatus: Length gauge, I.S-sieves as gIven ill the table and a balance of accuracy 0.01 Gm.

Procedure:
~ The sample is sieved through I. S-sieves specified in the table. A minimum of 200
aggregate pieces of each fraction is taken and weighed.
~ Each fraction is thus gauged individually for length in a length gauge. The gauge length
is used should be those specified in the table for the appropriate material.
~ The pieces of aggregates from each fraction tested which could not pass through the
specified gauge length with its long side are elongated particles and they are collected
separately to find the total weight of aggregate retained on the length gauge from each
fraction.
~ The total amount of elongated material retained by the length gauge is weighed to an
accuracy of atleast 0.1 % of the weight of the test sample.
~ The weight of each fraction of aggregate passing and retained on specified sieves
sizes are found - WI, W2, W3, ............................... And the total weight of sample determined
= WI + W 2+ W 3+ ............................ = W g. Also the weights of material from each fraction
retained on the specified gauge length are found = Xl, X2, X3 ... and the total
weight retained determined = Xl +X2+X3+ ........... = X gm.
~ The elongation index is the total weight of the material retained on the various length
gauges, expressed as a percentage of the total weight of the sample gauged.
. Ind (Xl + X2 + X3 + ................................) 100
E

ongatlOn ex = -------) x.
(~+W; +~ + .....
 Length Gauge

Elongation Index Test in Progress

Observation and Calculation:

Weight of SIZE OF AGGREGATE

Weight of the
aggregates in fraction LENGTH
each fraction GAUGE (1.8 PASSING
consisting of RETAINED ON
retained on TIMES THE MEAN THROUGH I.S.
atleast 200 I.S. SIEVE mm
length gauge, SIEVE) mm SIEVE mm
pieces in gm.
gm.
- 50 63
81.00 40 50
58.50 25 40
- 25 31.5
40.50 20 25
32.40 16 20
25.60 12.5 16
20.20 10.0 12.5
14.70 6.3 10

Result: The elongation index of a given sample of aggregate is _____________________ %.

 SHAPE TEST (Anf!Ularitv Number)

Aim: To determine the Angularity Number of the given aggregate sample.

Apparatus:
1. The apparatus consists of a metal cylinder closed at one end and of about 3 liter capacity.
The diameter and height of this being approximately equal i.e., about 15.64cms diameter
and 15.64cms height.
2. A metal tamping rod of circular cross section 1.6cms in diameter and 60cms in length
rounded at one end.

3. I.S. sieves of sizes 20, 16, 5, 10, 6.3 and 4.75mm and balance of capacity IOkg to weigh upto
O.lgm.

Procedure:

~ Metal cylinder is calibrated by determining the weight of water at 27°C required to fill it, so
that no meniscers is present above the rim of the container.
~ The sample of single size aggregate retained between the specified pair of sieves is dried in an
oven at a temperature 100°C to 110°C for 24 hours and cooled prior to testing.
~ The aggregates are placed in the cylinder and subjected to 100 blows of the tamping rod at a
rate of about 2 blows per second. Each blow is applied by holding the rod vertically with its
rounded end 5cms above the surface of the aggregates and releasing it so that it falls
vertically and no force is applied to the rod.
~ The process of filling and tamping is repeated exactly as described above with a second and
third layer of aggregate.
~ After the third layer is tamped, the cylinder is filled to over flowing and the aggregates are
struck off level with the top using a tamping rod as a straight edge.
~ The aggregate with cylinder is then weighed accurately.
~ All the above steps are repeated on another sample and averages of two are represented.
 ~ The angularity number is calculated from the formula,
. lOOW
AngularIty Number = 67 - -- where,
CG

W = Mean weight of aggregates in the cylinder, gm. C =

Weight of water required in the cylinder, gm.
G = Specific gravity of aggregate.

Observation and Calculation:

Average Trail 2 Trailt Details of Sample

Weight of aggregate filling the cylinder to the
nearest five grams

Result: The angularity number of given aggregate sample = ___________________ _

Viva Voce:
1. Explain what is meant by flaky and elongated particles?
2. Explain Angularity Number. How is it found?
3. What do you understand by the term Combined Index?
Reference:

1. Indian Standard Methods of Test for Aggregate for concrete IS: 2386 Part-I, Indian Standards
Institution.
2. Indian Standard Specifications for Coarse and Fine Aggregate from Natural Sources for
Concrete, IS: 383 Indian Standards Institution.
3. S.K. Khanna, C.E.G. Justo, Highway Material Testing Laboratory Manual, Nem Chand &
Bros., Roorkee.
Test No.5

“Unit Weight and Voids in Aggregate in its compacted

or loose condition”

(ASTM C 29 – 89)

Scope: This test method covers the determination of unit weight in a compacted or
loose condition and calculation of voids in fine and coarse aggregates. This test
method is applicable to aggregates not exceeding (100mm) in N.M.S.

Materials:
Sample of, preferably, oven dry fine aggregate and an other of oven-dry
coarse aggregate.

Apparatus:-
1. A balance accurate to 0.5gm.
2. Measure: A cylindrical metal measure preferably provided with handles.
Its capacity shall conform to the limits below:
3
N.M.S (mm) Capacity of measure (m )

12.5 0.0028

25 0.0093

37.5 0.014

100 0.028

Note: - The indicated size measure may be used to test aggregate of

N.M.S equal to or smaller than that listed.

3. Tamping Rod (A round, straight steel rod (l6mm) in diameter and

approximately 600mm in length with a rounded to a hemispherical tip.
4. Containers and shovel or scoop.
Procedure:

A- Calibration of the measure:

1- Fill the measure with water at room temperature and cover with a piece of plate
glass in such away as to eliminate bubbles and excess water. 2- Determine the weight
of the water in the measure.

3-Measure the temperature of water and determine its density from table below:-

Density of water

0 3
Temperature ( C) Density (kg/m )
15.6 999.01

18.3 998.54

21.1 997.97

23 997.54

23.9 997.32

26.7 996.59

29.4 995.83

Note: Use interpolating if necessary.

4- Calculate the volume, V of the measure by dividing the weight of water required to
fill the measure by its density.

B- Procedure of the test:-

1. Weigh the cylinder (empty).

2. Fill the cylinder to overflowing by means of a shovel or scoop, discharging the

aggregate from a height not to exceed 50mm above the top the cylinder edge.
Exercise care to prevent, so far as possible, segregation of the particle sizes of
which the sample in composed. Level the surface of the aggregate with the
fingers or straight edge in such way that any slight projections of the larger
pieces of the coarse aggregate approximately balance the larger voids in the
surface below the top of the cylinder

3. Determine the weight of the measure plus its contents, and calculate the
weight of the aggregate by subtracting the empty weight of the cylinder.
 4. Empty the cylinder and refill it again to one third of its height and rod the
layer of aggregate with (25) strokes of the tamping rod evenly distributed over
the surface. Fill the cylinder two-thirds full and again level and rod as
previous. Finally, of the cylinder to overflowing and rod again in the manner
previously mentioned. Level the surface of the aggregate with the fingers or a
straight edge in such away as that mentioned in (step 3).
5. In Roding the first layer, do not allow the rod to strike the bottom of the
measure forcibly. In Roding the second layer and third layer, use only enough
force to cause the tamping rod to penetrate the previous layer of aggregate.

6. Determine the weight of the measure plus its contents and calculate the wt.
Of aggregate.
7. Repeat the same procedure for the fine aggregate sample.

Calculations:

1-Unit weight: calculate the unit weight for the rodding or shoveling procedure

follows:- M = ( G-T )/ V

Where :-
3
M= unit weight of the aggregate (kg/m )
G= Weight of the aggregate plus the cylinder (kg)
T= Weight of the empty cylinder (kg)
3
V= Volume of the cylinder (m )

Note: The unit weight determined by this test method is for aggregate in an oven-
dry condition.

2-Void content:- Calculate the void content in the aggregate using the unit
weight determined by either the rodding or shoveling procedure as follows:

%void= (S )(W) – (M) x100

( S) (W)

Where S= bulk specific gravity (from tests 2+3)

3
W= density of water (1000kg/m )
3-Put your results in a table like that shown below.

Coarse Aggregate Fine Aggregate

Loose Compacted Loose Compacted
Unit weight
3
kg/m

%Voids

Note:
Normal-Weight aggregate density: (1280-1920) kg/m3

Fig.(8) The cylindrical metal measures for the fine and coarse aggregates
Test No.6

“Sieve Analysis of fine and coarse aggregates”

(ASTM C 136-84a)

Scope: This method covers the determination of the particle size distribution the fine
and coarse aggregate by sieving.

Materials:
1. The weight of test sample of fine aggregate shall be, after drying, approximately
(500 gm).
2. The weight of test sample of coarse aggregate shall conform with the following:
N.M.S (mm) Minimum Weight (kg)

9.5 1

12.5 2

19 5

25 10

37.5 15

Apparatus:

1. Balance: For fine aggregate accurate for 0.5gm.

For coarse aggregate accurate for 0.5gm.
2. Containers to carry the sample.
3. Oven.
4. Mechanical Sieve shaker.
5. Two sets of sieve:-For fine aggregate [ No.4 , No.8, No.16 , No.30 ,
No.50, No.100]
For coarse aggregate [37.5mm , 19mm ,9.5mm, No.4 , No.8]
In addition to a pan and a cover for each set.

Procedure:
1- Put the sample in the oven at 110°C.
2-Determine the empty weight for each sieve and record.
3-Nest the sieve in order of decreasing size of opening from top to bottom place the
sample on the top sieve.

4- Agitate (shake) the sieve by placing the set on the mechanical shaker for 10min.
5- Open the set of sieve carefully so that no loosing of materials is expected.
6-Weigh each sieve with the residue record its weight.
7- Tabulate your data in a suitable shape.
8. Make sure that the summation of the residue weights equals to the original
sample weight with a difference not more than 1% of the original weight.
9-The table should contain:-

No. of Sieve Sieve Residue Residue % Cum %

sieve empty Wt +residue Wt Wt % Residue Passing

10-Fineness Modulus for fine aggregate can be determined as:

- F.M. = Σ cumulative residue percentage
100

It must be within-(2.6 - 3.1) for sand.

Notes:

1-The sieves dimensions are:

No. of sieve 100 50 30 16 8 4 3/8'' 1/2'' 3/4'' 1'' 1.5''

Size of
opening 0.150 0.3 0.6 1.18 2.36 4.75 9.5 12.5 19 25.4 37.5
(mm)

2- The results must be companied with ASTM Specification [C33-99a]

a- For Fine aggregate:

Sieve No. Sieve size % Passing

3/4'' 1.9mm 100
No.4 4.75mm 95-100
No.8 2.36mm 80-100
No.16 1.18mm 50-85
No.30 0.600mm 25-60
No.50 0.3mm 10-30
No.100 0.15mm 2-10

b- For Coarse aggregate: See table (2).

Fig. (9) The Mechanical Sieve Shaker.
Cement Testing
Test No.7

“Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by No.100 or No. 200 Sieve”

(ASTM C 184-83)

Scope: This test method covers determination of the finesses of hydraulic cement by
means of the 150 µm (No.100) and 75µm (No.200) sieves.

Apparatus:-
1. Sieve:- Standard 150 µm (No.100) or 75µm (No.200) sieves.
2. Balance and weights.
3. Brush: a bristle brush will be required for use in cleaning the 150 µm or 75µm
sieve.
4. A pan and a cover for the sieve.

Procedure:
1. Place 50-gm sample of the cement on the clean, dry (No.100) or (No.200) sieve
with the pan attached.
2. While holding the sieve and uncovered pan in both hands, sieve with a gentle
wrist motion until most of the fine material has passed through and the residue
looks fairly clean.13 or 4 minutes.
3. Place the cover on the sieve and remove the pan.

4.With the sieve and cover held firmly in one hand, gently tap the side of the sieve
with the handle of the brush used for cleaning the sieve.

5.Empty the pan and wipe it out with a cloth, replace the sieve in the pan and
carefully remove the cover .

6. Continue sieving without the cover for 5 to 10 min. Or until not more than
(0.05gm) of the material passes through in 1 minutes of continuous sieving.
7.Carefully open the set and transfer the residue on the sieve to a white clean paper,
and record the weight.
8. Calculate the percentage residue as:

% residue = wt. of residue x 100

50
9. Specifications requires that %retained on sieve (No.200) Shall not exceed 22%.
and on sieve (No.100) not more than 10%.
Test No.8

“Normal Consistency of Hydraulic Cement”

ASTM ( C 187-86)

Scope: This test method cover the determination of the normal consistency of
hydraulic cement. That is by determining the amount of water required to prepare
cement pastes for Initial and final time of setting test.

Apparatus:
1.Weight and weighing devices.
2. Glass graduates (200 or 250) ml capacity.
3. Vicat apparatus with the plunger end, 10 mm in diameter.
4.Electrical mixer , trowel and containers.
5. Mixing glass plate 30cm x 30cm.

Procedure:

1- Place the dry paddle and the dry bowl in the mixing position in the
mixer.
2- Place all the mixing water in the bowl.

3- Add the cement to the water and allow 30 s for a absorption of the water.

4- Start the mixer at low speed for 30 s

5- Stop for (15 s) and make sure no materials have collected on the sides of the
bowel.
6- Start mixing at medium speed for (1 min).

7- Quickly form the cement paste into the approximate shape of a ball with
gloved hands
8- Putting hand at (15cm) distance, throw the cement paste ball from hand to
hand six times.
9- Press the ball into the larger end of the conical ring, completely fill the ring
with paste.
10-Remove the excess at the larger end by a single movement of the palm of the
hand. Place the ring on its larger end on the base of the plate of Vicat
apparatus.
 11- Slice off the excess paste at the smaller end at the top of the ring by a single
sharp- ended trowel and smooth the top. (Take care not to compress the paste).

12-Center the paste under the plunger end which shall be brought in contact with
the surface of the paste, and tighten the set-screw.
13- Set the movable indicator to the upper zero mark of the scale or take an
initial reading, and release the rod immediately. This must not exceed 30
seconds after completion of mixing.
14- The paste shall be of normal consistency when the rod settles to a point
10±1mm below the original surface in 30 seconds after being released.

15- . Make trial paste with varying percentages of water until the
normal consistency is obtained. Make each trial with fresh cement.
16- . Prepare a table in the form:

W/c Weight of cement Water Volume Penetration (mm)

(gm) (ml)
24%
26%
28%
30%

17. Draw the penetration — w/c curve.

pent.(mm)

w/c
18. From the curve state the w/c% which will give (10mm), that is the percentage
for Normal Consistency.

Fig.(10) The Vicat Apparatus.

Test No. 9

“Initial and Final Time of Setting of Cement”

(ASTM C191-82)
Scope: This test covers determination of the time of Setting of cement by means of
the Vicat needle.

Apparatus:
1. Vicat Apparatus with the needle end, 1mm in diameter.
2. Weights and weighing Device.
3. Glass Graduates (200 or 250) ml capacity.
4. A trowel and containers.

Procedure:
1. Weigh (400) gm cement.
2. Prepare amount of water as to that calculated in normal consistency test.
3. Prepare a cement paste following same steps mentioned in the previous test (test
No. 9). Place in Vicat conical ring like test No. 9. Don't forget to record the
time since the cement is added to the water.
4. Allow the time of setting specimen to remain in the moist cabinet for 30 minutes
after molding without being disturbed. Determine the Penetration of the 1mm
needle at this time and every (15) minutes until a penetration of 25mm or less is
obtained
5. To read the penetration, lower the needle of Vicat Apparatus until it touches the
surface of the cement paste. Tighten the screw and take an initial reading. Release
the set screw and allow the needle to settle for 30 seconds, and then take the
reading to determine the penetration.
6. Note that no penetration shall be made closer than (6mm) from any previous
penetration and no penetration shall be made closer than (9.5mm) from the inside
of the mold. Record the results of all penetration, then by drawing a curve
determine the time when a penetration of 25 mm is obtained. This is the initial
setting time
7. The final setting time is when the needle dose not sinks visible into the paste.
8. Draw a graph for (penetration — time). Show the time which gives penetration of
(25 mm) this will be the initial setting time.

Note:

According to ASTM C150:

Initial time of setting, not less than 45 min.

Final time of setting, not more than 375 min.

Test No.10

“Density and Specific Gravity of cement”

(ASTM C188-87)
Scope:
This test covers determination of the density of cement and its specific gravity.
The density of cement is defined as the mass of a unit volume of the solids.

Apparatus:
1- Le chatelire flask: the standard flask which is circular in cross section with special
shape and dimensions
2- Kerosene, free of water.
3- Balance.
4- Holder.
5- Water bath.

Procedure:
1- Fill the flask with Kerosene to a point on the stem between 0 and 1ml mark.
2- Put the flask in the water bath at a constant temperature for a sufficient period of
time in order to avoid flask temperature variations greater than 0.2 °C between
the initial and final readings.
3- Record the final reading on the flask.
4- Prepare (64) gm of cement weighed to the nearest (0.05) gm and place it in the
flask in small increments. Take care to avoid splashing and see that the cement
dose not adheres to the inside of the flask above the liquid.
5- After all the cement has been introduced, place the stopper in the flask and roll the
flask in an inclined position so as to free the cement from air until no further air
bubbles rise to the surface of the liquid.
6- Put the flask in the water bath as in step (2).
7- Take the final reading.

Calculations:
1- The difference between the first and the final readings represents the volume
of liquid displaced by the mass of cement used in the test.
2- Calculate the cement density ρ as:

ρcement = Mass of cement

Volume

Specific Gravity = ρ cement / ρ water

Fig.(11) Le Chatelire flask.
Test No. 11

“Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars''

''Using 50 mm Cube Specimens”

( ASTM C109-88 )

Scope
This test method covers determination of the compressive strength of
cement mortars, using 2 in ( 50 mm ) cube specimens.

Apparatus
1- Weights and weighing device.
2- Glass Graduate .
3- Specimens molds: three cubes of (50mm) side.
4- Mixer ( electrically driven mechanical mixer of the type
equipped with paddle and mixing bowl).
5- Testing machine.
6- Tamper and trowel.

Materials:

Graded standard sand should be used (C778) . with cement in the

proportion 1 Cement : 2.75 Sand by weight. Use water – cement ratio
of 0.485 for all Portland cements and 0.460 for all air- entraining
Portland cements.

Note: For other than Portland and air- entraining Portland cements,
do flow table test , to determine the amount of mixing water.

Procedure:

A. Preparation of Mortar :-

1. Weigh (300)gm of cement and Prepare the corresponding

weights of standard sand and water.
2. Place the dry paddle and the dry bowl in the mixing position in
the mixer . Then introduce the materials for a batch into the
bowl and mix in the following manner:
i- Place all the mixing water in the bowl.
ii-Add the cement to the water, then start the mixer and mix
at the low speed (140 ± 5 r/ min) for (30 s).
iii-Add the entire quantity of sand slowly over a (30 s) period ,
while mixing at slow speed.

2
 iv- Stop the mixer, change to medium speed (285 +10 r/min) and mix
for 30 s. v-Stop the mixer and let the mortar stand for 1.5 min . During
the first (15 s) of this interval, quickly scrape down into the batch any
mortar that may
have collected on the side of the bowl.

vi-Finish by mixing for (1min) at medium speed.

B-Molding test specimens:

i-Thinly cover the interior faces of the specimen molds with oil.
ii-Start molding the specimens within a total time of not more than 2.5 min
after completion of mixing .
iii-Place a layer of mortar a bout 25 mm (half the depth of the mold ) in all the
cube specimens .
iv- Tamp the mortar in each cube 32 times (4x8) , about 4 rounds , each round to be
at right angles to the other.

8 4
7 3
1 2 65 1 2 65

3 4 87

The tamping pressure shall be just sufficient to insure uniform filling of

the molds.
v- The 4 rounds of taming shall be completed in one cube before going to the next .
vi-When the tamping of the first layer in all cubes is completed , fill the molds with
the remaining mortar and tamp as specified for the first layer .
vii- Cut off the mortar to a plane surface with a straight edge.
viii- Keep the molds in a moist room for 20-24 hours then open them and keep
the specimens in a water basin for a week.

C-Testing specimens:
1- After 7 days (+ 3 hours) , take the specimens out of the basin, dry them with
a clean cloth , put them, one after the other, in the testing machine.
2- The cubes must be put on one side , using extra steel plates up and down
the specimen .
2
3- Start loading in a speed of 1.4 kN /sec or (350 kg /cm ) in a minute
4- When failure, record load and the compressive strength.

Calculations:

1-Table the results:

Cube No. Load(kN) Compressive strength( MPa)

2- Compare with [ ASTM C150-89]: σc ≥ 19.3 MPa [ For type I cement ] age 7 days

3
Fig.(1) The mixer to be used to mix the mortar.

Fig. (2) The specimens molds.

4
Test No. 12

"Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Laboratory"

[ASTM C192-88]

Scope:
This practice cover procedures for making and curing test specimens of concrete
in the laboratory under accurate control of materials and test conditions using
concrete that can be consolidated by rodding or vibration .

Procedure for mixing Concrete :

General :-
1- Mix concrete in a suitable mixer or by hand in batches of such size as to
leave about 10% excess after molding the test specimens .
2- Hand- mixing procedures are not applicable to air-entrained concrete or
concrete with no measurable slump.
3- It is Important not to vary the mixing sequence and procedure from batch to
batch unless the effect of such variation is under study.

Machine Mixing:
1- Put the coarse aggregate in the mixer , add some of the mixing water and
the solution of admixture, when required , [add with water ].
2- Start the mixer, then add the fine aggregate , cement and water with the mixer
running .If it is impractical to add the fine aggregate, cement and water with
the mixer is running , these components may be added to the stopped mixer
after permitting it to turn a few revolutions following charging with coarse
aggregate and some of the water.
3- Mix the concrete, after all integrates are in the mixer, for 3 minutes followed by
3 minutes rest , following by 2-minutes final mixing .

Hand Mixing:-

1-In a watertight ,clean, damp metal pan, mix the cement , insoluble admixture,
if used, and the fine aggregate without addition of water until they are
thoroughly blended.
2- Add the coarse aggregate and mix the entire batch without addition of water
until the coarse aggregate is uniformly distributed throughout the batch .
3-Add water , and the admixture solution if used, and mix the mass until the
concrete is homogenous in appearance and of the desired consistency.
Making Specimens:

1-Place of Molding :
i-Mold specimens as near as practicable to the place where they are to be
stored during the first 24 hours.
ii-Place molds on a rigid surface free from vibration and other disturbances
iii-If it is not practicable to mold the specimens where they will be stored, move
them to the place of storage immediately after being struck off.
2-Placing:-
i-Place the concrete in the molds using a scoop, blunted trowel ,or shovel. Select
each scoopful, trowelful, or shovelful of concrete from the mixing pan to ensure
that it is representative of the batch.
ii-It may be necessary to remix the concrete in the mixing pan with a shovel
to prevent segregation during the molding of specimens.
iii- Move the scoop or trowel a round the top edge of the mold as the concrete
is discharged in order to ensure symmetrical distribution of the concrete
and for minimize segregation of coarse aggregate within the mold.
iv-Further distribute the concrete by use of a tamping rod prior to the start
of consolidation.

3-Number of layers:-
Make specimens, in layer as indicated by the test for which they are prepared
or as [ASTM C 192-table1].

4-Methods of consolidation :-
Preparation of satisfactory specimens requires different methods of consolidation.
The methods of consolidation are:-
i- rodding.
ii-internal vibration.
iii-external vibration.
Hints:
- Rod concretes with slump greater than75mm .
-Rod or vibrate concretes with slump of (25-75mm).
-Consolidate by vibration concrete with slump of less than 25mm.
-Do not use internal vibration for cylinders of 100mm diameter or less and
beams or prisms of 100mm breadth or depth or less.

i-Rodding:
Place the concrete in the mold in the required number of layers of
approximately equal volume .Rod each layer with the rounded end of the rod using
the number of strokes and size of rod specified in table (2) ASTM C 192-88.
Rod the bottom layer throughout its depth. Distribute the strokes uniformly over
the cross-section of the mold and for each upper layer allow the rod to penetrate
about 12mm into the underlying layer when the depth of the layer is less than
100mm and about (25mm) when the depth is (100mm) or more.
After each layer is rodded , tap the outside of the mold lightly 10-15 times with
the mallet to close any holes left by rodding.

9
ii) Vibration

The duration of vibration required will depend upon the workability of

the concrete and the effectiveness of the vibrator.
Continue vibration only long enough to achieve proper consolidation of the
concrete. Fill the molds and vibrate in the required number of approximately equal
layers. Place all the concrete for each layer in the mold before starting vibration of
that layer. Add the final layer, so as to avoid over filling by more than (6 mm).
Then finish the surface.
5- Finishing:
After consolidation, strike off the surface of the concrete and float or trowel
it with a wood or magnesium float.
6- Curing:
1- Covering after finishing: To prevent evaporation of water from the unhardened
concrete cover the specimens immediately after finishing, preferably with a
non-absorptive, non reactive plate.
2- Removal from molds: Remove the specimens from the molds after 24 + 8 hours.
3- Curing Environment: Unless otherwise specified, all specimens shall be moist
o
cured at 23 + 1.7 C from the time of molding until the moment of test.

Fig. (5) The mechanical mixer for concrete.

Fig.(6) The cubic mold specimen. Fig.(7) The cylindrical mold.

10
Concrete Testing
Test No. 13:

“The Slump of hydraulic Cement Concrete”

[ASTM C143-89a]

Scope:
This test method is used to determine the slump of freshly mixed concrete, which
is an approximate measure of consistency. The test may be done in the laboratory
and in field.

Apparatus:
1- Weights and weighing device.
2- Tools and containers for mixing, or concrete mixer .
3- Tamper ( 16 mm in diameter and 600 mm length)
4- Ruler
5- Slump cone which has the shape of a frustum of a cone with the following dimensions:
Base diameter 20 cm
Top diameter 10 cm
Height 30 cm
Materials thickness at least 1.6 mm

Procedure:
1- Prepare a clean, wide, flat mixing pan. (
2- Place the dampened slump cone on one side of the pan. It shall be held firmly
in place during filling by the operator standing on the two foot pieces.
3- Place the newly mixed concrete (prepared as in test No. 3) in three layers,
each approximately one third the volume of the mold.
4- In placing each scoopful of concrete, move the scoop around the top edge of
the mold as the concrete slides from it, in order to ensure symmetrical
distribution of concrete within the mold.
5- Rod each layer with 25 strokes of the tamper, distribute the strokes in a
uniform manner over the cross section of the mold, each stroke just
penetrating into the underlying layer.
6-For the bottom layer this will necessitate inclining the rod slightly and
making approximately half of the strokes spirally toward the center.
Rod the bottom layer throughout its depth.
7-In filling and rodding the top layer, heap the concrete above the mold
before rodding is started.
8-After rodding the top layer, strike off the surface of the concrete with a
trowel, leaving the mold exactly filled.
9- While filling and rodding, be sure that the mold is firmly fixed by feet and
can’t move.
10- Clean the surface of the base outside the cone of any excess concrete. Then
immediately remove the mold from the concrete by raising it slowly in a
vertical direction.
 11-Measure the slump immediately by determining the difference between the
height of the mold and the height of the vertical axis (not the maximum height)
of the specimen.
12- Clean the mold and the container thoroughly immediately after using.
13-If the pile topples [when raising the mold out of concrete ] sideways, it
indicates that the materials have not been uniformly distributed in the mold
and the test should be remade.

Fig.(8) Measuring the slump.

Fig. (9) Different possible slump test results.

Test No. 14

“Compacting Factor Test”

BS 1881: Part 103: 1993

Four methods of determining the workability of fresh concrete are given in Part
102 to 105 of BS 1881, as follows:
Workability Method
Very low Vebe time
Low Vebe time, compacting factor
Medium Compacting factor, Slump
High Compacting factor, Slump, Flow
Very high Flow

Scope
This test describes the method for determining the compacting factor of concrete
of low, medium and high workability. The method applies to plain and air-entrained
concrete, made with lightweight, normal weight or heavy aggregates having a
nominal maximum size of 40 mm or less but not to aerated concrete or no-fines
concrete.
The method is suitable for concretes having compacting factor in the range 0.7 to 0.98

Apparatus:
1-The compacting factor apparatus, which consists of a holder fixing two
conical hoppers and a cylinder at the base.
2- Tools and containers for carrying and mixing the materials.
3- Balance.

Procedure:
1- Prepare a concrete mix following steps mentioned in test (No3).Use 8 kg of
cement to cast 2 cubes and 2 cylinders.
2- Damp the two, hoppers and record the empty weight of the cylinder.
3- First, close the bases of the two hoppers.
4- Fill the upper hopper with the freshly mixed concrete (fill freely without
compacting), then open the base of this upper hopper to allow concrete to fall
under the effect of its weight to the lower hopper. This hopper is smaller than
the upper one, thus it will be filled to overflowing.
5- Then open the base of the second hopper to allow concrete (also only under
the effect of its weight ) to fall into the cylinder. Excess concrete is cut by
two floats slide across the top of the mold.
6- Certain mixes have a tendency to stick in one or both of the hoppers. If this
occurs, help the concrete through by pushing the tamping rod gently into the
concrete from the top until the lower end emerges from the bottom of the hopper.
If this does not dislodge the concrete, raise the rod and repeat the process until
the concrete falls through the hopper. Count the number of times the concrete is
rodded as this provides a guide to the cohesiveness of the concrete.
7- Level the surface of the cylinder and clean the sides of the cylinder.
Within 150 s of placing, weigh the cylinder with concrete inside. Record
the weight.
8- The difference between the weight of the concrete with the cylinder and
empty cylinder will be the weight of partially compacted concrete [W1].
9- Now empty the cylinder, clean it and cover the inside surface by a thin layer
of mineral oil.
10- Fill the cylinder with concrete in six layers (BS) rodding each layer by (25)
strokes equally distributed on the surface. Level the surface and clean sides.
11- Weigh the cylinder with its contents and record.
12- The difference between the weight of the compacted concrete with the cylinder and
the empty cylinder will be the weight of completely compacted concrete [W2].

Calculations:

The compacting factor (C.F) = W1 / W2 =

The weight of partially compacted concrete

The weight of completely compacted concrete

Note:-Typical range is [0.70 to 0.98]

Fig.(10) The compacting Factor apparatus.

Test No.15

“Flow Table Test for Fresh Concrete”

BS1881: Part 105:1984

Scope:
It specifies the method for determination of the flow of concrete of high to very
high workability. The method applies to plain and air-entrained concrete, having a
flow diameter of 500mm to 650mm when tested, made with light weight, normal
weight or heavy aggregates having a nominal maximum size of 20mm or less. It
does not apply to aerated concrete or no fines concrete.

Apparatus:
1- The table, which consists essentially of a board covered by a steel plate with a
total mass of 16 kg .This board is hinged along one side to a base board, each
board being a 700 mm square. The upper board can be lifted up to a stop so that
the free edge rises 40mm .Appropriate marking indicate the location of the
concrete to be deposited on the table.
2- A frustum of a cone, 200mm high with a bottom diameter of 200 mm and a
top diameter of 130 mm
3- A tamping bar, made of a suitable hardwood, having a square section of side 40+1
mm and at least 200mm long.
4- Weights and weighing device.
5- Tools and containers for mixing.
6- Rule of min length 700mm.

Procedure:
1- Prepare a concrete mix as in test No.3, using mix proportions of 1:2:3
and w/c=65%
2- Moist the table top and the frustum of the cone.
3- Try lifting and dropping the table then, keep the table horizontal.
4- Hold the mold firmly in place and fill in two layers, each approximately one half
the volume of the mold. Rod each layer with 10 strokes with the wooden tamper.
5- Before lifting the mould , excess concrete is removed, the surrounding table top
is cleaned.
6- After an interval of 30 seconds, the mould is vertically, slowly removed within
3-6 seconds.
7- The table top is lifted slowly and allowed to drop, avoiding a significant
force against the stop, 15 times, each cycle taking not less than 3.5 and not
more than 5 sec.
8- In consequence, the concrete spreads and the maximum spread parallel to the
two edges of the table is measured.
9- The average of these two values, given to the nearest mm, represents the flow.
10-A value of 400 mm indicates a medium workability, and 500 mm a
high workability.
Test No. 16

“The Compressive Strength of Cubic Concrete Specimens”

BS 1881: Part 116: 1983
Scope:
The test method covers determination of compressive strength of cubic
concrete specimens. It consists of applying a compressive axial load to molded
cubes at a rate which is within a prescribed range until failure occurs. The
compressive strength is calculated by dividing the maximum load attained during
the test by the cross-sectional area of the specimen.
Apparatus:
1- Weights and weighing device.
2- Tools and containers for mixing.
3- Tamper (square in cross section)
4- Testing machine.
5- Three cubes (150 mm side)
Procedure:
1- Prepare a concrete mix as mentioned in (test No. 3 ) with the proportions
suggested Such as: 1: 2: 3 with w/c = 55% by mechanical mixer.
2- Prepare three testing cubes; make sure that they are clean and greased or
oiled thinly.
3-Metal molds should be sealed to their base plates to prevent loss of water.
4-Fill the cubes in three layers, tamping each layer with (35) strokes using a tamper,
square in cross-section with 2.54 cm side and 38.1 cm length, weighing 1.818 kg.
5- While filling the molds, occasionally stir and scrape together the
concrete remaining in the mixer to keep the materials from separating.
6- Fill the molds completely, smooth off the tops evenly, and clean up any
concrete outside the cubes.
7- Mark the specimens by a slip of paper on which is written the date and the
Specimen identification. Leave the specimens in the curing room for 24 hours.
8- After that open the molds and immerse the concrete cubes in a water basin for
7 days.
9- Before testing, ensure that all testing machine bearing surfaces are wiped clean.
10-Carefully center the cube on the lower platen and ensure that the load will
be applied to two opposite cast faces of the cube.
11-Without shock, apply and increase the load continuously at a nominal rate
2 2
within the range of ( 0.2 N/mm .s to 0.4 N/mm .s ) until no greater load can be
sustained. On manually controlled machines, as failure is approached, the
loading rate will decrease, at this stage operate the controls to maintain, as far
as possible, the specified loading rate. Record the maximum load applied to
each cube.
Note:
When the cubes are surface dry, or have not been cured in water, immerse
them in water, for a minimum of 5 minutes, before testing. They must be tested
while they are still wet.
Type of failure
Record any unusual feature in the type of failure. Refer to fig. ( ) for examples of
satisfactory failure and to fig. ( ) for examples of some unsatisfactory failures.

Note: Unsatisfactory failures are usually caused by insufficient attention to the

details of making and testing specimens, such as bad molds, bad made specimens or
mis-placement of cubes in the testing machine or machine fault.

Calculations
Calculate the cross-sectional area of the cube face from the checked
nominal dimensions. Calculate the compressive strength of each cube by
dividing the maximum load by the cross-sectional area. Calculate the average
for the three cubes.

Fig. (17) Unsatisfactory Failure.

Fig.(18) The compression machine.
Test No. 17

“Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens”

( ASTM C 39-86 )
Scope:
The test method covers the determination of compressive strength of cylindrical concrete
specimens , such as molded cylinders and drilled cores. It is limited to concrete having a
unit weight > 800 kg/m3
Apparatus:
1- Weights and weighing device.
2- Tools and containers and pans for mixing, or mixer.
3- A tamper (circular in cross-section) (16 mm in diameter and
600 mm in length).
4- Testing machine.
5- Three cylinders (150mm in diameter and 300mm in height).
Procedure:
1- Follow the same steps as in .(test No. 3) in order to prepare a fresh concrete mix.
2- The cylinder also must be clean, lightly oiled, well fixed with the base.
3- Filling the specimens will be also in three layers, roding each layer by (25)
strokes using the circular section rod.
4- All other steps are the same as in test No. 6.
5-The test specimens must be tested in the moist condition with a rate of loading
(0.14-0.34) MPa.

Calculation:
1- Calculate the compressive strength of the specimen by dividing the maximum
load carried by the specimen during the test by the average cross-section area .
2- If the specimen length to diameter ratio is less than(1.8), correct the result obtained
by multiplying the appropriate correction factor shown in following table :

L/D 1.75 1.5 1.25 1

Factor 0.98 0.96 0.93 0.87

Note:
Factor are applicable for normal concrete strengths (from13.8-14.4) MPa.
Test No.18

“Splitting Tensile Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens”

(ASTM C496-86 )
Scope:
This method covers the determination of the splitting tensile strength
of cylindrical concrete specimens.

Apparatus:
1. Weights and weighing device.
2. Tools, containers and pans for carrying materials & mixing.
3. A circular cross-sectional rod (φl6mm & 600mm length).
4. Testing machine.
5. Three cylinders (φ150mm & 300mm in height).
6- A jig for aligning concrete cylinder and bearing strips.

Procedure:
1. Prepare three cylindrical concrete specimens following same steps as test No.3
2. After molding and curing the specimens for seven days in water, they can be tested.
3. Two bearings strips of nominal (1/8 in i.e 3.175mm) thick plywood, free of
imperfections, approximately (25mm) wide, and of length equal to or slightly longer
than that of the specimen should be provided for each specimen.
4. The bearing strips are placed between the specimen and both upper and lower bearing blocks
of the testing machine or between the specimen and the supplemental bars or plates.
5. Draw diametric lines an each end of the specimen using a suitable device that will
ensure that they are in the same axial plane. Center one of the plywood strips along the
center of the lower bearing block.
6. Place the specimen on the plywood strip and align so that the lines marked on the ends
of the specimen are vertical and centered over the plywood strip.
7. Place a second plywood strip lengthwise on the cylinder, centered on the lines marked
on the ends of the cylinder.
8. Apply the load continuously and without shock, at a constant rate within , the range of
689 to 1380 kPa/min splitting tensile stress until failure of the specimen.
9. Record the maximum applied load indicated by the testing machine at failure. Note the
type of failure and appearance of fracture.

Computations: Calculate the splitting tensile strength of the specimen as follows:

T = 2P
πLd
Where: T: splitting tensile strength, kPa
P: maximum applied load indicated by testing machine, kN
L: Length, m
d: diameter, m

Note: This test is note a true tension test, but it fails in tension and used to indicate
the tensile strength of concrete.

22
Fig.(19) The jig for aligning concrete
cylinder and bearing strips

Fig.(20) Fitting the cylinder in the

compression machine.
Test No. 19
“Rebound Number of Hardened Concrete”

ASTM C805-85

or

BS 1881:Part202:1986

Scope:
This test is also known as the Schmidt hammer or impact hammer, and is a
non-destructive method of testing concrete. The test is based on the principle that
the rebound of an elastic mass depends on the hardness of the surface against
which the mass impinges.
Apparatus:
1- Rebound hammer.
2- Abrasive stone: consisting of medium-grain texture silicon carbide or
equivalent material.

Selection of Test Surface:

Concrete members to be tested shall be at least 100 mm thick
and fixed within a structure. Smaller specimens must be rigidly supported. Areas
exhibiting honeycombing, scaling, rough texture, or high porosity should be avoided.
Concretes should be approximately the same age and moisture condition in order to be
compared. Dry concretes give higher rebound numbers than wet concrete, and the
surface layer of concrete may be carbonated, yielding higher rebound numbers.

Preparation of test surface:

A test area shall be at least 150 mm in diameter. Heavily textured, soft, or
surfaces with loose mortar shall be ground smooth with the abrasive stone. Smooth-
formed or toweled surface shall be tested without grinding. Concretes over 6 months
old may require grinding to a depth of 5 mm if they are to be compared to younger
concretes. Grinding to this depth is not feasible without power equipment.

Procedure:
1- Firmly hold the instrument in a position that allows the plunger to strike
perpendicularly to the surface tested. Gradually increase the pressure on
the plunger until the hammer impacts.
2- After impact, record the rebound number to two significant figures.
3- Take ten readings from each test area. No two impact tests shall be closer
together than 25 mm.

Calculation:
Discard readings differing from the average of 10 readings by more than 5
units and determine the average of the remaining readings. If more than 2 readings
differ from the average by 7 units, discard the entire set of readings.
Fig.(21) The calibration of the Schmidt hammer.

Fig.(22) Testing concrete using the Schmidt hammer.

Test No. 20

“Pulse Velocity Through Concrete”

ASTM C598-83

or

BS:1881:Part 203:1986

Scope:
1- This test method covers the determination of the pulse velocity of propagation
of compression waves in concrete.
2- The pulse velocity is independent of the dimensions of the body provided
reflected waves from the boundaries do not complicate the determination of the
arrival time of the directly transmitted pulse.
3- The pulse velocity V is related to the physical properties of a solid by the equation:

2
V = (K) (E)/D

Where:
k =a constant
E = the. modulus of elasticity, and
D = the density.
The relationship is independent of the frequency of the vibrations.

Apparatus:
1- The apparatus used in this test is called “ PUNDIT” . This name is derived from
the initial letters of “ Portable Ultrasonic Nondestructive Digital Indicating Tester”.
2- Two transducers (54 KHz).
3- Two transducer leads.
4- Reference bar for checking zero.
5- Tin of couplant.

Procedure:
1-Before switching on the PUNDIT, the transducers should be connected to the
sockets marked “TRAN” and “REC”. The connection or disconnection of the
transmitting transducer should not be made while the instrument switched on.
The PUNDIT may be operated from either:
i) the internal battery,
ii) an external battery, or
iii) the A.C. mains supply.
The battery operation is most convenient for field use while the mains operation
is generally more suitable for laboratory use.
2-If using the A.C. mains supply, plug the mains cable into the 3 way socket
mounted on the rear panel, switch the P.S.S. to MAINS and depress the reset
button to switch the PUNDIT ON.
3- Before using the PUNDIT, it should be calibrated using the reference bar. After
putting the coupling agent on the transducers faces, the transducers faces are
placed and pressed against the reference bar ends, using the “set free button”. The
reading of the instrument should be adjusted to read the transit time recorded on
the calibration bar.

4- After applying an appropriate coupling agent (such as water, oil, petroleum jelly,
grease, or other viscous materials) to the transducer diaphragms, the test surface,
or both, to avoid entrapped air between the contact surface of the diaphragms of
the transducers and the surface of the concrete. Press the faces of the transducers
against the surfaces of the concrete and measure the transit time. Measure the
length of the shortest direct path between the centers of the diaphragms.

Calculation:

Calculate the pulse velocity as follows:

V=L/T
Where:
V= pulse velocity, m/s
L= distance between transducers, m
T = effective transmit time, s

Fig.(23) The calibration of the PUNDIT. Fig.(24)Testing using PUNDIT

Test No. 21

“Trial method of proportioning for concrete mixes”

Scope:
This is one of the widely used methods for designing a concrete mix. The
method requires that samples of the cement, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate
be available and that the relation between water- cement ratio and strength be
known or assumed.

Apparatus:
1- Weights and weighing device.
2- Tools and containers for mixing.
3- Slump cone and tamper.

Procedure:
1- Assuming that a concrete mix is to be designed to be used in some part of
a building , say a column.
2- Assuming that the compressive strength required is 280kg /cm2,
Referring to table (1) the corresponding w/c ratio is taken to be (0.534) on
the assumption that the concrete is without entrained air.
3- Prepare 3 kg of cement and the corresponding amount of water.
4- Prepare 8 kg of fine aggregate and 12 kg of coarse aggregate.
5- Mix the cement prepared with the water to make a cement paste.
6- From supplies of known weight the aggregates are added in amounts dictated
by judgment, with intermittent mixing, until the batch is brought to the desired
consistency.
7- The batch is carefully examined in order to judge which aggregate to add. The
correct amount of sand is the minimum which will produce enough mortar to
fill the spaces between pieces of coarse aggregate and provide a slight excess
for workability. [ Undersanding creates harshness whereas oversanding
decreases yield, hence a” balanced “mix is desirable.
8- When the batch is judged to be satisfactory, the remaining supplies of aggregates
are weighed and by difference the amounts used in the batch are computed.
9- Perform a slump test to check the slump.
10-The mix proportions can be calculated.
Test No. 22

“ Static Modulus of Elasticity of Concrete in Compression”

( ASTM C 469-87a ) or (BS 1881: Part 121: 1983)

Scope:
This test method covers determination of chord modulus of elasticity ( Young’s)
of molded concrete cylinders, when under longitudinal compressive stress.

Apparatus:
1-Testing Machine.
2-Compressometer for measuring the average deformation of the gage line (parallel
to the axis and centered about midheight of the specimen).

Note:
The effective length of the gage line shall be not less than three times the
maximum size of the aggregate in the concrete nor more than two thirds the height
of the specimen; the preferred length of the gage line is one half the height of the
specimen.

Procedure:
1-It is preferable to use two similar specimen, to determine the compressive
strength prior to the test of modulus of elasticity.
nd
2-Place the 2 specimen, with the strain-measuring equipment attached on the
lower platen of the testing machine. Carefully align the axis of the specimen with
the center of the machine.
3-Load the specimen at least twice. Do not record any data during the first
loading, but observe the performance of the gages and correct any usual
behavior prior to the second loading.
4-Apply the load continuously and without shock, at a constant rate ( 241 + 34 )
kPa/s or (3.66-4.86 ) kN/s.
5-Record, without interruption of loading, the applied load and longitudinal strain.
The first reading is when the stress equals ( 0.5 MPa) or the load ( 8.8 kN) [
-6
according to BS ], or when the strain is 50 x 10 [ according to ASTM].
nd ’ ’
The 2 record is when σ = f c /3 [ BS] , or σ = 0.4 f c [ASTM].
6- Remove compressometer and continue loading to failure.

Calculations
1- Calculate the modulus of elasticity as follows:

E = Δσ / ∆Є = ( σ2 - σ1 ) / ( Є2 - Є1 )

Where:
E = Secant (chord) modulus of elasticity.
Fig. (26) Fixing the Compressometer for measuring the
average deformation of the concrete cylinder.
 EGM3520L Material Testing Lab
Concrete Mix Design

Concrete Mix Design (Method of Goldbeck and Gray, or b/bo method)

The method of Goldbeck and Gray has also been called b/bo method and is sometimes
referred to ACI method. This method is based on the absolute volumes of the material in a
unit volume of concrete. The method takes into account a b/bo ratio. The term b equals
the volume of coarse aggregate in a unit volume of concrete. The bo term equals the solid
volume of coarse aggregate in a unit volume of Dry-rodded coarse aggregate. The term
b/bo equals the dry-rodded volume (Bulk volume) of coarse aggregate in a unit of
concrete. The procedure of design of concrete mixtures involves the use of data from
tables 1 to 3 which have been prepared by Goldbeck and Gray. These tables are utilizes
for typical materials.

The steps in performing a concrete mix design will be listed and then an example will be
given.

b = the solid volume of coarse aggregate in a unit volume concrete.

b0 = the solid volume of coarse aggregate in a unit volume of dry-rodded
coarse aggregate.
b/b0 = the dry-rodded volume of coarse aggregate in a unit volume of concrete.

1. Concrete Materials: contains Cement, Water, Coarse Aggregate, and Fine

Aggregate.

2. Concrete Mix Design Procedure:

(1) Determine the bulk dry specific gravities of fine and coarse aggregates.
(2) Determine the dry-rodded unit weight of the coarse aggregate.
(3) Determine the fineness modulus of the fine aggregates and the absorption of fine
and coarse aggregates.
(4) Compute the solid unit weights of cement, fine aggregate, and coarse aggregate.
(5) Calculate the bo of coarse aggregate as follows:
3
b =dry − rodded weight / ft
o
solid weight / ft 3
(6) According to the size of coarse aggregate and the fineness modulus of the fine
aggregate, find the b/bo value from Table 1.

∴ b = (b/bo) bo = the solid volume of coarse aggregate in a unit volume

of concrete
 (7) According to the size of coarse aggregate, 28-day compressive strength
desired, and slump, find the required water, cement, and air from Table 2
(non-air entrained concrete) or Table 3 (air-entrained concrete).
(8) Determine the solid volumes of cement, water, coarse aggregate, and air and get
the total volume of them.
(9) Determine the solid volume of fine aggregate in a cubic yard of concrete as
follows:
3 3
[ 1 yd (27 ft ) – sum of item (8)]
3
(10) Convert the solid volumes to lbs/yd of concrete.
(11) According to the absorption of fine and coarse aggregates, calculate the
additional water requirement.
3. Example:

Data
1. Coarse Aggregate:
a. Size: No. 4 (3/16 in.) to ½ in., angular aggregate
b. Absorption = 0.4%
c. Bulk dry specific gravity = 2.7
d. Dry-rodded unit weight = 101.5 lb/ft3
2. Fine Aggregate:
a. Fineness modulus = 2.7
b. Absorption = 0.8%
c. Bulk dry specific gravity = 2.5
3. Concrete:
a. 3 in. slump
b. 3000 psi 28-days compressive strength for non-air-entrained concrete

Concrete Mix Design

1. Coarse Aggregate:
Solid unit weight = S.G. × Unit weight of water
3
= (2.7) (62.4) = 168.48 (lb/ft )
3
b = dry − rodded weight / ft = 101.5 = 0.602
o
solid weight / ft 3 168.48
From Table 1, b/bo = 0.56
 3
∴b = (b/bo) . bo = (0.56)(0.602) = 0.337 yd
= the solid volume of coarse aggregate in a unit volume of concrete

From Table 2, for No. 4 to ½ in. angular coarse aggregate, 3 in. slump, and 3000
3
psi 28-days compressive strength, water requirement = 42 gal/yd of concrete
3
Cement requirement = 5.4 sacks/yd of concrete

Entrapped air = 2.5%

2. Cement:
Specific gravity = 3.14
3
Solid unit weight = (3.14)(62.4) = 195.94 lb/ft
1 sack = 94 lb ⇒ Cement = (94/195.94) = 0.48 ft3 (solid volume)
3. Water:
1 ft3 = 7.5 gallon

4. Fine Aggregate:
Specific gravity, S.G. = 2.5
3
Solid unit weight = (2.5)(62.4) = 156 lb/ft

5. Required solid volumes for each material in 1 yd 3 concrete:

a. Coarse aggregate: 0.337 yd3 = (0.337 × 27) ft3 = 9.10 ft3
b. Cement: 5.4 (sacks) × 0.48 = 2.592 ft3
3 3
c. Water: 42 gal = (42/7.5) ft = 5.6 ft
d. Air: 2.5% × 27 ft3 = 0.675 ft3

Total solid volume = 9.10 + 2.592 + 5.6 + 0.675 = 17.967 ft3

e. Fine aggregate: 27 ft3 – 17.967 ft3 = 9.033 ft3

3
6. Convert the solid volume to weight in 1 yd concrete:
a. Coarse aggregate: 9.10 × 168.48 (solid unit weight) = 1533.17 lb
b. Cement: 2.592 × 195.94 = 507.88 lb
c. Fine aggregate: 9.033 × 156 = 1409.15 lb
d. Water: 5.6 × 62.4 = 349.44 lb
Water absorbed by coarse aggregate = 0.4% × 1533.17 = 6.13 lb
Water absorbed by fine aggregate = 0.8% × 1409.15 = 11.27 lb
Total water: 349.44 + 6.13 + 11.27 = 366.84 lb
3
Total weight in 1 yd concrete = 1533.17 + 507.88 + 1409.15 + 366.84 = 3817.04
lb
3
⇒ 3817.04/27 = 141.4 lb/ft of concrete
Notes:

1. Bulk Dry Specific Gravity:

= weight of dry sample / ft3
bulk dry specific gravity
weight of water / ft3

2. Fineness Modulus: The sum of the cumulative weight percentages on a group of

#4 (0.187 in), #8 (0.0937 in), #16 (0.0469 in), #30 (0.0234 in), #50 (0.0124 in),
and #100 (0.0059 in) standard sieves in a sieve test of fine aggregate.

3. Slump test: is a measure of consistency of concrete

Procedure: (1) The cone is filled in three layers of approximately equal volume,
each being rodded 25 times.
(2) Lift the cone and measure the amount slump.

Table 4. Recommended Mix Consistencies for Cement

Slump (in.)
Type of Structure
Minimum Maximum
Massive sections, pavement and floors laid on ground 1 4
Heavy slabs, beams, or walls 3 6
Thin walls and columns, ordinary slabs or beams 4 8
4. The air-entrained concrete:
The air-entrained concrete is always used during the freezing months. The
entrainment provides the capacity to absorb the expansive forces of ice that form
within the concrete.
The air-entrained concrete can have lower water-cement ratios than non-air-
entrained concrete.
nd
5. Reference: “Materials for Civil & Highway Engineers,” 2 edition, Kenneth N.
Derucher and George P. Korfiatis, Prentice Hall, 1988, ISBN: 0-13-560509-1.

Table 1:
Table 2:
Table 3:
Steel Testing
 EGM 3520L Material Testing Lab
Steel Tensile Test: Reference Document: ASTM E8

1. Introduction:
The most common material in construction besides concrete is steel. Concrete,
though it has a high compressive strength, its tensile strength is usually much lower and
mounts up to 8 – 12 % of its compressive strength. Steel, therefore, is used in concrete
structural elements to bare tensile loads and bending moments.

The major components of steel are Iron and carbon which ranges between 0.01
and 1 percent. Sulfur, phosphorus, manganese, silicon and as much as 20 other alloys are
present in steel and are added in various quantities to steel during its manufacturing

process depending on the desired hardness, toughness and tensile strength of steel.1

Reinforcing steel bars are usually manufactured in 3 different forms:

- Plain bars
- Deformed bars
- Plain & deformed wires

Figure 1: Plain Bars Figure 2: Deformed Bars Figure 3:Plain & Deformed wires

The deformation in deformed steel bars is intended to increase the bonding between steel
and concrete and to prevent slippage of the steel reinforcement bars.
Steel reinforcement bars are produced mainly with four different yield strengths, shown
in the table below. The grade of steel indicates its yield strength in Ksi.

Type σyield (psi) σyield (MPa) Grade

Type1 40,000 300 40
Type 2 50,000 350 50
Type 3 60,000 400 60
Type 4 75,000 500 75
Table 1: Reinforcement Steel Strength

2. Objectives
The objective of this lab experiments is to incrementally load a steel bar till
failure, while recording the value of the load and the change in length of the steel bar at
each stage. Then based on the colleted data, determine:
- Modulus of Elasticity of Steel, Esteel & Compare it to the theoretical value.
- Yield strength of Steel, σyield
- Ultimate strength of steel, σUltimate

- Plot Stress Vs Strain Curve for steel

3. Definitions
- Yield Point: The Point at which an increase in strain occurs without an increase in
the stress is defined as the yield point. Stress at this point is defined as the steel
1
yield stress.

4. Equipment
- Universal Testing Machine
- Dial Gauge / Extensometer
 Figure 5: Dial Gauge

Figure 4: Tinius Olsen Universal Testing

Machine

5. Procedure
1. Load a Steel bar into the machine, with a 6” length of steel between the testing
machine clamps.
2. Mount the dial gauge and reset to Zero
3. Apply load with in stages, starting with 250 lb and with increments of 250 lb
4. At each load stage record the applied load and the Change in bar length (read
from gauge).
5. Keep incrementing the load till failure.
P.s.: At failure notice the tip & cone failure mode of the steel bar.
6. Equations:

P δ σ ∆σ πd2
σ= ε= E= = A= L = 6"
A L ε ∆ε 4
E = ∆σ o E =E
Experimental ( Slope) r Experimental ave

∆ε
E = E1 + E2 + E3 + ......... + Em
ave
m
E = 29 x106 psi
Theoretical ,Steel
E −E
Experimental Theoretical
% Error = x 100%
E
Theoretical

16
7. Typical Stress – Strain Curve

8. Calculation Sheet

P (lb) δ (in) σ (psi) ε E (psi)

250 δ1 σ1 ε1 E1
500 δ2 σ2 ε2 E2
750 δ3 σ3 ε3 E3
…. …. …. …. ….
…. …. …. …. ….
…. …. …. …. ….
…. …. …. …. ….
Pm δm (PL) σm εm Em
…. …. …. …. N/A
…. …. …. …. N/A
…. …. …. …. N/A
Pn-1 δn-1 σn-1 εn-1 N/A
Pn (Pmax) N/A σn (σmax) N/A N/A
 9. Discussion
Possible source of error: Slipping of the steel at the testing machine grips

Fig.7. Theoretical Stress-Strain diagram for typical ductile metal.

Lab. Pictures:

Students performing tensile test Necking of the rebar before fracture