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1.1 Introduction
Level 2 laboratory activities refer to the condition where only the problem is guided
and given. Students are required to find the ways & means and provide the answers
to the given assignment using the group creativity and innovativeness. The activity
will enable the students to appreciate independent learning and prepare them for a
much harder task of open ended laboratory activities. In this partially open laboratory
activity your group is required to carry out tests to determine concrete mix design,
workability and compacting factor for fresh concrete.
1.2 Objective
At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to: 1. Identify the right
tools to carry out the appropriate concrete mix design, workability and compacting
factor for fresh concrete. 2. Analyse test data and present the solution in proper
technical format. 3. Work in a group to undertake the task and produce the relevant
technical report.
Determination of the concrete mix design, workability and compacting factor for fresh
concrete is one of the important things of a major use in construction of buildings.
You are required to carry out concrete mix design, workability and compacting factor
for fresh concrete using the appropriate apparatus available in the laboratory.
2.1 Theory
Unsopported concrete,when it is fresh will flow to the sides and sinking in height will
take place. This vertical settlement is known as slump.In this test fresh concrete will
be filled into a mould of specified shape and the settlement or slump is measured
when the supporting mould is removed.Slump increases as water cement ratio
increases and for different slump values are suitable.
Slump is measure indicating the consistency (i.e. the state of fluidity whether dry or
wet) of concrete and also slump gives an idea of W/C ratio needed for concrete to be
used for different works.
3.1 Apparatus
The mould shall be in the form of frustrum of cone having the following internal
dimension:-
The mould shall be provided with suitable foot pieces as well as handles to fascilitate
lifting , a non absorbent horizontal rigid plate with smooth surface, scoop, steel rule
and trowel, rag thermometer. The apparatus used for the slump test are shown in
figure below.
Procedure
Slump Test
2. Make sure the mould is cleaned and dry inside.Demp the inside the mould and
base with a cleaned rag at the beginning of every test.
3. Stand the mould on the smooth hard plate,stand your feet on the foot rest.
4. Filled the mould in three equal layers,with each layer approximately one third
of the height of the mould with the concrete to be tested compact each layer in
turned 25 times with the rounded end of the steel rod.Each rodding should
passed through one layered into the layered beneath.
5. After the top layer as been tamped , smooth off the top fill by passing the rod
over the mould and level with a trowel.
6. Wipe the base of the mould clean from concrete and mortar which may have
dropped or leaked out and the metal plate it stands on.
7. Very carefully and slowly lift the mould in a vertical direction keeping it quite
straight .invert the mould and plate in down on the plate close to the mould of
concrete .As spon as the mould is lifted the concrete will slump to some
extend.
8. Rest the rod across the top of the invert empty mould , so that it touches over
the mould of concrete.
9. Measure with a rule from the highest point of the concrete to the underside of
the rod.
Testing (Testing should be carried out on the 7th and 21th OR 28th day)
1 Remove specified test specimen from the curing tank. Wipe to a surface dry
condition and remove any loose sand grains for test surfaces
2 Determine the unit weight of the specimen by carefully weighing, and
measuring the dimensions of, each cubical specimen.
3 Place specimen below the center of the upper bearing block of the testing
machine ensuring the most flat and clean of the mold
4 Check the gauge and start the machine
5 Record the total maximum load as indicated by the testing machine.
Result
Slump Test
Compacting Test
3 3
= 3.375 10 m
Density
Stress (
Mass of
Maximum Pace
Days Cube no. cube 2
kg
Load (N) mm Rate
(kg) N / m3
Slump Test
The standard slump test is very simple and can be performed with great
accuracy if the ASTM guidelines are followed. The two things that contribute most to
an invalid test are improper rodding and carelessness in removing the mold. A lack of
rodding may cause poor compaction and over rodding could bring about segregation.
Both lead to invalid results. Removing the cone is also very critical and a sudden twist
or jerk can greatly reduce the accuracy of the results. It is also very important that the
base on which the slump test is being taken is level and free from even the slightest
vibration. Movement will very likely indicate a greater slump than is actually being
used. Finally, do not use a piece of rebar or any steel rod with a square end to tamp
the sample. This may force the large aggregate to the bottom of the cone and cause the
test to be invalid. As with any type of quality assurance testing, the people who
perform the tests should be well aware of the proper procedures to be followed and
that if specific standards are not met the test results may prove to be invalid. This will
consequently result in a loss of valuable time and may result in the need for more
expensive testing.
Compacting Factor
From the experiment, the compacting factor that we obtained is 0.95. it is shows
that our fresh concrete is high in degree of workability. From the compacting factor,
we can identify that our concrete is suitable for section with congested reinforcement,
but the concrete does not suitable for vibration. Water cement ratio contribute huge
factor in workability, as the degree of workability that we produce is higher, it shows
that the quantity of water content is optimum.
Compressive Test
From this experiment we want to determine the characteristic strength of the
concrete. In this experiment, we already compress six concrete cube. First test is after
seven day concrete have been harden and second test is after 28 day concrete have
been harden. From this two experiment, we found that concrete in 28 day more
strength because the result show the load that can be patch by the concrete is 423.80
kN, 449.40 kN and 480.60 kN compare to concrete 7 day is only 303.00 kN, 371.20
kN and 408.20 kN.
The function why cube test is carried out is to measure the workability of
concrete. The workability of the fresh concrete shall be judged by its suitability for
the condition of handling and placing so that after compaction, it surround all,
reinforcement, tendons and ducts and completely fills the formwork. Our highest cube
strength only 480.60 kN this is because in our mixture of concrete, volume of water is
higher and we do not sieve the aggregate so that our strength of concrete is lower. To
get higher strength of concrete, volume of water must be reduced and the aggregate
must be seived. Problem of concrete we need to face is segregation and bleeding.
Another problem is shrinkage, expansion, cracking, tension cracking and so on.