MAKING AND CURING

Experiment No. 6
CONCRETE TEST SPECIMENS IN
THE LABORATORY
OBJECTIVE

To produce and cure concrete test specimens in the laboratory under

accurate control of materials and test conditions using concrete that can be
consolidated by rodding or vibration.

THEORY

Cylindrical specimens for compressive strength, Youngs Modulus of

Elasticity, creep, and tensile splitting may be of various sizes with a minimum of 2
(50 mm) diameter by 4 (100 mm) length. For tests other than creep, cylindrical
specimens are molded and allowed to harden with the axis of the cylinder vertical;
creep specimens are cast with the cylindrical axis either vertical or horizontal and
allowed to harden in the position in which are cast.

Unless otherwise specified by the test method of choice, prismatic specimens,

including beams for flexural strength, cubes for compressive strength, prisms for
freezing and thawing, bond, length change and volume change are formed with their
long axes horizontal and conform in dimension to the requirements of the specific
test method.

The number of specimens and the number of test batches are dependent on
the established practice and the nature of the test program. Usually three or more
specimens should be prepared for each test age and test condition unless otherwise
specified.
APPARATUS

Cylindrical molds
Tamping rods: (a) Larger rod- 5/8
(b) Small rod 3/8
Mallets
Vibrator (optional)
Trowel or shovel
Slump device
Sampling and mixing pans
Scoop
Air content device (optional)
Balance
Concrete mixer (optional)

PREPARATION OF SPECIMENS

1. Before mixing the concrete, bring the materials to a uniform temperature

preferably within the 20 to 25 C range.
2. Secure the cement in moisture proof containers, preferably made on metal,
and store in a dry place.
3. Thoroughly mix the cement to provide a uniform supply throughout the test,
and pass it through a #20 (850 mm) or finer sieve to remove all lumps after
which it is remixed on a tarp or plastic sheet, then returned to the sample
containers.
4. Separate coarse aggregates into individual size fractions to prevent
segregation and recombine it in the proper properties to produce the desired
grading for each batch.
5. Also, to prevent segregation, maintain or restore in damp condition the fine
aggregate unless: a) it has been separated into individual size fractions, or b)
the material uniformly graded is subdivided into batch size lots using a sample
splitter with proper size openings. Thoroughly mix and blend the total quantity
of fine aggregate needed for complete investigation.
6. Determine the specific gravity and water absorption of aggregate.
7. To insure definite and uniform condition of moisture, treat the aggregate
before incorporation in concrete.
8. Determine the mass of aggregate to be used in the batch.

PROCEDURE

MAKING

1. Using either a suitable mixer or hand, mix concrete in batch that will have an
excess of about 10% after molding test specimens. Note that hand-mixing
procedures are not applicable to air-entrained concrete or concrete with no
measurable slump; hand mixing, therefore, should be confined to batches of
ft. (7 liters) volume or less. In case of machine mixing, add the coarse
aggregate, some of the mixing water and the solution of admixture, if required,
 to the mixer before starting its rotation, in case of hand-mixing, mix the batch
in a watertight, clean, damp, metal pan or bowl with a bricklayers blunted
trowel.
2. Without adding water, mix until thoroughly blended the cement powdered
insoluble admixture and fine aggregate.
3. Again without adding water, add the coarse aggregate and mix the entire
batch until the coarse aggregate is uniformly distributed throughout the batch.
4. Add water, and if used, the admixture solution, then mix the mass until the
concrete is homogeneous in appearance and has the desired consistency.
5. Choose portions of the batch of mixed concrete that are representatives of the
actual proportion and condition of the concrete. To prevent evaporation, cover
the concrete when not being remixed or sampled.
6. Mold specimens. This should be done as near as possible to the place where
they are to be stored during the first 24 hours.
7. Using a scoop, blunted trowel, or shovel, place the concrete in the molds.

CURING

8. Cover the specimens immediately in order to prevent evaporation of water

from the unhardened concrete.
9. Remove the specimens from the molds after 20 to 48 more hours after
casting.
10. Unless otherwise specified, moist cure all specimens at 23 1.7 C from the
time of molding until the moment of test.
11. Take measures to prevent drying of the surfaces at the end of the curing
period.
 EXPERIMENT 6: WORKSHEET REPORT

MAKING AND CURING CONCRETE TEST SPECIMENS IN THE LABORATORY

Project Name: TESTED BY:

DATE:

1. Describe the shape of the specimen used during the process of making
concrete specimen.

2. Give the rationale of this experiment.