Concrete mix design and concrete testing: An experiment using the slump test and compression test

This paper investigates the design of a concrete mix to a specified strength. In particular, it studies the behavior of concrete under compressive loading in order to determine properties such as (1) the compressive strength taken on concrete cylinders taken at 2, 7, 14 and 28-day intervals and (2) the compressive strength taken on a concrete cylinder exposed to freeze-thaw cycles during its curing.

The process of designing the concrete mix is presented in section 1. In section 2, slump test and compression test are investigated. The experiment is presented in section 3 by analyzing the list of abbreviations, description of apparatus, procedure, summary of results, observations / conclusions and discussion of results.

Tags: Concrete, slump test, compression test, Concrete mix procedure, Concrete mix technique, Slump test and compression specs, Slump cone and compression test, Concrete mix protocol

[...] The tamping rod should be smooth and bullet-pointed (Buza, 1993) Slump test determines the “workability” of concrete, which provides a scale on how easy it is to handle, compact, and cure concrete (Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia, 2004). Engineers use the results to then alter the concrete mix by adjusting the cement/water ratios or adding plasticizers to increase the strength of the outcome concrete mix. Figure 1 A Slump Cone b. Compression Test Compression test determines behavior of materials under crushing loads and measures concrete strength in the hardened state. [...]

[...] OHAUS balance 20 kg 1714, Calibrated: 3-98; Next: 3-99 Apparatus used for PREPARING CONCRETE MIXTURE and for the slump test: 1. Metal container for concrete hand mixing Long-hand plow for concrete hand-mixing 3. Weight scale (to measure concrete components: aggregate, water and cement) Wooden Board 5. Metal Cone Shell 300 mm high Metal Rod (for 25-times-penetration of concrete mixture). Apparatus used for CONCRETE-CYLINDERS STRENGTH TESTING: Tinius Olsen s/n Procedure Slump Test Slump Test shows the consistency of concrete. Slum Test was performed with a slump cone and the metal rod. [...]