University of Southeastern Philippines

College of Engineering

CE 412 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING LABORATORY REPORT

SECTION
JOHN LORD M. CASTILLO
CE 4-1 GRADE

LAB EXP. 11
ASTM COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE
________ DATE

I. SAMPLE SOURCE
Local Hardware

II. APPARATUS USED

Concrete cylinder sample
Universal Testing Machine

III. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

Compressive Strength results are used to ensure that the concrete mixture as
delivered meets the requirements of the specified strength, f’c, in the job specification.
Strength test results from cast cylinders may be used for quality control,
acceptance of concrete, for estimating the strength in a structure, or for evaluating the
adequacy of curing and protection afforded for the structure.
Design engineers use the specified strength f’c to design concrete members. The
specified strength is stated in project specifications. The concrete mixture is designed
to produce an average strength, f’cr, higher than the specified strength so that the
possibility of strength tests failing the acceptance criteria is very low. Historical
strength test records from a similar concrete are used to establish the target average
strength of concrete mixtures.

IV. PROCEDURES
1. Compression tests are made as soon as possible after removal from the moist
storage. The specimens are tested in moist condition.
2. Wipe clean the bearing faces of the upper and lower bearing blocks and the test
specimen.
3. Place the specimen on the lower bearing block.
4. Carefully align the axis of the specimen with the center of thrust of the spherical
seated upper blocked.
5. Bring the upper block to bear on the specimen. Adjust the load to obtain uniform
seating.
6. Apply the load at a loading rate more or less 6kN/s.
7. Apply the load (at the designated rate) until the specimen falls (or until the graph
on the computer falls).

V. ILLUSTRATION (DOCUMENTATION OF ACTUAL LAB

EXPERIMENT/PICTURES AND ILLUSTRATION)

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 Sample (7 days) Sample (14 days) Sample (21 days)

Sample 1 (28 days) Sample 2 (28 days) Sample 3 (28 days)

VI. RESULTS (TABLE FORM) AND CALCULATION

CYLINDER 2 (14 DAYS) CYLINDER 3 (21

DAYS)

CYLINDER 4 (28 DAYS) CYLINDER 5 (28

DAYS)

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 CYLINDER 6 (28 DAYS)

π π
¿ = ( 150 ) =
2
CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF THE CYLINDER (A) =
4 4
17671.46mm2
CYLINDER 1: σ = P/A = 87200/17671.46 = 4.93MPa
CYLINDER 2: σ = P/A = 239000/17671.46 = 13.52MPa
CYLINDER 3: σ = P/A = 139050/17671.46 = 7.87MPa
CYLINDER 4: σ = P/A = 178350/17671.46 = 10.09MPa
CYLINDER 5: σ = P/A = 191800/17671.46 = 10.85MPa
CYLINDER 6: σ = P/A = 129350/17671.46 = 7.32MPa

MAXIMUM COMPRESS
CYLINDER
COMPRESS IVE
CYLINDER AGE TYPE OF DIAMTER,
IVE FORCE, STRENGTH,
NUMBER (DAYS) FAILURE D
P σ
(mm)
(N) (MPa)

1 7 87200 150 4.93

2 14 239000 150 13.52
3 21 139050 150 7.87
4 28 178350 150 10.09
5 28 191800 150 10.85
6 28 129350 150 7.32

VII. OBSERVATION AND CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED

It was observed that the cylinders got heavier than they were originally. This signifies
that water may have entered the pores of the cylinder samples when they were still in
the curing tank. After testing the cylinder, it was noticeable that the bond of the
cement paste and the aggregates weren’t durable enough since the aggregates were
still intact after the cylinder sample broke.

VIII. LESSONS LEARNED AND PERSONAL REFLECTION

In this experiment, I learned that concretes has different level of durability. Factors
such as the water-cement ratio, mix design and duration of curing may have affected
its strength. Just like how it is in our lives, we could be that cylinder and that bearing
blocks are the problems and responsibilities that are pressuring us. Our strength and
how much can we endure depends on how much we have experience and how we
cope up with life. Though even we break, there is always a chance to fix and cure and
try again.

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 IX. GROUP MEMBERS WITH PICTURE FOR THIS EXPERIMENT
Angob, Claudette Stephanie
Buladaco, Khriztle Vonn
Barba, Frances Nicole
Castillo, John Lord
Balili, Droisi John
Ausa, Joana Mae
Bonso, Lloyd

CHECKED BY: MERLINDA L. LEMIN

DATE: __________________ INSTRUCTOR SIGNATURE