The Concrete Technology Laboratory focuses on advanced research and practical testing of cementitious materials, including mix design optimization, durability evaluation, microstructural characterization, and performance assessment under various environmental and mechanical conditions. The lab supports both academic research and industry-driven projects aimed at developing high‑performance, sustainable, and durable concrete systems. The following equipment are available in this laboratory.
Oven
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The oven is used for applications such as drying materials or determining their moisture content. It is equipped with a vent for releasing sample vapor and moisture, which enhances the drying rate and must remain open during testing. The oven features a circulation fan, a timer, and a digital thermometer.
Electronic Balance
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Heavy Duty Solution Balance
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Triple Beam Balance
.png) Electromechanical sieve shaker
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The electric sieve shaker is capable of holding up to fifteen 8-inch sieves or 12-inch sieves, secured using a clamping mechanism. It operates with a reciprocating side-to-side motion that enhances sieving efficiency and prevents the accumulation of aggregates on either side of the sieve. The device is also equipped with a timer.
Sample Splitters
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The set of sample splitters, along with collection pans, is used for precise initial division of sand and gravel materials prior to sieve analysis. The splitter is suitable for gravel grading in sizes of 1 inch and 2 inches, and for sand grading in sizes of 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch.
Motorized Sand Equivalent Shaker
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This device is used in the Sand Equivalent Test to generate uniform agitation. The purpose of this test is to determine the ratio of sand volume to the total soil volume, effectively indicating the cleanliness of the sand. The device provides a reciprocating motion with an 8-inch stroke at a frequency of 175 cycles per minute.
Andreasen pipette
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The Anderson pipette is used for precise extraction of suspended particles for analysis and evaluation. It is accompanied by a stand that allows vertical movement of the pipette without vibration or disturbance.
Los Angeles abrasion machine
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The Los Angeles (LA) abrasion machine is used to determine the resistance of aggregates to abrasion. It consists of a steel drum with an internal diameter of 711 mm and an internal length of 508 mm, rotating around its horizontal axis at a speed of 31 to 33 rpm. The device is equipped with 12 steel balls, each with an average diameter of 47 mm and a mass ranging from 390 to 447 grams, totaling 5000 grams. A tray is provided for discharging the tested materials.
Additionally, a 1.5 mm thick steel sheet cabinet with internal foam lining is used to reduce noise during the test.
Specific gravity frame and baskets
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It is used to determine the specific gravity of aggregates and fresh concrete specimens. The setup includes a main body with a hole in the platform for weighing materials, a mechanical lift for leveling the water surface with the sample, a metal water bucket, and a density basket with a diameter of 20 cm and a height of 20 cm.
Bulk Density Measures
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These containers are used to measure the bulk density (unit weight) of coarse aggregates and fresh concrete under compacted or loose conditions, as well as to calculate the void content between fine, coarse, or combined particles. This test method is applicable to aggregates with a nominal maximum size not exceeding 125 mm. The containers are made of aluminum or steel.
For compacting fresh concrete, manual tamping rods (slump rods) or electric vibrating tables can be used.
Sand absorption cone and Pyknometer
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This set is used to determine the specific gravity and water absorption of fine aggregates. It includes a tamping rod with a rounded and flat end for compacting the sample in a truncated cone mold; a metal mold shaped as a truncated cone with a height of 75 mm, a top opening diameter of 40 mm, and a bottom opening diameter of 90 mm; and a glass pycnometer with a capacity of 1000 ml and a neck diameter of 10 mm.
The pycnometer is sealed with a conical aluminum cap fitted with an O-ring for complete watertight sealing.
Hot Air Gun
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This industrial hot air blower is equipped with a variable heat control (dimmer), a high-power motor with a Johnson heating element and an additional spare element. It comes with five nozzles and a canvas carrying bag. It is used in the sand water absorption test.
Compression tester
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This device is used to determine the compressive strength of standard concrete specimens in cube form (10, 15, 20 cm) and cylindrical form (10, 15 cm). It is capable of recording specimen dimensions and calculating compressive strength based on the size and geometry of the samples.
Slump Cone Test
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One of the key factors affecting the strength and quality of concrete is its workability, which is measured by the slump test conducted on-site. In this test, the slump cone is filled with fresh concrete in three layers, each compacted using a steel tamping rod. The cone is filled until it overflows slightly, then removed, and the slump (vertical settlement) of the sample is immediately measured.
V-Funnel apparatus
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This apparatus is used to determine the flow time of a specified volume of self-compacting concrete, which serves as an indicator of its filling ability and paste viscosity. The V-funnel, with a capacity of 10 liters, is mounted on a stand at the top of the device, and its discharge section is equipped with a sealed gate.
L-Box apparatus
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The L-box is used to assess the flowability and passing ability of self-compacting concrete. In front of the discharge gate, three vertical rods with a diameter of 12 mm and a length of 38 mm are installed. Additionally, two reference lines are marked on the horizontal section of the device at distances of 200 mm and 400 mm from the gate.
J-Ring apparatus
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The J-ring test apparatus is used to evaluate two key properties of self-compacting concrete: passing ability and filling capacity, as well as the potential for blockage due to reinforcement congestion. The ring assembly consists of 16 steel bars with a diameter of 16 mm, mounted vertically on a square plate measuring 900 × 900 mm.
U-Box Apparatus
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This device is used to simulate the passing ability of self-compacting concrete through narrow and confined openings under static pressure. It is also employed to evaluate the filling capacity of the concrete. The apparatus consists of two smooth, unobstructed internal sections separated by a vertical gate.
Vebé Consistometer Apparatus
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This device is used for preparing cylindrical specimens of Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) and for determining the setting time and density of this type of concrete.
K-Slump Tester
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This device is used for rapid assessment of the flowability or consistency of fresh concrete, either in molds or on-site, and is intended for comparison with the slump test. The method is applicable to concrete samples containing aggregates smaller than 37.5 mm.
RCC Vibratory Hammer
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This apparatus is used for compacting and preparing compressive and flexural specimens of Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC), either in laboratory settings or on-site.
Air entrainment meters
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This device is used to determine the air content in fresh concrete based on the observed volume change under pressure. It includes a hand pump, a standard tamping rod, and a pressure gauge. The lower part of the air meter consists of a cylindrical container made of rigid aluminum alloy, which is resistant to cement paste. The installed manometer directly displays the percentage of entrained air in fresh concrete, ranging from 0 to 10%.
Concrete mortar penetrometer
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This device is used to determine the setting time of concrete mixtures based on penetration resistance, applicable to mixes with a slump value greater than zero. It is suitable for both laboratory and field conditions
Drum Type Concrete Mixer
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The mixing drum, handle, and motor of the concrete mixer are mounted on a steel frame. The internal blades thoroughly mix the materials. The mixing drum can be rotated manually at any desired angle using a handle, which facilitates both mixing and discharging of the concrete. A large crank handle is provided to allow manual rotation in case of power outage.
Pan Type Concrete Mixer
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This device is used for efficient mixing and achieving uniformity in small batches of concrete for laboratory specimens. It is suitable for mixing both dry and wet materials. The rotating and removable mixing bowl allows easy access and convenient discharge at the end of the mixing process. Additionally, the material inlet gate lifts to provide maximum access to the mixing bowl and keeps the mixing blades at a constant depth during operation. The blades are easily adjustable, enabling optimal mixing of various types and volumes of materials.
Concrete Cube Molds
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Concrete Cylindrical Molds
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Concrete Beam Molds
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Concrete Vibrating Table
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The Vibrating Table, with a rigid and sturdy frame, is a device used for compacting concrete during the preparation of laboratory specimens.
Handy Vibrator (Poker vibrator)
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Concrete Curing Tanks
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Concrete curing tanks are used for water-based curing of concrete specimens. The setup includes two 2000 W water heater elements equipped with Italian thermostats, designed for installation on the tanks.
Melting pot for capping compound
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The sulfur melting pot is used for mixing and melting capping materials. The capping equipment set is designed to level, align, and square the two ends of cylindrical concrete specimens or core samples using mineral-based compounds composed of sulfur and aggregates.
Cylinder capping equipment
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This device is used to square the two ends of cylindrical concrete specimens relative to their longitudinal axis.
Compressometer Static Modulus of Elasticity
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This device is used in accordance with standards to measure the vertical deformation and determine the static modulus of elasticity of cylindrical concrete specimens under axial compressive stress.
Blaine Air Permeability Apparatus
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This device is used to determine the fineness of Portland cement based on its specific surface area. It is equipped with a U-shaped tube known as a manometer with a valve, a steel base, a stainless steel cell with a perforated brass filter, a stainless steel plunger, 100 filters, a thermometer, Blaine liquid, and standard American cement type 114q with NIST certification for Blaine calibration in accordance with ASTM, EN, and SRM standards.
Cement Vicat Apparatus
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The Vicat apparatus is used to determine the setting time and normal consistency of hydraulic cement. This model is equipped with a graduated scale, a movable rod weighing 300 grams, a Bakelite mold, a plunger with a diameter of 10 mm, and an initial Vicat needle with a diameter of 1 mm.
Cement Flow Table
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The flow table is used to perform flow tests on hydraulic cement, lime, and cement mortar. The apparatus includes a brass conical mold placed on a movable brass plate with a diameter of 7 inches. The plate is rigidly connected to the frame. By operating a lever, the specimen is released from the mold and the plate is raised and lowered by a cam mechanism.
Automatic Cement Mortar Mixer
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This device is designed for mixing cement-sand mortar and cement paste. It can automatically perform various mixing modes in accordance with ASTM standards. The apparatus is equipped with a hopper and inlet gate for cement and sand, a mixing bowl with a capacity of 4.7 liters, and a cement mixing paddle.
Universal testing machine
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This device is designed for testing various metallic and non-metallic materials under tensile, compressive, and flexural forces. It is suitable for both round and flat specimens.
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