THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSIT OF KENYA

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND CONSTRUL TION ENGINEERING

MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORY

WORKABILITY TESTSEX. NO.18
18.1 OB.JECTIVES:
To measure the workability ofa concrete mix using the slum test, compacting factor test and
vee-bee consistometer test.

A. THE SLUMP TEST METHODD

18.2 APPARATUS:
1 The standard slump cone with base plate.
ii. The standard steel rod.
iii. A scoop
iv. A ruler
V. A duster
18.3 PROCEDURE:
Make sure the cone is clean, and dry. Oil the inside and stand it on a smooth, hard
surface.
ii. Stand with your feet on the foot rests.
ii. Fill the cone in four layers and rod cach in 25 times (each layer should be above a quarter
of the depth of the cone and each rodding should pass through one layer into the layer
beneath).
iv. Smooth up to the top using the rod as a straight edge.
V. Wipe the surface of the cone clean, and the base pBate
vi. Very carefully, lift the cone, keeping it quite vertical, invert the cone as shown on the
diagram. As soon as the cone is lifted, the conerete wili collapse to some extent. It is
tested by measuring how far down it has slumped
vii. Rest the rod across the top ofthe empty cone so that es over the mould of
concrete.
viii. Measure with a rule from the highiest point of the concreto the underside ofthe rod, to
the nearest Smm. Ifthe distance is, say, 50mm, this will represent a 50Omm slump.
 Aggregates and Concrete

erials Laboratory TESTNO. 21

Slump Test

Objective
he Slump Test is one of several method for determining the workability
of fresh concrele.

Main Principles
The
slump test is carried out by filling a
specified mould with freshly
mIxed concrete and
measuring the slump after remnoval of the mould.
The method
applies to cóhesive concrete of medium to
and with maximum high workability,
aggregate size of 40 mn.
References
BS 1881: Part 102: 1983.

Required equipment
f A slump mould of galvanized
form of a iron or steel. The mould shall be in the
çut-off with cone the following internal dimensions:
diameter of base: 200 + 2 mm
diameter of top: : 100 +2 nmm
height: 300 +2 mm
2 Scoop
Sampling tray
Shovel
Tamping rod, made out of
600 mni long. straight steel bar, 16
Rule,
mm
diameter and
graduated from O mm to 300 mm at 5
point being at one end mm
of the rule. intervals, the zero
Sampling
The sample can be
taken
mixing, and determination from
of
a
laboratory mix, maximum 2
slump should commence minutes after
If the
concrete is delivered instantly.
using a sample in a
irom the initial mixing truck, the
discharge. slump may be measured
cation TestProcedure
Step 1: Ensure that the
dry. Place the inner surtace of the
horizontal, firmbottom of the
mould onmould clean andis

Step 2:
an
non-absorbent surfaceclean, smooth, damp or
a

While firmly (e.g. a steel

holding the
minutes after mixing. mould, fill it with plate.
Tlhe mould
approximately fresh concrete
one-third of the shall be filled in three within 2
Step 3: heiglht of layers,
when eacl
Tamp each layer the nmould
being distributed with 25
strokes of the
Tamp each layer touniformly over the
tamped.
its full tamping rod, the
deptlh cross-section of the layer.
strokes
 Aggregates andeoncrete

CML TESTNO 211

Central Materials Laboratory
Ministry of Works Slump Test

ancrcte above the mould before tie top layer

top layer
have been tamped, strike off
E the concrete tamped
Step4 fter the o f the mould
the m with aa s
o u l d wiTUh sawIng
aw motion of the
thhe top of
Notes level witlh
tamping rod.

ld
still held
clean away excessConcrete
down, clean
mould
With the o t the
mould.

Step5
outside

found
the

tlie concrete by rais ertically

the mould from seconds. The en
to 10
sholtation frorn
Remove 5
Step 6: c a r e t u l y , tn
and o f the mould
slowly removal

filling
to
the c o m p l e t e d within 2
e d oum
the start of and
snall be
interruption
without
is removed.,
me.

the m pto
mould
the
Immediately
after the rule to determine fference
Step 7: 5 mm by using the highest point of.
ofa
concrele mix the
nearest mouid and ot the
the hydration oof
the ot
The workability to the heiglit
tirme due n
TesIs hetween
changes with of
moistiire. specimen being tested.
and loss
the
cement
should,
therefore,
alter
De
d i f f e r e n t samples
constant
time interval
lo
at a
are
cammed out
comparable
resuills Expression of results
1his beng a slump in which
ch
if stricty a true slump. sho
mIxing
be obtained. Poct is only
valid ifit yields intact and symnetrical as
substantially

remains
concrete
the
Figure l(a).
or collapses, as shhown n
shown in
Figure 1(b),
as procedure.
shears, the
and irepeat
Ifthe specimen
take
another
sample

Figure 1(c),
nearest 5 mm.

to the
to Record the slump
expectead
concrele may be
Nomal mm.
150
of 80
-

information:
have a slump
Report include the following
shall
The test report * * * * * * * * * * * * *

procedure identification
Reference to this and sample
a
Date, time
and place of san1pling
and test
test in triplicate Time and place of of test
performs the
c o m m e n c e m e n t

of c) to
TMH1
a s the
mean resuilt from sampling
the Slump Time lapse slhear Or collapse
eports whether irue,
hree tests. Form of slump,
e) Measured true Slun1p

Form for the test

form shall be used.
The enclosed

****************

(cl Collap1a slump

(b) 8hear,slumo
a) True slump

Figure Forms o/ slump

19
Laboratory Testing Manual 2000

e *** ***
 B. THE COMPACTING FACTOR
TI METHOD
18.4 APPARATUS:
i. The standard compacting factor appara is.
ii. A hand scoop
ii. A standard rod
iv. Two trowels
V. A duster

18.5 PROCEDURE:
. Make sure that the hoppers and the cylnder re clean nd dry, oil them and close both
the trap-doors and the cylinder lid.
2. Using a hand scoop, place concrete loos l in the upper iopper until full.
3. Open the trap-door at the base ofthe top hopper, allowing the concrete to fall into the
second hopper.
4. As soon as the concrete has fallen into the lower hoppertemove the lid and open the
second trap-door, so that the concrete now falls inte the eylinder. (If it sticks in the
hopper, free it by pushing a rod gently into the concrete from above).
5. Remove surplus concrete above the top of the cylinder by holding trowels in each
hand and moving them towards each other,
making a ctean cut level with the top.
6. Wipe the outside of the cylinder and weigh the concrete in it. This is done by
subtracting the weight of the cylinder when clean and empty from the weight of the
cylinder when full of concrete, and gives the ""WEIGHT OF PARTIALLY
COMPACTED CONCRETE".
7. Refill the cylinder from the same batch of concrete, in
layers about 50mm deep, hand-
ramming each layer or using vibration to ohtain full compaction.
8. Smooth the top of the concrete with a trowel to make sure the
cylinder is completely
full, but not over full.
9. Wipe the outside of the cylinder and COnerete in it, in the same manner as
before, to give, "WEIGHT OF FULLY
AGIED CONCRETE
18.6 CALCULATIONS
The compacting factor is found by dividing the partially compacted weight by the full
weight, thus: compactec

Compacting factor Weight of partially compacted concrete

Weight of fully compacted concrete
 THE TEePICAL UNIVERSITY OF KENYA
ENGINEERING
A N D cONSTRUCTION
DEPARTMENT OF V I L

MATERALS TESTING LABORATORY

AGGREGATE CRUSHING VALUE
TEST EXP. NO. 14

to
1 OBJECTIVES: measure of the resistance of an aggregate
value gives a relative
The aggregate crushing compressive load.
under a gradually
applied
crushing

base plate.
APPARATUS: with plunger and
.2 ended steel cylinder
diameter open 150mm -600mm long.
i. A 150mm rod, 16mm dia and
standard metal
tamping
ii. A
A 3 k g baland. 9.52mm and 2.40mm (No.7).
(in.), (3/8in),
ii. sieve of
sizes
12.70mm

BS test machine.
iv. testing 180mm deep.
115mm diameter and
compression
V.
A
measure,
standard the
A and is retained on
vi. which passes
the 12.70mm sieve
4 . 3 P R O C E D U R E :

aggregate
of the
a sample
Prepare that it is in a clean surface-dry
i. 9.52mm sieve. t w o tests
and ensure
er
for
25 strokes of the metal tan
qual layers giving
aggregate
sufficient
Prepare m e a s u r e
in three with the tamping rod.
ii. Fill the aggregate
ndition.
Level
f the
offf top ofthe and use the same weight of
nearest gram
each layer. ate to the
rod t o
the weight ofaggregate
Determine
in three equal layers givingg
iii. base
nd fill in the aggregate
plate
material1 the with tamping rod and insert the
the top of aggregate
on

L e v e l off
cylinder
the
Place
each
layer.
on the surface of the aggregate.
iv. to horizon zontally
25
blows
it
rests
machine ling at
loading at a uniform rate as possible so that the
that
so
he total load is 400 KN.
compression

plunger the
in ten
minutes.
sample
ed in fro the cylinder without further breaking of
Test the material
r e a c h e d

load
is v
remo vee

and B.S. test sieve until no further significant

total
the
load,
an the
on
2.4mm (No.7)
the 2,4
R e l e a s e
sieve

and minute.

vi. sample one

c tthe fines passing 2.40mm sieve and express this as a percentage
the in he
fines
passin

passes
of
a m o u n t

the
weight
a g g r e g a t e
used. Thi
used. This is the Aggregate Crushing Value.
Determine
ot
weight
total
vii.
o f the
Carry out two tests.

14.4 CALCULATIONS:
Aggregate Crushing Value
= BA x 100%

sample used.
Where A= Weight in grams of surface-dry sieve.
B=Weight in grams of the
iractions
passing 2.40mm

14.5 RESULTS: Value.

nearest whole
number as the Aggregate Crushing
tests to the
Report the mean of the two
 THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF KENYA
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING

MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORY

CONCRETE CASTING EXP. NO. 17

17.1 OB.JECTIVES
beams using three different concrete mixes.
To cast concrete cubes, cylinders and

17.2 APPARATUS:
1. Nine standard cube moulds.
moulds.
ii. Three standard cylinder
moulds.
iii. Three standard beam
balance.
iv. A 50kg platform
A vibrating table.
V.
Plasterer's trowels.
VI.
A concrete mixer.
vii.
Kango vibrator.
vii.

17.3 P R O C E D U R E
cylinder and one standard beam for each of the three following concrete
one
Cast three cubes,
table and the cylinder and beams by means of Kanoo
cubes On a vibrating
mives, compacting the ango
the compacung lactor, slump and VB values for each mix.
Vibrator. Measure

M I X NO.1:
Water: Cement ratio by weight 0.5
Aggregate: Cementratio by weight= 4.0

M I X NO.2: Water: Cement ratio by weight 0.7

Aggregate: Cement ratio by weight 6.0

MIX NO.3: Water: Cement ratio by weight 0.9

Aggregate: Cement ratio by weight 7.5
For all three mixes, the aggregate proportions
are:

Sand: 3/8" Aggregate 23%

A Aggregate 35%

the density of concrete is 2400 kg/m', and

Determine the weight of materials required, given
allowing 5% wastage.
tire specimens n a water tank until required for
Strip the moulds the following day and cure
testing.

17.4 RESULTS:
of materials used.
Comment on the workability of each mix.Report ihe weights
 pteria
CML
Central Materials Laboratory
Aggregates.and Concrete

Ministry of Works TESTNO 2.12

Mlaking Test Gubes from Fresh Concrete

Notes **s"

i****err** ****
Objective
s*

This method describes the making of concrete test cubes for testing for
compressive strength.
Main Principles
The test cubes shall have nominal sizes of 100 mm or 150 mm. The
maximum size of aggregate is 20 mm for 100 mm cubes and 40 mm for
150 mn cubes.

References
BS 1881: Part 108: 1983. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ****

Required equipment
For further details of tolerances, ref. BS
1881:Part 108.
Mould of cast iron or steel, witlh removable base plate.
The depth of the mould and the distance between the two pairs of
opposite internal side faces, shall be the nominal size of 100 +
0.15 mm or 150 E 0.15 mm
Scoop
Vibrating table or steel compacting bar weighing I.8 kg, 380 mm
long and having a ramming face 25 mm square.
Plasterer's steel float
Sampling tray
Shovel

The actual ambient temperature will
determine the mixing and Cung
Conditions. However, exposure to direct
Sunlight must be avoided.
Mixing
Step 1: Air-dry the aggregate to be used and bring it to temperature
preferably about 25 °C. Mix the cement thoroughly and bring it
to a temperature preferably about 25 °C. Portion the material by
nmass to the nearest 0.5 %.

If hand mixing: mix the dry cement and
fine aggregate before adding the coarse
aggregate and finally the water in
increments.
Step 2: Mix the concrete in a mixing machine. Load the mixing drum
with coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, cement and add water
slowly. Continue mixing until the concrete is uniform in
apearance, but not for less than 2 minutes after alH material is in
the drum.

Samplingg
Obtain a sample of fresh concrete either from the laboratory nmade batch
or from a mix at a building site. The
sample shall be thoroughly mixed just
before it is moulded.

From each sample of fresh eonerete there shall be made 2 test cubes
specimens.

Moulding ******************

Step I: Place the moulds on a rigid horizontal surface or on the vibratins

table. Fill with concrete in layers of approximately 50 mm
deep
and compact each layer by the compacting bar or the vibrating
table.

Laboratory Testing Manual 2000

 2Aggregatos and Concreto
O L
orials L a b o r a t o r y

TESTNO, 2.12
WorAs
Making Test Cubes from Fresh Concrete
h

When compacting with a

compacting bar, distribute the strokes
evenly over the cross-section of the mould without
O any previous layer significantly. Use 35 strokes penetrating
for 100 mn cubes or 25 strokes
per layer for 150
than about per layer for 100 mm cubes.
p is eless is not suitable.
DOnpactngbaris n

is then
When using a
vibrating
taOle

Vibraling

table, compact until the surface of the

the
concrete becomes
endec relatively smooth and has aglazed appearance.
for
may
eauSe
unwanted

Curing
Onpaction
Step I:
Cover the test cubes (in the moulds) with an impervious sheet
and store them in a place free from vibrations.
The roorn shall
have a relative hunidity
preferably of min. 90 % and a Lenpe-
on Sle, a t
the Speci
rature preferably about 25 °C.
e s are made aSle
as

h e l dbe stored for 24

conditions
as poSSible.
them to Step 2: After an initial curing period of 24 hours, mark each cube so that
90 mark inem ana. stake
S of it can clearly be identified, and remove it carefully from the
hoThen the
pecimens
theatory Removeimimnerse them in mould.
oermoulds.and

28 days.
Step 3: Submerge the cubes immediately in water at a
temperature
is
omal cuning penod preferably of about 25 °C

Report
The test report shall include the following infarmation:

a) Reference to this procedure

Date, time and place of sampling and sample identification
C) Time and place of making cubes
ng it Temerature of mixing and curing conditions
al by
d)
Number and nominal size of cubes
Mcthod of compaction
m
er
Form for the test
The enclosed form shall be used.
IS in

atch
just

ating
ep

Laboratory Testing Manual 2000

 and Concrete
Aggregates
2

TESTNO 2.13
whtls Laboratory

e Concrete Cube Strength

Min

Objective concrete. This may

concrete design is based on a specific strenglh of
All im Llie range from 15 MPa-50
to projecl, but is usually
vary from project
MPa.
method for determining tle compressive
This procedure describes the
The Concrete Strength is normally tested at
strength of concrete cubes.
an age of 28 days.

Main Principles
cured and stored in
Test specimens shall be concrete cubes made,
accordance with BS 1881. Do not test cubes whiclh have been made in
the reasons
badly assembled mou lds or which are clearly nmisshapen. State
in the test report. Remove any projecting fins.

References
BS 1881 : Part 116.: 1983.

Test Procedure
mple shall consist of two
of the same form and
made of one sample of fresh
Required equipment
Compression Testing Machine.
Auxiliary platens. When'auxiliary platens are used, the top auxiliary
platen shall rest on and be aligned with the cube.
A balance witih min. 10 kg
capacity, readable and accurate to I g.
Step I: Weigh each specimen, as-received or saturated.
Step 2: Check tlhe nominal dimensions and take measured dimensions of
each specimen.

Step 3: Determine the density ofeach specimen.

Step 4: IMmerse in water, for a minimum of 5 minutes, those cubes
which have not been cured in water or where the
surfaces have
been allowed to dry. Remove the cubes from tlhe
curing or
density waler tank and test wlhile they are still wet.

Step 5: Carefully centre the cube on the lower platen and ensure that
the load will be applied to two opposite cast faces of
the eube.

Step 6: Without shock, apply and increase the load continuously at a

nominal rate within the range 12 MPa/min. to 24 MPa/min. until
no greater load can be suslained. Record
tlhe maximum load
applied to the cube.

failures are usually caused Type of Failure

altention to the detail of the Record any unusual features the
dures that have to be
in
type of failure. Refer to figure I tor
ake and test specimens examples of satisfactory 1ailure and to
tigure 2 for
unsatisfactory failures. cxamples of some
Calculations
Manual 2000
Laboratory Testing
ML
al Materials Laboratory
Aggregates and Concreto
of Works
TESTNO. 2.13
Concrete Cube Strength

Calculate the cross-sectional area of the

nominal dimensions or cube face from the
from measured dimensions. checked
pressive Calculate the ccm-
strengthofeach cube by dividing the
cross-sectional area. Express the result to the maximum load by the
nearest 0.5 MPa
Calculate the average of the (N/min
test results for the two
same size anddimension, made from the same specimens of the
This is sample of fresh concrete
reported as the Compressive Strength of the test
sample.
Report
The test report shall include the
following in formation:
Reference to this procedure
D) Date, time and place of sampling and sample
C Time and place of making cubes identification
d) Number and nominal size
of cubes
e) Age of specimen at the time of testing
Conditions of curing and at testing
(saturated or not)
Density of specimen
h) Compressive strength of each specimen and the Compressive
strength of the test sample (i.e. the mean value ot two specimens
from the same sample)
Type of failure

Form for the test

The enclosed form shall be used.

Figure 1 Salisfactory failures

NOTE T1eneile crmk

Figure 2 5Some unsatisfactory failures

205
2000
Laboratory Testing Manual
CML
Central Materials Laboratory
Aggrogates and Concrete
Ministry of Warks
TEST NO. 2.6

Aggregate Grushing en
ötes
Value- ACV Minis

Objective
Aggregates used in road
crushing under construction
integrity of tlhe tralfic wheel loads. should be
ls. If the
strength of coarsepavement structure strong en1O
test aggregates may belikelyaggregales
to be are weak,k, theo resist lotes
The asured byadversel
measured the y affected.
Aggregate
resistance of an Cruslhing Value
Aporer e The
Aggregat
Main Principles aggregate to (ACV)
The
V) gives Crushi
Aggregate Cruslhing Value crushing under relative a
e
ot
standard size fraction material passing specitied (ACV) is graduallymeasure
a
of the
available, tests 14 10 mm a
applied load
load.
er
size
mm, ref.fractions
may be
perfomed
BS 812, between 2.36
and table
on
mm and
The test
sieve and
is
applicable
Sieve
to
alter determined by meaeauin.
crushing
below: retained on a
standard fraclion under load ring the
a
Fraction Separating sieve a 10 mm of 400 kN
28 20 mm The sieve.
20-14 nmm 5.0 mm than method
30. ln
is not
suitable
aggregates passing a14
4-10 mm
0-6.3 mm
3.35 mm
2.36 mmn applicable, such cases the for testing soft
ref. CML Test metliod for Ten aggregates
mm

3-5.0 mm 1.70 mm
References
no. 2.7. Percent Fineswitll an ACV
0-3.35 mm 1.18 mm BS 812: Value (TFV)liigh:he ap
850 um Part is
35-2.36mm oi2pprnldroounglxlic-ageesure qeu
110 : 1990
600 im
he sizes RequiredSteelequipment ayer 25 equa
ratus maysmaller than 10mm a A nm abo tro
be
eter 75 mm, used, i.e. cylindersmaller with Cylinder, open
Plunger ended of
*nessnee Evel
evel Olta
olee sute
tamping rod mould size 57 Test sieves and
lied force 100 diameter 8 mim,mm x 90 ref. nominal 150 mm internal
Baseplate,
square-hole
-

10
kN. and mm, and a figure 1. diamet
Tamping woven wire
rod, steel bar 2.36 mm
ends hemispherical 16 sieve.
type perforated-plate
of sizes 14
mm and
mm
Compression diameter and 600
Cylindrical Testing Machine,
Metal S00 kN
mn:
long with bet
internal
A depth Measure,
of 180 with internalcapacity
sample mm diameter of II5 mm ake can
Drying ovendivider,withe.g. a riffle box ani jam a
ensure
-

Balance -min. 3 temperature of 105 During thcyline

Rubber mallet kg capacity °C
Metal tray of readable to lg+5°C. signihce
possib arly sta
ading r defore
Brush with known mass These val mair
material is dusty, it
re
stiff bristles.
inimum and va
g
testing. It is not to should
be
be
washed Sample preparation o0mpleoeons
washed after Step 1: uce his fals thththe
the
sample produce a to gregae e lest i
produce three test portion
of
ref. Table I test specimens of suficient
14 mm to 10 mm size mas mo
below. fractiou
eOher
not to

Laboratory Testing Manual 2000

 Aggregates and Concrete
2

C r i a l ' s L a b o r a t o r y
TEST NO. 2,6

Cent Aggregate Crushing Value-ACV

Minist

Minimum mass of the test portion

Grade of the aggregate
kg
Notes mm
size 60
All-in aggregate 40 max.

size 45
All-in aggregate 20 max.

Graded aggregate 40 to 5
40
Graded aggregate 20 to 5 25
Graded aggregate l4 to S 15

For normal density aggregate

to obtuin a suitable
to mininum mass of lest portions required
Table 8. Guide
to determine the ACK
mass of material

the 14 mm and 10 mm
Sieve the entire surface dry test portion on
Step 2: undersize fractions.
sieves to remove the oversize and

10 mm fraction to produce three

The app of aggregate may Step 3: Divide the resulting 14 mm-
that the depth of the
e foung ste quantity test specimens each
of sufficient mass suclh
the mm after tampingg
indnicg snvenienly by filing of material in the Cylinder
is approximately 100
pproximneasure in three layers
5°C for not m o r e
at 105
yer 25 ey equal depth. Tamp each oven-driéd E

of about 50 Step 4: The test specimens shall be Record the m a s s of

nm abouines, fron.a height than 4 hours. Allow to
cool testing.before
Level offe he surface of the aggregate.
the test specimens.
ong the lamping rod. material comprising

Test Procedure base-

in position o n the
apparatus
Step 1: Place the cylinder of the test
in thirds, each third being
test specinen in
it
plate. Place the of the tampjng rod evenly
distributed

compact d by 25 stroke_
rod shall be dropped
over the surface of the layer. The tamping of the aggregate.
above the surface
from a height of about 50 m m
and insert the plunger
care the surface of the aggregate
2: Carefully level surface.
Step on this
jam aeloensure that the plunger does so that it rests horizontally
and plunger in position,
an the cylinder. the specimen
ing the
Step 3: Place the apparatus with testing machine. Apply
is platens of the compression is
gnilica
ossibleany stages
of the test, there between the force of 400 kN
u n i f o r m rate so
that the required
cant deformation, and it may not force at a
ng aran e fo maintain the required reached in 10 min
+ 30 s:

r a l e and varalions will occur material aggregate by

the crushed
the force and
remove
a and
variations should be kept toto Step 4: Release
over a
clean tray of known m a s s
oiele holding the cylinder rubber mallet until
the
with the principal object o n the
outside with
the
to fall1
test in 10 min. hammmering the specimen
failse tne loose to
enable
a r e sufliciently the fine particles
particles remove

gae to r e m o v e the compacled to the tray. Use

a brush to
the baseplate
and the
Caees
c should be
used freely on
the cylinder,
methods the inside of
ale, other c r u s h t h e particles adhering to
not to underside of the plunger
are of
and record the
mass

the aggregate
the tray and
Weigh to the nearestIg.
Step used (M) sieve
until
aggregate
the tray on the 2.36 m m
whole specimen in record
the

Step 6: Sieve the

amOunt passes. Weigh and
further significant
no

2000
Manual

Testing
Laboratory
 Aggregates,and Concrote

CML
Central Materials Laboratory
TEST NO, 2.6

Ministry of Works Value -

ACv
Crushing
Aggrogate

passing and retained on the

of the fractionrespectively).
masses
Ifthe total mase he
nearest I g(M,+ M, more than 10
Notes
differs from the
initial
mass (M) by discard ta
further specimen
result and test a
Step 7: Repeat the complete test procedure using a second ecimend

same mass as
the first specimen
the

Calculations
1) Calculate the Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV) expressed ae.
percentage to the first decimal place
tor cach test
specimen fro
following cquation:

ACV=Mx 100

where
is the mass of the test specimen (in g)
is the mass of the material passing the 2.36 mm sieve (in a

Calculate the mean of the two results to the nearest whole numbe
2)

3) Report the mean as the Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV)

If the individual results differ by more than 7 % of the mean value, the e
The median of 4 results is calculated by
the highest and lowest result
shall be repeated for two further specimens. The median value shall be
disregarding
and averaging the two middle results. reported as the ACV.

Report
The test report shall include the following:

Type of material and sarmple identification

b) Reference to this procedure
c) The Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV)

Form for the test

The enclosed form shall be used.

Practical Considerations
Knock on the cylinder with a rubber mallet to remove the materal.
knock on the material itself.

Maintenance med on
Calibration of the compression testing machine should be pet
a year.

Laboratory Testing Manual 2000

 NOTE. ee table 1
A

Figure 4 Outline form of cylinder and plunger apparatus jor the aggregate crushing value

Table 7 Principal dimensions of cylinder and plunger apparatus

Component Dlmenalons (see flgure 1) Nomlnal 150 mmn Nominal 75 mm internal
Lnteraal diameter of diemeter of cylinder (see
cylinder appendix A)
mm mn

Cylinder Internal diameter, AA 154 + 0.5 78.0 0.5

Internal depth, B 125 to 140 70.0 to 85.0
Minimum wall thickness, C 16.0 8.0
Diameter of piston, D 152 t0.5 76.0 t0.5
Plunger
Diameter of stem, E 95 to sD >45.0 to s D

Overall length of piston plus stem, F 100 to 115 60.0 to 80.0

Minimum depth of piston, G not less than 25.0 not less than 19.0
Diameter of hole, H 20.0 t 0.1 10.0 +0.1

Baseplate Minimum thickness, 10 10

Length of each slde of square, J 200 to 230 110 to 115
 THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF KENYA
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING

MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORY

AGGREGATECRUSHING VALUE TEST EXP. NO.14
14.1 OBJECTIVESS:
i. The aggregate crushing value gia relative measure ofthe resistance of an aggregateto
crushing under a gradually ar mpressive load.

14.2 APPARATUS:
i. A 150mm diameter open ended sieel cylinder with plunger and base plate.
ii. A standard metal tamping rod: 1omm dia and 150mm-600mm long.
iii. A 3kg baland.
IV. BS test sieve of sizes 12.70mmn). (3/8in), 9.52mm and 2.40mm (No.7).
V. A compression testing machine.
vi. A standard measure, 115mm diameter ant i deep.
14.3 PROCEDURE
i. Prepare a sample of the aggregate which passes the 12.70mm sieve and is retained on the
9.52mm sieve.
ii. Prepare sufficient aggregate for two tests and ensure that it is in a clean surface-dry
condition. Fill the measure in three equal layers giving 25 strokes of the metal tamping
rod to each layer. Level off the top of the aggregate with the tamping rod.
iii. Determine the weight of aggregate to the nearest gram and use the same weight of
material
iv. Place the cylinder on the base plate and fill in the aggregate in three equal layers giving
25 blows to each layer. Level off the top of aggregate with tamping rod and insert the
plunger so that it rests horizontally on the surface of the aggregate
V. Test sample in the compression machine loading at a uniform rate as possible so that the
total load is reached in ten minutes. The total load is 400 KN.
vi. Release the load, and remove the material from the cylinder without further breaking of
the sample and sieve on the 2.4mm (No.7) B.S. test sieve until no further significant
amount passes in one minute.

vii. Determine the weight of the fines passing 2.40mm sieve and express this as a percentage
of the total weight of aggregate used. This is the Aggregate Crushing Value.
Carry out two tests.

14.4 CALCULATIONS:
Aggregate Crushing Value =B/Ax 100%

used.
Where A =
grams of surface-dry sample
Weight in
sieve.
the fractions passing 2.40mm
B=weght in grams of

14.5 RESULTS: the Aggregate Crushing Value.

the nearest whole number as
two tests to
Report the m e a n of the