To make sure that the readings shown by the testing

machine represent the correct value of the load pressure

affecting the specimens.

By putting the load cell or proving ring in the place of

specimen in the testing machine.

1) In the industry after manufacturing and before

selling the machine
2) First time after buying (new machine)
3) When it is moved from one place to another
4) Periodically each month
Spring 2020 2
1. To Calibration device is placed in the testing machine
instead of the specimen.
2. Load is applied gradually until we reach the
maximum load of the testing machine.
3. The readings of the testing machine (P machine) and the
reading of the calibration device (Δ actual) are recorded
periodically.
4. P actual = K * Δ actual Calculate the percentage of error
%error = [(P machine – P actual)/P actual]*100

Spring 2020 3
A calibration test was done for a compression testing machine
and the results were as follows:
Machine load
10 20 30 40 50
(ton)
Calibration ring load
10.2 21.3 29.5 41.3 51.5
(ton)

1) Draw the calibration curve

2) Find intervals of errors more than +/-2%
3) If a 15x15x15 cm concrete cube was tested and the failure load
was given by the machine was 26 ton – calculate the true
compressive strength of this cube.

Spring 2020 4
 Machine load
10 20 30 40 50
(ton)
Calibration ring load
10.2 21.3 29.5 41.3 51.5
(ton)
% error -1.96 -6.1 1.69 -3.15 -2.9

%error = [(P machine – P actual)/P actual]*100

EX: %error P 10 = [(10– 10.2)/10.2]*100 = -1.96%

Spring 2020 5
 3

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
-1
%error

-2

-3

-4

-5

-6

-7
machine load(ton)

−2 P machine −P 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 26−P 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥

3) % error = = =
100 P 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 P 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥
So, -0.02*P actual = 26 – P actual
So, P actual = 26.22 ton
26.22
Compressive strength = = 0.1165 t/cm2
15x15
Spring 2020 6
Spring 2020 7