FACULTY OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA

MATERIAL LABORATORY

OPEN ENDED LABORATORY INSTRUCTIONS

 MATERIAL AND FLUID LABORATORY
(BFC 20601)

Prepared by:
Dr. Nor Hazurina Bt. Othman
Dr. Noor Azlina Bte Abdul Hamid
Dr. Siti Radziah Bte Abdullah
Mohd Khairy Bin Burhanudin
Pn. Roslina Binti Jamil

CLUSTERS OF STRUCTURAL AND MATERIALS ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
Faculty :
Faculty of Civil and Environmental Page 1
Engineering
Department : Edition 1
Civil Engineering Checking No
Title : Effective Date 30/Jan/18

General Instruction Amendment Date

GENERAL INSTRUCTION:

In this lab sheet, it has TWO (2) open ended laboratory instructions to be performed. Students
must plan and organize for solutions by integrating the fundamental knowledge of Civil
Engineering Materials and technical skill with appropriate laboratory testing equipment and
methodology to fulfill the requirement of each open ended instruction. Students must
consult/present and get approval against the equipment operational procedure, type of data
collection and analyses from laboratory instructor and assistant based on respective laboratory
proposal or solution before conducting any testing. Students are reminded to emphasize safety
and good ethic when handling the equipment and other facilities in Material Laboratory. All
findings must be verified, prepared and fulfilled the requirement of technical report criteria
and others from respective laboratory instructions.

START

Week 1: OPEN ENDED LABORATORY BRIEFING

AND EQUIPMENT INTRODUCTORY (BY
LABORATORY INSTRUCTOR) TESTING VARIABLES/ PARAMETERS AND
TYPE OF ANALYSES
(CONSULT WITH LABORATORY
INSTRUCTOR)
PLAN AND ORGANIZE METHOD OF TESTING AND ANALYSIS (BY
STUDENTS)
Week 1&2: Proposal Preparation
EQUIPMENT AND TESTING PROCEDURE
(CONSULT WITH LABORATORY
ASSISTANT)

Week 3: PROPOSAL DISCUSSIONS/ PRESENTATION FOR

NO
APPROVAL BY LABORATORY INSTRUCTOR

YES

PERFORM LABORATORIES AND

DATA ACQUISITION
Week 4: Laboratory 1
Week 5: Laboratory 2

Week 7: PREPARATION OF
TECHNICAL REPORT

Week 8: SUBMISSION

END

FLOWCHART OF OPEN ENDED LABORATORY

 Faculty :
Faculty of Civil and Environmental Page 2
Engineering
Department : Edition 1
Civil Engineering Checking No
Title : Effective Date 30/Jan/18

Concrete Mix Design, Concrete

Compressive Strength and Properties of Amendment Date
Bricks

Introduction
This Material open ended laboratory is designed to construct an integrated laboratory exercises
on (1)concrete mix design with compressive strength of concrete and (2) properties of bricks.
LABORATORY 1:
Identification of Concrete Materials, Concrete Mix Design and Concrete Compressive
Strength

Objectives
The main objectives of this laboratory are as follows:
i. To determine the standard consistence of ordinary Portland cement
ii. To obtain grading curve of coarse and fine aggregate
iii. To identify the workability of fresh concrete and compressive strength of hardened
concrete

Background of Concrete
Figure 1.0 shows the concrete used in building construction. As a major construction material, it is used
in many parts of building structure such as foundation, column, beam, slab and staircase. The main
ingredients of concrete consist of cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and water. The strength of
concrete can be designed as low or high compressive strength by depending on water-cement ratio.

Figure 1.0: Concrete in building construction

 Faculty :
Faculty of Civil and Environmental Page 3
Engineering
Department : Edition 1
Structural and Materials Engineering Checking No
Title : Effective Date 30/Jan/18

Concrete Mix Design, Concrete

Compressive Strength and Properties of Amendment Date
Bricks

Instruction to Conduct Laboratory 1:

You are required to understand the used of concrete as main construction material. You are required to
conduct four (4) main apparatus provided in Material Laboratory (see Appendix A) representing the
fundamental aspects in making concrete for building construction like sieve analysis, mixing, placing
and curing. Finally, examine the compressive strength of concrete by conducting test on hardened
concrete. Determine the outcome of your laboratory work as follow:

a. Consistency of ordinary Portland cement and relationship obtained with cement water-ratio
b. Workability of concrete mix and its classification
c. Compressive strength of concrete by nondestructive and destructive test

In your solutions, you are required to design normal grade of concrete based on DOE method (see
Appendix B) which generally involves in determining target strength, water-cement ratio and types of
aggregate. Finally, provide appropriate relationship between compressive strength and days of curing.

(1) (2)
NOTE: Discuss with your laboratory instructor about the mix proportion number of samples to be
tested and (3)targeted days for concrete test.
 LABORATORY 2:
Identification of Bricks Properties

Objectives
The main objectives of this laboratory are as follows:
i. To determine the density of bricks
ii. To determine the water absorption of bricks
iii. To determine the compressive strength of bricks

Background of Bricks:
Bricks are used for masonry construction as shown in Figure 2.0. These bricks are generally made of
clay which are moulded, dried and baked in the kiln. It comes in different shapes and dimensions based
on construction purpose. It is compulsory to identify the actual strength of the bricks via compression
testing machine prior to construction as shown in Figure 2.1. The other test such as density and water
absorption are also important for indicates the average mass, dimension and amount of water absorbed
by the brick.

Faculty :
Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Page
4
Department :
Civil Engineering
Edition
1

Checking No
Figure 2.0: Bricks used in building construction

Title : Concrete Mix Design, Concrete Compressive Strength and Properties of Bricks
Effective Date
30/Jan/18

Amendment Date

Figure 2.1: Compressive strength tests for brick

Instruction to Conduct Laboratory 2:

A client has sent to you a sample of clay bricks for identification of brick properties based on
density, water absorption and strength. Provide report of your laboratory testing by including
all the test results.

NOTE: Discuss with your laboratory instructor about the number of sample to be tested by using
Universal Testing Machine and take all safety precaution in conducting the experiment.
Faculty :
Faculty of Civil and Environmental Page 7
Engineering

Department :
Edition 1
Civil Engineering
Checking No
Title :
Concrete Mix Design, Concrete Effective Date 30/Jan/18
Compressive Strength and Properties of
Bricks
Amendment Date
TECHNICAL REPORT FORMAT (for each laboratory):

COVER PAGE
Attach green open ended laboratory rubric cover page for every laboratory performed (See
Appendix C)

For each laboratory report, the following contents must be prepared:

1. TABLE OF CONTENTS

2. ABSTRACT (in 300 words maximum)

Brief explanation about your testing in overall which consists of:
a. Introduction
b. Objective of the study
c. Laboratory scope (specimens and methodology etc.)
d. Results and discussions
e. Conclusion

3. CHAPTER 1 (Introduction)
a. General
Study background

b. Goal and objectives

You may create up to maximum four (4) objectives, but all results and discussions must
be presented and concluded for each objective.

c. Laboratory scope
The discussions could be emphasized on:

a. configuration of the specimen such as material types, no. of specimen,

dimensions, cross section and etc.

b. instrumentation and testing specifications

c. standard code of practice involved
d. type of testing (slump test/ compression test/ water absorption and etc.)
e. specific theory/ fundamental concept used
f. others which are relevance to your scope of work.
Faculty :
Faculty of Civil and Environmental Page 8
Engineering
Department : Edition 1
Structural and Materials Engineering Checking No
Title : Effective Date 30/Jan/18

Concrete Mix Design, Concrete

Compressive Strength and Properties of Amendment Date
Bricks
 4. CHAPTER 2 (Literature Reviews)

Discussions must be carried out to any references related to laboratory performed.

a. Published materials such as book, journal, standard code of practice, conference, manual,
technical magazine, catalogue etc.
b. Un-published material published by authorized website.

5. CHAPTER 3 (Methodology)

a. Provide study flow chart from the beginning to the end of your laboratory.

b. Clarify each steps/ phases/ stages used. Explanation must be given to every chart, figure,
table, equations etc.

c. Provide related standard code of practices, theories, derivations etc. if available

6. CHAPTER 4 (Results, Data Analysis and Discussions)

Your findings must be reported and discussed in form of text and supported by related type of
chart, figure, table, equations and etc. The following criteria must be emphasized in this
chapter:

a. Sample of calculations must be indicated clearly

b. Provided citation from any reliable references to strengthen your findings and discussions

7. CONCLUSIONS

Provide conclusive finding against the requirement of objectives

8. REFERENCES

Refer to UTHM Thesis Guideline for citation and reference format

YOU MUST AWARE TO PROVIDE?

a. All technical reports of Laboratory 1 to 2 must be compiled together. Distinguish each report by
green open ended laboratory rubric cover page separator.

b. Font type: Times New Roman, font size: 12 with 1.5 spacing

c. Comb ring binding.

.
 APPENDIX A

VICAT TEST SIEVE ANALYSIS TEST

SLUMP TEST COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST

REBOUND HAMMER TEST
APPENDIX B
 APPENDIX C
Lab Topic : __________________________________
Group Member (Name / Matric Number) :
1        
2        
3         OPEN-ENDED LABORATORY ASSESSMENT RUBRIC (COGNITIVE)
4         DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
5         FACULTY OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Section : ______________________

CRITERIA Very Poor = 1 Poor = 2 Moderate = 3 Good = 4 Very Good = 5 Mark Scale W Marks

The fundamental The fundamental The fundamental theory The fundamental theory
The fundamental theory of
theory of lab theory of lab topic of lab topic are of lab topic are
Fundamental Theory lab topic are partially
topic are not are partially presented and discussed presented and discussed   4 0
(20) presented and moderately
presented and presented and accordingly, references that relates to real case,
discussed
discussed poorly discussed provided references provided

Methodology are Methodology are Methodology are

Methodology are
not correctly moderately described described with proper
Methodology Methodology are described with proper
described, wrong without proper experimental & analysis   4 0
(20) not described experimental & analysis
experimental experimental and analysis procedure according to
procedure
procedure procedure specific standard
Good in data analysis Very good in data
Result, Data Analysis & Incorrect data Many mistakes in Some mistakes in data with reliable analysis with strong
Discussions analysis without data analysis with analysis with moderate justifications for justifications for   8 0
(40) discussions poor justifications justifications complex engineering complex engineering
problem problem
The conclusions are The conclusions are The conclusions are well
The conclusions are
Conclusions moderately written, some reflected to objective written and reflected to
No conclusions not reflected to   2 0
(10) points are reflected to and provide overall all objectives, provide
objective
objective summary overall summary
The answer are not
The answer are moderately The answer are The answer are critically
Answer to Open-Ended The answer are critically explained,
explained, some points explained and relates to explained with high
Questions not clearly no relation to real   2 0
relates to real real case/problem in order thinking relates to
(10) explained case/problem in
case/problem in eng. eng. real case/problem
eng.
Total Marks 0
Laboratory Topic : __________________________________
Group Member (Name / Matric Number) :
1        
2        
3         OPEN-ENDED LABORATORY ASSESSMENT RUBRIC (PSYCHOMOTOR)
4         DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
5         FACULTY OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Section : ______________________

CRITERIA Very Poor = 1 Poor = 2 Moderate = 3 Good = 4 Very Good = 5 Mark Scale W Marks

Unable to show
Less leaderships Moderate leaderships Ability to show good Ability to show very
the leadership
Demonstrate leadership skills skills, there is no skills, but students are able leaderships skills with good leaderships skills
skills, there is no   4 0
(20) task (lab work) to distribute their task (lab good task (lab work) with structured task (lab
task (lab work)
distribution work) distribution work) distribution
distribution

Unable to apply
Ability to show very
the basic Less technical skill Moderate technical skill Ability to show good
Skill of Work good technical skill and
technical skill using laboratory using laboratory tools, but technical skill using   4 0
(20) competency using
using laboratory tools still acceptable laboratory tools
laboratory tools
tools

Unable to deliver Able to deliver good Able to deliver original

Able to deliver Able to deliver creativity in
Innovative in Delivering Idea creativity in ideas and creativity in ideas and creativity in
creativity in solving solving complex problem   8 0
(40) solving basic and solving complex solving complex
basic problem moderately
complex problem problem problem

Unable to Able to perform very

Able to perform Able to perform moderate Able to perform good
perform good calculation
Accuracy calculation and calculation and calculation and
accurate procedure and   4 0
(20) measurement, but measurement, the measurement, complete
calculation and measurement, very high
not accurate accuracy is acceptable and accurate
measurement accuracy

Total Marks 0
Laboratory Topic : __________________________________ PHOTO
Student Name :      
Matric Number:      
Section:      

OPEN-ENDED LABORATORY INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT RUBRIC (AFFECTIVE)

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
FACULTY OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

CRITERIA Very Poor = 1 Poor = 2 Moderate = 3 Good = 4 Very Good = 5 Mark Scale W Marks

Very good commitment

Unable to show the teamwork
Teamwork
spirit (no participation) in
(35)
group during lab work
Moderate participation Good participation in
Less participation in group and participation as
in group during lab group during lab work,   7
during lab work well as helpful in group
work shows the commitment
during lab work

Ability to show very

good awareness on
Moderate awareness Ability to show good
Safety Unable to show awareness on Less awareness on safety safety during lab work,
on safety during lab awareness on safety   7
(35) safety during lab work during lab work always remind other
work during lab work
group members on
safety

Very good attitude and

Very poor attitude and not Moderate attitude but Good attitude and
Disipline Poor attitude and not wearing wearing suitable attire
wearing suitable attire during wearing suitable attire wearing suitable attire   4
(20) suitable attire during lab work during lab work, always
lab work during lab work during lab work
shows high motivation

X is how many times student attend the lab session Please insert the value of X =  
Attendance
10
(10)
Y is the total lab session that students must attend Please insert the value of Y =  

Total Marks
 COMMENTS FORM: RESULTS, DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS
MATERIALS LABORATORY PROPOSAL i. Result: L1 L2
 Idealized model
MAIN CHECK LIST: INITIAL ASSESSMENT (PROPOSAL)  Free body diagram
 Label (on figure/ table)
Group Members: H/P No. :  Static equilibrium equation
1. ________________________________ ________________________  Mathematical procedure
2. ________________________________ ________________________
3. ________________________________ ________________________ ii. Discussion: L1 L2
4. ________________________________ ________________________  From the computational outcomes
5. ________________________________ ________________________  From the illustrations
 Related citation
INSTRUCTION: Tick ( / ) at any component that has been fulfilled
CONCLUSIONS L1 L2
For EACH laboratory instruction, the following requirements are compulsory to
Agreed to objectives
be provided:
REFERENCES and FORMATING L1 L2
INTRODUCTION L1 L2
i. Sufficient references
i. General
ii. Orderly
ii. Goal and Objective
iii. Laboratory Scopes L1 L2 Comments:
 specific theory/ fundamental concept used 1.
 configuration of the material/specimen __________________________________________________________________
 type of testing (slump/compression/water absorption and etc.) __________________________________________________________________
 standard code of practice __________________________________________________________________
 type of instrumentation 2.
 others which are relevance to your scope of work __________________________________________________________________
iv. Significance of laboratory __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
LITERATURE REVIEWS L1 L2 3.
i. Theory/ History/ Concept __________________________________________________________________
ii. Related review from similar studies __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
METHODOLOGY L1 L2 4.
i. Study flow chart/ framework __________________________________________________________________
ii. Clarification/explanation: __________________________________________________________________
 Figure __________________________________________________________________
 Table __________________________________________________________________
 Procedure/ protocol
 Equation/ formula Authorized by: _______________________Date:__________
 Standard code of practice
 Assumptions Name: