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properties of the final harden concrete. These proportions are best measured by
weight. Measurement by volume is not as accurate, but is suitable for minor projects.
Cement Content- As the cement content increases, so does strength and
durability. Therefore, to increase the strength, increase the cement of a mix. Water
Content- Adding more water to a mix gives a weaker hardened concrete. Always use
as possible, only enough to make the mix workable. Water to Cement Ratio-As the
water-cement ratio increases, the strength and durability of concrete decreases. To
increase the strength and durability of concrete, decrease the water cement ratio
[04Ano].

3.3.2. Mixing
The object of mixing is to make the concrete mass homogeneous and uniform
in color and consistency. All the aggregates particles should have a coat of cement
paste and all the ingredients of the concrete should blend into a uniform mass. The
mixing is done either by hand or by machine called mixer [CE-11012].

3.3.2. 1. Hand Mixing

It is used for small jobs. Hand mixing is done over an impervious floor.
Measured quantities of coarse aggregates and fine aggregate are spread over the floor
in alternate layers. Then cement is poured over it and the ingredients are mixed dry
with shovel until uniformity in color is achieved. This mix is spread out and water is
sprinkled. The mix is kept turning over till a uniform color is achieved. As the hand
mixing cannot be through, it is desirable to add some more cement (10%) to carter for
the possible inferior concrete produced by this method [CE-11012].

3.4. Molding, Compaction and Curing of Concrete

In compressive strength test of concrete specimens, molding, compacting and
curing of concrete are also important factors. We make carefully and definitely this
factors to get the test results successfully.

3.4.1. Molding
Use the 6"x6'x6" mould and concrete mix are cast into the mould. In the
research, place the concrete in mold for one day.
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3.4.2. Hand Compaction

This method of compaction is used for small and unimportant jobs. However,
this method is extremely useful for thin elements such as slabs and for members with
congested reinforcements. Hand compaction is achieved by rodding ramming or
tamping.

3.4.3. Curing
The process of keeping concrete damp for this purpose is known as curing.
The object is to prevent the loss of moisture from concrete due to evaporation or any
other reason, supply additional moisture or heat and moisture to accelerate the gain of
strength. Curing must be done for at least three weeks and in no case for less than ten
days. There are two types of curing such as water curing and steam curing. In this
research, water curing is used.

3.4.3. 1. Water curing

The horizontal surfaces are kept wet by storing water over them (ponding) or
by damp place. Ponding may affect the strength if the concrete is flooded too soon.
When sprinkling of water is done at intervals, care must be taken that the concrete
does not dry out between applications to prevent the possibility of crazing – the fine
cracks that may occur in the surface of new concrete as it hardens[ CE-11012].

3.5. Workability Tests of Concrete

Workability is the ability of a fresh concrete mix to fill the form/mold properly
with the desired work (vibration) and without reducing the quality of concrete. There
are many tests to measure the workability of concrete. Most of them are
i. Slump Test
ii. Compacting Factor Test
iii. Flow Test
iv. Vee Bee Consistometer Test
In this research, slump test is specialized.
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3.6. Slump Test

The method of test specifies the procedure to be adopted either in the
laboratory or during the progress of work in the field, for determining the consistency
or workability of concrete. The slump test is the most simple workability test for
concrete, involves low cost and provides immediate results. Due to this fact, it has
been widely used for workability tests since 1922.
Generally, concrete slump value is used to find the workability, which
indicates water-cement ratio, but there are various factors including properties of
materials, mixing methods, dosage, admixtures etc. also affect the concrete slump
value.

3.6.1. Equipments Required for Concrete Slump Test

Mold for slump test, non porous base plate, measuring scale, temping rod. The
mold for the test is in the form of the frustum of a cone having height 30cm, bottom
diameter 20cm and top diameter 10cm. The tamping rod is of steel 16 mm diameter
and 60 cm long and rounded at one end.

Figure 3.1.Equipments for slump test

3.6.2. Procedures for Concrete Slump Test
The following procedures are used to determine the concrete slump test.
i. Clean the internal surface of the mold and apply oil.
ii. Place the mold on a smooth horizontal non porous base plate.
iii. Fill the mold with the prepared concrete mix in 3 approximately equal layers.
iv. Tamp each layer with 25 strokes of the rounded end of the tamping rod in a
uniform manner over the cross section of the mold. For the subsequent layers,
the tamping should penetrate into the underlying layer.
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v. Remove the excess concrete and level the surface with a trowel.
vi. Clean away the mortar or water leaked out between the mold and the base
plate.
vii. Raise the mold from the concrete immediately and slowly in vertical direction.
viii. Measure the slump as the difference between the height of the mold and that
of height point of the specimen being tested.
3.6.3. Factors Affecting Concrete Slump Test
The slump of concrete is varied according to the following factors.
i. Material properties like chemistry, fineness, particle size distribution, moisture
content and temperature of cementitious materials. Size, texture, combined
grading, cleanliness and moisture content of the aggregates.
ii. Chemical admixtures dosage, type, combination, interaction, sequence of
addition and its effectiveness.
iii. Air content of concrete.
iv. Concrete mixing, batching, transporting methods and equipment.
v. Temperature of the concrete.
vi. Sampling of concrete, slump testing technique and the condition of test
equipment.
vii. The amount of free water in the concrete and
viii. Time since mixing of concrete at the time of testing.

3.7. Compression Test or Compressive Strength Test of Concrete

The most useful property of concrete is compressive strength. Compressive
strength of concrete depends on many factors such as water-cement ratio, cement
strength, quality of concrete materials, and Quality control during production of
concrete, etc.
Test for compressive strength is carried out either on cube or cylinder. Various
standards codes recommend concrete cylinder or concrete cube as the standard
specimen for the test. My research demonstrates the compressive strength test of
concrete tubes. For cube test, depending upon the size of aggregates, size of
specimens are choose. For most of the works, cubical moulds of size
15cmx15cmx15cm are commonly used.
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This concrete is poured in the mould and tempered properly so as not to have
any voids. After 24 hrs, these moulds are removed and test specimens are put in water
for curing. The top surface of these specimens should be made even and smooth. This
is done by putting cement paste and spreading smoothly on whole area of specimen.
These specimens are tested by compression testing machine after 7 days or
28days curing. Load should be applied gradually at the rate of 140kg/cm2 per minute
till the specimens fails load at the failure divided by area of specimen given the
compressive strength of concrete.
3.7.1. Apparatus
Compression testing machine is used.

Figure 3.2.Compression testing machine

3.7.2. Preparation of Concrete Cube Specimen

The proportion and materials for making these test specimens are from the
same concrete used in the field.
Specimens:
Fifteen cubes of 6"x6"x6" size
- 100% cement for 7 days and 28 days.
- 80% cement and 20 % pozzolans for 7 days and 28 days
- 70% cement and 30% pozzolans for 7 days and 28 days
 37

Figure 3.3.Cube mold and samples of specimens

3.7.3. Mixing of Concrete
Mix the concrete by hand.
3.7.3. 1. Hand mixing
i. Mix the cement and fine aggregate on water tight none- absorbent platform
until the mixture is thoroughly blended and is of uniform color.
ii. Add the coarse aggregate and mix with cement and fine aggregate until the
coarse aggregate is uniformly distributed throughout the batch.
iii. Add water and mix it until the concrete appears to be homogeneous and of the
desired consistency.

3.7.4. Sampling of Cubes

i. Prepare and clean the molds.
ii. Fill the concrete in the molds in layers approximately 2in thick.
iii. Compact each layers with not less than 35strokes per layer using a tamping
rod.
iv. Level the top surface and smoothen it with a trowel.

3.7.5. Curing of Cubes

The test specimens are stored in moist air for 24 hours and after this period the
specimens are marked and removed from the molds and kept submerged in clean
fresh water until taken out prior to test.
3.7.6. Precautions for Test
The water for curing should be tested every 7 days and the temperature of
water must be at 27+-20C.
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3.7.7. Procedure for Test

i. Remove the specimen from water after specified curing time and wipe out
excess water from the surface.
ii. Take the dimension of the specimens.
iii. Clean the bearing surface of the testing machine.
iv. Place the specimen in the machine in such a manner that the load shall be
applied to the opposite sides of cube cast.
v. Align the specimen centrally on the base plate of the machine.
vi. Rotate the movable portion gently by hand so that it touches the top surface of
the specimen.
vii. Apply the load gradually without shock till the specimen fills.
viii. Record the maximum load and note any unusual features in the type of failure.

3.7.8. Factors Affecting Test Results

The results of test can change according to the following factors.
i. Material- water-cement ratio, bleeding, segregation.
ii. Men- mold preparation, sampling, compaction, and de-molding, curing,
handing, identification.
iii. Machine- Capacity, stability, hardness of machine, platens and calibration.