CIVL 111 Construction Materials

LAB IV: HARDENED CONCRETE TESTS

Test 1. Density measurement of hardened concrete specimens
Procedures:
- Measure length and diameter of uncapped specimens
- Weigh uncapped specimens
Calculations:
BD = W / (π r2 L)
where BD = bulk density kg/m3; W = weight of specimen; r =
radius of specimen; and L = length of specimen.

Diameter (m) Length (m) Volume(m3) Weight (kg) BD- Density (kg/m3)

Test 2. Compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimens (ASTM C39 - 96)

Procedures
- Cap the three small cylinders (which have already been put in the
cure room for 28 days).
- Place the specimen in upright position on the base plate of the
compressive testing machine.
- Centre specimen carefully.
- Apply load at the rate of 15 MPa per minute.
- Take care to apply load uniformly and without shock.
- Do not attempt to make any adjustments while the specimen is
deforming rapidly, just before failure.
- Record the maximum load sustained by each specimen.
Calculation

P max
f c=
π r2

where fc is the compressive strength; Pmax is the maximum load

sustained by the specimen; and r is the radius of the specimen

Cylinder No. Stress (MPa)

1
2
3

Discussion Question:

Collect the results for concrete of different compositions from at least 2 other
groups. Does the difference in compressive strength follow your expectation?
Briefly explain.

1
Test 3. Splitting tensile (indirect) strength of cylindrical concrete specimens
(ASTM C496-85 or BS 1881 : Part 117 : 1983)

Procedures

- Remove the cylinders to be tested from curing room and wipe

cylinders with a damp cloth to remove surface water.
- Draw diametrical lines on opposite sides along the length of
the specimen.
- Place the cylinder into the test jig and place the jig centrally
in the compression machine.
- Apply load without shock and increase at a rate of 1.5 MPa
per minute.
- Record the maximum load sustained by the specimen.

Calculations

2P
f sp = f t =
πdL

where fsp is the indirect tensile strength; P is the maximum

load sustained by the specimen; d is the diameter of the
specimen and L is the length of the specimen.

Diameter(m) Length(m) P (N) Splitting tensile stress

(MPa)

Discussion Question:

Why do we apply loading through a strip in the splitting tension test? Ideally,
should the strip be flexible or stiff?

2
Test 4. Compressive strength of cubic specimens (BS 1881: Part 108: 1983)

Procedures

- Remove cube from the curing tank.

- Wipe off surface water and grit with a damp cloth.
- Wipe test machine platens with dry cloth.
- Place the test cube centrally on the lower platen of the test
machine with the rough surface of the test cube facing towards
you.
- Lower the top platen onto the cube and ensure a uniform
seating by gently rotating the top platen as it is brought to bear
on the cube.
- Make sure that test machine is set to the correct loading and
pointers are zeroed.
- Apply the load without shock and continuously increase at
approximately 15 MPa per minute.
- Record the maximum load the cube can sustain.

Calculation

P max
f c=
A

where fc = compressive strength; Pmax is the maximum load

that cube sustained; and A = the cross sectional area of the
cube.

Cube No. Strength(MPa)

Discussion Question:

What is the ratio between the cube strength and cylinder strength? Why is one
smaller than the other?

3
Test 5. Flexural strength test (BS 1881 : Part 118 : 1983)

Procedures

- Remove beam from the curing tank and wipe off excess
surface water with a damp cloth
- Place the beam in the testing machine so that the top (rough)
surface is facing towards you. (This ensures that top and
bottom surfaces of the beam are parallel so that loading is
uniform across the width.) Loading is applied through 2
rollers, each at a distance of L/3 from the supports on either
side.
- Apply the loading without shock and increase at a constant
stroke rate (0.02mm/min.).

Calculations

The flexural strength of each beam shall be expressed as the

modulus of rupture fb and calculated to the nearest 0.05 MPa
as follows:

PL
f b=
bd2

where
P is the ultimate load (in N);
L is supporting roller distance (in m);
b is width of the beam (in m)
d is depth of the beam (in m)

P (N)
L (m)
b (m)
d (m)
fcf (MPa)

Discussion Question:

What is the ratio between flexural and compressive strength? Compare with
data/equation given in textbooks to see if this is reasonable.