Basic Concepts, Introduction to the course

Building material is any material which is used for construction purposes.

 Naturally occurring (lumber, aggregates)
 Man-made (concrete hollow blocks, common wire nail, bricks)
Construction Materials and Testing (CMT) primarily involves testing structural materials
used to building new projects from the ground up, materials and components used to construct
new additions or new components being added to an existing facility.
Testing is also essential for keeping the structure in line with applicable legal requirements,
including occupational safety and environmental regulations. (Safety Officers)
The testing process is important because it allows inspectors and builders to identify faults before
an actual stress test, where personal and environmental safety is at risk. (DPWH minimum
requirements for testing)
Testing of Construction Materials provides thorough understanding of the testing techniques in
the subject.

Quality of Construction Materials

QUALITY CONTROL - Is to regulate and accompanied by economical work, safety and
beauty.

QUALITY   PERFECT

QUALITY - is characteristic of a product that provides a level of performances in terms

of service and life.
 
3 KEYS IN QUALITY CONTROL
1. ONWER – there will be work to be done
2. IMPLEMENTER – there will be work to be constructed
3. QUALITY – works are in performance level

The Quality Control Procedures

1. The selection of Materials
2. Handling and Storage Materials
3. Sampling and Testing of Materials
4. Proper Construction Methods
5. Inspection and Project Monitoring
QUALITY ASSURANCE -Is the certainty that the materials are regulated in accordance
with specifications.
Works of Quality Assurance - consist of all work elements carried out by the manager or
by those in his organization, which contribute to the quality of the output of some other
organization.

THE PURPOSE OF QUALITY CONTROL

To insure the highest quality of work and extend the service life of any structure
by constructing according to the prescribed plans and specifications. The plans
indicate the specific type of the structure and the specifications present the
characteristic in which it is built, as well as the materials that are to be
incorporated into the work.
 To check and regulated the use of construction materials and to economize on
the cost of construction. Fulfilling these, requires adequate control of materials
prior to and after placing to their final position in the structure. Normally, every
material should be subjected to testing, inspection and verification before
acceptance.
THE QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES
1. The Selection of Materials - Information regarding the location of materials sources
that will be incorporated into the work may be represented by the following:
a. Raw materials such as soil, sand and bank or river gravel (with little or no
processing)
b. Materials that are processed without basically changing their properties such as
washed/manufactured sand, crushed rock and gravel, and etc.
c. Manufactured materials such as bituminous materials, cement, paint, and
structural reinforcing steel bar.
d. Combination of materials that may be partly or totally manufactured, such as
bituminous and Portland cement concrete.
2. Handling and Storage of Materials - Materials which are not properly handled are
prone to disturbance that may cause issues in the future. To avoid damage, it should be
placed in a safe place protected fr om contamination or the action of water. Water may
cause corrosion to the steel and may cause hardening to the cement. Thus, protection
of the materials is highly important and should be accessible to the project site.
3. Sampling and Testing of Materials - All materials for testing requires proper sampling.
These are indicated in AASHTO and ASTM. Quality control also required proper testing,
construction method and workmanship.
 
 
Minimum Testing Requirement
                                Quality stated in the program of works is the basis of minimum
testing requirement for each project. The requirements specify the kind and number of
tests for each item and sizes. This indicates only the minimum and shall not be the only
basis of number of testing. When a Government representative inspected a project and
there is doubt in a test, another testing can be done immediately.
Proper Construction Methods
- Construction methods come in any different ways. Usually, it comes with experience
and practical methods but for some materials, methods of construction are given by
instructions for each work. The following are the techniques in project handling and
construction methods.
a. Technical personnel assigned in the project should be knowledgeable and
responsible enough to the project.
b. Project Supervision shall be established first. The hierarchy starts from the
Project Engineer, Project Inspector, Materials Engineer, Safety Engineer,
Construction Foreman, Skilled and Unskilled Laborers.
c. Construction methods shall be done for each work indicated in the design.
d. The materials shall pass the required specifications.
e. Continues quality control should be done in all terms of work as the construction
progresses.
f. Proper equipment for each work item shall be used.
g. Materials quantity shall be well provided. Scarcity of one material can be the
basis of delay for each work that may affect other item schedule.
Inspection and Project Monitoring
Project inspected is vital in project monitoring. The progress reports require inspection
of the actual work being carried out, and the work accomplished per week of operation.
The purpose of this is to ensure that the materials and workmanship is being done by
the hired contractor.
How is Quality being controlled?
                Quality is controlled during construction by testing and inspection of the
quality of materials and the method of construction, the latter commonly known as
workmanship.
 
Pavement Structure
o Subgrade - 
Pavement structure is composed primarily of the subgrade or commonly
called natural grade line or existing soil. Usually, this is being enhanced
through compaction to attain the subgrade requirements for selected Fill
which is more than or equal to 4%. For cut slope, the subgrade is still
compacted to attain the highest strength it can contain. When
embankment fill is used, embankment foundation materials shall be
 selected and use of suitable material stated in Item 104 is highly
recommended.
The subgrade strength determines the thickness of pavement structure.
For economy, subgrade strength must be maximized and this is achieved
by following strictly these quality control “musts”.
o Remove the unsuitable materials from the upper layer in cut sections and replace
with selected fill. Please refer to Item 104 of the Blue Book.
o Reject unsuitable material for embankments or use only in lower layers.
o Provide adequate surface drainage.
o Provide adequate subsoil drainage.
o Minimize increase in moisture content.
o Insure thorough compaction based on the required for each layer and material.
 
 Subbase Course Material (Item 200) -
In highway engineering, subbase is the layer of aggregate material laid on
the subgrade, on which the base course layer is located. It may be omitted
when there will be only foot traffic on the pavement, but it is necessary for
surfaces used by vehicles. Subbase is often the main load-bearing layer of
the pavement with CBR value 30% or higher.
 Base Course Material (Item 201) -
“Base Course” refers to another sub-base layer of a pavement structure
roadway but uses higher quality of grading. Generally consisting of larger
grade aggregare, spread and compacted to provide a stable base for
further layers of aggregates, concrete or asphalt pavement. The
requirement for base course to be more than or equal to 80% CBR.
 Stabilized Baser Course -
This is a higher-grade base layer of pavement structure to withstand
heavier loads primarily in urban areas. This refers to a class of paving
materials that are mixtures of one or more sources of aggregate and
cementitious material(s) blended with a sufficient amount of water, that
result in a mixture having a moist, non-plastic consistency that can be
compacted to form a dense mass and gain strength.
The purpose of a stabilized base or subbase layer is to provide some
transitional load-bearing strata between the pavement layer, which directly
receives the wheel loadings of vehicular traffic, and the underlying
subgrade soil. Stabilized base or subbase materials may be used to
provide support for either flexible or rigid pavements, but are more
frequently used with flexible pavements.
 Surface/Wearing Course - 
The wearing course is the upper layer in roadway, airfield, and dockyard
construction. The term ‘surface course’ is sometimes used, however this
 term is slightly different as it can be used to describe very thin surface
layers such as chip seal. In rigid pavements the upper layer is a Portland
cement concrete slab.
Quality control of mentioned soil and soil aggregates and underlying structures of roads
refers to proper construction method, supervision, and materials testing. Common
quality control to know the compaction is through field density test with regards to its
maximum dry density and optimum moisture content. The specification requirement is
95% and 100% in embankment and subbase/course materials percent compaction,
respectively.
Good compaction means subsequent settlement is minimized, stability is increased, and
resistance to water absorption is increased; change in moisture content is minimized.

Quality Control in
Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP)
The two major parts of concrete are paste and aggregates. When we understand these
two ingredients, we can now look at the bigger picture when they are combines
together.
In DPWH, there are two ways to concrete mix design. One is through the use of ACI
211.1 Standard Practice for selecting proportions for Normal, Heavyweight, and Mass
Concrete. The other one is the traditional method being used in the Department.
PPCP is designed to last at least 20 years when constructed with good concrete. In
concrete construction, like any other, good concrete will be produced where effective
control is exercised. On the other hand, defective will certainly result where there is little
or no quality control. The quality control measures are briefly mentioned hereunder.
1. Selection of Materials
2. Design of Concrete Mix
3. Aggregate Production Control
4. Concrete Production Control
5. Control Consistency
6. Sampling Requirements
7. Curing Concrete
8. Testing of Concrete Samples
 

Quality Control in Asphalt Pavement/Asphalt Road Construction

A good asphalt road is designed to last at least 5 to 10 years when constructed with
good quality control. A good asphalt is preferable than a good cement concrete road
due to its lower initial cost and more uniform riding surface. Five basic equally important
requisites of road building are satisfied and strictly adhered to. These are:
Design of Asphalt Mix
Construction Control or
Workmanship
Quality Control of Materials
Foundation Control
Drainage Control

 
QUALITY CONTOL IN OTHER STRUCTURES
The other structures are easier than the mentioned above because the testing
requirement is based only on program of works and minimum testing requirements.
 
QUALITY ASSURANCE IN PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
                To ensure that quality control is being implemented effectively, Quality
Assurance Unit (QAU) has been created to act as the inspectors of all Public projects in
the country. The Bureau of Quality and safety creates members of QAU per region that
conducts inspection quarterly in every year. There are things to consider and must be
prepared during their visit.

Preparation and Curing of Concrete Test Specimens

Preparation and Curing of Concrete Test Specimens
CONCRETE (CLASSIFICATION, PROPERTIES, TYPES AND TESTING)
Concrete - Is a composite material with cement and water that is generally used as a binding
materials for sand and aggregates.
QUALITIES OF GOOD CONCRETE
STRENGTH - The concrete should be able to withstand the stresses that is subjected to. It is
strong in compression but weak in tension. 
DURABILITY - It should be durable enough to resist the effect of weathering agents.
DENSITY - The concrete should be well compacted so that there are no voids or hollows left.
WATER TIGHTNESS - When used in water retaining structures such as dams, elevated tanks
and water reservoir.
WORKABILITY - property of freshly mixed concrete which determines the ease and
homogeneity with which it can be mixed, placed, consolidated and finished
RESISTANCE TO WEAR AND TEAR - When used in slabs and pavement, it should withstand
abrasive forces.
 
TYPES OF CONCRETE
Concrete are classified into different types:  
1. According to binding material used in concrete.
2. According to design of concrete.
3. According to purpose of concrete.
According To Binding Material Used In Concrete
CEMENT CONCRETE - Commonly used in buildings and other important engineering works
where strength and durability is of prime importance.
LIME CONCRETE - Concrete consisting of lime, fine aggregates, and coarse aggregates.
Generally used for the sake of economy in foundation works, under floors, over roof and where
cement is not cheaply and easily available in required quantity.
According To Design Of Concrete
PLAIN CEMENT CONCRETE - No reinforcement were provided.
REINFORCED CEMENT CONCRETE - Reinforcement is embedded for taking tensile stress. 
PRE-STRESSED CEMENT CONCRETE - High compressive stresses are artificially induced
before their actual use.

According To Purpose
VACUUM CONCRETE - The cement concrete from which entrained air and excess water is
removed after placing it, by suction with the help of vacuum pump.
AIR ENTRAINED CONCRETE - Prepared by mixing aluminum in it is called air entrained,
cellular or aerated concrete. Used for lining walls and roofs for heat and sound insulation
purposes.
LIGHT WEIGHT CONCRETE - Prepared by using coke breeze, cinder or slag as coarse
aggregate. Used in making precast structural units for partition and wall lining.
WATER CEMENT RATIO
1. In normal construction, the water cement ratio is 0.5
2. Adding too much water will reduce the strength of concrete and can cause segregation.
 
Slump Test is a test conducting before concrete to use for casting. The purpose of such is to
determine the water content in concrete and its workability.
 

Apparatus and Equipment Use in Testing Materials

Apparatus and Equipment used in Testing of Materials
CONCRETE
 Concrete is basically a mixture of two components: aggregates and paste. The aggregate
component is normally comprised of sand and gravel or crushed stone. The paste
component is normally comprised of cementing materials, (Portland cement with or
without supplementary cementing materials), water, chemical admixtures and air.
 Concrete has relatively high compressive strength, but significantly lower tensile
strength.
 Tests can be made to ensure the properties of concrete correspond to specifications for
the application.
SOME FRESH AND HARDENED CONCRETE TESTS:
o Compression Machines
 A compression test determines behavior of materials under crushing loads. The specimen
is compressed and deformation at various loads is recorded.
o Splitting Tensile apparatus and Flexural Machines
 Splitting Tensile Apparatus is used to test splitting tension of cylinder, cube and
cobblestone samples.
 Flexural Test Machine provides optimum testing performance and evaluation options,
enabling you to get the best results from test measurements.
o Slump Test
 It is used to measuring slump of freshly mixed concrete for the determination of
consistency, medium and high workability. The concrete is levelled off with the top of
the slump cone, the cone removed and the slump of the sample is measured.
APPARATUS:
o Concrete Moulds
 Cubic
 Cylinder
 Beam
 Cone
o Curing Tank
CEMENT
 Cement is a fine, soft, powdery-type substance. It is made from a mixture of elements
that are found in natural materials such as limestone, clay, sand.
 The most important use of cement is the production of mortar and concrete – the bonding
of natural or artificial aggregates to forma strong building material that is durable in the
face of normal environmental effects.
SOIL
 Soil is a natural body consisting of layers (soil horizons) of mineral constituents of
variable thickness, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological,
 physical, chemical and mineralogical characteristics. It is composed of particles of
broken rock that have been altered by chemical and environmental processes that include
weathering and erosion.
 Soil is also known as earth: it is the substance from which our planet takes its name.
o Soil Tri-axial Testing System
AGGREGATES
 Aggregates are a component of composite materials such as concrete and asphalt
concrete; the aggregate serves as reinforcement to add strength to the overall composite
material.
 Due to the relatively high hydraulic conductivity value as compared to most soils,
aggregates are widely used in drainage applications such as foundation and drains.
 Aggregates are also used as base material under foundations, roads and railroads.
 70 to 80 percent of crushed stone materials are used by the construction industry to build
our homes and offices.
APPARATUS:
o Sieves
 Stainless steel mesh and frame.
o Sieve Shaker
 horizontal and vertical movement
o Flakiness Sieves
 Used to determine particle size shape and geometrical characteristics of the aggregates.
o Crushers
o Specific gravity and water absorption test set
ASPHALT
 Asphalt is a mixture of aggregates, binder and filler, used for constructing and
maintaining all kind of roads, parking areas and also play – and sport areas. Aggregates
used for asphalt mixtures could be crushed rock, sand, or gravel.
 In order to bind the aggregates into a cohesive mixture, a binder is used. Most commonly,
bitumen is used.
Preparation and Curing of Concrete Test Specimens
Preparation and Curing of Concrete Test Specimens
CONCRETE (CLASSIFICATION, PROPERTIES, TYPES AND TESTING)
Concrete - Is a composite material with cement and water that is generally used as a binding
materials for sand and aggregates.
QUALITIES OF GOOD CONCRETE
STRENGTH - The concrete should be able to withstand the stresses that is subjected to. It is
strong in compression but weak in tension. 
DURABILITY - It should be durable enough to resist the effect of weathering agents.
DENSITY - The concrete should be well compacted so that there are no voids or hollows left.
WATER TIGHTNESS - When used in water retaining structures such as dams, elevated tanks
and water reservoir.
WORKABILITY - property of freshly mixed concrete which determines the ease and
homogeneity with which it can be mixed, placed, consolidated and finished
RESISTANCE TO WEAR AND TEAR - When used in slabs and pavement, it should withstand
abrasive forces.
 
TYPES OF CONCRETE
Concrete are classified into different types:  
1. According to binding material used in concrete.
2. According to design of concrete.
3. According to purpose of concrete.
According To Binding Material Used In Concrete
CEMENT CONCRETE - Commonly used in buildings and other important engineering works
where strength and durability is of prime importance.
LIME CONCRETE - Concrete consisting of lime, fine aggregates, and coarse aggregates.
Generally used for the sake of economy in foundation works, under floors, over roof and where
cement is not cheaply and easily available in required quantity.
According To Design Of Concrete
PLAIN CEMENT CONCRETE - No reinforcement were provided.
REINFORCED CEMENT CONCRETE - Reinforcement is embedded for taking tensile stress. 
PRE-STRESSED CEMENT CONCRETE - High compressive stresses are artificially induced
before their actual use.
According To Purpose
VACUUM CONCRETE - The cement concrete from which entrained air and excess water is
removed after placing it, by suction with the help of vacuum pump.
AIR ENTRAINED CONCRETE - Prepared by mixing aluminum in it is called air entrained,
cellular or aerated concrete. Used for lining walls and roofs for heat and sound insulation
purposes.
LIGHT WEIGHT CONCRETE - Prepared by using coke breeze, cinder or slag as coarse
aggregate. Used in making precast structural units for partition and wall lining.
WATER CEMENT RATIO
1. In normal construction, the water cement ratio is 0.5
2. Adding too much water will reduce the strength of concrete and can cause segregation.
 
Slump Test is a test conducting before concrete to use for casting. The purpose of such is to
determine the water content in concrete and its workability.
 

Apparatus and Equipment Use in Testing Materials

Apparatus and Equipment used in Testing of Materials
 
CONCRETE
 Concrete is basically a mixture of two components: aggregates and paste. The aggregate
component is normally comprised of sand and gravel or crushed stone. The paste
component is normally comprised of cementing materials, (Portland cement with or
without supplementary cementing materials), water, chemical admixtures and air.
 Concrete has relatively high compressive strength, but significantly lower tensile
strength.
 Tests can be made to ensure the properties of concrete correspond to specifications for
the application.
 
SOME FRESH AND HARDENED CONCRETE TESTS:
o Compression Machines
 A compression test determines behavior of materials under crushing loads. The specimen
is compressed and deformation at various loads is recorded.
o Splitting Tensile apparatus and Flexural Machines
 Splitting Tensile Apparatus is used to test splitting tension of cylinder, cube and
cobblestone samples.
 Flexural Test Machine provides optimum testing performance and evaluation options,
enabling you to get the best results from test measurements.
o Slump Test
 It is used to measuring slump of freshly mixed concrete for the determination of
consistency, medium and high workability. The concrete is levelled off with the top of
the slump cone, the cone removed and the slump of the sample is measured.
APPARATUS:
o Concrete Moulds
 Cubic
 Cylinder
 Beam
 Cone
o Curing Tank
 
CEMENT
 Cement is a fine, soft, powdery-type substance. It is made from a mixture of elements
that are found in natural materials such as limestone, clay, sand.
  The most important use of cement is the production of mortar and concrete – the bonding
of natural or artificial aggregates to forma strong building material that is durable in the
face of normal environmental effects.
 
SOIL
 Soil is a natural body consisting of layers (soil horizons) of mineral constituents of
variable thickness, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological,
physical, chemical and mineralogical characteristics. It is composed of particles of
broken rock that have been altered by chemical and environmental processes that include
weathering and erosion.
 Soil is also known as earth: it is the substance from which our planet takes its name.
o Soil Tri-axial Testing System
AGGREGATES
 Aggregates are a component of composite materials such as concrete and asphalt
concrete; the aggregate serves as reinforcement to add strength to the overall composite
material.
 Due to the relatively high hydraulic conductivity value as compared to most soils,
aggregates are widely used in drainage applications such as foundation and drains.
 Aggregates are also used as base material under foundations, roads and railroads.
 70 to 80 percent of crushed stone materials are used by the construction industry to build
our homes and offices.
APPARATUS:
o Sieves
 Stainless steel mesh and frame.
o Sieve Shaker
 horizontal and vertical movement
o Flakiness Sieves
 Used to determine particle size shape and geometrical characteristics of the aggregates.
o Crushers
o Specific gravity and water absorption test set
ASPHALT
 Asphalt is a mixture of aggregates, binder and filler, used for constructing and
maintaining all kind of roads, parking areas and also play – and sport areas. Aggregates
used for asphalt mixtures could be crushed rock, sand, or gravel.
 In order to bind the aggregates into a cohesive mixture, a binder is used. Most commonly,
bitumen is used.