EXPT NO: 1 FLEXURAL BEHAVIOUR OF RC BEAMS

INTRODUCTION:

The test specimens are to be fabricated in the laboratory where accurate control of the
quantities of materials and test conditions is possible. The size adopted for the specimen
shall be 100×100 ×1000 mm.
For the flexure testing of beams, observation will be concentrated on the types of
failures, cracking behaviors, deflection, strain and ultimate load carrying capacity. For the
understanding of the behaviour, the following information are needed,
1. Moment versus curvature behaviour of beams under flexure.
2. Singly reinforced sections
Under-reinforced section
Balanced section
Over-reinforced section
3. Cracking moment and curvature at cracking.
4. Ultimate moment of resistance and corresponding curvature.

AIM:

To fabricate and test a simply supported reinforced concrete beam for strength and
deflection behaviour.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:

Beam Moulds, Tamping Bar, Hydraulic Jack, Dial gauges, LVDTs, Demec gauges.

PROCEDURE:

Under reinforced concrete beams for flexural test are to be cast and cured. Flexural strength
test is to be conducted for the RC beams under two point loads. The testing arrangements
that used for the flexural strength test are shown in Figure 1.1. A total of three LVDTs are
to be used, one at the center of the beam while the other two at the bottom of the beam
where the loads are to be applied. After all components are completely installed and
connected, load shall be increased incrementally up to the calculated working load, with
loads, deflections and strains, if appropriate, recorded at each stage. Cracking should be
checked visually, and a load- deflection plot prepared as the test proceeds. Demec gauge is
to be used to collect the strain distribution data of the concrete by measuring the
displacement between the demec discs. Loads will be increased in increments up to failure.
The ultimate load at failure and the deflection corresponding to the ultimate load is to be
obtained and the moment-rotation curve is to be plotted. The ultimate moment of resistance
is computed theoretically and compared to the experimental results.

RESULTS:
Ultimate load at Failure (Pu) =
Ultimate moment of resistance (Mu) =
Ultimate moment of resistance (Theoretical) =
Moment Vs rotation curves, Load – strain curve and final crack pattern for the
reinforced concrete is obtained.
OBSERVATION:

Load – Deflection
Table 1.1 Load Vs Deflection

Designation Load, P Deflection at under

of Specimen (kN) Loading (mm)

Fig. 1.1 Experimental setup for flexural strength test

EXPT NO: 2 FLEXURAL BEHAVIOUR OF STEEL BEAMS

INTRODUCTION:

The test focuses on the flexural behaviour and the determination of deflections on a simply
supported steel beam. A comparative analysis between the experimental results of
deflections and those results derived from the theoretical calculations. While conducting
the flexural test on steel beam, the relation between flexural load and deflection is linear up
to a certain load. This load is the limit of elastic load. But beyond this load, linearity is
disturbed and plastic yielding begins. The load corresponding to the deviation point from
linearity is assumed to be that determining flexural strength or yield strength.

AIM:

To carry out a bending test on simply supported steel beam and obtain the load – deflection
curve.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:

Hydraulic Jack, Dial gauges, LVDTs

PROCEDURE:

Flexural capacities of the fabricated I beams are to be obtained by means of bending

test applied as shown in Fig.2.1. The standard test specimens of steel beam of ISMB 100
over a span of 1 m shall be placed in the machine in such a manner that the load shall be
applied at the top flange and the loading rate was 1.2 mm/s. Vertical deflection in the
centre of the gravity of I beam was measured in the vertical axis by dial gauge having an
accuracy of 0.01 mm. The load carried by the beam corresponding to the deflection is
presented in Table 2.1. The deflection corresponding to the maximum load is to be obtained
theoretically and compared to that of experimental results. The moment verses rotation
curve is to be obtained.
RESULTS:

Maximum deflection (experimental) =

Theoretical maximum deflection =
Moment Vs rotation curves for the simply supported steel beam is obtained.

OBSERVATIONS:
Load – Deflection

Table2.1 Load for the prescribed deflection

Load, P Theoretical
Designation of Deflection
(kN) Deflection δexp / δth
Specimen were
(δth)

Fig.2.1: Testing Configuration

EXPT NO : 5 BEHAVIOUR OF RC COMPRESSION MEMBERS

INTRODUCTION:

Reinforced Concrete (RC) columns deteriorate with age and are damaged by the overloads.
This test is to investigate the behavior of reinforced concrete columns and to determine the
load carrying capacity. To evaluate the performance, especially for the axial force-bending
moment interaction relationship of the RC columns, an eccentric loading test to be
conducted. The failure of a column can affect the stability of the whole building; hence the
study of the failure of columns is of great importance.

AIM:

To fabricate and test a reinforced concrete column subjected to (a) concentric and (b)
eccentric loading.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:

Hydraulic Jack, Dial gauges, LVDT

PROCEDURE:
The column 100 mm X 100mm X 1000 mm is mounted vertically with the base tightly
fastened at the strong reaction floor. The specimen is subjected to an increasing axial load
by means of a hydraulic jack mounted vertically to the loading frame. The loading
arrangement of the column is shown in Fig.3.1. The load at failure is measured (P u). The
deflections at the centre of the column under the axial loading are measured by dial gauge
fixed at the corresponding positions in the column. In the case of column subjected to
eccentric loading, ultimate moment and the interaction diagram can be obtained.

RESULTS:
The load carrying capacity of a column with concentric load (Pu) =
The moment carrying capacity of a column with eccentric loading (Mu) =

OBSERVATIONS:

(a) Concentric loading

The Ultimate load at failure under concentric loading (Pu) =
(b) Eccentric loading
The Ultimate load at failure under eccentric loading (Pu) =
The Ultimate moment at failure under eccentric loading (Mu) =

Fig.3.1. Loading arrangements of column specimen

EXPT 3 REBOUND HAMMER TEST

INTRODUCTION:

Schmidt’s rebound hammer consists of a spring –controlled mass that slides on a plunger
with a tubular housing. When the plunger is pressed against the surface of the concrete that
spring - controlled mass rebounds and the extent of such rebound depends upon the surface
hardness of concrete. The rebound is read off along a graduated scale and this value is
designated as the “rebound number” or “rebound index”.

AIM:

To determine the in situ strength using Rebound hammer.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:

Schmidt’s rebound hammer

PROCEDURE:

Before commencement of a test, the rebound hammer should be tested against the test
anvil, to get reliable results, for which the manufacturer of the rebound hammer indicates
the range of readings on the anvil suitable for different types of rebound hammer. For
testing, smooth, clean and dry surface is to be selected. The point of impact should be at
least 20 mm away from any edge or shape discontinuity.Apply light pressure on the plunger
– it will release it from the locked position and allow it to extend to the ready position for
the test. Press the plunger against the surface of the concrete, keeping the instrument
perpendicular to the test surface. Apply a gradual increase in pressure until the hammer
impacts. The rebound reading on the indicator scale has been measured on two opposite
faces at prior marked on 9 points each, when applied under 40 kN load on the
perpendicular faces, as shown in Fig.6.2. The rebound value is interpreted as strength by
the supplied standards graph for three positions of measurements.Take the average
readings.

RESULTS: The in situ concrete strength by rebound hammer test is …………………..

OBSERVATIONS:
Table.6.1 Rebound number on faces

FACE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Rebound
Reading
FRONT
Strength
(Mpa)
 Rebound
Reading
REAR
Strength
(Mpa)

Average Strength (After Excluding Extreme Values)

=
=

Fig.6.1 Schmidt’s rebound hammer

Fig.6.2 Rebound readings on perpendicular faces

EXPT 4 ULTRASONIC PULSE VELOCITY TESTER

INTRODUCTION:

This test is done to assess the quality of concrete by ultrasonic pulse velocity method as per
IS: 13311 (Part 1) – 1992. The method consists of measuring the time of travel of an
ultrasonic pulse passing through the concrete being tested. Comparatively higher velocity is
obtained when concrete quality is good in terms of density, uniformity, homogeneity etc.
The quality of concrete in terms of uniformity, incidence or absence of internal flaws,
cracks and segregation, etc,indicative of the level of workmanship employed, can thus be
assessed using the guidelines given below, which have been evolved for characterizing the
quality of concrete in structures in terms of the ultrasonic pulse velocity.

AIM:

To determine the quality of concrete using Ultrasonic pulse velocity tester.

APPARATUS:

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Tester

PROCEDURE:

i) Preparing for use: Before switching on the ‘V’ meter, the transducers should be
connected to the sockets marked “TRAN” and” REC”.
The ‘V’ meter may be operated with either:
a) the internal battery,
b) an external battery or
c) the A.C line.

ii) Set reference: A reference bar is provided to check the instrument zero. The pulse time
for the bar is engraved on it. Apply a smear of grease to the transducer faces before placing
it on the opposite ends of the bar. Adjust the ‘SET REF’ control until the reference bar
transit time is obtained on the instrument read-out.

iii) Range selection: For maximum accuracy, it is recommended that the 0.1 microsecond
range be selected for path length upto 400mm.

iv) Pulse velocity: Having determined the most suitable test points on the material to be
tested, make careful measurement of the path length ‘L’. Apply couplant to the surfaces of
the transducers and press it hard onto the surface of the material. Do not move the
transducers while a reading is being taken, as this can generate noise signals and errors in
measurements. Continue holding the transducers onto the surface of the material until a
consistent reading appears on the display, which is the time in microsecond for the
ultrasonic pulse to travel the distance ‘L’. The mean value of the display readings should be
taken when the units digit hunts between two values.

Pulse velocity (V) = (Path length/Travel time) = L/t

v) Separation of transducer leads: It is advisable to prevent the two transducer leads from
coming into close contact with each other when the transit time measurements are being
taken. If this is not done, the receiver lead might pick-up unwanted signals from the
transmitter lead and this would result in an incorrect display of the transit time.

RESULTS:

The pulse velocity is ………………………., hence the concrete is of ………. quality.

OBSERVATIONS :

Table.6.2 Pulse velocity of the sample

Ultrasonic Wave
Pulse Velocity
Travel Time (µs) Length Travelled (mm)
(Km/s)
 DIRECT
TRANSMISSIOIN SEMI-DIRECT TRANSMISSION

Fig.6.3 Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Tester