MANILA: Room 206, JPD Building, CM Recto Avenue, Manila

CEBU: 4/F J. Martinez Bldg., Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City

Telephone Number: (02) 516 7559 (Manila) E-Mail: buksmarquez1 @yahoo.com
(032) 254-9967 (Cebu)

Refresher MODULE – Construction Materials Testing & Codes

CONCRETE TESTS
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST (ASTM C39 / C39M) SLUMP TEST (ASTM C143)
Summary: Summary:
This test method consists of applying a compressive axial load to molded cylinders or cores A sample of freshly mixed concrete is placed and compacted by rodding in a mold shaped
at a rate which is within a prescribed range until failure occurs. The compressive strength as the frustum of a cone. The mold is raised, and the concrete allowed to subside. The
of the specimen is calculated by dividing the maximum load attained during the test by the vertical distance between the original and displaced position of the center of the top surface
cross-sectional area of the specimen. of the concrete is measured and reported as the slump of the concrete.

This test method is used to determine compressive strength of cylindrical specimens STEEL TESTS
prepared and cured TENSION TEST (ASTM E8)
Summary:
Calculations: Tension tests provide information on the strength and ductility of materials under uniaxial
Calculate the compressive strength of the specimen by dividing the maximum load carried tensile stresses
by the specimen during the test by the average cross-sectional area determined as
described in Section 6 and express the result to the nearest 10 psi [0.1 MPa]. TORSION TEST (ASTM E143)
Summary:
If the specimen length to diameter ratio is less than 1.8, correct the result obtained in 8.1 The cylindrical or tubular test specimen is loaded either incrementally or continuously by
by multiplying by the appropriate correction factor shown in the following table: applying an external torque so as to cause a uniform twist within the gage length.

Calculations:
Shear modulus for a specimen of circular cross-section is given by the equation:
SPLIT-TENSION TEST (ASTM C496) 𝑮 = 𝑻𝑳/𝑱𝜽
Summary: where:
This test method consists of applying a diametral compressive force along the length of a 𝐺 = shear modulus of the specimen
cylindrical concrete specimen at a rate that is within a prescribed range until failure occurs. 𝑇 = torque
This loading induces tensile stresses on the plane containing the applied load and relatively 𝐺 = gage length
high compressive stresses in the area immediately around the applied load. 𝐽 = polar moment of inertia of the section about its center
𝜃 = angle of twist (radians)
Calculations:
Calculate the splitting tensile strength of the specimen as follows: BEND TEST (ASTM E290)
𝑻 = 𝟐𝑷/𝝅𝒍𝒅 Summary:
where: Bend tests for ductility provide a simple way to evaluate the quality of materials by their
𝑇 = splitting tensile strength (kPa) ability to resist cracking or other surface irregularities during one continuous bend. No
𝑃 = maximum applied load indicated by the testing machine (kN) reversal of the bend force shall be employed when conducting these tests.
𝑙 = length (m)
𝑑 = diameter, (m)
OBJECTIVE PROBLEMS
FLEXURE STRENGTH TEST (ASTM C78) 1. What water-cement ratio will produce the highest strength of concrete?
Summary: A. 0.45 C. 0.50
This test method is used to determine the flexural strength of specimens prepared and B. 0.48 D. 0.52
cured. Results are calculated and reported as the modulus of rupture 2. What test determines the resistance to deformation of a compound asphalt
concrete mix?
Calculations: A. Hardness test C. Ductility Test
1. If the fracture initiates in the tension surface within the middle third of the span length,
calculate the modulus of rupture as follows:
B. Marshall stability test D. Durability Test
𝑹 = 𝑷𝑳/𝒃𝒅𝟐 3. What is used to measure pavement surface irregularity?
where: A. Falling weight deflectometer
𝑅 = modulus of rupture, (MPa) B. Pendulum apparatus
𝑃 = maximum applied load indicated by the testing machine (N) C. Dynamic cone penetrometer apparatus
𝐿 = span length (mm) D. 3-m straight edge
𝑏 = average width of specimen at the fracture (mm) 4. Which of the following is true regarding the rebound hammer (Schmidt) test
𝑑 = average depth of specimen at the fracture (mm) for concrete?
A. The test is used to determine the uniformity of concrete
2. If the fracture occurs in the tension surface outside of the middle third of the span length
B. Can be used as a substitute to direct methods of compressive
by not more than 5 % of the span length, calculate the modulus of rupture as follows:
𝑹 = 𝟑𝑷𝒂/𝒃𝒅𝟐 strength determination such as tests on cored samples
where: C. Is a simple and versatile test method which can be used even on rough
𝑎 = average distance between line of fracture and the nearest support measured on the concrete surfaces
tension surface of the beam (mm) D. All of the above
5. The measurement of the thickness of an asphalt core using a caliper is based
3. If the fracture occurs in the tension surface outside of the middle third of the span length on
by more than 5 % of the span length, discard the results of the test. A. 4 sides C. 6 sides
B. 5 sides D. 9 sides
REBOUND HAMMER TEST (ASTM C805) 6. This is a test criterion for reinforced concrete pipe tested in a three-edge
Summary:
The rebound hammer test, also known as the Schmidt hammer test, is a nondestructive bearing test
test performed on hardened concrete to determine the hardness of the surface. The A. 0.3 mm crack C. 0.5 mm crack
hardness of the surface can be correlated, to some extent, with the concrete strength. The B. 0.4 mm crack D. 0.6 mm crack
rebound hammer is commonly used to get an indication of the concrete strength 7. What is NOT the most commonly accepted measure of the hardness of
concrete?
A steel hammer impacts, with a predetermined amount of energy, a steel plunger in contact A. Soundness test C. Petrographic test
with a surface of concrete, and the distance that the hammer rebounds is measured. B. LA Abrasion test D. Fractured face test
8. Which is NOT a type of PCCP (Portland Cement Concrete Pavement)
Calculations: distress:
Read the rebound number on the scale to the nearest whole number and record the
rebound number. Take ten readings from each test area. No two impact tests shall be closer
A. Scaling C. Ravelling
together than 25 mm (1 in.). B. Crazing D. Pockmark
9. It is the purpose of driving test piles
Discard readings differing from the average of 10 readings by more than 6 units and A. To determine the required pile length
determine the average of the remaining readings. If more than 2 readings differ from the B. To determine the cross-sectional area of the pile
average by 6 units, discard the entire set of readings and determine rebound numbers at C. To determine the actual number of piles needed
10 new locations within the test area. D. None of the Above
 MANILA: Room 206, JPD Building, CM Recto Avenue, Manila
CEBU: 4/F J. Martinez Bldg., Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City
Telephone Number: (02) 516 7559 (Manila) E-Mail: buksmarquez1 @yahoo.com
(032) 254-9967 (Cebu)

10. Which is not included in the three phases of rolling operations in asphalt BUILDING OR OTHER STRUCTURE, REGULARSHAPED refers to a building or other
pavement? structure having no unusual geometrical irregularity in spatial form.
A. Breakdown rolling C. Intermediate rolling BUILDING OR OTHER STRUCTURES, RIGID refer to a building or other structure whose
B. Primary rolling D. Final rolling fundamental frequency is greater than or equal to 1.0 Hz.
11. The selection by standard method of a representative portion of a material DRIFT or STOREY DRIFT is the lateral displacement of one level relative to the level above
for the purpose of ascertaining its characteristic is called: or below.
A. Batching C. Sampling
LIMIT STATE is a condition beyond which a structure or member becomes unfit for service
B. Quarrying D. Quartering
and is judged to be no longer useful for its intended function (serviceability limit state) or to
12. An admixture that tends to reduce incidence of thermal cracking and to be unsafe (strength limit state).
maintain concrete workability during large pours or long ready-mix hauls is
a/an: PERIOD is the time interval required for one full cycle of a wave,
A. Water-reducing admixture COLUMN CAPITAL is an enlargement of the top of a concrete column located directly
B. Retarding water-reducing admixture below the slab or drop panel that is cast monolithically with the column.
C. Air-entraining admixture DROP PANEL is a projection below the slab used to reduce the amount of negative
D. Accelerating admixture reinforcement over a column or the minimum required slab thickness, and to increase the
13. The actual strength concrete in-place in an area presented by failed beam slab shear strength.
samples can be determined by means of FOG SEAL is a light application of a slow-setting asphalt emulsion diluted by 1 to 3 part of
A. Slump test C. Stability Test water which is used to seal small cracks and voids and to rejuvenate old asphalt surfaces.
B. Core test D. Extraction Test
14. A mixture of asphalt cement and water with catalytic agent is called:
A. Joint filler C. Cutback Asphalt IRREGULAR STRUCTURES
B. Emulsified asphalt D. Asphalt Cement have significant physical discontinuities in configuration or in their lateral force-
15. The main problem associated with wrong practice of conveying concrete is resisting systems
called:
A. Honeycomb C. Segregation Table 208-9 Vertical Structural Irregularities
B. Laitance D. Cracking Irregularity Type and Definition
16. What is the frequency of core sampling required on a completed bituminous 1. Stiffness Irregularity – Soft Storey
pavement? A soft storey is one in which the lateral stiffness is less than 70 % of that
A. Every 100 linear meters per lane C. Every 300 linear meters per lane in the storey above or less than 80 percent of the average stiffness of
B. Every 200 linear meters per lane D. Every 400 linear meters per lane the three stories above.
17. The test to indicate the temperature wherein asphalt can be heated without
2. Weight (Mass) Irregularity
catching fire is called:
Mass irregularity shall be considered to exist where the effective mass
A. Loss on heating C. Flash point
of any storey is more than 150 % of the effective mass of an adjacent
B. Spot test D. Penetration test
storey: A roof that is lighter than the floor below need not be considered.
18. Undersized reinforcing steel bars that satisfy the tensile and elongation
3. Vertical Geometric Irregularity
requirements may be accepted provided that its underweight does not
Vertical geometric irregularity shall be considered to exist where the
exceed:
horizontal dimension of the lateral force-resisting system in any storey
A. 3% C. 6%
is more than 130 % of that in an adjacent storey. One-storey penthouses
B. 5% D. 10%
need not be considered.
19. Too wet mix, over-sanded mix and overworking of concrete during placing
4. In-Plane Discontinuity in Vertical Lateral-Force-Resisting Element
usually result in ____ of concrete pavement
Irregularity
A. Cracking C. Settlement
An in-plane offset of the lateral load-resisting elements greater than
B. Ravelling D. Scaling
the length of those elements
20. Slump test is the measure of workability of concrete mixture. Which is NOT
the type of concrete slump? 5. Discontinuity in Capacity - Weak Storey Irregularity
A. Shear slump C. True slump A weak storey is one in which the storey strength is less than 80 % of
B. Collapse slump D. False slump that in the storey above. The storey strength is the total strength of all
seismic-resisting elements sharing the storey for the direction under
consideration.
MISCELLANEOUS
TERMS
SCALING is the breaking away of the hardened concrete surface of a slab to a depth of
Table 208-10 Horizontal Structural Irregularities
about 1.6 to 4.8 mm. It usually occurs at an early age of the slab. Irregularity Type and Definition
1. Torsional Irregularity - Considered When Diaphragms are not Flexible
CRAZING is the occurrence of numerous fine hair cracks in the surface of a newly
hardened slab to surface shrinkage.
Torsional irregularity shall be considered to exist when the maximum
storey drift, computed including the accidental torsion, at one end of the
DUSTING is the appearance of a powdery material on the surface of a newly hardened structure transverse to an axis is more than 1.2 times the average of the
concrete slab storey drifts of the two ends of the structures
ACCELEROGRAPH are accelerograph records the acceleration of particles on the surface 2. Re-entrant Corner Irregularity
of the earth as a function of time, which is called an accelerogram. The accelerograph Plan configurations of a structure and its lateral-force-resisting system
generally records three mutually perpendicular components of motion in the vertical and contain re-entrant corners, where both projections of the structure
two orthogonal horizontal directions.
beyond are-entrant corner are greater than 15% of the plan dimension
ACCELEROMETER is an instrument used to measure acceleration in the vertical and two of the structure in the given direction.
orthogonal horizontal directions. An accelerometer has no built-in data recording capacity 3. Diaphragm Discontinuity Irregularity
and is attached to a multi-channel data logger or an accelerograph to record measured Diaphragms with abrupt discontinuities or variations in stiffness,
acceleration
including those having cutout or open areas greater than 50 % of the
DAMPING is the energy dissipation properties of a material or system under cyclic stress. gross enclosed area of the diaphragm, or changes in effective
GALS is the unit measure of acceleration equivalent to (1/1000) *g. Note that 1,000 gals= diaphragm stiffness of more than 50% from one storey to the next.
1g (“g” is acceleration due to gravity equals to 9.81 m/s2 or 32.2 ft/s2) 4. Out-Of-Plane Offsets Irregularity
NATURAL FREQUENCY is the number of wave cycles per second which a system tends Discontinuities in a lateral force path, such as out-of-plane offsets of the
to oscillate in the absence of any driving or damping force. vertical elements
5. Non-parallel Systems Irregularity
BUILDING, FLEXIBLE refers to slender buildings that have a fundamental natural
frequency less than l .0 Hz.
The vertical lateral-load-resisting elements are not parallel to or
symmetric about the major orthogonal axes of the lateral force-resisting
BUILDING, LOW-RISE is an enclosed or partially enclosed building that complies with the systems.
following conditions:
1. Mean roof height, h, less than or equal to 18 m, and
2. Mean roof height, h, does not exceed least horizontal dimension.