Construction Materials and Testing (CMT 223)
Unit 2 Module: Familiarization with the Apparatus/ Instruments and Equipment
Used in Testing of Materials
Objectives:
1. Comprehend the importance of sampling and testing to ensure the conformity and suitability of the
materials used in construction.
2. Familiarize yourself with the apparatus /instruments and equipment used in testing of materials.
Content:
A. Importance of Sampling and Testing of Materials
Sampling and testing of materials in construction of structures, it is usually done before, during
and after construction. Testing’s maybe destructive or non-destructive if the sample or specimen of
materials is not rendered unusable or not following the standard procedure for the test. In testing
materials proper quality control assurance must be observed such as wearing personal protective
equipment (PPE), proper receiving, right storage and preparation of materials.
It is possible to predict the properties and strength of the lot from the test results from the sample
using statistical procedures. This means maintaining standard conditions for test like temperature, rate of
loading, moisture content, etc., as specified for a particular test to guarantee the conformity and standard
specifications.
B. Familiarization of the Apparatus or Instruments and Equipment Used in Testing of Materials
The most important way to ensure the quality and specification of materials used in construction
is by sampling and testing; by doing the standard procedure test and using appropriate apparatus or
instruments and equipment. For familiarization, shown below are various images of apparatus or
instruments and equipment used in testing of materials.
1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in Testing of Materials
Gloves
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Safety Goggle
Laboratory Gown
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2. Laboratory Apparatus or Instruments in Construction Materials and Testing
Set of Sieves
Liquid Limit Device
Triple Beam Balance
Blount Specific
Gravity Bottle
Le Chatelier
Apparatus
Vicat Apparatus
Gilmore Needle
Apparatus
Pycnometer Bottle
Graduated Cylinder
CBR Mold
Cylindrical Mold
Slump Cone
Apparatus
Wire Mesh Bucket
Trowel
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Scoop
Mixing Pan
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Shrinkage Limit
Device
Proctor Compaction
Test Apparatus
Beam Mold
Shovel
Mixing Bowl
Spatula
Consistency Apparatus
Compaction Factor
Test Apparatus
3. Laboratory Equipment in Construction Materials and Testing
Sieve Shaker Machine
Universal Testing Machine (UTM)
for Compression and Tensile
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California Bearing Ratio
(CBR) Machine
Universal Testing Machine
(UTM) for Compression
Los Angeles (LA) Abrasion
Machine
Heavy Duty Oven
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Heavy Duty Platform Scale
Universal Testing Machine
(UTM) for Flexure
Mortar Flow Table Machine
Specific Gravity Test Machine
Crushing Test Machine
for Aggregates
Impact Testing Machine
for Aggregates
Cement Mortar Consistency
Test Machine
Curing Tank
Dorry Abrasion
Testing Machine
C. Functions of the Apparatus or Instruments and Equipment used in Testing of Materials
1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Used in Testing of Materials
a. Gloves are used to protect hands against from possible injury by lifting rough and heavy weight
material, scratching or abrasion or chemicals and cold or heat.
b. Safety goggle is used to protect the eyes from particulates such as water or chemicals from
striking; and from splitting fragments of sample materials.
c. Laboratory gown is used to protect the skin from possible accidental spills of chemicals.
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2. Laboratory Apparatus or Instruments in Construction Materials and Testing
a. Set of Sieves are used to determine the gradation or particle distribution of aggregates such as
sand and gravel.
b. Liquid Limit Device is used to determine the moisture content or water content of soils passing
from plastic to liquid state or condition.
c. Triple Beam Balance is used to determine the weight of a sample or specimen.
d. Blount Specific Gravity is used to determine the specific gravity of liquids.
e. Le Chatelier Apparatus is used to determine the soundness of cement.
f. Vicat Apparatus is used to determine the setting time and consistency of cement paste.
g. Gilmore Needle Apparatus is used to determine the setting time and consistency of cement
paste.
h. Pycnometer Bottle is used to determine the volume of liquids.
i. Cylindrical Mold is used in the preparation and molding of concrete specimen.
j. Slump Cone Apparatus is used to determine the workability of fresh concrete mixtures.
k. Graduated Cylinder is used to determine the measurement of liquids, chemicals or solutions.
l. California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Mold is used to prepare and mold mortar sample to penetration
test.
m. Wire Mesh Bucket is used to clean coarse aggregates by washing with water.
n. Trowel is used to flatten, smoothing, applying or moving granular materials such as cement, sand
and viscous materials such as mortar and concrete.
o. Scoop is used to move and transfer granular materials to containers or mixing bowl.
p. Mixing Pan is used to mix mortar or concrete for testing.
q. Shrinkage Limit Device is used to determine the moisture content or water content of cohesive
soils.
r. Proctor Compaction Test Apparatus is used to determine the relationship between density and
moisture content of compacted soil.
s. Beam Mold is used to mold or form concrete beam for bending or flexural test.
t. Shovel is used to dig, loose, move and transfer granular materials such as cement, sand and
viscous materials such as mortar and concrete.
u. Mixing Bowl is used to prepare and mix cement paste and mortar sample for testing.
v. Spatula is used to scrape viscous materials such as cement and moist soil.
w. Consistency Apparatus is used to determine the normal consistency or workability of cement
paste or mortar.
Compaction Factor Test Apparatus is used to determine the compaction factor and workability
of concrete.
3. Laboratory Equipment in Construction Materials and Testing
a. Sieve Shaker is a machine used to determine the particle size analysis of granular materials and
aggregates from a stack of a set of sieves.
b. California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Machine is used to test cohesive materials with a granular or
particle size less than 19 mm to determine the penetration strength of subgrade soil and highway
subbase.
c. Universal Testing Machine (UTM) for Compression is a machine used for testing mortar and
concrete specimens to determine the compressive strength.
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d. Universal Testing Machine (UTM) for Compression and Tensile is a machine used for testing
concrete specimens to determine compressive strength and steel tensile strength.
e. Los Angeles (LA) Abrasion Machine is used to determine the degradation of the minerals or
particles of aggregates.
f. Heavy Duty Oven is used to test and dry soils and aggregates.
g. Heavy Duty Platform Scale is used for weighing large amount of materials.
h. Universal Testing Machine (UTM) for Flexure is a machine used for testing mortar and concrete
specimens to determine the bending or flexural strength.
i. Cement Mortar Consistency Test Machine is used to determine the amount of water to form a
cement paste with normal consistency or degree of wetness.
j. Mortar Flow Table Machine is used to prepare mortar and to determine the standard
consistency.
k. Specific Gravity Test is a machine used to determine the specific gravity and water absorption of
a material.
l. Curing Tank is used to totally submerge mortar and concrete specimens in water for the strength
development and durability with temperature conditions and desired moisture content.
m. Crushing Test Machine for Aggregates is used to determine the numerical index of strength of
crushed aggregates used for roads and pavements.
n. Impact Testing Machine for Aggregates is used to determine the relative value of the resistance
of aggregates to sudden shock or impact loads.
o. Dorry Abrasion Testing Machine is used to determine the surface wear resistance of aggregates
by continuous abrasion or scratching.
References:
1. Images are Retrieved from https://www.google.com
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9.
Materials of Construction by DN Ghose, 1989
Civil Engineering Materials by Technical Teachers Training Institute, 1992
Engineering Materials by Emmanuel F. Nino and Teresita G. Nino, 1983
Materials of Construction 4th Edition by Chandigarah, 1990
Testing of Engineering Materials by Gildey, Murphy & Bragman, 1982
Structural Engineering and Construction 4th Edition Volume 1 by Venancio I. Besavilla Jr., 1999
American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM)
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
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