Construction Material and Testing (CMT)

Aggregates – are granular material ingredients of concrete and bituminous mixes.

ASTM tests concerning aggregates

1. Test concerning the quality of aggregates
2. Test concerning deleterious particles in aggregates
3. Test used in the design of concrete mix bituminous concrete mix.

Test concerning the quality of aggregates.

ASTM C131 – resistance to degradation of small size CA by abrasion and impact in the LA machine.
ASTM C88 – soundness of aggregates by use of sodium sulfate or magnesium sulfate.
ASTM C666 – resistance of concrete to rapid freezing and thawing.
ASTM C215 – fundamental transverse, longitudinal and tensional frequencies and concrete specimen.
ASTM C597 – pulse velocity through conc.
ASTM C671 – critical dilation of concrete of concrete specimen subjected to freezing.
ASTM C295 – petrographic examination of aggregate for conc.

Test concerning deleterious particles in aggregates

ASTM C33 – concerns to concrete aggregate specifications
ASTM C142 – clay lumps and friable particles in aggregates
ASTM C117 – materials finer than no. 200(in) sieve in mineral aggregate by washing
ASTM C123 – lightweight pieces in aggregates
ASTM C40 – organic impurities in sands for conc.

Test used in the design of concrete mix bituminous concrete mix.

ASTM D75 – pertains to sampling of aggregates.
ASTM C136 – sieve analysis of CA and FA.
ASTM C128 – specific gravity and absorption of FA.
ASTM C29 – unit wt. of aggregates (FA and CA).

CEMENTS – are materials that exhibit characteristic properties of setting and hardening when mixed to paste with water.
2 classification of Cements.
1. Hydraulic cements – Have the ability to set and harden under water
Ex. Hydraulic Limes, pozzolan cements, slag cements, natural cements, Portland cements, alumina cements,
expansive cement
2. Non hydraulic cement – do not have the ability to set and harden under h20 but require air to harden.
Ex. Lime
Lime – is the closest known cementing materials and its readily available and rather inexpensive.
Lime is produced by burning limestone (calcium carbonate) with impurities such as magnesia, iron, alkalies,
alumina and sulfur.
This burning process takes place in either a vertical or a rotary kiln @ a temp of 1800 oF.
Clinker – Burnt product.
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)- Limestone
- Is decomposed into calcium oxide (Ca0) and carbon dioxide (C02).

*Hydraulic Lime – are made by burning siliceous or argillaceous limestone whose clinker after calcination contains
a sufficient of lime silicate to give hydraulic properties to the product.

*Pozzolan Cement – according to ASTM C595 (blended hydraulic cements), is a siliceous and aluminous material
that, in itself, posseses little or no cementitious value but will in finely divided form and in the presence of
moisture, react chemically with calcium hydroxide @ ordinary temperature to form compounds possessing
cementitious properties.
2 Groups of pozzolan
1. Natural
1st group – pumicite, obsidian, scoria, tuff, Santorin, tass
2nd group – contains large quantities of finely dispersed, amorphous silica that react with lime in the presence
of water.
2. Artificial pozzolan – fly ash, boiler slag and by product from the treatment of bauxite ore
Note : Pozzolan cements are used when the mass of concrete is required rather than strength

*Slag cement – are hydraulic cement consisting mostly of an intimate and uniform blend of granulated blast
furnace slag and hydrated lime in which the slag constituents in @ least 60% of the weight of slag cement.
Note: slag cement like pozzolan are limited importance in structural conc but may find success in projects
requiring large masses of conc masonry where weight and mass are more important than strength.

Portland Cements – is defined according to ASTM C150, as hydraulic cement produced by pulverizing clinker consisting
essentially of hydraulic calcium silicates usually containing one or more of the forms of calcium sulfate as interground
addition.
Approximate proportions for Portland cement
1. LIME (CaO) – 60 – 65 %
2. SILICA (SiOz) – 20 - 25%
3. IRON OXIDE and ALUMINA (Fe2O3 and Al2O3) – 7- 12%
History of Portland cement.
The name of Portland cement was proposed by joseph aspdin in 1824.
Portland cement originated @ the ISLE of Portland in England.

Raw materials of PC.

1. Calcareous
2. Argillocalcareous
3. Argillaceous

CHALK – formed from floating organism

- White or very light colored
- Consists alomost entirely of calcite
MARL- resembles chalk but is gray or blue gray
SLATES – clays that have become hardened by pressure
CLAYS – formed from the debris resulting from decays of rocks.

MANUFACTURE OF PC.
1. Quarrying
2. Crushing
3. Grinding
4. Mixing
5. Calcining
6. Addition of retarder
7. Packing

PC is the most important hydraulic cements for:

1. Mortars
2. Plasters
3. Grouts
4. Concrete