Field Testing of Building Materials

Field tests on building materials
36th Batch 12 week Building Construction Supervision & Management
For any infrastructure development projects, it is necessary to perform continuous quality

control testing for the construction materials and project constructions. This is to ensure quality
construction of the project and high performance of the structure over long time. With quality
as a target, building technical staff is dedicated to work with clients closely and rapid response
in a timely and cost effective manner assisting our clients to avoid any potential problems and
failures related to construction materials.
Field Testing is conducted when certain materials or procedures are best done at the
building site.
Contents
Fine Aggregates
Course Aggregates
Cement
Concrete
Bricks
Concrete Blocks
Reinforcement
Tests for Fine Aggregates
1. Silt Content – Volume based
2. Particle Size Distribution – Sieve Analysis
3. Bulking of Sand Test
4. Test for Organic Impurities
5. Specific Gravity Test
6. Water Absorption Test
 Silt Content Test – Volume Based
• Fill 50% of jar with Sand
• Add water up to 75% & shake it well
• Keep it aside for 30 min
• Note the thickness of layers formed
% of silt = (h2 – h1) / h2 * 100
INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING OF

CONSTRUCTION TRADES AND MANAGEMENT
Page 1
 Particle Size Distribution – Sieve Analysis
 Air dried sample is weighed & used for test
 Size of sieves: - 4.75mm, 2.36mm, 1.18mm, 600mic, 300mic, 150mic
 Sieving can be done manually of with Sieve Shaker
Tabulation:
Bulking of Sand

Page 2
Organic Matters
I – Stage:
• Fill 3% Sodium Hydroxide up to 75ml of a glass jar

• Add sand up to 125ml
• Add Sodium Hydroxide up to 200ml
• Shake well & keep it aside for 24 hours
• Note the colour (A)
II – Stage:
• 97.5ml of 3% Sodium Hydroxide + 2.5ml(2% Tonnic acid in 10% Alcohol)

• Add this solution in the previous bottle and note the colour (B)
Conclusion: If (A) is darker, then sand is not accepted
Specific Gravity of Sand
• Saturated & surface dried sample = W1

• Pycnometer + Sample + Water = W2
• Pycnometer + Water = W3
• Over dried sample = W4

Page 3
Water Absorption of Sand
• Saturated & surface dried sample = W1
• Pycnometer + Sample + Water = W2
• Pycnometer + Water = W3
• Over dried sample = W4
Tests for Coarse Aggregates
Particle size distribution test
Crushing value test
Impact value test
Abrasion value test
Bulk density test
Elongation index test
Flakiness index test

Page 4
Particle Size Distribution Test

Page 5
Crushing Value Test
Note the weight of oven dried sample
Fill the cylinder in 3 layers with 25 tamping
Note the Sample weight (W1)
• Place plunger carefully
• This setup need to be place in CTM
Apply load at a uniform rate so that a total

load of 40T is reached in 10 min
Release the load & remove the whole material

from the cylinder
Sieve the material with 2.36mm sieve
Weigh the fraction passing through the sieve

(W2)

Page 6
Conclusion:
The aggregate crushing value,
1. For concrete used for wearing surfaces should not be more than 30%
2. For concrete used for other places should not be more than 45%
Impact Value Test
Note the weight of oven dried sample
Fill the cylinder in 3 layers with 25 tamping
Note the Sample weight (W1)
Place the cylinder in the impact tester
Rise the 14kg hammer & lock it
Then allow the hammer to fall freely
Repeat the same for 15 times
Sieve the material with 2.36mm sieve
Weigh the fraction passing through the sieve (W2)
Weigh the fraction retained also (W3)
(W2 + W3) is compared with W1. if the difference is more

than 1gm, then the test is repeated

Page 7
Abrasion Value Test
• Oven dried sample and spheres are loaded
• Machine is rotated in the speed of 20-33 rpm
• Grades: A,B,C & D = 500 rotations
• Grades: E,F & G = 1000 rotations
Bulk Density
• Cylindrical container of known dimension
• Fill the aggregate in 3 layers with 25 tamping
• Level the top surface with the tamping rod
• Note the weight of the filled aggregate

Page 8
The result is required for mix design
Elongation Index Test
• Min of 200 pieces of different fractions
• Note the weight of retained aggregates from the instrument (W1)
• Note the total weight (W2)
• Minimum Elongation index should not be less than 15%
Flakiness Index Test
• Min of 200 pieces of different fractions
• Each piece is gauged in the metal gauge
• Note the weight of aggregates passing through the gauge (W1)
• Note the total weight (W2)
• Minimum Flakiness index should not be less than 15%
Tests for Cement

Page 9
Physical Observations
Fineness – Air Permeability Test
Fineness – Sieve Analysis
Consistency Test
Initial Setting Time Test
Final Setting Time Test
Soundness Test
Compressive Strength Test
Manufacture date
Check for Colour
Check for Fineness
Feel test
Float test
Storage & Handling
Air Permeability
The time taken for a fixed quantity of air to flow through compacted cement bed of specified
dimension and porosity
Specific surface of cement is proportional to square root of time.

Page 10
Standard: IS 4031 – part 3 (1988)
Sieve Analysis
• IS: 90 micron sieve
• 100 gm cement sieved for 15 minutes
Calculation:
% of weight of residue = (residue weight / total weight) * 100
Limits:
% residue should not exceed 10%
Consistency Test

Page 11
 To find out water content required for making cement paste of standard consistency
 Standard consistency is the water content of cement paste at which it gives optimum
workable plastic cement paste
 The found water content is required for determining,
1. Initial setting time
2. Final setting time
3. Soundness
Initial Setting Time
Procedure:
• 500 gm OPC
• Trial 1: 25% of water use plunger
• Trial 2, 3, 4 done by increasing the water content
Final Setting Time
Procedure:
• 500 gm OPC
• Add 85% of water from consistency test
• Note the time of water mixing
• Use the plunger in the Vicat Apparatus
• Operate the instrument for every 15 to 5 min interval based on the result
• Note the time at which plunger does not make any impression or 0.5mm impression
from the top

Page 12
Soundness Test
Procedure:
• Cement is mixed with 78% of water from consistency test

• Fill it in the lightly oiled mould & cover it by glass plates
• Place it in water (27oC) for 24 hrs. note the reading (d1)
• Place in boiling water for 30 min & leave it for 3 hrs. reading (d 2)
• Difference between d1 & d2 should not be more than 10mm
Soundness Test
Procedure:
• Cement is mixed with 78% of water from consistency test
• Fill it in the lightly oiled mould & cover it by glass plates
• Place it in water (27oC) for 24 hrs. note the reading (d1)
• Place in boiling water for 30 min & leave it for 3 hrs. reading (d 2)
• Difference between d1 & d2 should not be more than 10mm
Procedure:
• Cement : Sand = 1:3
• Water: (P/4 + 3) %
• Prepare Cubes & keep it for 24 hrs
• Release the mould and immerse it in water

Page 13
• Compressive test can be conducted at the age of 1, 3, 7 & 28 days
Tests for Concrete
Fresh Concrete Tests:
Compaction Factor
Slump Test
Flow Test
Hardened Concrete Tests:
Compressive Strength Test – Cube & Cylinder

Hardness Test
Compaction Factor Test
Stage 1:
• The concrete sample is filled in the upper hopper

• Open the door, Concrete will fill the lower hopper

Page 14
• Open the door of the lower hopper, concrete fills Cylinder

• Note the weight of this concrete (W1)
Stage 2:
• Fill & compact the concrete in the layers of 50mm thick

• Note the weight of this concrete (W2)
Compaction Factor =
Slump Test
• Concrete filled in 4 layers
• 25 strokes for every layer
• Level the top & clear excess concrete

Page 15
• Lift the cone vertically
• Note the difference in levels
Flow Test
Compressive Strength

Page 16
150 X 150 X 150
Cube:
• Fill concrete in 4 layers with 25 strokes
Cylinder:
• Fill concrete in 3/4 layers with 25 strokes
• Keep it aside for 24 hrs
• Release moulds after 24 hrs & immerse it in water
• testing can be done at the age of 3, 7 & 28 days
Hardness test

Page 17
Tests for Bricks
Water Absorption Test
• Weigh the Over dried brick (W1)

• Keep it in water for 24 hrs
• Remove the brick & wipe off
• Weigh it after 3 min (W2)
This should not be higher than 20%
Compressive Strength Test

Page 18
• Brick is immersed in water for 24 hrs
• The frog of brick is filled flush with 1:3 mortar and brick is stored under damp jute bags for 24
hours followed by immersion in clean water for three days.
• The specimen is then placed between plates of compression testing machine.
• Load is applied axially at uniform rate till failure. Maximum load at failure divided by average area
of bed face gives compressive strength.
• Minimum requirement is 3.5 N/mm2
Efflorescence Test
• Brick is immersed in water for 24h. It is then taken out and allowed to dry in shade.
• Nil – No efflorescence
• Slight – Deposit covers area < 10% of exposed area
• Moderate – Deposit covers exposed area 10% to 50%
• Heavy – Deposit covers exposed area > 50%
• Serious – Deposits are heavy and powder or flake away the surface
Tests for Concrete Blocks
Water Absorption Test
• Weigh the concrete block (W1)
• Keep it in water for 24 hrs
• Remove the brick & wipe off
• Weigh it after 3 min (W2)

Page 19
Water Absorption =
This should not be higher than 10%
Tests for Reinforcement
Physical Observations
Rolling Margin Test
Bend Test
Re-bend Test
Tensile Test
Physical Observation
Invoice & Mill Certificate
Weighment Process
Check Uniformity in Length

Page 20
Check for Cracks, Twists & Holes
Check for Rust
Check for Oil Contamination
Rolling Margin Test
IS 1786-1985 clause 5.2& 6
Sample: 1 No for each lot (25 M.Tones) length should be more than 0.5mts.
Test: Weigh & Compare with IS Tolerance Table 1
Tolerance in Percentage per

Diameter in mm Weight (Kg /m)
Meter
8 0.395
+/- 7mm
10 0.616
12 0.888
+/- 5mm
16 1.578
20 2.466
25 3.853 +/- 3 mm
32 6.313
Bend Test
IS 1786-1985 Clause 8.3
• Sample bent to 180 Degrees without any transverse crack by mandrel specified
in below Table
• Accordance with 1599-1974

Page 21
Mandrel diameter for different

Nominal size grades
(mm )
Fe 415 Fe 500 Fe 550
Up to and
including 22 3Ø 4Ø 5Ø
mm
Over 22 4Ø 5Ø 6Ø
Re-Bend Test
• bent to an included angle of 135 degree using a mandrel of appropriate diameter &
aged by keeping in boiling water (100 degree) for 30 minutes and then allowed to
cool.
• bent back to have an included angle of 157½ degree
• No fracture at bend portion

Page 22
Dia of Specimen Mandrel dia for Diff Grades
Fe415& Fe 550
Fe 500
<= 10 mm 5Ø 7Ø
Over 10mm 7Ø 8Ø
Tensile Test
Minimum requirement as per IS 1786 -1985 (reaffirmed 1990)
Property Grade
Fe 415 Fe 500 Fe 550
0.2 percent proof stress/yield 415 500 550

stress Min N/mm.sq.
Elongation. percent Min, on 14.5 12 8

gauge
Tensile Strength, Min 10% more than 8% more than 6% more than the
the actual 0.2% actual 0.2% actual
proof stress OR proof stress 0.2% proof
485 N/mm.sq OR 545 stress OR 585
whichever is N/mm.sq N/mm.sq.
higher whichever is whichever is
higher higher

Page 23

Field Testing of Building Materials

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Field Testing of Building Materials

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Field tests on building materials

36th Batch 12 week Building Construction Supervision & Management

For any infrastructure development projects, it is necessary to perform continuous quality

1. Silt Content – Volume based

2. Particle Size Distribution – Sieve Analysis

3. Bulking of Sand Test

4. Test for Organic Impurities

5. Specific Gravity Test

6. Water Absorption Test

 Silt Content Test – Volume Based

• Fill 50% of jar with Sand

• Add water up to 75% & shake it well

• Keep it aside for 30 min

• Note the thickness of layers formed

% of silt = (h2 – h1) / h2 * 100

INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING OF

 Particle Size Distribution – Sieve Analysis

 Air dried sample is weighed & used for test

 Size of sieves: - 4.75mm, 2.36mm, 1.18mm, 600mic, 300mic, 150mic

 Sieving can be done manually of with Sieve Shaker

INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING OF

• Fill 3% Sodium Hydroxide up to 75ml of a glass jar

• 97.5ml of 3% Sodium Hydroxide + 2.5ml(2% Tonnic acid in 10% Alcohol)

Specific Gravity of Sand

• Saturated & surface dried sample = W1

INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING OF

Water Absorption of Sand

• Saturated & surface dried sample = W1

• Pycnometer + Sample + Water = W2

• Over dried sample = W4

Tests for Coarse Aggregates

Particle size distribution test

Crushing value test

Impact value test

Abrasion value test

Bulk density test

Elongation index test

Flakiness index test

INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING OF

Particle Size Distribution Test

INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING OF

Crushing Value Test

Note the weight of oven dried sample

Fill the cylinder in 3 layers with 25 tamping

Note the Sample weight (W1)

• Place plunger carefully

• This setup need to be place in CTM

Apply load at a uniform rate so that a total

Release the load & remove the whole material

Sieve the material with 2.36mm sieve

Weigh the fraction passing through the sieve

INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING OF

The aggregate crushing value,

Impact Value Test

Note the weight of oven dried sample

Fill the cylinder in 3 layers with 25 tamping

Note the Sample weight (W1)

Place the cylinder in the impact tester

Rise the 14kg hammer & lock it

Then allow the hammer to fall freely

Repeat the same for 15 times

Sieve the material with 2.36mm sieve

Weigh the fraction passing through the sieve (W2)