UNIVERSIDAD SAN IGNACIO DE LOYOLA

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY

Professor:
Sotil Chvez, Andrs

Section:
FC-PREING05A1T

Members:
Wong Rodrguez, Eduardo San
Snchez Ramos, Adolfo
Ramirez, Raul
Chvez Cruzado, Daniel

Topic:
Laboratory Building Materials Concrete Tests

Delivery Date:
18/11/2014

Lima Per
2014-2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

I.

Definitions

Apparatus and tools

Materials

Procedure

Calculations and results

Recommendations

11

Conclusions

11

References

12

INTRODUCTION

Compressive Strength Test.

This laboratory report is intended to present some tests: Compressive strength (with software) and
Flexural strength (mechanical form). These tests had been applied in different samples of concrete
(cylinder and beams samples). Furthermore, any process is detailing; materials, tools and
machinery required and used in this activity. Finally, the calculations and results (Breaking strain,
type of failure and compression), recommendations, conclusion and a photographic section are
detailing.
II.

DEFINITIONS
Compressive Strength Test
Concrete mixtures can be designed to provide a wide range of mechanical and durability
properties to meet the design requirements of a structure. The compressive strength of concrete is
the most common performance measure by the engineer in designing buildings and other
structures. The compressive strength is measured by breaking cylindrical concrete specimens in a
compression-testing machine. The compressive strength is calculated from the failure load divided
by the cross-sectional area resisting the load and reported in units of pound-force per square inch
(psi) in US Customary units or mega pascals (MPa) in SI units.

F ' C =

P
A

Concrete compressive strength requirements can vary from 2500 psi (17 MPa) for residential
concrete to 4000 psi (28 MPa) and higher in commercial structures. Higher strengths up to and
exceeding 10,000 psi (70 MPa) are specified for certain applications.
Flexural Strength Test
Flexural strength is one measure of the tensile
strength of concrete. It is a measure an
unreinforced concrete beam or slab to resist
failure in bending. It is measured by loading 6 x
6-inch (150 x 150-mm) concrete beams with a
span length at least three times the depth. The
flexural strength is expressed as Modulus of
Rupture (MR) in psi (MPa) and is determined
by standard test methods ASTM C 78 or ASTM
C 293.
Flexural MR is about 10 to 20 percent of
compressive strength depending on the type,
size and volume of coarse aggregate used.
However, the best correlation for specific
materials is obtained by laboratory tests for
given materials and mix design.
III.

APPARATUS AND TOOLS

APPARATUS

DESCRIPTION

IMAGE - PHOTO

Compressive
Strength Machine
(a)

Flexural Strength
Machine

Compressive
Strength Machine
(b)

Standard test method for compressive

strength of cylindrical concrete
specimens ASTM C39 (NTP 339.034
- 2008).
Providence: Germany.
Capacity: 3000 kN.
Year: 2012.
Works with software and sensors.

Hydraulic machine that generates a

load on two points, to obtain the
tensile strength of concrete beam.

This is an hydraulic machine, which

does not have sensors or software for
obtaining more accurate data.

IV.

MATERIALS
MATERIAL

DESCRIPTION

IMAGE - PHOTO

Cylindrical
Concrete Sample

Samples made fourteen days ago, which

have been made to the required design.

Concrete Beam
Sample

V.

PROCEDURE
Compressive Strength Test
1. Measure the height and diameter of the sample.
2. Enter sample data, such as diameter, date of collection and testing.
3. Verify that the load cell is clean. Place the specimen (or sample) in the load cell correctly
centered on the plates.
4. Starting the application of the load at a constant speed form the norm.
5. The maximum supported load is recorded (a break is appreciated).
6. Review of results and preparation of report.
7. Presentation of results and archive
8. End of test.

Be careful when handling specimens and machine.

Flexural Strength Test

1. Measure the concrete beam.
2. Using a marker make marks. It is marked 2.5 cm from the outer edge; the remainder is divided
by three. This will help to establish the correct beam under each load point.
3. Apply the load at a uniform rate. Stops when a break in the concrete beam occurs.
4. The beam is removed carefully, and the fault produced is studied.
5. Procedure to calculate the MR:

MR=

PL
b d 2
6. End of test.

VI.

CALCULATION AND
RESULTS

Be carefulwhenhandlingspecimens and machine.

5

Compressive Strength Test

N

DATE
OBT
30/10/14

TEST
13/11/14

DIAMETER

HEIGHT

LOAD

(cm)

(cm)
30

(kg)

F 'c

TYPE OF
FAILURE

15.27

38772

214

15.25

38829

213

15.22

41346

227

PHOTO

15.22

32315

178

15.23

91270

501

15.28

94180

514

IV

15.21

85702

470

15.25

40279

221

1
0

15.20

39634

218

15.26

38818

211

II

Remarks:
-

The sample number 4 is not a part of the samples prepared by the class.
The sample number 3 had mold in it. There can be two possibilities: the aggregates were organic
presence or water.

Taking averages of compressive strength:

o

Sample N 1, 2 and 3:

F' C AVERAGE =

214+213+ 227
kg
=218
2
3
cm

Sample N 5, 6 and 7:
9

F' C AVERAGE =

501+514+ 470
kg
=495
2
3
cm

Sample N 8, 9 and 10:

F' C AVERAGE =

221+218+211
kg
=217
2
3
cm

Flexural Strength Test

DIMENSIONS (cm)
TIME
(DAYS
)

DIST.
BETWEEN
SUPPORTS
(cm)

14

2.5

51

15

14

2.5

50

14

2.5

52.5

LONG

FLEXURAL
STRENGTH
LOAD
(Kg)

Kg
c m2

15

2800

38.16

14.5

13.3

3300

57.90

15

15

2550

35.89

WIDTH

HEIGHT

PHOTO
)

Is calculated the MR of each concrete beam:

10

MR1=

2800 46
kg
38.16
=38.16
x=
100 =17.50
2
2
218
15 15
cm

MR2 =

3300 45
kg
57.90
=57.90
x=
100 =11.69
2
2
495
14.5 13.3
cm

MR2 =

2550 47.5
kg
35.89
=35.89
x=
100 =16.54
2
2
217
15 15
cm

End of test.

11

Particular test case. A concrete simple cylinder is placed in the compression strength machine, where the s

VII.

RECOMMENDATIONS
The concrete tests should be performed using carefully the guidelines otherwise we can get
false results.
A constant addition of load during the test is necessary because otherwise we can get higher
resistances resulted from loading weight onto the cylinder too fast.
You shouldnt retest a cylinder whose test stopped without finishing because most likely some
of it will be weaker in some parts.

VIII.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion we can say that depending on how the concrete cylinder breaks we can know if
the proportions of aggregates and water are correct.
If we have an adequate quality control on each step of the concrete mix we can know if the
problems of the concrete are caused by human error or by bad materials in the mix.
Standard deviation can affect the test results if the results are too disperse.
For every questions and/or situation there is the standard regulation inside the ntps.
Modern machines for concrete tests are more precise than the old ones.
12

 The minimum fc needed depends on the type of construction.

IX.

REFERENCES
Concrete in practice. What, Why and How? NRMCA CIP 16: Flexural Strength Concrete.
Concrete in practice. What, Why and How? NRMCA CIP35:Testing Compressive Strength
of Concrete.

13