Awarded as the best online publication by CIDC

Setting Up Small Testing Laboratory at Field

By
Er. Kaushal Kishore ,
Materials Engineer, Roorkee

Designers and builders of construction projects no longer can consider quality control testing an option or convenience. In the past decade, testing for the quality of materials and finished construction has become a necessity that no responsible builder can neglect.

The truth of this statement is proved not only by construction delays and cost overruns but also by catastrophic failures of major structures. Such catastrophies include dam failures, collapses and foundation breakdowns in multi-storeyed office and apartment structures; and other failures in stadia, factories, schools, auditoria, public buildings and bridges.

Each construction project determines its own individualized testing needs. A variety of factors influence the type of testing required. Among these factors are size of the structures, terrain, type of soil and subsurface conditions at the construction site and other conditions peculiar to the specific location. The expertise of the construction engineers and technical personnel working on the project will also have an influence on the testing and inspection need.

Testing facilities may range from a simple, inexpensive test kit carried in a portable chest to a fully equipped Central Testing Laboratory.

A small Field Testing Laboratory, which can perform all the required tests can be set up at any construction site with a small investment of about Rs. 71,300/-. The equipments of the Laboratory shall be as given below:

S. No.

Items

Qty

Approx. Cost (in Rs.)

1 Hydraulic Compression Testing Mechine, hand operated 100 tonnes capacity. Conform to the requirements of IS: 516-1959, IS :14858-2000 caliberated to an accuracy of ± 1% indicated load within range.

1 No.

20,000

2 Cube moulds 150x150x150 mm size conforming to IS : 516-1959, IS : 10086-1982.

12 Nos.

5,000

3 Slump apparatus conforming to IS: 7320.

1 No.

1,000

4 Test sieve set IS : 460-1972, 30 cm dia frame of size 40mm, 20mm, 12.5mm and 10 mm and 20 cm dia frame of size 4.75mm, 3.35 mm, 2.36mm, 1.18mm, 600 micron, 300 micron, 150 micron, 90 micron and 75 micron.

One Set

5,000

5 Bulk density measure 3 and 15 litres capacity as per IS : 2386 (Part-III)- 1963.

One Each

2,000

6 Thickness and length gauge as per IS : 2386 (Part-I)- 1963.

One Each

800

7 15 cm dia aggregate crushing value apparatus as per IS : 2386 (Part-IV)- 1963.

1 No.

1,000

8 Graduated cylinder of glass 100, 250 and 1000 ml capacity.

3 Nos. each

300

9 Balances 1 kg, 5kg and 15 kg capacity.

One each

6,000

10 Electric oven, thermostatically controlled upto 2000C, chamber space about 40x40x40 cm.

1 No.

4,000

11 Concrete Test Hammer (rebound hammer) of impact energy 2.207 N.m (0.225 Kgm) as per IS : 1331 (Part-2)- 1992.

1 No.

5,000

12 Flat edge 10 cm dia glass cylinder with glass plate 2000 ml capacity.

1 No.

200

13 Miscellaneous items such as mixing trays, rice trays, karni etc.

One Set

2,000

14 Le-chatelier apparatus as per IS : 4031.

2 Nos.

500

15 Vicat apparatus as per IS : 4031

1 No.

1,000

16 Vibration machine with 6 moulds as per IS : 4031.

1 No.

10,000

17 Hot Plate

1 No.

2,000

18 Apparatus (HCl heat of solution method) for estimation of cement content of fresh concrete.

1 No.

500

19 Chemicals for water content determination of fresh concrete sodium chloride, nitric acid, nitrobenzene, ferric alum, silvernitrate, potassium thipcyanate, sodium hydroxide and HCl.

For 50 tests

3,000

20 Glass ware for testing of S.No. 19

One Set

2,000

Total

Rs. 71,300

Advertisements

With the above equipments, the following testing of construction materials can be conducted:-

1. TESTING OF COARSE AND FINE AGGREGATE:

a) Sieve analysis as per IS : 2386 (Part-I)- 1963.
b) Deleterious materials as per IS: 2386 (Part-II) – 1963.
c) Specific gravity, density, voids and absorption as per IS: 2386 (Part-III) – 1963.
d) Soundness as per IS: 2386 (Part-V) – 1963.

2. TESTING OF COARSE AGGREGATE:
a) Aggregate crushing value as per IS: 2386 (Part-IV) – 1963.
b) Elongation and flakiness index as per IS: 2386 (Part-I) – 1963.

3. TESTING OF FINE AGGREGATE:
a) Silt content as per IS: 2386 (Part-I) – 1963.
b) Material finer than 75 micron as per IS: 2386 (Part-I) – 1963.
c) Organic impurities as per IS: 2386 (Part-II) – 1963.
d) Bulking as per IS: 2386 (Part-III) – 1963.

4. TESTING OF CEMENT AS PER IS: 4031:
a) Fineness of cement by dry sieving.
b) Determination of soundness by le-chatelier method.
c) Determination of consistency and setting time.
d) Determination of compressive strength.

5. CONCRETE MIX DESIGN
6. TESTING OF FRESH CONCRETE:

a) Test for workability as per IS : 1199-1959.
b) Determination of density, yield, cement factor and air content as per IS : 1199-1959.
c) Casting of cubes as per IS : 516-1959.
d) Test for cement content of fresh concrete.
e) Test for water/cement ratio and concrete 28 days compressive strength in 15 minutes of any grade of cement, so that any concrete batch discharged from the mixer found sub-standard should not be allowed for placing.

7. TESTING OF HARDENED CONCRETE:

a) Compressive strength as per IS : 516-1959.
b) Density.
c) Non-destructive testing of concrete structures as per IS: 13311 (Part-II)- 1992.

8. TESTING OF CONCRETE ADMIXTURES AS PER IS: 2645 AND IS: 9103.
a) Workability test.
b) Permeability test by capillary absorption method
c) Setting time
d) Compressive strength
e) Bleeding.

9. TESTING OF BRICKS:
a) Compressive strength as per IS: 3495 (Part-I) – 1976.
b) Water absorption as per IS: 3495 (Part-II) – 1976.
c) Efflorescence as per IS: 3495 (Part-III) – 1976.

10. TESTING OF TARFELT AS PER IS: 1322 – 1982.
a) Pliability test
b) Storage sticking test
c) Heat resistance test
d) Water absorption test.

11.TESTING OF GLAZED TILES AS PER IS: 777- 1970.
a) Impact strength test
b) Water absorption test

12. TESTING OF MARBLE AS PER IS: 1124-1974
a) Water absorption test
b) Specific gravity test

13. TESTING OF WOOD AS PER IS: 287-1973
a) Compressive strength
b) Moisture content
c) Density

14. TESTING OF FLUSH DOOR SHUTTER
a) Knife test as per IS: 1659-1969.
b) Glue adhesion test as per IS: 2202 (Part-I) – 1973
c) End Immersion Test.

The above laboratory can be set up at any construction site in a small covered area of about 16 sq. meter with small investment of only Rs. 71,300/- which can perform tests on almost all construction materials including quality control of fresh concrete, testing of hardened and non-destructive testing of concrete structures. However, such laboratory must have well experienced persons to run it properly. A person may be trained in 15 days time for conducting all the above mentioned tests.

Advertisements

REFERENCES:
1. Dr. C.B. Kukreja, Kaushal Kishore, Dr. S.K. Kaushik, V.K. Gupta, “Materials Testing Laboratory Manual”, Standard Publishers Distributors, 1705-B, Nai Sarak, Delhi-110 006
2. Kishore Kaushal, “Concrete Mix Design Based on IS: 456-2000” Standard Publishers Distributors, 1705-B, Nai Sarak, Delhi-110 006
3. Kishore Kaushal, “Non-Destructive Testing of Concrete”, Builders Friend, Lucknow, Feb. 1982, pp. 3-4
4. Kishore Kaushal, “Testing Hadened Concrete by Surface Hardness” Indian Concrete Institute Bulletin, Sep. 1987, pp. 17-22.
5. Kishore Kaushal, “Concrete Cube Testing- is Performed Assured” Civil Engineering and Construction Review, New Delhi, Jan. 1990, pp. 23-24.
6. Kishore Kaushal, “Concrete Cube Testing”, Bulletin of Indian Concrete Institute, No. 51, Apr-Jun. 1995.
7. Kishore Kaushal, “Concrete Cube Testing”, Civil Engineering & Construction, Apr. 1995, pp. 33.
8. Kishore Kaushal, “ Evaluation of Cracks in concrete Structures”, Civil Engineering & Construction May. 96, pp. 46-51.
9. Kishore Kaushal, “Simple Testing of Admixtures & Surface Coatings for Permeability to Water”, NBM & CW Feb. 2000.
10. Kishore Kaushal, “28-days Strength of Concrete in 15 Minutes”, Civil Engineering and Construction, Aug. 1992, pp. 38-41
11. Kishore Kaushal, “Testing Concrete For Cement Content Water Content And Ph Value”, Civil Engineering & Construction, Apr. 2008, pp. 54-59.

We at engineeringcivil.com are grateful to Sir Kaushal Kishore for submitting this very useful field test information to us.

Share this post

Kanwarjot Singh

Kanwarjot Singh is the founder of Civil Engineering Portal, a leading civil engineering website which has been awarded as the best online publication by CIDC. He did his BE civil from Thapar University, Patiala and has been working on this website with his team of Civil Engineers.

If you have a query, you can ask a question here.

29 comments on "Setting Up Small Testing Laboratory at Field"

Bangada Mangisto Livino says:

Requesting summary notes on field test in construction project

Bangada Mangisto Livino says:

Thanks alot to you The Civil Engineering Organisation and in particular the Stuffs who made thier efford to have sent me a reply on my request. Let me learn and know more then become one your contributers.

Kiran says:

I would like to say not only just thanks but sincere regards from my side.
Sir am an Engineer working in Highways( Transportation ), and there are few queries from my side.Please will you answer them…
1. What are the standards to be followed for Profile Correction Course
2. Briefly describe Treatment schedule while dismantling old existing pavements.
3. Can we replace a 16mm dia bar with 2nos. of 8 mm dia bars.please describe

Murali V says:

Sir,

Thank you very much for this most valuable post. We would be grateful if you can add some of the reputed manufactureres of these testing equipments.

Deepak Tulsyan says:

Sir,
Thanks you very much for this valuable post. We want to setup a commercial laboratory for construction material so please guide on that like requirement of the equipment and approx cost for that.

Kaushal Kishore says:

Please mail me your detail requirements. KAUSHAL KISHORE

Shanghai Civil & Road Instrument Co., Ltd says:

Thank you very much for this most valuable post. It is helpful!

P.V.Suresh Babu says:

Dear sir, we are constructing 120 villas in kolkata, we want establish a small lab at our site,please send quotations and your valuable advices.
Thankyou

E.Prasad says:

plz send me how much % of silt content

Kaushal Kishore says:

As per CPWD clause 3.1,4.2 page34 specifications the sand shall not contain more than 8%
of silt when tested by the method of sand filled in a glass measuring jar.

NIMAI CHANDRA DAS says:

as per Is 383 contains of deleterious organs in fine aggregate may not exceed 5%

Anup j. borah says:

Sir, please give me some information about the various chemical tests for cement.
thanks…

Amit kumar says:

Sir abi hamare area me river sand ka jada problem hai, jo bhi sand mil raha hai usme silt 30% se jada mil raha hai. pls guid kejiye

Mrunal says:

Sir,
What about demolition of structures, any leads?

Prasanth PS says:

Sir, Requesting you to send me quality control test method booklet pdf for steel,corse & fine aggigate,cement ,concrete,water,admixture etc.

Md. Tafiz Uddin says:

Thank you sir for setup field laboratory in field. Sir, I am now Quality assurance Engineer. I shall need complete Concrete mix design report(book) . Please sent a pdf file. thank you so much.

Pramod K Kolase says:

Sir, Thank you for this important post. Sir, please give me some information about the mix design used for roller compacted concrete pavement and detailed literature related to RCC mix design

Rahul Verma says:

Excellent paper. giving lot of informations

partha pratim says:

sir i heard that for starting up a lab one need to get approvals from government authority i will be very thankful please provide me the guidance to start up a testing laboratory.

Bogere Henry Kibira says:

Vital info…. Post something on steel testing….

Nitesh Sharma says:

Sir I want to open material testing lab in MP state please give me quotation and machine or equipments for starting my own lab. I have a capital of 10lacs only.
Thank you for your prompt attention.
Nitesh sharma

saurabh saini says:

Sir, we want to set up material tesing lab accredited with NABL for commercial purpose. please suggest us the various steps in setting up of the lab and also the Approxmate cost incurred in stting up of the lab.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ask a question