Civil Engineering Department

CE 303
STRUCTURAL MATERIALS
Laboratory Manual

June 2003

CE 303: STRUCTURAL
MATERIALS

Laboratory Manual

Prepared by

Engr. M. Mukarram Khan

Dr. Ahmad Shamshad
Professor. Hamad I. Abdul Wahhab
and
Engr. Omer Hussein

Civil Engineering Department

June 2003

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Say unto them, work as ye will; but God will behold
your work,
and his apostle also, and the true believers.

ii

Table of Contents
Page
PART I: TEST ON AGGREGATE, PORTLAND CEMENT AND
PORTLAND CEMENT CONCRETE ................................................

Unit 1: Normal Consistency and Time of Set of Portland Cement ....................

1.1
Introduction.................................................................................................
1.2
Objective ......................................................................................................
1.3
Applicable Standards .................................................................................
1.4
Apparatus, Equipment, and Supplies.......................................................
1.5
Procedure .....................................................................................................
1.6
Report and Discussion................................................................................

11
11
12
12
12
13
15

Units 2 and 3: Compressive and Tensile Strengths of Portland Cement ..........

2-3.1 Introduction.................................................................................................
2-3.2 Objectives ....................................................................................................
2-3.3 Applicable Standards .................................................................................
2-3.4 Apparatus, Equipment, and Supplies.......................................................
2-3.5 Procedure .....................................................................................................
2-3.6 Report and Discussion................................................................................

16
16
16
17
17
18
22

Unit 4: Physical Characteristics of Coarse Aggregate........................................

4.1
Introduction.................................................................................................
4.2
Objective ......................................................................................................
4.3
Applicable Standards .................................................................................
4.4
Apparatus, Equipment, and Supplies.......................................................
4.5
Procedure .....................................................................................................
4.6
Report and Discussion................................................................................

24
24
25
25
25
27
30

Unit 5: Optimal Selection of Fine to Coarse Aggregate Ratio ...........................

5.1
Introduction.................................................................................................
5.2
Objective ......................................................................................................
5.3
Apparatus, Equipment, and Supplies.......................................................
5.4
Procedure .....................................................................................................
5.5
Report and Discussion................................................................................

32
32
32
32
33
36

Units 6 to 9: Properties of Hardened Concrete ...................................................

6-9.1 Introduction.................................................................................................
6-9.2 Objectives ....................................................................................................
6-9.3 Applicable Standards .................................................................................
6-9.4 Apparatus, Equipment, and Supplies.......................................................
6-9.5 Procedure .....................................................................................................
6-9.6 Procedure .....................................................................................................

37
37
38
38
38
39
46

iii

PART II: BASIC ASPHALT CEMENT AND ASPHALT CONCRETE

TEST......................................................................................................

49

Unit 10: Selected Quality Control Tests for Asphalt Binder..............................

10.1 Introduction.................................................................................................
10.2 Objectives ....................................................................................................
10.3 Procedure .....................................................................................................

52
52
52
53

Unit 11: Asphalt Concrete Mix Design Marshall Method...............................

11.1 Introduction.................................................................................................
11.2 Objective ......................................................................................................
11.3 Synopsis .......................................................................................................
11.4 Material and Equipment ............................................................................
11.5 Procedure .....................................................................................................

62
62
62
62
63
63

Unit 12: Asphalt Concrete Mixing Design Marshall Method .........................

12.1 Objective ......................................................................................................
12.2 Equipment and Supplies ............................................................................
12.3 Procedure .....................................................................................................

70
70
70
70

PART III: TEST ON METALS ............................................................................

75

Unit 13A: Tension Test..........................................................................................

13.1 Objective ......................................................................................................
13.2 Background Information ...........................................................................
13.3 Experimental Program...............................................................................

77
77
77
86

Unit 13B: Torsion Test........................................................................................... 93

13.4 Background Information ........................................................................... 93
13.5 Experimental Program............................................................................... 102
Unit 14: Beam Bending ..........................................................................................
14.1 Objective ......................................................................................................
14.2 Background Information ...........................................................................
14.3 Basic Assumption in Bending Theory .......................................................
14.4 Deflection of the Beam................................................................................
14.5 Experimental Program...............................................................................

107
107
107
108
111
112

Unit 15: Poissons Ratio.........................................................................................

15.1 Objective ......................................................................................................
15.2 Background Information ...........................................................................
15.3 Experimental Program...............................................................................

118
118
118
123

iv

CE 303
STRUCTURAL MATERIALS
Laboratory Manual
Par I :

Tests on Aggregate, Portland Cement and Portland

Cement Concrete

Part II:

Tests on Asphalt Cement and Asphalt Concrete

Part II:

Tests on Metals

INTRODUCTION
The behavior and properties of structural materials, e.g. concrete, asphalt and
steel can be better understood by detailed, well-designed, first hand experience with
these materials. The students will become familiar with the nature and properties of these
materials by conducting laboratory tests. These tests have been selected to illustrate the
basic properties and methods of testing of cement, aggregates, paste, mortar, concrete,
asphalt and steel. Test procedures, sometimes simplified because of time limitation, are
mostly those outlined by the American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM,
standards.

Course Objectives
1.

To prepare the students to effectively link theory with practice and application
and to demonstrate background of the theoretical aspects.

2.

To prepare the students to generate and analyze data using experiments and to
apply elements of data statistics.

3.

To prepare the students to have hands on experiments and to have exposure to

equipment and machines

4.

To prepare the students to solve problems including design elements and related
to their course work.

5.

To encourage the students to use computers in analyzing the data.

6.

To improve the student communication skills.

7.

To emphasize the knowledge and application of safety regulations.

Student Responsibilities
In the very beginning of the laboratory work, the students will be organized into
groups. For this reason, regular attendance is strictly required.
Every laboratory session is divided into two parts. In the first part, the instructor
will be lecturing on the test objective, procedure and data collection. In the second part,
the students, organized in groups, are required to conduct the experiment. In order to
perform the experiment within the assigned period, and to gain the maximum benefit
from the experiment, the students must familiarize themselves with the purpose,
objective, and procedure of the experiment before coming to the laboratory. Relevant
lecture notes and laboratory manual should be studied carefully and thoroughly.
At the end of the test, every group should submit a draft sheet of the data
collected for approval by the instructor.
It should be understood that laboratory facilities and equipments are provided to
enhance the learning process and to give first hand experience of structural materials.
The equipments and tools must be properly cared and cleaned during and after every
laboratory session. Also, students should always take precautions to avoid any possible
hazards. Students must follow laboratory regulations provided at the end of this section.

Report Writing
Every student is required to submit his own separate report for each test
conducted. Reports should be typed on 8 x 11 in. high-quality paper. In general, the
reports should be arranged in the following order:
Cover Sheet (as shown on the following page),

King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

STRUCTURAL MATERIALS (CE 303)

Laboratory Experiments
First Semester 2003-04 (031)

Name

Student ID #

Experiment #

Experiment Title

Date of Experiment

Date of Submission

Group #

Introduction and Objective,

Test Procedure (you may refer to the Exp. Procedure),
Experimental Data,
Experimental Results,
-

Sample calculations

Results Discussion and Conclusions

I. Cover Sheet
A sample is given on the previous page

II. Introduction and Objective

A brief paragraph of the objective and significance of the test along with any
applicable equations and/or theory.

III. Test Procedure

Since the assigned experiments are performed in accordance with applicable
standard procedures, it is sufficient to cite such standards. When standard is not available
or changes in the experimental procedure are suggested, the exact procedure should be
carefully outlined.

IV. Experimental Data and Experimental Results

These should be presented in the clearest possible form. Tabulations are usually
the best way for presenting both the data and results. Graphs can also be used for the
same purpose. Portion or complete graph sheet can be used.

V. Discussion and Conclusions

Analysis of the results and possible sources of errors in experimental work are to
be given here. Also, the questions at the end of each test should fully be answered.
VI. Criteria for Grading
1.

Attendance,

2.

Laboratory Work,

3.

Report Writing,
a)

Form - Is there evidence of a professional approach? Is the grammar good and

the report readable?

b)

Order - Is there a logical sequence?

c)

Typography - Regardless of whether typed or handwritten it should be of good

quality and carefully done on appropriate paper.

d)

Graphs - All graphs must be complete. Do they stand on their own or is

supplementary information necessary for a complete understanding?

VII. Laboratory Regulations

1- Make sure that you know the location of Fire Extinguishers, First Aid
Kit and Emergency Exits before you start your experiments.
2- Get First Aid immediately for any injury, no matter how small it is.
3- Do not wear loose dress
4- Always use close shoes (i.e. safety or boots)
5- Do not play with valves, screws and nuts

6- Do not try to run and operate any machine without permission and
knowledge of the lab. personnel
7- In case of any mishap:
i)

Do not be Panicky, be calm but quick

ii)

Report at once to the Lab. Personnel

WARNING:
In no case hands, hand gloves, equipment or tools should be washed in the
laboratory sinks as it may lead to chocking of the entire drainage system.