 is a stone-like material obtained by permitting a

carefully proportioned mixture of cement, and gravel

or other aggregate, and water to harden in forms of
the shape and dimensions of the desired structure.
 Portland Cement
 use Type I Portland Cement
 Portland Pozzolan Cement Type IP is allowed provided:
 conformance to AASHTO M 240/ASTM C 595, Specifications
for Blended Hydraulic Cement
 trial mixes shall meet the provisions
 If partially set or which contains lumps of caked 
REJECTED
 samples of cement: AASHTO T 127
 Fine Aggregate
 consist of natural sand, stone screenings or other inert
materials
 having hard, strong and durable particles
 from different sources of supply shall not be mixed or
stored in the same pile
 free from organic impurities
 passing #200: ≤ 3%
 clay lumps or shale: ≤ 1%
 weight loss (Soundness test): ≤ 10%
 Coarse Aggregate
 crushed stone, gravel, blast furnace slag
 hard, strong, durable pieces and free from any adherent
coatings
 passing #200: ≤ 1%
 clay lumps or shale: ≤ 0.25%
 soft fragments: ≤ 3.5%
 weight loss (Soundness test): ≤ 12%
 mass percent of wear (AASHTO T 96): ≤ 40
 slag density: ≥ 1120 kg/m3 (70 lb/ft3)
 Water
 clean and free of oil, salt, acid, alkali, grass or other
substances injurious to the finished product
 water which is drinkable may be used without test
 tested in accordance with and shall meet the
requirements of Item 714, Water
1. Sample of fresh concrete from
which test specimens are made
shall be representative of the entire
batch.
Specimen Result
1 Passed
2 Failed
3 Passed
4 Passed
5 Passed
6 Passed
7 Passed
8 Failed
9 Failed
10 Passed
11 Passed
12 Passed
 SPECIMEN RESULTS
1 PASSED
A 2 PASSED
3 PASSED
4 FAILED
B 5 FAILED
6 FAILED
7 PASSED
C 8 PASSED
9 PASSED
10 PASSED
D 11 PASSED
12 PASSED
2. Elapsed time between obtaining
the first and final portions of
composite samples shall not exceed
15 minutes.
3. Start tests for slump or air content
within 5 minutes after obtaining
the final portion of the composite
sample.
4. Start molding specimens for
strength tests within 15 minutes
after fabricating the composite
sample.
5. Sample the concrete from
stationary mixers, (except paving
mixers) at two or more regularly
spaced intervals during discharge
of middle portion of the batch.
6. Sample the concrete from paving mixers after

the contents of the paving mixer have been

discharged. Obtain samples from at least five

different portions of the pile and then

composite into one sample for test purposes.

7. Sample the concrete from
revolving drum truck mixer or
agitators at two or more regularly
spaced intervals during discharge
of the middle portion of the batch.
 Slump Test
 Compression Test
 Flexural Test
 Slump is a measurement of concrete's workability, or
fluidity.

 It's an indirect measurement of concrete consistency

or stiffness.
 The slumped concrete takes various shapes, and
according to the profile of slumped concrete,
the slump is termed as;
 Slump Mold
 Dimension of Slump Cone:
 Diameter of the base – 203 mm
 Diameter of the top – 102 mm
 Altitude – 305 mm
 Tamping Rod
 A tamping rod made of round, straight steel 16 mm in diameter and
approximately 600 mm in length,with the tamping end rounded to a
hemispherical tip of 16 mm diameter.
 Shovel / Scoop and
Ruler
1. To obtain a representative sample, take samples from two or more
regular intervals throughout the discharge of the mixer or truck. DO
NOT take samples at the beginning or the end of the discharge.

2. Dampen inside of cone and place it on a smooth, moist, non-absorbent,

level surface large enough to accommodate both the slumped concrete
and the slump cone. Stand or, foot pieces throughout the test
procedure to hold the cone firmly in place.

3. Fill cone 1/3 full by volume and rod 25 times with steel tamping rod.
Distribute rodding evenly over the entire cross section of the sample.
4. Fill cone 2/3 full by volume. Rod this layer 25 times with rod
penetrating into, but not through first layer. Distribute rodding evenly
over the entire cross section of the layer.

5. Fill cone to overflowing. Rod this layer 25 times with rod penetrating
into but not through, second layer. Distribute rodding evenly over the
entire cross section of this layer.

6. Remove the excess concrete from the top of the cone, using tamping
rod as a screed. Clean overflow from base of cone.

7. Immediately lift cone vertically with slow, even motion. Do not jar the
concrete or tilt the cone during this process. Invert the withdrawn cone,
and place next to, but not touching the slumped concrete. (Perform in
5-10 seconds with no lateral or torsional motion.)
8. Lay a straight edge across the top of the slump cone. Measure the
amount of slump in inches from the bottom of the straight edge to the
top of the slumped concrete at a point over the original center of the
base. The slump operation shall be completed in a maximum elapsed
time of 2 1/2 minutes. Discard concrete. DO NOT use in any other tests.

Slump

Ruler

Slump Cone
Testing tip:
Since concrete setting is time and temperature
dependent, this test must be started within 5 minutes
after obtaining the composite sample and completed
within 2 ½ minutes after the filling process begins.

VIDEO PRESENTATION
MAKING AND CURING
CONCRETE TEST
SPECIMENS IN THE
FIELD

30
31
 We will need the following apparatus for the test.
Cylinder mold made of steel 150 mm in diameter and
300 mm in height constructed in the form of right
circular cylinders and the top open to receive the
concrete and shall be watertight and sufficiently
strong and tough to permit their used without tearing,
crushing or deforming.
 Beam mold ,
rectangular in shape
and having a length
of 21". The cross
section shall be 6"
by 6".
35
36
37
II. MAKING AND CURING OF CONCRETE COMPRESSION
AND FLEXURE TEST SPECIMENS IN FIELD
(AASHTO Designation T 23)
(ASTM Designation C 31)

For the method of making and curing concrete specimens in the

laboratory (AASHTO Designation T126)

1. Molding of (cylindrical specimens) compression test specimens

3 layers
25 blows/layer

24” 12”

1 set (3 cylinders) for every 75 m3 or

fraction thereof, each day of pouring
6”

5/8” Rammer
2. Molding of (Beam) Flexure Test Specimens
For Concrete Pavement
Beam Specimens
A= L x W
= 21” x 6”
= 126 sq. in.
1 Blow per 2 sq. in.
6”

126 blows
= 63
2 layer
6”

21”
2 layers
63 blows / layer using the
same rammer as in concrete
cylinder sample
3. CURING
A. Application of water to counteract evaporation
• Ponding
• Sprinkling
• Spraying
• Wet burlap
• Wet Earth
• Wet Sand
• Saw Dust
• Straw

B. Application of water proof paper or moisture retention cover sealing

curing compound

* Continuous moist curing at a temperature range of 15.5oC –

37.5oC gives the best results
 III. STRENGTH DETERMINATION OF CONCRETE
TEST SPECIMENS (AASHTO T 97)
1. Flexural Strength of Beam Specimens
a. Third Point Loading Method

R= PL = P 18 = P in #
6” x 6” x 6” 12 in2
bd2
//////////////
1 in Min.
Where:
R = Modulus of rupture, psi or Mpa
D = L/3
Specimen
P = Load in lbs. or in tons
L = Span length in inches
L/3 L/3 l/3

b = base in inches
Span Length
d = depth
L
1. If the fracture occurs in the tension surface within the
middle third of the span length.
PL
R =
bd2

2. If the fracture occurs in the tension surface outside of

the middle third of the span length by not more than
5 percent of the span length.
R = 3 Pa
bd2
Where:
a = average distance between line of fracture and the
nearest support measured on the tension surface of the
beam.
Example: Flexural Strength using the third point loading
Method, FS
1
FS = 2.40 tons x 2204.6 lbs X = 440.92 psi
tons 12 in2

Mpa
FS = 440.92 psi x .006895 = 3.04 MPa
psi

DPWH Spec’s. – Blue Book

For Third Point Loading method:
FS requirement = 3.8 Mpa (550 psi) Min.
 b. Center Point Loading Method:

1 in. min.
(25 mm)

L/3

L/2 L/2
Span Length,
L

3 PL
R=
2 bd2

Where: R = Modulus of Rupture

P = Load
L = Span length
b – base
d = depth
DPWH Spec’s (Blue Book)
For Center Point Loading Method, FS requirement
= 4.5 Mpa (650 psi) Min.
STRENGTH OF CYLINDRICAL CONCRETE SPECIMENS
(AASHTO Designation T 22)
(ASTM Designation C 39)

Rate of Loading for Compressive Strength test:

Load applied at a constant rate within range 20 to 50 psi / sec.
For Cylinder:
6”
Cross Sectional Area = IID2
4
Ac= 3.1416 (6”) = 28.27 in.2
2

4
12” Compressive Strength = 64,000 lbs X .006895 Mpa
28.27 in.2 psi
CS = 15.6 MPa

DPWH Spec’s (Blue Book)

Compressive Strength requirement – 24.1 Mpa (3,500 psi)
Min. at 14 days
 ACCEPTANCE OF CONCRETE

The strength level of the concrete will be considered

satisfactory if the averages of all three (3) consecutive
strength test results equal or exceed the specified strength,
and no individual strength test result is deficient by more
than 15% of the specified strength.

Concrete deemed to be not acceptable using the

above criteria may be rejected unless the contractor can
provide evidence, by means of core tests, that the quality
of concrete represented by failed test results is acceptable
in place.
 Concrete in the area represented by the cores will be
considered adequate if the average strength of the cores is
equal to at least 85% of, and if no single core is less than
75% of, the specified strength.

Payment of the concrete will be made at an adjusted

price due to strength deficiency of concrete specimens.
Deficiency in Strength of Concrete Specimens, Percent (%) of Contract Price
Percent (%) Allowed
Less than 5 100

5 to less than 10 80

10 to less than 15 70

15 to less than 20 60

20 to less than 25 50

25 or more 0
Deficiency in the Average Thickness Percent (%) of Contract Price Per
per lot (mm) Lot

0–5 100 payment

6 – 10 95% payment

11 – 15 85% payment

16 – 20 70% payment

21 – 25 50% payment

More than 25 Remove and replace/ No payment

No acceptance and final payment shall be made on
completed pavement unless core test for thickness
determination is conducted, except for Barangay
Roads where the implementing office is allowed to
waive such test.
 COMMON FIELD TESTS
CONCRETE PAVEMENT

VERIFICATION OF IN-PLACE THICKNESS/STRENGTH/DENSITY OF

COMPLETED CONCRETE PAVEMENT
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE:
Core tests measure the thickness of completed concrete
and asphalt pavement. It also verify the strength of concrete in-
place and the density of compacted asphalt pavement.

CONCRETE PAVEMENT

SAMPLING:
Specimens are taken after the concrete has become hard
enough to permit sample removal without disturbing the bond
between the mortar and coarse aggregate. In general, the concrete
shall be 14 days old before the specimens are removed.
Samples that show abnormal defects or samples that have
been damaged in the process of removal shall not be used.

Samples for determining compressive strength that contain

embedded reinforcement should be avoided if possible or trimmed to
eliminate the reinforcement provided a length-to diameter ratio (L/D) of at
least 1.00 can be attained
CORE SPECIMENS:
A core specimen for thickness determination shall have a diameter of
at least 100 mm (4 in.)

For compressive strength determination, the diameter of core

specimens should be at least three (3) times the nominal maximum
size of the coarse aggregate used in the concrete and must be at least
twice the nominal maximum size of the coarse in the core sample. The
length of the specimen, when capped, shall be as nearly as practicable
twice its diameter

OBTAINING OF CORE SPECIMENS:

The completed pavement is accepted on a lot basis. A lot shall be
considered as 1000 linear meters of pavement when a single traffic
lane is poured or 500 linear meters when two lanes are poured
concurrently.
Other areas such as intersections, entrances, cross-overs, ramps,
etc. . . . ., will be grouped together to form a lot.
Each lot will be divided into five (5) equal segments and
one core will be obtained from each segment.
 When the measurement of any core is less than the
specified thickness by more than 25 mm, additional cores will be
taken at no less than 5 m intervals parallel to the center line in
each direction, from the affected location. Obtaining of core
samples will only be stopped when a core which is not deficient in
thickness by more than 25 mm is found in each direction.
CORING FOR THICKNESS DETERMINATION

8 2

3
7
9

6 4

5
ILLUSTRATION 1:

A core taken from a 200-meter segment of concrete

pavement, its location shown as A in the figure below, was measured
to be 200 mm. The design thickness of the pavement is 230 mm

Single-lane pavement

Backward Forward

B1 A F1 F2

Sta. 0 + 200 Sta. 0 + 400

 Since the core is deficient in thickness by more than 25 mm,
additional cores will be taken at B1 and F1. If the cores obtained at B1
and F1 were, for example, 200 mm and 190mm, respectively, coring in
the backward direction is stopped, while coring in the forward direction
is continued. If the core obtained at F2 was, say 225 mm, the coring
is stopped.
ILLUSTRATION 2:
A core specimen taken from a concrete pavement was
measured for thickness determination. The required pavement
thickness is 23 cm.
EVALUATION OF CORE SAMPLES:

1. For each core sample, nine (9) measurements of the length are
made, one at the central position and one each along at eight
additional positions spaced at equal intervals along the
circumference of the circle of measurement.

2. The average length of the core is then obtained from the nine
measurements, subject to the following:
a. Individual measurements in excess of the specified thickness by
more than 5 mm will be considered as specified thickness plus
5 mm.

b. Individual measurements less than the specified thickness by

more than 25 mm shall not be included in the average.
3. When the average thickness for the lot is deficient, the
contract unit price is adjusted as follows:

Deficiency in the Percent of Contract

Average Thickness per Price Per Lot, %
Lot (mm) Payment

0–5 100

6 – 10 95

11 – 15 85

16 – 20 70

21 – 25 50

More than 25 Remove & Replace / No

Payment
 CORING FOR STRENGTH DETERMINATION

OBTAINING OF CORE SPECIMENS:

When the strength test results of concrete beam or cylinder
samples are not acceptable, at least three representative core shall
be taken from each member or area of concrete in-place considered
deficient.

EVALUATION OF CORE SAMPLES:

Concrete in the area represented by the cores will be
considered adequate if the average strength of the cores is
equal to at least 85% of, and if no single core is less than 75%
of, the specified strength
ILLUSTRATION 3:
Three (3) cores taken from a pavement section poured on
a single day were tested for strength compliance. The results are:

Core ID Strength, Mpa (psi)

1 18.59 (2695)
2 21.49 (3115)
3 19.32 (2800)

EVALUATION:
The required strength is 24.1 Mpa (3500 psi)
a. The average strength of the three (3) cores is 19.80 Mpa
(2870 psi), which is less than 85% of the required strength.
b. Concrete in the area represented by the cores is
considered inadequate.
ILLUSTRATION 4:
Three (3) cores taken from another section were
tested for strength determination. The results are:

Core ID Strength, Mpa (psi)

1 23.32 (3378)
2 15.94 (2310)
3 24.79 (3593)

EVALUATION:
a. The required strength is 24.1 Mpa (3500 psi)
b. The strength of Core No. 2 is less than 75% of
the required strength.
c. Concrete in the area represented by the cores
is considered inadequate.
 PAYMENT OF SECTIONS REPRESENTED BY CONTROL
SPECIMENS NOT MEETING THE STRENGTH REQUIREMENT

If the strength of control specimens fails to meet the

requirements and it is not feasible or not advisable to obtain
cores from the structures due to structural considerations,
payment of the concrete will be made at an adjusted price
due to strength deficiency of concrete specimens as
specified hereunder:
 Measuring Length of Drilled Concrete Cores
( AASHTO T-148 )
( ASTM C-174 )

1
2
8

7 3

4
6
5
Concrete Core Thickness Determination
I.D. Station 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Center
CR-1 0+320 R/L 35.5 36.3 36.3 36.3 36.3 36.6 36.6 36.6 37.2
Average Thickness, cm = 36.4
Compressive Strength of Concrete Core Specimen

Corrected Factor Corrected Compressive Strength

0.934 Mpa psi
21.78 3160