TESTS ON CONCRETE CUBES, CYLINDERS AND BEAMS

(I) Compressive strength of concrete

Aim: To determine the compressive strength of concrete cubes.

Code provision: IS 516-1959

Apparatus Required: Compression testing machine.

Procedure: At least 3 specimens shall be tested. Test the specimens immediately on

removal from curing tank after removing the water at the surface. Place the specimen in
the machine in such a manner that the load is applied to opposite sides of the cubes as
cast. Apply the load without shock and increase continuously at a rate approximately 140
kg/sq.cm/min. until the resistance of the specimen to the increasing load breaks down.
Record the maximum load applied to the specimen. Calculate the measured compressive
strength of specimen by dividing the maximum load applied to the specimen by the cross
sectional area, calculated from the mean dimension of the section and express to the
nearest N/sq.mm.

Observations:

Mix ratio :
W/C ratio :
Date of Casting :
Date of Testing :

Sl Failure load (kN) Compressive strength (MPa)

No.
1
2
3

Result: Mean compressive strength of concrete =

(II) Tensile Strength of Concrete by Split Test on Cylinder

Aim: To determine the tensile strength of concrete by conducting the split test on
concrete cylinders.

Apparatus: Compression testing machine.

Procedure: In this type of application of load, the tensile stress remains much the same
for most of the diametrical plane and change to very high compressive stress only near
the points of application of the load. It is precisely the stress distribution of a uniform
tension along most of the diameter resulting in a clear separation of two halves, which
constitutes the theoretical and experimental basis of the test. Prepare the concrete
specimen 15 cm dia. and 30 cm high as specified above and cure the specimen for 28
days. Place the cylindrical specimen between the two platens of the testing machine.
Place plywood strips between the platens and the surface of the concrete specimen.
Apply a uniform rate of loading at the rate of 7 kg/sq.cm per minute till the specimen
fails by a sudden fracture along the vertical diameter. Tabulate the test results.

Tensile strength = (2P/6DL) where P is the load at failure, D is the diameter of

the specimen, and L is the length of the specimen.

Sl Failure load (kN) Split tensile strength (MPa)

No.
1
2
3

Result: Tensile strength of concrete =

(iii) Flexural Strength of Concrete: Test on Beams

Aim: To determine the flexural strength of moulded concrete test specimen (beam).

Apparatus: Flexural strength testing machine.

Procedure: Support the specimen on the bed of the testing machine, provided with two
steel rollers, 38 mm in diameter. Mount the rollers such that the distance from the centre
to centre is 60 cm for 15 cm specimens and 40 cm for 10 cm specimen. Apply the load
through two similar rollers mounted at the third points of the supporting span. Divide the
load equally between the two loading rollers. Place the specimen in such a manner that
the load shall be applied to the upper most surface as cast in the mould. Apply the load
without shock and increase continuously at a rate such that the extreme fibre stress
increases at approximately 7 kg/sq.cm/min.; that is a rate of loading of 400 kg/min. for 15
cm specimens and at a rate of 180 kg/min. for 10 cm specimen. Record the maximum
load applied to the specimen during the test.

Sl Failure load (kN) Flexural strength (MPa)

No.
1
2
3

The flexural strength of the specimen shall be expressed as the modulus of rupture f=M/Z

Result: The flexural strength of the specimen =

Discussion:

1. State the grade of concrete to which the tested cubes belong to as per IS 456-1978.
2. Why and how does the ratio of height to diameter or height to thickness for a test
specimen affect its compressive strength?
3. What are the usual limitations on minimum dimension of test specimen with respect to
the maximum size of the aggregate?
4. Compare the test results for the tensile strength with the ones given in IS 456-1978.
5. Discuss the importance of performing direct and flexural tensile strength tests.
6. Explain the shortcomings in direct tension test.
7. Compare the two test results and discuss the reasons for the difference.
 Determination of Changes in Length on Drying and Wetting
(Initial Drying Shrinkage, Drying Shrinkage, Moisture Movement)

This method of test specifies the procedure for determining the change in length of
concrete specimens due to changes in moisture content. It deals with tests both on
laboratory specimens and specimens cut from structures or units, when the maximum
nominal size of the aggregate in either does not exceed 38 mm.

Apparatus:

Measuring Apparatus: A measuring apparatus shall be used which incorporates a

micrometer gauge or a suitable dial gauge reading accurately to 0.005 mm. This gauge
shall be rigidly mounted in a measuring frame and shall have a recessed end which can
be located upon a 6.5 mm diameter ball or other preference point cement in the specimen
as described under. The other end of the frame shall have a similar recessed seating
which can be located upon a second ball or reference point in the specimen. An invar
steel rod of a suitable length with 6.5 mm diameter hemispherical ends, or with 6.5 mm
diameter steel balls mounted at the ends shall be tested, thus enabling corrections to be
made for any changes in the dimensions of the apparatus between successive
measurements of a test specimen. The apparatus shall preferably be adjustable for
specimens of different length and invar rods shall be available in lengths approximating
to those of the specimens to be tested. Typical forms of apparatus are shown in fig. ,
but other suitable forms may be used. The apparatus shown in fig. is to be prepared for
large specimens and those of higher densities, since the pressure caused by the weight of
the specimen, which would otherwise fall on the lower reference ball, is carried by the
slotted shelf.

Drying Oven: The drying oven shall comply with the following requirements: a) It shall
have an internal volume equivalent to not less than 0.008 cum per specimen, with a
minimum total volume of 0.05 cum, b) It shall be reasonably air-tight and shall be
provided with a fan to keep the air circulating effectively during the drying of the
specimens, c ) It shall be maintained at a temperature of 50±10C, d) The humidity of the
air in the oven shall be controlled at approximately 17 percent relative humidity by
means of saturated calcium chloride solution. Suitable dishes or trays containing this
solution shall be provided to give an exposed area of solution not less than 1 sq m for
each cum of volume of the oven. The dishes or trays shall contain sufficient solid calcium
chloride to show above the surface of the solution throughout the test.

Sample size: Specimens shall be cast or cut with a length of 15 to 30 cm and a cross-
section as near as practicable to 7.5 to 7.5 cm.

Cast specimens: Where the test is carried out upon a specimen made specially for testing,
it shall, unless other curing conditions are specified, be stored for the first three to seven
days in moist air. During this period, two reference points consisting of 6.5 mm diameter
steel balls or other suitable reference points providing a 6.5 mm diameter hemispherical
bearing shall cemented with neat rapid hardening portland cement or other suitable
cementing agent into the centre of each end of the specimen after drilling or cutting a
shallow depression. After fixing, the surface of the balls be wiped clean cement, dried,
and coated with lubricating grease to prevent corrosion. the specimen shall be kept moist
for at lest 24 hours after fixing the balls, in order to allow the cement to harden. At the
conclusion of the period of storage in moist air, the specimen shall be immersed in water
at a temperature of 240 to 300C until 28 days after the concrete has been made, or until
such other time as may be specified.

Matured Specimens: When test is carried out on a specimen cut from matured concrete or
on a specimen which has not had the controlled curing indicated in the balls or other
reference points shall be fixed and greased as described in and the specimen kept moist
for at least 24 hours after fixing the balls. The specimen shall then be immersed in water
at 240 to 300C in such a manner that one of the larger faces of the specimen just breaks
surface in the water and left so immersed for four days.

Determination of Initial Drying Shrinkage or Drying Shrinkage: Immediately after

removal of the specimen form the water, the grease shall be wiped from the balls and the
length of the specimen measured to an accuracy of 0.005 mm by the apparatus described
in. This shall be taken as the `original wet measurement'.

Note: The instrument reading required is not the absolute length of the specimen but the
difference in length between the specimen and an invar rod of approximately the same
length.

The specimen shall then be dried in the oven as described under at the specified
temperature and humidity for at least 44 hours. the specimen shall then be removed from
the oven and cooled for at least four hours in a desiccator containing solid calcium
chloride in saturated solution of calcium chloride. The length of the specimen shall then
be measured as described above at a temperature of 240 to 300C.

Note: If measurements are made at temperatures other than 250C, they should be reduced
by 0.002 percent of the dry length for each above 250C.

The cycle of drying, cooling and measuring shall be repeated until constant length is
attained, that is, when the difference between two consecutive readings separated by a
period of drying of at least 44 hours, followed by cooling proportionately greater for a
larger specimen. The final reading shall be taken as the dry measurement. During the
above drying process, further wet specimens shall not be placed in the same oven, and
there shall be a free access of air to all surfaces of the specimens.

After the dry measurement has been taken, the length of the specimen shall be measured,
adjacent to the balls, to the nearest 0.5 mm and this shall be taken as the `dry length'. The
`initial drying shrinkage' or the `drying shrinkage' shall be calculated as the difference
between the `original wet measurement' and the `dry measurement' expressed as
percentage of the `dry length'.
Determination of Moisture Movement: For the determination of the moisture
movement, the specimen shall first be tested for initial drying shrinkage or drying
shrinkage as described above and the dry measurement determined. The specimen shall
then be immersed in water at 240 to 300C in such a manner that one of the larger faces of
the specimen just breaks surface in the water and shall be determined. the moisture
movement shall be calculated as the difference between the `dry measurement' and `final
wet measurement' expressed as percentage of the `dry length'.

Report: The following information shall be included in the report:

a) identification mark,
b) date of starting test,
c) age of specimen at beginning of test,
d) size of specimen,
f) curing conditions,
f) initial drying shrinkage or drying shrinkage,
g) moisture movement, if determined, and
h) remarks, such as, time to reach constant length.