Civil engineer's Den

 The Slump Test is one of the most common and simple tests to measure the workability or consistency of fresh concrete. It evaluates the ease with which concrete can flow and provides an indirect measure of its quality and suitability for specific construction applications. Purpose of the Slump Test Assess the workability of concrete. Ensure uniformity in the mix for different batches. Detect improper mixing, excessive water content, or poor aggregate quality. Apparatus Required Slump Cone (Abrams Cone): Frustum of a cone made of metal. Dimensions: Height: 300 mm. Base Diameter: 200 mm. Top Diameter: 100 mm. Tamping Rod: 16 mm diameter and 600 mm long. Base Plate: For placing the slump cone. Measuring Scale: To measure the slump value. Procedure Preparation: Mix the concrete thoroughly to achieve uniformity. Place the slump cone on a non-absorbent, rigid surface. Filling the Cone: Fill the cone in three layers of equal volume. Each layer is tamped 25 times using the tamping rod...

The Compaction Factor Test is a laboratory method used to determine the workability of concrete. This test is especially suitable for concrete mixes with low workability, which may not be evaluated effectively using the slump test. Purpose of the Test To measure the workability of concrete indirectly by determining the ratio of the weight of partially compacted concrete to the weight of fully compacted concrete. Helps assess the ease with which concrete can flow into forms and around reinforcements. Apparatus Compaction Factor Apparatus: Two conical hoppers (upper and lower) connected vertically. A cylindrical mold at the bottom. Tamping Rod: For leveling concrete. Weighing Balance: To measure the weights. Trowel: For placing concrete. Measuring Cylinder: For measuring concrete. Procedure Preparation: Mix the concrete with the required proportions of cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, and water. Ensure uniform mixing. Filling the Upper Hopper: Fill the upper hopper with con...

Following are various forms in which the timber is available in the market :  (1) Batten: This is a timber piece whose breadth and thickness do not exceed 50 m m.  (2) Baulk : It is a roughly squared timber piece and it is obtained by removing bark and sapwood. One of the cross-sectional dimension exceeds 50 mm, while the other exceeds 200 mm. ( 3) Board : It is a plank i.e. a timber piece with parallel sides. Its thickness is less than 50 mm and its width exceeds 150 mm.  (4) Deal : It is a piece of softwood with parallel sides. Its thickness varies from 50 mm to 100 mm and its width does not exceed 230 mm.  (5) End : This is a short piece of the batten, deal, scantling, etc. (6) Log : It is the trunk of the tree obtained after the removal of branches. (7) Plank : It is a timber piece with parallel sides. Its thickness is less than 50 mm and its width exceeds 50 mm . (8) Pole : It is a sound long log of wood. Its diameter does not exceed 200 mm. It is also known a...