The concrete technology laboratory aims to determine the properties of construction materials. The laboratory supports teaching of the materials of construction course (1401340) and advanced construction materials course (1401443(. The Concrete Technology lab is equipped with many machines and apparatus that are listed in Table (1) for performing tests on metals, cement, aggregate, fresh concrete, hardened concrete and wood. Through this laboratory, students become familiar with commonly used construction materials and their respective quality control according to the standards.

There are various lab tests performed on construction materials in the field of civil engineering to ensure their quality, durability, and safety. Here are some of the commonly performed tests:

1.  Aggregates Testing:

-  Sieve Analysis: Determines the particle size distribution for coarse and fine aggregates.

- Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV) Test: Measures the ability of an aggregate to resist crushing under a gradually applied compressive load.

- Aggregate Impact Value (AIV) Test: Measures the resistance of an aggregate to sudden shock or impact.

- Los Angeles Abrasion Test: Measures the abrasion resistance and durability of aggregates.

1. Concrete Testing:

- Slump Test: Measures the consistency of fresh concrete before it sets.

- Compressive Strength Test: Determines the strength of hardened concrete.

- Splitting Tensile Strength Test: Determines the tensile strength of concrete.

- Flexural Strength Test: Determines the flexural strength of concrete.

1. Cement Testing:

- Fineness Test: Measures the size of cement particles.

- Standard Consistency Test: Determines the quantity of water required to produce a cement paste of standard consistency.

-  Setting Time Test: Measures the time for cement to start setting and completely harden.

- Compressive Strength Test: Determines the compressive strength of cement.

1. Steel Testing:

- Tensile Test: Measures the resistance of a material to a force tending to pull it apart.

- Bend Test: Determines the ductility or resistance to fracture under bending of steel.

- Rebend Test: Checks whether the steel can withstand the effect of bending and rebending.

- Chemical Analysis: Determines the percentage of different elements used in the steel.

These tests are performed according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.

Contents of Concrete Technology Laboratory

Photo Gallery

Image   Compression Testing Machine	Image Universal Testing Machine
Image Vicat Apparatus	Image Sieves and Mechanical Sieve Shaker
Image Compaction Factor Test Apparatus	Image Slump Cone
Image Digital Concrete Test Hammer	Image Air Meter
Image Concrete Mixer	Image Ultrasonic pulse velocity Apparatus
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Experiments

Experiment No. 1: Tension Test of Steel and Aluminum

Purpose:

This experiment is used to:

1. Determine the yield strength.
2. Determine the tensile strength.
3. Determine the modulus of elasticity.
4. Determine the max. strain.
5. Draw the stress – strain relationship.
6. Determine the reduction of cross-sectional area of the specimen.

Instruments and Equipments:

1. Universal testing machine.
2.  Extensometer.
3. Caliper.
   1. Determine the particle size distribution of fine and coarse aggregate by dry sieving.

Experiment No. 2: Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates

Purpose:

This experiment is used to:

1. Draw the particle size distribution curve of fine and coarse aggregate.

Instruments, Equipment’s:

1. Balances or scales.
2. Sieves Set 
3. Mechanical sieve shaker 
4. Oven.

Experiment No. 3: Normal Consistency and Setting Time of Cement

Purpose:

This experiment is used to determine the normal consistency and the setting time of cement.

Instruments, Equipment’s:

1. Balances or scales.
2. Vicat Apparatus.
3. Digital Stop Watch

Experiment No. 4: Slump of Portland Cement Concrete

Purpose:

This experiment is used to determine the slump of fresh concrete.

Instruments, Equipment’s:

1. Slump cone.
2. Tamping rod. 
3. Digital Stop Watch.
4. Digital Thermometer

Experiment No. 5: Compacting Factor test

Purpose:

This experiment is used to determine the workability of fresh concrete.

Instruments, Equipment’s:

1. Compaction factor apparatus.
2. Tamping rod. 
3. Balances or scales

Experiment No. 6: Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by Pressure Method

Purpose:

This experiment is used to the determine Air Content of Fresh Concrete by Pressure Method

Instruments, Equipment’s:

1. Air meter.
2. Trowel.
3. Tamping rod.
4. Mallet

Experiment No. 7: Initial Setting Time of Concrete Mixtures by Penetration Resistance

Purpose:

This experiment is used to determine initial setting time of concrete mixtures by Penetration Resistance 

Instruments, Equipment’s:

1. Containers for mortar specimens.
2. Concrete Pocket Penetrometer 

Experiment No. 8: Compressive Strength of Hardened Concrete.

Purpose:

This experiment is used to determine the compressive strength of Portland cement hardened concrete specimens.

Instruments, Equipment’s:

1. Compression testing machine.
2. Vibration table.
3. Concrete mixer.
4. Tamping rod. 
5. Balances or scales
6. Mixing tools.
7. Cylindrical molds (150 mm x 300 mm).
8. Cylindrical molds (100 mm x 200 mm).
9. Cubic Molds
10. Curing Tank
11. Lifting Table trolley 150 Kg

Experiment No. 9: Rebound Number of Hardened Concrete

Purpose:

This experiment is used to determine the rebound number of hardened concretes

Instruments, Equipment’s:

Concrete Test Hammer (NR) or Digital Concrete Test Hammer.

Experiment No. 10: Pulse Velocity Through Concrete

Purpose:

This experiment is used to determine the Pulse Velocity through the hardened Concrete

Instruments, Equipment’s:

Ultrasonic pulse velocity Apparatus