Department of Civil Engineering

Army Public College of Management Sciences,

Rawalpindi.

Reinforced Cement Concrete

Lab Manual

Lab Engineer
Engr. Farhan Ahmad
 Table of Contents
Sr. Description Page
No No.

1 Objectives of Laboratory 2

2 List of Practical’s 3

3 Layout of Lab 4

4 Determination of filling ability of SCC by performing Slump Flow. 5

5 To determine the compressive strength of cylindrical specimen. 8

6 To determine the tensile strength of cylindrical specimen by split cylinder test. 10

7 To determine the flexural strength of prismatic specimen by flexural strength test. 12

8 To Determine the Quality of concrete using UPV/PUNDIT apparatus 14

9 To determine the effect of age on the compressive strength of concrete. 18

10 To determine the effect of curing on the strength (compressive or tensile) of concrete 20

11 To study the behavior of concrete for compressive strength vs W/C ratio. 21

12 To determine the effect of aggregate size on the strength of concrete. 22

13 To determine the compressive strength of cubical concrete specimen of hardened 24

concrete by using Schmidt hammer.
14 To determine the compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimen of hardened 26
concrete by using Schmidt hammer.

15 To determine the effect of capping of cylindrical specimen. 29

16 Testing of reinforcement steel. 31

Objective of Reinforced Cement Concrete

 The basic aim of developing REINFORCED CONCRETE lab is to understand different type of
concrete related to civil engineering in general and to perform different test in order to understand the
behavior of properties of concrete mention below

 Conventional concrete fresh properties

 Self-compacting concrete properties
 Comparison of normal and self-compacting concrete
 Hardened concrete properties
 Testing of reinforcing steel

Performing tests of above-mentioned concrete allow one to know the behavior of

different types of concrete in fresh and hardened state.
 LIST OF PRACTICALS

REINFORCED CEMENT CONCRETE II

TO STUDY THE PROPERTIES OF SELF COMPACTING CONCRETE IN FRESH
STATE

1. Determination of filling ability of SCC by performing slump flow and t50 test

2. Determination of passing ability of SCC by performing l-box test

3. Determination of segregation resistance of SCC by v-funnel test and v-funnel test at

t5 min

TO STUDY THE PROPERTIES OF NORMAL CONCRETE IN HARDENED STATE

DESTRUCTIVE TEST

4. To determine the compressive strength of cubical concrete specimen

5. To determine the compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimen

6. To determine the tensile strength of cylindrical concrete specimen by split cylinder

test

7. Comparison of compressive strength of cube and cylinder

8. To study the effect of age on compressive strength of concrete

9. To study the effect of curing on compressive strength of concrete

10. To study the behavior of concrete for compressive strength vs water/cement ratio

NON-DESTRUCTIVE TEST
11. To determine the compressive strength of cubical concrete specimen of hardened
concrete by using schmidt rebound hammer

12. To determine the compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimen of hardened

concrete by using Schmidt rebound hammer

13. Testing of reinforcement steel

14. Concrete Mix Design by ACI Committee 1991 Method

 Lab Layout
Main White Board Lab Engineer
Entrance Cabin

V-Funnel W
O
Compacting
Stand
for
R Factor
Flasks Machine

Vee-Bee K
Apparatus
I
Curing Tank
N
Weight
Balance
G
Vibrator

S Sink
Manual Compression
Testing Machine P
Water Bat
A
Weight
C Balance

Digital Compression E
Testing Machine

Split Mortar
SSD Crushing Air
Tensile Cube Capping Oven
Assembly Molds Mould Stand Meter

Beam Warming Vicat

Assembly Sieves L Box Pot Apparatus
 EXPERIMENT NO. 1

DETERMINATION OF FILLING ABILITY OF SCC BY

PERFORMING SLUMP FLOW TEST

FILLING ABILITY:
 Slump flow test is used to find the filling ability of the SCC.
 The SCC sample is poured in to the slump cone then the slump flow diameter is measured.
 The flow time is measured & that is known as T50 slump time.
 It gives good assessment of filling ability.
 Slump cone of 300 mm height, 100 mm upper diameter and 200 m bottom diameter.
 The diameter of spread should be lie between 650 mm to 800 mm.
 The higher the flow value, greater its ability to fill formwork.

PROCEDURE:
a) Place the slump cone on the metal plate and prepare the concrete mix.
b) Hold the mold on the metal surface firmly from the sample of concrete fill the mould
in three layers each approx 1/3 of the volume of mould.
c) Ensure symmetrical distribution of concrete while placing concrete inside the mould.
d) Give 25 strokes of tamping rod uniformly distributed over the entire cross-section
penetration into the underlying layer. The bottom layer shall be rodded throughout its
depth.
e) The mould is then immediately removed by raising it vertically in vertical direction.
f) Measure the slump by determining the difference between the height of mould and the
specimen after the subsidence.
 RESULT AND OBSERVATION
Serial no. W/C Slump (mm) Remarks

COMMENTS:

SPECIFICATION:
Sr. No Method Unit Minimum Maximum
1 Slump flow test mm 650 800
2 T50cm slump flow sec 2 5

VIVA VOCE:

1. Define self-compacting concrete

2. What is the purpose of slump test
3. Differentiate between consistency and workability
4. Enlist the materials for preparation of SCC
5. Advantages and disadvantages of SCC
 EXPERIMENT NO.4 AND 5

TO STUDY THE PROPERTIES OF NORMAL CONCRETE IN

HARDENED STATE

DESTRUCTIVE TESTS

TO DETERMINE THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF

CUBICAL/CYLINDRICAL CONCRETE SPECIMEN
Apparatus:
Concrete mixer, Rectangular Tray, Tamping Rod, Vibrator
TESTING MACHINE
The testing machine may be of any reliable type, of sufficient capacity for the tests and
capable of applying the load at the rate specified in 5.5
CUBE MOULDS
The mould shall be of 150 mm size conforming to IS: 10086-1982.
CYLINDERS
The cylindrical mould shall be of 150 mm diameter and 300 mm height conforming to IS:
10086-1982.
Weights and weighing device, Tools and containers for mixing, Tamper (square in cross
section) etc.
THEORY: AGE AT TEST
Tests shall be made at recognized ages of the test specimens, the most usual being 7 and 28
days.
Where it may be necessary to obtain the early strengths, tests may be made at the ages of 24
hours ± ½ hour and 72 hours ± 2 hours. The ages shall be calculated from the time of the
addition of water to the 63 dry ingredients.
NUMBER OF SPECIMENS
At least three specimens, preferably from different batches, shall be made for testing at each
selected age.
PROCEDURE:
SAMPLING OF MATERIALS
Samples of aggregates for each batch of concrete shall be of the desired grading and shall be
in an air-dried condition. The cement samples, on arrival at the laboratory, shall be
thoroughly mixed dry either by hand or in a suitable mixer in such a manner as to ensure the
greatest possible blending and uniformity in the material.
PROPORTIONING
The proportions of the materials, including water, in concrete mixes used for
determining the suitability of the materials available, shall be similar in all respects to those
to be employed in the work.
WEIGHING
The quantities of cement, each size of aggregate, and water for each batch shall be
determined by weight, to an accuracy of 0.1 percent of the total weight of the batch.
MIXING CONCRETE
The concrete shall be mixed by hand, or preferably, in a laboratory batchmixer, in such a
manner as to avoid loss of water or other materials. Each batch of concrete shall be of such a
size as to leave about 10 percent excess after moulding the desired number of test specimens.
MOULD
Test specimens cubical in shape shall be 15 × 15 × 15 cm. If the largest nominal size of the
aggregate does not exceed 2 cm, 10 cm cubes may be used as an alternative. Cylindrical test
specimens shall have a length equal to twice the diameter.

COMPACTING
The test specimens shall be made as soon as practicable after mixing, and in such way as to
produce full compaction of the concrete with neither segregation nor excessive laitance.

CURING
The test specimens shall be stored in a place, free from vibration, in moist air of at least90
percent relative humidity and at a temperature of 27° ± 2°C for 24 hours ± ½ hour from the
time of addition of water to the dry ingredients.

PLACING THE SPECIMEN IN THE TESTING MACHINE-

The bearing surfaces of the testing machine shall be wiped clean and any loose sand or other
material removed from the surfaces of the specimen which are to be in contact with the
compression platens.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

FOR CYLINDER SAMPLE:

SR.NO: W/C Sample to SURFACE Load at Compressive

be tested AREA (in^2) failure(lb) strength (psi)
(days)
1 3
2 7
3 14
4 28

FOR CUBE SAMPLE:

SR.NO: W/C Sample to SURFACE Load at Compressive

be tested AREA (in^2) failure(lb) strength (psi)
(days)
1 3
2 7
3 14
4 28

Conclusion:
Cylinder
1. The average 7 Days Compressive Strength of concrete sample is found to be …..
………..

2. The average 28 Days Compressive Strength of concrete sample is found to be …..…..

…..

Cube
1. The average 7 Days Compressive Strength of concrete sample is found to be …..
………

2. The average 28 Days Compressive Strength of concrete sample is found to be …..

………
 COMMENTS:

VIVA VOCE:

1. Hardened properties of concrete

2. Define modular ratio
3. Dimension of standard cube and cylinder
4. What is meant by flexural member
5. Design methods of RC structures
 EXPERIMENT NO. 6

TO DETERMINE THE TENSILE STRENGTH OF

CYLINDRICAL CONCRETE SPECIMEN BY SPLIT
CYLINDER TEST

APPARATUS:
Concrete mixer, Rectangular Tray, Tamping Rod, Vibrator

TESTING MACHINE-
The testing machine may be of any reliable type of sufficient capacity for the tests
CYLINDERS –
The cylindrical mould shall be of 150 mm diameter and 300 mm height conforming to IS:
10086-1982.Weights and weighing device, Tools and containers for mixing, Tamper (square
in cross section) etc.

THEORY: AGE AT TEST-

Tests shall be made at recognized ages of the test specimens, the most usual being 7 and 28
days. Where it may be necessary to obtain the early strengths, tests may be made at the ages
of 24 hours ± ½ hour and 72 hours ± 2 hours. The ages shall be calculated from the time of
the addition of water to the 63 dry ingredients.
NUMBER OF SPECIMENS-
At least three specimens, preferably from different batches, shall be made for testing at each
selected age.

PROCEDURE:

SAMPLING OF MATERIALS-
Samples of aggregates for each batch of concrete shall be of the desired grading and shall be
in an air-dried condition. The cement samples, on arrival at the laboratory, shall be
thoroughly mixed dry either by hand or in a suitable mixer in such a manner as to ensure the
greatest possible blending and uniformity in the material.

PROPORTIONING-
The proportions of the materials, including water, in concrete mixes used for
determining the suitability of the materials available, shall be similar in all respects to those
to be employed in the work.

WEIGHING –
The quantities of cement, each size of aggregate, and water for each batch shall be
determined by weight, to an accuracy of 0.1 percent of the total weight of the batch.

MIXING CONCRETE-
The concrete shall be mixed by hand, or preferably, in a laboratory batch mixer, in such a
manner as to avoid loss of water or other materials. Each batch of concrete shall be of such a
size as to leave about 10 percent excess after moulding the desired number of test specimens.
MOULD: -
Test specimens cylindrical in shape shall be 15 cm diameter and 30 cm height. Cylindrical
test specimens shall have a length equal to twice the diameter.
COMPACTING:
The test specimens shall be made as soon as practicable after mixing, and in such way as to
produce full compaction of the concrete with neither segregation nor excessive laitance.
CURING:
The test specimens shall be stored in a place, free from vibration, in moist air of at least90
percent relative humidity and at a temperature of 27° ± 2°C for 24 hours ± ½ hour from the
time of addition of water to the dry ingredients.

PLACING THE SPECIMEN IN THE TESTING MACHINE –

The bearing surfaces of the testing machine shall be wiped clean and any loose sand or other
material removed from the surfaces of the specimen which are to be in contact with the
compression platens

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

FOR CYLINDER SAMPLE:

SR.NO: W/C Sample to SURFACE Load at Tensile

be tested AREA (in^2) failure(lb) strength
(days) (psi)
1 3
2 7
3 14
4 28

COMMENTS:
 EXPERIMENT NO. 7

To determine the Effect of Age on the Compressive Strength of

Concrete
OBJECTIVE:
Effect of age on strength of concrete

EQUIPMENT/MATERIAL:
Cylinder/cubes molds, concrete mixer machine, concrete making materials, vibrating table,
Compression testing machine, weighing balance, mixing trays, curing tank.

Procedure:
a) Prepare concrete mix
b) Prepare the 9 specimens in the proscribed manner and at constant
workability/vibration.
c) De-mold the specimens after 24 hours and place them in curing tank.
d) After 3 days take out 3 specimens from the tank and place one specimen on the lower
plate of the machine and apply the load with specified rate of loading, until the
specimen fails. Note the reading of the machine. Test the remaining specimens in the
same way.
e) After 7 and 27 days take out remaining 3 specimens and test them.
f) Find out the strength of specimens at different ages. Plot the graph age vs.
compressive strength.
.
Details of Readings/Observations:
 Identification mark
 Dates of casting and resting
 Age of specimens
 Cross-sectional area of specimen
 Curing duration

The Performa to Fill Observation Data:

Sr. No: Curing Area(in^2) Load at Compressive Remarks
Age(days) failure strength(psi)
1 7
2 14
3 28

COMMENTS:

EXPERIMENT NO. 8
To determine the Effect of curing on the Strength (compressive or
tensile) of Concrete
OBJECTIVE:
Effect of curing on strength of concrete

EQUIPMENT/MATERIAL:
Cylinder/cubes molds, concrete mixer machine, concrete making materials, vibrating table,
Compression testing machine, weighing balance, mixing trays, curing tank.

Procedure:
a) Prepare concrete mix
b) Prepare the 9 specimens in the proscribed manner and at constant
workability/vibration.
c) De-mold the specimens after 24 hours and place them in curing tank.
d) After 3 days take out 3 specimens from the tank and place one specimen on the lower
plate of the machine and apply the load with specified rate of loading, until the
specimen fails. Note the reading of the machine. Test the remaining specimens in the
same way.
e) After 7 and 27 days take out remaining 3 specimens and test them.
f) Find out the strength of specimens at different ages. Plot the graph age vs.
compressive strength.
.
Details of Readings/Observations:
 Identification mark
 Dates of casting and resting
 Age of specimens
 Cross-sectional area of specimen
 Curing duration

The Performa to Fill Observation Data:

Sr. No: Curing Area(in^2) Load at Compressive Remarks
Age(days) failure strength(psi)
1 7
2 14
3 28

COMMENTS:

EXPERIMENT NO. 9
 To determine the Effect of aggregate size on the Strength of
Concrete

OBJECTIVE:
To check the strength of concrete at different sizes of coarse aggregate
-
EQUIPMENT/MATERIAL:
Cylinder/cubes molds, concrete mixer machine, concrete making materials, vibrating table,
Compression testing machine, weighing balance, mixing trays, curing tank.

Procedure:
 Prepare concrete mix

 Prepare the 9 specimens in the proscribed manner and at constant

workability/vibration.

 De-mold the specimens after 24 hours and place them in curing tank.

 After 3 days take out 3 specimens from the tank and place one specimen on the lower
plate of the machine and apply the load with specified rate of loading, until the
specimen fails. Note the reading of the machine. Test the remaining specimens in the
same way.

 After 7 and 27 days take out remaining 3 specimens and test them.

 Find out the strength of specimens at different ages. Plot the graph age vs.
compressive strength.
.
Details of Readings/Observations:

 Identification mark
 Dates of casting and resting
 Age of specimens
 Cross-sectional area of specimen
 Curing duration

The Performa to Fill Observation Data:

Sr. No: Curing Area(in^2) Load at Compressive Remarks
Age(days) failure strength(psi)
1 7
2 14
3 28
COMMENTS:
 VIVA VOCE
1. Define water cement ratio and curing of concrete.
2. Heat of hydration and fineness of cement.
3. Types of concrete.
4. Difference between compressive and tensile force.
5. Modulus of elasticity and rigidity.
 EXPERIMENT NO. 10

TO STUDY THE BEHAVIOUR OF CONCRETE FOR

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH VS WATER/CEMENT RATIO

OBJECTIVE:
To check the effect of w/c on compressive strength of concrete

EQUIPMENT/MATERIAL:
Cylinder/cubes molds, concrete mixer machine, concrete making materials, vibrating table,
Compression testing machine, weighing balance, mixing trays, curing tank.

Procedure:
a) Prepare concrete mix

b) Prepare the 9 specimens in the proscribed manner and at constant

workability/vibration.

c) De-mold the specimens after 24 hours and place them in curing tank.

d) After 3 days take out 3 specimens from the tank and place one specimen on the lower
plate of the machine and apply the load with specified rate of loading, until the
specimen fails. Note the reading of the machine. Test the remaining specimens in the
same way.

e) After 7 and 27 days take out remaining 3 specimens and test them.

f) Find out the strength of specimens at different ages. Plot the graph age vs.
compressive strength.
.
Details of Readings/Observations:

 Identification mark
 Dates of casting and resting
 Age of specimens
 Cross-sectional area of specimen
 Curing duration
The Performa to Fill Observation Data:
Sr. No: Curing Area(in^2) Load at Compressive Remarks
Age(days) failure strength(psi)
1 7
2 14
3 28

COMMENTS:

VIVA VOCE
1. Effect of age, curing and w/c strength of concrete.
2. Creep and fatigue. Also define passion ratio.
3. Grades of concrete by I.S specifications.
4. Density and specific gravity of different materials.
5. Explain gradation test also define different types of gradation.
 NON-DESTRUCTIVE TEST

EXPERIMENT NO. 11

TO DETERMINE THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF

CUBICAL CONCRETE SPECIMEN OF HARDENED
CONCRETE BY USING SCHMIDT REBOUND HAMMER

Equipment/Material:
Rebound hammer, carboradium stone, Concrete sample (CUBE)

Procedure:
a. Selection of test surface

Concrete members to be tested shall be at least 4 in thick and fixed with a structure. Smaller
specimens must be rigidly supported. Area exhibiting honey combing, scaling rough texture
high porosity should be avoided. Concrete should be approximately the same age and
moisture. Dry concrete give high rebound numbers than the wet concrete.

b. Preparation of the test surface

A test area should be at least 6" x 6” Heavily textured, soft or surface with loose mortar shall
be ground smooth with the carborundum stone.

c. Testing method

a) Firmly hold the instruments in a position that allows the plunger to strike
perpendicular to the surface tested.
b) Gradually increase the pressure on plunger until the hammer impacts.
c) After impact, record the rebound number from the graduated scale given on hammer.
d) Take ten readings from each test area, and take the mean.
e) Strength of concrete can be known by reading the rebound numbers from abscissa and
drawinghich cut the curve at some ordinate, which will give the compressive strength.
Details of Readings/Observations:

 Structure identification
 Location of testing area in structure, e.g. 3" from bottom of column 2 bent 3 or one meter
from the north end etc.
 Description of testing area, e.g. wood, floated surface, dry, ground with abrasion stone
etc.
 Proportion of concrete if known.
 Average rebound number for each test area
.
The Performa to Fill Observation Data:
Sr. No: Direction Of Rebound Strength Strength(Psi) Average
Hammer No: (MPA) Strength
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

9
10

COMMENTS:
 EXPERIMENT NO. 12

TO DETERMINE THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF

CYLINDRICAL CONCRETE SPECIMEN OF HARDENED
CONCRETE BY USING SCHMIDT REBOUND HAMMER

Equipment/Material:
Rebound hammer, carboradium stone, Concrete sample (CYLINDER)

Procedure:
a. Selection of test surface

Concrete members to be tested shall be at least 4 in thick and fixed with a structure. Smaller
specimens must be rigidly supported. Area exhibiting honey combing, scaling rough texture
high porosity should be avoided. Concrete should be approximately the same age and
moisture. Dry concrete give high rebound numbers than the wet concrete.

b. Preparation of the test surface

A test area should be at least 6" diameter. Heavily textured, soft or surface with loose mortar
shall be ground smooth with the carborundum stone.

c. Testing method

a) Firmly hold the instruments in a position that allows the plunger to strike
perpendicular to the surface tested.
b) Gradually increase the pressure on plunger until the hammer impacts.
c) After impact, record the rebound number from the graduated scale given on hammer.
d) Take ten readings from each test area, and take the mean.
e) Strength of concrete can be known by reading the rebound numbers from abscissa and
drawinghich cut the curve at some ordinate, which will give the compressive strength.

Details of Readings/Observations:
 Structure identification
 Location of testing area in structure, e.g. 3" from bottom of column 2 bent 3 or one meter
from the north end etc.
 Description of testing area, e.g. wood, floated surface, dry, ground with abrasion stone
etc.
 Proportion of concrete if known.
 Average rebound number for each test area

The Performa to Fill Observation Data:

Sr. No Direction Of Rebound Strength Strength(Psi) Average
Hammer No: (MPA) Strength
1
 2
3
4
5
6
7
8

9
10

COMMENTS:

VIVA VOCE:
1. Name some destructive and non-destructive tests of concrete
2. Function of cement, sand and coarse aggregate in concrete
3. Define bulking of sand
4. Setting of cement and its types
5. Ultimate strength and allowable strength
 EXPERIMENT NO. 13

To determine the effect of capping of cylindrical specimen.

 EXPERIMENT NO. 14

Testing of reinforcement steel.

OBJECTIVE:
(1) To find out unit weight.
(2) To find out yield strength.
(3) To find out ultimate strength.
(4) To find out percentage elongation.

THEORY:
Steel behaves as ductile material showing yield point and strain hardening before it fails. The
yield point (lower and upper) can be found out from stress-strain curve. Lower yield point is
taken as yield stress. In case lower yield point is not detected, then stress corresponding to
0.2% strain is taken as yield stress.
Ultimate stress is found from the maximum load at which the steel rod fails. Unit weight of
steel is expressed as weight per running length.
Let gauge length be l1 (l1=150 mm). At upper yield part let the length be l2.
l2−l1
Percentage elongation =  100 l1

APPARATUS:

UTM (Universal Testing Machine),Vernier Caliper, steel rule.

MATERIALS USED:
Reinforcement steel bar.

PROCEDURE:

a) Take three pieces of steel bar of same diameter of length around 450 mm.
b) Take the weight of each specimen separately and divide by length to find unit weight.
c) Mount the specimen in UTM (Universal Testing Machine) clamping it by jaws of the
UTM taking gauge length as 150 mm.
d) Specimen is loaded in tension with a rate of loading as suitable for the machine.
e) Obtain the stress-strain curve in PC interface with UTM.
f) Measure the diameter of rod by Vernier Caliper.
g) Note the failure load at upper yield point.
h) Calculate yield stress, ultimate stress and percentage elongation.
 OBSERVATION:

(1) Diameter of rod (d)

(2) Length of rod (l1)
(3) Stress strain curve: Attach computer plot
(4) Breaking load (Pu) (from load-displacement curve)
Pu
(5) Ultimate stress =
A
(6) Yield load (Py) (from load-displacement curve)
Py

(7) Yield stress =

A
(8) Length of specimen at ultimate load (l2)
(9) Percentage elongation = l2− l1  100
l1

REMARKS:
Discuss the precautions to be taken and sources of errors also comments on thevalues from the test
results.

VIVA VOCE:
1. Stress strain diagram
2. ASD and USD method of design
3. Ultimate moment capacity and nominal moment capacity
4. Types of carbon steel
5. Brittle and ductile material