Appendix E
LABORATORY ASSIGNMENTS
FOR
ENHANCING LEARNING & UNDERSTANDING CONCRETE
(1) These experiments should be done in the college laboratory under the guidance of
the teacher.
(2) He/she may form groups and share data as per the convenience, facilities and
funds available.
(3) He/she may modify any experiment as deemed appropriate.
(4) The students should be encouraged to refer the relevant latest IS Codes for each
test and must prepare a list of references of such codes.
(5) At the end of the exercise, there may be a quiz test.
Table 1 – Tests on Materials
Topic Experiment Name of Experiment Objective Remarks
No. no.
1 To test fine aggregate To understand fine Use both
aggregate natural sand
and crushed
sand separately
1.1 Sieve analysis of fine To determine
aggregate fineness modulus
of sand
1.2 Bulking of sand Plot the increase in
dry volume vs %
moisture content
curve
1.3 Moisture content and
moisture absorption of
sand
2 To test coarse aggregate To understand Use both
coarse aggregate natural and
crushed
aggregate
separately
2.1 Sieve analysis of coarse To determine
aggregate fineness modulus
of aggregate
2.2 Moisture content and
moisture absorption of
sand
2.3 Density and specific
gravity of aggregate
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3 To test water For impurities
3.1 Test water for chlorides
3.2 Test water for sulphates
4 To test cement 33 grade, 43
grade and 53
grade,
pozzolana
cement
4.1 Consistency of cement
4.2 Fineness of cement
4.3 Initial and final setting
time of cement
4.4 Compressive strength of
cement – 3, 7 and 28
days
4.5 Split strength of cement Compare results
for different
cements
5 To test reinforcing steel
5.1 Prepare a specimen, To determine the
each of modulus of
8 mm, 10 mm and 12 elasticity and
mm TMT bars and test in compare with
axial tension. Plot their theoretical value;
stress-strain curves. Determine
maximum
elongation and
reduction in area of
cross-section at the
neck.
5.2 Test the reinforcing steel To study its Comment on its
for malleability influence on significance
(softness) ductility
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Table 2 Tests on Plain Concrete
Topic Experiment Name of Experiment Objective Remarks
No. no.
1 To determine properties
of concrete
1.1 Test workability using Study the
slump cone for w/c ratio behaviour of
of 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 natural sand
and crushed
stone sand
1.2 Repeat 1.1 using
compaction factor
method
1.3 Cast concrete cubes of Study the Use M20 mix
10 cm, 15 cm and 20 cm; development of for mild
Test at 3, 7, 21 and 28 compressive exposure and
days strength with time; medium
capping of cubes workability –
Study both
natural
aggregate and
crushed
aggregate
1.3(a) Carryout rebound To study NDT You must
hammer test and ultra philosophy calibrate the
sonic pulse velocity test hammer and
on concrete cubes ultra sonic pulse
velocity
equipment
before use
1.3(b) Carryout destructive test Compare the
on concrete cubes qualitative results
of NDT with the
cube strength
1.4 Cast concrete cylinder of Study the Use M20 mix
15 x 30 cm; Test at 3, 7, development of for mild
21 and 28 days compressive exposure and
strength with time; medium
capping of cylinders workability
1.4(a) Carryout rebound To study NDT
hammer test and ultra philosophy
sonic pulse velocity test
on cylinders
1.4(b) Carryout destructive test Compare the
on concrete cylinders qualitative results
(i) compressive of NDT with the
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strength cylinder strength
(ii) split tensile
strength
1.5 Test the concrete To determine the
cylinders cast earlier for short-term modulus
stress-strain curve of elasticity of
concrete and
compare with
theoretical value
2 Test admixtures Test effect of
Identify generic
different types of
salt that may be
admixtures onavailable in
concrete your chemistry
lab for each
type of
admixture;
Please take the
help of your
chemistry
teacher also.
2.1 (a) Accelerating Prepare two It may involve a
admixture concrete mixes: one few trials to get
(b) Retarding admixture normal mix and the the correct
(c) Superplasticizer other with dosage.
appropriate dose of
Sodium chloride is an generic chemical
accelerator; salt; cast cubes for
Sugar is a retarder; each case, and test
Sulfonated melamine- at 3-, 7-, 21-days.
formaldehyde and Compare the
Sulfonated naphthalene- compressive
formaldehyde are strength
superplasticizers.
(3) Playing with concrete mix
Prepare a nominal mix with 1:2:4 C:S:CA aggregate, 0.5 w/c ratio, 325 kg cement/m 3.
Design a M20 mix for mild exposure and moderate workability.
Cast appropriate number of 15 cm cubes in each mix.
Carry out various NDT and destructive tests and compare the results.
(4) Prepare a M15 nominal mix with Admixture
Use SIKAPLAST 4201 NS - 0.5% by weight of cement or any other appropriate admixture
and measure the workability. At what ratio, the concrete becomes pumpable?
(5) Prepare a nominal M20 mix with OPC and PPC.
Cast appropriate number of cubes, test them and compare the results.
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Tests on Reinforced Concrete
Design a RC beam 10x15x180 cm in M15 having a simply supported span of 150 cm for a
concentrated load of 5 kN at its midspan. Cast two such beams in the lab, (i) with shear
reinforcement, and (ii) without shear reinforcement. Test them till failure by applying
small increments of load, say, 0.25 kN. Measure the mid-span deflection vs load, observe
and record the initiation and propagation of cracks. Plot load-deflection curve for both
beams.
(a) Determine
(i) load at first crack,
(ii) modulus of rupture,
(iii) theoretical failure load and compare with the observed failure load,
(iv) crack width at a load of 3 kN and compare with the corresponding observed crack
width.
(b) Plot the load at which different cracks appeared and propagated along with their
inclination with horizontal.
(c) Compare the behaviour of the two beams: with and without shear reinforcement
(d) Analyze the results and draw your own conclusions.
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