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Faculty of Engineering
Department of Civil, Mining and Process
Engineering
WORKSHOP PRACTICE120 (WPR421S2)
Slump Test and Cube Casting
Due Date: 11 November 2024
ZERBINO MUTITU-224084852
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Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction..................................................................................................... 3
Objectives......................................................................................................... 3
Concrete Slump Test................................................................................... 3
Cubes Casting............................................................................................... 3
Apparatus......................................................................................................... 4
Slump test:.................................................................................................... 4
Cube Casting :.............................................................................................. 5
Procedures....................................................................................................... 5
Slump Test procedures...............................................................................5
Cube casting test procedures....................................................................6
Results................................................................................................................. 7
Slump test results....................................................................................... 7
Cube casting test results............................................................................7
Discussion........................................................................................................... 8
Conclusion........................................................................................................... 8
References.......................................................................................................... 9
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Introduction

Concrete is composite material made from water, cement, and aggregates

like sand, gravel, or crushed stone and is a fundamental material in
construction, known for its durability and strength. To ensure the
production of high quality and performance concrete for various
applications, we conduct tests that assess its properties, focusing on two
test the slump test and cube casting to assess such properties.

Objectives
Concrete Slump Test
 The concrete slump test is a simple method that measures the
consistency of fresh concrete before it sets, by evaluating the
slump, we can infer the water-cement ratio, which directly impacts
the concrete’s strength and durability. This test provides
information that helps ensure concrete batches are of consistent
quality and strength as well as ensuring that it can be properly
placed and compacted.

Cubes Casting
 Cube casting involves the preparation of concrete specimens in the
shape of cubes to test the compressive strength of this specimens.
This process is necessary for understanding and determining the
concrete’s load-bearing capability and durability.
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Apparatus
Slump test:
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Cube Casting :

Procedures
Slump Test procedures

1. A composite of aggregate, sand and cement is measured using an

electronic balance scale.
2. Mix the dry constituents in a wheelbarrow.
3. Water is added and mixed at 1000 ml intervals to avoid lump
formation and give the mixure a smooth consistency.
4. Approximately 3 kg of water is added in total to make a quality batch
of concrete, containing approximately 10 kg of aggregate, 7 kg sand
and 5kg cement with a water to cement ratio of 0.6 .
5. A scoop is then used to transfer the mixture into a slump cone,
ensure that it is added in layers and tamp it with the tamping rod
about 25 times to eliminate air voids after each layer of concrete is
added. The last layer should overflow.
6. The slump cone is then taken by handle and lifted upwards to
expose a slump.
7. The slump cone is then placed next to the slump, then using a
stamping rod measure the workability.
8. a measuring ruler is used to measure the height of the slump.
9. Write the observed measures down.
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Cube casting test procedures

1. The inside of three cube moulds (150 mm ×150 mm × 150 mm) are
carefully cleaned and greased with lubricant for easy release of the
cubes.
2. A plastic sheet is then added to secure the bottom of the mould for
easy release when air pressure is applied.
3. The concrete mixture is then added to the cube moulds in three
layers at approximately one-third of the mould’s height each.
4. Each layer is tamped with the tamping rod 25 times to eliminate air
and compact the concrete.
5. A trowel is then used to level the top of the surface and ensure that
it is smooth.
6. The moulds are then sealed and left undisturbed for 24 hours in a
shaded area to allow the concrete to set.
7. After 24 hours, the concrete is carefully removed from the moulds,to
avoid damage to the concrete cubes.
8. The concrete cubes are left in a water bath to continue curing for
approximately14 days.
9. After14 days they are removed from the water bath and allowed to
surface dry. The mass of the cubes is measured with an electronic
balance scale and recorded.
10. They are taken to the Compression testing machine to test for
the compressive strength.
11. The load is applied gently and the maximum load of failure is
recorded for all three concrete cubes.
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Results
Slump test results

The results of the slump test provided information on the consistency of

fresh concrete. A sufficient slump is at a height between 90 mm−200 mm.
The slump test results obtained concluded a slump height of 163 mm , which
is in range with the specifications required.

Cube casting test results

Cube no: Mass (g) Force (kN) Compressive
strength (MPa)
1 7515 570.6 25.3
2 7683 591.9 26.3
3 7535 511.2 22.7
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Discussion
 The slump test and cube casting test are important for concrete
production, to insure concrete of sufficient strength, durability and
consistency. The slump test provides insights into the consistency of
fresh concrete, which is important to evaluate the quality of
concrete for on-site usage.
 The cube casting test is essential for the measure of the durability
compressive strength of concrete, ensuring that the concrete
mixture meets the requirements necessary for application and that
the concrete will perform as expected in its application. Together,
these tests help provide information of the quality, safety, and
durability of concrete to help us determine if where its best
applicable.

Conclusion

 The slump test is important in determining the workability and

quality of concrete and is crucial to check the consistency of
concrete on construction sites. I suggest clamping the cone to a
base plate is more efficient and convenient rather than standing on
the base to compress the concrete, also mixing the contents
manually is a difficult and strenuous exercise, using a concrete
mixer to make sure that the concrete is mixed well is much more
efficient and time saving.
 The cube casting test can be improved by maintaining curing
conditions by strictly controlling these conditions to reduce
unwanted variability and to make sure experimental conditions are
kept constant to improve accuracy of strength measurements in
obtained results.
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References

https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/slump-test-report-dcc-

2042/80047978

Wikipedia contributors

(2024) Concrete. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete.