Compression Test
ASTM Code: ASTM C39/C39M
To determine the compressive strength of concrete using a
Obje compression testing machine.
ctive
Compression Testing Machine (CTM)
App
Specimens
arat
Measuring Tab
us
Weighing balance
Req
uire
d
Procedure:
Measure the dimensions and weight of the
concrete specimen.
Place the specimen centrally on the
compression testing machine platen.
Apply the load gradually at a constant rate
until the specimen fails.
Note the maximum load applied at failure.
Repeat for other specimens and take the
average.
FORMULA
Compression
Testing Machine
Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
ASTM Code: ASTM C136
To determine the particle size distribution of fine and coarse
Obje aggregates.
ctive
App Standard set of sieves (with sizes as per ASTM)
arat Sieve shaker
us Weighing balance (accurate to 0.1g)
Sample of dry aggregate
Req
uire
d
Procedure:
Weigh a dry sample of aggregate (approx. 500g for fine and 5kg for coarse
aggregate).
Arrange sieves in order, with the largest opening on top.
Place the sample in the top sieve and mount the sieve stack on the shaker.
Shake the sieves for 10–15 minutes.
Weigh the material retained on each sieve.
Calculate the cumulative percentage retained and percentage passing.
FORMULA Standard Set of
Sieves
Slump Test for Fresh Concrete
ASTM Code
ASTM Code: ASTM C143/C143M
To determine the workability and consistency of fresh concrete
Obj using the slump cone method.
ectiv
e
Slump cone (300 mm height, 200 mm bottom dia, 100 mm top dia)
App Tamping rod (16 mm dia, 600 mm length)
arat Base plate
us Measuring scale
Req Trowel
uire
d
Procedure:
Dampen the slump cone and place it on a flat, moist,
non-absorbent surface.
Fill the cone in three layers, each approximately one-
third of the cone's height.
Tamp each layer 25 times with the tamping rod.
After the final layer, strike off excess concrete and level
the top.
Carefully lift the cone vertically without any lateral or
torsional movement.
Measure the difference between the height of the cone
and the highest point of the slumped concrete.
Slump Cone
FORMULA
Slump = h1−h2
Where: h1= Height of the slump cone and h2 = Height of the slumped concrete
Types of Slump Observed:
True Slump (2”)
Shear Slump (45 Degree)
Collapse Slump
Zero Slump
Water Absorption Test of Concrete Block
ASTM Code
ASTM Code: ASTM C140
To determine the water absorption capacity of concrete blocks,
Obj which indicates their porosity and durability.
ectiv
e
App Weighing balance (accurate to 0.1g)
arat Water tank or container
us Drying oven (optional)
Concrete block specimens
Req
uire
d
Procedure:
Dry the concrete block in an oven at 100–115°C for 24 hours or
until constant mass is achieved.
Cool the block to room temperature and weigh it (W₁).
Immerse the block completely in clean water for 24 hours.
Remove the block, wipe off surface water, and weigh it again
(W₂)
Calculate the water absorption using the formula below.
FORMULA
Water Tank or
Container
Compaction Factor Test for Fresh Concrete
ASTM Code
ASTM Code: Nil
To determine the workability of fresh concrete using the compaction
Obj factor method, especially suitable for low workability mixes.
ectiv
e
Compaction factor apparatus (two conical hoppers and a cylindrical
App container)
arat Trowel
us Weighing balance
Req Metal rod (for leveling surface)
uire
d
Procedure:
Grease the inner surfaces of the hoppers and cylinder.
Fill the upper hopper with fresh concrete without compaction and level
it.
Open the trap door to allow concrete to fall into the lower hopper.
Immediately open the lower hopper trap door to let concrete fall into the
cylindrical container.
Level the concrete surface in the cylinder and weigh the filled cylinder
(W₁).
Clean and refill the cylinder with the same concrete, this time in layers
with full compaction, and weigh it again (W₂).
Find the weight of the empty cylinder (W₀).
FORMULA Compaction Factor
Apparatus
Standard Consistency Test of Cement
ASTM Code
ASTM Code: ASTM C187
To determine the standard consistency (or normal consistency) of
Obj cement paste required for setting time and strength tests.
ectiv
e
Vicat apparatus
App Vicat plunger (10 mm dia, 50 mm long)
arat Weighing balance
us Measuring cylinder
Req Ceent sample
uire
d
Procedure:
Take 400g of cement and add a known percentage of water (starting
around 15%).
Mix thoroughly to form a uniform paste within 3–5 minutes.
Fill the Vicat mould with the paste and level the surface.
Lower the Vicat plunger until it touches the surface of the paste, and
then release it.
Observe the depth of penetration.
Repeat the process with different water contents until the plunger
penetrates to a point 33–35 mm from the top or 5–7 mm from the
bottom.
Standard Consistency:
The water content (as a percentage of cement weight) at which the plunger Vicat Apparatus
penetrates 33–35 mm from the top or 5–7 mm from the bottom is the standard
consistency.
FORMULA
Typical Value:
25% to 33% depending on the type and fineness of cement.
Fineness Test of Cement (Sieve Method)
ASTM Code
ASTM Code: ASTM C430
To determine the finess of cement which effect the standderd
Obj consiistency, hydration, and setting time of cememt.
ectiv
e
90 µm (No. 200) standard sieve
App Weighing balance (accurate to 0.01g)
arat Brush
us Cement sample (100g)
Req Sieve pan and lid
uire
d
Procedure:
Take 100g of cement sample and dry it if needed.
Place it on the #200 sieve fitted with a lid and pan.
Sieve the sample manually or mechanically for 15 minutes.
Weigh the residue retained on the sieve.
Calculate the percentage of residue.
No. 325 standard sieve
Weighing balance
FORMULA
Brush
Typical Requirement:
According to ASTM and IS specifications, the residue should not exceed 10% by weight for
ordinary Portland cement.
Note: Lower residue = finer cement = faster hydration and strength gain.
Initial and Final Setting Time of Cement
ASTM Code
ASTM Code: ASTM C191
To determine the initial and final setting times of cement paste using
Obj the Vicat apparatus, which helps assess the suitability of cement for
ectiv construction purposes.
e
Vicat apparatus
App Initial and final setting needles
arat Stop watch
us Weighing balance
Req Measuring cylinder
uire
d
Procedure:
Prepare a paste of cement using water equal to 100% of the standard
consistency.
Fill the Vicat mould with the paste and level the surface.
Initial Setting Time:
1. Lower the Vicat needle (1 mm dia) gently until it touches the
surface.
2. Release and observe penetration.
3. Repeat every 10–15 minutes.
4. Initial setting time is the time elapsed from water addition to when
the needle penetrates only up to 33–35 mm from the top (or 5–7 mm
from the bottom).
Vicat Apparatus
Final Setting Time:
1. Use the final setting needle (with an annular collar).
2. Final setting time is when the needle fails to make an impression on the surface of the
paste.
Typical Values (for OPC):
Initial Setting Time: ≥ 45 minutes
Final Setting Time: ≤ 375 minutes
Le-Chatelier Test for Soundness of Cement
ASTM Code
ASTM Code: ASTM C151
To determine the soundness of cement, i.e., its ability to retain
Obj volume after setting, and ensure it does not undergo delayed
ectiv expansion due to excess free lime or magnesia.
e
Le Chatelier mould
App Weight
arat Measuring scale
us Water bath
Req Weighing balance
uire
d
Procedure:
Prepare a cement paste of standard consistency.
Lightly oil the Le Chatelier mould and place it on a glass
plate.
Fill the mould with the paste and cover it with another
glass plate.
Place a small weight on top and store in a humid
environment for 24 hours.
Measure the initial distance between the mould indicators
(L₁).
Immerse the mould in water and gradually bring it to boiling in
25–30 minutes. Le Chatelier Mould
Boil continuously for 3 hours.
Cool, remove the mould, and measure the final distance between the indicators (L₂).
FORMULA
Soundness (Expansion) = L2−L1
Permissible Limit:
Should not exceed 10 mm for ordinary Portland cement.
Determination of Clay, Silt & Dust Content in Sand
ASTM Code
Code: IS 2386
To determine the percentage of clay, silt, and fine dust in natural
Obj sand, which affects the bonding strength of concrete and mortar.
ectiv
e
200 ml graduated measuring cylinder
App Sand sample (approx. 100g)
arat Salt solution (3% NaCl or common salt in water)
us Measuring scale
Req Stirring rod
uire
d
Procedure:
Fill the measuring cylinder up to 100 ml with a 3% salt solution.
Add 100g of dry sand into the cylinder.
Shake or stir the contents vigorously for about 2 minutes.
Allow the mixture to settle undisturbed for 3 hours.
Measure the thickness of the settled silt/clay layer (H₁) and the total
sand layer (H₂).
FORMULA
Measuring Cylinder
Permissible Limit:
For concrete works: Should not exceed 6% by volume.
For plastering: Should be < 4%.
Determination of Bulk Density and Voids in Aggregates
ASTM Code: ASTM C29/C29M
To determine the bulk density and percentage of voids in fine or
coarse aggregates, which affects mix design, compaction, and
Obje overall concrete strength.To determine the compressive strength of
ctive concrete using a compression testing machine.
Cylindrical metal container of known volume
App Weighing balance
arat Tamping rod (for compacted method)
us Shovel or scoop
Req Fine or coarse aggregate sample
uire
d
Procedure:
Bulk Density (Loose):
Fill the container with aggregate using a
scoop without compaction.
Strike off the surface level.
Weigh the container with aggregate.
Subtract the weight of the empty container to get
the mass of aggregate.
Bulk Density (Compacted):
Fill the container in three layers. Cylindrical Metal Container
Tamp each layer 25 times with the tamping rod.
Strike off the surface and weigh as above.
FORMULA
Where: G = Specific gravity of aggregate and ρb = Bulk density (kg/m³)
Typical Values:
Bulk Density (Loose): ~1350–1450 kg/m³
Bulk Density (Compacted): ~1500–1700 kg/m³
Voids: Typically 30–40%
