Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Workability Tests
Objectives:
The determination of workability of fresh concrete using three approximating methods: 1. The slump test. 2. The compaction factor test. 3. VEBE test.
Standards:
The slump test:
ASTM : C 143 B.S. : 1882 Part II
The main differences between the two methods are: In filling the cone (how many layers) ASTM: 3 layers B.S.: 4 layers From where the slump is measures ASTM: From the center B.S.: From the highest point
VEBE test:
B.S. 1881 : Part II : 1970
General Discussion:
When dealing with fresh concrete all we care about is its workability. Workability is defined as the amount of useful internal work that results full
A H M 531
Workability Tests
compaction, in other words it is the ease of flow of fresh concrete and the ease of dealing with it in transporting, placing and compacting without segregation. There are many factors that affect the workability of fresh concrete, but the most important is the water content in the mix. Till now there is no perfectly acceptable method that measures the workability of fresh concrete, the methods of workability measurement gives results that are comparable only with reference to the particular method. In the concrete laboratory we did three tests on workability, mentioned below with a description of each:
A H M 531 The Civil Engineering Center When we get zero slump, that means that our mix is very stiff and a clear
measurement for workability is not given, thats why this method is not useful for stiff mixes. Getting a true slump gives a good measure for workability, and the gained value is recorded as a measure for workability with reference to this method only. When the result is shear slump or collapse the test shall be repeated using another sample from the mix, if the same result occurs then that must be recorded and it indicates a lack of cohesion in the mix and is usually happens to lean mixes. In true slump, the higher slump value indicates higher workability. Usually the slump value required is given in the project plan, for example, for normal reinforcement the slump value is between 5 to 10 cm, and for high strength concrete the slump is given to be less than 5 cm.
A H M 531
Workability Tests
This test is more sensitive to low workable mixes than the high workable ones. The compacting factor is measured by the density ratio, i.e. the ratio of the density of the mix obtained by the mix to the density of the mix fully compacted. In the compaction factor test we use the same volume for both densities and so the compaction factor becomes: Compaction factor = partially weight / fully compacted weight The largest value that can be obtained for the Compaction Factor Value is 1, the more workable the mix is, the nearest the compaction factor is to 1.
VEBE test:
It is based on measuring the time (Called VEBE time) needed to transfer the shape of a concrete mix from a frustum cone to a cylinder (these shapes are standardized by the apparatus of this test), by vibrating and compacting the mix. The more VEBE time needed the less workable the mix is. This method is very useful for stiff mixes.
The method
Slump Test
VEBE test
Very stiff mixes might stick in the hoppers and so it will be needed to ease by poking with a steel rod (External effect). Stiff mixes (very low workability) the amount of work needed for full compaction depends on the richness of the mix, but the compacting factor does not depend on the richness of the mix. Same Compacting Factor Different workability. The apparatus is heavy and complicated. 1. Difficulties in establishing the end point of the test is a source of error.
A H M 531
Workability Tests
The slump test is the more common in use because of: 1. The simplicity of the apparatus. 2. It is useful for check on day to day or hour to hour variation in the materials being fed into the mixer. The slump test is not useful for stiff mixes and lean mixes. Both Compacting factor test and VEBE test are useful for stiff mixes, but VEBE test is more useful for the following reasons: 1. The problem of sticking of concrete in the hoppers of the compacting factor apparatus. 2. The treatment of concrete during the test is comparatively closely related to the method of placing in real practice.
It has the shape of frustum cone. The internal dimensions are as follows: Bottom diameter = 203 mm Top diameter = 102 mm Height = 305 mm the thickness = 1.6 mm the internal surface is smooth, the mould is provided with foot pieces for fixing and handle for lifting the mould. 2. Tamping rod. Description: The diameter = 16 mm The length = 600 mm It should be rounded at one end (the end that we tamp the mix with)
A H M 531
Workability Tests
A H M 531 the hoppers and theEngineering at the internal surface. The Civil cylinder shall be smooth Center The lower ends of the hoppers shall be closed tightly fitting hinged
trap doors having quick release catches. 2. Two trowels. 3. Tamping rod. 4. Weighing machine.
A H M 531
Workability Tests
Procedures:
Mix Design:
The concrete mix we tested had the following specifications: Cement aggregate ratio = 1:6 Coarse: Medium: Fine ratio = 2:2:2 Fine aggregate ratio = 1 Sweileh: 1 normal fine Water/Cement ratio = 50%. 1. Calculating the EA of each type of Aggregates. Coarse 480gm Medium 200gm Fine 40gm Calculating the quantities of materials when taking 2kg of cement: Water requirement = Water in the W\C + EA = 1720gm 4 kg coarse aggregates. 4 kg Medium aggregates. 2 kg Sweileh fine aggregate. 2 kg Normal fine aggregate.
A H M 531
Workability Tests
VEBE test:
1. We placed the mould concentrically in the container. 2. It was filled with the concrete mix on four layers with tamping 25 times each layer. 3. The mould then is left up, and the slump value was calculated. 4. The transparent disk was placed on the concrete cone. 5. The vibrator was started as the timing did. 6. The timing shall stop when the transparent disc is totally covered with concrete and all the cavities in the mix are disappeared.
A H M 531
Workability Tests
Conclusion:
According the test results we obtained, concrete mix we used can be judged as follows:
A H M 531
Workability Tests
Slump test: The mix has a medium workability. Compacted factor test: The mix has medium workability. VEBE test: The mix has low workability. This variation in the workability between the first 2 tests and the last one (VEBE test) can be a result to losing the workability with time, the time between making the mix and doing the VEBE time test was larger than it to the other two tests. Other reason for that might be an error resulted from the determination of the end of the test.