Introduction

The purpose of carrying out this lab report is to obtain the compressive strengths of
mortar cubes, which was done by making mortar cubes of sand, cement and water.
These were mixed accordingly and allowed to set, then, placed in water to cure
for 7 days, removed from the water and crushed using the compression testing
machine.
The compressive strength of particular building materials such as mortar cubes are
needed by researchers to determine whether the material or method of using the
material is suitable for the project that is being conducted.
According to reference and background information, the results obtained for the
compressive strengths obtained for the 7 day mortar cube was found to be
consistent. On the other hand, the 14 day mortar cube was found to be inconsistent;
this may have been due to various contaminations and other circumstances
affecting the cube.

Theoretical Information
When a force concentrated on the area object or sample becomes too large that it
causes the object to start breaking down this is called compressive
strength. Strength of cement depends upon the correct mixture and proportioning
of aggregates. The Compressive strength of a mortar cube is failure load (Lbs)
divided by its area (inches2) or using the weight in Newtons and divided this by
area in meters squared (m2). The unit therefore for the compressive strength is
pounds per square inch (psi) or Newton meters (N/m2). Compressive testing is
done to ensure that the materials to be used in a researchers project are suitable. In
the field a specified strength f may be given to the researcher and to suit this
compressive test must be done on the materials to be used; the compressive
strength of the researchers materials should not fall 500psi below the required
strength, nor should it be more than 5000psi for that specified strength.

Materials
Portland type 1 cement
Water: source- tap
Sand
Furniture Oil- to lubricate moulds

Equipment
Stamping Rod
Electronic balance- Avery Berkel, model no. 6405, max- 30kg, min 100g, error5/log (value)
Moulds
Measuring cylinder- Jay Tec, 1000ml, BS 604, 20 C
Mixing Pan
Trowel
Compression testing machine

Experimental Procedure

1. A sample of sand and cement of fixed proportions was mixed (185 cement,
555 sand and 74g water).
2. Three moulds were prepared by cleaning and lubricating the inner surface
with oil.
3. The cement was placed in moulds of 3 layers; the layers were compacted by
tamping 25 times each to ensure compatibility.
4. The cubes were removed from the moulds after 24 hours. The moulds were
then submerged for seven (7) days
5. The moulds were weighed.
6. The dimensions of the mould were recorded and the volumes calculated.
7. The failure loads of the cubes were established by the use of compactiontesting machine.
8. For each cube the density and compressive strength was calculated and
recorded.

Experimental results

Block#

1
2
3

Age

Dimensions

(days)

(inches)

load

2.75

0.785

(lbs)
25000

2.75

kg/1.7lbs
0.805

31000

2.75

kg/1.8lbs
0.790

22000

7
7
7

Weight

Failure

kg/1.74lbs

Table 1: showing results obtained from compression tester.

Analysis of results
Compressive strength (C.S) = failure load (lbs) / cross sectional area of cube
(inches)
Volume of cube = length x width x breath (inches3)
Area of cube = length x width (inches2)
Density = mass/volume

Block#

Compressive

density

strength of mortar

(lbs/ft3)

Area (inches2) Volume

cubes (psi)
1
3289.1
1.00
7.6
2
4079.0
1.03
7.6
3
2895.0
1.00
7.6
Table 2: showing the results for mortar cube calculations

(ft3)
1.75
1.75
1.75

Discussion
Each mould was given a day to harden and 7 days to cure. The
compressive strengths for cubes 1, 2 and 3 had varying results as
no two blocks will be alike due to varying air pockets, human error
and packing of mould. The density of each block varied but a
correlative feature was observed , in that the higher the density
the greater the cubes resistance to force exerted by the
compression tester machine and this due to the greater
compaction of the mortar cube (tighter bonding) . The highest
recorded compressive strength was from block 2, being 4079
which also has the highest density.

Conclusion
The compressive strength of block 1, 2 and 3 were determined to
be 3289.1, 4079.0, 2895.0 psi respectively.

References:
Mortar compressive strength,
http://www.cement.org/masonry/compressive_strength.asp obtained: 2013-11-07

Appendix

Figure 1: showing compressing of a cement block.