Term: Duff Abrams
– Duff Abrams’ Contributions:
– Developed basic methods for testing concrete characteristics.
– Studied component materials of concrete in the early 20th century.
– Investigated the influence of concrete mix composition on strength.
– Defined fineness modulus and water-cement ratio concepts.
– Established relationship between water-cement ratio and compressive strength.
– Duff Abrams’ Professional Roles:
– Researcher in the field of composition and properties of concrete.
– Professor at the Lewis Institute.
– Director of the research laboratory of the Portland Cement Association.
– President of the American Concrete Association (ACI) from 1930-1931.
– Elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1915.
– Duff Abrams’ Publications:
– “Tests of Bond Between Concrete and Steel” (1913).
– “Design of Concrete Mixtures” (1918).
– “Effect of Curing Condition on Wear and Strength of Concrete” (1919).
– “Effect of Fineness of Cement on Plasticity and Strength of Concrete” (1919).
– “Quantities of Materials for Concrete” (1921).
– Duff Abrams’ Awards:
– Awarded the Frank P. Brown Medal in 1942.
– Elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1915.
– Duff Abrams’ References and External Links:
– Historic Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
– Works by or about Duff Abrams at Internet Archive.
– Extract of “Design of Concrete Mixtures.”
– List of Publications by D.A. Abrams on scholar.google.com.
Duff A. Abrams (1880, Illinois, – 1965, New York) was an American researcher in the field of composition and properties of concrete. He developed the basic methods for testing concrete characteristics still in use today. A professor with the Lewis Institute, he studied the component materials of concrete in the early 20th century.
D. A. Abrams was researcher, professor, and director of the research laboratory of the Portland Cement Association in Chicago. He investigated the influence of the composition of concrete mixes on the strength of the end product.
Some of the results of his research was:
- the definition of the concept of fineness modulus;
- the definition of the water-cement ratio;
- a test method for the workability of a concrete mix by using what is called 'Abrams cone', see concrete slump test.
In a comprehensive research program, Abrams established the relationship between the water-cement ratio and the compressive strength of concrete. The results were first published in 1918 in D. A. Abrams, Design of Concrete Mixtures, Bulletin 1, Structural Materials Research Laboratory, Lewis Institute, Chicago, 1918.
He was also president of the American Concrete Association (ACI) from 1930 until 1931.
He was elected in 1915 a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was awarded the Frank P. Brown Medal in 1942.