MANUAL

on
CONCRETE LABORATORY
REPORT WRITING:

Report in form of word document has to be submitted for every experiment before next lab.
The record has to be in own words of explanation and will be evaluated for every experiment.

The Report must include following headings

Title : Indicates the nature of the test and the specifications number used.

Scope : Contains brief statement of the purpose and significance of the test.

Apparatus : Special equipment used for the test should be listed.

Materials : Provides the materials used or tested.

Procedure : This section should contain detail procedures adopted for the experiment.

Observations: Provide the laboratory data preferably in tabular form. Observations related
to material behaviour should be included. All equations or formulas used
should be clearly indicated.

Results : The results of the test should be summarized in tabular or graphical form.

Conclusion: This section should provide a brief conclusion drawn from the experiment.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

No. Title of experiment Page

1 Determination of fineness of cement by dry sieving 4

2 Consistency test on cement 6

3 Determination of setting times of cement 8

4 Determination of soundness of cement 10

5 Determination of specific gravity of cement 12

6 Sieve analysis of coarse and fine aggregates 13

7 Specific gravity and water absorption of fine aggregates 16

8 Specific gravity and water absorption of coarse aggregates 18

10 Measurement of workability of concrete by slump cone test 20

11 Measurement of workability of concrete by compaction 22

factor test
12 Tests for determination of compressive strength of concrete 24

13 Tests for determination of flexural strength of concrete 27

 EXPERIMENT NO. 1
DETERMINATION OF FINENESS OF CEMENT BY SIEVING
Objective: Determination of fineness of cement by dry sieving.

Reference: IS 4031 (Part-1):1988.

Apparatus: IS-90 micron sieve conforming to IS: 460 (Part 1-3)-1985; Weighing balance;
Gauging trowel; Brush.

Material: Ordinary Portland cement

Procedure:

1. Weigh accurately 100 g of cement to the nearest 0.01 g and place it on a

standard 90 micron IS sieve.
2. Break down any air-set lumps in the cement sample with fingers.
3. Agitate the sieve by giving swirling, planetary and linear movements for a
period of 10 minutes or until no more fine material passes through it.
4. Collect the residue left on the sieve, using brush if necessary, and weigh the
residue.
5. Express the residue as a percentage of the quantity first placed on the sieve to
the nearest 0.1 percent.
6. Repeat the whole procedures two more times each using fresh 100 g sample.
Observations:

Weight of Weight of
%age of residue
sample taken residue (R) (in Average % of
Sl. No. = (R/W)x100
(W) (in g.) g.) residue

1.

2.

3.

Result:

Percentage residue of cement sample by dry sieving is percentage.

4
Conclusions:

The given sample of cement contains less than/ more than 10% by weight of material coarser
than 90 micron sieve. Therefore it satisfies/ not satisfies the criterion as specified by IS code.

Questions: (Answer the following questions.)

1. Discuss the effects of fineness on hydration of cement?

2. Enumerate the advantages and disadvantages of using finer cement.
3. What is the correction factor of a sieve? Explain its necessity.

5
 EXPERIMENT NO. 2
CONSISTENCY TEST ON CEMENT

Objective: Determination of percentage of water by weight of cement required to prepare

a standard acceptable (consistent) cement paste.

Reference: IS 4031 (Part-4):1988.

Apparatus: Vicat apparatus conforming to IS: 5513-1998; Weighing balance; Gauging

trowel; measuring cylinder.

Material: Ordinary Portland cement; Water.

Procedure:

1. Take 400 g of cement sieved through 90 micron IS sieve and keep it on a non-
porous, non-absorbent plate.
2. Add 120 ml of water (i.e. 30% by weight of cement) to the cement and mix
thoroughly with two trowels for 3 to 5 minutes till a uniform cement paste is
achieved.
3. Fill the past in mould and level with trowel. Shake or tap to remove air bubbles.
4. Place the nonporous plate and the mould under the plunger.
5. Release the plunger gently to touch the surface of paste. Record the initial
reading.
6. Release the plunger quickly and allow penetrating into the paste. When the
plunger comes to rest, note the final reading.
7. Repeat the procedure with fresh paste varying the water percentage until the
plunger penetrates to a depth 5 to 7 mm from the bottom of the Vicat mould.

Observations:

Height not
Water added Initial Final
Sl. No. Percentage penetrated (in
(in ml) Reading Reading
mm)

Result:

Percentage of water required to achieve normal consistency of cement paste is .

6
Questions:

1. What is meant by normal consistency? Why it is determined.

2. What are the factors which affect the consistency of cement?
3. Discuss the effect of different cement grades on normal consistency.
4. What is gauging time?

7
 EXPERIMENT NO. 3
DETERMINATION OF SETTING TIMES OF CEMENT

Objective: Determination of initial and final setting time of cement and determine
whether the values satisfy IS standards.

Reference: IS 4031 (Part-5):1988

Apparatus: Vicat apparatus conforming to IS: 5513-1998; Weighing balance; Gauging

trowel; measuring cylinder; stop watch.

Material: Ordinary Portland cement; Water.

Procedure:

1. Prepare a uniform cement paste by gauging 400 g of cement with 0.85 times
the water required to give a paste of standard consistency. The procedure of
mixing and filling the mould is same as standard consistency.
2. Start the stopwatch or note down the time when water is added to the cement.

Determination of initial setting time:

3. Place the test block confined in the mould and resting on the non-porous plate,
under the rod bearing the initial setting needle (with cross section 1 mm2);
lower the needle gently until it comes in contact with the surface of the test
block and quickly release, allowing it to penetrate into the test block
4. Repeat this procedure until the needle, when brought in contact with the test
block and released as described above, fails to pierce the block beyond 5.0 ±
0.5 mm measured from the bottom of the mould. Note the time.
5. The difference of time between operations (2) and (4) provides the initial
setting time of cement.

Determination of final setting time:

6. Replace the initial setting needle of the Vicat apparatus by the needle with an
annular attachment.
7. The cement shall be considered as finally set when, upon applying the needle
gently to the surface of the test block, the needle makes an impression thereon,
while the attachment fails to do so.
8. The interval of time between operation (2) and (7) provides the final setting
time of cement.

Observations:

 Weight of given sample of cement is _ g.

 The normal consistency of a given sample of cement is %

8
  Volume of water addend (0.85 times the water required to give a paste of standard
consistency) for preparation of test block ml

Time in minutes :

Height in mm fails to penetrate

Initial setting time of cement (in min):

Final setting time (in min):
Conclusion:

The given sample of cement satisfied/ does not satisfy criterion for initial setting time.

The given sample of cement satisfied/ does not satisfy criterion for final setting time.

Questions:

1. Describe significance of each setting time?

2. How setting of cement differs from its hardening?
3. List out the factors which affect setting times.
4. Does setting time vary with grade of cement? Explain your answer.
5. What is do you mean by false set? Why it occurs?

9
 EXPERIMENT NO. 4
DETERMINATION OF SOUNDNESS OF CEMENT

Objective: Determination of soundness of cement by Le - Chatelier method.

Reference: IS 4031 (Part-3):1988.

Apparatus: Le- Chatelier apparatus conforming to IS: 5514-1969; Measuring cylinder;

Gauging trowel; Balance; Water bath.

Material: Ordinary Portland cement; Water; Grease

Procedure:

1. Weigh accurately 100 g of cement to the nearest 0.15 g and add to it 0.78 times
the water required to give a paste of standard consistency (i.e. 0.78×P).
2. Place the lightly grease mould on a lightly grease glass sheet and fill it with
cement paste, taking care to keep the edges of the mould gently together.
3. Cover the mould with another piece of lightly grease glass sheet, place a small
weight on this covering glass sheet and immediately submerge the whole
assembly in water at a temperature of 27 ± 20 �.
4. Keep this assembly under water for 24 hrs. After this, take the mould out of
water and measure the distance between two indicators. Submerge the mould
again in the water.
5. Bring the water to boiling with the mould kept submerged, and keep it boiling
for 25 to 30 minutes.
6. Remove the mould from the water allow it to cool and measure the distance
between the indicator points.
7. The difference between these two measurements represents the expansion of
the cement.
8. Repeat the whole procedures two more times each using fresh 100 g sample.

Observations:

Samples:
Distance between pointers before boiling (D1) in mm
Distance between pointers after boiling (D2) in mm
Expansion of the cement = E1 = (D2- D1) in mm
Average expansion of the cement in mm

Result:

Average expansion of the cement is obtained is _ mm.

10
Conclusions:

Average expansion of the cement as per Le- Chatelier test is less than/ more than 10 mm.
Therefore the given sample of cement is found to be sound/ unsound as per IS code.

Questions:

1. What are the causes of unsoundness in cement? List out the methods to reduce
unsoundness.
2. Why the cement paste is kept submerged under water during the test?
3. What is the purpose of boiling the setup?
4. What are the limiting values for maximum expansion of cement as per Le-Chatelier
test for following cements: rapid hardening cement; portland puzzolana cement; high
alumina cement; low heat cement; and super sulphated cement?

11
 EXPERIMENT NO. 5

DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF CEMENT

Objective: Determination of specific gravity of cement using Le - Chatelier flash.

Reference: IS 4031 (Part-11):1988.

Apparatus: Le Chaterliers flask, weighing balance, kerosene (free from water).

Material: Ordinary Portland cement; Water; Grease

Procedure:

1. Dry the flask carefully and fill with kerosene or naphtha to a point on the stem
between zero and 1 ml.
2. Record the level of the liquid in the flask as initial reading.
3. Put a weighted quantity of cement (about 60 g) into the flask so that level of
kerosene rise to about 22 ml mark, care being taken to avoid splashing and to
see that cement does not adhere to the sides of the above the liquid.
4. After putting all the cement to the flask, roll the flask gently in an inclined
position to expel air until no further air bubble rise3s to the surface of the
liquid.
5. Note down the new liquid level as final reading.

Observations:

 Weight of cement used in g. (W1) :

 Initial reading of flask in ml (V1) :
 Final reading of flask in ml (V2) :
 Volume of cement particle (V2 - V1) :
 Weight of equal volume of water in g. (W2) :
 Specific gravity of cement (W1/ W2) :

Result and conclusion:

Specific gravity of the given cement obtained as _ .

Questions:

1. Why water cannot be used for determination of specific gravity of cement?

2. What are the sources of errors in this experiment?
3. If the air bubbles are not completely removed from the flask, how the results will be
affected?

12
 EXPERIMENT NO. 6
SIEVE ANALYSIS OF COARSE AND FINE AGGREGATES

Objective: To determine fineness modulus and grade of fine and coarse aggregate.

Reference: IS: 383-1970.

Apparatus: Set of sieves*; Balance; Gauging Trowel; Watch.

a) *For fine aggregates: 4.75 mm, 2.36 mm, 1.18 mm, 600 micron, 300 micron
& 150 micron, pan.
b) *For coarse aggregates: 80mm, 40mm, 20mm, 10mm, 4.75mm, pan.

Material: a) Fine aggregates (1 Kg)

b) Coarse aggregates (5 Kg)

Procedure:

1. Take the aggregate from the sample by quartering.

2. Sieve the aggregate using the appropriate sieves.
3. Record the weight of aggregate retained on each sieve.
4. Calculate the cumulative weight of aggregate retained on each sieve.
5. Calculate the cumulative percentage of aggregate retained.
6. Add the cumulative weight of aggregate and calculate the fineness modulus
using formula:
∑�
a. Fineness modulus for fine aggregates =
100
∑�
b. Fineness modulus for coarse aggregates = +5
100

Where, C denotes the cumulative percentage of mass retained in a sieve.

7. Determine the grade of aggregates from the Table 1 and the Table 2.
8. Plot the gradation curves, in a semi-log graph, between percentage of
aggregates passed and size of sieve both for a) Fine aggregate and b) For
coarse aggregate.

13
Observations:

(a) For fine aggregates:

Weight of fine aggregate taken (Wf): Kgs

%age retained
Sl. Weight retained Cumulative Percentage passed
Sieve size (C3/Wf x 100)
No. (in kg) %age retained (100 –C5 )
��

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6
1 4.75 mm
2 2.36 mm
3 1.18 mm
4 600 micron
5 300 micron
6 150 micron
7 Pan - -
Sum of cumulative percentage retained (excluding pan) ∑ C5= -

Fineness Modulus ∑C5= -

100

Zone to which the fine aggregate belongs:

(b) For coarse aggregates:

Weight of coarse aggregate taken (Wc): Kgs

%age retained
Sl. Weight retained = �C3 /Wc x100 Cumulative Percentage passed
Sieve size
No. (in kg) %age retained (100 –C5 )

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6

1 80 mm

2 40 mm

3 20 mm

4 10 mm

5 4.75 mm

6 Pan - -

Sum of cumulative percentage retained (excluding pan) ∑ C5= -

Fineness Modulus ∑ C5/100 +5 = -

Grade to which the coarse aggregate belongs:

14
Results and discussions:

The fineness modulus of given samples are:

a) For fine aggregates : .

b) For coarse aggregates : .

The grading to which the given samples belong are:

a) For fine aggregates : .

b) For coarse aggregates : .

Questions:

1. What are a) fine aggregate, b) coarse aggregate, and c) all-in aggregate?

2. What is the significance of measuring fineness modulus of aggregates?
3. What is a well graded aggregate? How grading of aggregates can be controlled?
4. What is the use of gradation curve?
5. Why well graded aggregate is most suitable for concreting purpose?

15
 EXPERIMENT NO. 7

SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND WATER ABSORPTION OF FINE AGGREGATES

Objective: To determine specific gravity and water absorption of fine aggregate.

Reference: IS: 2386 (Part-3)-1963.

Apparatus: Pycnometer, 1000-ml measuring cylinder, thermostatically controlled oven,

taping rod, filter papers and funnel.

Material: Fine aggregates (500 g)

Procedure:

1. Place 500 g of fine aggregate in a tray and cover it with distilled water at a
temperature of 22 to 32°C. Remove air entrapped in or bubbles on the surface of
the aggregate by gentle agitation with a rod. Keep the sample immersed under
water for 24 Hrs.
2. Carefully drain the water from the sample, by decantation through a filter paper.
Air dry the aggregate and solid matter retained on the filter paper, to remove the
surface moisture. When the material just attains a “free-running” condition,
weight the saturated and surface-dry sample (A).
3. Place the aggregate in the pycnometer and fill the remaining space by distilled
water. Eliminate entrapped air by rotating the pycnometer on its side, covering
the hole in the apex of the cone with a finger. Weight the pycnometer with this
condition (B).
4. Empty the contents of the pycnometer into a tray. Ensure that all the aggregate is
transferred. Refill the pycnometer with distilled water to the same level as before
and measure the weight at this condition (C).
5. Carefully drain the water from the sample, by decantation through a filter paper.
Oven-dry the aggregate in the tray at a temperature of 100 to 110oC for 24 hrs.
During this period, stir the specimen occasionally to facilitate proper drying.
Cool the aggregates calculate its weight (D).
6. Calculate the specific gravity, apparent specific gravity and the water absorption
as follows:
Specific gravity = {D/[A-(B-C)]} (1)
Apparent Specific gravity ={D/[D-(B-)]} (2)
Water absorption (in %) = 100 X [(A-D)/D] (3)
Where, A = Weight in g of saturated surface-dry sample
B = Weight in g of pycnometer containing sample and filled with
distilled water
C = Weight in g of pycnometer filled with distilled water only
D = Weight in g of oven dried sample only.

16
Observations:

Weight in g of saturated surface-dry sample (A)

Weight in g of pycnometer containing sample and
filled with distilled water (B)
Weight in g of pycnometer filled with distilled water
only (C)
Weight of oven dried- sample only (D)
Specific gravity = {D/[A-(B-C)]}

Apparent Specific gravity ={D/[D-(B-)]}

Water absorption (in %) = 100 X [(A-D)/D]

Results and discussions:

Following results are obtained for the provided fine aggregate specimen:

a) Specific gravity : .
b) Apparent specific gravity : .
c) Water absorption : %.
Questions:

1. What is the purpose of conducting water absorption test?

2. What are the limitations in determination of specific gravity using pycnometer?
3. Define unit weight, bulk density?
4. Provide proofs of equations 1, 2 and 3.

17
 EXPERIMENT NO. 8
SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND WATER ABSORPTION OF
COARSE AGGREGATES

Objective: To determine specific gravity and water absorption of coarse aggregate.

Reference: IS: 2386 (Part-3)-1963.

Apparatus: Balance of capacity 5kg weight, box wire basket 200mm in diameter, water
container for immersing the wire basket, absorbent cloth for surface drying of
the sample and thermos static drying oven.

Material: coarse aggregates (5 Kg),

Procedure:

1. A sample of not less than 2 Kg of the aggregate shall be thoroughly washed to

remove finer particles and dust, drained and then placed in the wire basket and
immersed in distilled water at a temperature between 22°C to 32°C with a cover
of at least 5 cm of water above the top of the basket.
2. Immediately after immersion the entrapped air shall be removed from the sample
by lifting the basket containing it 25 mm above the base of the tank and allowing
it to drop 25 times at the rate of about one drop per second.
3. The basket and aggregate shall remain completely immersed during the
operation and for a period of 24 ± l/2 hours afterwards.
4. The basket and the sample shall then be jolted and weighed in water at a
temperature of 22°C to 32°C (weight A).
5. The basket and the aggregate shall then be removed from the water and allowed
to drain for a few minutes, after which the, aggregate shall be gently emptied
from the basket on to one of the dry clothes, and the empty basket shall be
returned to the water and weighed in water ( weight B ).
6. The aggregate placed on the dry cloth shall be gently surface dried with the cloth,
transferring it to the second dry cloth when the first will remove no further
moisture. The aggregate shall then be weighed (weight C).
7. The aggregate shall then be placed in the oven in the shallow tray, at a
temperature of 100 to 110°C and maintained at this temperature for 24 ± l/2
hours. It shall then be removed from the oven, cooled in the airtight container
and weighed (weight D).

18
 8. The specific gravity, apparent specific gravity and water &sorption shall be
calculated as.
Specific gravity = {D/[A-(B-C)]} (1)
Apparent Specific gravity ={D/[D-(B-)]} (2)
Water absorption (in %) = 100 X [(A-D)/D] (3)

Where,
A = Weight in g of aggregate and basket in water
B = Weight in g of empty basket in water
C = Weight in g of the saturated surface - dry aggregate in air
D = Weight in g of oven dried aggregate in air.

Observations:

Weight of aggregate and basket in water (A)

Weight of empty basket in water (B)

Weight of the saturated surface - dry aggregate in air (C)

Weight of oven dried aggregate in air (D)

Specific gravity = {D/[A-(B-C)]}

Apparent Specific gravity = {D/[D-(B-)]}

Water absorption (in %) = 100 X [(A-D)/D]

Results and discussions:

Following results are obtained for the provided coarse aggregate specimen:

a) Specific gravity : .
b) Apparent specific gravity : .
c) Water absorption : %.

Questions:

1. What is the relationship between specific gravity of aggregate and the strength?
2. What are the other methods available for determination of specific gravity and water
absorption of coarse aggregate?

19
 EXPERIMENT NO. 9
MEASUREMENT OF WORKABILITY OF CONCRETE
BY SLUMP CONE TEST

Objective: To determine the workability of freshly mixed concrete by the use of slump
test.

Reference: IS: 7320-1974, IS: 1199-1959, SP: 23-1982.

Apparatus: Slump cone, tamping rod, metallic sheet, weighing machine and scale.

Material: Cement, sand, aggregate and water

Procedure:

1. Clean the internal surface of the mould thoroughly and place it on a smooth
horizontal, rigid and non-absorbent surf ace, such as of a metal plate.
2. Consider a W/C ratio of 0.5 to 0.6 and design mix of proportion about 1:2:4 (it
is presumed that a mix is designed already for the test). Weigh the quantity of
cement, sand, aggregate and water correctly. Mix thoroughly. Use this freshly
prepared concrete for the test.
3. Fill the mould to about one fourth of its height with concrete. While filling,
hold the mould firmly in position
4. Tamp the layer with the round end of the tamping rod with 25 strokes
disturbing the strokes uniformly over the cross section.
5. Fill the mould further in 3 layers each time by 1/4th height and tamping evenly
each layer as above. After completion of rodding of the topmost layer strike of
the concrete with a trowel or tamping bar, level with the top of mould.
6. Lift the mould vertically slowly and remove it.
7. The concrete will subside. Measure the height of the specimen of concrete after
subsidence.
8. The slump of concrete is the subsidence, i.e. difference in original height and
height up to the topmost point of the subsided concrete in millimetres.

Observations:

W/C ratio

Slump Value

20
Result:

The slump of concrete is: mm.

Conclusions:

The slump value indicates that the concrete has Very low/ Low/ Medium/ High degree of
workability.

Questions:

1. What is meaning of consistency in concrete?

2. What is slump of concrete?
3. What is the significance of shear slump?
4. What is segregation?

21
 EXPERIMENT NO. 10
MEASUREMENT OF WORKABILITY OF CONCRETE
BY COMPACTION FACTOR TEST

Objective: To measure the workability of concrete by compaction factor test.

Reference: IS: 1199-1959, SP: 23-1982.

Apparatus: Compaction Factor Apparatus, tamping rod, metallic sheet, weighing machine
and scale.

Material: Cement, sand, coarse aggregate and water

Procedure:

1. Prepare a concrete mix for testing workability. Consider a W/C ratio of 0.5 to
0.6 and design mix of proportion about 1:2:4 (it is presumed that a mix is
designed already for the test). Weigh the quantity of cement, sand, aggregate
and water correctly. Mix thoroughly. Use this freshly prepared concrete for the
test.
2. Place the concrete into the upper hopper up to its brim.
3. Open the trapdoor of the upper hopper. The concrete will fall into the lower
hopper.
4. Open the trapdoor of the lower hopper, so that concrete falls into the cylinder
below.
5. Remove the excess concrete above the level of the top of the cylinder; clean the
outside of the cylinder.
6. Weigh the concrete in the cylinder. This weight of concrete is the "weight of
partially compacted concrete", (W1).
7. Empty the cylinder and refill with concrete in layers, compacting each layer
well (or the same may be vibrated for full compaction). Top surface may be
struck off level.
8. Find cut weight of the concrete in the fully compacted state. This weight is the
“Weight of fully compacted concrete" (W2).

Observations:

 Weight of partially compacted concrete (W1) : Kg

 Weight of fully compacted concrete (W2) : Kg
 Compaction factor (F) = W1/W2 : .

Result:

The compaction factor of concrete is: .

22
Conclusions:

The compaction factor value indicates that the concrete has Low/ Medium/ High Degree of
workability.

Questions:

1. What is the difference between fully compacted and partially compacted concrete?
2. What is the significance of compacted concrete?
3. Define density of concrete & how it affects the strength of concrete?

23
 EXPERIMENT NO. 11
TESTS FOR DETERMINATION OF COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
OF CONCRETE

Objective: To determine the cube strength of the concrete of given properties.

Reference: IS: 516 - 1959, IS: 1199-1959, SP: 23-1982, IS: 10086-1982.

Apparatus: Moulds for the test cubes, tamping rod, metallic sheet, Compressive testing
machine.

Material: Cement, sand, aggregate and water, grease

Procedure:

1. Calculate the material required for preparing the concrete of given proportions
2. Mix them thoroughly in mechanical mixer until uniform colour of concrete is
obtained
3. Pour concrete in the lightly greased cube moulds.
4. Fill concrete in two layers each of approximately 75 mm and ramming each
layer with 35 blows evenly distributed over the surface of layer.
5. Struck off concrete flush with the top of the moulds.
6. Level the concrete at the top of the mould by means of trowel and give proper
identification mark of the specimen.
7. Immediately after being made, they should be covered with wet mats.
8. Specimens are removed from the moulds after 24hrs and cured in water. Keep
it for curing up to 28 days.

Testing of concrete cubes:

9. Take the cube out of water at the end of three days with dry cloth. Measure the
dimensions of the surface in which the load is to be applied. Let be ‘L’ and ‘B’
respectively.
10. Place the cube in compressive testing machine and apply the load uniformly at
the rate of 35N/mm2.
11. Note the load at which the cube fails. Let it be ‘P’. Also note the type of
failure and appearance cracks
12. Calculate the compressive strength of the cube by using formula P/A. Where
A is the area of loaded surface (i.e. L×B).
13. Repeat the same procedure (steps 9 to 12) for other two cubes.

24
 14. Repeat the whole procedure (Step 9 to 13) to find the compressive strength of
the cube at the end of 7 days and 28 days.
Observation

(a) For 3 days strength:

Sl. Length Breadth Load compressive Remark

No. (in mm) (in mm) (in N) strength in N/mm2

Average =

(b) For 7 days strength:

Sl. Length Breadth Load compressive Remark

No. (in mm) (in mm) (in N) strength in N/mm2

Average =

(c) For 28 days strength:

Sl. Length Breadth Load (in compressive Remark

No. (in mm) (in mm) N) strength in N/mm2

Average =

25
Results:

The type and grade of concrete :

The compressive strength of cement ate the end of

i) 3 days : . N/mm2.
ii) 7 days : . N/mm2.
iii) 28 days : . N/mm2.

Questions:

1. What is the effect of W/C ratio on compressive strength of concrete?

2. Mention the factors those affect the compressive strength of concrete?
3. What is butting of concrete mixture? Why is it done?
4. How does strength correlate with other properties of hardened concrete?

26
 EXPERIMENT NO. 12

TESTS FOR DETERMINATION OF FLEXURAL STRENGTH

OF CONCRETE

Objective: To determine flexural strength of cubic concrete specimens.

Reference: IS: 516 - 1959, IS: 1199-1959, SP: 23-1982, IS: 10086-1982.
Apparatus: Flexural testing beam moulds, tamping rod, metallic sheet, universal testing
machine.

Material: Cement, sand, aggregate and water, grease

Procedure:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Mixing of 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.

5. Mould: The standard size shall be 15 × 15 × 70 cm. Alternatively, if the largest

nominal size of the aggregate does not exceed 19 mm, specimens 10 × 10 × 50
cm may be used.

6. Compacting: The test specimens shall be made as soon as practicable after

mixing, and in such a way as to produce full compaction of the concrete with
neither segregation nor excessive laitance.

7. Curing: The test specimens shall be stored in a place, free from vibration, in
moist air of at least 90 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.

8. Placing the Specimen in the Testing Machine: The bearing surfaces of the
supporting and loading rollers shall be wiped clean, and any loose sand or
other material removed from the surfaces of the specimen where they are to
make contact with the rollers
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 9. The specimen shall then be placed in the machine in such a manner that the
load shall be applied to the uppermost surface as cast in the mould, along two
lines spaced 20.0 or 13.3 cm apart.

10. The axis of the specimen shall be carefully aligned with the axis of the loading
device. No packing shall be used between the bearing surfaces of the specimen
and the rollers.
11. The load shall be applied without shock and increasing continuously at a rate
such that the extreme fibre stress increases at approximately 7 kg/sq cm/min,
that is, at a rate of loading of 400 kg/min for the 15.0 cm specimens and at a
rate of 180 kg/min for the 10.0 cm specimens.

12. The load shall be increased until the specimen fails, and the maximum load
applied to the specimen during the test shall be recorded. The appearance of
the fractured faces of concrete and any unusual features in the type of failure
shall be noted.

Observation

 Length of Specimen (l) : mm

 Width of the specimen (b) : mm

 Depth of the specimen (d) : mm

Position of Modulus of
Maximum load
Sl. No. Age of specimen Fracture (a) in rupture (fb)**
(P) in N
mm* (MPa)

7 days

28 days

* ‘a’ equals the distance between the line of fracture and the nearer support, measured on
the centre line of the tensile side of the specimen.
** When a> 200 mm for a 150 mm specimen, the flexural strength of the specimen
expressed as the modulus of rupture, fb, is calculated from:

fb = (P x l)/(a x d2)

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 But, if 200> a> 170 mm for a 150 mm specimen fb, is calculated from:

fb = (P x l)/(b x d2)

Results:

 The average 7 days modulus of rupture of concrete sample is : MPa

 The average 28 days modulus of rupture of concrete sample is : MPa

Questions:

1. What is the relationship of flexural strength of concrete with its compressive strength?
2. What is the significance of moment of inertia with respect to bending stress?
3. What is cracking load?

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