Compaction factor test is conducted to determine the workability of cement concrete. The workability of concrete refers to its ability to be easily mixed, transported, placed, and compacted without segregation or bleeding. It is an important property as it affects the ease of construction and the quality of the final structure.

The compaction factor test is based on the principle that the workability of concrete is inversely proportional to the amount of compaction required. In this test, a sample of freshly mixed concrete is placed in a standard cylindrical mold and compacted using standard compaction procedures. The concrete is then removed from the mold and the volume of the compacted concrete is measured. The compaction factor is calculated by dividing the volume of the compacted concrete by the volume of the mold.

Explanation:
Workability: Workability is a measure of the ease with which concrete can be mixed, transported, placed, and compacted without segregation or bleeding. It is an important property as it affects the ease of construction and the quality of the final structure. The compaction factor test is conducted to determine the workability of cement concrete.

Compaction factor test: The compaction factor test is based on the principle that the workability of concrete is inversely proportional to the amount of compaction required. In this test, a sample of freshly mixed concrete is placed in a standard cylindrical mold and compacted using standard compaction procedures. The concrete is then removed from the mold and the volume of the compacted concrete is measured. The compaction factor is calculated by dividing the volume of the compacted concrete by the volume of the mold.

Significance of the test: The compaction factor test provides a quantitative measure of the workability of concrete. It helps in assessing the ease of mixing, placing, and compacting concrete on the construction site. The test is particularly useful in determining the suitability of concrete for specific applications where workability is a critical factor, such as in the construction of heavily reinforced structures or in situations where concrete needs to be placed in congested spaces.

Other properties: The bulk density of concrete is determined by measuring the mass of a unit volume of concrete. Compressive strength is the ability of concrete to resist compressive forces and is typically determined by subjecting concrete specimens to compressive loads until failure occurs. Modulus of rupture is a measure of the tensile strength of concrete and is determined by subjecting concrete beams to bending loads until failure occurs. None of these properties can be directly determined by conducting the compaction factor test.