CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING (Midterm)

INTRODUCTION TO CMT 11. C2S

12. C3A
Material Testing - is a well-established technique used to determine 13. C4AF
the physical and mechanical properties of a materials and its
components.

How to check quality of construction materials:

Many types of materials are used in civil engineering constructions
for various activities. Therefore there are factors that affects the
construction:
 Quality of materials : such as cement, steel, sand, gravel,
water, etc,
 Cement-sand-gravel ratio
 Water/cement ratio (w/c ratio)
 Workability
 Curing
 Quality of machinery used in construction e.g. Mixer,
Vibrator
 Method of construction and speed of work: Excessive work
speed reduces the quality of construction.
 Skills and experience of labor

Important Point To Check Quality of cement:

 Cement is the most important material used in

construction.
 It is used in almost every item of construction.
 The function of cement is to strengthen it by adding sand
and gravel. TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

CATEGORIES IN TESTING 1. Aggregates

 Coarse Aggregates
1. Field Testing  Fine Aggregates
How to check quality of cement on a field? 2. Steel Reinforcement
 The bag of cement should be machine sewn. 3. Cement
 It should weigh 50 kg. TEST CONDUCTED ON DIFFERENT CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
 The color of the cement should be uniformly greenish
gray or brown. 1. Aggregates
 The cement should feel cold when you put your hand in  Sieve Analysis
the cement bag.  Water Absorption
 Cement bag should not have lumps.  Aggregate Impact Value
 Aggregate Abrasion Value
2. Laboratory Testing  Aggregate Crushing Value
When cement is to be used in an important construction 2. Concrete
or in a large space, the quality of cement cannot be determined on Test of Fresh Concrete Test of Hardened Concrete
the basis of field testing alone. In such a case, it is very important for
Slump Test Compression Strength Test
the cement user to undergo laboratory testing of the cement.
Compacting Factor Flexural Strength Test
Cement is subjected to laboratory testing for its following
Test
properties:
VeBe Test Rebound Hammer Test
1. Fineness
K- Slump Test Ultrasonic Pulse Test
2. Soundness 3. Steel Reinforcement
3. Consistency  Tensile Strength Test
4. Strength  Bending Test
5. Setting time  Re-bend Test
6. Heat of Hydration  Shear Test
7. Loss of ignition  Brinell Hardness Test
8. Bulk density  Impact Test
9. Specific Gravity  Torsion Test
10. C3S
JCL (SE- 3202)
 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING (Midterm)
USES AND FUNCTION OF UTM
UNIVERSAL TESTING MACHINE
UNIVE R is run by an electric motor and sump.
A Universal testing machine (UTM) is used to test the
mechanical properties (tension, compression etc.) of a given
test specimen by exerting tensile, compressive or transverse
stresses. The machine has been named so because of the
wide range of tests it can perform over different kind of
materials. Different tests like peel test, flexural test, tension
test, bend test, friction test, spring test etc. can be performed
with the help of UTM.
A universal testing machine consists of two main parts :
1. LOADING UNITS
2. CONTROL UNITS
The arrangement of the test specimen and the exertion of the
load is held in the loading unit. The variations in the
application of the load and the corresponding test result are
obtained from the control unit.
1. LOADING UNIT
The loading unit of a UTM consists of the following
components :
1. Load Frame
2. Upper crosshead and Lower crosshead
3. Elongation Scale
1. Load Frame - can be made either by single support or by
double support. The load Frame consists of a table (where
the specimen is placed for the compression test), upper
crosshead, and lower crosshead.
2. Upper Crosshead and Lower Crosshead - is used to clamp
one end of the test specimen. The lower crosshead in the
load frame is the movable crosshead whose screws can be
loosened for height adjustment and tightened. Both the
crossheads have a tapered slot at the center. This slot has a
pair of racked jaws that is intended to grip and hold the
tensile test specimen.
3. Elongation Scale - The relative movement of the lower and
upper table is measured by an elongation scale which is
provided along with the loading unit.
2. CONTROL UNIT
The main components of the control unit in a universal
testing machine
are :
1.Hydraulic Power Unit
2.Load Measuring Unit
3.Control Devices
1. Hydraulic Power Unit - This unit consists of an oil pump
that provides non-pulsating oil flow into the main cylinder of
the load unit. This flow helps in the smooth application of
load on the specimen. The oil pump in a hydraulic power unit
2. Load Measuring Unit - This unit has a pendulum
dynamometer unit that has a small cylinder with a piston
which moves with the non-pulsating oil flow. The pendulum is
connected to the piston by pivot lever. The pivot lever
deflects based on the load applied to the specimen. This
deflection is
converted to the load pointer and displays as the load on the
dial.
- The range of load application can be adjusted by
means of a knob in the load measuring unit (0-100
kN; 0-250 kN; 0-500 kN and 0- 1000 kN). The
accuracy of measuring unit controls the overall
accuracy of the machine.
3. Control Devices - can be electric or hydraulic. Electric
control devices make use of switches to move the crossheads
and switch on/off the unit. A hydraulic control device consists
of two valves, Right Control Valve and Left Control Valve or
Release Valve. A right control valve is used to apply load on
the specimen.
Functions of Universal Testing Machine
The main functions of UTM are to test the mechanical
properties of
materials. The standard tests performed by UTM are:
1. Tensile Test
2. Compression Test
3. Adhesion Tests
4. Pull-Out Tests
5. Bending Test
6. Hysteresis Test
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
SPECIFIC UNIT WEIGHT OF A MATERIALS
 The unit weight of building material is very important from
the design perspective of a building.
 A structural design engineer should have complete
knowledge of the unit weight of materials.
JCL (SE- 3202)
 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING (Midterm)
2. It also helps to determine the structures weight which is designed
to carry the specific load so that it remains intact and within the
limit.
3. Unit weight of any material also helps to calculate the quantity of
a material required for particular space.
PROPERTIES OF A MATERIALS
1. Density - is the dry mass per unit volume of a substance under
absolute condition.
M
p=
V
Where:
ρ is the density
M is the mass under dry condition
V is the volume

What is Cement?

 Cement is a binder, a substance used in building that binds

other materials together by setting, hardening, and
adhering to them. It has cohesive and adhesive properties 2. Bulk Density - refers to the mass per unit volume of a substance
in the presence of water. under conditions that powdery or granular
 It is a product obtained by grinding clinker made by materials are packed. It is the mass of a unit volume of a material in
calcining raw materials consisting mainly of lime (CaO), its natural state (with pores and voids).
silicates (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3), and iron oxides (Fe2O3). m
Pb=
 The standard density of cement is 1440 kg/m3. VO
 When mixed with fine aggregate(sand) produces mortar
for masonry, or with sand and gravel, it produces Where:
concrete. It is the most generally used material existing Pb is the bulk density
and is merely behind water because of the planet’s most- m is the mass under dry condition
consumed resource. Vo is the volume under packing condition
 Cement can be characterized as hydraulic and non-
hydraulic.
o Non-hydraulic cement doesn’t set in wet
conditions or underwater. Instead, it sets
because it dries and reacts with Carbon dioxide
in the air. It is resistant to attack by chemicals
once set.
o Hydraulic cement (e.g., Portland cement) sets
and becomes adhesive because of a reaction
between the dry ingredients and water. The
reaction ends up in mineral hydrates that aren’t 3. Density Index - The ratio of bulk density. It indicates the degree to
terribly soluble and then are quite sturdy in which the volume of a material is filled with solid matter.
water and safe from chemical attack. This permit Pb
setting in wet conditions or underwater and Po =
protects the hardened material from chemical P
attack. 4. Specific Weight – unit weigt per unit volume of a material
y=pg
where:
WHY IS UNIT WEIGHT IMPORTANT? m mg
W= mg p= y=
1. The unit weight is essential for weight calculation purposes. With V V
the help of unit weight, we can calculate the weight of any material. Where:
y is the specific weight
g is the gravity ,
JCL (SE- 3202)
 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING (Midterm)
p is the density Vw
5. Specific Gravity – ratio of the weight/mass of a given volume of Wv = x 100 %
Vw+ Vs
solids to the weight/mass of an equal volume of water at 4 degree
Celsius.
PREPARATION OF CONCRETE SPECIMEN AND HOW IT IS
ys Ps BEING CURED
Gs= =
y Pw
At 4°C Concrete - a composite material made up of inert materials of
g kg N kN varying sizes which are bound together by binding medium.
Pw=1 3 or 1000 and yw = 9810 or 9.81 - It is placed in the molds using a trowel in three layers of
cm m3 m3 m3 approximately equal depth and is remixed in the mixing pan with a
shovel to prevent segregation during the molding of specimens.
6. Porosity – degree to which volume of the amterial is interspersed - Quality of concrete is measured by its strength and durability.
with pores. It is expresses as a ratio of the volume of pores to that of It should have sufficient strength to resist the stresses from
the specimen loads as well as to resist forces of disintegration due to freezing
Vv and thawing and chemical attack.
n=
V
Void Ratio –ratio of volume of voids (Vv) to the volume of solids (Vs) Factors that affect the quality of concrete:
Vv 1. Coarse aggregate
e= 2. Air entrainment
Vs 3. Water / cement ratio

Workability - of concrete may be defined as composite

characteristic indicative of the ease with which the mass of
plastic material may be deposited in its final place without
segregation during placement and its ability to conform to
fine forming detail.

COMPONENTS OF CONCRETE

Aggregates - exhibit a variety of physical and chemical

characteristics which may result in aggregate reactivity with the
hardened concrete.
Water - reacts with particles. It allows the concrete to hardened
7. Water Absorption – refers to the property of absorbing water easily. The addition of water to the cement forms a paste that acts
when materials exposed to water. It expressed by the water as a glue.
absorption ratio. Portland Cement - when water is added to the cement, a chemical
Two types: reaction takes place and a calcium silicate hydrate is produced. The
1. Specific Absorption Quality amount of water needed to complete this reaction is approximately
2. Specific Absorption of Volume 30 % of the cement by weight.
Ww Mw
w= =
Ws Ms

1. Specific Absorption Quality – refers to the percentage

of the absorbed water to the dry mass when the material absorbs
water to saturation

HOW TO DETERMINE CONCRETE SLUMP

Ww mw
w= =
Ws ms ASTM C143 (Standard Test Method for Slump of Concrete) -
when measure of the consistency of a sample of concrete and tells you
Vw how fluid the concrete will be.
S=1.00 s=
Vv
PROCEDURE FOR CONCRETE SLUMP
2. Specific Absorption of Volume – refers to the 1. Place the mold on a flat surface.
percentage of the absorbed water’s volume to the material’s natural 2. Fix the mold with fresh concrete using scoop in 3 layers each
volume when the material absorbs water to saturation. approximately 1/3 of the mold.

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 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING (Midterm)
3. Each layer should be rodded with 25 strokes using 16mm x 0.6
tamping rod.
4. After the top layer has been rodded, strike off the surface of
concrete with a trowel so that the mold is exactly filled.
5. Remove the mold from concrete by raising it carefully in vertical AGES OF CONCRETE SAMPLE
condition.
6. Put the rod horizontally at the top of the mold and measure the
difference in height from the top of the mold to the top of the
sample
7. Take a reading using a meter stick.

TYPES OF CONCRETE SLUMP COMPRESSION TEST

TYPES OF STRUCTURE
COMPARISON OF RESULT

CURING TANK

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST PERCENTAGE

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 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING (Midterm)
TENSILE STRENGTH TEST
ASTM C496 (Standard Test Method for Splitting Tensile Strength of
Cylindrical Concrete Specimens)
- It determines the splitting tensile strength of cylindrical concrete
specimens, such as molded cylinders and drilled cores.
- The splitting tensile strength is typically greater than the direct
tensile strength and lower than the flexural strength.
TIME SETTING OF CEMENT
- Hardening of cement is different than the setting of cement.
- It may be defined as the capacity of the set cement to
withstand loads without disintegrating or cracking.
- And the final setting time of cement is 600m / n * utes or 10
hours on average for ordinary portland cement
- However, the initial setting time of cement is 30 minutes for
ordinary portland cement.
- Some types of cement set quickly, within a few minutes
whereas others may take comparatively longer time.
STEEL REINFORCEMENT TESTS
Reinforcing bars are used in reinforced concrete and are one of the
main parts of R.C.. structure. For that reason, quality of plain and
deformed bars should be checked specially for yield, ultimate
strength and elongation (ductility). The most important test is the
tensile strength test. But sometimes bending test is also done.
Tension test provides information on the strength and ductility of
materials under uniaxial tensile stresses. This information may be
useful in comparisons of materials, alloy development, quality
control and design under certain circumstances. Bend test is also a
method for evaluating ductility but it cannot be considered as a
quantitative means of predicting service performance in bending
operations. The severity of the bend test is primarily a function of
the angle of bend and inside diameter to which the specimen is bent
and of the cross-section of the specimen.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YIELD STRENGTH AND
TENSILE STRENGTH?
The biggest difference is that tensile strength is catastrophic, where
yield strength is only a permanent deformation. Below we will go
into more details about both of these, as well as talk about what
elongation is in respect to tensile strength.
TENSILE STRENGTH
Tensile - means capable of being drawn out or stretched.
Tensile strength - is the resistance of steel to breaking under
tensile tension. It’s used tospecify the point when steel goes from
elastic (temporary) to plastic (permanent) deformation. Usually, it’s
measured in units of force per cross- sectional area. Once a piece of
steel is pulled past its tensile stress point, it will split apart.
Tensile strength of steel will show us how much tensile stress the
steel can withstand until it leads to failure in two ways: ductile or
brittle failure.
- Ductile failure – think of this as the preliminary stage of failure,
where it is pushed beyond the yield point to permanent
deformation.
- Brittle failure- this is the final stage where the tensile strength
measurement is taken.
In essence, tensile strength is measured by the maximum stress that
the steel can withstand while being stretched or pulled before
breaking.
YIELD STRENGTH
Yield strength is the maximum stress that can be applied before it
begins to change shape permanently. This is an approximation of the
elastic limit of the steel. If stress is added to the metal but does not
reach the yield point, it will return to its original shape after the
stress is removed. When the stresses exceed the yield point, the
steel will not be able to bounce back. Yield strength represents the
upper limit of the load that can be safely applied to the metal, which
makes it a very important number to know when designing
components.
ELONGATION
Elongation is the percentage of stretch from the original length of
the steel to the point of failure, showing how ductile the steel is.
Ductility is the capability of the steel to be stretched out without
becoming more brittle or weaker in the process. The more ductile it
is, the more formable the product is. Elongation is a good
measurement to look.
STEEL is important construction material in various construction of
building, dams, Bridge, reservoir, aqueduct, low rise building and
high rise building and for other commercial and industrial use. It will
provide enough strength to structure. It is embedded in concrete
fiber to resist the structure load. Steel bar provided in slab beam and
column for house construction. Slab and beam is flexural member of
concrete structure and column is compressive member. Reinforcing
steel bars are used to help concrete withstand tension forces.
- Different size/diameter of Steel bar used in building structure
like column, beam and slab according to design structure, span
between the column and load acting on it. However, in
general, 8 mm, 10mm and 12 mm size/diameter of Steel Bar
used in slab, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm and 25mm size/diameter of
JCL (SE- 3202)
 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING (Midterm)
steel bar used for column and beam, and higher dia/size of
steel bar like 32mm, 40mm, 45mm and 50mm are used for
Hydraulic structure like Dam, Bridge, reservoir, aqueduct.

DIAMETER/SIZE OF STEEL BARS USED IN SLAB

Diameter/size of Steel bars used in slab are required according to

design structure, one way slab, two way slab and Flat slab. However,
in general, steel bars size/diameter of 8mm, 10mm and 12mm are
used in slab.

STEEL BAR SIZE FOR COLUMN AND BEAM

Diameter/ size of Steel bar required for column and beam are based
on according to design structure, load acting on it, span between
two support. However, in general, steel bars size/diameter of 12mm
to 25mm are required for beam and column. Sometimes for raft
foundation 32mm size/ diameter of Steel bar can be also provided.
1. Code for manufacturer - The first mark identifies the producing
mill and/or the manufacturer of the reinforcement bar. It is either
an alphabet or a symbol that has been predesignated to the
manufacturer.

SIZE/DIAMETER OF STEEL BAR USED IN HYDRAULIC
STRUCTURE
Diameter of Steel bar used in Hydraulic structure like Bridge, Dam,
Reservoir, adequate and other high rise building Industrial and
commercial building, their actual size is decided according to design
structure. However, in general, steel bars size/diameter of 32mm to
50mm are used in formation of Hydraulic structure like Bridge, Dam,
Reservoir, adequate, etc, and also their higher dia/size are
customized according to requirement.
HOW TO IDENTIFY REINFORCING BARS?
Reinforcement bar or reinforcement steel, widely known as rebar, is
a steel bar that is used in masonry and concrete structures to
reinforce and strengthen the concrete in tension. Generally, all types
of rebars have more or less the same appearance making it difficult
to differentiate between them. This could result in unnecessary
confusion, probable increase in material costs, and delay in
completing activities.
ASTM International, previously known as the American Society for
Testing and Materials, is an organization that develops technical
standards for a broad range of materials, systems, products, and
services and publishes the same. It has also published specifications
for reinforcing bars that have been widely accepted across the
various parts of the globe.
2. Number code for the size of the bar - The number code indicating
the size of the bar is expressed in the standard bar designation
number. The standard bar designation number indicates the number
of eighths of an inch of the nominal diameter of the bar up to size 8.
For example, a bar with designation number 4 has the same mass
per foot as the plain bar 4/8 inch (0.500 inches) in diameter.
3. Letter code for the type of steel - The third character i.e. an
alphabet refers to the type of steel. Five alphabets depict five
different types of steel and have an ASTM specification each.
S stands for billet steel and has an ASTM specification edition named
A615-81 “Standard Specifications for Deformed and Plain Billet-
Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement.”
I stands for rail steel and has an ASTM specification edition named
A616-79 “Standard Specification for Rail-Steel Deformed and Plain
Bars for Concrete Reinforcement.”
A stands for axial steel and has an ASTM specification edition named
A617-79 “Standard Specification for Axle-Steel Deformed and Plain
Bars for Concrete Reinforcement.”
W stands for low alloy steel and has an ASTM specification edition
named A706-80 “Standard Specification for Low-Alloy Steel
Deformed Bars for Concrete Reinforcement.”
4. Grade of steel - The fourth marking (or no marking) depicts the
steel grade of the bar. The grade highlights the tensile strength of
the bar inpounds per square inch. The marking represents the grade
mentioned below:

Each rebar is manufactured with a series of markings embossed on

it. These individual markings reveal the true identity of the bar.
There are four major marking symbols.

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