Report PDF
Report PDF
Report PDF
$2
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
GEORGE OTJS SMITH, DIRECTOR
STRUCTURAL-MATERIALS TESTING
LABORATORIES AT
ST. LOUIS, MO.
RICHARD L. PIUMPHREY
\Vrril J'KKFACE BY
JOSEPH A. HOLMES
IN CiiAKtiE OF TECHNOLOGIC BKANCH
.-f
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1908
CONTENTS. ,
Page.
Preface, by Joseph A. Holmes............................................. vn
Introduction............................................................. 1
Historical sketch ..................................................... 1
National advisory board on fuels and structural materials................ 2
Organization ..................................................... 2
Personnel.................................................,...... 3
Joint committee on concrete and reinforced concrete .................... 5
Organization ..................................................... 5
Personnel ..................*..................................... 5
Cooperation between national advisory board and joint committee........ 7
Funds................................................................ 8
Structural-materials division .............................................. 8
Organization......................................................... 8
Buildings............................................................ 9
Equipment .......................................................... 10
Acknowledgment of donations .................................'........ 13
Programme for investigation of concrete and reinforced concrete.......... 1C
Origin of the plan ...........:..........:.............-............ 16
Details of the plan.'............................................... 1.6
Work at technological institutions ..................................... 19
Sequence of tests ..................................................... 20
Summary............................................................ 20
Constituent-materials section .............................................. 21
Outline of investigations ............................................... 21
Physical tests of cement............................................... 22
Strength tests of neat cement and Ottawa sand mortar................... 22
Sand, stone, gravel, and other aggregates............................... 24
Physical tests made............................................... 24
Percentage of voids ............................................... 24
Percentage of moisture ............................................ 26
Weight per cubic foot............................................. 26
Percentage of absorption .......................................... 26
Specific gravity................................................... 26
Method used with large material............................... 26
Method used with material that passes -inch screen............. 27
Percentage of silt ................................................. 28
Granulometric analysis............................................ 29
Tests of mortar.................................................... 29
Description................................................... 29
Strength tests................................................. 30 /
Density tests.................................................. 30
Tests of concrete .................................................. 31
Description................................................... 31
Strength tests................................................. 32
Modulus of elasticity in compression............................ __ 33
Density tests................................................... 33
Tests of stone..................................................... 36
IV CONTENTS.
Page.
Beam section.............................................................. 37
Outline of investigations. ...._.........................-................ 37
Nature of the work ................................................ 37
Mixing.............................-.'............................. d 48
Molding......................................./.................. 50
Storage. ........................................................... 52
Beam testing............................................. : ............. 53
Apparatus......................................................... 53
Plain-concrete beams.............................................. 54
Reinforced beams ................................................ 55
Computations....................................................... 57
Tests of cylinders and cubes............................................ 63
Bond test pieces.......................................:............... 64
Tests of steel........................................................... 65
Shear and tension section................................................... 66
Outline of investigations............................................ 66
Mixing, molding, and storage........................................ 68
Computations...................................................... 68
Building-block section..................................................... 68
Outline of investigations........................................... 68
Programme of investigations............. '........................... 69
Mixing and molding................................................ 71
Storage.................. ^...:......................... ; ........... .72
Strength tests..................,..........'......................... 72
Fire tests. .......................................................... 73
Permeability section................:...................................... 76
Chemical section........................................................... 79
; Outline of investigations............................................... 79
Analyses of constituent materials ...................................... 79
Cement. ..... .'................... .'................ ...............'. 79
Silt and other materials..........:.................................. 79
Methods....................................................... 79
Summary...................................................... 81
Analysis of steel. -.--......-......'...........................'...... 82
Investigations of columns and floor slabs...................................... 82
The effect of electrolysis and sea water on cement mortars and concretes ...... 82
Progress of the work........................................................ 82
Preliminary work....'............................................. 82
Present work....................................................... 83
Future work...................................................... 84
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Page.
P.TJATK I. General view of buildings occupied by structural-materials test-
ing laboratories.................................................. 8
II. Interior "views of constituent-materials laboratory.................. 20
III. A, 40,000-pound hydraulic hand-power compression machine; B,
Accelerated test apparatus for soundness tests of .cement; C, Attach-
ment for testing short transverse test pieces on Olseu long-lever
cement-testing machine........................................ 22
IV. A, Method of handling void apparatus; B, Hopper for filling void
apparatus....................................................... 24
V. A, Apparatus for determining percentage of voids; B, Apparatus and
connections for making void test on "one-size " material ........... 24
VI. A, Apparatus and connections for determining specific gravity of sand
and screenings; B, Apparatus for removing silt from stone screen- .
ings; C, Apparatus and connections for determining specific gravity
of large material................................................ 2G
VII. A, Bumping screen for making granulometric analysis; B, Method
of filling one screen with material retained on another............. 28
VIII. A, Implements used in making density tests of mortars; B, Cast-iron
cube and cylinder molds; C, Spherical bearing blocks for com-
pression tests................................................... 30
IX. A, Typical failure of concrete cylinder; B, Failure of concrete cyl-
inder rupture through aggregat'e; C, Cornpressometers for meas-
uring deformations of cylinders; D, Typical cones formed by
rupture of concrete cylinders^.................................... 32
X. A, 200,000-pound compression machine; B, Concrete mixer, charg-
ing end, 1 cubic yard capacity................................. 48
XI. A, .Apparatus for finishing-top of bond-test specimens; B, Beam
selected at random to show accuracy of rod spacing; C, Gang saw
for cutting cubes from blocks of stone...........:.............. 50
XII. Room for molding beams......................................... 50
XIII. Interior view of moist room for storage of test pieces.............. 52
XIV. Interior view of testing room, beam section....................... 52
XV. A, Plain-concrete beam in testing machine with deformeters in
place and stirrups for supporting beam at third points; B, Re-
inforced-concrete beam in testing machine ready for application
of load .......................'. ............................... 54
XVI. A, Attachment and micrometer for measuring slip of rods; B, Steel
carriage for handling beams .................................... 56
XVII. Method of recording character of reinforced-concrete beam failures.. 56
XVIII. A, Henning steel extensometer for measuring elongation of steel;
B, Method of making bond test ..........................I....:. 64
XIX. A, Shear specimen in machine ready for test; B, Interior view of
storage room, building-block section............................ 66
v
VI ILLUSTKATIONS.
PLATE XX. Interior view of the mixing and molding and the testing rooms,
building-block section.....................................'.... 68
XXI. A, Building block in machine ready for transverse test; B, One-
. half of building block in machine ready for compression test... 72 ^
XXII. Sectional plan of fire-test furnace, Underwriters' Laboratories,
Chicago, 111........:.................................:..... 74
XXIII. Heating chamber, Underwriters' Laboratories, Chicago, 111....... 74
XXIV. A, Fire door filled with building blocks ready for test; B, Appli-
cation of water jet to test panel after fire treatment............ 76
XXV. A, Permeability apparatus; B, View showing permeability tests
and method of supporting test pieces........................ 78 l
FIG. 1. General plan of buildings............................................ 9.
2. Diagrams showing details of reenforcement of beams................. 48
3. Diagrams illustrating method for computation of concrete beams...... 58
4. Diagram illustrating bending moment between gage points........... 62
5. Specimen for concrete tension tests................................. 66
6. Apparatus for concrete tension tests................................. 67
7. Elevation of fire-test furnace, Underwriters' Laboratories, Chicago, .111.. 74 ^
8. Cross section of apparatus for holding permeability test pieces........ 77
9. Diagram of permeability apparatus and connections................. 78
PREFACE.
By JOSEPH A. HOLMES.
By RICHARD L. HUMPHREY.
INTRODUCTION.
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
ORGANIZATION.
In order that the money available for this work might be so ex-
pended as to secure the most efficient results, it was thought desirable,
to create an advisory board composed of members appointed by the
various national societies directly interested, to whom could be
INTRODUCTION. 3
OKGANIZATION.
HISTORY.
CONCRETE.
(a) Study of aggregates, proportions, and mixing. (6) Physical characteristics, waterproofing, etc.
J. E..Greiner, chairman.
Charles M. Mills.
W. P. Taylor.
George S. Webster.
Gilbert H. Scribner, jr.
the apparatus are shown in the following pages. The-list of the prin-
cipal equipment follows:
One 600,000-pound, motor-driven, automatic, Universal four-screw testing machine,
manufactured by Tin his Olsen & Co., Philadelphia. This machine has a full equip-
ment of tools for making tests of columns up to 30-foot lengths, transverse tests on beams
up to 25-foot span, and tests for tensile strength for specimens up*to 24 feet in length,
with an elongation of 25 per cent.
One 200,000-pound, motor-driven, automatic, Universal four-screw testing machine,
manufactured by Tinius Olsen & Co., Philadelphia. This machine has a full equip-
ment of tools for making compression and tension tests up to 4 feet in length and trans-
verse tests on beams up to 10-foot span.
One 200,000-pound, motor-driven, automatic, Universal four-screw testing machine,
manufactured by Tinius Olsen & Co., Philadelphia. This machine also has a fu.ll
equipment of tools for making tension and compression tests up to 4 feet in length and
transverse tests on beams up to 20-foot span.
One 200,000-pOlllld, motor-driven, automatic, Universal four-screw testing machine,
manufactured by Tinius Olsen & Co., Philadelphia. This machine was furnished by
the Reclamation Service, and has a full equipment of tools for making tension and com-
'pression tests up to 4 feet in length and transverse tests on beams up to 20-foot span.
One 200,000-pound, motor-driven, automatic, three-screw testing machine, manu-
factured by Tinius Olsen & Co., Philadelphia. This machine has a full equipment of
tools for making compression and tension tests up to 4 feet in length and transverse tests
on beams up to 20-foot span.
One 100,000-pound, motor-driven, automatic, Universal three-screw testing machine
manufactured by Tinius Olsen & Co., Philadelphia. This machine has a full equip-
ment of tools for making tension and compression tests and transverse tests on beams up
to 16-foot span.
One 40,000-pound, hydraulic, hand-driven, compression machine, mailufactured by
the Falkenau-Sinclair Company, Philadelphia. This machine is designed for testing
small test pieces in compression, and was furnished by the Reclamation Service.
One 50,000-pound, hydraulic, hand-driven testing machine, very kindly loaned by
Tinius Olsen & Co., Philadelphia.
One 2,000-pound, long-lever, tensile testing machine for cement, manufactured by
Tinius Olsen & Co., Philadelphia.
One 2,000-pound, automatic shot, short-lever, tensile testing machine for cement,
manufactured by Tinius Olsen & Co., Philadelphia.
One 2,000-pound, automatic shot, short-lever,.tensile testing machine for cement,
manufactured by the Fairbanks Company, New York.
One motor-driven torsion machine for testing wire, manufactured by Tinius Olsen &
Co., Philadelphia, and furnished by the Reclamation Service.
One hand-driven, 10,000-pound tension machine for testing wire, and also adapted
for making transverse tests on small specimens, manufactured by Tinius Olsen & Co.,
Philadelphia, and supplied by the Reclamation Service.
One set of tools for making shear tests on concrete cylinders 6 inches in diameter and
24 inches long, together with 12 cast-iron molds. The apparatus is adapted for shearing
out sections 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 inches in length.
One one-half cubic yard capacity concrete cubical mixer, mounted on skids, manu-
factured by the Municipal -Engineering and Contracting Company, Chicago. This
mixer was very generously loaned by the manufacturers during the first year's work
in the laboratories, and was afterwards purchased from them at a very low price.
One ]. cubic yard capacity cubical concrete mixer, with automatic charging hopper
mounted on skids; and one motor-driven one-half cubic yard capacity cubical concrete
mixer, with an automatic charging hopper mounted on skids. These mixers were uianu-
12 STRUCTURAL-MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORIES.
factured by the Municipal Engineering and Contracting Company, and very generously
sold by them for an amount much lower than the market price.
Five hollow concrete block machines manufactured and very kindly loaned by the
American Hydraulic Stone Company, Denver, Colo.; the Miracle Pressed Stone Com-
pany, Minneapolis, Minn.; the P. B. Miles Manufacturing Company, Jackson, Mich.;
the Dykema Company, Grand Rapids, Mich.; and the Century Machine Company,
Jackson, Mich. These machines, representing different types, were selected by a
committee of the Concrete Block Machine Manufacturers' Association.
Six steel molds; with 90 extra interchangeable bottoms for 8 by 'll inches by 13-
foot beams, also adjustable for 6-, 8-, and 10-foot beams.
Seventy-two cast-iron molds for cylindrical test pieces 8 inches in diameter and
16 inches long, 12 of which were furnished by the Reclamation Service.
Twenty-four cast-iron molds for 6-inch cubes, 12 of which were also furnished by
the Reclamation Service.
Sixty-three single brass molds for transverse specimens of cement 1 by 1 inch in
cross section and 13 inches long; 10 of these molds were furnished by the Reclamation
Service.
Eighteen 3-gang and 18 5-gang standard brass briquet molds. Eight of the 3-gang
and 10 of the 5-gang molds were furnished by the Reclamation Service-
Twenty 3-gang 2-inch cube molds of brass. Fourteen of the 2-inch cube molds
were furnished by the Reclamation Service.
Four cubic-foot measures.
One hundred and eighty cement storage cans of galvanized iron, 24 inches in diam-
eter and 29 inches high.
Three hundred tin storage cans, 6$ inches in diameter, fif inches high, with a 4-inch
diameter screw top.
One complete accelerated-test apparatus for cement, including a copper tank, metal-
frame support, and constant-level bottle. ,
One 5-galloh still.
One water bath of heavy copper.
One 4-inch diameter electrical hot plate.
One 12-inch diameter electrical hot plate.
One 10-horsepower American standard feed-water heater.
Two soapstone moist closets, 43| by 24 by 18 inches.
Nine soapstone tanks, 7 feet long and 30 inches wide, eight of which are 6 inches
and one 30 inches deep, inside measure. These tanks are arranged in tiers of three
each, on steel frames, and piped for running water. Two tiers were manufactured
by Stambach & Love, Philadelphia, and one by Cahill, Swift & Co., St. Louis.
' Two standard mixing tables with glass tops.
Two sets standard brass sieves. 8 inches in diameter, having 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 80,
100, and 200 meshes per linear inch.
Two automatic sifting machines, one belt driven and the other motor driven, manu-
factured by Howard & Morse, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Three analytical balances.
Five Troemner scales, two No. 7, two No. 293, and two No. 80; the No. 7 iscale being
furnished by the Reclamation Service.
Five movable platform scales.
Three hand trucks.
One steel carriage for raising and moving concrete beams. This consists of an 8-inch
channel, supported by steel legs 15 feet long, the bottom flange of which serves as a
track for two 1-ton trolleys with roller bearings, bearing differential hoists.
One air compressor with a complete outfit of air tampers and tools, generously loaned
by the Ingersoll-Rand Drill Company, New York.
One complete outfit for preparing cubes of stone, consisting of a gang saw, band saw,
slicing machine, and polishing table.
STRUCTURAL-MATERIALS DIVISION. 13
Fo ur compressometers.
Two extensouieters.
Four beam deformeters.
Four slip of rod apparatus.
Three Thatcher computing machines.
Two Draper recording thermometers.
One Bristol j-ecording tliermomefcei;.
One muffle furnace.
Two gas furnaces.
One gas generator for chemical laboratory.
One Buffalo portable forge. .
Two lever jacks.
One Lodge & Shipley machine lathe.
One 70-horsepower horizontal tubular boiler.
One 74-horsepower Habercorn slide-valve engine.
One Worthington fire pump.
One Westinghouse dynamo. *
In addition to the above equipment all the divisions of the laboratories have a com-
plete equipment of smaller apparatus, and facilities for making the tests covered by
the investigations.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF DONATIONS.
CONSTITUENT-MATEBIALS SECTION.
OUTLINE OF INVESTIGATIONS.
Nature of the work. All the-sand, stone, gravel, and other mate-
rials which are used in the investigations being carried on by the
'division are tested for their quality in this section.
In addition a series of investigations are under way covering the
determination of the relative value of the'various san.ds; gravels,
cinders, crushed stone, and other constituent materials used in cement
mortars and concretes.
For these investigations there is used a typical Portland cement,
obtained by thoroughly intermixing a large number of standard
brands of Portland cement. In the earlier stages of. these investiga-
tions, it was the practice to test each brand separately, and also each
mixture of these brands. It was found that the difference between
the result obtained for the mixture and the average of the results of
the individual brands was so slight as to be negligible for all practical
purposes. It is the practice now, however, to test the various brands
in order to ascertain whether the cement meets the requirements
for a typical cement contained in the programme for these investi-
gations (p. 17). The cement obtained by mixing several brands,
here referred to as a typical cement, is mixed in large quantities at
a time and sealed in air-tight galvanized cans of about 800 pounds
capacity.
Laboratories. Interior views of the constituent-materials labora-
tories are shown in PI. II. A briquet is shown in the clips of the
long-lever testing machine at the left in A, and the soapstone immer-
sion tanks are shown in the background. The glass-top mixing
tables are shown in the foreground of B. This view also shows the
200,000-pound Olsen testing machine -at the left, the long-lever
cement-testing machine and the hydraulic hand-operated compres-
sion-testing machine in the center, and the moist closet at the right.
Register numbers. Each sample of material as it is received at
the laboratories is given a register number, a record of which is
made and filed in a card index. The sample is subsequently known
by this register number, which is so chosen that it indicates the
nature of the material. For example, each material is designated
15787 Bull. 329 08 3
22 STRUCTURAL-MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORIES.
by the first and last letters of its name; thus, Ct. for cement, Sd. for
sand, Gl. for gravel, Cr. for cinder, Sg. for slag, and .Se. for stone.
The first sample of the cement was called Ct. 1, the next Ct. 2, etc.
When the mix is made it is given a single number and each sample
taken from that mix is given a subsequent number; thus the sec-
ond mix was called Ct. 133, and the first sample from that mix Ct.
133-1, etc.
PHYSICAL TESTS OF CEMENT.
is computed. The briquet molds are of the 5- and 3-gang type and
are made of brass (PI. II, A).
Compression test pieces are 2-incJi cubes, the molds being of the
3-gang type. The mortar cubes are . tested in the 40,000-pound
hydraulic hand-operated compression machine shown in PI. Ill,
A, in which a is a ball-and-socket bearing and I and c are handles
that give fast and slow motions, respectively. A cube is shown in the
machine just above a. The stronger neat cubes are tested in the
200,000-pound testing machine.
Transverse test pieces are 1 inch square in cross section and 13
inches in length; they are tested on a span of 12 inches. The trans-
verse molds are of the individual type. The transverse specimens
are usually tested on the machine shown at the left of the center in
PI. II, A, but can be tested in the briquet machine by means of the
apparatus illustrated in PL III, C.
The test pieces are stored in the moist closet for twenty-four hours,
and are then placed under water, in the immersion tanks, until tested.
The water in the immersion tanks is kept constantly running and
heated when necessary in order to maintain a constant temperature
of about 70 F.
The order of testing is regulated by a filing system with cards 6
by 4 inches in size which have blanks for data, as shown in Form A.
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. ' l MOLDING
STRUCTURAL-MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORIES. >
r
1. ..............
7...............
28...'...........
Neat 90..............
180.............
360. ......... ...
7...............
28....--...-..-.
1:3 . on
180.............
360.............
placed in the vessel from dropping down into the pipe. The pipe &
is connected by a rubber hose to a 5-gallon water bottle. The lid c
is of cast iron and is ground to an air-tight fit. The small cock d is
connected by a rubber tube to a Richards air pump (shown at d,
PI. IV, B, and at 1, PI. VI, A), which is attached to a water faucet.
PL IV, B, shows the apparatus, for filling the cylinder, with the
water bottle, the air pump d, and the scales in place. The material
is placed in the hopper a and runs through the opening at & into the
cylinder c. .
Method. A sample of the material is dried to constant weight,
thus incidentally obtaining the percentage of moisture contained in
the material as received. The dry material is placed in the hopper
(a, PI. IV, B), which is raised so that its bottom is 24 inches above
the center of the cylinder. The aperture 6 is opened to such an
extent that the material will fill the cylinder in about one minute.
The material is allowed to fill the cylinder to overflowing and is
struck off level with a straightedge. The cylinder is then trans-
ferred to the scales by means of the overhead trolley (PI. IV, A)
and its weight with contents is ascertained and recorded. The tube
from the water bottle is next attached to the pipe beneath the cyl-
inder and the tube from the pump is attached, to the valve in the
lid, which is carefully put in place. The air is exhausted from the
cylinder by means of the air pump (d, PI. IV, B), and the water is
allowed to flow in slowly from below until it approaches the top,
when the cover is removed and the water brought to the top of the
vessel. The water is allowed to flow into the voids at such a rate
that it reaches the top in about one hour. The weight of the vessel
is taken after the voids are filled with water.
The percentage of voids in the large material and in the screenings
and sand is determined in the same way except that a smaller cyl-
inder is used for the material sifted to one size. This cylinder has
only one hole in the bottom for the introduction of the water. The
smaller cylinder is used because the material of a given size is often
insufficient to fill the larger one (shown in PI. V, A). PI. V, B, shows
the test 011 large-sized material under way.
Computations. The volume and weight of the vessel and the weight
of water required to fill the pipes beneath the vessel are known.
The quantities measured and recorded during the tests are (1) the
weight of the vessel full of dry material, (2) the weight of the vessel
full of material and water, (3) the weight of a portion of the surface-
dried sand after the test, and (4) the weight of the thoroughly dried
sand after the test.
The percentage of voids is obtained by correcting the measured vol-
ume of water for that filling the pipes and absorbed by the material,
dividing by the volume of the vessel and multiplying the result by 100.
26 STRUCTURAL-MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORIES,
The weight per cubic foot of the material is found by taking the dif-
ference between the weight of the empty vessel and the weight of the
vessel full of dry material and dividing by the volume of the vessel.
PERCENTAGE OF ABSORPTION.
Method. The sample used for the absorption test, taken from the
material in the void apparatus, is obtained by spreading the material
out and selecting small portions from several different parts of the
mass.
Computations. The unit absorption, or the weight in pounds of
water absorbed per pound of dry material, is the difference between the
weight of the surface-dried material after the test and of the thoroughly
dried material divided by the weight of the thoroughly dried material.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY.
A. APPARATUS AND CONNECTIONS FOR DETERMINING SPECIFIC IS. APPARATUS FOR REMOVING
GRAVITY OF SAND AND SCREENINGS. SILT FROM STONE SCREEN-
(See explanation in text, pp. 25, 27.) INGS.
GRANULOMETRIC ANALYSIS.
DESCRIPTION.
The sand and screenings received at the laboratories are made into
mortar, using different proportions and sizes of material. - This mortar
is then investigated as to tensile, compressive, and transverse strength,
and as to density. Should the material contain particles larger than
one-fourth inch, these are removed by the use of a J-inch screen. The
BO STRUCTURAL-MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORIES.
mortars are made with one part typical Portland cement in proportions
of 1: 3 and 1:4, and in addition a 1: 3 mortar is made from sand
screened to one size between Nos. 30 and 40 sieves and from stone
screenings sifted to one size between Nos. 10 and 20 sieves. These
mortars are molded into tensile briquets., 2-inch. cubes, and trans-
verse test pieces of 1-inch cross section 13 inches long.
STRENGTH TESTS.
7..............................................
28. ............................................
90.............................................
180
MO............................................
7..............................................
28.............................................
90.............................................
1 80 ..................:......................... '
360.....'......................................
Remarks. .
TESTS OF CONCRETE.
DESCRIPTION.
The large material, first, has all the J-inch material screened out
and is then made into the following concretes:
(1) Using Meramec River sand in proportions of 1:3:6, 1:2:4, in
such amounts that the cement is 10 per cent in excess of the amount
required to fill the voids in the sand and the mortar 10 per cent in
excess of the amount required to fill the voids in the stone, and in pro-
portions which will produce the greatest density as determined by
the yield test, when the cement is first one-ninth and second one-
sixth of the total aggregate. Meramec sand is a bar sand of excel-
lent and unirorm quality, donated by a company operating on the
Meramec River near St. Louis, Mo.
(2) Using the J-inch screenings in place of the sand in proportions
of 1:3:6, 1:2:4, and in the proportion producing the maximum densi-
ties, as with the Meramec sand. The concrete is mixed in a one-half
cubic yard Chicago cube mixer. This mixer is equipped with a
charging hopper and a direct-connected, motor. Water is supplied
from a barrel which rests on a platform scale, so that the amount of
water used may be weighed. The barrel is fed from a faucet and
discharges through a quick-closing faucet into a large funnel. The
water passes from the funnel to the mixer through a 2-inch hose.
The concrete is molded into cylinders 8 inches in diameter and 16
inches long and into 6-inch cubes. Both cylinders and cubes are
tested for compressive strength, and on the cylinders the modulus of
elasticity is also determined. The cubes and cylinders are tested at
28, 90, 180, and 360 days, three similar pieces being tested at each age.
STRENGTH TESTS.
board one-eighth inch thick (PI. X, A, p. 48). The testing of the cyl-
inders is described under the next heading.
MODULUS OF ELASTICITY IN COMPRESSION.
Station........................................... Approved........................................
Batch No.......... Date mixed............... Manner of mixing................................
Proportions (a) by weight....................... (b) by loose volume................................
Weight (pounds).
Material. ^eg.
JNO- ~Per cubic
Actual. rercul:)ic
Time of placing in molds...... Batch used in specimens No.. .*.... Corresponding reports No.......
Remarks. ........................................... ................................................
SPECIFIC *
Form I. UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. GRAVITY AND
STRUCTURAL-MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORIES. ABSORPTION
REPORT.
Operator............. Date......... Reg. No. ...... Field No. ...... Test No. ...... Flask marks.....
Grams. Grams.
Weight of water, screenings, and specific ..... Weight of pan and thoroughly dried screen- ....
gravity flask.............................. .... , ings....................................... ....
Weight of screenings and specific gravity .... Weight of pan.............................. ....
flask...................................... .... Weight of water absorbed.................. ....
Weight of specific gravity flask............. .... Weight of dry screenings in pan............ ....
Weight of water............................ .... Water absorbed per gram of screenings.... ....
Weight of screenings in flask............... ..... Total weight of water absorbed by screen- ....
Weight of pan and air-dried screenings..... ...... ings, in flask.............................. ....
, .
Temperature............. Volume of screenings.............................
]5C Specific gravity|WgJghLof screening
Reading of water level ~ ... ',.."/. l Volume of screenings ----------
^ Corrected
, . , for
, calibration.
, .. ,Water
. admitted..................................
, .^ ,
Corrected for absorption. ^ ,. . ,
Reading taken.........!..........................
Operator ............................... Date.......... Reg. No. .... Field No. .... TestNo.....
Weight of void can plus material plus water. .... Weight of water (W)....................... ....
Weight of void can plus material........... .... Volume of void can......................... ....
Weight of void can......................... ..'. Moisture per pound of material (m)........ ....
Weight of material (M)....."............... .... Absorption per pound of material (a)...... ....
Effective weight of inaterial=M (l-in) = ......................................................... ....
<= , ; , . , Effective weight of material
Weight per cubic foot of material- Volume of void can ---. - - . ... .. .. ----
Effective weight of water, W a M =............................................................. ....
Effective weight of water
Percentage of voids=g23-55Xvolume of VOJd can =............................................. ....
Weight per cubic foot
Computed vouls: Voliime= Specific gravity><62355=............................................. ....
Percentage of voids=l volume.-.................................................................. ....
Timeelapsed inchargingvoidcan{W!thmaterial ---------- -- -- - - -"
TESTS OF STONE.
Previous to the strength tests the cubes are placed in a pan con-
taining one-half inch of water, and their increase in weight measured
at the end of twenty-four hours. The water is permitted to flow
gently through the pan and is maintained at a constant level by an
outlet placed one-half inch above the bottom of the pan. From
these data the percentage of absorption is obtained. The weight
per cubic foot and the specific gravity are also determined.
BEAM SECTION.
OUTLINE OF INVESTIGATIONS.
Granite. 12 12 12
d Limestone. fr+i 12 12 12
"8 d Gravel. Sg
!>* 12 12 12 x
o
0) i Cinders. 12 12 12 d
S
a 1 Granite. 12 24 24
'55
01
- 'S8 So Limestone. 4 12 24 24 0
d
Gravel. Sl 12 24 24 o
03
T3
1g Cinders. 12 24 24 T3
03
a
+3
03
1 Granite.
Limestone.
Gravel.
>>
ft
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
$
<S
M
Cinders. 12 12 12 bo
M
<
Total 144 192 192
a
<
<Ni
o3 "
o
S Q} "^
2
Granite.
Limestone.
H *Tj 03 Gravel.
isfe
P^a ;
36
36
36
Aggregate.Consistency.Proportion.
jj <D
02
OlK W
Cinders. 2 36
S TO (B d> 60
Total.............................. 144
d gravel,limestone,
with 48 48 48 One
of
set each
for
12 0.49 4 2 96
ag regate.
T3 .
*3+
o3 d
T3 S
|i
IM
One
each
set and
granite,
cinders.
48
48
48
48
48
48
.74
.98
4 3
4
144
192
and
Agper-
gregate
of
centsteelage.
<N IH 1- 3
48 48 48 1.24 4 5 240
48 48 48 1.47 4 G 288
II 1^ 1 48 48 48 1.72 7 336
48 48 48 1.96 4 8 384
sM 12
12
12
12
12
12 One
for
12
of
set
0.49
.98
* 8
16
96
192
<-a< -u.
T3 CD
H
ll
g
S o3
w
1
0
3
1
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
each
bar.
of
size 1.10
.98
1.65
1.53
|
5
1}
2
1
3
1
24
12
36
12
diPeracme-entage
and
steel.
of
ter
3 12 12 12 2.21 J 4 48
1 12 12 12 1.96 2 24
a Theoretical proportions.
Remarks. Three test pieces identical in composition to be tested at each of the following ages: 30;
90,180, and 360 days. Three cylinders of each aggregate, theoretically proportioned, to be tested at each
of above ages. Three cylinders and three cubes of each aggregate for medium consistency to be tested
at each of above ages. Mild steel. One coupon to be tested from each bar.
The above outline of the first three series covers the following parts of the general programme (pp.
16-19): Section III. B, items 2 and 5; C, item 1. Section IV. A, items 1, 2, and 3.
STEUCTUEAL-MATEELALS TESTING LABOEATOEIES. . 39
Beam schedule
f 28 h\ '
A*
c6 ......
I 24
^ }-
7................... 6 10 24
1 91 1 24
grH
f 24
24
0 1 24
Total........ ?A 216
a All mortar to be of standard cement and Meramec River sand, and of medium consistency except in
the case of 12 out of the 18 cylinders and plain beams of series 20. Six of these 12 for each shape are to
be of " dry " consistency, and the others'' wet."
BEAM SECTION. 41
proposed for 1907.
Steel. Reinforcement.
Num-
ber
of V
bars.
o Variables. Remarks.
rC Kind of Rods. Stirrups.
bar.
(iSinchesze).
1
Per beam. "Tested.
cent. In O
^
_rt
H
:
1 2 94 3 36 35 to 40 gate; per ages for each proportion
1 3! 92 48 [ cent. the compressive strength
of the concrete will be de-
1 1.95 24 veloped if it can be done
1 2.94 3 36 for this span, without
1 3.92 4 48 diagonal reinforcement.
Q94
! 12
12
12
12
12
12
' 6 12
8................... 6 if 28
91 1:2:4 10 a6 12
12
12
12
12
' .12
12
12
Total........ 180
6
6
6
6
6
6
9. ................... 3 28 Gravel, limestone. ........ .1:2:4 6 10 &3
6
6
6
6
6
6
Total........ fA 72
10.................. 3 28 1:2:4 6 10 6 6
Total........ 6 6
20 6
22 6
18 6
11.................. 3 28 1:2:4 12 63
20 6
22 6
18 6
Total........ 1? 36
__
Steel. Reinforcement.
Num-
ber "tn
of O
,bars. 1
o Variables. Remarks.
Kind of Rods. Stirrups.
bar.
'3
-g8 .5
9, a -6 3
J3 m
GO
w PM w ^ S
to 0
^2 None . . . . \ a0
^(N
r 1H
C
llf 111 v;
m o 1
0^w I
*a
-p S
Will depend on
results of tests I 50 to 60 Round. S M!' s
.l^ SJfl || Fig. 2, to which reference is
made under "Reinforce-
in series 7. P 05 -"a ment," is on page 48.
A -
ffl^ fs
&ntM
'O ^"^ o7o
'S'S Miale? M
*
5'c S B tab a'
a o <a .>
m
' 3g .3 IH ^^ O W>
0 0 o o 09
d-
S. 1 1. . ' am
;
1 J
r+ '
H-
to to to to to to to
J^ - P?
01. ifcL >& tCk rfi. jL t ji-
- W
Span (feet). ggg|/S"?.m
05 to C: to 1>O to as to P-3'S"'CS B
B'B 3
toS Q, 1^- ,
Depth to lower ,to ^ p P* 3 &^,
, layer of steel. ^S i to
o 0 CD 0 o o s o .
d
J For series. S- w
So . :. & : \\ CO CO i I CO ; 1 co CO CO 0 o tz!
.
SB
s -1 . II I || s Of each. i\ P.
IIII O CO 11 CO II CO *tf o*
. 1 i. 11
S
i 1 Of each for se- << g*
; ,_, _, nes. ~g GO O^
^
CO II CO CO CO CO Cn ^?
. , , . . " . : " .
CD
1 Of each. 2g a o
to to to to' to to to to CO CO CO \ CO COCO CO CO CC coco coeoco 1 P.
BEAM SECTION. 45
Steel. Reinforcement.
Num-
ber
of
bars. Ellimit
(thoaustaincds).
Variables. Remarks.
Kind of Rods. Stirrups.
bar.
(Size
inches).
cent.
Per beam. Tested.
In
Same as that
which de- (Kind of bar: Bottom, square; top, de-,
veloped com- 50 to 60 \ marks.
/See re- iSame as in series 11. . 1 formed. Reinforcement in compres-
p re s s i ve 1 sion side of beams, as shown at C, D, E,
strength in [ ^0,1^.2 (p. 48).'
series 17.
.a 1.96 8 24 35 to 40 Round.... To destroy tensile s1 ress in concrete, insert pieces of oiled tin
at 4-inch intervals as shown at K, fig. 2 (p. 48) .
1.25
2xJ 1.25
IJxYJr 1.17
i 1.41
4
2
4
2
48
48
24
Square. . . .
24 I 35 to 40 Flat
....do....
Square. . . .
I- -I Age; aggre- 1 Test of flats and squares,
gate; kind 1 two sizes each: Square, \-
of rein- f inch and f-inch; flat, li
forcement . J by ^-inch and 2 by i-inch .
1.25
2xJ 1.25
lixt| 1.17
1.41
4
2
4
2
48
48
24
Square. . . .
24 1 35 to 40 Flat......
....do....
Square....
I- Age; aggre-
I
gate; kind
of rein-
forcement.
Do.
f 6
20 ................. 6 1f '28
91 1:2:4 12 6
1 6
Total........ 18
f 12
21.................. 6 \f 28
91 1:2:4 12 ofi 12
1 12
Total........ 3fi 36
22..:............... 3 28 1:2:4 61
1
[
15
20
15
20
1- 63
f
1
66
66
Total........ 18 24
Grand total . . 978
Steel. Reinforcement.
Num-
ber
of
bars. El(ltihmoaustaintcds).
Variables. Remarks.
Kind of Rods. Stirrups.
bar.
Size
(inches).
cent. beam.
Per In Tested.
j- Plain beams fAge; con- ITo be made in wooden
\ sistency. / molds.
[Steel same as th it which developed co repressive strength in series 11. A] je, aggregate, and method of
1 molding and nlolds to 1De variable: (1) Wooden molds to t e used under conditions of actual outside
1 practice; (2) s teel moleIs to be used under lab oratory conditions, but ianiform with (1) as to time;
1 (3) steel molds to be us ed by outsic e workme n for compa rison of wor] onanship.
Aggregate;
Initial percent- depth per J-inch stirrups spaced at 6
age of rein- cent and inches. First set of rods
forcement 50 to CO Square deformed ; see remarks. number of with number constant;
same as in se- rods in re- second set per cent con-
ries 10. inforce- tant; diameter changing.
ment.
MIXING,
K M
FIG. 2. Diagrams showing details of reinforcement of beams (see tabular schedule, pp. 43,45). A,
Detail of bent-up rods (series 8); B, detail of spacing of stirrups (series 8); C-Cf, reinforcement of
compressive side of beam the spirals in Fand 0 have a pitch of 4 inches (series 12); H, method of
anchoring rods, whether with nut or bent up at end'(series 13); J, direct measurements of deforma-
tion in steel (series 14); K, method of inserting pieces of oiled tin (series 15); L, detail of concrete
arch and anchoring rods (series 16); M, angle of bend In rod (series 17).
/
Proportioning. The proportions of ingredients, entering into the
concrete are referred to by volume of the loose, dry material. A
record is also made of the proportions by weight. The weight per
cubic foot of the dry material is determined in the constituent-
materials section. Tests are made each morning to determine the
correction which must be made in the weights of the material used
during the day on account of the contained moisture. The weight
of cement is assumed at 100 pounds per cubic foot.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 329 PL. X
The molds used for the cylinders and cubes are the same as those
used in the constituent-materials section (PI. VIII, J5). The concrete
cubes are 6 inches on a side, and the cylinders are 8 inches in diameter
and 16 inches long.
The bond test pieces are cylinders 8 inches in diameter and of vary-
ing length, the shorter lengths being used for small rods.
The bond test pieces are molded in cylinder molds in which are
placed closely fitting cylindrical wooden blocks of sufficient thickness
to make the test pieces the proper length when finished flush with the
top of the mold. At the center of the top surface of the blocks is a
socket about one-fourth inch deep, to receive the lower end of the rod,
which is to be embedded in the cylinder. The machined casting shown
in PL XI, A, is used to surface the top of the test piece and to make the
rod perpendicular to the top of the test piece. The bore of the stem
can be altered to accommodate different-sized rods by introducing
brass bushings of various interior diameters.
The thickness of the block used for each kind of concrete and size of
rod is varied so that the length of embedment for each test piece will
be such that the rod will be pulled out of the concrete before it is
stressed to its elastic limit. The lower end of the rod is placed in the
socket in the center of the wooden block and held in a vertical position
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
BULLETIN NO. 329 PL. XI
is followed, except that each layer, after the first, is tamped but
once before spading and once after. When the rods are in one layer
their centers are placed 1 inch from the bottom, except for 1-inch
and IJ-inch rods, for which a distance of 1J inches was used. Suffi-
cient concrete is placed in the bottom of the mold to bring the sur-
face of the layer a little above the center of the rods. After this
layer has been tamped twice the rods are laid upon it and held the
proper distance apart and from the sides of the mold by slotted
wooden templets. The rods are then tapped down into the concrete
to the required depth; the distance down from the top being gaged
by means of a T-shaped templet, the arms of which rest on the sides
of the mold and the end of the leg on the rods. The concrete is then
placed in three equal layers, tamped and spaded as described above,
and the top troweled smooth. With those beams reinforced with
two layers of rods the manner of placing the first layer of, concrete
and the bottom layer of rods is identical with that followed when
there is but one layer of steel. When the lower rods have been placed
a layer of concrete is added of such thickness that, when tamped, its
surface comes about to the depth of the center of the upper layer of
rods, which are placed 2J inches from the bottom of the beam. This
layer of rods is then placed in the same manner as the first layer.
The concrete in the remainder of the beam is placed in three layers
in the usual manner and the top troweled. The accuracy with which
the rods are spaced may be seen in PI. XI, B, which shows a beam
selected at random and cut open after testing.
Three beams are molded in succession; the first three are molded
on the floor and over these wooden horses are placed upon which to
support another set of three beams. The molds are allowed to
remain on the beams for twenty-four hours. The sides and ends
are then removed for use in molding other beams. The beams
remain on the bottom channels until lack of room on the molding
floor makes it necessary to move them into the moist room. With
the present accommodations the time that the beams are permitted
to remain on the molding floor ranges from twelve to sixteen days.
When the side channels are removed the beams are covered with
burlap, which is kept wet by sprinkling with a hose at regular eight-
hour intervals.
STORAGE.
When it becomes necessary to move the beams they are lifted
from the bottom channels, as described, by means of hoists. The
4-wheeled trolleys run on the bottom flanges of I beams that traverse
the ceilings of the molding and storage rooms. A smooth motion,
free from jolting, is obtained by the use of Yale & Towne triple-
chain blocks. The tracks are spaced such a distance apart that a
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
APPARATUS.
The curved inner surface of the castings are somewhat more than
semicylindrical,. so that the rollers, while permitted to bear on the
beam and turn freely with any motion of its upper surface, will remain
in place when the steel girder is raised above the beam.
The load is transmitted from the machine head to the steel girder
through a spherical bearing block (a, PL XV, B} from the girder to
the beam through two cylindrical rollers (6), which bear upon steel
blocks (c) bedded with plaster of Paris upon the top of the beam. The
upper surfaces of these blocks.are cylindrical surfaces whose axes are
parallel to the length of the beam.
PLAIN-CONCRETE BEAMS.
The testing machine is balanced with the poise at zero before the
beam is placed in the machine; when the beam has been placed on
the supports, its weight is read on the scale beam and is recorded.
After the weight of the beam has been found, two sets of deformeters
are placed on the beam, one having a gage length of 29 inches, with
contact points 10 inches apart vertically, and the other a gage length
of 24 inches, with contact points 5f inches' apart vertically.
A plain-concrete beam in place in the testing machine, with its
deformeters adjusted ready for testing, is shown in PI. XV, A.
The supports for the beams are shown at d, d. These blocks have
cylindrical tops and have a slight outward motion, so that they may
move outward to accommodate the lengthening at the bottom of the
beam.
In several preliminary tests it was found that plain beams four
weeks old failed under a total load but a few hundred pounds greater
than their own weight, and therefore, if tested by the usual method
of supporting them at their ends and applying two equal loads at the
third points, but a few readings from which to interpret the test were
obtained. On this account it was thought advisable to get a reading
of the micrometers when the total deformations throughout the gage
lengths are zero. A table was prepared showing the necessary
amounts by which the reactions must be decreased for beams of dif-
ferent weights in order to make the total deformations throughout
the gage lengths equal to zero. The uplift to decrease the reactions-
is applied at the third, points of the beam by' means of the stirrups
marked a in PL XV, A. The head of the machine is raised so that
the stirrups pull up on the beam until the support afforded the beam
by the stirrups is sufficient to reduce the reactions at the ends of the
12-foot span to the value taken from the table. The micrometers
are then read and the head of the machine is lowered until the beam
rests freely on the 12-foot span, when the stirrups are removed and
the micrometers on the deformeters are again read. The load is
then applied through the box girder and readings of the micrometers
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 1ULLETIN NO. 329 PL. XV
are taken for every 200 to 1,000 pounds of applied load. This
method is used in order to obtain a complete record of the deforma-
tions, since in this way it is possible to take readings from the point
of zero deformations instead of only for the applied loads. Readings
are taken up to the point of 'failure, blocks being so arranged under
the beam, as shown in PL XV, .A, that it can not drop more than
one-half inch at failure, thus never endangering the deformeters.
After the beam breaks the larger of the two portions is tested on
as great a span as its length will permit. The load is applied in the
same way as with the long beams, the load points being each 2
feet from the center of the span. No attempt is made to suspend
the beam for zero deformations, and only the outside set of deforme-
ters is used. The beam deformeters are of two .types; that shown in
PI. XV, A, attached to a beam, is of the electric contact type, the
contact being noted by means of head-band telephone receivers;
there is also another set used in which the indicator of the dial is
moved by the. movement of the rod.
In PL XV, A, the micrometers on the outside set of deformeters
are shown at the right; those on the inside set are shown at the left.
In some recent tests the inside deformeters have been omitted, their
only use having been to confirm the theory of the conservation of
plane sections.
The vertical deflections of unreinforced concrete beams are so slight
that they are not recorded. Form K is used for recording the results
of the tests of both full-length and short-length beams. The values
entered are subsequently copied into tables for publication. All
necessary computations for reducing the results to comparable figures
are made by the computing division.
i UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 1 TEST OF
Form K. | STRUCTURAL-MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORIES. > PLAIN BEAM.
Beam Reg. No. ...... Lab. No. ...... Length of beam, ...... feet...... inches. Age, ........
clays. Gage length,...... inches. Contact points spaced ....... inches apart. Weight of beam, ......
pounds. Weight of corresponding ...... -foot beam, ...... pounds. Cross section at center, ......
inches wide by ...... inches deep; bd2 ....... Span, ...... feet ...... inches. For character of con-
crete and corresponding test pieces see Batch report Bra .......
Deformeter No. ....... Weight of deformeter, ...... pounds. Load applied at ....... Maximum
applied load exclusive of weight of defonneters, ...... pounds. Beam broke ...... feet ...... inches
from center. Unit elongation of lower fiber for weight of beam and attachments ......; modulus of
rupture, ......; distance of neutral axis from top, ...... inches.
Beam brought from damp closet at ......; placed on supports at ......; test started at ....... timo
......; test completed at ......; time ......; sheet given to office at ....... time ......; delay .......
due to .......
Remarks. . ..........'................'.................................................................
REINFORCED BEAMS.
i C> Typical failures by steel reaching elastic limit; /;, typical failure by diagonal tension and stripping of rods.
BEAM SECTION. 57
beams would fail in the-same manner, since the gain in strength ">f the
concrete rendered it less.likely to fail.. Consequently, when the older
beams were tested/ the cracks were marked out for the increments
of 1,000 pounds for the first beam only of each set of three. The
other two were tested to failure; at the maximum load the cracks
were marked out as before. A group of three beams treated in this
manner is shown in PL XVII, c, the bottom beam being the one first
tested.
Slipping of the rods with reference to the adjacent concrete at the
ends of the beam is determined by means of a micrometer reading to
one ten-thousandth of an inch, shown at the extreme right end of the
beam illustrated in Pis. XV, B, and XVI, A. The micrometer is
clamped to the end of the beam, from which a small portion of con-
crete has been removed, exposing the end of one of the reinforcing
rods. The micrometer screw is- adjusted to touch the end of the
exposed rod. No electric contact is used with the micrometer since
the least slipping of the rods may be detected by touch. This same
instrument is used to detect the slipping of the rods in the bond tests.
Form L is used for recording the results of the tests on reinforced
concrete beamss
,-.,_, TL. /i
rorm UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 1> REINFORCED
TJT?AM TIT^T
I STRUCTURAL-MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORIES. ' > DJSjAM. 1&Q1.
Beam Reg. No. ....... Lab. No. ....... Age ...... days. Gage length. ...... inches. Contact
points spaced ...,... inches apart. Weight of beam ...... pounds. Length of beam ...... feet ......
inches. Span ...... feet ...... inches. Cross section at center ....... inches by ....... inches. Rods:
Number........; size......; kind...... Reg. No. of steel...... For distribution of steel, see diagram
No.... For information regarding concrete and corresponding test' pieces, see Batch report Bin....
Deformeter No. ....... Weight of deformeter ...... pounds. Load applie'd at ....... Applied
load at first observed crack ...... pounds. Position of crack ...... feet ...... inches from center.
Maximum applied load ...... pounds. Position of failure crack ...... feet ...... inches from center.
Development of cracks observed ......'. Deflection of center ....... Character of failure .......
Beam brought from damp closet at ......; test started at ....... time ......; test completed at
....... time ......; sheet given to office at....... time ......; delay .... .., due to.......
COMPUTATIONS.
The forms of batch report for both the plain and reinforced beams
(Form F, p. 40) are identical except that for the reinforced beams
the number, size, position, and form of rods are also given. For
these beams the percentage of reinforcement is computed and the
yielding point of the steel is found from tests on short pieces cut
from the reinforcing rods before being placed in the beams.
In order to make clear the methods used in obtaining some of
these values a short statement of the theory will be given. .
The method of finding the necessary decrease in the reactions in
order that the total deformation within the gage length will be zero
will be given first. This method is used in order to obtain a greater
number of readings of the micrometers during the test and therefore
more points on the deformation-bending moment curves.
58 STRUCTURAL-MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORIES.
When a beam rests freely on supports, the upper and lower fibers are
deformed on account of the bending moment due to the weight of
the beam. When the supports are at the ends of the beam, the
upper fibers are shortened and the lower fibers are lengthened. For
equal moduli of elasticity in tension and compression, which are
constant for concrete for small loads, the deformation at any point
of the beam is proportional to the bending moment at that point,
v
iN
s
*~x ->
*
Sh
L\ Li
L
3 > 3 r -3 > ft
1ri7\ ^-f. 9
r*--*\
FIG. 3. Diagrams illustrating method for computation of concrete beams. Upper diagram: Nota-
tion used. Lower diagram: Curve of bending moment within gage length (beam supported at
third points).
and the total deformation over any length of the beam is propor-
tional to the area of the bending-moment diagram over that length.
Therefore when the total positive bending-moment area in the gage
length of the deformeters equals the total negative bending-moment
area in the gage length, the net total deformation in that length is
zero, and both the upper and lower fibers of the beam have the same
length as when.unstressed. For a particular reaction at the ends of
w BEAM SECTION. .59
The moment diagram between .the third points when there is 'both
positive and negative bending moment in the gage length is shown
in fig. 3, in which xx' is the horizontal axis of the moment diagram.
The curve d; e, e', d' is a parabola, and crosses the axis at two points,
viz, at e and at e', between the ends of the deformeters. Then in
the gage length c c' there is negative bending moment from c to e
and from e' to c', and positive bending moment from e to e'. The
dotted lines c d, c' d', and d d' are drawn for the purpose of demon-
stration. Then the distance Mc represents the bending moment at
the center of the gage length, and M0 represents the bending moment
at the end of the gage length. The negative bending-moment areas
within the gage length are c d e and c' d' e', each being represented
by B. The positive bending moment area within the gage length
is e F e', and is represented by A.
The condition that the positive bending-moment area is equal to
the negative bending-moment area is represented by the equation:
A--2B.
Adding the quantity -C to both sides of the equation gives: A +
(-C)=-2B-C.
The first part of this equation is the area included between the
horizontal line d d', and the parabola d F d', that is:
A+(-C)=?g[Mc +(-M0)]
The second part of the equation is equal to the area of the rectangle
dec' d', that is:
-2B -C - -g Mo.
+2 _
as the distance from the neutral axis or upon the usual assumption
of the conservation of plane sections. The reading of the two sets
of deformeters verifies this assumption.
The unit deformation is then obtained by using the parabolic
formula, except in cases where the bending moment due to the ap-
plied load is so great in comparison to that due to the weight of the
beam that the error due to dividing by the gage length is less than
the probable error in reading the deformeters. The correction by
use of the parabolic formula is based upon the assumption that the
total deformation of any fiber is proportional to the product of the
bending moment and the length of the fiber, or, in other words, to
the bending-moment area included in the length of the fiber. This
is represented in fig. 4, in which Mg is the bending moment at the end
of the gage length and Mc is that at the center of the gage length,
the difference being Mw. The area (A) in the diagram is equal to
2
A = g (Me -f oMw). Dividing this area Tby the greatest Mc gives a
new gage length which, were the bending moment constant over it
and equal to Mc would give the same total deformation which was
measured. Dividing this deformation by the new gage length gives
the unit deformation where the bending moment is greatest. The
final deformeter values are calculated from the load and the microm-
eter readings at the last full, set of micrometer readings before the
maximum load was reached.
The percentage of the distance of the neutral axis from the top of
the beam is assumed to be equal to the deformation of the top fiber
multiplied by 100 and divided by the sum of the top and bottom
deformations.
The modulus of rupture is calculated by means of the formula
S=~"/ the value of M at the center of the span being used.
BEAM SECTION. 63
The short sections of the plain beams are not suspended for zero
deformations in.the gage length, and therefore the deformations
calculated for these are those due to the applied load only.
Form L (p. 57) is used for reporting the results of the tests of re-
inforced concrete beams.
The percentages of steel recorded in the batch report are given in
terms of the section of concrete above a line drawn through the
centers of the rods, the lower layer being taken when there is more
than one layer.
The position of the neutral axis is calculated as in the plain beams,
except that instead of using the deformation of the lower fiber,
the deformation of the steel is used, thus obtaining the percentage
of the depth below the top in terms of the distance from the top of
the beam to the center of the lower layer of rods. The position of
the neutral axis is calculated for several loads up to the maximum,
and curves are drawn in order to show the variation in the position
with the increase in the load.
The values under this general heading are obtained from the
load, deformations, and deflections at the last full set of micrometer
readings "before the maximum load. After the location of the neu-
.tral axis has been found, the final deformeter values at the top of
the beam are corrected so as to give the deformations at the extreme
top. It 'should be noted that the lower micrometers are clamped
directly over the steel, and therefore no correction of the micrometer
readings is necessary to allow for the fact that the fiber whose elon-
gation is required is not the fiber upon which the micrometers are
clamped.
All the calculations made for the plain beams are repeated here
except the one giving the modulus of rupture, for which a special
formula must be used. The maximum values are obtained from the
load, lower micrometer readings, and deflections when the beam has
reached its maximum resistance, or from the last full set of defor-
meter readings before failure.
TESTS OF CYLINDERS AND CUBES.
Method. A cylinder and a cube are made from the same batch
of concrete from which each beam is molded, and all are tamped by
hand with a tamper weighing 7 pounds and having a circular face
3 inches in diameter. The same molds (shown in PL VIII, B,
p. 30) are used for these specimens as for those tested in the constit-
uent-materials section. The method of testing is also the same
(pp. 31-36). The compressometers for measuring the deformations
of the cylinders are shown in PI. IX, C (p. 32). The micrometers used
on these compressometers measure directly to ic-onr inch. Form
M is used for recording the results of tests.
64 STRUCTURAL-MATERIALS TESTING. LABORATORIES.
T? . M. <I
Form UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. >> CYLINDER
Tira'p
I STKUCTURAL-MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORY. J iJiDl.
Cylinder reg. No. ....... Lab. No. ....... Gage length, ...... inches. Diameter, ...... inches.
Length, ...... inches. Weight, ...... pounds. Area, ...... square inches. Volume, ...... cubic
inches; ...... cubic feet. Weight, ...... pounds per cubic foot. Ultimate load, ...... pounds. Ulti-
mate strength,'...... pounds per square inch. Initial coefficient of elasticity, ....... Range of linear
value,....... pounds per square inch. Probable ultimate unit deformation, ....... Bedding in
machine, ....... For character of concrete and corresponding test piece see Batch report Bm .......
Cylinders ard cubes brought from damp closet at ......; weighing, measuring, and capping finished
at ......, tinib ......; test of cylinders started at ......; test of cylinders completed at ....... time
......; sheet handed to office at ....... time ......; delay, ....... due to .......
Remarks. ............................................................................................
Bond reg. No......... Lab. No. ....... Diameter of embedded rod....... inches. Embedded length.
of rod, ....... inches. Embedded surface,...... square inches. Reg. No. of rod ....... Elastic limit,
...... pounds per square inch. Yield point,...... pounds per square inch. Load at first slip,......
pounds. Unit bond stress at first slip,...... pounds per square inch. Maximum load,...... pounds.
Maximum unit bond stress,...... pounds per square inch. Unit stress in steel at first slip,...... pounds.
Unit stress in steel at maximum load, ...... pounds. Condition of surface of embedded steel, .......
Condition of surface of steel when pulled from concrete, ....... For character and proportions of con-
crete see Batch report Bm....... Bedding of test piece .......
Remarks. ............................................................................................
The unit bond at any load is found by dividing the load by the
surface area of the rod in contact'with the concrete.
U. S. f.FOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 329 PL. XVIII
A. HENNING STEEL EXTENSOMETER FOR MEASURING ELONGA- 7;. METHOD OF MAKING BOND TEST.
TION OF STEEL.
Micrometer at top for measuring slip of rods.
BEAM SECTION. 65
TESTS OF STEEL.
Method.- As maybe seen in the tables (pp. 38, 40-47) , every rod used
for reinforcement is tested. The tests include the determination of
the yielding point as seen from the drop of the beam, the elastic limit
obtained by the divider method, and the ultimate strength, elongation,
reduction of area, and breaking strength. The elastic, limit is deter-
mined on a gage length of 8 inches, one point of the dividers , rest-
ing in a punch mark and the other marking on chalk rubbed 'on the
surface of the test piece. The elongation is measured on the
gage length of 8 inches. In addition to the above, the modulus of
elasticity is determined on every tenth bar, using the Henning
extensometer with electric contact. The percentage of carbon,
phosphorus, and sulphur in every bar is determined in the chemical
laboratory.
A view of the steel ready for testing is shown in PI. XVIII, A.
Computations. A record of steel tests is kept on a log sheet simi-
lar to FormE (p. 34). After the computations have been made the
results are entered in Form 0. The unit stresses at different loads
are calculated by dividing the gross load by the area of the test piece.
The percentage elongation in 8 inches and the reduction of area
at fracture are also calculated.
The modulus of elasticity is determined by dividing any unit stress
below the elastic limit by the unit elongation at that stress. The
elongations as obtained by the two micrometers on either side of the
test piece are averaged and divided by the gage length to obtain the
unit elongation.
Form 0. |' UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 1 STEEL REPORT.
I STRUCTURAL-MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORIES. )
Kinc
Mar (6) At yield point. ..........
Dim
M ft M "
Arej
Cold Per cent clo
Diameter of
Per cent red
o Character o
iJ ft Condition o
Remarks.-
66 STRUCTURAL-MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORIES.
OUTLINE OF INVESTIGATIONS.
Cross section
test piece in the machine ready for testing. The diameter of the
bearing surfaces is 6J inches and the J-inch space between the test
piece and the castings is filled with plaster of' Paris. A spherical
bearing block is placed on the top of the cutting tool. The bed plate
is slotted so that the end support of the cylindrical test piece may be
adjusted for any width of cutting tool.
Tension. A schedule for determining the modulus of elasticity and
strength of concrete in tension is shown in the table (p. 67). The
test pieces will be of the flat dumb-bell shape, about 8 feet long over
all, having a stem 8 by 8 inches in cross section. One of these test
pieces is shown in fig. 5, and the grip or apparatus for testing it is
shown in.fig. 6. The grip is constructed by bending an 8-inch chan-
nel so as to inclose the head of the test piece and to bear against the
inner surfaces of the head. The two sides of the channel are kept
from spreading apart by plates extending from side to side. One of
the plates is riveted to the flanges of the channel; the other is held
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 329 PL. XIX
Shear:
Series 6-inch cylinder Standard . Meramec 'Limestone; Consistency, 28 81
No. 1. j 24 [inches long. River. gravel; tin- and length to
ders. be sheared.
Series
No. 2.o 6-inch cylinder Standard . Meramec Gravel; cinders; Consistency, & 28,90 84
18 inches long. River. granite. and age when 180, 360
tested.
Tension... Dumb-bell Standard . Meramec Gravel; cinders; Consistency, & 28,00 84
shape; uni- River. granite. and age when 180,300
form, 8 by 8- tested.
inch 'section;
5 feet long.
The specimens for the shear and tension tests are mixed, molded, and
stored under the same conditions as in the case of beams (pp. 48-53).
COMPUTATIONS.
OUTLINE OF INVESTIGATIONS.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
INTERIOR VIEW OF THE MIXING AND MOLDING AND THE TESTING ROOMS, BUILDING-BLOCK SECTION.
BUILDING-BLOCK SECTION. 69
A. Type of wall block all plain face and A. Type of watt block all plain face and
standard ends: standard- ends Continued.
1. With facing. 2. Without facing Continued.
a. One-piece wall block. a. One-piece wall block Continued.
(1) Hollow block. (2) Solid block.
(a) Down face. (a) Down face.'
x. Single air space, (b) Side face.
y. Double air space.
b. Two-piece wall block.
(b) Side face.
(1) With metallic bond.
x. Single air space, (2) Without metallic bond.
y. Double air space.
(2) Solid block. B. Materials used:
(a) Down face. 1. Cement, typical Portland.
(b) Side face. 2.. Aggregate,
b. Two-piece wall block. a. Single.
(1) With metallic bond. (1) Sand.
(2) Without metallic bond. (2) Limestone.
2. Without facing. (3) Granite.
a. One-piece wall block. (4) Gravel.
'!) Hollow block. (5) Cinder.
, (a) Down face.
x. Single air space, b. Double, consisting of sand and
y. Double air space, (1) Limestone.
(b) Side face. (2) Granite.
x. Single air space, (3) Gravel.
y. Double air space. (4) Cinder.
15767 Bull. 329 08 6
70 STRUCTURAL-MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORIES.
hours. At the end of this time they are marked and piled in the
order in which they are to be tested.
Apparatus. All the mortar and concrete used in the tests are mixed
in a one-half cubic yard Chicago cube mixer, which is mounted on
skids and is motor driven. The discharging end of the mixer appears
in the background at the left in PI. XX, which shows the mixing
and molding room. Through the open doorway near the center of
the picture can be seen the testing room. The water used is weighed
in the barrel resting on the platform scales, the process being similar
to that described under "Constituent-materials section " (p. 32).
STORAGE.
One of the moist rooms for the storage of blocks and cylinders is
shown in PI. XIX, B. There are two of these rooms, which are lined
with moisture-proof paper and furnished with water and steam
sprinklers near the ceiling. The specimens are sprinkled at regular
intervals of eight hours. The five different types of blocks and cor-
responding cylinders may be seen in PI. XIX, H.
STRENGTH TESTS.
A. BUILDING BLOCK IN MACHINE READY FOR TRANSVERSE TEST. P>. ONE-HALF OF BUILDING BLOCK IN MACHINE READY FOR COMPRES-
SION TEST,
BUILDING-BLOCK SECTION. 73
31-36). The load at the first crack, the ultimate load, and com-
pressometer readings for increasing loads are recorded.
Form and computations. The results of the preceding tests are
entered on Form P.
Form P. | UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, } BLOCK TESTS.
STRUCTURAL-MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORIES.
Station....'.......................................... Approved:.................................
Inscription of block........................................................... Age ...... days.
Breadth ...... inches. Depth ...... inches. Length ...... inches. Span ...... inches.
TRANSVERSE STRENGTH.
Breaking Date of
Reg. No. Previous treatment. load Manner of failure. Mod. test.
(pounds).
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH.
i>
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 329 PL. XXII
.A, Interior view, showing water pyrometer; li, General view, showing regulating apparatus for gas and air.
BUILDIZSTG-BLOCK SECTION. * '75
PERMEABILITY SECTION.
.1. FIRE DOOR FILLED WITH BUILDING BLOCKS READY FOR TEST.
of the water is read at gage F, and of the air at gage G. The molds
for the test pieces are short sections of iron pipe of 7$ inches internal
diameter and of varying lengths.
Method. The mortars and concretes used in the permeability
tests are mixed on a glass-top table. The material is firmly pressed
into the mold by hand, the object being to do'as little tamping
as possible in order to prevent the flushing of cement to the surface.
The top of the test piece is smoothed off level with the top of the mold
by the use of a 10-inch flat trowel, and is then scraped rough at the
surface so that it will have the same characteristics as the interior.
Supporting rods
Section A-B
The test pieces are stored in a moist room of the block section until
ready for testing.
The test pieces are placed in water for forty-eight hours before
being tested. Annular spaces at the outer edges of both the top
and bottom surfaces are painted with a rubber waterproofing paint,
leaving a circular area 5 inches in diameter in the center of the
specimen in its original condition. Rubber washers are placed
over the waterproofing and the specimen is securely fastened in the
holder. The apparatus is then attached to the unions (C, fig. 8)
and the water is turned on. In the present series a pressure of 20
pounds .per square inch is maintained. Higher pressures are to be
used in the subsequent series.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 329 PL. XXV
A. PERMEABILITY APPARATUS.
CHEMICAL SECTION.
OUTLINE OF INVESTIGATIONS.
CEMENT.
The methods used in the analysis of silt and other materials are
those described in Bulletin No. 305 of the United States Geological
80 STEUCTURAL-MATEETALS TESTING LABOEATOEIES.
R ocks cement .
Steel.
.Ultimate analysis. Rational analysis.
Silicon (Si).......
Total..................... Total .......
Remarks.
82 STEUCTTJRAL-MATEEIALS TESTING LABORATORIES.
ANALYSIS OF STEEL.
All the steel used in the reinforced beams is analyzed. The per-
centages of carbon, phosphorus, and sulphur are determined by the
usual methods and are recorded.
Carbon is determined by solution of steel in potassium cupric-
chloride filtration and combustion of the residue. (Blair's "The
Chemical Analysis of'Iron/' 6th ed., pp. 156-166.)
Phosphorus is determined by the volumetric method proposed by
the subcommittee on methods of the International Steel Standard
Committee of the United States. (Blair, pp. 92-104.)
Sulphur is determined by evolution as hydrogen sulphide and
absorption in ammoniacal solution of hydrogen peroxide. (Blair,
pp. 60-65.)
INVESTIGATIONS OF COLUMNS AND FLOOR SLABS.
During the fiscal year 1905-6 the work at the laboratories was
greatly hampered by the removal of the buildings which formed A
part of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, which work extended
through 1906 and well into 1907, and rendered it difficult to repair
the buildings and to install the apparatus required in. making the
tests. This necessary work, however, was accomplished during the
summer and fall of 1906, so that the work of the new divisions was
well under way early in 1907.
During the fall of 1906 and the first half of 1907 many test pieces
have been made and tested. Those made prior to July, 1907, aggre-
gate 35,200, while the number of tests and determinations which
have been made amount to 35,500.
The approximate number of. test specimens made and tested is
divided among the various sections as follows:
Constituent-materials section. In the constituent-materials sec-
tion there have been made 5,750 transverse specimens 1 by 1 by 13
inches; 8,700 two-inch cubes; 12,550-tensile briquets of 1-inch cross
section; 870 cylinders 8 inches in diameter and 16 inches long; and
710 six-inch cubes. Of these there have been tested 3,650 trans-
verse test pieces; 6,740 two-inch cubes, 540 six-inch cubes; 9,750
tensile briquets, and 600 .cylinders. In addition to the above about
10,000 physical determinations of specific gravity, time of setting
soundness, mechanical analysis, etc., have been made. .
84 STRUCTURAL-MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORIES.
Beam section. In the beam section there have been made approxi-
mately 600 beams of plain and reinforced concrete, 8 inches wide,
11 inches deep, and 13 feet long; 600 six-inch cubes; 800 cylinders
8 inches in diameter and 16 inches long; and 110 bond specimens 8
inches in diameter and of varying lengths. Of these, there have
been tested 290 beams, 280 cubes, 390 cylinders, and 40 bond test
pieces. In addition to these about 2,500 steel tests have been made,
and the modulus of elasticity has been determined on 250 of these.
Building-block section. About 1,600 building blocks of standard
size and 400 cylinders 8 inches in diameter and 16 inches long have
been made, and of these 1,150 blocks and 200 cylinders have been
tested.
Chemical section. About 550 chemical analyses have been made.
FUTURE WORK.