Lab Report: NO.

REG #: 13/0905/0276

Course Name: Materials Technology (CIV 1101)

Title: Compressive strength of Mortar cubes

Aim: To determine the compressive strength of mortar cubes

Introduction

The purpose of carrying out this lab report is to obtain the compressive strengths of
mortar cubes, which was done by making mortar cubes of sand, cement and water.
These were mixed accordingly and allowed to set, then, placed in water to cure
for 7 days, removed from the water and crushed using the compression testing
machine.

The compressive strength of particular building materials such as mortar cubes are
needed by researchers to determine whether the material or method of using the
material is suitable for the project that is being conducted.

According to reference and background information, the results obtained for the
compressive strengths obtained for the 7 day mortar cube was found to be
consistent. On the other hand, the 14 day mortar cube was found to be inconsistent;
this may have been due to various contaminations and other circumstances
affecting the cube.
 Theoretical Information

When a force concentrated on the area object or sample becomes too large that it
causes the object to start breaking down this is called compressive
strength. Strength of cement depends upon the correct mixture and proportioning
of aggregates. The Compressive strength of a mortar cube is failure load (Lbs)
divided by its area (inches2) or using the weight in Newtons and divided this by
area in meters squared (m2). The unit therefore for the compressive strength is
pounds per square inch (psi) or Newton meters (N/m2). Compressive testing is
done to ensure that the materials to be used in a researchers project are suitable. In
the field a specified strength f may be given to the researcher and to suit this
compressive test must be done on the materials to be used; the compressive
strength of the researchers materials should not fall 500psi below the required
strength, nor should it be more than 5000psi for that specified strength.
Materials
Portland type 1 cement

Water: source- tap

Sand

Furniture Oil- to lubricate moulds

Equipment

Stamping Rod

Electronic balance- Avery Berkel, model no. 6405, max- 30kg, min 100g, error-
5/log (value)

Moulds

Measuring cylinder- Jay Tec, 1000ml, BS 604, 20 C

Mixing Pan

Trowel

Compression testing machine

 Experimental Procedure

1. A sample of sand and cement of fixed proportions was mixed (185 cement,
555 sand and 74g water).
2. Three moulds were prepared by cleaning and lubricating the inner surface
with oil.
3. The cement was placed in moulds of 3 layers; the layers were compacted by
tamping 25 times each to ensure compatibility.
4. The cubes were removed from the moulds after 24 hours. The moulds were
then submerged for seven (7) days
5. The moulds were weighed.
6. The dimensions of the mould were recorded and the volumes calculated.
7. The failure loads of the cubes were established by the use of compaction-
testing machine.
8. For each cube the density and compressive strength was calculated and
recorded.
Experimental results

Block# Age Dimensions Weight Failure

(days) (inches) load
(lbs)
1 7 2.75 0.785 25000
kg/1.7lbs
2 7 2.75 0.805 31000
kg/1.8lbs
3 7 2.75 0.790 22000
kg/1.74lbs

Table 1: showing results obtained from compression tester.

Analysis of results
Compressive strength (C.S) = failure load (lbs) / cross sectional area of cube
(inches)

Volume of cube = length x width x breath (inches3)

Area of cube = length x width (inches2)

Density = mass/volume

Block# Compressive density Area (inches2) Volume

strength of mortar (lbs/ft3) (ft3)
cubes (psi)
1 3289.1 1.00 7.6 1.75
2 4079.0 1.03 7.6 1.75
3 2895.0 1.00 7.6 1.75
Table 2: showing the results for mortar cube calculations
Discussion
Each mould was given a day to harden and 7 days to cure. The compressive
strengths for cubes 1, 2 and 3 had varying results as no two blocks will be alike
due to varying air pockets, human error and packing of mould. The density of
each block varied but a correlative feature was observed , in that the higher the
density the greater the cubes resistance to force exerted by the compression
tester machine and this due to the greater compaction of the mortar cube (tighter
bonding) . The highest recorded compressive strength was from block 2, being
4079 which also has the highest density.
Conclusion
The compressive strength of block 1, 2 and 3 were determined to be 3289.1,
4079.0, 2895.0 psi respectively.
References:
Mortar compressive strength,
http://www.cement.org/masonry/compressive_strength.asp obtained: 2013-11-07
Appendix

Figure 1: showing compressing of a cement block.