Civil Engineering

Materials (CEM)
LAB REPORT

BY
Abdulrahman Haruna
Ibrahim
(LCE4-06/14-00094)
EXERCISE ONE:
Sieve Analysis

AIM:
This exercise was set out to determine the different sizes of aggregates.
Aggregates of the same or almost the same sizes are trapped on sieve while
smaller ones pass thru and go the next sieve.

STEPS:
Step 1
At the beginning of the exercise, aggregate sample is fetched and cleared of
dirt then 500g of it is taken. The 500g taken out of it is the sample for this
sieve analysis. Also, the sieves are checked of trapped dirt.

Step 2
Then, after the sieves are checked for dirt and cleaned the sieves are
measured to get empty sieve weight before they are arranged according to
their permeability and then they are put on the shaker.

Step 3
After the sieves are put on the shaker, the aggregate sample is poured from
the top then the sieve shaker is turned on for about 7-10 minutes for the
aggregates to fully settle into the right sieve.

Step 4
After 7-10 minutes the shaker is turned off and the sieves are removed
carefully from the sieve shaker and they are taken away for weighing with
the sample in them. Compare the sum of empty sieves and the sieves with
samples in them. A variance of (+-2) is not acceptable.

Step 5
Then the table is made and all data is written there and also, the percentage
of aggregate retained in each sieve. After that, you calculate the percentage
passing through the sieve. After the table is done a graph is to be plotted
with the data obtained for aggregate size against percentage of aggregate
passing.

Grading Curves
The grading of aggregates affects the strength of concrete mainly indirectly,
through its important effect on the water/cement ratio required for specified
workability. A badly graded aggregate requires a higher water/cement ratio
and hence results in a weaker concrete.
By using the grading chart, we will be able to see whether the grading of a
sample conforms to that specified.

Apparatus Used

Above are pictures of the balance scale

and sieves

A picture of the shaker

Results and comments:

At the end of the experiment the results were extracted and were used in a
table as seen below. For the total mass a total of 3gram was lost as a result
of carelessness of some of the team members, which as a result gave us a
total percentage of 99.6% thats a total loss of 0.6%. I would want to believe
by industry standards a 0.6% is acceptable.

Table
Sieve
Size

Weight
of
Empty
Sieve
(Gram)

Weight
of
Sieve
+
Sample
(Gram)

Mass
Retain
ed
(Gram
)

Cummula
tive Mass
Retained
(Gram)

Cummula
tive %
Retained

%
Passi
ng

10

597

601

0.8

99.2

499

562

63

67

13.4

86.6

2.36

523

666

143

210

42

58

1.18

496

669

173

383

76.6

23.4

0.6

452

459

390

78

22

0.3

322

324

392

78.4

21.6

0.15

392

394

394

78.8

21.2

0.075

263

364

101

495

99

Pan

173

175

497

99.4

0.6

3690

4214

497

-3

EXERCISE TWO
CONCRETE MIX DESIGN
AIM
This test is used all over the world to determine the consistency of a fresh concrete.
It is utilized, as a method for watching that the right measure of water has been
added to the mix.

Steps
Step 1
Firstly 2.5kg of cement was measured on the balance scale then was poured into the mixer
Step 2
5kg fine aggregate was poured into the mixer, and then 10kg of coarse aggregate was added.
Step 3
After that, 1.25 kg of water was added to the mixture, and then the Mixer was turned on for
about 5 minutes. For the second test 1.5 kg of water was added to the mixture.
Step 4
After the 5 minutes the bottom gate of the mixer was opened and whole concrete mixture is
poured out.

Apparatus Used

Above are the apparatus used

EXERCISE THREE

Slump test
AIM
This test is used all over the world to determine the consistency of a fresh concrete.
It is utilized, as a method for watching that the right measure of water has been
added to the mix.

Steps
Step 1
A slump mould, which has a conical shape, is brought and filled up with the concrete in 3 stages.
1st stage it is filled up 1/3 of the mould then poked with a metal rod 25 times, then more concrete
is added until it reaches the 2/3 of the mould then it is poked. Finally it is completely filled up
and the top is made flat by rolling the metal rod over the top of the cone. After, the area around
he mould should be cleared and cleaned for accuracy.
Step 2
After about 10 minutes of the previous step, the lifting of the cone is initiated via its side handles.
This lifting has to be done with extreme caution so as not to damage the shape of the mould.
Immediately after the cone is lifted the slump would take its shape. Its either is forms a true
slump or shear slump or the whole concrete will collapse. Below is a pictured example on types
of slump.

Step 3

After the concrete has taken its shape the height of the cone and the slump are
recorded. The height of the slump is subtracted from the height of the cone to get
the workability of the concrete. Below is a guideline on the workability.

Description of workability and magnitude of slump:

Description of workability

Slump (mm)

No slump
Very low
Low
Medium
High
Very high

0
5-10
15-30
35-75
80-155
160 to collapse

Apparatus Used

Data:
Slump Test

Test 1

Test 2

Slump

95mm

110mm

Shear

Shear

Slump Type

RESULTS & COMMENTS: As results show from the two tests the
workability of this slump is high and also, they are both shear
slumps. This implies that the both the mixtures are slightly wet thus
causing the slump to shear.

EXERCISE FOUR
COMPACTING FACTOR TEST
AIM

This test uses the backwards approach: the level of compaction

accomplished by a standard measure of work is resolved. The thickness
proportion measures the level of compaction, called the compacting factor,
i.e. the proportion of the thickness really attained in the test to the thickness
of the cement completely compacted.

Steps
Step1
Fill up the bottom hopper and poked with steel rod. After filling up weight the
sample up and subtract the weight of the empty hopper from the weight of
the hopper + concrete.
Step2
The concrete sample is poured from the top of the upper hopper gently, and
then the bottom door is opened do that the trapped concrete pours into the
bottom hopper. Same procedure is done here only that when the bottom
door of the hopper is opened the mixture is poured into a cylindrical
container at the base. The top is cleaned using the rolling steel method.
Step3
The thickness of the cement in the cylinder is calculated and this thickness
divided by the thickness of the completely compacted concrete is
characterized as the compacting element. The recent thickness could be
acquired by really filling the cylinder with cement in four layers, each one
packed or poked and after that weighed.
Compacting factor = Weight of partially compacted concrete
Weight of fully compacted concrete

Description of Workability and Compacting Factor

Description of
workability
Very low

Compacting
factor
0.78

Corresponding
slump (mm)
0-25

Low

0.85

25-50

Medium

0.92

50-100

High

0.95

100-175

Apparatus Used

Above are pictures of apparatus used

Data:
Compacting Factor
Test

Test 1
7.318

Test 2
7.78

Weight of partially
compacted concrete
Weight of fully
compacted concrete
Compacting Factor

8.969

8.877

0.816

0.876

RESULTS & COMMENTS: