COMPILATION OF

LABORATORY EXERCISES
IN

CE3 – CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING

MEMBERS:
PICZON, BRYELLE B. -2B
SAMSON, MARK RAVEN -2B
JABOLI, PETTE HARVEN -2A
ABANTAO, JAN ARNOLD -2A
LLACER, MARK -2A
FLORDELIZA, GLENN EARL -2A

ENGR. LADY ANN FABILLAR

S.Y. 2021 - 2022
 INSPECTIONS OF THE TESTING LABORATORY
(Lab. Ex. No. 1)

Discussion:

The purpose of this laboratory exercise is to have the student become acquainted with the
material testing laboratory, the equipment available, and the requirements of the course.

Essential Equipment and Materials:

All equipment and materials found in this testing laboratory.

Procedure:

1. Under the guidance of the staff member, visit the laboratory and observe where general
equipment is located.
2. Inquire on the operation of all testing machine.
3. Make a list of major types of equipment available. Note the units of calibrations and the dial
divisions.

Report: Write an informal report that includes:

1. A guide to the laboratory, with the major features indicated on a sketch.

2. A brief description of each major testing machine and equipments. This should include, where
appropriate, the factor necessary to convert the calibration units to the correct SI units.
3. An assessment of the role of the course in your education.

Date Performed:
Course:BSCE-2B&2A Date Finished:
Group Members:
PICZON, BRYELLE B. -2B
SAMSON, MARK RAVEN -2B
JABOLI, PETTE HARVEN -2A
ABANTAO, JAN ARNOLD -2A
LLACER, MARK -2A
FLORDELIZA, GLENN EARL -2A

Report:
Materials and Equipment:
ANALYTICAL BALANCE
It is to accurately measure mass, used to test weight
materials and sample in laboratories

L.A. ABRASION
Used to measure the degradation of mineral aggregate
of standard gradings resulting from a combination of
actions including abrasion or attrition, impact and
grinding in a rotating steel drum containing a specified
number of steel spheres.

SIEVE
Used for sifting flour has very small holes.
also used to separate stones from sand.

DIGITAL SCALE
Used to measure the weight or mass of an
ingredient, expressed in pounds, grams,
fluid ounces, or milliliters.
SPLITTER
Used to split a cable signal between two or more
devices, providing two coaxial cables to connect
those devices.

LABORATORY OVEN
Used for high-volume thermal convection
applications.

CYLINDER MOLD
Used to create cylinder test specimens.

REDUCING FIELD SAMPLES OF MATERIALS

TO TESTING SIZE: AGGREGATES
 (Lab. Ex. No.2)

Discussion:

The correct method of obtaining a sample of aggregates for Mechanical analysis is an

important aspect of Material Testing. The purpose of the exercises is to obtain a representative
sample for testing.

Essential Equipment and Materials:

1. Representative sample of aggregates

2. Spade
3. Container
4. Standard sieve, 1”
5. Sample splitter (optional)

Testing Procedure:

1. Take a representative sample of sand and gravel. Place it in a container.

2. Wash it thoroughly with water so that it will be free from silt and clay.
3. Dry the sample.

4. Pass it to one inch sieve and disregard the sample which is more than one inch in diameter.
5. Make a mound and divide it into four parts. Take the opposite division for mechanical
analysis of aggregates.

6. In case a sample divider is available pour the sample into the divider and retain the sample
poured on one side.
 7. Save the sample for succeeding exercise.

Computation

COMPACTED FOR COARSE TRIAL 1 TRIAL 2 TRIAL 3

AGGREGATES
Weight of mold + sample 1250g 1236g 1267g
Weight of mold 245g 245g 245g
Weight of sample 1005g 991g 1022g
Volume of mold 7793.11cc 7793.11cc 7793.11cc
Unit weight 0.13g/cc 0.13g/cc 0.13g/cc
Average unit weight: 0.13g/cc 0.13g/cc 0.13g/cc

LOOSE FOR COARSE AGGREGATES TRIAL 1 TRIAL 2 TRIAL 3

Weight of mold + sample 1213g 1224g 1199g
Weight of mold 245g 245g 245g
Weight of sample 968g 979g 954g
Volume of mold 7793.11cc 7793.11cc 7793.11cc
Unit weight 0.12g/cc 0.12g/cc 0.12g/cc
Average unit weight: 0.12g/cc 0.12g/cc 0.12g/cc

Computation

COMPACTED FOR FINE AGGREGATES TRIAL 1 TRIAL 2 TRIAL 3

Weight of mold + sample 1275g 1272g 1280g
Weight of mold 245g 245g 245g
Weight of sample 1030g 1033g 1035g
Volume of mold 7793.11cc 7793.11cc 7793.11cc
Unit weight 0.13g/cc 0.13g/cc 0.13g/cc
Average unit weight: 0.13g/cc 0.13g/cc 0.13g/cc

LOOSE FOR FINE AGGREGATES TRIAL 1 TRIAL 2 TRIAL 3

Weight of mold + sample 1194g 1187g 1195g
Weight of mold 245g 245g 245g
Weight of sample 949g 942g 950g
Volume of mold 7793.11cc 7793.11cc 7793.11cc
Unit weight 0.12g/cc 0.12g/cc 0.12g/cc
Average unit weight: 0.12g/cc 0.12g/cc 0.12g/cc

Calculation for Volume

Formula = πr2h
Given = r = 10.5
= h = 22.5
= π(10.5)2(22.5)
= 7793.11cc

Date Performed:
Course:BSCE-2B&2A Date Finished:
Group Members:
PICZON, BRYELLE B. -2B
SAMSON, MARK RAVEN -2B
JABOLI, PETTE HARVEN -2A
ABANTAO, JAN ARNOLD -2A
LLACER, MARK -2A
FLORDELIZA, GLENN EARL -2A

DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND

ABSORPTION OF COARSE AND FINE AGGREGATES
 (Lab. Ex. No. 3)

Discussion:

Basically, specific gravity is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of material to the weight
of an equal volume of water. However, there are several variations of this definition depending upon
the material and purposes for which the values of specific gravity are to be used. In concrete work, the
term specific gravity customarily refers to the density of individual particle, not to the aggregate mass
as a whole. The most common definition of specific gravity in concrete aggregate is based upon the
bulk volume of the individual aggregate in a saturated surface-dry condition (SSD). The bulk (oven dry)
specific gravity and apparent specific gravity are used to a lesser degree. Solid unit weight in pound
per cubic foot (pcf) of an aggregate is customarily defined as the specific gravity times 62.4 pcf.

The absorption capacity is determined by finding the weight of an aggregate under SSD
condition and a oven-dry condition. The difference in weight expressed as a percentage of the oven
dry sample weight is the absorption capacity. Coarse aggregates are considered to be saturated
surface-dry when they have been soaked in water for a long period of time (over 24hours). The
saturated surface-dry condition of the fine aggregate is usually taken when the previously wet sample
just become free-flowing.

Essential Equipment and Materials:

(for coarse aggregates)

1. Scale, sensitive to 0.01 gm.

2. Wire mesh basket.

3. Balance sensitive to 1 gm.
 4. Drying oven

5. ⅜ inch sieve.

(for fine aggregates)

1. Scale, sensitive to 0.01 gm.

2. Conical mold and tamping rod.

3. Balance sensitive to 1 gm.

4. 500 ml Pycnometer Bottle

 5. Drying oven

Testing Procedure (for coarse aggregates)

1. Soak coarse aggregate under water for 24 hours

2. Obtain approximately 5 kg of saturated coarse aggregates (retained on 3/8 inch sieve)
 3. Towel the aggregates to the saturated surface dry condition (SSD)
4. Measure SSD wt. (B) of aggregate on air to the nearest 1 gm. Do this quickly to prevent
evaporation.
5. Place the sample in the wire mesh basket, and determine its weight in water (C). Be sure to
subtract the submerge weight of the basket from the total.
6. Place wet aggregate in oven, and dry to constant weight (A), Leave the aggregate in oven
overnight to cool down.
7. From the data (i.e., A, B and C) calculate three types of specific gravity and absorption as
defined below:

a. Apparent Specific Gravity = (A) / (A – C)

b. Bulk Specific Gravity (dry) = (A) / (B – C)
c. Bulk specific Gravity (SSD) = (B) / (B – C)
d. Absorption = (B – A) / (A) X 100%

Computation for COARSE AGGREGATES

COARSE AGGREGATES TRIAL 1 TRIAL 2 TRIAL 3

Weight in air if SSD sample
Weight in air of oven dried sample
Weight of sample in water
% Absorption
Specific gravity, Bulk SSD
Average % Absorption
Specific gravity:

Testing Procedure (for fine aggregates)

1. Obtain approximately 4 kg air dry fine aggregate.

2. Bring fine aggregate to SSD condition.
3. take approximately 500 gm of the SSD aggregate. Record exact weight of SSD sample (D).
4. Fill the pycnometer bottle to 450 ml mark and record weight of water and pycnometer bottle
in grams (B). The water temperature should be about 73 + 3oF (23 + 1.5 oC).
5. Empty water in pycnometer to about 200 ml mark and add SSD aggregate to the pycnometer.
Fill the bottle almost to 450 ml mark with additional water.
6. “Roll” pycnometer on flat surface to eliminate air bubbles. Then fill the bottle water up to 450
ml mark. Record total weight(gm) of flask plus water aggregate (C).
7. Pour entire contents of pycnometer into the pan and place in oven. Additional tap water may
be used as necessary to wash all aggregate out to dry and record weight of oven dried
aggregates (A).
8. From the above data, calculate specific gravities and absorption as defined below:
 a. Apparent Specific Gravity = (A) / (B + A – C)
b. Bulk Specific Gravity (dry) = (A) / (B + D – C)
c. Bulk specific Gravity (SSD) = (D) / (B + D – C)
d. Absorption = (D – A) / (A) X 100%

Computation for FINE AGGREGATES

FINE AGGREGATES TRIAL 1 TRIAL 2 TRIAL 3

Weight in air if SSD sample 500g 500g 500g
Weight in air of oven dried sample 470g 460g 490g
Weight of pycnometer bottle filled water 660g 660g 660g
Weight of pycnometer bottle + water + sample 960g 970g 980g
% Absorption 6.38% 8.7% 2.04%
Specific gravity, Bulk SSD 2.5 2.63 2.78
Average % Absorption 5.707 5.707 5.707
Specific gravity: 2.637 2.637 2.637

Date Performed:
Course:BSCE-2B&2A Date Finished:
Group Members:
PICZON, BRYELLE B. -2B
SAMSON, MARK RAVEN -2B
JABOLI, PETTE HARVEN -2A
ABANTAO, JAN ARNOLD -2A
LLACER, MARK -2A
FLORDELIZA, GLENN EARL -2A