Field Density Test

Slump Test
Strength Determination of Concrete
Specimens (Beam and Cylinders)
Core Specimens taken form PCCP
and Bituminous Concrete Pavement
 Significance
Density of soil is defined as the weight/mass per
unit volume. It is a very significant engineering
property of soils as strength is dependent upon density

The Field Density Test is widely used as a control

test in embankment construction to ensure adequate
compaction.

The most commonly used in determination of

density of soil In-Placed is the “ Sand-Cone Method”.
Item 104 – Embankment
200 - Aggregate Sub base Course
201 – Aggregate Base Course

At least one group of three in-situ density test for

each 500 sq. m. of each layer of compacted fill or
fraction there of

Specification Requirement – minimum degree of

compaction (%)

a.) Base and Sub-base Course mat’ls. – 100 % min.

b.) Sub-grade level materials – 95 % min.

 APPARATUS/MATERIALS
1.) Density Apparatus
- shall consist of 4-liter capacity (1 gal.) jar and
detachable cone consisting of a cylindrical valve

2.) Sand
- any clean, dry, free-flowing, uncemented sand
having few, if any, particles retained 0.075mm (No.
200) or passing on the 2mm (No.10) sieves.

3.) Balances
- 10 kgs. Capacity accurate to 1.0g and balance of
500 g capacity accurate to 0.1 g.
3.) Balances
- 10 kgs. Capacity accurate to 1.0g and
balance of 500 g capacity accurate to 0.1 g.

4.) Oven with temperature control

5.) Digging tools

- such as earth auger, crowbar or chisel

6.) Soil pans, MC cans, Plastic bags and labeling

materials
STANDARD
WORKSHEET
FORM FOR FIELD
DENSITY TEST
FAILS TO MEET THE REQUIRED DEGREE OF COMPACTION
 This test gives the particle size
distribution of a given soil.
 It is widely used in the classification and
identification of soils. The classification of
soils is covered in detail in AASHTO M45.
 May be defined as the lowest moisture
content at which the soil will flow the
application of a very small shearing force
 The liquid Limit of a soil is determined in
the laboratory by standard AASHTO Test
Method T-89.
 May be defined as the minimum
moisture content at which the soil
remains in a plastic state.
 The determination of the plastic limit
shall be in accordance with AASHTO
method T-90.
 Plasticity index of a soil is the numerical
difference between the liquid and plastic
limit.
 it indicates compressibility. Highly P.I
means high degree of compressibility of
soil.
 Plasticity index is also related to
permeability, the higher the P.I the lower
the permeability.
Compaction of soil mass involves the application of
energy and addition of water as lubricant. It results in
reduction of pore spaces and increase density by
arrangement of particle grains. Thus, the mass
becomes more stable and impermeable, which are
desirable characteristics of foundations.
Adequate compaction of soil will result in the following:
a. Minimal future settlement
b. Greater stability, thus reducing danger of slips
c. Greater resistance to water absorption, or
minimal change in water content
STANDARD
WORKSHEET
FORM FOR
COMPACTION
TEST
In the test, the soil is compacted at a number of
moisture content ranging from slightly dry to
wet, by a specified amount of energy applied in
a specified manner. Dry density and moisture
content are determined. Values of these points
are plotted and a smooth curve is drawn
through the points. The highest point on the
curve is the MDD and the corresponding
moisture content is called the OMC

The purpose of laboratory compaction is to

determine the proper amount of mixing water
needed to compact the soil in the field in order
to obtain a maximum density under the
specified compaction effort.
MDD

FROM
COMPACTION
TEST

OMC
For consistency of PCCP
( AASHTO DESIGNATION : T119 )
( ASTM DESIGNATION : C 143)

Mold shall be filled in 3 Layers

Each layer be filled approximately one-
third of the volume of the mold.

25 strokes per layer using a (5/8”) 16mm

diameter and (24”) 600mm length rod.
 The consistency shall be recorded in
terms of millimeters (mm) of subsidence of
the specimen during the test which shall be
known as the “SLUMP”.

A well proportion workable mix will

gradually slump to lower drop of elevation
and retains its original identity while a poor
mix will crumble, segregate and fall apart.
 Two types of test in determining strength of
concrete specimens:

1.) Compression Test – used to

determine the compressive
strength of a reinforced concrete.

Type of Specimen – Concrete

Cylindrical Sample
1.) Flexural Test – used to determine
the flexural strength of a
unreinforced concrete. Example
PCCP

Type of Sample – Concrete

Beam Sample
1.) Molding of concrete cylindrical
specimens ( Compression Test
Specimen)

MOLD CONCRETE CYLINDER

SPECIMEN
 3 LAYERS
RAMMER

25 BLOWS

1 SET (3 CONC.
CYLINDERS) – FOR
EVERY 75 CU.M OF
FRACTION THEREOF
OR EACH DAY OF
POURING
2.) Molding of (Beam) Flexural Test
Specimen for Concrete Pavement
LENGTH = 21 INCHES

WIDTH = 6 INCHES

HEIGHT = 6 INCHES
Beam Specimens

Area = L x W
21” x 6”
Using the same rammer used in = 126 sq.m
concrete cylinder sample Note : 1 blow per 2 sq.inch

Mold Beam Samples by pouring No. of Blows = 126/2

concrete at two (2) layers. Ram = 63 blows /
each layer by 63 blows. layer
3.) CURING

A. Application of water to counteract

evaporation
a. ) Ponding
b.) Sprinkling
c.) Spraying
d.) Wet Burlap
e.) Wet Earth
f.) Wet Sand
g.) Saw Dust
h.) Straw
B. Application of water proof or moisture
retention cover or sealing curing
compound.

C. Continuous moist curing at a temperature

range of 15.5 to 37.5 degree Celsius.
1. Flexural Strength of Beam Specimens

a.) Third Point Loading

 PL
R=
bd2

where:
R = Modulus of Rupture, psi or Mpa
P = Load in lbs or in tons
L = span length in inches
b = base in inches
d = depth in inches
Example : Flexural Strength using the third point
loading method

2,204.60 lbs 18
FS = 2.40 tons x x = 440.92 psi
ton (6x6x6)

MPa
FS = 440.92 psi x 0.006895 = 3.04 MPa
psi

DPWH Specification 2013 Edition

Third Point Loading Method :
FS requirement = 3.8 Mpa ( 550 psi) min.
@ 14 days
a.) Center Point Loading
 3PL
R=
2bd2
where:
R = Modulus of Rupture
P = Load
L = span length
b = base
d = depth

DPWH Standard Specification, 2013 Edition:

Center Point Loading Method
FS requirement = 4.5 Mpa (650 psi)
Outside the Middle Third
3Pa
R=
bd2
where:
a = distance between line of fracture and
the nearest support measured along
the centerline of the bottom surface
of the beam, in
From Blue Book
1. Compressive Strength of Cylindrical
Specimens
Rate of loading
for compressive
strength test:

Load applied at a
constant rate
within the range
of 20 to 50 psi/sec.
For Cylinder

P where:
CS =
A P = Load
A = Area
π D2
Cross Sectional Area =
4
3.1416 (6)2
A=
4
A = 28.27 in2
EXAMPLE

64,000 lbs MPa

x 0.00685
CS = psi
28.27 in2
= 15.6 MPa

note:
3,000 psi @ 28 days
3,500 psi @ 14 days
 Coring Samples for PCCP
 5 core holes per 1km per lane or 5 core
holes per 500m when 2 lanes are poured
concurrently
 Core tests measure the thickness of the
completed pavement and verify
compressive strength of the concrete in-
place
 Test results are used as basis for
acceptance or rejection of the concrete
pavement
 Deficiencies in thickness and strength may
also result to adjustment in payment
  EVALUATION OF RESULTS
 Compressive Strength Test

Concrete in the area represented by the cores

will be considered adequate if the average
strength of the core is equal to at least 85 % of,
and no single core is less the 75% of the
specified strength, fc.

Required compressive strength = 24.1 Mpa (3500 psi)

No single core below 18.1 Mpa (2625 psi)

Average of 3 cores at least 20.5 Mpa (2975 psi)

 Adjustment in price due to compressive deficiency
 Calculating Average Pavement Thickness

 Individual measurements in excess of the specified

thickness by more than 5mm will be considered as
the specified thickness plus 5mm.

Ex:
Reqd thickness = 23cm
Measured thickness = 25cm
Thickness considered in calculation of average
= 23.5cm
• Calculating Average Pavement Thickness

 Individual measurements that are less than the

specified thickness by more than 25mm shall not be
included in the average.

Ex:
Reqd thickness = 23cm
Measured thickness = 20cm
20cm, not included in the calculation of
average
COMPUTING THE THICKNESS OF
PCCP CORE SAMPLE

 Measure the thickness of the

core sample at the
numbered sections.

 Compute for the average to

determine its thickness
 Calculating Average Pavement Thickness

 When the measurement of any core is less than the

specified thickness by more than 25mm, the actual
thickness of the pavement in this area is determine by
taking additional cores at no less than 5m intervals
parallel to the centerline in each direction from the
affected location until a core is found in each
direction, which is not deficient in thickness by more
than 25mm.

 The area of slab for which no payment will be made

shall be the product of the paving width multiplied by
the distance along the centerline of the road between
transverse sections found not deficient in thickness
by more than 25mm.
The thickness of the remainder of the segment to be
used to get the average thickness of each lot shall be
determined by taking the average thickness of
additional cores which are not deficient by more than
25mm.

Adjustment in price due to thickness deficiency

STANDARD WORKSHEET FORM FOR THICKNESS
DETERMINATION OF CONCRETE SAMPLES
STANDARD TEST REPORT FORM DRILLED CORE
SAMPLE
 Core Samples for BITUMINOUS
CONCRETE
 TEST ON COMPACTED BITUMINOUS PAVEMENT
SPECIMENS

Thickness Determination (ASTM D 3549)

 Bulk Specific Gravity (AASHTO T – 166)
 Extraction (AASHTO T 30)
 Grading/ Mechanical Analysis of Extracted
Aggregates (AASHTO T 164
 Obtaining Core Samples for BITUMINOUS
CONCRETE
 At least one (1), but not more than three (3) core
samples shall be taken during the day’s
operation.
 Core samples shall be taken from the completed
pavement for every 100 l.m per lane.
 The samples obtained will be used to measure
the thickness of the pavement and to
determine the density for acceptance.
 Samples shall be neatly cut by saw or core drill.
Each sample shall be at least 150 mm x 150 mm or
100 mm diameter full depth.
COMPUTING FOR THE THICKNESS
OF BITUMINOUS CONCRETE
CORE SAMPLE

1. Measure the thickness of each

numbered sections.

2. Compute to determine its

thickness.
 The compacted pavement shall have a thickness
tolerances of -5 mm. Thickness in excess of the
specified thickness shall not be considered in the
payment of asphalt pavement. The asphalt
pavement represented by the
individual core shall not be accepted if the
deficiency in the core thickness as
obtained in accordance with ASTM D 3549 is more
than 5 mm. Averaging of the
density and thickness of asphalt cores is not
permitted.
 The compacted pavement shall have a density
equal to, or greater than 97 mass percent of the
density of a laboratory specimen. The asphalt
pavement represented by the cores shall not be
accepted if the deficiency in density is more
than 2%.
STANDARD WORKSHEET FORM FOR THICKNESS
DETERMINATION OF BITUMINOUS CONCRETE
SAMPLES
STANDARD TEST REPORT FORM FOR DRILLED CORE
SAMPLES
THANK YOU