De La Salle University- Manila

College of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Department

Experiment of a
Compression Test of Molded Concretes

Submitted by:

Castor, Charles
Cabigting, Angelika Alexis
Liwanag, Jossef
Tan, Reinwald

Submitted to:
Engr. Jeremias A. Gonzaga
LBYME19 - ES1

March 11, 2019

Objectives
● To determine the mechanical properties of concrete specimen subjected to a
compressive load.
● To be able to study the different factors that will affect the strength of concrete
especially with regards to its curing time.
● To construct the engineering stress-engineering strain curve of concrete at
different curing time.
Theories and Analysis
Concrete is one of the oldest composite materials used in engineering
construction industries. It consists of a mixture of course aggregate (rock and gravel),
fine aggregate (sand), cement and water. Concrete varies considerably in composition
but usually contains 7 to 15%cement, 14 to 21% water, 5 to 8% air, 24 to 30% sand and
31 to 51% gravel. Each of the materials used to make the concrete has a particular
function:

a. Course aggregate.​ This makes up the bulk of the concrete. Gravel is the most
commonly used aggregate. Coarse aggregate may consist of crushed stone,
blast furnace slag, and similar hard, sound particles, varying in size about 1/4 in:
(6,35 mm) to 3 inches (7.62 mm) in diameter.
b. Fine aggregate​. This fills many of the spaces left between the pieces of coarse
aggregate. Sand is the other term for fine aggregate. Fine aggregate consists of
particles of sand, crushed stone, or similar material of dimensions slightly less
than 1/4 in. (6.35 mm) in diameter. This aggregate should be free from loam,
organic matter, silt, mica or other harmful substances because once they react
with cement, it tends to weaken or retard the hardening of concrete. Others
decompose upon exposure to the weather. Fine particles of clay and silt prevent
the formation of a good bond between aggregate and cement.
c. Cement and water.​ This act as a glue or bonding agent to hold the aggregates
together in this composite materials. Drinking water is always suitable for use in
mixing concrete. Water that contains dissolved sulfates, acids, alkalies, oil and
 other organic material should be avoided. Salt water can be used but it results in
a 10% to 20% loss in compressive strength.

The following are the mechanical properties of concrete:

a. Compressive strength:​ The most important mechanical property of concrete. A

concrete, under compression can withstand compressive stresses up to 6000 psi
(41 MPa). Concrete loaded in compression will also fail by shear along a
diagonal plane inclined near 55° to the direction of loading. Compressive strength
property is of great importance in the design of columns, walls and piers.
b. Flexural strength​. This property of concrete is most effectively used in the design
of floor, slab, roofslab, beams, road slabs and pavings. Flexural strength of
concrete ranges from 400 psi (2.75 MPa) to 800 psi (5.5 MPa). Concrete loaded
in flexure sometimes will fail at surfaces in tension. In order to solve this problem,
reinforcing steel bars are placed in the concrete. The tensile stress is thus carried
by the steel bars rather than by the concrete.
c. Tensile strength.​ This property of concrete is not so important and considered to
be negligible especially for design purposes. The tensile strength of concrete fall
between 200 psi(1.4 MPa) to 600 psi(4.1 MPa).
d. Fatigue strength​. Fatigue strength of concrete is about one-half of its ultimate
static strength. Rest periods between cycles of loading permit concrete to
undergo partial recovery, resulting in a slight improvement in fatigue strength.
e. Modulus of elasticity.​ It should be noted that as curing proceeds, the modulus of
elasticity of concrete increases. Modulus of elasticity of concrete ranges from 2.5
x 106 psi (176 Pa) 5.5 x 106 psi(38 GPa).
The factors that affect the strength of concrete are also enumerated below:
a. Ratio of coarse aggregate, fine aggregate and cement. This method uses
volumes ratio for proper proportioning of the different ingredients on concrete.
Table 6.1 recommends the different proportions, of concrete mixtures used in
construction industries.
 TABLE 6.1 *Proportions of Concrete Mixture (By Volume)

Applications Proportions

Reinforced concrete 1:2:4 or 1:2 ½ :4

Mass concrete 1:3:5 or 1:3:6

Pavement concrete 1:2:3 or 1:2:3 ½

Roof, sill, tank, tunnel

Pavement bases, building 1:2 ½ :4 or 1:3:5

Walls, foundation, footings

Sidewalks, floors, 1:2:3 or 1:2:4

Beams, columns

*This practice is not economical for large-scale work compared to trial batches but good
results are possible if consistent practices are followed by measuring the ingredients.

Example: 1:2:4 concrete mixture means 1 volume of cement, 2 volumes of fine

aggregate and 4 volumes of coarse aggregate.

​ xcess water has weakening effects upon the concrete. It

b. Water/cement ratio. E
either escapes leaving voids behind, or, if it is trapped, it remains in tiny
capillaries,
c. N​ature of the coarse aggregate and sand​. Apparently better cement properties
result if both aggregates are sharp-comered rather than rounded
d. Mixing and laying​. Under-or over mixing gives poor concrete. The method of
laying is very important. Concrete vibrated into place is, as a rule, stronger than
concrete poured,
e. Curing time.​ Cement and water reaction goes on for years. If concrete is not
cured under but in air, it is usually covered with wet sand bags to prevent the
 evaporation of moisture for at least a week.

Apparatus

1. Universal Testing Machine with complete attachment for compression test of

concrete.
2. Vernier Caliper
3. Steel Rule
4. 4 pcs. Oil Cans
5. Shovel

Procedure

I. Procedure for making the concrete specimen

1. Prepare the four used oil cans by cutting the top part (cover).
2. Consult the instructor as to what proportion of concrete mixture your group
will work on,
3. Get the right amount of gravel, sand cement, and water and mix them
thoroughly.
4. Distribute the mixture evenly to the four cans and use a stick to make sure
that there is no air trapped inside.
5. When the concrete is hard, remove the mixture from the molds and follow
prescribed curing procedures.
6. Test the concrete one specimen a week for four weeks using the
Universal Testing Machine.
II. Procedure for testing the concrete specimen
1. Measure the diameter and gage length of the concrete specimen.
Compute also the cross-sectional area of the concrete specimen.

2. Place the concrete specimen in the Universal Testing Machine and apply
compressive load until fracture occurs. Measure the deformation for every
 kg load specified by the instructor.

3. Using the data obtained from compressing the concrete specimen,

determine:

a. Engineering Stress, Engineering Strain and Modulus of Elasticity

per kg load specified by the instructor.
b. Engineering Stress vs Engineering Strain Diagram.

Data Sheet

Proportion of Concrete Mixture Used: ​1-3-5

Volume of Cement Used = ​0.3549​ liters

Volume of Sands = ​1.0647​ liters

Volume of Gravel = ​1.7744​ liters

Volume of Water = ​0.5323​ liters

(1 liter =33.81 oz)

Week 1

1. Pre-Test Data

Diameter of Concrete Specimen = 110 mm

Cross-sectional Area of Concrete Specimen = 9503.34 mm​2

Gage Length GL = 206 mm

2. Compression Test Data
3. Post-Test Data

Figure 6.1. ​Graph of Week 1.

4. Results

Maximum Compressive Load Fmax = 23.56 kN

Maximum Deformation = 22.8 mm

Week 2

2. Pre-Test Data

Diameter of Concrete Specimen = 110 mm

Cross-sectional Area of Concrete Specimen = 9503.34 mm​2

Gage Length GL = 206 mm

2. Compression Test Data
3. Post-Test Data

Figure 6.2. ​Graph of Week 2.

4. Results

Maximum Compressive Load Fmax = 31.07 kN

Maximum Deformation = 27 mm

Week 4A

3. Pre-Test Data

Diameter of Concrete Specimen = 110 mm

Cross-sectional Area of Concrete Specimen = = 9503.34 mm​2

Gage Length GL = = 205 mm

2. Compression Test Data
3. Post-Test Data

Figure 6.3. ​Graph of Week 4A.

4. Results

Maximum Compressive Load Fmax = 38.23 kN

Maximum Deformation = 29.8 mm

Week 4B

4. Pre-Test Data

Diameter of Concrete Specimen = 110 mm

Cross-sectional Area of Concrete Specimen = = 9503.34 mm​2

Gage Length GL = = 205 mm

2. Compression Test Data
3. Post-Test Data

Figure 6.4. ​Graph of Week 4B.

4. Results

Maximum Compressive Load Fmax = 30.19 kN

Maximum Deformation = 19 mm

Results and Analysis

Week Maximum Force, kN Maximum Deformation, mm

1 23.56 22.8

2 31.07 27.0

4A 38.23 29.8

4B 30.19 19.0

Table 6.2.​ Gathered Data From Using The UTM

Standard Deviation of Maximum Force, kN: ​6.001718504

Standard Deviation of Maximum Deformation, mm: ​4.739549908

Figure 6.5. ​Graph of Time Vs. Maximum Force Graph.

Figure 6.6. ​Graph of Time Vs. Maximum Deformation.

 Figure 6.7. ​Graph of Maximum Force Vs. Maximum Deformation.

1:3:5 concrete mixture is suitable for footings and foundations. Most of the
usages of the said ratio include retaining walls, compound wall, machine bases, trench
hill foundation and floors with very light traffic.

Based on Table 6.2, the standard deviation was computed and as expected, it is
high. The data itself are spread or has various values due to the number of week/s the
concrete was set. Figures 6.5 to 6.7 exhibited an increasing behavior and then suddenly
a decrease in value. One good reason is that the researchers made two batches and
the way they mixed the concrete before putting it on the cylinder. Week 4B exhibited the
lowest deformation and Week 4A exhibited the highest Maximum Force, ​Fm,​ exerted. It
can be also observed on figures 6.1 to 6.4 that after the the maximum force exerted, the
behavior of the graph suddenly decreased in value as the deformation increased and as
the maximum force decreases which means that the ultimate strength of the material
has been surpassed.
Sample Computation

1 liter = 33.81 oz

2𝞹rh + 2𝜋r​2​=Area of cylinder

2𝞹(55mm)(205mm) + 2𝜋(55mm)​2​= 89849.54989mm​2​=0.089849m​2

Questions

1. Explain the difference between Portland Cement and Pozzoland Cement.

Portland Cement, also known as Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is the most
commonly used cement product, while Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) is a variation
of the OPC, with main differences of OPC having 3 grades, namely grades 33, 43, and
53. A PPC only has one grade, which matches the grade 33 of OPC. What makes PPC
is that it is a combination of OPC and volcanic ash, which is added from 15% to 35% by
weight. Another difference is that while both are eco-friendly materials, PPC uses
natural and industrial waste, which makes PPC a preferred choice in terms of
environmentally-friendly items. PPC is also preferred in dam, reservoir, and other
water-based construction as its resistivity to sulphate is much higher, with an added
bonus that the PPC is cheaper than the OPC.
2. Why should excessive water be avoided when mixing cement with aggregate?
Since water to cement ratio determines the strength and durability of the concrete,
too much water will result in segregation of the sand and aggregate components, reducing
the strength of the output. Also, excessive water in the mixture will lead to more shrinkage
resulting in visible cracks and fractures in the concrete.
3. What is pre-stressed concrete and what advantages does a pre-stressed
structural beam have over an ordinary reinforced concrete beam?
A pre-stressed concrete is a type of concrete where metal rods are introduced to the
concrete in compression, in order to decrease the deflection of the concrete compared to an
ordinary reinforced concrete beam. An ordinary concrete beam initially doesn’t have any
force acting on it, so when tension is introduced, the concrete will deflect at a certain
pressure, causing cracks on the beam, which reduces its serviceability. Pre-stressed
structural beam on the other hand has two methods it can impose before it is put to service,
namely 1st is having the steel rods in place before pouring the concrete, or concrete is
cured, then placing the steel rods. Both methods require a nut to bolt the beams in, to which
compression is introduced. Once the pre-stressed structural beam is placed under tension,
the initial compression found in the structural beam will decrease due to the increase
tension, and when pushed enough, it will break, but at almost double the amount of
pressure compared to an ordinary reinforced concrete beam.
4. What is a composite material?
It is a type of material which is usually composed of two or more materials which
differs in physical and chemical properties when homogeneously combined will create
another unique individual physical and chemical properties for different purposes and
uses.