CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY IV

PRACTICAL (CNTPRA4)

OUTLINE

COMPILED BY
DR BD IKOTUN AND MR DA ADEDOKUN

FOR THE DEPERTMENT OF CIVIL

ENGINEERING

UNISA

Open Rubric
 1.0 SIEVE ANALYSIS TEST PROCEDURE FOR UNISA STUDENT ACCORDING
TO SANS201

1.1 AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the particle size distribution, calculate
dust content and finesses modulus of fine aggregates.
1.2 APPARATUS:
 Sieve sizes (4750, 2360, 1180, 600, 300, 150 and 75 µm),
 Mallet,
 Cleaning brushes
 Weighing balance
 Oven and pans.
1.3 PROCEDURES:
 Dry a test sample of approximately 500 g to constant mass at 100 °C to 110 °C
in a well ventilated oven. Allow the test sample to cool to room temperature, and
determine its mass to an accuracy of 0,1 % (mass a).
 Place the test sample in a suitable container and add enough water to cover
the test sample. Agitate the contents of the container vigorously to separate the
particles and then decant the wash water through a sieve of aperture size not
exceeding 1 180 µm, placed on top of a 75 µm sieve. Repeat the washing and
decantation until the wash water is clear.
 Wash the material retained on the sieves with a moderate jet of water from a
flexible hose until the water that passes through the sieves is clear. Return all
the material retained on the sieves to the container, by gentle and careful
washing. Dry and determine the mass of the material in the container as mass b.
 For purposes of calculating the fineness modulus and for the determination of
the dust content, successively sieve the dried material through sieves of the
following apertures:
4 750 µm, 2 360 µm, 1 180 µm, 600 µm, 300 µm, 150 µm, 75 µm and pan,
starting with the sieve that has the largest apertures

Avoid damage to the sieves and avoid overloading them.

 Determine, to an accuracy of 0,1 %, the mass of the total test sample after
sieving, the mass of the material retained on each sieve and the mass of the
material that passed the 75 µm sieve (i.e. the material retained in the pan

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 (mass c)).

1.4 CALCULATIONS:

1.4.1 DUST Content

Calculate, to the nearest 0,1 %, the dust content as the percentage of the
material that passed through the 75 µm sieve, by using the following formula:
( a  b)  c
x100
M Ff

Where:

a is the mass of the original test sample, in grams.

b is the mass of the sample after wet sieving, in grams.

c is the mass of the material that passed the 75 µm sieve (i.e. the material
retained in the pan) after dry sieving, in grams.

MFf is the mass of the total test sample, after sieving, plus (a − b), in grams.

1.4.2 Sieve analysis

Using the mass of the material retained on each sieve and the mass of the
material that passed the 75 µm sieve (i.e. the material retained in the pan),
calculate and report, to the nearest 0,1 %, the percentages of the mass of the
original test sample, after the test, that passed each sieve. Express the
percentages to the nearest whole number. The percentage of material that passed
the 75 µm sieve is rounded off to the nearest first decimal.

1.4.3 Fineness modulus

Calculate, to the nearest 0,01, the fineness modulus by dividing the sum of the
cumulative percentages of the material retained on each sieve (other than on the 75
µm sieve) by 100. (An example of a sieve analysis and the calculations are given in
Table 1.1.)

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Table 1.1: Sieve analysis example

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2.0 BULK DENSITY TEST PROCEDURE FOR UNISA STUDENT ACCORDING TO
SANS5845:2006

2.1 AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the compacted and uncompacted

densities of aggregates.
2.2 APPARATUS:
 3 litres and 15 litres watertight
 Cylindrical containers
 Metal tamping rod
 Suitable shovel or scoop.
 Oven
2.3 PROCEDURES:
Dry 5kg of test sample (fine/coarse aggregate) to constant mass at a temperature of
100 °C to 110 °C in an oven. Cool the test sample to room temperature.

2.3.1 For Uncompacted bulk density

Fill the container to overflowing with the thoroughly mixed dried aggregate by means
of the shovel or scoop.
Note: The aggregate being discharged from a height not exceeding 50 mm above
the rim of the container. Segregation of the particles of different size should as far as
possible be prevented.
Remove the surplus aggregate by rolling the tamping rod across and in contact with
the rim of the container, and remove, by hand, any aggregate (coarse) impeding the
progress. In the case of aggregate of particle size 4 750 μm and smaller, level off the
surface, using the tamping rod as a straight-edge. Determine, to the nearest 0.2 %,
the mass (m) of the aggregate in the container.

2.3.2 Compacted bulk density (rodding procedure)

Carefully fill the container in three approximately equal layers, the last layer to
overflowing, levelling the surface of the first two layers by hand and rodding each
layer of aggregate with the required number of strokes (20 for fine aggregate and 30

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for coarse aggregate) of the tamping rod evenly distributed over the surface of the
layers.
Note 1: When rodding the first layer, do not allow the rod to strike the bottom of the
container forcibly.
Note 2: When rodding the second and third layers, use enough force to cause the
tamping rod to penetrate the previous layer of aggregate.
Note 3: Avoid breaking up individual particles of the aggregate.

Level off the surface of the aggregate as described and determine the mass to the
nearest 0.2 %, the mass (m) of the aggregate in the container.

2.4 EXPRESSION AND REPORTING OF RESULTS

Calculate the bulk density δ of the aggregate (compacted or uncompacted, as

appropriate), in kilograms per cubic metre, as follows:

m
δ=
V
Where:
m is the mass of the aggregate in the container, in kilograms;
V is the volume of the container, in cubic metres.
Report the result to the nearest 10 kg/m3.

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3.0 PARTICLE SHAPE TEST PROCEDURE FOR UNISA STUDENT ACCORDING
TO SANS 5847:2008 and SANS 3001-AG4:2015

3.1 AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the flakiness index of coarse aggregate
3.2 APPARATUS:
 Flakiness gauge
 Test sieves
 Electronic balance

Table 3.1: Slot dimensions, size and mass of fractions

1 2 3 4 5
Fraction size to be Slot dimensions Minimum
gauged mass of
specimen to
mm be gauged
Passing Retained Minimum width
length
mm g
mm
75,0 63,0 150,0 37,5 35 000
63,0 53,0 126,0 31,5 20 000
53,0 37,5 106,0 26,5 7 500
37,5 26,5 75,0 18,75 2 500
26,5 19,0 53,0 13,25 1 000
19,0 13,2 38,0 9,5 500
13,2 9,5 25,4 6,6 120
9,5 6,7 19,0 4,75 50
6,7 4,75 13,4 3,35 20

3.3 PROCEDURES:
 Weigh 3000g of aggregates (19mm or 22mm). Sieve the samples using sieve
sizes as stated in column 1of Table 3.1. Separate the test sample by sieving into
the relevant fractions given in table 1 and discard material retained on the 75 mm
sieve or passing the 4.75 mm sieve.
 Weigh the sample retained on each sieve and record the mass to the nearest 1g.
Gauge all the particles in each fraction size (using the corresponding slot given in
table 3.1). Weigh the samples that pass through each slot and record the mass to
the nearest 1g.

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 Calculate MS, the summation of all the fractions retained (gauged) and M F, the
summation of all the fractions passing the slots.

3.4 CALCULATIONS

Calculate the flakiness index of the sample to one decimal place as follows:

M 
FI  100 F 
 MS 

FI is the flakiness index of the sample expressed as a percentage;

MF is the mass of all the fractions passing the slots, expressed in grams;
MS is the mass of all the fractions gauged, expressed in grams.

3.5 EXAMPLE OF THE CALCULATION PROCEDURE

The calculation of the FI of a sample of single sized 20 mm surfacing stone, including

the flakiness of the individual fractions, is given in table 3.2.

Table 3.2: Calculation example

Calculation of the FI of the whole sample

 1225 
MS = 3 801 g FI  100   32.2
 3801 
MF = 1 225 g

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 4.0 SLUMP TEST PROCEDURE FOR UNISA STUDENT ACCORDING TO SANS
5862-1:2006

4.1 AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the slump of freshly mixed concrete in
the laboratory.
4.2 APPARATUS:
 Mould: The mould is in a form of a frustum of a cone, with the following nominal
internal dimensions:
a) Diameter of base: 200 mm ± 2 mm;
b) Diameter of top: 100 mm ± 2 mm; and
c) Height: 300 mm ± 2 mm.

 Tamping rod, which is made of straight steel, is of nominal diameter 16 mm and

of length 600 mm ± 2 mm and that has at least one hemispherical end.
 Scoop
 Measuring ruler

4.3 PROCEDURES:
 Ensure that the interior surface of the mould is clean and damp.
 Place the mould on a clean, smooth, horizontal, rigid and non- absorbent surface
that is free from vibration and shock. While the mould is being filled, hold it firmly
in place by standing on the foot pieces or by any other suitable means.

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 Fill the mould with concrete in three layers, each layer must be approximately
one- third of the height of the mould.
 Tamp each layer with 25 strokes applied with the hemispherical end of the
tamping rod, distributing the strokes uniformly over the cross-section of the layer
and throughout its depth, ensuring that when the second and third layers are
being tamped, the strokes penetrate into the underlying layer.
 While tamping the third layer, ensure that excess concrete is maintained above
the top of the mould, if necessary by adding more concrete while tamping.
 Strike off the excess concrete, using a sawing and rolling motion of the tamping
rod.
 Clean off the concrete around the base of the mould, that may have leaked or
spilled during the tamping.
 Demould the concrete by raising the mould vertically, slowly and
carefully, in 5 s to 10 s.
 Note: The entire process, from moulding and demoulding, should be
carried out within 150 s.
 Immediately after demoulding, measure the slump of the concrete to the
nearest 5 mm, by determining the difference in the height of the mould and the
highest point of the specimen under test. If the specimen collapses or lateral
shearing of concrete occurs, consider the test invalid and repeat it on a fresh
sample of concrete. If, during two consecutive tests, collapsing or lateral
shearing of the test specimen occurs, the concrete lacks the necessary plasticity
and cohesiveness for the slump test to be applicable.

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4.4 EXPRESSION AND REPORTING OF RESULTS

Calculate the slump of the test specimen during the test, using the formula

Slump = hm - hs

Where

hm is the height of the mould, in millimeters; and

hs is the height of the slumped test specimen, in millimeters.

Report the slump of the concrete to the nearest 5 mm.

4.5 TEST REPORT

Refer to this test method in the report and include the following information:

a) Identification of the sample;

b) Date of the test;
c) The form of slump if not true, i.e. shear or collapse; and
d) the slump of the test specimen.

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 5.0 SAMPLES PREPARATIONS AND COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST
PROCEDURE FOR UNISA STUDENT ACCORDING TO SANS 5861-1, 5861-3 and

5863:2006

5.1 AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the compressive strength of hardened

concrete in the laboratory.
5.2 APPARATUS:
 Concrete mixer
 Shovel
 Compressive testing machine
 Cubes moulds
 A steel float
 Vibrating table
 A scoop
 Curing tanks
 Impervious sheet

5.3 PROCEDURES:
5.3.1 Batching

Use aggregate that has been oven-dried or air-dried, cement that has been
thoroughly mixed and potable water. The aggregate for each batch of concrete may
be added either in separate size fractions or with an all-in grading.

5.3.2 Mixing
Mix the concrete in a laboratory mixer, in such a manner as to avoid loss of water or
other materials.
(a) Load the mixer with approximately half of the course aggregate, then with the
cement, then with the fine aggregate, then with the rest of the course aggregate, and
always in such a way as to prevent loss of material. Mix the dry materials for not
longer than 30 s and finally add the water slowly.

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(b) Continue the mixing until the concrete is uniform in appearance, but in any case
for a period of not less than 2 min and not more that 3 min after all the materials
were loaded in the mixer.

(c) After machine mixing, rework the concrete with a trowel to ensure that any mortar
or fine material sticking to the pan of the mixer is worked into the concrete mass.

5.3.3 Making concrete cubes

Moulds should be clean and smeared with release oil, place the mould on a firm,
level surface. From concrete mixed in the laboratory, prepare at least three
specimens for each test age by filling each of three moulds (already greased) in
such a way as to provide full compaction of the concrete without segregation or
excessive laitance then compact using vibration table. Once the top layer has been
compacted, use the steel float to strike off the surface of the concrete level with the
top of the mould. Ensure that the mould is clamped to the table or held firmly against
the hammer when using a vibrating table.

5.3.4 Curing
Cover the specimens (as marked in their moulds) with an impervious sheet and then
store them in a place that is free from vibration and in an atmosphere that has a
relative humidity of at least 90 % and a temperature of 22 °C to 25 °C, 20 h to 24 h
after the time of the addition of water to the dry ingredients. Demould the specimens
and submerge them, until just prior to testing, in potable water that is maintained at a
temperature of 22 °C to 25 °C. Ensure that specimens do not become dry at any
time before testing.

5.3.5 Compressive strength test

Test each specimen immediately after it has been removed from the water and while
it is still saturated. Remove surface water, grit and projecting fins, and determine the
mass (to an accuracy of at least 1 %) of each specimen before testing it. Wipe clean
the bearing surfaces of the platens of the compression testing machine, and so
position a specimen in the machine that the load is applied to opposite as-cast faces
of the specimen in the case of cubes (i.e. not to the top and bottom). Specimens
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should be centred in the middle of the platens. Apply the compression load without
shock and increase it continuously at a uniform rate of between 0,3 MPa/s ± 0,1
MPa/s until the specimen fails.

5.4 EXPRESSION AND REPORTING OF RESULTS

Calculate the compressive strength of each specimen, using the formula

F
f cc 
Ac

Where
fcc is the compressive strength, in Mega pascals;
F is the maximum load at failure, in Newton;
Ac is the cross-sectional area of the specimen on which the compressive force acts,
in square millimetres.
Calculate and record the average compressive strength to the nearest 0,5 MPa.
A test result is considered valid if the difference between the highest and lowest
result does not exceed 15 % of the average. The average is the value of three cubes

5.5 TEST REPORT

Refer to this test method in the report and include the following information, where
applicable:
a) Identification of and the date of casting of the specimens;
b) The number, shape and nominal size of specimens;
c) The date of receipt of delivered specimens;
d) The actual age of the specimens at test;
e) The conditions of the delivered specimens (honeycombing, shape flatness, etc.);
f) The saturated mass of the specimens;
g) The apparent density of the specimens, if required;
h) The date of the test;
i) The average compressive strength; and
j) The type of failure, if not normal.

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NOTE: A l l four faces are cracked approximately equally, generally
with little damage to the faces in contact with the platens.
Figure 5.1: Satisfactory Failure

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NOTE T = tensile crack

Figure 5.2 — some unsatisfactory failures

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