To determine the soundness of cement by the Le-chatelier method

Theory:
Cement of good quality does not contain the impurities like
free lime, magnesia and sulphates, so this should be
checked before use.
When it contains the impurities named above, it can expand
after reacted with the water, which will result in the
unwanted results like, cracking, unwanted expansion of the
dimensions and lower strength.
Le-Ch-atelier's Apparatus is the standard apparatus
prescribed as per IS:5514 -1969 to check the presence of
the impurities in cement. Cement is said to be sound when
the expansion is below 10 mm.

APPARATUS

o Le- chatelier mould

The mould consist of a small split cylinder of spring brass or other suitable
metal of 0.5mm thickness forming of a mould 30mm internal diameter and
30mm height . On either side of the split are attached to indicators with
pointed ends A-A- the distance from these ends to the center of cylinder
being 165mm . The mould shall be kept in good condition with the jaws not
more than 0.5mmapart.
PROCEDURE
(i)Prepare a cement paste as in consistency test with 0. 78 times the water
required to give a paste of standard consistency

(ii) Fill the cement paste in the Le- chatelier mould taking care to keep the
edges of the mould gently together during the operation.

(iii) Cover the mould with another piece of glass plate and place a small
weight over the cover plate.

(iv) Submerge the whole assembly immediately in water at a temperature of

27o+-2oC and keep it there for 24 hour.

(v) Take out the assembly again in water at 27+/- 2 deg C.

(vi) Submerge assembly again in water at 27 +/- 2 deg C

(vii) Bring the water to boiling in 25 to 30 minutes and keep at boiling for 3
hours. The assembly should be immersed in water during this process.

(viii) Remove the mould from water and allow it to cool to 27 +/- 2 deg C

(ix) Measure the distance between the indicator points (B)

CALCULATION
Expansion= B- A =

RESULT
Expansion =