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Laboratory Experiment No.

10
Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimen in the Field

I. Reference:
AASHTO T23-04, ASTM C31-03A

II. Objective:
After the Laboratory activities, the students should be familiarized with the
standard method of making and curing concrete test specimen in the field.

III. Equipment / Apparatus:

Mixing pan
Shovel/ scoop
Beam mold (6 x 12)
Beam mold (6 x 6 x 12)
Tamping rod/ vibrator
Slump Apparatus
Rubber Mallet
Sampling and mixing receptacle
Air content apparatus
Temperature measuring device
Curing tank

IV. Procedure:
1. Record the identification of the sample with respect to the location of the
concrete represented and the time of casting.
2. Compressive strength specimens shall be cylinders and allowed to set in
an upright position. The length shall be twice the diameter. The cylinder
diameter shall be at least three times the nominal maximum size of the
coarse aggregates.
3. Flexural Strength specimen shall be beams of concrete be at least 50 mm
(2 inch) greater than three times depth as tested. The ratio of width to
depth as molded shall not exceed 1.5. The standard beam shall be 152 by

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152 mm (6 by 6 inches) in cross section. When the nominal maximum size


of the beam shall be at least three times the nominal maximum size of the
coarse aggregates. Unless required by project specification, beams made
in the field shall not have a width or depth of less than 6 inches.
Measure and record the slump of each batch of concrete, from which
specimen is made immediately after remaining in the receptacle.
Determine and record the air content either by pressure method or by
volumetric method. The concrete used in performing the air content test
shall not be used in fabricating test specimen.
Mould specimens promptly in on a level, rigid horizontal surface free from
vibration and other disturbances, at a place as near as practicable to the
location where they are to be stored.
Place the concrete in the molds using a scoop, blunted concrete from the
mixing pan to ensure that it is representative of the batch. Remix the
concrete in the mixing pan with a shovelful to prevent segregation during
molding of specimens. Move the scoop, Trowel or shovel around the
perimeter of the mold opening when adding concrete so the concrete in
uniformly distributed within each layer with a minimum segregation. In
placing the final layer, the operation shall attempt to add an amount of
concrete that will exactly fill the mold after compaction. Under filled mold
shall be adjusted with respective concrete during consolidation of the top
layer. Overfilled molds shall have excess concrete removed.
Preparation of satisfactory specimens requires different methods of
consolidation. The methods of consolidation are rodding and vibration.
Base the selection of the method of consolidation of the slump, unless the
method is started in the specification under which the control is being
performed. Rod or vibrate concretes with slump greater than 25 mm (1
inch). Vibrate concretes with slump of less than or equal to 25 mm (1
inch). Concretes of such low water content that they cannot properly
consolidated by the methods described herein, or requiring other sizes
and shapes of specimens to represent the product or structure, are not
covered by this method.
Place the concrete in the mold, in the required number of layers of
approximately equal volume. Rod each layer with the rounded end of the
rod. The number of rodding per layer required for beams is 1 for each 13
cm (2in) top surface area of the specimen. Rod the bottom layer
throughout its depth. Distribute the strokes uniformly over the crosssection of the mold. For each layer, allow the rod to penetrate through the
layer being rodded and into the layer below approximately 25 mm (1 inch).
After each layer is robbed, tap the outside of the mold lightly 10-15 times

while the mallet, to close any hose left by the rodding and to release any
large air bubbles that may have been trapped.
10. Maintain a uniform time period for the duration of vibration for particular
kind of concrete vibrator, specimen mold involved. The duration of the
vibration required will depend upon the workability of the concrete and
effectiveness of the vibrator. Usually, the sufficient vibrator has been
applied as soon as the surface of the concrete has become relatively
small and large air bubbles cease to break through the surface. Continue
vibration only long enough to achieve proper consolidation of the concrete.
Fill the molds and vibrates in the required number of approximately equal
layer. Place all the concrete for each layer in the mold before starting
vibration of the layer. Compacting the specimen insert the vibrator slowly
and do not allow it to rest on the bottom or side of the mold. Slowly
withdraw the vibrator so that no large air pockets are left in the specimen.
When pacing the final layer, avoid overfilling by more than 6mm ( inch).
11. After consolidation strike off excess concrete from the surface and float or
trowel it as required. Perform all finishing with minimum manipulation
necessary to produce a flat eve surface that is level with the rim or edge of
the mold and that has no depressions or trowel or similar device.
12. Immediately after being stuck off, specimens shall be moved to the
storage place where they will remain undisturbed for the initial curing
period. IF specimens made in single- use mold are moved, lift and support
the specimens from the bottom of the molds with a larger trowel or similar
device.
13. Immediately after moulding and finishing, the specimens shall be stored
for a period up to 48 hours in a temperature range from 16 to 27 c and I
environment prevent moisture loss from the specimens. For concrete
mixtures with a specified strength of 40 MPa (6000 psi) or grater, the initial
curing temperature shall be between 20 to 26 (68 to 78 F).
14. For cylinders: upon completion, if initial curing and within 30 minutes after
removing the molds, cure specimens with free water maintained on their
surfaces at all times at temperature of 23 2C (733F)
15. For beams: beams are to be cured the same as cylinders, except that they
shall be stored in water saturated with calcium hydroxide at 232C
(733F) at least 20 hours prior to testing. Drying of the surfaces shall be
prevented between removal from water storage and completion of testing.
16. Prior to transporting, cure and project specimens. Specimens shall not be
transported until at least 8 hours after final set. During transporting, protect
the specimen with suitable cushioning material to prevent damage from
jarring. Prevent moisture loss during transportation by wrapping the

specimens in plastic, wet burlap, by surrounding them with wet sand tight
filling plastic caps on plastic molds.
17. Record the following:
Date, time, and name of individual moulding specimens, slump, air
content, and concrete temperature.
18. Take photographs for documentation.
V. Illustration:

Figure 10.1:Preparing the materials needed


for the experiment.

Figure 10.3: Mixing the cement with


aggregates.

Figure 10.2: Weighing of gravel, dry


sand and cement.

Figure 10.4: Water added in the mixture.

Figure 10.5: Mixing by shoveling method.

Figure 10.6: Filling the cylinder mold


with concrete mixture.

Figure 10.7:
Figure
Measuring
10.8: Curing
the slump
of concrete.
of
the concrete mixture.

VI. Data/ Calculation:


Table 11.6-1 Data for Making & Curing of Concrete Specimen
Date
Time

Name of individual molding specimens:

Slump
Air content
Concrete temperature
Curing method

VII. Ana lysis /Interpretation/Obser vation:


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VIII. Conclusion:
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IX. Recommendation:
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