Ex.

2 part2: Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars

Using 50-mm Cube Specimens

4.1. Designation: ASTM C 109/C 109M - 99

4.2. Introduction
Strength tests not made on neat cement paste because of difficulties in obtaining good specimens and
the variability in test results; So, cement mortar specimens are used to determine the strength of
cement. Cement mortar is an intimate mixture of cement and sand mixed with sufficient water to
produce a plastic mass. The amount of water will vary according to the proportions and condition of
the sand, and had best be determined independently in each case. Sand is used both for the sake of
economy and to avoid the cracks due to shrinkage of cement in setting. Where great strength is
required, there should be at least sufficient cement to fill the voids or air spaces in the sand, and a
slight excess is preferable in order to compensate for any uneven distribution in the mixing.

There are several forms of strength tests: Direct tension, Compression, and Flexure, and these
strengths can vary considerably according to the type of cement and the period of curing. In the great
majority of cases cement mortar is subjected to compression, and for this reason it would be seem
natural, in testing it, to determine its compressive strength. The compressive strength of cement
mortar is sometimes used as a principal criterion for selecting mortar type, since the compression
strength is easy to measure, and it commonly relate to other properties, such as tensile strength and
absorption of the mortar. The compression strength of mortar depends largely upon the cement
content and the water-cement ratio. The accepted laboratory means for measuring compression
compressive strength according to ASTM C109 is to test 2in. cubes of mortar (Figure 4.1).

The proportions of materials for the compression strength test for the standard mortar (according to
ASTM C109) shall be one part of cement to 2.75 parts of graded standard sand by weight. Use a
water ratio of 0.485 for all Portland cements and 0.46 for all air-entraining Portland cements.

4.3. Scope
This test method covers the determination of the compressive strength of hydraulic cement mortars,
using 2-in or 50-mm cube specimens.

4.4. Apparatus
1. Weighing device
2. Trowel
3. Glass graduates
4. Mixer, Bowl and Paddle
5. Specimen Molds, 2-in or 50-mm cube specimens

Fig 4.1: 2-in or 50-mm cube specimens

6. Compressive Testing Machine, Motorized or Manual Compressive Testing Machine
4.5. Materials
Cement; Graded Standard Sand; Distilled Water at room temperature.

4.6. Theory
The compressive strength of cement mortar can be calculated as follows:
σ = P/A
Where:
σ: compressive strength [psi or MPa]
P: total maximum load [Ibf or N], and
A: area of loaded surface [in2 or mm2];
[2in or 50mm] Cubic specimen

- The maximum permissible range between specimens from the same mortar batch, at the same test
age is 8.7% of the average strength. [σrange = σaverage ± 0.1 σaverage]
- Discard the result which lies out of the range then compute the average of the remaining specimens.
Make a retest of the sample if less than two specimens remain after discarding faulty specimens.

To convert from mortar compressive strength to concrete compressive strength, use this equation;
if the mortar and the concrete have same age, same w/c ratio and made from same cement type:

Y = 0.004 X^2 + 1.3 X

Where:
Y: Compressive strength of concrete (MPa)
X: Compressive strength of mortar (MPa)
Note: this equation is applicable for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) only.

4.7. Procedure

4.7.1. Preparation of mortar

1. Prepare the quantities of standard mortar components to satisfy that C:S:W= 1:2.75:0.485, where
cement= 740g, sand= 2035g, and water= 359ml for making 9 specimens
2. Place the mixing water in the bowl of the mixer, then add the cement and allow 30s for the
absorption of water.
3. Start the mixer and mix at low speed (140±5rpm) for 30s
4. Add the certain quantity of sand to the cement paste gradually during the next 30s where the mixer
still on slow speed.
5. Immediately, alter the mixer to medium speed (285±10rpm) for 30s.
6. Stop the mixer for 1.5min and during this time scrape down into the batch any mortar that may
have collected on sides of the bowl.
7. Start the mixer at medium speed for 60s.

. 4.7.2 Molding test specimens

1. Apply a thin coat of oil to the interior faces of the mold.
2. Immediately following completion of mixing, start molding the specimens within 2.5min.
3. Place a layer of mortar about 1in (25mm) [one half of the depth of the mold] in all of the cube
compartments (in our experiment it is 9cubes).
4. For each cube compartment, tamp the first layer of mortar 32times in 10sec in 4 rounds; see figure
4.2. complete the 4 rounds in one cube before the going to the next one).

Fig 4.2: order of tamping in molding of test specimens

5. When the tamping procedure is finished for all cube compartments, fill the remaining depth of
cubes (1in) with second layer of mortar.
6. When the filling of all cube compartments is completed, repeat the tamping procedure as in the
first layer (mortar should extend slightly above the tops of the molds).
7. Bring in the mortar that has been forced out onto tops of the molds and level the mortar surface,
then cut off the extra mortar above the top of mold using a trowel (straight edge).
8. Store all test specimens, immediately after molding in the moist closet or moist room from 20-
27hrs.
9. Remove the specimens from the molds after 20-27hrs.
10. Immerse them in saturated lime water for curing until testing age (3, 7, and 28days).

4.7.3 Determination of compressive strength. .

1. At each testing age (3, 7, and 28days), remove the required number of specimens from water (in
our experiment 3 specimens for each age).
2. Wipe each specimen to a surface dry condition and remove any loose sand grains from the faces
that will be in contact with the bearing blocks of the testing machine.
3. Apply the load to the smooth faces of the first specimen at rate of 200-400lb/s (900-1800N/s) and
record the max load indicating by testing machine.
4. Repeat step 3 for the remaining specimens for each age.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmj1r2N4bm0&ab_channel=HumamHasan

4.8. Report

Table 4.1: Required Data

Cement Type Cement : Sand Water : Cement Cement (g) Sand (g) Water (g)
(ratio)
(ratio)
Table 4.2: Data and results sheet

In the New
Age Compressive Compressive Average Lower Upper
range or
Force Limit Limit Avg.
Strength Strength or Not Strength
(Day) (N) (MPa) (Mpa) Accepted Range (MPa)

9.4

3 8.9

9.9

26.3

7 34.1

33.4

40.4

28 37.3

46.7

- Estimate the compressive strength of concrete with the same w/c ratio as the cement mortar and
same cement type at 28 days

- Compare the results with the specifications (see table 4.3) and comment on the acceptability of
using this type of cement

Table 4.3: ASTM C 150-05 requirements for minimum strength of cement (MPa (Psi))