ORIENTAL GROUP OF INSTITUTES, BHOPAL

DEPARTMENT
OF
CIVIL ENGINEERING

LABORATORY MANUAL
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & TECHNIQUES (CMT)
(CE-5004)

SEMESTER- V

Submitted by Submitted to

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Experiment Description Page No
No.
1 To determine the initial and final setting time of a given sample of 3
cement.
2 To determine the workability of concrete mix by slump test. 6
3 To determine fineness modulus of aggregate. 8
4 To determine the compressive strength of bricks. 11
5 To determine the percentage of water for normal consistency for 14
a given sample of cement
6 To determine the workability of fresh concrete by using a vee bee 15
consistometer
7 To determine the workability of freshly mixed concrete by 16
compaction factor test.
8 To determine los angeles abrasion value of aggregates 17

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 Experiment NO.1
AIM: To determine the initial and final setting time of a given
Sample of cement.
Apparatus :
1. vicat’s apparatus mould and non-porous plate, needle
2. weighing balance , weight box
3. measuring cylinder
4. stop watch
Diagram :

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Theory : When water is mixed to cement, a reaction start, this reaction is
known as hydration. Due to this reaction the mixture of cement and
water starts changing from one fluid state to a solid state This is called
setting of cement In the first few minute the setting action is more
predominant and after some time hardening action becomes rapid. It
is defined period elapsing between the time water added to the
cement and the time when the 1mm sq section needle fails to
penetrate cement this block to depth of about 5mm form the bottom
of the mould
Generally the initial setting time of cement is not less than 30mi
Procedure

1. Take about 500gms of cement.

2. Add water of standard consistency. To make cement paste.
3. To make the surface of the cement paste is till smooth and level.
4. The whole assembly kept in vicat’s apparatus.
5. Bring the needle in the rod gently near the surface of the test block
and release it quickly allowing it to penetrate into the block and note
the time
6. Repeat the procedure till the needle fails to penetrate into the test
block by 5mm to 7mm from the bottom of the mould.
Observation :
1. Quantity of cement =
2. Water for standard Consistency =
3. Quantity of water to be added =

Observation Table :

Sr. No. Setting Time (in) Depth of Pentration

1
2
3

4
Precaution :
1. Reading should be taken carefully.
2. Water cement ratio should be accurate.
Result :
i) The initial setting time of the cement sample is found to be …..
ii) The final setting time of the cement sample is found to be …..

Viva Question :

1. How initial setting of cement is found?

2. How final setting of cement is found.
3. Which apparatus is used to find the initial setting and final setting time of cement.
4. What is the initial and final setting time of ordinary port land cement?
5. What is the size of the needle used in vicat’s apparatus?

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 Experiment NO. 02

AIM : To determine the workability of concrete mix by slump test

Apparatus: Mould, pan, trowel weighing balance weight steel rod

Diagram:

Theory: The ease with which the concrete is mixed, transported and
Placed is called workability of concrete.
Slump Test:
The mould used for this test in the form of a frustum of cone
with internal dimension as follows
i) Bottom diameter -20cm
ii) Top diameter -10cm
iii) Height-30cm

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Procedure: 1. Prepare concrete mix with known proportions
2. Place the mould on a smooth flat and non absorbent
surface.
3. Fill the mould with concrete to about 1/4th the height
4. Compact the concrete with the help of steal rod 0.6m long
and
16mm in diameter.
5. Fill the mould to about ½ of its height and compact it again
6. Repeat the procedure till the mould is filled completely and
excess concrete is trimmed off
7. Remove the slump cone carefully in the vertical direction
and on the removal of the mould the concrete subsides
8 Measure the height of concrete after subsidence
Observation :
1. Proportion of concrete mix
2. Water cement ratio=
3. Weight of cement =
4. Weight of sand=
5. Weight of aggregate =
6. Ht of concrete before slump subsidence =
7. Final height of concrete after subsiding =
8. Slump height =
Result : The slump value of given concrete mix is found to be

Viva Questions:

1. How the concrete mix is made workable.

2. What is concrete?
3. What is fine aggregate? With examples.
4. What is course aggregate? With examples.
5. Define workability.

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 Experiment NO. 03

AIM: To determine fineness modulus of aggregate.

Apparatus:
1) Set of : 75mm, 37.5mm, 19.5mm, 9.5mm, 4.75mm, 2.36mm,
1.18mm,
2) Weighing balance with weight box.
3) Tray

Diagram:

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SIEVE Theory: Fineness modulus of aggregate is an index number which gives an
idea about the coarseness or fineness of an aggregate It can be written as FM.
Fineness modulus. of an aggregate is approximate proportional of the
average size of particles in the aggregate. In another words coarse particles
of the aggregate having of Fineness modulus is determined by adding the
cumulative percentage of material retained on each sieve and dividing the
sum of cumulative percentage of material retained on each sieve by100
In this method, the fineness modulus of coarse fine and commune aggregate are
determined separately.
The value of F.M. is higher for coarse aggregate (I e stone metals etc.) Are as
follows
For 20mm size = 6 to 6.9
40mm size= 6.9to7.5

For all in aggregate 20mm size = 4.8 to 5.1

25mm size = 5.1 to 5.5

Procedure : i) Take a suitable sample of aggregate

ii) Put the aggregate on the upper most sieves.
iii) Sieve it as per sieve analysis.
iv) Find out wt retained on each sieve.
v) From that value cumulative percentage of weight retained on each
was calculated

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Observation Table :

Weight of coarse aggregate =……. Kg.

S.No. IS Sieve mm Weight Retained Cummulative % Cumulative % Finer

in Each Sieve wt. Retained Wt Retained
(Gms)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Precaution :
i) The sieve should be in the proper sequence
ii) There should be no wastage of aggregate during sieving
iii) The weight of the aggregate retained on each sieve should measure
carefully.

Result : Fineness modulus of aggregate is found to be ….

Viva Questions :

1. What are the properties of Concrete ?

2. What are the requirements of good concrete ?
3. What are the ad vantages of concrete ?
4. What are the disadvantages of concrete ?
5. What are aggregates ?
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 Experiment No- 4

Aim : To determine the compressive strength of bricks

Apparatus :

Compression testing machine ,the compression plate

of which shall have ball seating in the form of portion
of a sphere center of which coincides with the centre
of the plate.

Fig: Compression Testing Machine

Specimens:

Three numbers of whole bricks from sample collected should be taken .the dimensions
should be measured to the nearest 1mm

Sampling

Remove unevenness observed the bed faces to provide two smooth parallel faces by
grinding .Immerse in water at room temperature for 24 hours .Remove the specimen and
drain out any surplus moisture at room temperature. Fill the frog and all voids in the bed
faces flush with cement mortar (1 cement,1 clean coarse sand of grade 3mm and down).
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Store it under the damp jute bags for 24 hours filled by immersion in clean water for 3 days
.Remove and wipe out any traces of moisture.

Procedure:

(I) Place the specimen with flat face s horizontal and mortar filled face facing upwards
between plates of the testing machine.

(II) Apply load axially at a uniform rate of 14 ( ) per minute till failure
occurs and note maximum load at failure.

(III) The load at failure is maximum load at which the specimen fails to produce any further
increase in the indicator reading on the testing machine.

Calculation :

The average of result shall be reported.

Range Calculation

Maximum compressive strength =

Contact area =

Maximum expected load =

The range to be selected is …………………

Result

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Average compressive strength of the given bricks =…………..

Viva Question :
1. What is the compressive strength of first class brick?
2. What is the standard size of brick?

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 EXPERIMENT NO.5
Name of experiment:To determine the percentage of water for normal consistency
for a given sample of cement
Apparatus: Vicat’s apparatus with plunger of 10mm dia, measuring cylinder,
weighing balance, weight box, , trowel.
Theory: Standard consistency of cement is defined as that consistency
witch will permit plunger to penetrate at 33.34from the top of the
mould. The consistency cement paste is expressed as a percentage
by wt of dry cement. Usually this percentage varies from 26% to
33%.

Vicat’s Apparatus : As vicat’s apparatus consist of a frame bearing a movable rod of

weight 300grms. At the upper end of this rod a cap is provided low
rend 1.13mm n of weight 300grms. It the upper end of this rod a
cap is privy deed while at the 1.13mm needle or plunger of 10mm
diameter is shown in.

Diagram : Vicat’s apparatus, plunger

Procedure :
1.Take 400gm of cement and weight carefully and Add 20% water
in Care should be taken that mining time is not less than 3min and
gauging shall be counted from the time of adding water
2.Fill the paste in the mould .The excess paste to trim off and
vibration are given to remove air bubbles.
3.Fix the 10mm dia. plunger in the moving rod and bring down in
touch with the paste
4.Release the plunger.
5.Repeal the procedure till it penetrate 33-34mm from the top &
note down the water percentage

Observation Table:

Percentage by Amount of
So. No. Wt of cement Penetration
wt of dry water added
(Gm)
cement (ml)
1
2
3
Precaution :
1) The procedure should be conducted within 3-5min
2) The reading should be taken carefully

Result The percentage of water for normal consistency for the given sample of
cement is ……..
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 EXPERIMENT NO.6
:

To determine the workability of fresh concrete by using a Vee-Bee consistometer as per IS:
1199 – 1959. The apparatus used is Vee-Bee consistometer.

Procedure to determine workability of fresh concrete by Vee-Bee consistometer.

i) A conventional slump test is performed, placing the slump cone inside the cylindrical part
of the consistometer.
ii) The glass disc attached to the swivel arm is turned and placed on the top of the concrete in
the pot.
iii) The electrical vibrator is switched on and a stop-watch is started, simultaneously.
iv) Vibration is continued till the conical shape of the concrete disappears and the concrete
assumes a cylindrical shape.
v) When the concrete fully assumes a cylindrical shape, the stop-watch is switched off
immediately. The time is noted. The consistency of the concrete should be expressed in VB-
degrees, which is equal to the time in seconds recorded above.

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 Experiment NO-07
Name of experiment: To determine the workability of freshly mixed concrete by
compaction factor test.

Apparatus : Compaction factor testing machine hand weight and machine weight.
Theory :

Workability :
To test the workably of freshly concrete, compaction factor test is
carried out. This test works on the principal of determining the
degree of compaction achieved by standard amount of work done by
allowing the concrete to fall through a standard height the degree of
compaction factor is the ratio of weight partially compacted concrete
to the wt of fully compacted concrete

Compaction factor = Wt of partially compacted concrete

Wt of fully compacted concrete
Procedure :
1. Prepare the dry concrete mix in the ratio 1:2:4 (…kg cement )
2. Add water assuming the water ratio to be 0.65 (for 2kg of cement
add 910 ml at water)
3. Place the concrete mix in the upper hopper of the compaction
factor apparatus and up the top level acierates
4. Open the trap in cylinder
5. Again open the trap in cylinder
6. Take the wt of cylinder concrete Compaction
7. Remove the concrete and refill the cylinder in three layers and give
25blows on each layer by tamping rod.
8. Again take the weight of cylinder with concrete and record it as
weight of fully compacted concrete and calculate the compaction
factor value by using formula
:
1. Wt of cement=
Observation 2. Wt of sand=
3. Wt of aggregate. =
4. Water cement ratio =
5. Wt of cylinder=
6. Wt of partial compacted concrete with cylinder=
7. Wt of fully Compacted concrete with cylinder=
8. Wt of partially compacted concrete with cylinder=

Result

The compaction for given concrete mix is found to be ……

Conclusion
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The degree of workability is …….and use for ……….

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 Experiment No-8
NAME OF EXPERIMENT : To determine los angeles abrasion value of aggregate.

Materials : Standard aggregates.

APPARATUS:
The apparatus as
per IS: 2386 (Part
IV) – 1963
consists of:

1. Los Angeles Machine

Abrasive charge: Cast iron or steel balls, approximately 48mm in diameter and each weighing
between 390 to 445 g; six to twelve balls are required.
2. Sieve: 1.70, 2.36, 4.75, 6.3, 10, 12.5, 20, 25, 40, 50, 63, 80 mm IS Sieves.
3. Balance of capacity 5 kg or 10 kg
4. Drying oven
5. Miscellaneous like tray

Procedure :
1. The test sample consists of clean aggregates dried in oven at 105° – 110°C.

2. Select the grading to be used in the test such that it conforms to the grading to be used in
construction, to the maximum extent possible.

3. Take 5 kg of sample for gradings A, B, C & D and 10 kg for gradings E, F & G.

4. Choose the abrasive charge as per Table 2 depending on grading of aggregates.

5. Place the aggregates and abrasive charge on the cylinder and fix the cover.

6. Rotate the machine at a speed of 30 to 33 revolutions per minute. The number of revolutions
is 500 for gradings A, B, C & D and 1000 for gradings E, F & G. The machine should be
balanced and driven such that there is uniform peripheral speed.

7. The machine is stopped after the desired number of revolutions and material is discharged to a
tray.

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 8. The entire stone dust is sieved on 1.70 mm IS sieve.

9. The material coarser than 1.7mm size is weighed correct to one gram.

Table 1: Grading of Test Samples – *Tolerance of ± 12 percent permitted.

Sieve Weight
size of test
(square sample
hole) in gm

Passing Retained
A B C D E F G
(mm) on (mm)

80 63 2500*

63 50 2500*

50 40 5000* 5000*

40 25 1250 5000* 5000*

25 20 1250 5000*

20 12.5 1250 2500

12.5 10 1250 2500

10 6.3 2500

6.3 4.75 2500

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 4.75 2.36 5000

Table 2: Selection of Abrasive Charge

Grading No of Steel balls Weight of charge in gm.

A 12 5000 ± 25

B 11 4584 ±25

C 8 3330 ± 20

D 6 2500 ± 15

E 12 5000 ± 25

F 12 5000 ± 25

G 12 5000 5

Observations of Los Angeles Test

Original weight of aggregate sample = W1 g
Weight of aggregate sample retained = W2 g
Weight passing 1.7mm IS sieve = W1 – W2 g
Abrasion Value = (W1 – W2 ) / W1 X 100

Results
Los Angeles Abrasion Value =

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 Recommended Los Angeles Test Values for Pavements

Los Angeles test is commonly used to evaluate the hardness of

aggregates. The test has more acceptability because the
resistance to abrasion and impact is determined simultaneously.

Depending upon the value, the suitability of aggregates for

different road constructions can be judged as per IRC
specifications as given:

Sl. Max. permissible abrasion value

Type of Pavement
No. in %

1 Water bound macadam sub base course 60

2 WBM base course with bituminous surfacing 50

3 Bituminous bound macadam 50

4 WBM surfacing course 40

5 Bituminous penetration macadam 40

Bituminous surface dressing, cement concrete

6 35
surface course

7 Bituminous concrete surface course 30

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