Experiments

Group :6

DR: Awad EL-Hashmy

DR: waleed Tawheed
Experiment 1 Sieve analysis of aggregate:
Scope:
It is used to determine the granular gradient of the aggregates and calibrates the
smoothness and the maximal measurement of aggregates .
Apparatus:
• A sensitive balance of not less than 0.1% of the sample weight .
• Oven of temperature (100°C-110°C).
• Standard sieves for large aggregates, small aggregates, and mixed aggregates,
the standard sieves are sieves with a cylindrical metal structure and square
openings. The sieve is called the length of a rib that opens in millimeters. These
sieves are used to obtain a suitable gradient for an engineering application. In the
aggregate used for construction works, sieves used are: 40 - 20.0 - 10.0 – 4.75 -
2.36 - 1.18 -0.600 - 0.300 - 0.150 mm. Some sieves can be increased to meet the
requirement that the maximum weight of the amount of aggregate held on the
sieves should also be increased and the need for an average measurement
between the above measurements.
• Vibrating sieves.
• Tray of oven can be entered without any change in its weight.
• A large vase allows the sample to be contained in addition to five
times the size of water.

The sample :

We took a simple of 2500 gm from coarse aggregate to be tested .

Steps:
1. The sample shall be weighed after drying completely and to be
weighed (f).
2. Sieves placed on top of each other to arrange the largest of the
smallest (from top to bottom).
3. The process of sifting manually or mechanically for a period of not
less than 5 minutes.

4. The quantities reserved for each sieve shall be weighed separately

and be 1, 2, 3 and 4.
5. The total reserved weight, the reserved percentage and the
percentage passing by are calculated in a table showing this.
6. From the percentage passing by each sieve, the granular gradient
curve is drawn.
7. The percentage passing by each sieve shall be calculated as the
largest legal measure of aggregates.
8. Percentage of the reserved percentage for each sieve that gives up
the calibrated softness calculation.

Device:

9 standard sieves
Fig.1
 S/G=(20/80)

Sieve weight Total % of % of

no. weight reserved passing
reserved
40 0 0 0 100
20 0 0 0 100
10 62 62 2.48 97.52
4.75 1700 1762 70 30
2.36 54 1816 72.64 27.36
1.18 70 1886 75.44 24.56
.6 220 2106 84.24 15.76
.3 272 2378 95 5
.15 72 2450 98 2
Pan 50 2500 - -
 S/G=(30/70)
Sieve weight Total % of % of
no. weight reserved passing
reserved
40 0 0 0 100
20 0 0 0 100
10 9 9 .36 99.64
4.75 1659 1668 66.7 33.3
2.36 111 1779 71.1 28.9
1.18 99 1878 75.1 24.9
0.6 231 2109 84.3 15.7
0.3 264 2373 95 5
0.15 93 2466 98.6 1.4
Pan 34 - - -
 S/G=(40/60)

Sieve weight Total % of % of

no. weight reserved passing
reserved
40 0 0 0 100
20 0 0 0 100
10 0 0 0 100
4.75 1452 142 58 42
2.36 99 1551 62 38
1.18 181 1732 69.3 30.7
0.6 362 2094 83.7 16.3
0.3 285 2379 95 5
0.15 96 2475 99 1
Pan 25 - - -
 S/G=(50/50)

Sieve weight Total % of % of

no. weight reserved passing
reserved
40 0 0 0 100
20 0 0 0 100
10 0 0 0 100
4.75 1242 1242 49.6 50.4
2.36 81 1323 52.9 47.1
1.18 209 1532 61.3 38.7
0.6 418 1950 78 22
0.3 414 2364 94.5 5.5
0.15 108 2472 98.9 1.1
Pan 28 - - -
Experiment 2 ... Determination of Coarse
Aggregate Crushing value:
It is used to determine the extent of resistance of large aggregates to crushing
under the influence of gradual pressure bearing.

1-3-4-1. Sample:
A sample of aggregates is extracted on a sieve 14. 10 mm and the test sample passing
from the sieve 14 is reserved on the sieve 10 mm.

1-3-4-2. Test Steps:

1. Put the cylinder of open steel on the base.

2. The sample shall be placed in the cylinder in 3 equal batches and

destroy 25 cubes.

3. Level the surface and put on the piston.

4. The cylinder, piston and base shall be placed in the pressure test
machine.

5. Hold the piston gradually by 10 regular until it reaches 400 kN and

then raise the load.

6. unload the aggregates from the cylinder and weigh the sample and
let it be 1 and then sieve the sample on the sieve 2.36.

7. The reserved and the passer shall be weighed from the sieve 2.36
and it shall be 2, 3.

8. Crash factor of the large aggregate is calculated as follows: Crash

factor = (W2 \ W10) x 100.

Device:

Crushing Device + Rod for Compacting

Fig.2

Results:

Total sample weight(W1) =3654 gm

The weight of the sieve from the sieve 2.36 (W2) = 603 gm
The weight reserved on sieve 2.36 (W3) = 3048 gm
W1-(W2+W3) = 3 gm (accepted)
Crushing factor = (603*100)/3654 = 16.5% (accepted)
Experiment 3... Determination of Clay and
others fine materials in fine aggregate by
Volume:

Determination of the ratio of clay and soft materials with small

aggregates.
Apparatus:
A graduated test tube.

Sample:
A sample weighing 100 g of sand.

Test Steps:
1. Apply 50 cm 3 of clean water inside the inserted filter.
2. Add the amount of the sample of the aggregates until the volume
becomes 100 cm 3.
3. Add pure water until the total volume 150 cm 3.
4. Mix the mixture tightly until the clay and soft materials are
separated by sand.
5. Leave the tester for 3 hours on a horizontal surface.
6. The percentage by size is the difference between the height of the
layer deposited above the surface of the aggregates and the height of
the aggregates below the precipitated layer.
 Device :

Tube for test fig .3

Expected test results:

Mud should not exceed 3% for sand and 5% for coarse aggregate.

Thickness of mud and residual material above sand layer = 77

Thickness of mud and residual material below sand layer = 73

Ratio = 77/73 =1.055% ( Accepted ) less than 3% .

Experiment 4... Determination of the initial and the
final Setting time of Cement paste by vicat apparatus:

Introduction:

The setting times of cement give an indication of how long the cement
will remain Workable when used in a concrete mix.

If the cement has deteriorated or was Originally defective, it may take

an excessive time to set.

Apparatus:
The apparatus used for the test is the standard Vicat apparatus as
shown in Figure.

The apparatus is essentially a simple penetrometer, the sample of

cement Paste being placed in the mould below the sliding weight.

The weight may be varied By placing calibrated weights within the

stem and three different penetration devices May be fitted to the
underside of the weight.

The total sliding weight including the Penetration attachments should

be 300 ± lg.
 DEVICE :

Sample preparation
a) The sample must be mixed with the correct amount of water to give a
standard Consistency.
The standard consistence is determined by means of the Vicat Apparatus
fitted with the plunger, a 10mm diameter blunt-ended, metal cylinder
Weighing 9.0± 0.5. g.

b) The freshly mixed cement paste is placed in the mould and levelled off
with a Trowel. The plunger is brought into contact with the surface of the
paste and then Released.

c) The paste is at the correct consistence when the plunger penetrates to a

points 5± 1 mm. From the bottom of the mould. The depth of penetration
is shown on the Scale.
Fresh samples of paste with varying water contents should be tested until
The desired consistence is achieved.
 d) Normally, a weight of water between 26 and 33 percent of the weight of
the dry Cement is required to obtain the standard consistence.

Note :
Note that the procedure of determining consistence should not take
Longer than about 5 minutes.

Test procedure :

a) A fresh sample of cement paste of standard consistence should be placed

in the Mould and levelled off using a trowel.

b) The initial set needle should be fitted to the apparatus, this needle is a
blunt- Ended cylinder of diameter 1.13 mm. And weighing 9.0 ± 0.5g.
with the needle in Position the sliding portion of the apparatus should
weight 300 grams.
The weight Should be checked prior to the start of the test.

c) To determine the initial setting time the needle is brought into contact
with the Surface of the cement paste and released. Initially the needle will
penetrate Completely through the paste to the base of the mould, but the
test is repeated at Regular intervals at different points on the surface until
the needle only Penetrates to within 5 ± 1 mm. Of the base of the mould.
The time elapsed from Initially mixing the cement with water until the
desired penetration is reached is the intial setting time
 d) To determine the final setting time the final set needle is fitted to the
apparatus.
The final set needle is a cylindrical blunt-ended needle which is fitted with
a metal Collar which is hollowed out to leave a 5 mm.
Diameter cutting edge 0.5 mm.
Behind the tip of the needle. The weight should be 9.0 ± 0.5 g.

e) The needle is brought gently into contact with the surface of the paste
and Released.
This operation is repeated at intervals until the tip of the needle marks
The paste but the cutting edge does not come into contact with the paste.
The Time elapsed from initial mixing of the cement and water until this
stage is reached Is the final setting time.

Note 1.
For ordinary Portland cement the initial time of setting is not less than 45
minutes and the final time of setting is not more than 375 minutes by Vicat test.

Note 2.
It should be noted that the setting times will be reduced as the
Temperature of the paste increases,
and the temperature of the test Should be maintained at 30 ± 20C to
give consistent results.
To prevent Premature hardening of the surface of the paste, the
humidity should Exceed 90%; this may be achieved by covering the
apparatus with a Damp, but not dripping, towel between
determinations.
Experiment 5... METHOD OF TEST FOR ABRASION OF COARSE
AGGREGATE BY USE OF THE LOS ANGELES ABRASION TESTING
MACHINE:

SCOPE :
This test method describes the procedure used to determine the
resistance of coarse aggregate To impact in a rotating cylinder
containing metallic spheres. This test is also known as the Los Anglos
Test.

APPARATUS:
1. Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine: the Los Angeles Abrasion
Testing Machine must conform to the essential design
characteristics in Figure 1 and The narrative below.
The testing machine must consist of a hollow steel cylinder, closed at both ends,
With an inside diameter of 28 in. ± 0.2 in. And an inside length of 20 in. ± 0.2 in.
The steel cylinder must be mounted on stub shafts attached to the ends of the
Cylinder but not entering it, and must be mounted in such a manner that it may
Be rotated about its axis in a horizontal position. An opening in the cylinder
must Be provided for the introduction of the test sample. The opening must be
closed
With a dust-tight cover that is easily re moved. The cover must be so designed as
To maintain the cylindrical contour of the interior surface unless the shelf is so
Located that the charge will not fall on the cover or come in contact with it
during
The test. A removable steel shelf projecting radically 3.5 in. ± 0.1 in. Into the
Cylinder and extending its full length must be mounted along one element of the
Interior surface of the cylinder. The shelf must be of such thickness and be
Mounted, by bolts or other approved means, so as to be firm and rigid. The
Position of the shelf must be such that the distance from the shelf to the
opening,
Measured along the circumference of the cylinder in the direction of rotation, is
Not less than 50 in.

The shelf may also be mounted on the inside of the cover plate.

The Shelf must be made of wear-resistant steel and must be rectangular in

cross- Section.

The Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine must be driven and counter Balanced
so as to maintain 100 revolutions in 190 s ± 10 s. The machine must Be equipped
with an adjustable counter, which can be set to stop the machine at The
required number of revolutions.
2. Balance: a balance having a capacity of at least 5500 g sensitive to 0.1 g
or less.

3. Sieves: No. 4 and No. 12 woven wire sieves conforming to AASHTO M 92.
These Sieves should be at least 12 in. In diameter.

4. Abrasive Charge

PREPARATION OF TEST SPECIMEN:

1. Prepare the sample in accordance with California Test 201. When

necessary Blend the natural material and the material obtained from
crushing the Oversized particles in accordance with California Test 201,
Section H.

2. Wash dirty or coated aggregate and dry to constant weight in accordance

with
temperature Before preparing the test specimen.

3. Select the grading from Table 1 most nearly representative of the

aggregate Furnished for the work. Separate the aggregate on the
required sieve sizes.
Prepare the test specimen using the weight of each sieve size fraction
specified For the grading selected. Determine and record the weight of
the prepared test Specimen to the nearest 1 g.
If the coarse aggregate has been separated into 2 or more sieve sizes,
select the Grading from Table 1 most nearly representative of the
combined aggregate mix to be Finished.
 TEST PROCEDURE:

1. Place the test specimen and abrasive charge in the Los Angeles Abrasive
Testing
Machine and close the opening with the dust-tight cover.

2. Start the testing machine and run it for the required number of
revolutions.

3. When the testing machine has completed the required number of

revolutions, Remove the cover and carefully empty the entire contents
into a pan. Remove the Abrasive charge from the pan.

4. Separate the test specimen on the No. 4 sieve and sieve the passing No. 4
Material on the No. 12 sieve. Combine the material retained on the No. 4
and No. 12 sieves in accordance with California Test 202. Weigh and
record these Values to the nearest 1 g.

5. If the weight of material retained on the No. 12 sieve was determined

after 100 revolutions, return the entire test specimen, including the
material passing The No. 12 sieve, to the testing machine. Close the
opening in the testing Machine and operate for the required number of
additional revolutions, then Repeat Steps 3 and 4.
 CALCULATION:

Calculate the “Percent Wear” to the nearest percent using

the following equation:
BA Wear Percent = (A-B) /A *100
Where:
A = Weight of original test specimen to the nearest 1 g
B = Weight retained on the No. 12 sieve after the specified
number of revolutions
Experiment 6... Bulk Density “Unit Weight” &
Voids in Aggregate:

Objective:
This test method is used to determine the bulk density and voids in
fine and coarse aggregate.

Principles:
 During the concrete mix design, when the aggregate is to be batched by
volume or by Weight, then it becomes necessary to know the mass of the
aggregates that will fill the Container of unit volume. If we know the bulk
density of the aggregate material then we can Easily determine the
mass required to fill a unit volume container.

 Bulk density also indicates the percentage of voids present in the

aggregate material. This Percentage of voids affects the grading of the
aggregates which is important in high strength Concrete.

 Bulk density also indicates the compactive effort required to compact the
concrete Bulk density of aggregates is the mass of aggregates required to
fill the container of a unit Volume after aggregates are batched based on
volume.
  Bulk Density = Mass of the aggregate \ Volume of aggregate particles
with voids Between them. This bulk density is used to convert quantities
by mass to quantities by Volume.
 Bulk density depends on several factors: Size distribution of aggregates,
Shape of particles and degree of compaction

Materials:
1. Coarse aggregate.
2. 2. Fine aggregate.
3. 3. Water.

Apparatus :

 Metal cylinder, the size depends on the maximum size of

the aggregate.
 Balance .
 Tamping rod: a straight metal tamping rod of cylindrical
cross section 16 mm in diameter And 600 mm long,
rounded at one end.
 Shovel
Test Procedure:

 Compacted bulk density,

1. Weight the empty cylinder (W1).

2. Fill the cylinder with aggregate in three stages, each one-

third of the volume being Tamped a number of times
depending on the maximum size of the aggregate with
The tamping rod.

3. Level the surface of the cylinder by rolling the tamping

rod across the top.

4. Weigh the cylinder with the compacted aggregate (W2).

5. Weigh the cylinder filled with water (W3).

  Loose bulk density,

1. Fill the cylinder with aggregate in one stage at a height

not exceeding 50 mm from
The top of cylinder.

2. Weigh the cylinder with the loose aggregate (W4).

Calculations :
Bulk density = ( W2 - W1) / (W3 - W1) * 100

Voids% = ( 1- (Bulk density /Gs *1000) ) * 100

Experiment 7... SOUNDNESS TEST OF Cement
(le-chatelier)

1. Objective
It is very important that the cement after setting shall not undergo any
appreciable change of volume .Certain cements have been found to undergo a
large expansion after setting causing disruption of the Set and hardened
mass. This will cause serious difficulties for the durability of structures when
such Cement is used. The unsoundness in cement is due to the presence of excess
of free lime than that Could be combined with acidic oxide at the kiln. It is also
likely that too high a proportion of magnesium Content or calcium sulphate
content may cause unsoundness in cement. Soundness of cement may be
Determined by two methods, namely Le-Chatelier method and autoclave
method. In the soundness test a specimen of hardened cement paste is boiled
for a fixed time so that any Tendency to expand is speeded up and can be
detected. Soundness means the ability to resist volume Expansion.

2. Apparatus Required

1: Le-Chateliers Apparatus.
2: Schematic of Le-Chateliers Apparatus
Consist of a small split cylinder of spring brass to other non-
Corrodible metal of 0.5mm thickness forming a mould of 30mm
Internal diameter and 30mm high. On either side of the split, two
Indicators are brazed suitably with pointed ends made of 2mm
Diameter brass wire in such a way that the distance of these ends to
The center of the cylinder is 165mm.
The split cylinder will be kept Between two glass plates. The
temperature of the moulding room,Dry materials and water shall be
maintained at 27±2°C The relative humidity of the laboratory Shall be
65 ± 5 percent. The moist closet or moist room shall be maintained at
27 ± 2°C and at a Relative humidity of not less than 90 percent.

3: Water bath
Water bath capable of containing immersed Le-Chatelier moulds with
specimens And of raising their temperature from 27±2°C to boiling in
27±3 minutes.

4: Vernier Calliper
Vernier Calliper should be able to measure upto 30 mm with least
count of 0.1Mm.

5: Balance
On balance in use, the permissible variation at a load of 1000 g shall
be ± 1.0 g.
The permissible variation on new balance shall be one-half of this
value. The
Sensibility reciprocal shall be not greater than twice the permissible
variation
3. Procedure

1. Place the lightly oiled mould on a lightly oiled glass sheet and fill
it with cement paste formed by Gauging cement with 0.78 times
the water required to give a paste of standard consistency.

2. Cover the mould with another piece of lightly oiled glass sheet,
place a small weight on this covering Glass sheet and
immediately submerge the whole assembly in water at a
temperature of 27 ± 2°C And keep there for 24 hours.

3. Measure the distance separating the indicator points to the

nearest 0.5 mm. Submerge the mould again in water at the
temperature prescribed above.

4. Bring the water to boiling, with the mould kept submerged, in 25

to 30 minutes, and keep it boiling For three hours. Remove the
mould from the water, allow it to cool and measure the distance
Between the indicator points.

5. The difference between these two measurements indicates the

expansion of the cement. This must Not exceed 10 mm for
ordinary, rapid hardening and low heat Portland cements. If in
case the Expansion is more than 10 mm as tested above, the
cement is said to be unsound.
 6. Observation And Recording Soundness/expansion of cement
= L1 - L2
L1=Measurement taken after 24 hours of immersion in water at a
temp. Of 27 ± 20C
L2=Measurement taken after 3 hours of immersion in water at boiling
temperature.
Calculate the mean of two values to the nearest 0.5 mm.
Experiment 8 ....... Cement fineness test
(using a 170 sieve)
The purpose of the test:
Making sure that there is not a large percentage reserved on the sieve
(there are no granules that increase their diameter (About 90 µm).

Tools :
A scale with an accuracy of 10 milligrams.
Sieve 170 (90 microns).

Test steps:
1 – A sample of cement with a weight of 50 grams is taken.
2 – The sample is placed in a closed bottle and shaken for two minutes
To break up any granules.
3 – The sample is carefully placed in the sieve so as not to lose any
part of the sample.
4 – The sieving process begins with a rotational movement and a
horizontal movement until it is ascertained
The end of the sieving process when the rate of passing through the
sieves does not exceed ( 50 g/min ).
5 – The remainder is weighed over the sieve (and 1.)
6 – The previous steps are repeated with another sample weighing 50
grams and Weight remaining on the sieve (and 2.)
 Results :
The percentage remaining on the sieves is calculated:
R1 = (W1 / 50) * 100
R2 = (W2 / 50) * 100
The remaining percentage is calculated from the average values:
Rc = ( R1 + R2 ) / 2
The total weight of the first sample = 50 grams (ordinary Portland
cement).
The total weight of the second sample = 50 grams (ordinary Portland
cement).
The weight of the reserve on a sieve 170 for the first mixture = 3
grams. (W1)
The weight of the reserved on a sieve 170 for the first mixture = 5.3
grams.( W2)

R1 = ( W1 / 50 ) * 100 = ( 3 / 50 ) * 100 = 6 %

R2 = ( W2 / 50 ) * 100 = (3.5 / 50 ) * 100 = 7 %

Rc = ( R1 + R2 ) / 2 = ( 6 + 7 ) / 2 = 6.5 % (accepted)