University of Sulaimani

College of Engineering
Civil Engineering Department
Concrete Technology (CE205)
Concrete Technology Laboratory Report
Academic Year (2019-2020)

Student Details
Name Zheer nawzad
Stage and Lab Group C2

Test Details
Test Name Compressive Strength of Cement Mortar
Test Number NO.4
Date of Laboratory 22-10-2019

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Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2019-2020)

Concrete Technology Laboratory Report Evaluation Form

Sections Total Earned Comments

Marks Marks
Cover Sheet 3
Evaluation Form 2
Table of Contents 2
1 Introduction
1.1 Background 5
1.2 Aim 2
1.3 Test Standards 2
1.4 Importance of the Test 5
1.5 Test Report Outline 3
2 Materials and Instruments
2.1 Materials 2
2.2 Instruments 3
3 Test Procedure 5
4 Data and Results
4.1 The Data Collected from Lab 4
4.2 Calculations 4
4.3 Results 4
5 Discussions 22
6 Conclusions 8
7 References 4
Data Sheet 20
Total 100

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 Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2019-2020)

Table of Contents

Concrete Technology Laboratory Report Evaluation Form.............................................i

Table of Contents............................................................................................................ii
1 Introduction.................................................................................................................1
1.1 Background........................................................................................................1
1.2 Aim.........................................................................................................................1
1.3Test Standards........................................................................................................1
1.4 Importance of Test................................................................................................2
1.5 Test Report Outline...............................................................................................2
2 Materials and Instruments...........................................................................................2
2.1 Materials................................................................................................................2
2.2 Important Instruments.........................................................................................4
3 Test Procedure..........................................................................................................6
4 Data and Results........................................................................................................11
4.1 The Data Collected from the Laboratory........................................................11
4.2 Calculations.........................................................................................................11
4.3 Results.................................................................................................................12
5 Discussions.................................................................................................................13
6 Conclusions................................................................................................................13
7 References..................................................................................................................13
Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2019-2020)

1 Introduction

1.1 Background

Mortar is a combination of cement, sand mixed with water. It is used for masonry
works such as brick masonry and stone masonry and for plastering walls, columns etc.
Common mix ratio of mortar used in masonry works are 1:3, 1:4 and 1:6 of cement to
sand ratio. For important masonry structures such as brick walls, 1:3 ratio is used.

The compressive strength of hardened cement is the most important of all the
properties. Therefore, it is not surprising that the cement is always tested for its
strength at the laboratory before the cement is used in important works. There are
some strength tests of cement mortar or concrete:

1. Split Tensile strength (Indirect Tensile strength)

2. Flexural strength

3. Compressive strength

1.2 Aim

This test method covers determination of the compressive strength of hydraulic

cement mortars, using 2-in. or [50-mm] cube specimen.

1.3Test Standards

ASTM C 109/C 109M –99 Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of
Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50-mm] Cube Specimens).

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Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2019-2020)
1.4 Importance of Test

Compressive strength of concrete is one of the most important and useful properties.
As a construction material, concrete is employed to resist compressive stresses. While,
at locations where tensile strength or shear strength is of primary importance, the
compressive strength is used to estimate the required property.
The compressive strength of hardened cement is the most important of all the
properties. Therefore, it is not surprising that the cement is always tested for its
strength at the laboratory before the cement is used in important works. Strength tests
are not made on neat cement paste because of difficulties of excessive shrinkage and
subsequent cracking of neat cement.

1.5 Test Report Outline

In this report, I will be talking about sections of Compressive Strength of Cement
Mortar: Materials and Instruments, Test procedure, Data and Results, Discussions and
Conclusions.

2 Materials and Instruments

2.1 Materials

1. Hydraulic cement for each trail

2. Distilled water

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Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2019-2020)

3. Graded standard sand

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 Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2019-2020)
2.2 Important Instruments
1. Balance 4. Glass Graduates, 200 or 250-mL

2. Specimen Molds, for the 2-in. or [50-mm] 5. Moist Cabinet or Room

Cube specimens shall be tight fitting.

3. Flow Table and Flow Mold 6. Tamper

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Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2019-2020)
7. Compressive Testing Machine

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Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2019-2020)
3 Test Procedure
Temperature and Humidity

1. The temperature of the air in the vicinity of the mixing slab, the dry cement, molds, and
base plates shall be maintained between 20 and 27.5°C.
2. The temperature of the mixing water shall be 23.0± 2°C.
3. The relative humidity of the laboratory shall be not less than 50 %.

Test Specimens

Make two or three specimens from a batch of mortar for each period of test or test age.

Preparation of Graded Standard Sand

Ottawa sand, accurately graded between the 600μm (US Standard No. 30) and 150 μm
(No.100) sieves, is used in the testing of cements. Or silica sand, composed almost entirely of
naturally rounded grains of nearly pure quartz, is used for preparing mortars in the testing of
hydraulic cements, as shown in Table 1.

Characteristics 20-30 sand Graded Standard Sand

1.18mm (No.16) 100 100
850 μm (No.20) 85-100
600 μm (No.30) 0-5 96-100
450 μm (No.40) 65-75
300 μm (No.50) 20-30
150 μm (No.100) 0-4
Difference in air content 2.0 1.5
of mortars made with
washed and unwashed
sand, max % air
Source of sand Ottawa, lL or LeSur Ottawa, lL
MN

Table 1: Standard sand requirements according to ASTM

For compressive strength of cement mortar, it is required to use Graded standard sand. If
standard sand is not available in the Lab, students can prepare this material through the use of
sieve analysis. Table 2 illustrates the weight calculation for each sieve limit.
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 Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2019-2020)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Sieves Cumulative Cumulative Average Average Modified Weight Weight of
%passing %retained Cumulative %retained %retained of sand sand for 9
%retained for 6 samples
samples
1.18mm (No.16) 100 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
600 μm (No.30) 96-100 0-4 2 2 2.5 34 51
450 μm (No.40) 65-75 25-35 30 28 28.5 392 580
300 μm (No.50) 20-30 70-80 75 45 45.5 626 926
150 μm (No.100) 0-4 96-100 98 23 23.5 323 478
Sum 98 100 1375 2035

Table 2: Illustration of sand weight calculation for Graded Sand

Procedure of Standard Sand Preparation

1. Sieve samples of sand to obtain the weight of sand retained on each sieve as specified in
Table 2.
2. Mix the specified weight of each sieve all together.
3. Then Put the mix in an acid for 24 hours.
4. Wash the sample in water.
5. Dry it and use it after 24 hours.

Test Procedure:

Composition of Mortars:

1. The proportions of materials for the standard mortar shall be one part of cement to 2.75
parts of graded standard sand by weight. Use a water-cement ratio of 0.485 for all Portland
cements and 0.460 for all air-entraining Portland cements. The amount of mixing water for
other than Portland and air-entraining Portland cements shall be such as to produce a flow of
110 ± 5 as determined in accordance with 10.3 and shall be expressed as weight percent of
cement.
2. The quantities of materials to be mixed at one time in the batch of mortar for making six
and nine test specimens shall be as shown in Table 3:

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Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2019-2020)
Materials Number of specimen
6 9
Cement (g) 500 740
Sand (g) 1375 2035
Water(ml)
Portland(0.485) 242 359
Air-entraining Portland(0.485) 230 340
Other (to flow of 110 ± 5) ---- ----

Table 3: the quantity of mix compositions for number of specimens

Preparation of Cement Paste

Prepare a paste of (Cement = 500g, Sand = 1375g and Water =242g), mechanically mix in
accordance with the procedure given in Test No.3.

Preparation of mold specimens

1. Apply a thin coating of release agent to the interior faces of the mold and non-absorptive
base plates. Apply oils and greases using an impregnated cloth or other suitable means.

2. Seal the surfaces where the halves of the mold join by applying a coating of light cup
grease such as petrolatum. The amount should be sufficient to extrude slightly when the
two halves are tightened together. Remove any excess grease with a cloth.

3. After placing the mold on its base plate (and attaching, if clamp-type) carefully remove
with a dry cloth any excess oil or grease from the surface of the mold and the base plate
to which watertight sealant is to be applied. As a sealant, use paraffin, microcrystalline
wax, or a mixture of three parts paraffin to five parts rosin by mass. Liquefy the sealant
by heating between 230 and 248°F or [110 and 120°C].

Flow Determination

1. Carefully wipe the flow-table top clean and dry, and place the flow mold at the center.
Place a layer of mortar about 1 in. or [25 mm] in thickness in the mold and tamp 20 times
with the tamper.
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Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2019-2020)

2. Lift the mold away from the mortar 1 min after completing the mixing operation.
Immediately, drop the table through a height of 1⁄2 in. or [13 mm] 25 times in 15 s.

3. Using the calipers, determine the flow by measuring the diameters of the mortar along the
lines scribed in the table top, adding the four readings.

4. The total of the four readings from the calipers equals the percent increase of the original
diameter of the mortar.

5. For Portland and air-entraining Portland cements, merely record the flow.

6. In the case of cements other than Portland or air entraining Portland cements, make trial
mortars with varying percentages of water until the specified flow is obtained. Make each
trial with fresh mortar.

Molding Test Specimen

1. If you do flow test, immediately following completion of the flow test, return the mortar
from the flow table to the mixing bowl. Quickly scrape the bowl sides and transfer into
the batch the mortar that may have collected on the side of the bowl and then remix the
entire batch 15s at medium speed. Upon completion of mixing, the mixing paddle shall be
shaken to remove excess mortar into the mixing bowl.

2. When a duplicate batch is to be made immediately for additional specimens, the flow test
may be omitted and the mortar allowed to stand in the mixing bowl 90 s without
covering. During the last 15 s of this interval, quickly scrape the bowl sides and transfer
into the batch the mortar that may have collected on the side of the bowl. Then remix for
15 s at medium speed.

3. Start molding the specimens within a total elapsed time of not more than 2 min and 30 s
after completion of the original mixing of the mortar batch. Place a layer of mortar about
1 in. or [25 mm] (approximately one half of the depth of the mold) in all of the cube
compartments. Tamp the mortar in each cube compartment 32 times in about 10 s in 4
rounds, each round to be at right angles to the other and consisting of eight adjoining
strokes over the surface of the specimen, as illustrated in Figure 5.

4. Cut off the mortar to a plane surface flush with the top of the mold by drawing the
straightedge of the trowel (held nearly perpendicular to the mold) with a sawing motion
over the length of the mold.

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Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2019-2020)

Round 1 &3 Round 2&4

Figure 5: order of Tamping in Modelling Test Specimen

Storage of Test Specimens

Immediately upon completion of molding, place the test specimens in the moist closet or
moist room. Keep all test specimens, immediately after molding, in the molds on the base
plates in the moist closet or moist room for 24 hours. Then immerse the specimens in water,
except those for the 24-h test. Keep the storage water clean by changing as required.

Compressive Strength Determination

1. Test the specimens immediately after their removal from the moist closet in the
case of 24-h specimens, and from storage water in the case of all other specimens.
All test specimens for a given test age shall be broken within the permissible
tolerance prescribed as follows:

Test age Permissible tolerance

1 day ±0.5 h
3 day ±1 h
7 day ±3 h
28 day ±12 h

2. Wipe each specimen to a surface-dry condition, and remove any loose sand grains
or incrustations from the faces that will be in contact with the bearing blocks of the
testing machine. If there is appreciable curvature, grind the face or faces to plane
surfaces or discard the specimen.

3. Measure real cross section dimensions, and Area (𝐴).

4. Apply the load to specimen faces that were in contact with the true plane surfaces
of the mold. Carefully place the specimen in the testing machine below the center
of the upper bearing block.
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Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2019-2020)

5. Apply the load rate at a relative rate of movement between the upper and lower
platens corresponding to a loading on the specimen with the range of 200 to 400
lbs/s [900 to 1800N/S]. Record the maximum load (𝑃) at failure for each specimens

4 Data and Results

1.1 The Data Collected from the Laboratory

AREA Max. Load Compressive strength

Specimens (mm²) (KN) (MPa)
7 days age
1 2500 41.3 16.52
2 2500 42.4 16.98
3 2500 43.8 17.51
Average

4.2 Calculations
Calculate compressive strength of each specimen and then average compressive
strength using the equations below:
P
( F m ) i= A … … … … … …(1)

i=n

∑ ( Fm)i
n
F m= … … … … … …(2)
n

Where;

(𝐹𝑚)𝑖 = Compressive strength of specimen in (MPa)

𝐹𝑚 = Average compressive strength in (MPa)

𝑖 = series of specimen
𝑛 = total number of specimens
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Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2019-2020)
𝑃 = Maximum load in (N)
𝐴 = Area of loaded surface (𝑚𝑚2)

41300 N
For 1st Specimen: F (m ) 1= =16.52 M Pa
2500 mm 2

42400 N
For 2nd Specimen: F(m) 2= =16.98 MPa
2500 mm2

43800 N
For 3rd Specimen: F(M ) 3= =17.51 MPa
2500 mm 2

Average compressive strength in (MPa):

(16.53+16.98+17.51)
F(m) avg= =17.0066 MPa
3

4.3 Results

The average compressive strength is (17.0066 MPa) in the next section I will discuss
about it.

5 Discussions
While doing the tests our group accomplished a very satisfying achievement about the compressive strength
of the three samples of cement mortar which averaged about 17.0066Mpa and according to the astm
standards it’s an average strength cement mortar and can be used in all types of structures cause of its high
compressive strength

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Civil Engineering Department Concrete Technology Laboratory Report (2019-2020)
6 Conclusions

After these tests of the 50mm cubes I leaned that compressive strength is a necessary test cause it
determines the use and placement of it nevertheless I also learned that it may take 7 days for a cube
to reach such strength and it would take 27 days to reach its maximum strength and that It would
need to be cured at a constant rate.

7 References

1-https://www.google.com/url?
sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=21&ved=2ahUKEwjPvfms3tLlAhVnQEEAHRbVARQQFjAUegQIARAB
&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheconstructor.org%2Fpractical-guide%2Fcompressive-strength-of-mortar-cubes
%2F1556%2F&usg=AOvVaw2yYtGXH2krf3SQyRVdv06A

2-https://www.google.com/url?
sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=22&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjPvfms3tLlA
hVnQEEAHRbVARQQFjAVegQIBBAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.constructiontest.org
%2Fcompressive-strength-cement%2F&usg=AOvVaw2tJRyw5rDdKy-kKrqUiIKM

3-https://www.google.com/url?
sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=24&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjPvfms3tLlAhVnQEE
AHRbVARQQFjAXegQICBAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.researchgate.net%2Fpublication
%2F309060300_Estimation_of_compressive_strength_of_cement_mortars&usg=AOvVaw2HsRJvk
-rKN1Vmt9YeAD7Z
4-I also took use out of dr.azads lectures.

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