Field Test of Construction Materials PDF

ESC 36 04\12\2025 FIELD TEST OF COSTRUCTION MATERIALS PRESENTED BY: RENIER RICARDO D. MAPUTI RALPH RAWHEN P. IBANEZ INTRODUCTION FIELD TESTING IS THE ON-SITE TESTING OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS OR STRUCTURES TO CHECK THEIR QUALITY, STRENGTH, AND PERFORMANCE UNDER R...

ESC 36 04\12\2025 FIELD TEST OF COSTRUCTION MATERIALS PRESENTED BY: RENIER RICARDO D. MAPUTI RALPH RAWHEN P. IBANEZ INTRODUCTION FIELD TESTING IS THE ON-SITE TESTING OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS OR STRUCTURES TO CHECK THEIR QUALITY, STRENGTH, AND PERFORMANCE UNDER REAL CONDITIONS. IT PROVIDES FAST, PRACTICAL RESULTS THAT SUPPORT REAL-TIME DECISION-MAKING. COMMONLY TESTED MATERIALS 01\01\2030 SOIL CONCRETE AGGREGATES (SAND, GRAVEL, & ROCKS) BRICKS & BLOCKS CEMENT STEEL ASPHALT SOIL MOISTURE CONTENT TEST (OVEN-DRYING METHOD, RAPID MOISTURE METER) FIELD DENSITY TEST (SAND CONE METHOD) PLASTICITY TEST (ATTERBERG TEST) MOISTURE CONTENT TEST This test determines the amount of water present in the soil. Why it's important: Water affects the soil’s strength, compaction, and stability. How it's done: Weigh the moist soil, dry it in an oven, then weigh it again. The weight loss equals the water content. Result use: Guides decisions for compaction and foundation preparation. FIELD DENSITY TEST Measures the in-place density of soil at the site. Why it's important: Ensures soil is compacted enough to support structures. How it's done: Excavate a small hole, weigh the removed soil, and fill the hole with sand to determine its volume. Use the mass/volume ratio for density. Result use: Used to compare with standard compaction to verify quality. PLASTICITY LIMIT Quick method to determine soil plasticity. Why it's important: Helps classify soil and predict behavior under load or wet conditions. How it's done: Roll a moist soil sample into threads; if it breaks at ~3 mm thickness, it is non-plastic. Result use: Identifies soils prone to shrinkage/swelling. CONCRETE SLUMP TEST COMPACTION FACTOR TEST REBOUND HAMMER TEST (SURFACE HARDNESS AND STRENGTH) PENETRATION RESISTANCE TEST (WINDSOR PROBE) SLUMP TEST Measures the workability or consistency of fresh concrete. Why it's important: Ensures mix is not too dry (hard to place) or too wet (weak). How it's done: Fill slump cone, lift it, and measure how much the concrete "slumps." Result use: Adjust mix water or admixtures if slump is too high/low. COMPACTION FACTOR TEST Measures how much concrete compacts under its own weight. Why it's important: Important for stiff mixes where slump test isn’t reliable. How it's done: Drop concrete through hoppers into a mold, then weigh it to calculate compaction factor. Result use: Higher compaction = better workability. REBOUND HAMMER TEST (SURFACE HARDNESS AND STRENGTH) Non-destructive test that estimates surface hardness and strength of concrete. Why it's important: Quick check of compressive strength on- site. How it's done: Press spring-loaded hammer on the surface; read rebound index. Result use: Compare results with calibration charts to estimate strength. PENETRATION RESISTANCE TEST (WINDSOR PROBE) Measures the resistance of concrete to needle penetration to determine setting time. Why it's important: Helps decide when to stop finishing and start curing. How it's done: Penetrate concrete at intervals and record resistance. Result use: Establish initial and final setting times. AGGREGATES SIEVE ANALYSIS (PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION) IMPACT VALUE TEST (AGGREGATE STRENGTH) SPECIFIC GRAVITY & WATER ABSORPTION TEST SIEVE ANALYSIS (PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION) Determines the distribution of particle sizes in aggregate. Why it's important: Well-graded aggregates lead to stronger, denser concrete. How it's done: Pour dry sample into stacked sieves; weigh material on each sieve. Result use: Ensures proper grading for specific construction needs. IMPACT VALUE TEST (AGGREGATE STRENGTH) Measures toughness of aggregates against sudden shocks. Why it's important: Important for roads and structures under vibration. How it's done: Hit aggregate with a hammer in a mold; sieve out fines. Result use: High fines = weak aggregate. SPECIFIC GRAVITY & WATER ABSORPTION TEST Measures the density and water-holding ability of aggregate. Why it's important: Affects mix design and durability. How it's done: Weigh dry, soaked, and submerged aggregate to calculate values. Result use: High absorption = poor-quality aggregate. CEMENT CONSISTENCY TEST SETTING TIME TEST FINENESS TEST STRENGTH TEST (MORTAR CUBE TEST) CONSISTENCY TEST Determines the amount of water needed for standard cement paste. Why it's important: Ensures the paste is workable without being too wet. How it's done: Use Vicat apparatus; adjust water until plunger penetrates to a fixed depth. Result use: Sets a baseline for setting time and strength tests. SETTING TIME TEST Measures how quickly cement transitions from plastic to hard. Why it's important: Affects timing of mixing, placing, and finishing. How it's done: Use Vicat apparatus with different needles to record resistance over time. Result use: Helps plan construction operations. FINENESS TEST Determines how fine the cement particles are. Why it's important: Finer cement hydrates faster and gains strength early. How it's done: Either use a 90 µm sieve or air permeability method. Result use: Finer cement may require faster handling but gives early strength. STRENGTH TEST (MORTAR CUBE TEST) Measures compressive strength of cement. Why it's important: Confirms if cement meets strength standards. How it's done: Mix cement with standard sand, cast cubes, cure, and crush after 7/28 days. Result use: Weak cubes = low-quality cement or poor mix. STEEL BEND AND RE-BEND TEST TENSILE STRENGTH TEST WELDABILITY TEST BEND AND RE-BEND TEST Tests how steel behaves when bent and unbent. Why it's important: Ductile steel can absorb stress without failure. How it's done: Bend bar to 180°, then re-bend; look for cracks. Result use: Cracks or breaks indicate poor-quality steel. TENSILE STRENGTH TEST Measures how much tension steel can handle before breaking. Why it's important: Structural elements must withstand pulling forces. How it's done: Stretch a bar until failure using a UTM (universal testing machine). Result use: Must meet minimum strength per design code. WELDABILITY TEST Tests if steel can be welded without cracking or losing strength. Why it's important: Welded joints are common in construction. How it's done: Perform a test weld and check visually or via load tests. Result use: Ensures reliable connections. BRICKS & BLOCKS WATER ABSORPTION TEST COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST DROP TEST WATER ABSORPTION TEST Measures how much water a brick absorbs. Why it's important: Too much absorption weakens bonding and durability. How it's done: Weigh dry brick, soak for 24 hrs, weigh again. Result use: High absorption = poor quality. COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST Measures the maximum load a brick can handle. Why it's important: Must withstand structural loads. How it's done: Crush the brick in a testing machine. Result use: Ensures it can be used in load-bearing walls. DROP TEST Quick check for strength and integrity. Why it's important: Identifies brittle or poorly made bricks. How it's done: Drop brick from 1 meter and observe. Result use: Good bricks won’t shatter easily. ASPHALT PENETRATION TEST SOFTENING POINT TEST DUCTILITY TEST PENETRATION TEST Measures hardness of bitumen by needle penetration. Why it's important: Classifies bitumen for different temperatures and traffic loads. How it's done: Needle penetrates at 25°C under fixed load and time. Result use: Low penetration = hard; high = soft. SOFTENING POINT TEST Determines the temperature at which bitumen softens. Why it's important: Asphalt shouldn't deform under traffic heat. How it's done: Heat bitumen in a ring with a steel ball until it falls through. Result use: Higher temp = better for hot climates. DUCTILITY TEST Measures how much bitumen can stretch before breaking. Why it's important: Flexible bitumen resists cracking. How it's done: Stretch a molded bitumen sample until it breaks. Result use: Higher ductility = better performance on roads. IMPORTANCE ofFIELD TESTING Ensures Quality Control Prevents Structural Failures Saves Time & Costs Validates Materials On-Site Supports Compliance Improves Safety CONCLUSION FIELD TESTING IS AN ESSENTIAL PROCESS IN MODERN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. VALIDATE MATERIAL QUALITY ENSURE SAFETY AND STRENGTH PROVIDE ENGINEERS AND WORKERS WITH IMMEDIATE FEEDBACK IMPROVE PROJECT EFFICIENCY THANK YOU