REPORT : CONCRETE SLUMP TEST

INTRODUCTION
Concrete slump test is a method used to determine the consistency or workability of a
fresh concrete. The consistency indicates how much water has been used in the mix.
Consistency is a term that is very closely related to workability, which describes the state of
fresh concrete. It indicates the degree of wetness and refers to the ease with which the
concrete flows. Concrete slump test is popular due to the simplicity of apparatus used and
simple procedure. Also, because of the simplicity of the test, it often allows a wide variability
in the manner that the test is performed and able to be conducted on site.
The application of slump test is used to ensure the uniformity for different batches of
similar concrete under field conditions and to ascertain the effects of plasticizers on their
introduction. This test is very useful on site as a check on the day-to-day or hour-to-hour
variation in the materials being fed into the mixer. An increase in slump might indicate that
the moisture content of aggregate has unexpectedly increases. Other cause would be a change
in the grading of the aggregate, such as deficiency of sand. Too high or too low a slump gives
immediate warning and enables the mixer operator to remedy the situation.

OBJECTIVE
To determine the workability slump for a given volume of wet concrete sample which
determines its ability to be placed, compacted and finished as required for the specific
purpose using the Slump Test Method.
SUMMARY OF THEORY
The slumped concrete takes various shapes, and according to the profile of slumped
concrete, the slump is termed as collapse slump, shear slump, and true slump.

Degree of Slump
Description
Workability (mm)
Very dry mixes, used in road making. Road vibrated by
Very low 0 -25
power operated machines.
Low workability mixes, used for foundations with light
Low 25 – 50
reinforcement. Roads vibrated by hand operated machines.
Medium workability mixes, manually compacted flat slabs
using crushed aggregates. Normal reinforced concrete
Medium 50 -100
manually compacted and heavily reinforced sections with
vibrations.
High workability concrete, for sections with congested
High 100 – 175
reinforcement. Not normally suitable for vibration.

The variables which can be controlled that will affect the workability of concrete are:
1. Water cement ratio
2. Maximum aggregate size
3. Aggregate grading
4. Aggregate cement ratio
5. Use of admixtures
APPARATUS AND MATERIALS
1. Tamping rod
2. Inspection Scale
3. Base Plate
4. Sampling tray
5. Scoop
6. Steel Trowel
7. Brush
8. Oil
9. Wet Concrete Specimen
10. Cone/Mould – Top: 100mm diameter, Base: 200mm diameter, Height: 300mm

PROCEDURE
1. The mould/cone is thoroughly cleaned and coated with a layer of oil so that the
concrete does not stick onto the mould.
2. The slump cone is placed on the flat mixing pan.
3. The slump cone is then held firmly in place using the 2 foot holds.
4. The concrete mixture is filled into the cone in three layers.
5. For each layer, the concrete in the cone is tamped by tamping rod for 25 times in a
circular motion.
6. The excess concrete on top of the cone is removed and leveled by using tamping rod
in a rolling motion until flat.
7. The cone is removed slowly and carefully by lifting it vertically. The slump cone is
placed beside the concrete immediately.
8. The tamping rod is placed on top of the slump cone as reference height and the
difference of height from the rod to the displaced center of concrete is measured and
recorded.
RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS
The recorded slump height is 96mm, which is not within the range of 80mm – 100mm.
Therefore, the slump is considered within the range of designed slump .

DISCUSSION
The Slump Test Method for the workability of wet concrete sample must be within 45
minutes after the mixing. The Slump Test was conducted 15 minutes after the concrete has
been mixed; therefore it has fulfilled the requirements of conducting the test within 45
minutes after mixing.
The result of the Slump Test is 96mm. The range of slump must be within 80mm –
100mm as determined in the concrete mix design. Therefore, the concrete has achieved the
slump value specified in the concrete mix design.
This concrete is a medium workability concrete. This is because that the sand and
gravel used in mixing which is placed outdoor exposing to the rain. Moreover, due to
exposure to the open environment, there were also some foreign material like dried leaves
and roots in the aggregates and sand. We assume these factors affected the water cement ratio
of the wet concrete as the foreign material took out some volume and mass of the whole
concrete.

CONCLUSION
Generally, the higher the water content of concrete, the higher the workability of
concrete. However, the higher the water content of concrete, the lower the strength of the
concrete. We have noticed throughout the experiment that the materials to which produces
concrete are important and should be kept indoor to prevent modification on the concrete mix.
The type of concrete produced in our experiment can be used for sections with
congested reinforcement but however it will not be as good as the high workability concrete..
Therefore, the conclusion for the concrete in our slump test is 96mm which is medium
workability concrete.
REFERENCE
1. Bangash, AJ. 2012. Concrete slump test. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.enggpedia.com/civil-engineering-encyclopedia/dictionary/building-
construction/1704-concrete-slump-test. [Accessed 24 September 13].

APPENDIX

Slump applied with oil. Concrete poured into the slump by layers.

Slumpe cone pulled up gentle. Slump is being measured.

 REPORT : COMPACTING FACTOR TEST

INTRODUCTION
The compacting factor test is designed primarily for use in the laboratory or field. It is more
precise and sensitive than the slump test and it is particularly useful for concrete mixes. The
principle of compacting factor is to determine the degree of compaction achieved by a
standard amount of work done by allowing the concrete to fall through a standard height.

OBJECTIVE
The objective of this test is to determine degree of compaction factor and the workability of
fresh concrete.

APPARATUS
1. Compacting factor apparatus
2. Trowel
3. Hand Float
4. Scoop
5. Weighing Balance
6. Mixing Tray
7. Steel Tamping Rod

PROCEDURES
1. The compacting factor apparatus must be clean and dry condition before using it.
2. Make sure that the trap-doors of upper and lower hopper is closed before the concrete
sample is filled into upper hopper. Do not compact the concrete sample when it is filled
into upper hopper.
3. Trap-door at upper hopper is released and opened to let the concrete sample falls
vertically into the lower hopper.
4. Step 3 is repeated for lower hopper to let the concrete sample falls vertically into a
cylinder by the action of gravity.
5. Trowel is used to clear the excess concrete sample on the top of cylinder. The outer part
of the cylinder is cleaned before it is weighed.
6. The cylinder is then emptied and refills with concrete sample in 6 layers. Steel tamping
rod is used to compact the concrete sample by 30 times per layer.
7. The concrete surface is levelled and the outer part of the cylinder is cleaned before the
weight of compacted concrete is taken.

RESULT
Concrete sample Mass of compacting concrete (kg)
Partially compacted 14.04
Fully compacted 14.10
Compacting Factor 0.996

CALCULATION
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒
𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 =
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒
14.04
=
14.10
= 0.996

DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION

1. Compacting factor can be calculated by using the formula mass of partially compacting
concrete divided by the mass of fully compacting concrete. In this experiment, the
compacting factor is 0.996. The relationship between the workability and the compacting
factor can be seen in the table below :

2. Thus, the workability in this test is known as high workability. High workability of the
concrete is suitable for casting of the structures congested with rebars such as T-beams
with tendons and high amount of rebar works.
PRECAUTION
1. When conduct the partially compacted test, make sure do not compact the concrete
sample when it is filled into upper hopper. This purpose is to let the concrete fall
vertically by the action of gravity.

2. For fully compacted test, make sure that the tamping rod is fall freely and equally when
compact the fresh concrete inside the cylinder.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the compacting factor test in this experiment is 0.996. This result is
more sensitive and precise than slump test result. Thus, this type of fresh concrete can be
classified as high workability. As a result, this type of concrete is suitable casting of
structures in small working area as in narrow moulds with high amount of rebar works. This
is due to the high workability of concrete which allows it to flow through the narrow space
between the moulds and rebars.

REFERENCE
1. University of Jordan, Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Civil Engineering
Department, by Mu’men Tawfiq Atoom, on April 20, 2002, http://www.ahm531.com/lab-
reports/concrete-lab/reports/2/Compaction factor test.pdf
APPENDIXES

A thin layer of oil is applied on the inner Concrete is poured into the cone
surface of compacting factor apparatus

The surface of concrete is well levelled Partially compacted concrete weight is being
measured
 REPORT : DENSITY TEST

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the density test is to control the quality of the fresh mixed concrete for test.
Density can be calculated by using the formula mass per volume of fresh mixed concrete.
Density test is used to determine the yield and relative yield of concrete. Yield is defined as
the volume of concrete produced from a mixture of known quantities of the component
materials. Volume of the concrete can be calculated together with the air content of the
mixing concrete. To get low density of concrete, high water content and high air content is
used, but with low cements content. However, the opposite way to get the high density
concrete is used low water content, low air void, and more cement content.

OBJECTIVE
To determine the density of the fresh concrete and measure the unit weight.

APPARATUS
1. 3 cube of steel moulds with size 150mm x 150mm x 150mm
2. Scoop
3. Gauging trowel
4. Electronic balance
5. Vernier caliper
6. Brush
7. Curing tank
8. Steel tamping rod

MATERIAL
1. Oil
2. Water Tank
3. Fresh Concrete.
PROCEDURES
1. The inner surface of 3 steel mould is coated with the oil by using brush. 1/3 of fresh
concrete is then poured into the steel mould and it is compacted by using steel tamping
rod with 30 blows.

2. Step 1 is repeated for next 2 layers of fresh concrete in a steel mould. Trowel is used to
cover the steel mould with sack and impervious sheeting.
3. After 24 hours, the concrete cubes are removed from the steel mould. The concrete cubes
are then marked before submerged them into the water tank. (Note: The water must fully
submerge the concrete cubes).
4. At day 7 the cubes are taken out from the water tank and cleaned with slightly dried
before weighted using electronic balance.
5. The dimensions (length, width and height) of these concrete are then measured 4 times
per face by using vernier calliper.
RESULT

Volume, V2 Density
Sample Length Width Height Weight,
L x W x H P2 = m1 / V2
No (mm) (mm) (mm) m1 (kg)
(m3) (kg/m3)
149.5 149.1 151.9
149.7 149.7 148.2
150.5 149.0 148.6
1 7.4 3.353x10^-3 2207
149.7 149.1 151.0
Ave (L) Ave (W) Ave (H)
149.9 149.2 149.9
149.7 152.7 152.6
148.3 152.7 151.7
151.5 150.6 152.4
2 7.6 3.475x10^-3 2187
152.9 150.5 152.8
Ave (L) Ave (W) Ave (H)
150.4 151.6 152.4
145.8 149.1 151.9
146.3 149.2 149.7
146.0 149.4 149.8
3 7.3 3.281x10^-3 2219
146.0 148.1 151.7
Ave (L) Ave (W) Ave (H)
146.0 149.0 150.8

CALCULATION

Density Sample 1 + Density Sample 2 + Density Sample 3

𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 3
2207+2187+2219
= 3

= 2204 kg/m3
DISCUSSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The dimension of a cube concrete is measured four times in order to get the most accurate
dimension of the cubes. Thus, the accurate density of the concrete can be calculated by
using the formula of mass per volume once the dimension of concrete is measured
correctly. The parallel error may occur when taking the dimension reading from the
vernier caliper. This is because the scalar show on vernier caliper is too small. As a result,
we may take a wrong dimension easily. Based on our group opinion, we are suggesting
using the electronic vernier caliper to measure the dimension of the cube.

2. After the cube concrete is taken out from the water tank, make sure that the cube concrete
is cleaned and dried before the weight is measured by electronic balance. This purpose is
to measure the most accurate weight of the cube concrete.
3. Based on the result, the average density of the cube concrete is 2204 kg/m3. These
densities are slightly difference when compare to the design concrete density (which is
2320 kg/m3) at the concrete mix design form. This happen because we did not compact
the concrete consistently and properly. Thus, it will affect the weight of the cube concrete
after concrete hardened. As a result, density of the concrete will slightly smaller compare
to our design density.

PRECAUTIONS

1. The inner surface of the steel mould must coated with the oil first before filled it with
fresh concrete. For example, the joints between the sections, contact surface of the
bottom and base plate of the steel mould are coated with the oil to ensure that no water
escapes during filling the concrete. In addition, adhesion of concrete also can be
prevented by coating the oil in the steel mould.
2. The cube concrete must be fully submerged into the water tank after the steel mould is
removed. The purpose is to keep the concrete moist and warm enough so that the
hydration of cement can continues until achieve the desire properties. Thus, curing
process is very important for concrete.
CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the density of the cube concrete can be calculated by using the formula
mass per volume. Based on the density result, the average density of the cube concrete is
2204 kg/m3

REFERENCE

1. Density, Concrete Network, http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete-

testing/density.html

APPENDIXES

Measuring the mass of cubes Measuring the length, width and height of
cubes
 REPORT : COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST

INTRODUCTION
Compression test is the most common test which conducted on hardened concrete. It is a
method to determine the behaviour of materials under a compressive load. Compression test
is conducted by adding load to the test specimen between two plates and then it is used to
determine the elastic limit, proportionality limit, yield point, yield strength and compressive
strength.
Compressive strength is referring to the maximum stress that a material can sustain under a
crush loading. It is calculated by dividing the maximum load by the original cross-sectional
area of a specimen in a compression test.[1] Compressive strength can be measured through a
compressive testing machine. This machine also can measure the maximum amount of
compressive load before the concrete cube begin to fracture when testing process is continue
processing.

OBJECTIVE
To determine the strength, compressive axial load of cubic concrete and to measure the
specimen stretches when the force is applied.

APPARATUS
Compressive-testing Machine

PROCEDURES
1. During the compression test on day 7, a cube with cast face is placed in contact with the
platens of testing machine. (Note: Ensure that the load must be applied onto two opposite
cast faces of the cubes.)

2. The compressive-test machine is set to correct loading and the reading on testing machine
must be zero before the test is started.
3. Step 1 and 2 are repeated for second and third cubes. The readings of compressive
strength for testing cube must be recorded.
4. Step 1 to 3 are repeated for compression test on day 14.
RESULT
Area (A) Compressive Type of
Sample = (L x W ) Load (P) Strength Failure (S
No Date (mm2) (KN) (N/mm2) / US)
Date cast
21/1/20
Date Test
1 28/1/20 2.237x10^4 299.4 13.38 US
Age of
testing
7 days
Date cast
21/1/20
Date Test
2 28/1/20 2.280x10^4 310.8 13.63 US
Age of
testing
7 days
Date cast
21/1/20
Date Test
3 28/1/20 2.175x10^4 290.3 13.35 US
Age of
testing
7 days
CALCULATION
Area = Length (mm) x Width (mm)
Sample 1 = 149.9mm x 149.2mm
= 2.237x10^4mm2

𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑, 𝑃 (𝑁)
Compressive Strength (N/ mm2) = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 , 𝑥 1000
𝐴 (𝑚𝑚2 )
299.4
Sample 1 = 2.237x10^4 x 1000

= 13.38 N/ mm2
The same steps is repeated for the other two sample.

𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 1+𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 2+𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 3

Average of compressive strength in day 7 = 3
13.38+13.63+13.35
= 3

= 13.45 N/ mm2
DISCUSSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The average compressive strength of concrete at day 7 is 13.45 N/ mm2. This strength is
slightly lesser than our target characteristic strength, which is 15 N/ mm2. This is because
concrete that our group used is high workability. Based on theory, high workability will
produce low compressive strength of concrete. Factors such as aggregates exposed to the
environment and containing foreign material such as dried leaves and roots might have
affected our results in this test.
2. The parallel error occurs when using the vernier caliper to measure the dimension of cube
concrete. This is because the scalar shows in the vernier caliper is too small. Thus, we can
easily get the wrong reading. To avoid this happen, we need more than two people to
taken the same reading from vernier caliper.

PRECAUTION
Before using the compressive-test machine, we must make sure that the reading show on
testing machine must be zero so that we can take the actual value. In addition, we also need to
ensure that the load of the machine must be applied onto two opposite cast faces of the cubes.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the average compressive strength of concrete in day 7 is 13.45 N/ mm2. This
result is slightly higher than target compressive strength of concrete because low workability
will produce high strength of concrete.

REFERENCE
1. Glossary of materials testing, Compressive strength, Instron Worldwide Headquarter,
http://www.instron.us/wa/glossary/Compressive-
Strength.aspx?ref=http://www.google.com.my/url

APPENDIX

Concrete Cube is being compressed Concrete Cubes after compression