Republic of the Philippines

Central Mindanao University

College of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering
University Town, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon

CE 38: TESTING OF MATERIAL

LABORATORY No. 1:

FAMILIARIZATION OF MATERIAL TESTING APPARATUSES AND EQUIPMENT

Submitted by:

JOSIAH JAMES P. CUEVA

Submitted to:

ENGR. JULIE M. MALINTAD

Date Submitted:

FEBRUARY 06, 2025

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction………………………………………………………………….……………..1

Table 1……………………………………………………………………………………….2

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….8

Recommendations………………………………………………………………………...9

Appendices…………………………………………………………………………………10

References……………………………………………………………………………………………

……………..11
Introduction
Material testing is a fundamental process in civil engineering that ensures materials
meet safety, strength, and durability standards before they are used in construction. By
performing various tests, engineers can determine how materials behave under different
conditions, helping to prevent failures in structures such as buildings, bridges, and
roads.

This laboratory activity aims to familiarize us with materials testing laboratories,

equipment, and procedures by focusing on the following objectives:

1. Identifying and understanding the major parts of common testing equipment.

Knowing how different machines work and what they measure is essential for
conducting accurate tests.

2. Learning testing procedures and quality control standards. Following proper

steps in material testing ensures that results are reliable and meet construction
safety requirements.

3. Exploring relevant ASTM and AASHTO standards. These standards guide

engineers in conducting material tests correctly, ensuring that materials perform
as expected in real-world applications.

Material testing is essential in civil engineering because it helps determine if materials

can withstand loads, weather conditions, and other external factors. It plays a vital role
in designing safe and cost-effective structures. By conducting tests, students gain
practical experience in assessing material properties such as strength, hardness,
flexibility, and durability. This knowledge helps in making informed decisions when
selecting materials for construction projects, reducing risks, and improving structural
integrity.

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Table1. Laboratory equipment and apparatus with their respective purpose, application,
ASHTO designation and ASTM designation.

Image Name Purpose Application AASHTO ASTM

Designa- Designa-
tion tion

Bitumen Extract Used in asphalt T 164

Extraction bitumen from quality control labs.
asphalt
mixtures for
analysis.
California Evaluate the Used in T 193 D1883-
Bearing Ratio strength of geotechnical 21

(CBR) subgrade soil engineering and

Apparatus and base pavement design.
materials.
Compressive Determine the Used in civil T 97
Strength compressive engineering labs
Machine strength of for structural
concrete analysis.
specimens.

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 Concrete Mixes Used in small-
Mixer concrete, scale concrete
mortar, or testing and sample
grout to ensure preparation.
uniform
consistency.

Concrete Used for Concrete sample

Molds shaping preparation for
(Cylinder concrete quality control and
Molds) samples into structural testing.
cylindrical
forms for
compressive
strength tests.
Curing Tank Stores Helps achieve
concrete proper hydration
samples in and strength gain
controlled in concrete.
water
conditions for
curing.

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 Dry Powder Ensures Used in preparing
Mixer uniform mixing cementitious
of dry materials, mortar,
materials by and other
reversing construction
rotation every mixtures.
3 minutes.
Field Density Determine in- Used in field T 191 D1556
Test - Sand situ soil density tests for
Cone Method density using soil compaction
sand control.
replacement.
Flexural Measure the Applied in MT 307-
Strength Test flexural structural testing of 04
Machine strength of concrete materials.
(Center Point concrete under
Loading) center point
loading.

Flexural Measure the Used in T 177

Strength Test flexural construction
Machine strength of material strength
(Third Point concrete under assessment.
Loading) third point
loading.
Gillmore Measure the Commonly used in T 131- C191
Needle initial and final cement 06
Apparatus setting times of manufacturing
hydraulic quality control.
cement.

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Los Angeles Assess the Applied in T 96 C266
Abrasion resistance of aggregate
Machine aggregates to durability and wear
abrasion and resistance tests.
wear.
Marshall Evaluate the Utilized in asphalt T 245 D1556
Stability stability of pavement material
asphalt analysis.
mixtures.
Moist Cabinet Maintains a Ensures proper
(for Curing) controlled hydration and
humidity and strength
temperature development in
(23°C) for concrete samples.
curing
concrete
specimens.

Oven Used for Determines

drying samples moisture content in
and soil and
conducting construction
high- materials.
temperature
material tests.

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 Planetary Used for fine Commonly used
Ball Mill grinding of for preparing
materials with powdered samples
grinding balls in construction
rotating at high material testing.
speed (up to
700 rpm).
Proctor Measures soil Ensures proper
Compaction compaction soil compaction for
Apparatus characteristics roadbeds and
to determine foundations.
optimal
moisture
content.
Pavement Drill cores from Used in pavement T 22 C805
Core Drilling pavements for quality control and
Machine material forensic analysis.
analysis.
Rebound Measures the Used for non- T 97 C805
Hammer surface destructive testing
hardness and (NDT) of concrete
strength of strength.
concrete.
Sand Cone Determine in- Applied in soil T 191 D1556
Method situ soil mechanics for field
Apparatus density using density evaluation.
sand
replacement.

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 Sieve Used for Essential in T 27-74 C 136-
particle size grading 76
analysis of construction
soil, materials for
aggregates, proper mix design.
and cement.
Sieve Shaker Facilitate Used in aggregate
sieving of grading and
materials to classification tests.
separate
particles by
size.
Slump Test Measure the Essential in T 119 C143
Apparatus consistency of concrete
fresh concrete consistency testing
before it sets. in construction
sites.
Smart Block An automated Used in modular
Maker machine for construction and
producing sustainable
concrete building projects.
blocks and
bricks.

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Ultrasonicator Uses Removes fine
ultrasonic particles and
waves to clean debris from
sieves and laboratory tools
small and sieves.
equipment.
Universal Test materials Widely used in T 24
Testing under tension, engineering labs
Machine compression, for mechanical
and bending. property tests.

Vicat Needle Determine the Used in cement T 119 C191

Apparatus setting time of industry labs for
cement paste. quality control.
Water Bath Cures Used for asphalt
materials at a binder tests,
constant cement curing, and
temperature by temperature-
immersing sensitive testing.
them in water.
Water Bath Like a water Used for asphalt
Shaker bath but with binder testing and
shaking temperature-
movement for controlled mixing.
mixing or
curing.
Wet Mixer Used for Ensures consistent
uniform mixing hydration in
of wet mortar, grout, and
materials. concrete mix.

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Conclusion

The Laboratory No. 1 activity on "Familiarization of Material Testing Apparatuses and

Equipment" has provided comprehensive insights into the fundamental equipment
utilized in civil engineering material testing. This laboratory exercise deepened our
understanding of the functions, purposes, and practical applications of key testing
equipment such as the Bitumen Extraction Apparatus, California Bearing Ratio (CBR)
Apparatus, Concrete Mixer, Universal Testing Machine, and others. Through hands-on
experience, we observed firsthand how each apparatus contributes to determining
critical material properties like strength, durability, density, and compaction
characteristics.

The activity highlighted the necessity of adhering to standardized testing protocols

guided by AASHTO and ASTM designations. This adherence ensures the accuracy and
reliability of test results, which are pivotal for designing safe, durable, and efficient
infrastructures. The practical knowledge gained from this laboratory exercise will
undoubtedly support us in future coursework, field projects, and professional civil
engineering practices.

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Recommendations

Based on my experience conducting the "Familiarization of Material Testing

Apparatuses and Equipment" laboratory, I recommend continuing with hands-on
activities like this, as they significantly enhance our understanding of civil engineering
equipment. The opportunity to work directly with apparatuses such as the Bitumen
Extraction Apparatus, CBR Apparatus, and Universal Testing Machine has been
invaluable in demonstrating their roles in determining crucial material properties like
strength, durability, and density. Additionally, the emphasis on adhering to AASHTO and
ASTM standards is critical for ensuring the reliability of test results. This practical
knowledge will serve as a strong foundation for our future coursework and professional
practices in civil engineering.

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Appendices

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References:

1. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

(AASHTO). (2000). AASHTO Materials Standards (AASHTO M Series). AASHTO.

2. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). (2017). ASTM

International Standards and Specifications. ASTM International.

3. Buchanan, R. A., & Cook, W. M. (2014). Principles of Civil Engineering

Materials (3rd ed.). Pearson Prentice Hall.

4. Neville, A. M. (2011). Properties of Concrete (5th ed.). Pearson Education.

5. Shetty, M. S. (2006). Concrete Technology (5th ed.). S. Chand & Company

Ltd.

6. Mindess, S., Young, J. F., & Darwin, D. (2002). Concrete (2nd ed.). Prentice
Hall.

7. Singh, S. (2008). Advanced Construction Technology. McGraw-Hill.

8. Rao, G. V. (2008). Testing of Engineering Materials. Khanna Publishers.

9. International Code Council (ICC). (2012). International Building Code (IBC).

ICC.

10.ASTM D1556-00. (2000). Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of
Soil in Place by the Sand-Cone Method. ASTM International.

11.ASTM D1883-99. (1999). Standard Test Method for CBR (California Bearing
Ratio) of Laboratory-Compacted Soils. ASTM International.

12.ASTM C136-14. (2014). Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and
Coarse Aggregates. ASTM International.

13.ASTM C143/C143M-15. (2015). Standard Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic-

Cement Concrete. ASTM International.

14.ASTM C191-18. (2018). Standard Test Methods for Time of Setting of

Hydraulic-Cement Paste by Vicat Needle. ASTM International.

15.ASTM D1644-07. (2007). Standard Test Methods for Testing of Plastic

Concrete. ASTM International.

16.ASTM C39/C39M-14. (2014). Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength

of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens. ASTM International.

17.Haldar, A. (2011). Material Testing for Civil Engineers. Springer.

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