Continuous Assessment Cover Sheet

Faculty of Engineering

Module Details
Module Code CE2021 Module Title properties and mechanics of materials
Program: SLIIT/Curtin/SHU/ Course: BSc/ BEng/
Stream: Civil/Electronics/Mechanical/

Assessment details
Title Trial Mixing Of Concrete Group assignment YES / NO
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Lecturer/ Instructor Date of Performance
Due date Date submitted

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ID Number Name (As per the institute records )
EN21433238 Achalanka T.N.K

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 SRI LANKA INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY

PROPERTIES AND MECHANICS OF

MATERIALS (CE2021)

TRIAL MIXING OF CONCRETE

Name: Achalanka T.N.K……………………...

Student ID : EN21433238……………………..
Group …2A2S…………………..
INTRODUCTION

A trial mix is done to determine whether a mix design can yield concrete with the
necessary strength, workability, and other properties. The workability of concrete
can be determined by conducting the slump test on fresh concrete while hardened
concrete specimens are required to determine the compressive strength and the
tensile strength of concrete.
The slump test is the most convenient measure of the workability of
concrete. A higher slump implies that the workability of the concrete is high. The
compressive strength of the concrete can be tested using both cube and
cylindrical specimens while tensile strength testing requires cylindrical
specimens.
It is essential that the trial mix is done according to the relevant standards
to ensure that the results are consistent and repeatable irrespective of the time or
location.

OBJECTIVES

 To determine the slump of the concrete

 To cast cube and cylindrical specimens for hardened concrete testing

APPARATUS

 Platform scale
 Drum concrete mixer
 slump test apparatus
 scoop
 150 mm x 150 mm x 150 mm concrete cube molds (3)
 concrete cylinder moulds with diameter 150mm and height 300mm(6)
 compacting rod
 trowel
• Platform scale • Drum concrete mixer

Figure 1 Figure 2

• Slump test apparatus • Scoop

Figure 3 Figure 4

• Concrete cylinder molds withdiameter 150 mm and height 300 mm (6)

Figure 5

• Compacting rod
 Figure 6

• 150 mm x 150 mm x 150 mm concrete cube moulds (3)

Figure 7

• Trowel

Figure 8
PROCEDURE

Step 1: Calculation of mix amounts

No of
Specimen Unit volume (m3) Total (m3)
type specime
ns

Cube 3.375 x 10-3 m3 3 10.125 x 10-3

=0.010

Cylinder 5.301 x 10-3 4 21.204 x 10-3

=0.021

Total volume 0.031329

Considering 10 % extra for wastages 0.034419

Weight required Weight

Constituent per Volume required
required
(m3)
1m3 (kg) (kg)
Coarse
aggregate 1019.60 0.034419 35.105
Fine aggregate
868.55 0.034419 29.904
Cement
351.85 0.034419 12.114
Water
190 0.034419 6.542

Step 2: Measuring out constituents

Measure out the required amounts of coarse aggregates, fine aggregates, cement, and
water.
Step 3: Mixing of concrete

 Add half of the coarse aggregates

 Add all the fine aggregates
 Add all the cement
 Add the remaining coarse aggregates
 Start mixing
 Add all the water within 30 s
 Mix for 2 min to 3 min

Step 4: Carrying out the slump test

Tamping rod: 600 mm long; 16 mm diameter; rounded ends

 Dampen mould and base plate of the slump test apparatus.

 Fill mould in three layers (each layer 1/3 of the total height).
 Compact each layer with 25 strokes from the tamping rod distributed uniformly
over the entire cross-section of the mould.
 After compacting the third layer, strike off the surface using the tamping rod
using a sawing and rolling motion.
 Carefully lift the mould steadily and vertically within 5 s to 10 s and place it next
to the concrete in an inverted position.
 Place the tamping rod horizontally on the mould and measure the slump of the
concrete.
Step 5: Casting cubes and cylinder specimen

Compacting bar: 380 mm long; 1.8 kg; 25 mm2

face

 Place mould on a rigid horizontal surface.

 Use a scoop and place concrete in layers 50 mm thick.
 Use compacting bar and distribute strokes evenly throughout the cross-section.
o Cubes: min. 35 blows per layer
o Cylinders: minimum of 30 blows per layer
 After compacting the final layer, smooth off the top surface and wipe clean the
outside of the mould.

Step 6: Demoulding and curing

Specimens should be left in the mould for at least 16 hours but not more than 3 days.
After de- moulding, cure specimens in water at a temperature of 20 ˚C ± 2 ˚C. Curing
must be done until just before the specimens are tested. Finally, the moulds must be
greased up using form oil and assembled awaiting the next casting.
OBSERVATION

 Target slump: …30-60 (mm)………………

 Observed slump: …130(mm)………………
 Observed slump type:

True slump Zero slump Collapsed slump Sheared slump

DISCUSSION

1. What is the purpose of doing a trial mix?

The purpose of concrete trial mixes is to enable you to check the strength,
workability, density and other properties of concrete mixes. Trial mixes are often
undertaken when new materials or admixtures are to be used.

2. What is the purpose of using a vibrating table/tamping rod?

A vibrating table is used to aid the compaction of materials in containers, boxes, and
bulk bags. The vibrating action helps materials and products nest closely and settle
 to reduce product volume to a minimum. This can reduce container size and
therefore reduce the cost of transport.

3. What are the tests you did in the mixing process?

 Slump test

4. Did you achieve the desired slump value ? If no. explain the reasons for the
difference and the remedies that you could use.

No, we were unable to get the desired slump.

one of the reasons may be added more water than the required amount. This could
be avoided if the amount of water was calculated correctly. Also the longer the truck
sits while the concrete is waiting to be mixed it is reacting and starting to set up so
when you do pour the concrete will set up faster and then it will be harder to work.

5. How did you decide the mixing time for each step?

The amount of aggregates, cement, and water we used to make the mixture
determined the mixing time. The water was added after the mixer was started. The
mixture was then stirred until it reached a thick concrete consistency. The mixing
time was calculated this way. When determining the mixing time, there are several
elements to consider. These factors include the mixing drum's rotational speed, the
amount of material utilized in the mixture, and the desired workability.

CONCLUTION

We performed a concrete mixing experiment to see if a certain mix design might provide
the needed strength, functionality, and other characteristics. The necessary
computations were completed. To get an almost flawless concrete mix, path mixing was
done with the greatest precision feasible. Once the mixture is complete, pour it into
molds and set aside for a day to cure. Also soak the shattered concrete for 28 days in
water.
REFERENCES
What is the solution if slump concrete fails without rejected concrete?. Quora. (2022). Retrieved 5 May
2022, from https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-solution-if-slump-concrete-fails-without-rejected-concrete.

Matec-conferences.org. (2022). Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https://www.matec-

conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2018/54/matecconf_icrmce2018_01003.pdf.

(2022). Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https://www.quora.com/Why-do-we-do-a-trial-mix-for-concrete.