EXPERIMENT NO.

Fabricating Concrete Specimen for Tests

Referenced Standard:
ASTM C 192-90a ASTM C 143-90a
AASHTO T 126-93 AASHTO T 119-
93

Introduction

The production of quality concrete involves the preparation of the adequate

proportions of its component materials, proper handling and the use of appropriate mixing
methods. Proper proportioning and mixing methods result to workable mix, adequate
properties and concrete strength. Since cement achieves its strength through hydration, water-
cement ratio is the principal factor that controls the compressive strength of concrete.
Concrete ingredients are proportioned according to standard structural requirements. For
accuracy, the ingredients are weighed and combined rather than using the volumetric method.
It is therefore necessary to design the trial mix before the manufacture of concrete.

Objectives:

1. To use the trial mix method to determine optimum proportions of aggregates,

cement, and water for a desired concrete strength

2. To learn concreting practice in laboratory

3. To observe the characteristic properties of fresh concrete

Apparatus/Materials:

3 - 6” x 6” x 18” Beam Molds Two Trowels

3 - 6” x 12” Cylindrical Molds Containers for aggregates
Tamping Rod Large Mixing Pan
12” Ruler Scale Sensitive to 0.01 lb.
Slump Cone Apparatus

Procedure:

1. Consult your laboratory instructor for specifications.

2. Use the Trial Mix Method to calculate the proportions of cement, coarse aggregates,
fine aggregates and water. Results of the mix design must be submitted to the
laboratory instructor for approval.
3. Weigh and record the amount of coarse aggregate determined in Step 2 then place in
a container. Add the amount of water for effective absorption to the aggregate and
mix thoroughly.

4. Weigh and record the fine aggregate then store in a container. Add the amount of
water for absorption then mix thoroughly.

5. Weigh and record the quantity of cement determined in Step 2. Put it in large mixing
pan.

6. Mix the aggregates of Steps 3 and 4 with the cement in Step 5. Form a mound of the
mixture and make a hole in the middle of the mound.

7. Weigh and record the amount of water in Step 2 for hydration then pour into the
middle of the mound in Step 6. Thoroughly mix the cement and water into a uniform
paste. To produce a concrete mix with the desired slump of 3 to 4 inches and with
good workability, first use only 2/3 of the coarse and fine aggregates and thoroughly
mixing the aggregates with the paste. Then test the slump (Step 8). At this point, the
slump of the mixture should be greater than 4”. Gradually add small quantities of fine
or coarse aggregate (or both) and thoroughly remix the concrete and test the slump.
Repeat this process until the mix reaches the desired slump. Refer to prescribed
water-cement ration for classes of concrete.

8. In testing the slump, the mold shall be firmly held down against the pan. Fill the
slump cone with concrete in three layers, each approximately one-third of the volume
of the mold. Each layer shall be rodded with 25 strokes, distributed uniformly over
the cross-section of the cone. The rod shall lightly penetrate the previous layer. After
the top layer has been rodded, the surface of concrete shall be struck off with a trowel
so that the cone is exactly filled. Raise the cone carefully within 3-7 seconds. Slump
test must be done within 2.5 minutes. Refer to Table 1 for slump requirements.

9. Before filling the concrete into a cylinder mold, determine the weight of each cylinder
mold and record the weight. Line the interior surface of the mold with used oil. The
cylindrical concrete specimen shall be formed by placing the concrete in the cylinder
mold in three layers of approximately equal volumes. Consolidate the concrete and
expel air bubbles by tamping and rodding. Each layer should be rodded with 25
strokes using a tamping rod. The strokes should be distributed uniformly over the
cross-section of the mold. Using the trowel strike out the surface of the concrete.

10. Measure the weight of each cylinder mold filled with concrete and record the weights.
Using a greased flat plate cover each of the filled cylindrical molds.

11. Coat the interior surface of the beam mold with used oil before placing the concrete.
12. The beam specimen shall be formed by placing the concrete in a steel beam mold in
two layers of approximately equal volume. Each layer shall be rodded with one stroke
per two square inch of beam surface. After filling the beam mold completely with the
mixed concrete, cover the top surface with a greased flat plate.

13. After 24 hours, test specimen shall be removed from the molds and stored in the
curing room. Make sure the specimens are protected from moisture loss. This can be
accomplished by continually wetting the specimens during the curing period.

14. Compute the weight of materials for making one cubic yard of concrete and the
“cement factor” for the concrete mix. Determine the unit weight of the concrete.

Table 1
Composition and Strength of Concrete for Use in Structures

Coarse Compressive
Cement Water- Consistency
Aggregate Size Strength
Class of Content Cement Ratio Range in
(Std. sq. 6”x12”
Concrete per m³ (max) Slump
opening) Cylinder
(min.) (kg/kg) (mm)
(mm) (28 days)

360 kg 20.7 MPa

A 0.53 50-100 37.5 - 4.75
(9bags) (3000 psi)

320 kg 16.5 MPa

B 0.53 50-100 50 - 4.75
(9 bags) (2500 psi)

380 kg 20.7 MPa

C 0.55 50-100 12.5 - 4.75
( 9.5 bags) (3000 psi)

440 kg 37.7 MPa

P 0.49 100 max. 19 - 4.75
(11 bags) (5000 psi)

380 kg 20.7 MPa

Seal 0.58 100-200 25 - 4.75
(9.5 bags) (3000 psi)

Source: ACI Standard 211.1

Drawing:

Observations:

Exposure Conditions:
Proportion/Mixture used:
Type of water used:
Size of Fine Aggregates:
Size of Coarse Aggregates:
Type of Cement used:
Water/Cement Ratio used:

Wt. of Wt. of
Weight Weigh Weight Weight
Water to Water to
Type of t of of of Water
Specimen bring FA bring CA
of Cement Sand Gravel used for
No. to SSD to SSD
Mold used used used hydration
condition condition
(kg) (kg) (kg) (kg)
(kg) (kg)
1
2
3
4
5
6
 Weight of
Weight of Volume of
Specimen Mold with
Type of Mold Empty Mold Mold
No. concrete
(kg) (m3)
(kg)
1
2
3
4
5
6

Calculations:

Results:

Measured Slump Workability Description

Cement Factor Total Water Content

Unit Weight of Concrete

Percentage of Fine Aggregate to total Aggregate

Weight of Cement in the batch

Weight of sand in the batch

Weight of gravel in the batch

 Discussion of Results

Conclusion

This practice provides standardized requirements for the manufacture, hardening,

protection, and transportation of concrete specimens under field conditions. As described here, if
the specimen is manufactured and cured according to standards, the strength test data obtained
from the specimen test can be used for the following purposes: Pass test of specified strength,
confirmation of appropriateness of mixing ratio of strength and quality control.

Post-lab exercise:

Given the following conditions, determine the design mix proportions and the corrected
weights of fine and coarse aggregates, and the corrected weight of water.

Application......................................................Superstructure
Slump..............................................................76.2 mm
Maximum size of aggregates..........................37.5 mm
Maximum net water content...........................21.20 li/bag
Maximum Compressive Strength...................20.7 MPa
Bulk Specific Gravity (FA)...........................2.65 (SSD)
Use Type I Portland Cement
 Specific Gravity Dry-Rodded (Unit Weight)
Cement 3.15
CA 2.61 178.478503
FA 2.65 1808.943294
Fineness Modulus 2.8
s