Materials of Construction

and Testing
Introduction
Need for Materials with Various
Qualities
Selecting Materials
Sources of Information
Inspection and Testing
Inspection means examining a
product or observing an operation to
determine whether or not it is
satisfactory.
Test consists of applying some
measurable influence to the material
and measuring the effect on the
material.
Standards

Testing method is a specification

explaining how to perform a test and
how to measure the results.

Inspection and Test

Category
1. Quality assurance or acceptance
inspection and tests performed to
determine whether or not a material
or
product
meets
specific
requirements in order to decide
whether or not to accept or reject the
material or product.
2. Quality control inspection and
tests
performed
periodically
on
selected samples to ensure that the
product is acceptable.
3. Research and development
inspection and tests performed to

determine the characteristics of new

products and also to determine the
usefulness of particular inspection
procedures and tests to judge
characteristics or predict behaviour of
materials.

Aggregates
Aggregates generally refers to
mineral particles which have rock
as their origin unless otherwise
specified.
- Particles
of
random
shape.
Rock includes any large solid
mass of mineral matter which is
part of the earths crust.

Types of Rock

1. Igneous Rock was at one time

molten and cooled to its present form.
2. Sedimentary Rock was at one
time consisted of particles deposited
as sediment by water, wind or glacier.
3. Metamorphic Rock is either
igneous or sedimentary rock that has
been changed in texture, structure
and mineral composition or in or two
of these characteristics, by intense
geologic heat or pressure or both.

Definition of Terms (ASTM

C125)
1. Coarse aggregate (1) aggregate
predominantly retained on the No. 4
(4.76-mm) sieve; or (2) that portion of

an aggregate retained on the No. 4

(4.76-mm) sieve.
2. Fine aggregate aggregate passing
the 3/8-in. sieve and almost entirely
passing the no. 4 (4.76-mm) sieve and
predominantly retained on the No. 200
(74-micron) sieve; or (2) that portion
of an aggregate passing the No. 4
(4.76-mm) sieve and retained on the
No. 200 (74-micron) sieve.
3. Gravel (1) granular material
predominantly retained on the No. 4
(4.76-mm) sieve and resulting from
natural disintegration and abrasion of
rock or processing of weakly bound
conglomerate; or (2) that portion of an
aggregate retained on the No. 4 (4.76mm) sieve and resulting from natural
disintegration and abrasion of rock or

processing
of
conglomerate.

weakly

bound

4. Sand (1) granular material

passing the 3/8-in. sieve and almost
entirely passing the No. 4 (4.76-mm)
sieve and predominantly retained on
the No. 200 (74-micron) sieve, and
resulting from natural disintegration
and abrasion of rock or processing of
completely friable sandstone; or (2)
that portion of an aggregate passing
the No. 4 (4.76-mm) sieve and
predominantly retained on the No. 200
(74-micron) sieve, and resulting from
natural disintegration and abrasion of
rock or processing of completely
friable sandstone.
5. Bank gravel gravel found in
natural deposits, usually more or less

intermixed with fine material, such as

sand or clay, or combination thereof;
gravelly clay, gravelly sand, clayey
gravel, and sandy gravel indicate the
varying proportions of the materials in
the mixture.
6. Crushed gravel the product
resulting from the artificial crushing of
gravel with substantially all fragments
having at least one face resulting from
fracture.
7. Crushesd stone the product
resulting from the artificial crushing of
rocks, boulders, or large cobblestones,
substantially all faces of which have
resulted from the crushing operation.
8. Crushed rock the product
resulting from the artificial crushing of
all rock, all faces of which have

resulted from the crushing operation

or from blasting.
9. Blast-furnace slag the nonmetallic product, consisting essentially
of silicates and aluminosilicates of
lime and of other bases, which is
developed in a molten condition
simultaneously with iron in a blast
furnace.

Properties and Uses

1. Weight.
2. Strength of the particles to resist
weathering,
especially
repetitive
freezing and thawing.
3. Strength as demonstrated by the
ability of the mass to transmit a
compressive force.

4. Strength as demonstrated by the

ability of the individual particles to
resist being broken, crushed, or pulled
apart.
5. Strength of the particles to resist
wear by rubbing or abrasion.
6. Adhesion or the ability to stick to a
cementing agent.
7. Permeability of the mass, or the
ability to allow water to flow through,
without the loss of strength or the
displacement of particles.

Tests for Aggregates

1. Size and Gradation
Range of sizes smallest and largest
particles.

Gradation distribution of sizes within

the range covered.
2. Surface Area
Surface area =
Volume =

4r
3

4 r2

Ratio =

Surface area 4 r
3
=
=
3
Volume
r
4 r
3

Gradation Chart
Gradation Chart a graph of percent
by weight versus sieve sizes.
Effective Size ( D ) - used to designate
size of aggregate to be used as a filter
for sewage or drinking water, is that
diameter or size on the graph which
has 10 percent of the total finer than
its size.
10

Maximum Size of Aggregate when

used in the design of Portland cement
concrete mixes, is taken for that
purpose to be the size of the sieve
next above the largest sieve that has
15 percent of the total sample coarser
than
it
(cumulative
percentage
retained).
Fineness Modulus is a value used in
the design of Portland cement
concrete mixes to indicate the
average size of fine aggregate.
Uniformity

Coefficient

D60
D10

( )

mathematical
indication
uniform the aggregate is.

of

3. Weight-Volume Relationships

is

how

 Bulk Volume is the volume of

aggregate that may include solid
matter, plus pores in the particles,
plus voids.
Saturated Surface Dry Volume
is the volume that may include
solid matter, plus pores in the
particles but not voids.
Solid Volume is the volume
that may include solid matter only,
not pores or voids.
Wet Weight is the weight that
may include solid matter, plus
enough water to fill the pores, plus
free water on the particles surface.
Saturated Surface Dry Weight
is the weight that may include
solid matter, plus enough water to
fill the pores.

 Oven Dry Weight is the

weight that may include solid
matter only.
Example Problem:
Calculate the solid volume and
percent of voids in a fine aggregate if
it has a specific gravity of 2.65 and a
bulk unit weight of 111.3 pef (1782.85
kg/ m ).
3

Example Problem:
Calculate if an aggregate weighs
47.72 lb, has a moisture content of 6.3
%, and occupies a volume of 0.4987
cu. Ft.
dry

4. Specific Gravity
Specific
Aggregate

Gravity

of

Coarse

Bulk SG=

OD Weight
SSD WeightSubmerged Weight

Apparent SG=

Absorption=

OD Weight
OD WeightSubmerged Weight

SSD WeightOD Weight

x 100
OD Weight

Example Problem:
Given: SSD weight in air = 5480 g
Submerged weight = 3450 g
OD Weight = 5290 g
Specific Gravity of Fine Aggregate
Bulk SG=

OD Weight
[ ( Flask+Water )+ (OD Wt ) ][ Flask +Water+ FA ]

Apparent SG=

Absorption=

OD Weight
[ ( Flask +Water ) +( OD Wt ) ] [ Flask+WAter + FA ]

SSD WeightOD Weight

x 100
OD Weight

Example Problem:
Given: SSD weight = 500 g
OD weight = 492.6 g
Flask + Water Weight = 537.6 g
Flask + Water + fine aggregate weight
= 846.2g
5. Deleterious Matter
a. Friable particles are those which
are easily crumbled, such as clay
lumps, weak sandstone, or oxidized
ores.
b. Material finer than No. 200
sieve is that material which passes
through the No. 200 sieve in a washed
sieve analysis performed according to
ASTM C117.

c. Soft particles are those that are

marked with a groove after being
scratched on a freshly broken surface
by a pointed brass rod under a force
of 2 lb in accordance with ASTM C235,
Test for Scratch Hardness of Coarse
Aggregate Particles.
d. Lightweight pieces are particles
in coarse or fine aggregate that have
an SG substantially less than that of
the aggregate as a whole.
e. Organic impurities are nonmineral material of an organic type,
mainly tannic acid, sometimes found
in fine aggregate.
f. Reactive aggregates are those
which contain minerals which react
with alkalis in Portland cement,

causing excessive expansion of mortar

or concrete.
6. Miscellaneous Properties
a. Toughness means resistance to
abrasion and impact.
b. Soundness of aggregates means
resistance to disintegration under
weathering including alternate heating
and cooling, wetting and drying, and
freezing and thawing.
c. Hydrophilic aggregates does not
maintain adhesion to asphalt when it
becomes wet.
Aggregate and Strength
Example Problem:

A wheel load (force) of 3000 lb is

applied directly to a crushed rock base
8 in. deep. Compute the pressure
transmitted to the soil if the base
material is of high quality, and angle

can be considered to be 45 .
Example Problem:
A column load (force) of 33 kips acts
on a 3 ft x 3ft spread footing.
Calculate the pressure on the soil if
the depth of aggregate base is 8 in.,
ad determine what depth of base is
needed to reduce the pressure on the
soil to 1.0 kip per sq ft. Assume angle

is 40 . What is the maximum

pressure on the aggregate?

Cubic meter compacted per hour =

WxSxL
p

Where: W = compacted width per

pass as recommended by the
equipment manufacturer (meters, m)
S = average speed
(kilometres per hour, kph)
L = thickness of compacted
lift (millimetres, mm)
P = number of passes
required
to
meet
specification
requirements

Compaction
Compaction is the densification of a
material resulting in an increase in
weight per unit volume.

Cubic yards compacted per hour =

WxSxL x 16.3
P

Where: W = compacted width per

pass as recommended by the
equipment manufacturer (ft)
S = speed (mph)
L = thickness of compacted lift (in.)
P = number of passes required to
meet specification requirements
16.3 = constant which converts mixed
units.
Example Problems
Calculate the compacted cubic yards
per hour, if a compactor with a 6-ft
drum width travels at 7 miles per hour
(mph) over an 8in. lift of aggregate

base and the test strip indicates four

passes will be required to meet the
density
requirement
of
the
specification.
Calculate the compact cubic meters
per hour, if a compactor with a 1.270
meter drum travels at an average
speed of 6.5 kph over a 150-mm-thick
fill and test strip data indicate that
three passes will be required to meet
specification requirements.

Permeability in Aggregates
Permeability is a measure of the
ease with which a fluid, most
commonly water, will flow through a
material.
k ( D 10) 2

Where: k = coefficient of permeability

(cm/s)
= effective size
gradation curve (mm).

based

D 10

on

Determine k for clean sand that

has an effective size D of 0.5 mm.
10

Portland Cement
Concrete
Introduction
ACI 211.1 states: Concrete is
composed
principally
of
aggregates, Portland cement,
and water, and many contain
other cementitious materials
and/or chemical admixtures. It
will contain some amount of
entrapped air and may also
contain purposely entrained air

obtained by use of admixture or

air-entraining cement. Chemical
admixtures are frequently used
to accelerate, retard, improve
workability, reduce mixing water
requirements, increase strength,
or alter other properties of the
concrete.
The
selection
of
concrete proportions involves a
balance between economy and
requirements of placeability,
strength, durability, density and
appearance.
Basic Relationship
ACI
211.1
states:
Concrete
proportions must be selected to
provide
workability,
consistency,
density, strength and durability for the
particular application.

 Workability: The property of the

concrete
that
determines
its
capacity
to
be
placed
and
consolidated property and be
finished
without
harmful
segregation.
Consistency: It is the relative
mobility of the concrete mixture,
and measured in terms of the
slump; the greater the slump value
the more mobile the mixture.
Stregnth: The capacity of the
concrete to resist compression at
the age of 28 days.
Water-cement (w/c) or watercementitious
(w/(c+p))
ratio:
Defined as the ratio of weight of
water to the weight of cement, or
the ratio of weight of water to the
weight of cement plus added

pozzolan. Either of these ratios is

used
in
mix
design
and
considerably
controls
concrete
strength.
Durability: Concrete must be
able to endure severe weather
conditions such as freezing and
thawing,
wetting
and
drying,
heating and cooling, chemicals,
deicing agents and the like. An
increase of concrete durability will
enhance concrete resistance to
severe weather conditions.
Density: For certain applications
concrete may be used primarily for
its
weight
characteristics.
Examples
are
counterweights,
weights for sinking pipelines under
water, shielding from radiation and
insulation from sound.

 Generation of heat: If the

temperature rise of the concrete
mass is not held to a minimum and
the heat is allowed to dissipate at a
reasonable rate, or if the concrete
is subjected to severe differential
or thermal gradient, cracking is
likely to occur.

Effects of Chemical
Admixtures on Concrete
Proportions
ACI
211.1
states:
Chemical
admixtures, pozzolanic and other
materials can be added to concrete
mix to alter some properties or to
produce
desired
characteristics.
Additives are used to affect the

workability,
consistency,
strength
and
durability
concrete.

density,
of
the

Background Data
ACI 211.1 states: To the extent
possible,
selection
of
concrete
proportions should be based on test
data or experience with the materials
actually to be used: The following
information for available materials will
be useful:
Sieve analyses of fine and
course aggregates.
Unit
weight
of
coarse
aggregates.
Bulk specific gravities and
absorption of aggregates.
Mixing-water requirements of
concrete
developed
from

experience
with
available
aggregates.
Relationship between strength
and water-cement ratio or ratio of
water-to-cement
plus
other
cementitious materials, if used.
Optimum combination of coarse
aggregates to meet the maximum
density grading for mass concrete.
Estimate of proportions of mix
for preliminary design.
Concrete Ingredients
1.
Portland
cement

the
fundamental ingredient in concrete.
Types of Portland Cement: (ASTM
Specification C-150)
Type I is a normal, generalpurpose cement suitable for all
uses.

 Type IA is similar to Type I with

the
addition
of
air-entraining
properties.
Type II generates less heat at a
slower rate and has a moderate
resistance to sulfate attack.
Type IIA is similar to Type II
and
produces
air-entrained
concrete.
Type III is a high-early strength
cement and causes concrete to set
and gain strength rapidly.
Type IIIA is an air-entraining,
high-early strength cement.
Type IV has a low heat of
hydration and develops strength at
a slower rate than other cement
types.
Type V is used only in concrete
structures that will be exposed to

severe sulfate action principally

where concrete is exposed to soil
and groundwater with a high
sulfate sontent.
2. Aggregates
Properties considered in
aggregates for concrete:

selecting

Grading
Durability
Particle shape and surface
texture
Abrasion and skid resistance
Unit weights and voids
Absorption and surface moisture
3. Water
4. Chemical Admixtures are the
ingredients in concrete other than
Portland
cement,
water,
and

aggregate that are added to the mix

immediately before or during mixing
used primarily to reduce the cost of
concrete construction; to modify the
properties of hardened concrete; to
ensure the quality of concrete during
mixing, transporting, placing and
curing; and to overcome certain
emergencies
during
concrete
operations.
Classes of Chemical Admixtures:
Air-entraining are used to
purposely
place
microscopic
bubbles into the concrete.
Water-reducing

reduce
the
required water content for a
concrete mixture by about 5-10
percent.

 Retarding slow the setting rate of

concrete.
Accelerating increase the rate of
early
strength
development,
reduce the time required for proper
curing and protection and speed up
the start of finishing operations.
Plasticizers (superplasticizers) or
high-range water reducers, reduce
water content by 12 to 30 percent
and can be added to concrete with
low-to-normal slump and watercement ratio to make high-slump
flowing concrete.
Physical Properties of Portland Cement
Fineness
Soundness
Water-Cement Reaction

Hydration is the chemical

reaction that takes place when
Portland cement and water are
mixed together.
Setting the hardening of a fluid
paste (cement mixed with water).
False Set is a stiffening of a
concrete
mixture
with
little
evidence
of
significant
heat
generation.
Heat o Hydration is the heat
generated when water and cement
chemically react.
Maximum Size of Aggreagates
based
from
ACI
Recommendations:

1.
One-fifth
the
minimum
dimension
of
nonreinforced
members.
2. Three-fourths the clear spacing
between
reinforcing
bars
or
between reinforcing bars and
forms.
3.
One-third
the
depth
of
nonreinforced slabs on grade.
Aggregate Moisture Conditions
Total Moisture ( )=

A bsorbed Moisture ( )=

wet weight oven dry weight

x 100
oven dry weight

saturated surface dry weightoven dry weight

x
oven dry weight

Free Moisture ( )=Total Moisture ( ) Absorbed Moisture( )

Example Problem:

100

Calculate the percentage of free

moisture on a fine aggregate based on
the given data.
Percent absorption = 1.7
Wet weight = 503.7 g
Oven dry weight = 480.2 g
Concrete Estimating
Determining concrete quantities for a
construction
project
requires
volumetric
calculations,
because
concrete is estimated an purchased by
the cubic yard or cubic meter.
Waste Factors: Typical waste factors
for concrete construction range from 3
to 8 percent, with lower values used
for formed placements and higher
values used for slab on grade projects.

Example Problem:
Calculate the concrete required to
cast a 40 ft x 60 ft by 5 in. thick slab
on a prepared sub-grade (1 cu yd =
27 cu ft). If the subgrade for this slab
has not been fine graded accurately, a
waste factor of 7 percent might be
appropriate.
Example Problem:
Calculate the concrete required to
cast a wall 3 meters high, 20 meters
long and 250 millimeters thick.

Proportioning Concrete
Ingredients

Common
Concrete

Methods

of

Proportioning

a. Simple 1:2:3 Formula

b. ACI 211.1 (Recommended Practice
for
Designing
Normal
and
Heavyweight Concrete)
Procedure for ACI 211.1:
Step 1: Choice of slump
Step 2: Choice of maximum size of
aggregate
Step 3: Estimation of mixing water
and air content
Step 4: Selection of water-cement or
water-cementitious materials ratio
Step 5: Calculation of cement content

Step
6:
Estimation
aggregate content

of

coarse

Step 7: Estimation of fine aggregate

content
Step 8: Adjustments for aggregate
moisture
Step 9: Trial batch adjustments
Sample Computation (English Units):
Concrete is required for a portion of a
structure that will be below ground
level in a location where it will not be
exposed to severe weathering or
sulfate
attack.
Structural
considerations require it to have an
average 28-day compressive strength
of 3500 psi. It is determined that
under the conditions of placement to

employed, a slump of 3 to 4 in. should

be used and that the available No. 4
to

1
2

-in. coarse aggregate will be

suitable. The dry-rodded weight of

coarse aggregate is found to be 100
lb
3
ft

Type I non-air-entraining cement

will be used and its specific gravity
is assumed to be 3.15.
Coarse and fine aggregates in each
case are of satisfactory quality and
are
graded
within
limits
of
generally accepted specifications.
The coarse aggregate has a bulk
specific gravity of 2.68 and an
absorption of 0.5 percent
The fine aggregate has a bulk
specific gravity of 2.64, an

absorption of 0.7 percent and a

fineness modulus of 2.8.
Tests indicate total moisture of 2
percent in the coarse aggregate and 6
percent in the fine aggregate.
Sample Computation (SI Units):
Concrete is required for a portion of a
structure that will be below ground
level in a location where it will not be
exposed to severe weathering or
sulfate
attack.
Structural
considerations require it to have an
average 28-day compressive strength
of 24 MPa. It is determined that under
the conditions of placement to be
employed, a slump of 75 to 100 mm.
The coarse aggregate has a nominal

maximum size of 37.5 mm and dryrodded mass of 1600

kg
m3

Type I non-air-entraining cement

will be used and its specific gravity
is assumed to be 3.15.
Coarse and fine aggregates in each
case are of satisfactory quality and
are
graded
within
limits
of
generally accepted specifications.
The coarse aggregate has a bulk
specific gravity of 2.68 and an
absorption of 0.5 percent.
The fine aggregate has a bulk
specific gravity of 2.64, an
absorption of 0.7 percent and a
fineness modulus of 2.8.
Tests indicate total moisture of 2
percent in the coarse aggregate and 6
percent in the fine aggregate.

Water-Cement Ratio (w/c) and

Water-Cement + Pozzolanic
Materials (w/c+p)
1. Weight Equivalency
w
w
=
c+ p c

Where:
w
=weight of water divided by weight of cement + pozzolanic materials
c+ p
w
=target watercement ratio by weight
c

F w=

p
c+ p

Where:
= pozzolanic materials percentage by
weight, expressed as a decimal factor
Fw

p = weight of pozzolanic materials

c = weight of cement
If only the desired pozzolanic materials
percentage factor by absolute volume F
is known, it can be converted to F as
follows:
v

F w=

1
3.15 1
1+
1
Gp Fv

( )(

Where:
= pozzolanic materials percentage by
absolute volume of the total absolute
volume of cement plus pozzolanic
materials expressed as a decimal factor
Fv

= specific
materials
Gp

gravity

of

pozzolanic

3.15 = specific gravity of Portland cement

(use actual value if known to be different)
Sample Problem: (Weight Equivalency)

If a water-cement ratio of 0.60 is required

and a fly ash pozzolan is to be used as 20
percent of the cementitious material in
the mixture by weight ( F =0.20 ), determine
the required weight of cement and weight
of fly ash. The estimated mixing-water
w

requirement is 270

lb
yd 3

If instead of 20 percent fly ash by weight,

20 percent by absolute volume of cement
plus pozzolan was specified ( F =0.20 ,
determine the required weight of cement
and weight of fly ash. The specific gravity
of fly ash is 2.40.
v

2. Absolute Volume Equivalency

w
3.15
w
c
=
c+ p 3.15 ( 1F v ) +G p ( F v )

If
only
the
desired
pozzolan
percentage by weight F is known, it
w

can be converted to

Fv

as follows:

F v=
1+

Gp
3.15

( )( F1 1)
w

Example Problem: Absolute Volume

Equivalency
If a water-cement ratio of 0.60 is
required and a fly ash pozzolan is to
be used as 20 percent of the
cementitious material in the mixture
by volume ( F =0.20 ), determine the
required weight of cement and weight
of fly ash. The estimated mixing-water
v

requirement is 270

lb
yd 3

If instead of 20 percent fly ash by

volume, 20 percent by weight of
cement plus pozzolan was specified
(F =0.20)
, determine the required weight
w

of cement and weight of fly ash. The

specific gravity of fly ash is 2.40.
Mix Proportions
Mix proportions may be specified
either by weight or by volume in
terms of the ratios of fine aggregate
and coarse aggregate to cement.
Example:
1:3:5 by volumetric ratio.
1:3:5 by weight ratio.
Water-cement ratio = weight of
water/weight of cement or gallons of
water per sack of cement.
One sack of cement = 1 cu. Ft. = 94
lbs.
One gallon of water = 8.34 lbs.

One cu. ft of water = 7.48 gallons.

The free moisture (m) content of the
aggregate
is
expressed
as
a
percentage of the SSD weight:
m=

s
x 100
s

Where:

= wet bulk density

= total weight of the

constituent including contained water,
divided by the bulk volume.
= saturated
density.
s

surface-dry

bulk

= total weight of the saturated

surface-dry constituent divided by the
bulk volume.

= s 1+

m
100

Yield of a mix = is the volume of

concrete produced from one sack of
cement.
The ratio of entrained air to the total
volume of air plus solids is:
e=

V e V s
Ve

Where:

Vs

= volume of all solids.

= total volume of solids

plus entrained air.
Ve

Also,
V e=

Vs
1e

The yield of a mix without voids (i.e.,

the solid volume) is given by the
absolute, or solid, volume method as:
V s=

sV
G w

( )

Where: V = bulk volume of the

saturated surface-dry constituent.
= total weight of the
saturated surface-dry constituent.
s V

G = specific gravity, or
density of the constituent.
wG

relative

= solid density.

The yield of a mix with entrained air is

given by:
V e=

Vs
1e

Where: e = ratio of entrained air to

the total yield of the mix.
The cement factor is defined as the
number of sacks of cement required to
produce one cubic yard of concrete.
Example Problem: (Yield of a mix
proportioned by weight)

The required proportion of a concrete

mix are 1:2.5:3.5 by weight with 5.5
gallons of water per sack and 5
percent air entrainment. The sand
contains 4 percent excess moisture
and the stone 2 percent deficiency.
Using the specific gravities given in
the table, determine the yield of the
mix, the cement factor and the
quantities of water and aggregate
required to provide one cubic yard of
concrete.
Example Problem: (Yield of a mix
proportioned by volume)
The required proportions of a concrete
mix are 1:2:3 by volume with 5
gallons of water per sack. Using the
specific gravities given in the table,

determine the yield of the mix, the

cement factor, and the quantities of
water and aggregate required to
provide one cubic yard of concrete.

Mix Design
Control of Concrete Quality:
A works strength test, in accordance
with ACI Section 5.6.1.4, consists of
the average of the strengths of two
cylinders made from the sample of
concrete and tested at 28 days.
ACI Section 5.6.1.1 requires the
minimum sampling frequency for each
class of concrete to be not less than
Once each day
Once for each 150 cubic yards of
concrete placed each day.

 Once for each 5000 square feet of

slab or wall surface area placed
each day.
A minimum of five samples from five
randomly
selected
batches
is
desirable, or samples should be taken
from each batch if fewer than five
batches are made.
The concrete strength is considered
satisfactory provided that:
The average of three consecutive
strength tests is not less than the
specified design strength.
No individual strength test falls
below the specified design strength
by more than 500 punds per
square inch.
Mix Design Based on Statistical Data:

Standard deviation, s
s=

( x i x )2
( n1 )

1
2

Where: x = an individual test result

(the average of two cylinder tests)
i

N = the number of
consecutive tests (minimum of 30
cylinder tests)
x =the meanof n results
'

'

f cr=f c +1.34 s
f 'cr=f 'c +2.33 s5.00

Where:
strength
f 'cr

f 'cr

= required target mean

= specified compressive strength.

S = standard deviation of the strength

tests.
1.34s = required margin.

Testing Concrete
Slump Test test for consistency of
concrete.
Air Content Determination

Unit Weight Determination

Yield Determiniation
Determine the yield of a concrete
batch with concrete unit weight of
conc =149.2 pcf .

Batch Weights:
Water

265 lb

Cement

510 lb

CA

1917 lb

FA

1350 lb

Compressive Strength Tests

P
A

Compressive strength =

Determine the compressive strength

of a 6-in.-diameter concrete cylinder
that failed at a test load of 115 000lb.
A splitting tensile test was performed
on a standard 6-by-12 in. cylinder,
the cylinder fractured at 49800lb.
Calculate the splitting tensile strength
and the approximate direct tensile
strength of the concrete.
Flexural Strength Tests
3 PL
R=K f '
Modulus of Rupture,
= 2bd
K = constant value between 8 and
10.
c

Determine the approximate modulus

of rupture of a concrete with a

compressive strength of 4100 psi.

Assume K = 9.
Non-destructive Tests
1. The rebound hammer
2. The penetration probe
3. Pullouts
4. Ultrasound

Coefficient of Variation,

Mean,

x =

V = x 100
x

x
n

Standard deviation,

( xx )2
n1

Calculate
the
mean,
standard
deviation and coefficient of variation
for the following test data:
3700 psi

2920 psi

4310 psi

3680 psi

3890 psi

4010 psi

4100 psi

3980 psi

Tensile Strength Tests

Spliting Tensile Strength,

f t=

2P
ld

Approximations:
Tensile Strength = 4.5

f c '

Splitting Tensile Strength = 6.5

f c '

Required Compressive Strength (

f '
): ACI 318
cr

Where:
design

'

f cr=

required strength for mix

S = standard deviation
specified strength

f 'c =

'

'

f cr=f c +1.34 S ( psi )(MPa)

f 'cr=f 'c +2.33 S500( psi)
f 'cr=f 'c +2 .33 S3.45(MPa)

Example Problem:
Calculate the
for a concrete mix
that has a specified 400 psi strength
requirement if previous data indicates
a standard deviation of 325 psi based
on 20 tests for a similar concrete mix.
f 'cr