| Compaction Factor T» 33.1. Object ‘To determine the workability of concrete mix of given proportions by the compaction factor test. 332. Scope Compaction factor test is adopted to determine the workability of concrete, where nominal size of aggregate does not exceed 40 mm. It is based upon the definition. that workability is that property of the concrete which determines the amount of work required to produce fidl c iction. The test consists essentially ft applying a standard amount of work to standard qaantiiyoF concrete and measuring the resulting compaction. To find the workability of freshly prepared _ concrete, the test is carried out as per specifications of IS : 1199-1959. Workability gives an idea of the capability of being worked, ie., idea to control the quantity of water in cement concrete mix to get uniform strength. 333. Apparatus ‘Compaction factor apparatus, trowels, graduated cylinder of 1000 ml capacity, balance to weigh up to 30 kg (nearest to about 10 gm), tamping rod and iron buckets. Description of Apparatus ‘The compaction factor test apparatus consists‘of ‘two conical hoppers, A and B, mounted vertically above cylindrical mould C. The upper hopper A has internal dimensions as ; top diameter 250 mm, bottom diameter 125 mm and height 225 mm. The lower hooper B has temal dimensions as : top diameter 225 mm, bottom diameter 125 mm and height 225 mm. The cylinder has imemal dimensions as : 150 mm diameter and 300 mm height. The distances between bottom of upper hopper and top of lower-hopper, and bottom of lower hopper and top of cylinder are 200 mm in each case. ‘The lower ends of the hoppers are fitted with quick release flap doors. The hoppers and cylinder are rigid in construction and rigidly mounted on a frame. These hoppers and cylinder are easily detachable from the frame. { \ Catch | A for flap\, Fig. 33.1. The compaction factor apparatus. 33.4. Procedure (1) Keep the compaction factor apparatus co! level ground and apply ‘grease on the inner surface the hoppers and cylinder. 2 (2) Fasten the flap doors. | (3) Weigh the empty cylinder accurately note down the mass as W, kg. (4) Fix the cylinder on the base with fly nuts! bolts in such a way that the central points of hopp® and cylinder lie on one vertical line. Cover the cylia#* with a plate, ae (S) Four mixes are to be prepared with wait cement ratio (by mass) 0.50, 0.60, 0.70 and OF —124y | xeon FACTOR TEST 123 an pservations and Calculations 2 ass of cylinder 1 Warer- | Mass with | Mass wi Mass with | Mass of | Mass of fully cement Partially fully partially peamtie ratio | compacted | compacted | compacted | concrete concrete | concrete | concrete Wa- Wy Wy Ws W,-Wy 0.50 0.60 | 0.70 0.80 ropetively. For cach mix take 9 kg of aggregate, 4.5 feof sand 2.25 kg of cement, With each mix proceed ss follows (a) Mix sand and cement dry, until a mixture of sriform colour is obtained. Now mix the coarse aggregate and cement-sand mixture until coarse segregate is uniformly distributed throughout the batch. (b) Add the required amount of water to the stove mixture and mix it thoroughly until concrete appears to be homogeneous. (6) Fill the freshly mixed concrete in upper hopper gently an carefully with hand scoop without compacting. (1) After two minutes, relase the trap door so that the concrete may fall into the lower hopper bringing the concrete into standard compaction. (8) Immediately after the concrete lias come (0 tet open the trap door of lower hopper and allow the concrete to fall into the cylinder bringing the concrete into standard compaction. (9) Remove the excess concrete above the top ofthe eylinder by a pair of trowels, one in each hand, will blades horizontal slide them from the opposite édges of the mould inward to the centre with a sawing ‘motion, (10) Clean the cylinder from all sides properly. Find the mass of partially compacted concrete thus filed in the cylinder, say Wo ke (11) Refill the cylinder with the same sample of concrete in approximately 50 mm layers, vibrating each layer heavily s0 as to expel all the air and (0 obtain full compaction of concrete, (12) Struck off level the concrete and weigh the cylinder filled with flly compacted concrete, Let the mass be W3 kg. 33.6. Result Plot a curve between water-cement ratio and ‘compaction factor. 33.7. Precautions (i) The test should be carried out on a level ground. (i) The top hopper must be filled gently and to the same extent on each occasion and the time between the end of mixing and release of concrete from top hopper must be constant, two minutes will be convenient. (iii) The outside of mould must be wiped clean before weighing and mass should be recorded to the nearest 10 gm. (iv) The hoppers and cy clean and wiped before reuse. (1) The mix should not be pressed or compacted in the upper hopper. (vi) If the concrete in the hopper does not fall through when the flap is released, it should be freed by passing a metal rod similar to that used in slump test, vertically through its centre. A single steady penetration will usually effect release. 33.8, Comments ‘Compaction factor test is adopted to determine the workability of concrete, where the nominal miximum size of aggregate does not exceed 40 mm and is primarily used in laboratory. It is more sensitive and precise than slump test and is particulary useful for der must be washed