1

Compression Testing

Laboratory Report Prepared for

ENGR 417- Mechanics of Material Laboratory

Report #2

Author: Olemule T. Owens

Student No: 900068852

Date of Submission: November 3, 2010

 2

TABLE of CONTENTS

1. Title Page………………………………………………………………………...1

2. Table of Contents………………………………………………………………...2

3. Abstract…………………………………………………………………………..3

4. Introduction………………………………………………………………………4

5. Testing Equipment……………………………………………………………….8

6. Procedures………………………………………………………………………..8

7. Data & Analysis………………………………………………………………….9

8. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………10

9. Appendix…………………………………………………………..…………10-20
 3

Abstract

Compressive strength is the capacity of a material to withstand axially directed pushing

forces. When the limit of compressive strength is reached, materials are crushed.

Concrete can be made to have high compressive strength, e.g. many concrete structures

have compressive strengths in excess of 50 MPa, whereas a material such as soft

sandstone may have a compressive strength as low as 5 or 10 MPa.

By definition, the compressive strength of a material is the value of uniaxial compressive

stress reached when the material fails completely. The compressive strength is usually

obtained experimentally by means of a compressive test. The apparatus used for this

experiment is the same as that used in a tensile test. However, rather than applying a

uniaxial tensile load, a uniaxial compressive load is applied. As can be imagined, the

specimen, usually cylindrical, is shortened as well as spread laterally. A stress–strain

curve is then plotted by using the data from the results. The compression tests were

performed 7 days and 28 days are the concrete cylinders were designed.
 4

INTRODUCTION

Mechanical properties are of interest to engineers utilizing materials in any

application where forces are applied, dimensions are critical, or failure is undesirable.

Three fundamental mechanical properties of metals are the elastic modulus (E), the yield

point (σ y), and the ultimate strength (σ ult) whish also known as the maximum

compression strength. This report contains the results of a compression testing lab

experiment, which determined the maximum compression strength while increasing load.

The material was tested at ambient temperature that remained constant.

By definition, the compressive strength of a material is that value of uniaxial

compressive stress reached when the material fails completely. The compressive strength

is usually obtained experimentally by means of a compressive test. During the last lab

test we explored creep testing. One of the differences between creep testing and

compression is rather than applying a uniaxial tensile load, a uniaxial compressive load is

applied. As can be imagined, the specimen is shortened as well as spread laterally. The

decrease in length and difference in diameter was not measured after testing. We

increased the load until the material failed during the test.

Stress is defined by:

Equation -[1]
 5

Strain is defined by:

Equation -[2]

The Modulus of Elasticity:

Equation -[3]

From the stress-strain graph, the modulus of elasticity, EC, can be determine.

Modulus of Elasticity is the rate of change of strain as a function of stress. It can be found

by using linear regression on the semi-linear first portion of the data up to about one half

of the maximum load. The modulus of elasticity should be compared with the empirical

approximate modulus, EAPPROXIMATE. This is just an approximation for the modulus that

resulted from a series of tests and a very simplified curve-fitting. The maximum stress

applied during the test is referred to as f´C. These may not be very accurate for the

experiment.

EAPP= 57000 (f´C)1/2 Equation -[4]

 6

Hooke’s Law gives the relationship between stress and strain:

σ = Eε Equation -[5]

Hooke’s Law (σ = Eε) predicts a linear relationship between the strain and

stress. The Law describes the elastic response of a material. However, at higher stress

levels, many materials will exhibit a nonlinear behavior. The transition from an elastic

reaction to a plastic reaction occurs at a critical point know as the yield strength (σ y).

The method to experimentally determine the yield strength is the 0.01% offset method.

The method is applied by a linear line from the points (σ = 0, ε =0.01%) parallel to the

linear region of the stress-strain graph.

TESTING EQUIPMENT

1. Universal testing machine

2. Hardened steel plates

3. Compressometer or dial indicator

4. Concrete compression specimen mold

5. Concrete mix

6. Weighing scale

7. Safety glasses and shields

8. Data sheet
 7

PROCEDURES

The first compression tests were performed seven days after the concrete was
mixed. The additional mix concrete was allowed to cure for 28 days.

1. Prepare enough mixed concrete to fill the required molds.

a. Fabricate the molds

b. Tape the seams together.

c. Mix a batch of 1:2:3 Portland cement, sand, gravel mix by weight.

d. Add water until a stiff, dry mixture is gained.

2. Fill the molds approximately one-third full.

3. Rod the concrete with 25 strokes using the tamping rod. The strokes should be

evenly distributed throughout the mold.

4. Fill the molds up to two-thirds full.

5. Repeat step 3.

6. Completely fill the mold and heap concrete above the top of the mold.

7. Repeat step 3.

8. Screed the top of the mold to remove the excess concrete.

9. Repeat step 2 through 8 for all molds.

10. Set the mold aside for 24 hours and allow the concrete to harden. Remove the

concrete from the mold.

11. Allow the specimens to cure for a total of 28 days. If desired, curing may be done

under water to ensure the proper hydration of the concrete.

 8

Use the following procedure during testing:

1. Measure and record the cross-sectional area of the specimen.

2. Install the hardened plates on the testing machine.

3. Place the test specimen between the hardened plates with the specimen oriented

so that the load is applied equally throughout the specimen.

4. Adjust the position of the crossheads for minimum clearance between the upper

hardened plate and the test fixture and set the pointer to zero.

5. Mount the compressometer on the specimen or mount the dial indicator on the

fixed column of the testing machine to record the crosshead deflection.

6. Apply the load to the specimen in a slow but steady manner. Record the force and

deflection.

7. Observe carefully and record the yield strength of the material. Remove the

compressometer at the first sign of fracture.

8. Continue loading the specimen until it breaks. Record maximum load.

 9

DATA:

Sample #1
Volume Area
(in^3) (in^2) Mix Ratio w/c
100.53 12.57 1:02:03 0.65
Figure 1: Sample #1 Data

Sample #2
Volume Area Mix
(in^3) (in^2) Ratio w/c
1:02:0
100.53 12.57 2 0.45
Figure 2: Sample #2 Data

7 Day Test Results:

Figure 3: Sample #1 Stress-Strain Diagram at Day 7

 10

Figure 4: Sample #2 Stress-Strain Diagram at Day 7

28 Day Test Results:

Figure 5: Sample #1 Stress-Strain Diagram at Day 28

 11

Figure 6: Sample #2 Stress-Strain Diagram at Day 28

Due to errors, sample #1’s 7 day test were not used for calcution. Sample #2 had an

compressive strength of 209 psi and modulus of 3.95e4 psi. The 28 day tests supplied

efficient data. Sample #1 had a calculated compressive strength of 617 psi with a

modulus of 3.09e5 psi. The second sample had a higher compressive strength of 632.l5

and a modulus of 1.24e5 psi.

 12

Figure 7: Impact of Curing Time

Figure 8: Impact of W/C ratio

 13

CONCLUSION

This lab has been very informative. It have tested two sample materials of concrete

to find out it can withstand the force under compression pressure. After analyzing the

data, one can state that both the w/c ratio and curing time have an impact on the

concrete’s compressive strength. The compressive strength increase as both parameters

increased.

The curing time had the greatest impact on the concrete cylinders. The strength of the

concrete significantly changed in 28 day by a magnitude of three for both samples. While

the overall data was good, if there were less human errors the modulus calculation could

have been more accurate.

 14

References

Principles of Materials Science and Engineering, By: W.F. Smith

nrmca.org/aboutconcrete/cips/35p.pdf
 15

Appendix