ASSIGNMENT BRIEF 2

Title of Assignment: Experimentation in Laboratory

Scenario

You are working as a Senior Laboratory Technician at Sure Betul Laboratory Sdn.Bhd.
You have been assigned to conduct laboratory experimentations for concrete. The
material need to be tested before it can be used for construction. From the
experimentation, you have to prepare a laboratory report based on the results obtained
from the experiments for your client record.

TASK 1 (LOC4: AC1)

Conduct the experiments as listed below:
1. Sieve Analysis
2. Slump Test
3. Compaction Factor Test

TASK 2 (LOC4: AC2-AC5)

1. Record your data base on the results of the experiments.

2. Do all necessary calculations associated with the experiments.
3. Analyze the result and analysis of the experiments.
a) For sieve analysis test, analyze the composition of aggregates in term of
size and percentage by presenting them in an appropriate tables and
graph.
b) For slump test, identify and discuss the type of slump obtained from the
test conducted.
c) For compaction factor test, analyze the result or the factor of workability
of the concrete by using the formula of compaction factor.
4. Generate accurate conclusions from the results.
Tests:

1. Sieve Analysis Test

Objective:

To obtain grading curve for fine aggregates

Apparatus:

1) Balance or scale
2) Sieves with standard size of 10mm, 5mm, 2.36mm, 1.18mm, 600m,
300m & 150m.
3) Mechanical Sieve Shaker
4) Oven

Procedures:

1) Weight about 500g of fine aggregate

2) Dry the samples to constant weight in the furnace at a temperature of 105
5C.
 3) Cool the samples and nest sieves in order before placing the samples on
the top sieve.
4) Start the shaker, determine the weight of each size and plot graph based
on the data.

Concrete Mix Design

Figure 3.13: Relationship between standard deviation and characteristics

strength
Table 3.10

Table 3.11
Figure 3.14: Relationship between compressive strength and free-water/cement
ratio

Table 3.8
Table 3.12

Table 3.13
 Figure 3.15: Estimated wet density of fully compacted concrete

Figure 3.16: Proportion of fine aggregate according to percentage passing

600m
2. Concrete Mix Design

Objective:

To produce concrete of the specified properties

Procedures:

1) Calculate the volume of concrete needed for the tests

2) Select standard mix-ST5 from Table 3 BS 5528. (attached as appendix)
3) Determine the mix proportion as given in Table 5 (attached as appendix)
to produce concrete of 0.032m3.
4) Mix cement, fine and course aggregate in a mixer for 1 minute.
5) Add in water and mix approximately for another 1 minute.
6) When the mix is ready, proceed with the workability tests before casting it
into cubes.
3. Slump Test

Objective:

To measure the workability of fresh concrete

Apparatus:

1) Mould consisting of the frustum of a cone

2) Standard 600mm long, 16mm diameter steel rod
3) Measuring scale

Procedures:

1) Place the cone on a smooth, flat and clean surface

2) Fill the mould with 3 layers of concrete approximately of the same
thickness each
 3) Compact each layer of concrete by tamping it 25 times with the standard
steel rod
4) Level the top surface of the concrete with a trowel
5) Lift the cone vertically and measure the difference in level between the
height of the mould and the highest point of the subsided concrete. The
difference is taken as slump.

4. Compaction Factor Test

Objective:

To measure the workability of fresh concrete

Apparatus:

1) Two conical hoppers and a cylinder

2) Weighing machine
Procedures:

1) Assemble the apparatus vertically

2) Clean thoroughly all insides of hoppers and ensure the hinged door is
closed
3) Fill up the upper hopper with concrete to the brim before releasing the
door to let the concrete falls into the lower hopper.
4) When the concrete is in the second hopper, release the door of the
second hopper to let the concrete falls into the cylinder.
5) Cut off excess concrete from the top of the cylinder by sliding it across
with two floats.
6) Determine the net weight of the concrete, which is known as weight of
partially compacted concrete.
7) Empty the cylinder and refill it with the concrete from the same sample in
three layers. Tamp each layer 25 times with standard steel rod.
8) Level off the top surface of the cylinder and weight it to the nearest 10g.
This weight is known as weight of fully compacted concrete.
9) Calculate the compacting factor of concrete.

Weight of partially compacted concrete

The Compacting Factor =

Weight of fully compacted concrete

5. Compressive Strength Test

Objective:

To determine compressive strength of concrete

Apparatus:

1) Testing machine
2) Concrete cube (from previous concrete mix design)

Procedures:

1) Place the specimen (concrete cube from previous concrete mix design) in
the machine and slowly bring the blocks to bear on the specimen.
2) Operate the machine at a constant rate within the range 0.140 to 0.35
MPa per second.
3) Record the data when failure occurs.

Attach assignment brief with the complete report. The structural/ format of the
report should include the followings items:

Table of Content
Introduction
Note:
Objective
Assignment should be submitted in a pocket
Apparatus
file with your portfolio, Assignment must be in
Procedure
simple binding. Proper justification and discussion
Calculation and Report:
on your findings will help you to obtain Merit and
Appendix (self-taken photos) Distinction.
Reference page