Strength of Concrete:

Variables with W:C Ratio and Curing Time

December 17, 2007

Group: Tim Spoonhower

Bernt Hansen
Nick Jones
Mark Sears
Matt Szelega
Introduction:

Over the last month the lab group listed on the title page conducted strength tests

on 4”x8” cylinders that we made using our designated w:c ratio (0.40). The test was

conducted in order to show the difference in strength when you adjust the w:c ratios, and

the how During the lab exercise each group was assigned a specific w/c ratio to prepare

individual concrete batches. Before any ingredients were measured out though an

adjustment to account for aggregate moisture was used. Once the adjustment was made

each group using a different w/c ratio scaled their batch size. The ingredients were mixed

thoroughly to produce a workable batch of concrete. The concrete batch for each group

was a different consistency because of the varied w/c ratios. Each group performed

slump tests on their batch. The concrete from the slump tests was returned to the batch

and used later in the cylinder molds. Two cylinders were weighed empty and then full

producing a difference in weights which was used in calculating the unit weight of

concrete. Numerous cylinders were molded by each group which were allowed to set

over night and then cured in a water bath at periods of 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days.

Each group left a cylinder to air dry and receives no water curing. The cylinders were

then crushed at these intervals, allowing us to compare the strength of the molds based on

w/c ratio. The purpose of crushing the cylinders was to calculate the compressive

strength of each cylinder based on its w/c ratio and method of curing. From this we

plotted the results which showed the trend and importance of w/c ratio, and curing time

for a concrete specimen. The lab was performed in the Mechanical Building on the BCC

campus under Professor Haas for the Materials Testing class.

 1 Cu. Yd.
Mix Data Basic Adjusted Test Batch Group
W/C 0.4 0.4 0.4
Water, lb 325 341 6.9
Cement, lb 815 815 16.3
Fine aggregate, lb 1020 1024 20.5
Coarse aggregate,
lb 1830 1810 36.3
Total Weight 3990 3990 80
Slump 2.625"

Unit Weight #1 #2
Weight of cylinder mold 0.29 lb 0.29 lb
Weight of cylinder + Concrete 8.97 lb 9.03 lb
Volume of cylinder 0.058 cf 0.058 cf
149.7 150.7
Unit Weight, pcf lb/cf lb/cf

Cylinder Diameter 0.333 ft 0.333 ft

Cross section Area of cylinder 0.087 ft2 0.087 ft2
Cylinder Strength Test
Group 1 Group 2 Group 3
age Load, lb Com. Str. age Load, lb Com. Str. age Load, lb Com. Str.
5,21 3,98 1,07
7 65,500 5 7 50,000 1 7 13,500 5
5,56 3,30 1,27
7 69,900 5 7 41,500 4 7 16,000 4
5,45 4,06 1,07
14 68,500 4 14 51,000 1 14 13,500 5
6,05 4,14 1,27
14 76,000 1 14 52,000 0 14 16,000 4
6,05 5,25 1,67
28 76,000 1 28 66,000 5 28 21,000 2
6,13 5,49 1,67
28 77,000 1 28 69,000 4 28 21,000 2
5,65 3,42 1,67
Dry (28) 71,000 3 Dry (28) 43,000 4 Dry (28) 21,000 2
avg. comp. str. avg. comp. str. avg. comp. str.
age strength, psi age strength, psi age strength, psi
7 5,390 7 3,643 7 1,174
14 5,752 14 4,100 14 1,174
28 6,091 28 5,374 28 1,672

Discussion:
During the Lab exercise each group adjusted their batch of ingredients

accordingly, based on aggregate moisture. Once the moisture adjustment had been made

each group individually based on assigned w/c ratio, scaled down their batch ingredients

from 3990 lbs to 80 lbs. Once the ingredients had been adjusted and measured out they

were mixed appropriately. Immediately after the batch had been finished mixing each

group performed a slump test. Our group used a w/c ratio of .4 which produced a

concrete batch that gave a slump of 2.625 inches. After the slump had been measured our

group made the appropriate measures which allowed for a calculation of unit weight to be

found, our groups batch produced a unit weight for concrete of roughly 150 pcf. After
unit weight had been found several cylinders were cast appropriately rodding the layers

and tapping the outer sides of the mold to ensure that all air voids had been filled. The

cylinders were allowed to set over night and they stripped to be placed in a water bath.

At the required seven, fourteen, and twenty-eight day periods the cylinders were

crushed and computed for compressive strength. With the computed strengths and

known w/c ratios several plots were produced to show the relationship of time and w/c

ratio to the strength of the concrete. As expected the lowest w/c ratio produced the

highest strengths spanning the entire 28 days. Where the highest w/c ratio, as expected

produced the lowest strengths. With a w/c ratio of .4 our group had a very well

proportioned and cohesive concrete mix which made the lab much easier and cleaner.

The plots of all groups together show the appropriate relationship between the time, w/c

ratio, and strength of the concrete. The one cylinder that each group allowed to air dry

for the duration of 28 days was crushed but not plotted. The strength of each groups air

dry cylinder closely resemble the 7 day strengths. The reason for this is that without

water for curing the reaction of hydration quits within roughly a week of the making and

setting of the cylinder mold. From this lab you are better able to understand the affect of

w/c ratio and are able to physically see the workability and consistency of the concrete

batches produced by each w/c ratio.