Lab#3 Mortar Cubes

UNIVERSITY OF GUYANA
FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
COURSE: ENGINEERING MATERIALS
LECTURER: MR. MAXWELL JACKSON
DATE OF LAB.: 27/09/2011
SUBMITTED: 31/10/2011
TEAM MEMBERS:

PURANRAM, Mark Reg. # 11/0905/0658

Contribution: Compaction of Cement, Demoulding & Curing of sample, Report research

& preparation

HARIPERSAUD, Teeshana Reg. # 11/0905/0022

Contribution: Record data, Report research & preparation, Photograph process

EDWARDS, Eketa Reg. # 11/0905/1917

Contribution: Record data, Weighing of sample, Report research

WILLIAMS, Shaquille Reg. # 11/0917/2288

Contribution: Measure quantities of material, Mixing of Cement

GRANT, Ryan Reg. # 10/0905/1853

Contribution: Mixing of cement, Preparation of moulds

PERSAUD, Andy Reg. # 10/0905/2367

Contribution: Placing of cement, Compaction of cement

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No.

Introduction 4

Title 5

Aim 5

Apparatus 5

Materials 5

Theory 6

Procedure 7

Results 7

Analysis 7

Discussion 9

Conclusion 10

Appendix 11

Reference 14

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Introduction:

The compressive strength of hardened cement is the most important characteristic of concrete as
it relate to structural use. As a result, compressive strength test are almost always recommended
for cement. The strength of concrete depends on the cohesion of the cement paste and its
adhesion to the aggregates, and to some degree, the strength of the aggregate itself. The strength
of the aggregate is not considered in the compressive strength test and is compensated for by
using standard aggregates. Compressive strength test cannot be conducted on neat cement paste
because of the difficulties in moulding and setting. As such these test are carried out on a
cement-sand mixture – mortar cubes.

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Title: Mortar Cubes

Aim: To determine the compressive strength of mortar cubes.

Apparatus: Stamping rod

Two moulds

Trowel

Mixing pan

Electronic scale

Measuring cylinder

Versa Loader

Materials: 1,110g Ordinary Portland cement, 3,330g sand and water.

Apparatus/Materials Specification

Electronic scale Max weight: 15/30 kg, mini weight: 100g, e = 5/10g

Measuring cylinder Jatec, max volume: 1000ml, BS 604, 20° C

Cement Type 1: Ordinary Portland Cement

Versa loader

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Theory:

The three foremost tests for strength are: tension, compression and flexure. Since concrete is
used mostly because of its high compressive strength, tension and flexure test are of lesser
interest. European Standard EN 196-1:1897 recommends compressive strength test to be carries
out on mortar cubes. Ideally the cubes are 2 in. but in this case, 4 in. cubes are used. The mortar
used must be of a fixed composition, with a sand/cement ratio of 3 and a water cement ratio of
0.5. The sand is typically siliceous, ranging in sizes between 80 µm and 1.6mm. Compressive
strength of mortar increases with an increase in cement content and decreases with an increase
lime, sand, water or air content. The compressive strength of mortar depends largely upon the
cement content and the water-cement ratio. Compressive strength also increases with time.

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Procedure:

1. The cement, water and sand were mixed in a mixing pan until the particles of each
component was evenly distributed.
2. Two 4” moulds were prepared (cleaned and lubricated).
3. The mortar mixture was placed in the moulds in three layers, with each layer being
compacted via 25 blows of a stamping rod, and then leveled with a trowel.
4. The mix was allowed to set for 24 hrs, after which the mortar cubes were demoulded and
placed in water to cure.
5. After 7 days, one cube was taken out of the water and air dried before being weighed.
6. All dimensions of the mortar cube were recorded, to calculate its volume and area.
7. The cube was placed on the platform of the compression testing machine.
8. The cube was loaded steadily and uniformly, starting from zero until it failed.
9. The failure load was recorded
10. The compressive strength was calculated, using the formula: Compressive strength =
Failure Load / Area of Cube.
11. After 14 days, the other cube was taken out of the water and air dried before being
weighed.
12. Steps 6 through 11 were repeated for the other cube.
Results:

Sample Sample Test Age Dimensions Weight Failure Load

No./Type Date Date (days) (in.) (kg) (lbs)
1 (cube) 11/9/27 11/10/04 7 4x4x4 2.320 35
2 (cube) 11/9/27 11/10/11 14 4x4x4 2.285 34,500

Analysis:

Surface Area of Cubes:

Sample No.1: 4 in. x 4 in. = 16 sq.in.

Sample No.2: 4 in. x 4 in. = 16 sq.in.

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Volume of Cubes (cu.ft.):

Sample No.1: 4 in. x 4 in. x 4 in. = 64 cu.in.

Since 1 cu.ft. = 1,728 cu.in., 64 cu.in. = 64 cu.in / 1,728 cu.in. per cu.ft.

Sample No.1 = 0.037 cu.ft.

Sample No.2: 4 in. x 4 in. x 4 in. = 64 cu.in.

Since 1 cu.ft. = 1,728 cu.in., 64 cu.in. = 64 cu.in / 1,728 cu.in. per cu.ft.

Sample No.2 = 0.037 cu.ft.

Weight of Cubes (lbs):

Sample No.1 = 2.320 kg

Since 1kg = 2.20462 lbs, 2.320 kg = 2.320 kg X 2.20462 lbs per kg

Sample No.1 = 5.115 lbs. (4 S.F.)

Sample No.2 = 2.285 kg

Since 1kg = 2.20462 lbs, 2.285 kg = 2.285 kg X 2.20462 lbs per kg

Sample No.2 = 5.038 lbs. (4 S.F.)

Density of Cubes:

Density = Mass / Volume

Sample No.1 = 5.115 lbs / 0.037 cu.ft. = 138.24 lbs/cu.ft.

Sample No.2 = 5.038 lbs / 0.037 cu.ft. = 136.16 lbs/cu.ft.

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Compressive Strength:

Compressive strength = Failure Load / Area of Cube.

Sample No.1 = 35 lbs / 16 sq.in. = 2 lbs/sq.in.

Sample No.2 = 34,500 lbs / 16 sq.in. = 2,156 lbs/sq.in.

Discussion:

A thin layer of mineral oil has to be applied to the inside surface of the moulds in order to
prevent bond between the cement and the mould.

As each layer of the cement mix is placed in the mould is has to be tamped 25 times to ensure it
is fully compacted. The top surface of the mortar cube should be finished by a trowel, to ensure
that the surfaces are parallel to each other. The mortar cube is removed from the mould and
stored in a curing tank at a temperature of 20 ± 5 oC for 7 & 14 days. When the age of 7 & 14
days has been achieved the mortar cubes are tested using the Versa Tester to obtain the failure
load of each mortar cube. The compressive strength of a mortar cube is equal to the failure load
(lbs) divided by its area (sq.in.).

In this experiment, the seven and fourteen day compressive strengths of the two mortar cubes
were found to be 2 lbs/sq. inch and 2156 lbs/sq. inch. The mortar test provides fairly reliable
results but the use of one size of aggregate as well as the degree of compaction of each cube
leads to a greater scatter of strength value.

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Conclusion

Higher compressive strength values are obtained after the mortar cube would have been cured for
14 days rather than 7 days, suggesting that compressive strength increases with time. It was also
noted that since the strength of mortar depends on the cohesion of the cement paste and on its
adhesion to the aggregate particles, better compaction would have lead to a higher compressive
strength value.

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Appendix:

Figure 1. Mixing of Cement

Picture taken by: T. Harripersaud 27/09/2011

Figure 2. Placing Cement in Mould

Picture taken by: T. Harripersaud 27/09/2011

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Figure 3. Demoulding Cube

Picture taken by: T. Harripersaud 28/09/2011

Figure 4. Curing in Water

Picture taken by: T. Harripersaud 28/09/2011

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Figure 5. 7 days Compression Test

Picture taken by: T. Harripersaud 04/10/2011

Figure 6. Crushed Cube (Sample No.1)

Picture taken by: T. Harripersaud 04/10/2011

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References:

- Neville, A.M. Properties of Concrete. Harlow: Pearson, 1995

- Orchard, D.F. Concrete Technology: Properties of Materials Vol.1 L.T.D. London, 1973
- Nawy, E.G. Concrete Construction Engineering Handbook CRC Press, 2008

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