2.3. Test methods and curing conditions
The cement and aggregates were blended in a mixer for 2 min.
Then a mixture of 70% mixing water with SP was added to the
mixture and mixing was continued for another 3 min. The rest of
the water was added to the mixture and mixing was continued for
another 5 min. Afterward, the slump test was performed. The
concrete specimens were cast in steel moulds of 100-mm cubes for
compressive strength, cylinders of 100-mm diameter and 200-mm
height for splitting tensile strength, cylinders of 150-mm diameter
and 200-mm height for modulus of elasticity as well as stressestrain
curve and prisms of 100 100 500 mm3 for flexural
strength. In addition, prism specimens with dimensions of
100 100 300 mm3 were used for measuring drying shrinkage.
Specimens were compacted using vibrating table. The concrete