53:085

Experiments in Structures/Materials/Transportation

Spring Semester 2000

General Course Information

Instructor: Colby C. Swan, Assoc. Professor

Phone: 335-5831

e-mail:

website: www.engineering.uiowa.edu/~swan/courses/53:085

T. A. Mohammad Obadat, Graduate Student

Phone: 353-4662

e-mail:

Class Times: TTh 2:30 pm

Location: 1st Class - 65 CB

Concrete Mixing: Soils Laboratory

Concrete Testing: Soils Laboratory

Text: Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, PCA Manual, 1988.

ASTM Standards: C143, C231, C192, C39 (to be provided)


53:085 Experiments in Structures/Materials/Transportation

Spring Semester, 2000

Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering

The University of Iowa

The primary purpose of this class is to provide students with an introductory experience at conducting various tests on concrete. To this end, the class will split into ten groups of three to four students. Each group will mix up a batch of concrete, form cylinders from this batch, and then test and break the cylinders in compression over a four-week period of time. Different groups will use different concrete mixes, as specified for them.

Groups will be required to write and submit three reports which will follow a standard format as given in the printed notes. Please note that these reports will be graded based on their technical content and accuracy and also upon their readability (grammar, spelling, graphical data presentation). Each report will be graded on a scale of 100 points, with 65 points allocated to technical content, and the remaining 35 points to readability. Typically, all members of a group will receive the same grade. However, if within a given group members feel that work load has not been shared fairly, then they can petition the Instructor for a variance on this policy. Please note, however, that working in a group is of itself an important skill that engineers need to learn.

Report # 1: The first report is due one week after mixing the batch of concrete, and will describe how the various standards that govern the mixing, slump testing, and air entrainment testing were followed in addition to the results of these tests.

Report # 2: The second report, due one week after the fourth set of cylinders is tested, will describe how the concrete cylinders were tested to failure in compression at periods of one week, two weeks, three weeks, and four weeks, after mixing. The reports will note and discuss how the group’s measured strengths varied with curing time. In addition to the standard report, each group will also complete and submit a summary of all their data collected on a standard sheet (to be supplied). The purpose of this data summary is to share the test results among the whole class.

Report # 3: The third report will require groups to compare all the compressive strength data gathered over the semester and to determine how concrete strength varies with mix. In particular, the reports will be expected to identify the mix characteristic having the greatest effect on strength, for the range of mixes tested.

The procedures to be used in concrete testing will follow ASTM standards. It is thus important that you study the various and relevant ASTM standards BEFORE attending the lab session at which they will be used. Thus, before attending the lab at which you will mix your concrete cylinders, you should read and be familiar with the following ASTM Standards:

ASTM C143 / Slump of Concrete
ASTM C231 / Air Content of Concrete - Pressure Method
ASTM C192 / Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens

Similarly, before attending the first session at which you will be testing concrete cylinders in compression, you should be familiar with the following ASTM Standard:

ASTM C39 / Compressive Strength of Concrete Specimens

There will typically be a brief written or oral quiz given at lab sessions, to determine your level of preparedness. Your preparedness and performance in the laboratory will account for 10% of your final course grade. Each of your three lab reports will account for 30% of your final course grade.

Each group will make a number of 100lb batches with the following proportions:

Water/Cement / Group / Cement
lb / Water
lb / Fine Aggregate
lb / Coarse Aggregate
lb / Air-entraining Admixture,
Fl oz
0.40 / 1A / 18.5 / 7.5 / 23.5 / 50.5 / 0.0
1B / 18.5 / 7.5 / 23.5 / 50.5 / 0.17
0.45 / 2A / 16.5 / 7.5 / 25.5 / 50.5 / 0.0
2B / 16.5 / 7.5 / 25.5 / 50.5 / 0.15
0.50 / 3A / 15 / 7.5 / 27 / 50.5 / 0.0
3B / 15 / 7.5 / 27 / 50.5 / 0.14
0.55 / 4A / 13.5 / 7.5 / 28 / 51 / 0.0
4B / 13.5 / 7.5 / 28 / 51 / 0.13
0.60 / 5A / 12.5 / 7.5 / 29 / 51 / 0.0
5B / 12.5 / 7.5 / 29 / 51 / 0.11

1A: Craig Raczynski, Shae Hoschek, Aaron Granquist

1B: Eric Otto, Bill Nolan, Marty Michalisko

2A: Troy Lyons, Greg Gajewski, Matt Johnson

2B: Jennifer Wojcik, Brian Johll, Leia Cooney, Aaron Guffey

3A: Janet Lower, Angela Gripp, Mike Honiotes

3B: Manuel Malcolm, Anissa Williams, Julie Wisniewski

4A: Jesse Gallagher, Julie Trees, Nathan Stevens

4B: Tom Saele, David Pieniazek, Josiah Bilskemper

5A: Ben Carhoff, Tod Barrett, Gabe Nelson

5B: Nate Kampman, Terry Martin, Kris Clapp

Date

/ Laboratory Schedule
1.18.00 / Introductory Class 65 CB
1.20.00
1.25.00 / Distribute materials and discuss course schedule
1.27.00
2.01.00 / Groups 1A, 1B Mix Concrete
2.03.00 / Groups 1A, 1B strip forms
2.08.00 / Groups 2A, 2B Mix Concrete
2.10.00 / 2A, 2B strip forms: 1A, 1B test #1
2.15.00 / Groups 3A, 3B Mix Concrete
2.17.00 / 3A, 3B strip forms: 1A, 1B test #2; 2A, 2B test #1
2.22.00 / Groups 4A, 4B Mix Concrete
2.24.00 / 4A, 4B strip forms: 1A, 1B test #3; 2A, 2B test #2; 3A, 3B test #1
2.29.00 / Groups 5A, 5B Mix Concrete
3.02.00 / 5A, 5B strip forms: 1A, 1B test #4; 2A, 2B test #3; 3A, 3B test #2; 4A, 4B test #1
3.07.00
3.09.00 / 2A, 2B test #4; 3A, 3B test #3; 4A, 4B test #2; 5A, 5B test #1
3.14.00 / SPRING BREAK
3.16.00 / SPRING BREAK: 3A, 3B test #4; 4A, 4B test #3; 5A, 5B test #2;
3.21.00
3.23.00 / 4A, 4B test #4; 5A, 5B test #3;
3.28.00
3.30.00 / 5A, 5B test #4;
4.04.00
4.06.00
4.11.00
4.13.00
4.18.00
4.20.00 / Report # 3 Due from all groups
4.25.00
4.27.00
5.02.00
5.05.00