Exercise No.

Familiarization of the Material Testing Laboratory

And the Apparatus, Equipment and Machines
Used in Testing of Materials

I. Significance and Use:

This exercise is intended for the familiarization of the students with the Material
Testing Laboratory and the different apparatus, equipment, machine and other laboratory
facilities available. Familiarization and orientation is important so that students will know
the limitations and sensitivity of some apparatus and its proper handling of the during actual
testing.
Brief description of the apparatus and equipment including its usage, limitations and
specifications shall be explained during the orientation. Awareness of the limitations and
specification for every apparatus must be emphasized to the students so that it can be
properly handled, sustained and preserved up to the next generations of CE students who
will use the laboratory. Besides, awareness in the usage of apparatus and its limitations will
also lead to a reliable test result in the actual testing.

II. Scope:
The orientation shall include the proper handling of the apparatus and care during and
after its usage. Hence, apparatus must be washed and clean after using. In testing cement
mixture the apparatus and other materials used must be washed immediately after the
performance of test. Once cement paste adhering to the apparatus dries, it is hard to remove
and require effort and force to scratch and eventually can even destroy the apparatus.
Students’ awareness and commitment can help the preservation and sustainability of the
apparatus and other laboratory facilities in the Material Testing Laboratory.
Students must also practice good housekeeping. They must clean the area within and
outside the laboratory room where they performed their exercises. They must clean return
the borrowed apparatus and equipment to the Laboratory Technician after using. Don’t leave
things unattended for it might be broken in case of fragile apparatus or it might be taken by
somebody who is not member of the class.
To facilitate orderly laboratory work the Instructor will group the students with five
members in each group. Group leader will be selected from among the members. Other
related functions such as recorded, sweeper, etc. may be appointed by the leader as per
agreement among members.
For every laboratory exercises the group will perform as one and will share the same
laboratory data or test result but the preparation of laboratory report, conclusion and
comments/ discussion shall be prepared individually.
After the orientation the students are required to accomplish and prepare a laboratory
report.
III. Apparatus, Equipment and Materials:
Gillmore Needles Los Angeles Splitter Testing Machine
Set of Sieves Flow Table
Slump Mold Electronic Balance
Digital Balance Density Basket
Vernier Calipher Beaker
Graduated Cylinder Spatula
Trowel Hand Shovel
Steel tape Water Container -pail
Vicat Needle Universal Testing Machine
Unit Weight Moulders

IV. Procedure
1. The instructor or laboratory assistant will guide the students in the familiarization
of the Material Testing Laboratory including the different apparatus, equipments
and machines used in testing the materials.
2. The students will make a list of the apparatus, equipment, machine and other
laboratory facilities available in the laboratory. In the preparation of their
laboratory report picture of each must be provided with brief description about its
usage, limitations and specifications.
3. Explain and illustrate the operation of the different testing machines;
a) Universal Testing Machine
b) Los Angeles Splitter Abrasion Testing Machine
4. For comments/discussion the student is required to relate Construction of
Materials and Testing subject to his chosen field of specialization which is Civil
Engineering. Make a brief and concise discussion. Extra sheets are provided for
your discussion and other writings.

V. Drawings
a.) Apparatus
Label the parts of the apparatus shown:
Description, Specification and Use:

1. Gillmore Needles
(Source: Gilson Company, Inc.)
 Description, Specification and Use:

2. Vicat Needle
(Source:http://www.humboldtmfg.com/vicat consistency apparatus.html)

Description, Specification and Use:

3. Flow Table
(Source: Gilson Company, Inc.)
 4. Set of Sieves
(Source:http://www.aimsizer.com/hmk;bs1-200-standard-test-sieve-dia-200-mm.html)

Description, Specification and Use:

Description, Specification and Use:

5. Slump Cone Apparatus

(Source: Gilson Company, Inc.)
 6. Measuring Apparatus

Description, Specification and Use:

b.) Equipment (Testing Machines)

1. Universal Testing Machine

(Source: EVSU Universal Testing machine)

Description, Specification and Use:

1.1 The Indicating System

1.2 The Bending Apparatus

 1.3 The Loading System

Description, Specification and Use:

2. Los Angeles Splitter AbrasionTesting Machine

(Source: EVSU MTL)
 2.1 Side View of the Abrasion Machine

c.) Other Laboratory Apparatus

1. Beaker 2. Graduated Cylinder

3. Electronic Balance 4. Trowel

5. Portable Oven 6. Spatula

7. Hand Shovel
8. Cement Mixing Bowl 9. Shovel

10. Vernier Caliper

11. Steel Tape 12. Density Basket

 5. Digital Electronic Balance

d.) Personal Safety Gadgets

1. Goggles and Gloves

2. Hardcap, Googles and Gloves

3. Personalized Overall Protection

 Exercise No. 2

Test for for Fineness of Portland Cement

Using No. 200 Sieve

I. Purpose: This exercise is performed to check if the cement possessed the required
fineness specified for the project. The cement which is produced by an industry is
checked for its quality, that either it is good for certain type of construction or it doesn’t
possess that much strength. For example, for RCC and other heavy load bearing
structures such as bridges, it is essential that the cement which is being used in the
concrete should have the ability to provide the required strength, while in the PCC
structures, it is not so much critical.

II. Scope and Limitation: The ability to provide strength of a certain type of cement is
checked by finding the fineness of that cement, because the fineness of cement is
responsible for the rate of hydration and hence the rate of gain of strength and also the
rate of evolution of heat.
If the cement is fine then the greater is its cohesiveness, which is the property,
required in the concrete because it gives compactness to the concrete. Usually cement
loses 10% of its strength within one month of its manufacturing.
The coarse particles in cement are inert. The finer the cement the faster it will
undergo hydration, thus resulting in higher early strength and more rapid generation of
heat. The effects of higher fineness are manifested principally during the early periods of
hydration although at later ages finer cement will give higher strength. Coarse cement
tends to give poor concrete workability and cause excessive bleeding. Bleeding is
manifested by water rising to the top of the concrete due to settlement of solids before
the initial set. Greater fineness improves not only the strength but also water tightness,
workability, appearance, and durability of concrete. The test for fineness by the No. 200
sieve consists of passing 50 grams of cement through the No. 200 sieve and weighing
the residue.
In the turbid meter test, also for fineness determination, light is made to pass
through a suspension of cement in water-free kerosene in a glass tank. From the intensity
of the light passing through the suspension, the fineness is calculated in terms of specific
surface per grams of cement.

III. Materials, Apparatus and Equipment

1. No. 200 sieve with pan and cover
2. Bristle brush
3. Balance and weighs
IV. Procedure
1. Place 50-gram sample on the No. 200 sieve with pan attached.
2. Start sieving and continue until the residue looks clean. This will take about 5
minutes.
3. Place cover on sieve and remove pan. Tap gently side of sieve to dislodge dust
adhering to the sieve and brush the underside of sieve.
4. Continue sieving until no more than 0.05 g. passes through in 1 minute of
continuous sieving.
5. Brush thoroughly both sides of sieve. Weigh residue.

V. Calculation:
(Those retained on the No. 200 sieve (75 microns) will never hydrate completely.)

Weight of residue
% Fineness   100
Weight of original sample

Drawing:

No. 200 sieve with pan and cover

 Exercise No. 3

Test for Normal Consistency

of Portland Cement

I. Purpose: To determine the water required to achieve a desired plasticity state (normal
consistency) of cement paste. It is obtained with the use of Vicat Needle Apparatus by
measuring the penetration of a loaded needle within a specified time.

II. Scope: Consistency is the measure of correct amount of water added to given quantity
if cement to make the paste of normal consistency. Strength of cement concrete normally
depends on the amount of water added. Therefore a sufficient quantity of water is required to
prepare the concrete of desired strength.
The penetration test for normal consistency of hydraulic cement involves measuring
the consistency of paste using penetration resistance. The normal consistency is measured
using the Vicat apparatus equipped with a plunger and is achieved if the plunger penetrates
to a point 10 ± 1 mm below the original surface.

III. Materials and Apparatus:

Vicat apparatus with complete accessories
Graduated Cylinder
Balance and Weights
Glass plate

IV. Procedure
1. Prepare a cement paste using 400 grams sample of Portland cement in a mixing bowl.
2. Form a crater on the cement and pour a measured quantity of water. Mix thoroughly
allow sufficient time to let the cement absorb water. Ensure that a homogeneous
mixture is attained.
3. Using both hands form the cement paste into a a ball and toss six times from one
hand to the other, hands about 6 inches apart. Use rubberized gloves for your
protection.
4. Insert the ball into larger end of conical ring (moulder), filling completely the ring
with paste. Remove excess at larger end using the spatula.
5. Place the moulder on 4” x 4” tile resting on larger end. Slice off excess at smaller end
with one stroke of the spatula. Be careful not to compress the paste while cutting or
smoothing excess paste.
6. Position moulder on center under rod of Vicat apparatus, with end of plunger in
contact with surface of paste.
7. Release the plunger and allow it to penetrate into the cement paste. Determine the
penetration 30 seconds after release of plunger. The paste is of normal consistency if
penetration is 10 ± 1 mm.
8. Repeat procedure with different amounts of water until normal consistency is
obtained using fresh cement for each trial.
V. Test Data and Test Results

Worksheet:
1st Trial 2nd Trial 3rd Trial
Weight of Cement PC per sample, g 400 400 400
Water Used, ml 135 120 110
Normal Consistency, % 33.75 30 27.5

cc of Water used
Normal Consistenc y = × 100
Wt. of Cement Sample

Drawing:

Vicat Needle Apparatus

VI. Discussion and Analysis of Test Data
a. Calculations:
Weight of Container: 82 g
Depth of
Trial Penetration For Normal Consistency:
(mm) 135
1 28.5 NC1 =
2 14 400
3 9.5 = 33.75%
120
NC 2 =
400
= 30%
110
NC3 =
400
= 27.5%
 Exercise No. 4

Time of Setting of Portland Cement

Using Vicat Needle

I. Purpose:
1. To determine the time of setting of Portland cement using Vicat and Gillmore
apparatus.
2. To appreciate the significant difference between initial and final sets.
3. To know the standard specification for time of setting of Portland cement for both
Vicat and Gillmore apparatus

II. Scope and Specifications:

Samples for testing shall be prepared separately for Vicat and Gillmore apparatus
following the standard procedure in making the sample. Each of the apparatus has a distinct
specification.
Vicat apparatus is used to determine the time of setting of Portland cement. It consist
of a frame, bearing a movable rod, weighing 300 g, the plunger end being 10mm in diameter
for a distance of at least 50 mm and the other end having a removable steel needle 1mm in
diameter and 50 mm in length. The rod is reversible and can be held in any desired position
by a set of screw, and has an adjustable indicator, which moves over a scale attached to the
frame. The paste is held in a conical ring, resting on a glass plate, about 10 mm square. The
ring shall be made of a non-corroding, non-absorbent material, and shall have an inside of 70
mm at the base and 60 mm at the top and a height of 40 mm. The Vicat apparatus shall
conform to AASHTO T 131 specification.

Time of setting specification:

1. Initial Set. Occurs when the paste begins to stiffen considerably.
2. Final Set. Occurs when the cement has hardened to the point at which it can
sustain some load.
These particular times are just arbitrary points used to characterize cement, they do not
have any fundamental chemical significance. They describe the setting of the cement and are
not tied to the setting time of concrete. Both common setting time tests, the Vicat needle and
the Gillmore needle, define initial set and final set based on the time at which a needle of
particular size and weight either penetrates a cement paste sample to a given depth or fails to
penetrate a cement paste sample. The Vicat needle test is more common and tends to give
shorter times than the Gillmore needle test. The ASTM C 150 specified set times is shown in
the adjacent page.

Test Method Set Type Time Specification

Initial ≥ 45 minutes
Vicat
Final ≤ 375 minutes
Initial ≥ 60 minutes
Gillmore
Final ≤ 600 minutes
III. Materials and Apparatus:
Vicat apparatus with complete accessories
Graduated Cylinder
Balance and Weights
4” x 4” tile
Spatula
Trowel

IV. Methods
Vicat Apparatus:
1. After consistency test allow the specimen to remain in moist cabinet or room for 30
minutes, after molding without being disturbed. Determine the penetration of the
1mm needle at this time and every 15 minutes thereafter until a penetration of 25
mm or less is obtained.
2. For the penetration test, lower the needle of the rod until it rests on the surface of the
cement paste. Tighten the set screw, and set the indicator, at the upper end of the
scale, or take an initial reading. Release the rod quickly by releasing the set screw,
and allow the needle to settle for 30 seconds, then take the reading to determine the
penetration.
3. No penetration test shall be made closer than 1/4 in. (6.4 mm) from any previous
penetration and nor shall be made closer than 3/8 in. (9.5 mm) from the inside of the
mold.
4. Record the results of all penetration tests and by interpolation determine the time
when a penetration of 25 mm is obtained which is the initial setting time. At the time
the needle does not sink visible into the paste, it is considered to be the final setting
time.

V. Test Data and Test Results

Vicat Apparatus
Time for:
Time Started: 2:18 pm
a) Initial Set 2 hr, 0 min, 45 s
b) Final Set 4 hrs, 3 min
 Vicat Needle Apparatus

VI. Discussion and Analysis of Test Data

b. Calculations: For Initial Set
Time Started: 2:18 pm 25.5 120
Amount of Water: 110 mL 25 x
Amount of P.C.: 400 g 15.5 135
Time Depth of
Set Test Time Elapsed Penetration
(minutes) (mm)
1 2:48 pm 30 49
Initial
Set

2 3:03 pm 45 49
3 3:18 pm 60 49
 4 3:33 pm 75 49
25 .5 - 25 25 - 15 .5
5 3:48 pm 90 49 =
6 4:03 pm 105 39.5 120 - x x - 135
7 4:18 pm 120 25.5 1140 - 9 .5 x = 0 .5 x - 67 .5
8 4:33 pm 135 15.5 10 x = 1207 .5
9 4:48 pm 150 9 x = 120 .75
10 5:03 pm 165 8
11 5:18 pm 180 6.5
Final Set

12 5:37 pm 199 4.5 x = 0 °120 .75 '0"

13 5:56 pm 218 2 x = 2 °0 '45"
14 6:08 pm 230 1 x = 2hr 0 min 45 s
15 6:21 pm 243 0 For Final Set
x = 0°243'0"
x = 4°03'0"
x = 4 hr 3 mins