PLAIN AND REINFORCED

CONCRETE LAB

SUBMITTED TO: SIR WAQAR IMRAN

SUBMITTED BY: MUHAMMAD FAHAD ISRAR
ID: F2018132032 (A1)

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY
LAHORE
 EXPERIMENT NO. 1
Determination of Standard Consistency of Hydraulic Cement.
Standard (Designation): ASTM C187
1.1 Scope and Significance:
By the Standard consistency test of cement, we can find that how much water is
required to produce effective cement paste which will eventually produce good
quality of concrete/mortar.

The standard consistency of cement paste is used basically, in the determination of

water/cement ratio, the setting time, soundness and compressive strength tests of
cement.

1.2 Apparatus:
 Vicat Apparatus
 Plunger with 10mm dia. and 50mm length
 Weighing Balance
 Measuring Cylinder of 200ml
 Trowel

1.3 Related Theory:

1.3.1 Consistency:
The thickness or viscosity of cement paste is called Consistency.
1.3.2 Cement paste:
The viscous mass obtained by mixing cement with water is known as Cement Paste.
1.3.3 Standard paste:
It is the cement paste for which 10mm diameter plunger in a standard Vicat Test
penetrates to such an extent that its distance from the bottom is 5-7mm.
1.3.4 Standard / Normal Consistency:
The standard consistency of cement is that consistency which permit Vicat Plunger to
penetrate to a point 5 to 7mm from bottom of Vicat Mould when tested. It is generally
described in the form of weight of water. The standard / normal consistency for
Ordinary Portland Cement varies from 25-35%.
1.3.5 VICAT APPARATUS:
Vicat Apparatus is used to find out the consistency, initial setting time and final
setting time of the cement.
Vicat Apparatus consists of an arrangement to hold the plunger of 10 mm diameter
and two other needles which are made to freely fall into a mould filled with the
cement paste and the amount of penetration of the needles / plunger can be noted
using the vertical graduations from 0 mm to 50 mm. For standard consistency test,
plunger of 10 mm diameter is used.
 1.4 Test Specifications:
1.4.1 Related to Temperature:
The temperature of the air in the vicinity should be between 20-27.5 °C. The temperature of the
mixing water should be 23±2 °C.

1.4.2 Related to Humidity:

The relative humidity of the laboratory should not be less than 50%.

1.4.3 Amount of Cement:

Amount of cement required in the test according to ASTM is 650 gm.
 1.4.4 Mixing Time:
The cement paste must be properly mixed and placed in the test specimen within a maximum
time of 4±1/4 min from the instant when cement and water were initially brought in contact.

1.5 Procedure:
 Mix 650gm of cement with a measured quantity of water and make a cement paste as per
the standard procedure.
 Put the cement paste in the ring of the vicat apparatus and remove the excess paste with
the help of a trowel. Center the paste confined in the ring, resting on the plate, under the
plunger rod and bring the plunger end in contact with the surface of the paste.
 Then, Pull the hydraulic jack so that some amount of energy is stored in it and when
released that stored energy is transferred to the cement paste. This must not exceed 30 s
after completion of mixing. The apparatus shall be free of all vibrations during the test.
The paste of normal consistency is achieved when the rod settles to a point such that it is
4-7mm above the bottom surface in 30 s after being released.
 Make trial pastes with varying percentages of water until the normal consistency is
obtained. Make each trial with fresh cement.

1.6 Reporting of Normal Consistency:

When the rod settles to a point such that it is 4-7mm above the bottom surface in 30 s after being
released. Make trial pastes with varying percentages of water until the normal consistency is
obtained. Make each trial with fresh cement.
 1.7 Observations and Calculations:

Sr. No. Amount of Percentage of Water (ml) Penetration

cement water (%) from below
(grams) (mm)
1 650 28 182 20
2 650 30 195 6

Achieved Standard Consistency= 30%

1.8 Comments:
In this experiment we measured the amount of water required to achieve maximum strength of cement.
The achieved standard consistency was found to be 30% (which is within range of 26% to 33%).
 EXPERIMENT NO. 2
Determination of Initial and Final Setting Time of Cement.
Standard (Designation): ASTM C191
2.1 Scope and Significance:
After mixing the cement with water, it takes time to place the cement paste in
the required position. Therefore, initial setting time possess a primary role in strength
and it is mandated that cement paste/concrete is placed in the required position/spot
before it crosses initial setting time. Transporting the paste/concrete from one place to
another is the process where initial setting time plays an important role.
Final Setting time is the time before which the placed cement paste should not
be disturbed.

2.2 Apparatus:
 Vicat Apparatus
 Needle of 1mm diameter and 50mm length
 Weighing Balance
 Glass Graduates 200 or 250 mL
 Stop Watch
 Trowel

2.3 Related Theory:

2.3.1 Setting:
The time period between the moment water is added to the cement and the time at which needle
makes an impression on the surface of the mould, while the attachment fails to do so, is
the final setting time of cement.
2.3.2 Hardening:
Hardening is the rate of gain of strength due to the chemical reaction. It also refers to the
strength of the concrete after a specified interval of time.
2.3.3 Initial Setting time / Vicat Initial time of Setting:
The time elapsed between the initial contact of cement and water and the time when a 1mm2
cross-section needle gives a reading between 4-7mm from the bottom in a standard
Vicat apparatus is known as initial setting time of that particular cement paste.
2.3.4 Final Setting time /Vicat Final time of Setting:
It is the time elapsed between the initial contact of cement and water and the time when the
smaller needle (1mm2 cross-section and 0.5mm deep) completely penetrates into the
paste and the outer metal attachment of 5mm diameter does not leave an impression on
the cement paste.

Test Specifications:
2.3.5 Needle size for initial and final setting time:
1mm x 1mm cross-section

50mm length

2.3.6 Related to Temperature:

The temperature of the air in the vicinity should be between 23±3 °C. The temperature of the
mixing water should be 23±2 °C.
2.3.7 Related to Humidity:
The relative humidity of the laboratory should not be less than 50%.

2.3.8 Amount of Cement:

Amount of cement required in the test according to ASTM is 650 gm.

2.3.9 Mixing water:

Portable water is satisfactory for the routine tests

2.4 Procedure:

 Prepare a cement paste of standard consistency and put it in the ring of the Vicat
apparatus within the allowable time of 4±1/4 min. Clear and level any extra paste
by means of a trowel.

 Determine the penetration of the 1-mm needle at the start. If a penetration reading
of 4-7mm is obtained then note down the time as the initial setting time otherwise
keep checking the penetration reading after every 10min thereafter until a
penetration reading of 4-7 mm is obtained which will be the initial setting time of
the cement.
 Make each penetration test at least 5 mm away from any previous penetration and
at least 10 mm away from the inner side of the mold.

 Now fix the final setting time plunger in which the smaller needle has the
diameter of 1mm and the diameter of the outer needle is 5mm. Drop the rod of
the Vicat apparatus and note down the time when the smaller 0.5 mm diameter
needle completely penetrates into the paste and the outer needle leaves no
impression on the cement surface.
2.5 Observations and Calculations:

Type of Cement : Ordinary Portland Cement Water Temperature, oC: 26

Room Temperature, oC: 16 Sampling Person: Lab Assistant
Manufacturer: Maple Leaf Relative Humidity, No more than 50%
Sr.No. Description Time(min) Time Interval Penetration(mm)
(min)
1 Addition of water to cement 0 - -
2 Mix and filling of mold 5 5
3 1st reading 25 30 37
4 2nd reading 15 45 37
5 3rd reading 15 60 37
6 4th reading 15 75 37
7 5th reading 15 90 37
8 6th reading 15 105 37
9 7th reading 15 120 32
10 8th reading 15 135 32
11 9th reading 15 150 28
12 10th reading 15 165 25
13 11th reading 15 180 21
14 12th reading 15 195 18
15 13th reading 15 210 12
16 14th reading 15 225 4
17 15th reading 15 240 0

Observation In Minutes
Initial Setting Time 165
Final Setting Time 240

2.6 Comments:
In this experiment, we determined the initial time of setting of cement is 2 hours and 45
minutes, and the final setting time of cement paste was 4 hours. Temperature and
humidity were not checked in the lab. Since, the initial and final setting times were
within the prescribed range indicates that experiment was carried out successfully.
 EXPERIMENT NO. 3
Determination of Bulk Density of Aggregates.
Standard (Designation): ASTM C29
3.1 Scope and Significance:
 This test method is used to determine the bulk density of the given fine grained
specimen.
 During the concrete mix design, when the aggregate is to be batched by volume
or by weight, then it becomes necessary to know the mass of the aggregates that
will fill the container of unit volume. If we know the bulk density of the
aggregate material then we can easily determine the mass required to fill a unit
volume container.
 Bulk density also indicates the percentage of voids present in the aggregate
material. This percentage of voids affects the grading of the aggregates which is
important in high strength concrete.
 Bulk density also indicates the compactive effort required to compact the
concrete.

3.2 Apparatus:
 Balance
 Temping rod
 Measuring Cylinder
 Shovel or Scoop

Sketch:

3.3 Related Theory:

3.3.1 Bulk Density:
It is the mass of the unit volume of bulk aggregate material. The term volume includes the
volume of the individual particles and the volume of the voids between the particles.
Bulk density is used in weight and volume batching.

3.3.2 Voids:
It is the space between the individual particles in a unit volume of the aggregate mass and is not
occupied by the solid mineral matter. Voids within the particles, either permeable or
impermeable are not included in the voids for the determination of bulk density by this
method
3.3.3 Absolute density:
It is the mass per unit volume of the individual particles only.\

3.3.4 Facts about bulk density:

Bulk-density depends upon how densely the aggregate is packed. It also depends upon the size,
distribution and shape of the particles. If the particles are of the same size, then it can be
packed to a limited extent but when the smaller particles are added, the voids get filled
with them and thus the bulk density increases. For a coarse aggregate, a higher bulk
density means that there are few voids which are to be filled by the fine aggregate and
cement. Thus bulk density also depends upon the degree of packing.

3.4 Procedure:
 Note down the dimensions and empty weight of the measuring container and
compute its volume. For the determination of the loose bulk density, fill the container
with the aggregate material by means of a shovel and level its top surface. Weigh the
container filled with the aggregate and note down its reading.
 Now for the determination of the compacted bulk density, the only difference is in
filling the container. In this case, the container is filled in three equal layers. Fill the
container about one-third full and level the surface with the fingers. Rod the layer of
the aggregate with 25 strokes of the temping rod evenly distributed over the surface.
 Next fill the container two-third full and again rod it with 25 strokes of the temping
rod. Finally, fill the container to overflowing and rod again in the manner previously
mentioned.
 Now level the top surface and weigh the container. Calculate the compacted bulk
density by using the relation;

3.5 Observations and Calculations:

 Diameter of container = d = 11.3 cm or 0.113 m.

 Height of container= h = 18 cm or 0.18 m.
 Volume of container= V= π/4 x (d^2) x h
V= 1.803 x 10^-3 m^3
By Rodding method:
Sample Weight of Volume of Weight of Wt. of Bulk Density Bulk Density
State container container aggregate container (kg/m^3) (lb/ft^3)
(kg) (m^3) (kg) +
aggregate
(kg)
Loose 3.880 1.804 x 2.32 6.200 1286.03 80.28
10^-3
Compacted 3.880 1.804 x 2.58 6.460 1430.15 89.28
10^-3

By Jigging method:
Sample State Weight of Volume of Weight of Wt. of Bulk Bulk
container container aggregate container Density Density
(kg) (m^3) (kg) + (kg/m^3) (lb/ft^3)
aggregate
(kg)
Loose 3.880 1.804 x 2.36 6.200 1308.20 81.66
10^-3
Compacted 3.880 1.804 x 2.76 6.460 1529.93 95.51
10^-3

3.6 Comments:
In this experiment, we found that bulk density of a material is greater in compacted
form rather than loose form. Greater the bulk density less will be the voids and more
compactive effort will be required.
 EXPERIMENT NO. 6
Preparing Concrete Mix and Casting for Hardened Concrete
Properties.
Code (Designation): ACI 211.1
6.1 Scope and Significance:
The purpose of this experiment is to simulate the actual formation of concrete mix, its design and
production. In this experiment certain number of samples will be prepared which will be
then be tested for the verification of concrete mix design process.

6.2 Apparatus:
 Concrete Mixer
 Materials
o Cement
o Crush/Coarse Aggregate
o Sand/Fine Aggregate
o Water

 Molds for samples to be prepared

o Cylinders 300mm X150mm dia.
o Cubes with dimensions 150mm X150mmX150mm
o
6.3 Plain Cement Concrete:
The objective in the designing concrete mixtures is to determine the most economical and
practical combination of readily available materials to produce a concrete that will satisfy the
performance requirements under particular condition of use.
PPC mix design has evolved chiefly through experiences and well documented empirical
relationship. Normally, the mix design procedure involves two basic steps;
1. Mix proportioning: This step uses the desired PPC properties as inputs then determines
the required materials and proportions on a combination of empirical relationships and
local experiences. There are many different PPC proportioning methods of varying
complexity that works reasonably well.
2. Mix testing: Trail mixes are then are evaluated and characterized by subjecting them to
several tests. Although the characterizations are comprehensive, they can give the mix
designer a good understanding of how a particular mix will perform in the field during
the construction and under subsequent traffic loading.

This section covers mix design fundamentals common to all PPC mix design methods. First,
two basic concept (mix design as a simulation and weight-home terms and relationship) are
discussed to set a framework for subsequent discussion. Second, the variables that mix
design may manipulate are presented. Third, the fundamental objectives of mix design are
presented. Finally a generic design procedure is presented.
6.4 Concrete mix design:
The standard ACI mix design procedure can be divided up into 8 steps:
1. Choice of slump
2. Maximum aggregate size selection
3. Mixing water and air content selection
4. Water-cement ratio
 5. Cement content
6. Coarse aggregate content
7. Fine aggregate content
8. Adjustment for aggregate moisture

6.5 Concrete mix design and material calculation example:

Given data:

 fc’ = 20 MPa
 Concrete type = Non air entrained
 Maximum aggregate size = 19 mm
 Slump required = 50 mm
 Fineness Modulus of fine aggregates = 2.40
 Bulk density of coarse aggregates = 1600 kg/m^3
 Specific gravity of cement = 3.15
 Specific gravity of coarse aggregate = 2.65
 Specific gravity of fine aggregates = 2.65
 Water absorption of coarse aggregates = 0.5 %
 Water absorption of fine aggregates = 0.7 %

6.6 Flow Chart for the Concrete Mix Design:

1- Calculate Design Strength

2- Based on Strength calculate W/C ratio
3- Calculate Water content and air content
4- Calculate coarse aggregate content
5- Calculate mass of coarse aggregate
6- Calculate fine aggregate by volume method
7- Extra water required for absorption
8- Getting final mix ratio
6.7 Concrete Mix Design under the ACI 211.1:
6.8 Estimation of Quantities for the 6 Cylinders and 6 Cubes:
6.9 Comments:
In this experiment, we calculated the target strength of concrete. The ratio of W/C was found to
be 0.582 and later was 0.614, the coarse and fine aggregate were 1056 and 762.86 respectively.
The final required proportionality was found to be 1 : 2.34 : 3.23, which is quite similar to
standard concrete thus proving the accuracy of our experiment.