CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Subject: Building Materials (3330601)

Sr. Experiment No. LP LR-A Date &

No. Sign
1 Local Market Survey

2 Soundness of Bricks

3 Water Absorption of Bricks

4 Compressive Strength of Bricks

5 Identification of different stone and lime

6 Field Test of Bricks

7 Field Test of Cement

8 Initial & Final Setting Time of Cement

9 Compressive Strength Test of Cement

10 Silt/Clay content of Fine Aggregate

11 Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregate

12 Visit of Saw Mill or Timber Mart

13 Prepare report of miscellaneous civil

engineering materials

1
Experiment No 1: Local Market Survey

Objective: To conduct local market survey for different construction materials regarding
cost, quality.

Procedure:
Students will be divided into groups with 5-6 students in each group. Each group will visit
the market. Contact building materials suppliers, contractors, hardware stores etc. and will
collect the various information regarding cost, quality and suitability of materials.
Sr No. Material Unit Rate Rs.
1 Cement (OPC – 53 Grade) 1 bag (50 Kg)
2 Bricks 1000 No.s
3 Sand 1 m3
4 Aggregate 1 m3
5 Slacked lime 1 m3
6 White Cement 1 kg
7 Hysd steel bars (TOR) 1 kg
8 Decorated wall tiles 1 m2
9 Glazed Tiles 1 m2
10 White marble 1 m2
11 Granite stone 1 m2
12 Distemper 1 kg
13 Wall putty 1 kg
14 Wall primer 1 liter
15 Wood primer 1 liter
16 Oil paint 1 liter
17 Varnish 1 liter
18 Turpentine 1 liter
19 Chicken wire mesh 1 m2
20 Fevicol 1 liter
21 Plain window glass 1 m2
22 Stone (undressed) 1 m3
23 Stone dust 1 m3
24 Plaster of Paris 1 bag
25 Asphalt 1 kg
26 Cement concrete block 1 No.
27 Flush door 1 m2

2
Experiment No 2: Soundness of Bricks

Objective: To determine the soundness of bricks.

Procedure:
• Soundness test of bricks shows the nature of bricks against sudden impact.

• In this test, 2 bricks are chosen randomly and struck with one another.

• Then sound produced should be clear bell ringing sound or metallic sound and brick should not
break.

• Then it is said to be good brick.

Observations:

Sample of Bricks Sound Quality of bricks

(Metallic Ringing or Non
Metallic)
Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3
Sample 4

Conclusion:

Faculty Sign

3
Experiment No 3: Water absorption of Bricks

Objective: To determine the water absorption of bricks.

Apparatus: Weigh – Balance, Hot air Oven, Water bath

Procedure:
• Put the brick samples in hot air oven for 24hrs to free from moisture.
• Then, bricks are weighed in dry condition (W1)
• Then they are fully submerged in water for 24 hours.
• After immersion of 24 hours, the bricks are collected and weighed again in wet condition
(W2).
• The difference of weight between dry and wet condition is considered as the water
absorbed by the bricks. Then the amount of water absorption is determined in percentage.
• Take the average of 3-brick samples.

Calculation:
[𝑊2−𝑊1]
Water absorption (%) = * 100
𝑊1

Observations:

Sr No. Bricks Weight of bricks Weight of bricks % of Water

Sample before after immersion of absorption
submerged in 24 hrs (W2)
water (W1)
1
2
3
Average

Conclusion:

Faculty Sign

4
Experiment No 4: Compressive Strength of Bricks

Objective: To determine the compressive strength of bricks.

Theory:
Compressive strength test on bricks are carried out to determine the load carrying capacity of
bricks under compression with the help of compression testing machine.
Bricks are generally used for construction of load bearing masonry walls, columns and
footings. These load bearing masonry structures experiences mostly the compressive loads.
Thus, it is important to know the compressive strength of bricks to check for its suitability
for construction.
Sampling of Bricks
Remove unevenness observed the bed faces of bricks to provide two smooth parallel faces
by grinding. Immerse the bricks in water at room temperature for 24 hours, then remove the
specimen and drain out any surplus moisture at room temperature.
Fill the frog and all voids in the bed faces flush with cement mortar (1 cement, 1 clean coarse
sand of grade 3mm and down). Store it under the damp jute bags for 24 hours filled by
immersion in clean water for 3 days. Remove and wipe out any traces of moisture.
Procedure:
• Place the specimen with flat face s horizontal and mortar filled face facing upwards
between plates of the testing machine.
• Apply load axially at a uniform rate of 14 N/mm2 (140 kg/cm2) per minute till failure
occurs and note maximum load at failure.
• The load at failure is maximum load at which the specimen fails to produce any further
increase in the indicator reading on the testing machine.

Observations:
Sr. Cross sectional Load (N) Compressive strength
NO. Area of Bricks (mm2) (N/mm2 )
1
2
3
Average

Conclusion:

Faculty Sign

5
Experiment No 5: Identification of different Stones and Lime

Objective: To identify different types of stones and lime.

6
Conclusion

Faculty Sign

7
Experiment No 6: Field test of bricks

Objective: To check the quality of bricks by means of field test.

Field Test of Bricks:

Before using Bricks for construction work it must be tested whether it is suitable for Brickwork or not.
Test on Bricks can be carried out on Lab or in a field (if all necessary apparatus available on a field).

There is some important field test of bricks:

Hardness test on brick

In this test hardness of brick is tested. Finger nail is a scratch on the surface of brick if there is
no impression on brick then it is the hard brick

Shape and size test on bricks

Shape and size of bricks should be uniform and same. Randomly take out the bricks from the
group and stack them along its length breadth and height and compare if all are of same shape
and size then bricks can use for construction.

Colour test of bricks

The color of brick should be uniform and bright throughout the body.

Observations

Types of Test Remark

Hardness

Shape & Size

Colour

Conclusion

Faculty Sign

8
Experiment No 7: Field test of Cement

Objective: To check the quality of cement samples by means of field test.

Field test of Cement

Quality tests on cement at the construction site are performed to know the quality of
the cement supplied, within a short amount of time. It is not possible to have laboratory tests
done in the short period of time, hence in such times the basic field Tests for Cement are done
on the cement to check its quality. These tests give some idea about the quality of the cement.

Tests on Cement at Field:

Colour Test of Cement

The typical colour of the cement should be grey with a light greenish side. This colour should
be uniform.
Presence of Lumps
Due to the moisture from the atmosphere, cement develops lumps. But it’s not good to use that
for construction. Any bag which is delivered to the site with lumps should be rejected.
Adulteration Test
This test is performed by feeling the cement with fingers. It should feel smooth when rubbed in
between fingers. If it feels rough, it implies that the cement is adulterated with sand.
Temperature Test of Cement
This test involves inserting the hand in the bag to check its temperature. It should be cool
inside. If it’s warm inside, then it indicates that the process of hydration is taking place.
Float Test
This test consists of throwing some handful of cement in the bucket full of water. The cement
particles should float for some time before sinking.
Setting Test
In this test, a thick paste is prepared by mixing cement and water and is placed on a piece of
glass plate. This is kept under water for 24hours.After this; it should set and not crack.
Date of Packing
Strength of cement reduces with time, so it is important to check the manufacturing date of the
cement. The general fact is that the cement should be used before 90 days from the date of
manufacturing.

9
Observation

Types of Test Remark

Color

Presence of lump

Adulteration

Temperature

Float Test

Setting Test

Date of packing

Conclusion

Faculty Sign

10
Experiment No 8: Initial & Final Setting Time

Objective: To determine the initial and final setting time of a given sample of cement.

Apparatus: Vicat apparatus conforming to IS: 5513-1976, Balance, Gauging Trowel, Stop
Watch, etc

Theory: For convenience, initial setting time is regarded as the time elapsed between the
moments that the water is added to the cement, to the time that the paste starts losing its
plasticity. The final setting time is the time elapsed between the moment the water is added to
the cement, and the time when the paste has completely lost its plasticity and has attained
sufficient firmness to resist certain definite pressure

Procedure:
Preparation of Test Block –
• Prepare a neat 400 gms cement paste by gauging the cement with 0.85 times the water
required to give a paste of standard consistency. Potable or distilled water shall be used in
preparing the paste.
• Start a stop-watch at the instant when water is added to the cement. Fill the Vicat mould
with a cement paste gauged as above, the mould resting on a nonporous plate. Fill the
mould completely and smooth off the surface of the paste making it level with the top of
the mould.
• Immediately after moulding, place the test block in the moist closet or moist room and
allow it to remain there except when determinations of time of setting are being made.
Determination of Initial Setting Time –
• Place the test block confined in the mould and resting on the non-porous plate, under the
rod bearing the needle ( C ); lower the needle gently until it comes in contact with the
surface of the test block and quickly release, allowing it to penetrate into the test block
• Repeat this procedure until the needle, when brought in contact with the test block and
released as described above, fails to pierce the block beyond 5.0 ± 0.5 mm measured from
the bottom of the mould shall be the initial setting time.

11
Determination of Final Setting Time –
• Replace the needle (C) of the Vicat apparatus by the needle with an annular attachment
(F).

• The cement shall be considered as finally set when, upon applying the needle gently
to the surface of the test block, the needle makes an impression thereon, while the attachment
fails to do so.
• The period elapsing between the time when water is added to the cement and the time at
which the needle makes an impression on the surface of test block while the attachment
fails to do so shall be the final setting time

Observation:
1. Weight of given sample of cement is________________ gms
2. The normal consistency of a given sample of cement is___________%
3. Volume of water addend (0.85 times the water required to give a paste of standard
consistency) for preparation of test block_______________ml

Result:

The initial setting time of the cement sample is found to be ___________

The final setting time of the cement sample is found to be ____________

12
Experiment No: 9: Compressive Strength test of Cement

Objective: To determine the compressive strength of cement sample.

Apparatus:
The standard sand to be used in the test shall conform to IS : 650-1966, Vibration Machine,
Poking Rod, Cube Mould of 70.6 mm size conforming to IS : 10080- 1982, Balance, Gauging
Trowel, Stop Watch, Graduated Glass Cylinders, etc.
Theory:
The compressive strength of hardened cement is the most important of all the properties.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the cement is always tested for its strength at the laboratory
before the cement is used in important works. Strength tests are not made on neat cement paste
because of difficulties of excessive shrinkage and subsequent cracking of neat cement.

Procedure:
• Preparation of test specimens - Clean appliances shall be used for mixing and the temperature
of water and that of the test room at the time when the above operations are being performed
shall be 27 ± 2°C. Potable/distilled water shall be used in preparing the cubes.
• The material for each cube shall be mixed separately and the quantity of cement, standard
sand and water shall be as follows:
• Cement 200 g and Standard Sand 600 g
• Water per cent of combined mass of cement and sand, where P is the percentage of water
required to produce a paste of standard consistency determined as described in IS : 4031 (Part
4)-1988
• Place on a nonporous plate, a mixture of cement and standard sand. Mix it dry with a trowel
for one minute and then with water until the mixture is of uniform colour. The quantity of
water to be used shall be as specified in step 2. The time of mixing shall in any event be not
less than 3 min and should the time taken to obtain a uniform colour exceed 4 min, the
mixture shall be rejected and the operation repeated with a fresh quantity of cement, sand and
water.
• Place the assembled mould on the table of the vibration machine and hold it firmly in position
by means of a suitable clamp.
• Immediately after mixing the mortar in accordance with step 1 & 2 places the mortar in the
cube mould and prod with the rod. Place the mortar in the hopper of the cube mould and
poking rod again as specified for the first layer and then compact the mortar by vibration.

13
• The period of vibration shall be two minutes at the specified speed of 12000 ± 400 vibrations
per minute.
• Curing Specimens - keep the filled moulds in moist closet or moist room for 24 ± 1 hour after
completion of vibration. At the end of that period, remove them from the moulds and
immediately submerge in clean fresh water and keep there until taken out just prior to
breaking and shall be maintained at a temperature of 27 ± 2°C
• Test three cubes for compressive strength for each period of curing mentioned under the
relevant specifications (i.e. 3 days, 7 days, 28 days)
• The cubes shall be tested on their sides without any packing between the cube and the steel
plates of the testing machine. One of the plates shall be carried on a base and shall be self-
adjusting, and the load shall be steadily and uniformly applied, starting from zero at a rate of
40N/mm2/min

Observation

Sr. Age Weight Cross Load (N) Compressive

NO. of Cube of Cement sectional strength
Cube Area (mm2) (N/mm2 )
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Conclusion / Result :

The average 3 Days Compressive Strength _______________

The average 7 Days Compressive Strength ______________
The average 28 Days Compressive Strength ______________

Faculty Sign

14
Experiment No 10: Silt / Clay Content of Fine Aggregate

Objective: To check the silt/clay content of fine aggregate.

Theory:
The permissible silt content in sand (fine aggregate) must not exceed the values as specified in
the standards. However, this method can only be used for natural sand; it should not be used for
crushed rock sand.

Apparatus: 250 ml measuring glass cylinder

Procedure:

The silt content determination by volume is done in the following manner:

• First, we have to fill the measuring cylinder with 1% solution of salt and water up to 50 ml.
• Add sand to it until the level reaches 100 ml. Then fill the solution up to 150 ml level.
• Cover the cylinder and shake it well (as shown in video)
• After 3 hours, the silt content settled down over the sand layer
• Now note down the silt layer alone volume as V1 ml (settled over the sand)
• Then note down the sand volume (below the silt) as V2 ml
• Repeat the procedure two more times to get the average
Calculations:
Silt (%) by volume = (V1 / V2) X 100
Notes: If silt content by weight exceeds 3% then washing of sand is necessary.

Observations
S. Description Sample No.1 Sample No.2 Sample No.3
No
1 Volume of Sample (V1) ml
2 Volume of Silt (V2) ml
3 Percentage of silt (%)
Average

Conclusion

Faculty Sign

15
Experiment No.11: Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregate

Objective:
To determine fineness modulus of fine aggregate and classifications based on IS: 383- 1970.

Apparatus:
Test Sieves conforming to IS : 460-1962 Specification of 4.75 mm, 2.36 mm, 1.18 mm, 600
micron, 300micron, 150 micron, Balance,

Theory:
The sieve analysis is conducted to determine the particle size distribution in a sample of
aggregate, which is known as gradation. The following limits used to classified

Procedure:
• The sample shall be brought to an air-dry condition before weighing and sieving. The air-
dry sample shall be weighed and sieved successively on the appropriate sieves starting
with the largest.
• Material shall not be forced through the sieve by hand pressure. Lumps of fine material, if
present, may be broken by gentle pressure with fingers against the side of the sieve.
• Light brushing with a fine camel hair brush may be used on the 150-micron and 75-micron
IS Sieves to prevent aggregation of powder and blinding of apertures.
• On completion of sieving, the material retained on each sieve, together with any material
cleaned from the mesh, shall be weighed.

Observation:
IS Sieve Weight Retained % Weight % Weight %Cumulative
Retained Passing Percentage Passing
4.25 mm
2.36 mm
1.18 mm
600 micron
300 micron
150 micron
Pan

Result /Conclusion:

Faculty Sign
16
Experiment No 12: Visit of Saw mill or Timber Mart

Objective: To assess the quality of different types of timber and timber products.

Procedure:
Students will be divided into groups with 5-6 students in each group. Each group will visit the
Saw mill or Timber mart. Contact owner of saw mill or Timber mart and will collect the various
information regarding cost, quality and suitability of timber and timber product.

Faculty Sign

17
Experiment No 13:
Prepare a report of miscellaneous civil engineering materials

Objective:

To collect the information of miscellaneous civil engineering materials with respect to cost, quality and
applications.

Procedure:
Student will collect the information of miscellaneous civil engineering materials. Each student
will prepare the report regarding information of miscellaneous civil engineering material with
respect to cost, quality and application.

Faculty Sign

18