EXPERIMENT NO.

1
Fineness of Cement by Hand Sieving
INTRODUCTION
Fineness of cement is a measure of size of particle of cement . It is expressed either as specific
surface of cement. (in sq. cm /gm) and determined by Blain Air Permeability method or as the
degree of fineness which can be determined by hand sieving.
OBJECTIVE
To determine fineness of cement by sieve method to be compared with BS and ASTM
specification requirements.
For students to learn sieving and weighting.
APPARATUS AND MATERIALS
Material:
Cement sample
Apparatus
1. BS 90 micron and ASTM 75 micron sieves with their receiving pans and covering lid
2. Weighing balance accurate up to 0.1 gm
3. Trowel , brush and tray
PROCEDURE
1. Weigh accurately 100 grams of cement and place it on a B.S. 90 micron sieve let be (W)
2. Breakdown any air set lumps in the sample with fingers, without rubbing them on the
sieve.
3. Continuously sieve the sample for 15 minutes by holding the sieve in both hands and
giving wrist motion.
4. Weighs the residue left on the sieve after sieving (W1).
5. Repeat all the steps above using ASTM 75 micron sieve.

Data sheet

Sample
No.

Weight of
Cement
(W) gm

Retained weight after

sieving (sieve 90 micron)
(W1) gm

Retained weight after

sieving (sieve 75 micron)
(W1) gm

% Retained
weight

1
2
3
RESULTS & CALCULATIONS:
Retained=
Group No.

W1
X 100
W

( % )Retained =

B.S and ASTM Requirements

As per British Standard the residue of cement sampled on the sieve 90 micron after sieving
should not exceed the following percentages by weight for different types of cement
Ordinary Portland cement
Rapid hardening cement
Low heat cement

10%
5%
5%

As per ASTM the residue of cement sampled on the sieve 75 micron after sieving should not
exceed 22 % for OPC
Questions
1. Which method is widely used to determine the fineness of cement?
2. What will happen if cement is ground beyond certain limit? Give reasons.
3. What is the effect on physical properties of cement, if the residue of cement on B.S 90
micron sieve is greater than 10% for OPC? ,

EXPERIMENT NO. 2
Specific Gravity of Cement
INTRODUCTION
Specific Gravity is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of cement to the
weight of an equal volume of water. Water, at a temperature of (23C) has a
specific gravity of 1. The specific gravity of portland cement is generally around 3.15
while the specific gravity of Portland blast-furnace-slag and portland-pozzolan cements may
have specific gravities near 2.90.

OBJECTIVE:
1. To determine the Specific gravity of cement, it is normally used in mixture
proportioning calculations

2. To convert mass of cement to volume required to calculate volume of hydration

products
3. Tacking specific gravity can sometimes indicate a change of material or possible
contamination

APPARATUS & MATERIALS

Apparatus
1. Pycnometer, a flask or other suitable container into which the cement can be readily
Introduced. Figure. 1
2. Weighing balance accurate up to 0.01 gm
3. Metal or glass funnel
4. Scoop
Material
1. Cement sample
2. Distilled water
3. Kerosene
PROCEDURE
1. Take sample of cement approximately 25, 30 , 35 gm, Let be W1
2. Calibrate a specific gravity flask pycnometer by filling with Kerosene oil (23 1C) to
calibration line. Record this weight as the weight of the pycnometer filled with kerosene
to the nearest 0.01g let be W2
3. Place sample of cement using funnel into the pycnometer and fill with kerosene
(regulated at 23 + 1.0 ) to 90 % pycnometer capacity

4. Manually roll, invert, and agitate the pycnometer to eliminate air bubbles , repeated for
several times
5. Fill the pycnometer with kerosene to the calibration line ,and determine the total weight
of pycnometer, specimen, and kerosene. Record the weight to the nearest 0.01g. Let be
W3.
6. Empty ,clean and dry the pycnometer, then fill it with a water up to the specified limit.
Record the weight let be W4
7. Weigh the empty Pycnometer let be W5.
RESULTS
Datasheet
Grou
p No.
1
2
3

Weight of
cement
(W1)

Weight of Pycnometer
+ Kerosene
(W2)

Weight of
Pycnometer +
Kerosene+cement
(W3)

Weight of
pycnometer
+Water
(W4)

Wt. of
empty
pycnomete
r

25
30
35

Group
1
2
3

Gk

Gc

CALCULATIONS
Specific Gravity of Kerosene (Gk) =
Specific Gravity of Cement (Gc) =

W 2W 5
W 4W 5
W1
Gk
W 1+W 2W 3

QUESTIONS
1. Why kerosene used to determine specific gravity of cement
2. What is the effect of moisture from the atmosphere absorbed by particles of cement on
specific gravity
3. What is the effect of temperature of the weather on the result

EXPERIMENT NO. 3
Normal Consistency of Cement
INTRODUCTION
It means consistency which permits the Vicat's plunger of 10mm diameter to penetrate to a point
5mm to 7 mm from the bottom of Vicat's mould. It isexpressed as amount of water as a
percentage by weight of dry cement.
APPARATUS & MATERIALS
Apparatus:
1. Vicat apparatus with plunger and mould
2. Weighing balance accurate up to 0.1 gm,
3. non-porous plate, tray, stopwatch, trowel and spatula
Material
Cement Sample and Water

Plunger used to determine normal consistency of cement is a special plunger used with Vicat
apparatus having 10 mm diameter and 50 mm length

PROCEDURE
1. Weigh about 500 gm of cement accurately and place it in a pan
2. Add about 25% of potable water and mix it by means of spatula. Care should be taken
that the mixing time is not less than three minutes and not more than 5 minutes.
3. Apply thin layer of oil to inner surface of mould. Fill the Vicat's mould with this paste in
the mould resting on non- porous plate.
4. Make the surface of cement paste in level with the top of mould with the trowel.
5. Place the mould together with the non-porous plate under the rod bearing the plunger so
that it touches the surface of the test block.
6. Release quickly the plunger allowing it to sink in the cement paste in the mould
7. If the penetration of plunger in the paste ranged from 5 to 7 mm from the bottom of
mould. Then the paste at standard consistency , if it is more than 7 mm ,repeat the test

prepare another trial paste with increase percentage of water and repeat the procedure
until the plunger penetrate to a depth 5 -7 mm from the bottom
8. Express this amount of water as a percentage by weight of dry cement.

Datasheet
Groups

Weight of dry
cement (W1)

Weight of
water
(W2)

Penetration of
Plunger from Bottom
(mm)

% Water by Weight
W2/W1 * 100

1
2
3
RESULTS
The standard consistency of cement = ------------------ %
Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

State the meaning of normal consistency of cement.

What is the importance of this test?
State the meaning of gauging time and its importance.
What is the range of values of standard consistency of cement?
What is the effect of fineness of cement on standard consistency of cement?
How the consistency of cement paste is is measured?

Experiment No. 4
Setting Time of Cement
INTRODUCTION
The Process of changing cement from fluid state to a solid state is called setting.
Initial setting time of cement:
It is defined as the period elapsed between the time when the water is added to the cement and
the time at which the needle of 1 mm section fails to penetrate the test block to a depth 35 + 0.5
mm and more or 5 + 0.5 mm from the bottom of mould.
Final Setting time of cement:

It is defined as the period elapsed between the time when the water is added to the cement and
the time at which the needle of area 1mm with 5mm diameter attachment, makes an impression
on the test block, while the attachment fails to make an impression on the test block.
OBJECTIVE
1. To determine initial and final setting time of cement
2. To interpret the results and compare with the specifications to decide the suitability of
given cement sample.
APPARATUS & MATERIALS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Vicat's apparatus with initial setting time needle and final setting time needle.
Weighing balance accurate up to 0.1gm.
Non porous plate (Glass or Metal)
Stop watch
Spatula.
Trowel of about weight.
Measuring cylinder. 250 ml capacity
Container

Vicat Apparatus

Initial setting needle

Final setting needle

PROCEDURE
1. Take 500 gm of cement .
2. Prepare a neat cement paste by gauging the cement with water required to give a paste of
standard consistency.
3. Start the stop watch at the instant when water is added to the cement. The mixing time
should be 4 + 1 minutes.
4. Fill the Vicat mould with this paste, the mould resting on non-porous plate. Level the
surface of the cement paste with the top of the mould with a trowel.
Determination of Initial Setting Time
5. Place this mould together with the non-porous plate under the rod bearing the initial
setting time needle. Adjust the needle so that it touches the surface of test block.

6. Release needle quickly allowing it to sink in the cement paste in the mould. Note down
the penetration of the needle in the paste.
7. Repeat this procedure after every 5 minutes until the needle fails to penetrate the block up
to about 5 to 6 mm from the bottom of block.
8. Note the time shown by the stop watch at this instant, as Initial setting time.
Determination of Final Setting time
9. Replace the needle of Vicat's apparatus by the needle with an annular attachment.
10. Apply the needle gently to the surface of the test block. Repeat this procedure, until the
needle makes an impression while the attachment fails to do so .
11. Note the time shown by the stop watch at this instant , as Final setting time .
RESULTS
The setting time for the given cement sample are found to be .
Initial setting =
Final setting time =
BIS REQUIREMENTS:
According to BIS269 BS112, BS 12269 , the setting time of Ordinary Portland cement tested by
Vicats apparatus method shall confirm to the following requirements
Initial setting time : Not less than 45 minutes
Final Setting time: Not more than 600 minutes
Questions:
1. Which constituent of cement affects the early setting?
2. State the significance of initial setting time and final setting time of cement?
3. Which concreting operations depend on initial setting time of cement

EXPERIMENT NO. 5
Soundness of Cement
INTRODUCTION
After setting of cement , it is essential that it doesnt undergo a large change in its volume or
there must be no appreciable expansion , which under restraint could result in disruptions of the
hardened cement paste.
OBJECTIVE

To detect unsoundness of cement by measuring the change in its volume which might result
after setting due to the excess amount of Free lime (CaO) in its composition
APPARATUS
1. Le-Chatlier apparatus , which includes: (cylindrical mold split longitudinally with two
indicator points are attached, Specified weight, non porous glass plates, Ruler)
2. Weighing balance accurate up to 0.1gm
3. Water bath capable to be heated electrically with control for boiling the water
Le-Chatlier cylindrical

Procedure
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)

v)
vi)
vii)
viii)

Place the mould on a glass sheet

Prepare Cement paste mixing 200 gm of cement with the water required to give a
paste of standard consistency
fill the mould with the cement paste
Cover the mould with another piece of glass sheet, place a small weight on this
covering glass sheet and immediately submerge the whole assembly in water at a
temperature of 23 2oC and keep it there for 24hrs.
Measure the distance separating the indicator points which is fixed on the cylindrical
mold to the nearest 0.5mm (Let be = d1 ).
Submerge the mould again in water at the temperature prescribed above. Bring the
water to boiling point in 25 to 30 minutes and keep it boiling for 1 hrs.
Remove the mould from the water, allow it to cool and measure the distance between
the indicator points (Let be d2 ).
Determine (d2 d1 ) which represents the expansion of cement.

Data Sheet
Groups

1
2
3
Results

First reading

Second Reading

Expansion

(d1)

(d2)

(d1-d2)

Specification limit

% Expansion=
Questions
1. Which minor oxides cause unsoundness of cement
2. Is this test determine the unsoundness, caused by the presence of all the minor oxides of
cement described above
3. Is there any other test to determine unsoundness of cement.
4. What is the effect of boiling water and what will happen if the temperature of the water
bath raised more than boiling temperature

Experiment No. 6
Strength of Hydraulic Cement
INTRODUCTION
The compressive strength of hardened cement is the most important of all the properties ,
therefore the cement is always tested for strength at the laboratory before the cement is used in
important works. Strength tests are not made on neat cement paste because of difficulties of
excessive shrinkage and subsequent cracking of neat cement. The failure loads of mortar cubes
can vary considerably according to the type of cement and the period of curing.
OBJECTIVE
1. This test method for the student to learn how to determine:
1-A Compressive strength of cement mortar by casting and testing cubic specimens
1-B
Tensile strength of cement mortar by casting and testing briquette specimens
2. To Compare results of the test with the minimum value required by the specification of
the same mix proportion

MATERIALS
Cement: Hydraulic cement
Sand : The sand for making the specimens are standard sand natural silica passing sieve 850
micron and retained on sieve 600 micron
Water: Drinking Water as a mixing water

APPARATUS:

1. The molds for making specimens for compression test made of steel , the molds are
cubic with a dimension (70 X70X70) mm
2. The mold for making specimens for tension test made of brass, the molds are briquette ,
the dimension of the briquette are : width at waist line is 25.4 mm , Greatest thickness at
the waist line is 25.4 mm and Total length is 76 mm.
3. Weighing Balance with a capacity at least 1000 gm
4. Sieves : Standard sieves square hole opening size No.20 (850 micron) and No.30 (600
micron)
5. Graduated glass : Glass tubes graduated of suitable capacities to measure the amount of
mixing water
6. Standard Spatula : This is for use while casting a cement briquette.
7. Compression testing Machine: Capable of applying the load continuously with a capacity
1000 KN and sensitivity 0.1 kN , Photo (3)
8. Tensile testing machine: Capable of applying the load continuously, the testing machine
shall be calibrated.
9. Vibrating machine required for the compaction of cement-sand mortar

PROCEDURE
Compressive strength test
1. The proportion of the standard mortar is 1 part cement to 3 parts standard sand by weight.
2. Prepare the mix , the quantity of dry materials shall be 3000 gm cement and 9000 gm
standard sand mixed at one time in a batch , the percentage of mixing water shall be 10
percent by weight of the total amount of dry material (Cement + Sand).
3. Mixing the ingredients dry material with water for at least 2 minutes continuous mixing
and kneading by hands using hand gloves until to get the homogeneous mix
4. Prepare the moulds fixing the screw and cover the internal sides of the molds by a thin
layer of mineral oil
5. Place the mold and fixing in a position on a vibrating machines
6. Fill the molds in 2-3 layers and operate the vibrating machine, filling and compaction
will be done in one time for each cube, it is required to get full compaction.
7. Store the cubes in the laboratory condition for 24 +1 hrs. with their upper surfaces
exposed to moist air , The temperature of the Lab. shall be maintained between 20 and 25
o
C and Relative humidity of the mortar not less than 90%
8. Open the molds and immerse the specimens in a saturated lime water in storage tanks,
keep the storage water clean and maintained at the standard temperature specified above
9. Test standard mortar specimens at the specified ages (3 , 28 ) days by a compression
testing machine, apply the load continuously with a constant rate until the specimens will
fail , record maximum load applied.

Tensile strength test

1. The proportion of the standard mortar is 1 part cement to 3 parts standard sand by
weight.
2. Prepare the mix , the quantity of dry materials shall be 500 gm cement and 1500 gm
standard sand mixed at one time in a batch , the percentage of mixing water shall be
8 percent by weight of the total amount of dry material (Cement + Sand).
3. Mixing the ingredients dry material with water for at least 2 minutes continuous
mixing and kneading by hands using hand gloves until to get the homogeneous mix
4. Prepare the moulds resting on a glass or metal plates and cover the internal sides of
the molds by a thin layer of mineral oil.
5. Filling the molds and press the mortar in firmly with the thumbs applying the force
for different times to each briquette at different points to include the entire surface,
remove excess mortar on the surface of the briquette and smooth it.
6. Stroke the mortar in a briquette by standard knife for several times until to get full
compaction.
7. Store the briquette in the laboratory condition for 24 +1 hrs. with their upper surfaces
exposed to moist air , The temperature of the Lab. shall be maintained between 20
and 25 oC and Relative humidity of the mortar not less than 90% .
8. Test the briquette specimens immediately after their removal from the molds and
fixing it in tensile testing machine holing by the grips and apply the load with a
constant rate until the specimens will break , record maximum load for breaking and
measure cross section dimension at the breaking position.

RESULTS and DATASHEET

Compressive strength
Groups

Specimen No.

1
2
3

Tensile strength

Age

Maximum Load

Area

Compressive strength

days

(N)

(mm2)

(N/mm2)

Groups

Specimen No.

Age

Maximum Load

Area

Compressive strength

days

(N)

(mm2)

(N/mm2)

QUESTIONS
1. What is the difference in the mix proportion of the standard mortar between BS-12 and
ASTM C-150
2. What are the specification limits required for the compressive strength according to BS12 and ASTMC-150
3. Is there any other standard test method to determine tensile strength of cement mortar,
and what is the dimension of the specimen?
4. What is the effect of insufficient compaction
5. What is the effect of increasing curing temperature