Salahaddin University-Erbil
College of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering
Construction
Materials
Properties and Testing
Test No.:5
Compressive strength of Gypsum
Prepared by :Salwa Mzafar
Group No,:B2
Name of the students:
1. Salwa Mzafar
2. Soma Muhammad
3. Sardar Mahir
Introduction:
1.The use of Gypsum in dentistry is wide ,ranging from manufacture of models, dies, mounting for
dental articulators , filling for denture flasks, binder for investments , and so higher the compressive
strength of gypsum plaster it means higher shear and bonding strength .Test samples consist of hydrate
plaster (Gypsum)cubes measuring (50*50*50mm),and prepared in stainless steel mold.
Test objective:
1. The objective of this test is to determine the compressive strength of Gypsum plaster.
Requirements:
1. This test is done according to Iraqi standard specification 1024/2011,standard test methods
for physical testing of gypsum.
Apparatus:
1. Specimens molds: non- corrosionable molds are used for making test specimens ,they shall
be 50*50*50mm split cube molds .
2. Compressive testing machine.
3. Drying oven:a mechanical convention oven maintained at temperature of 45+-3 C 0 and a
relative humidity not less than %50.
4. Desiccator: containing magnesium perchlorate or calcium chloride that is capable of being
tightly sealed and of such sizes as to hold not less than one set of 6 cubes .
Procedure:
1. Add the required amount of dried plaster gypsum (700)to a volume of water (350)mm and
allow to soak for two minutes .
2. Mix vigorously about 150 complete circular strockes per minute for one min . With a metal
to produce a mortar of uniform consistency .
3. Coat the molds with a thin film of mineral oil or other mold release agent and place on an
oiled glass or metal plate.
4. Place a layer of mortar about 25mm in depth in each pair of opposite faces with a 25mm
wide spatula to remove air bubbles then fill them to a point slightly above the top .
5. After setting of the paste cut of the excess to a plane surface flush with the top of the mold ,
using a stiff broad knife or similar implement .
6. Remove the cubes from the molds at any time after they are thoroughly hardened , but
retain the moist air (%90 to%100 relative humidity )for not less than seven days .
7. Place the cubes in an oven then for cooling the samples place them in a desiccator for a
minimum of 16hours before testing(to remain dry).
8. Position the cubes in the testing machine so that the load is applied on surfaces formed by
faces of the mold not on top and bottom and apply the load continuously at a constant rate
within the range 0.1 to 0.3 MPa/s.
Calculation:
1. The compressive strength can be calculated as follow:
P
Ơ= A
Where:
Ơ:compressive strength MPa.
P:the recorded load from the testing machine.
A:the area of supporting load square mm2
Specification:
1. According to the ASTM if the strength of one or two cubes vary more than 15% from the
average of the six, discard them and report the compressive strength as the average of the
remaining specimens . if the strength of 3 or more vary more than 15%report the test .
2. According to the Iraqi standard specification 28/2010.
The minimum compressive strength is 30 kg/cm 2( 3 MPa).
