Chapter 8 Standard Test Procedures

Tests On Cement

CHAPTER 8

TESTS ON CEMENT

8.1 Fineness of Cement

8.1.1 Introduction. This simple test is not intended to indicate the true fineness of a
cement as may be determined by apparatus for measuring the specific surface, but it
is intended to give an indication of any hydration in the cement which has led to the
formation of small pieces of hardened material. If a sample of cement contains any
hardened lump of cement, it is clearly unsuitable for structural work and should be
rejected without further test.

8.1.2 Apparatus

a) 75 micron sieve
b) Balance (accuracy 0.01g)

8.1.3 Preparation of sample. The sample should be taken from at least 10 different bags
and divided by means of quartering or riffling. About 100 grams of cement is
required. Care should be taken in handling the sample to ensure that no crushing of
particles takes place.

8.1.4 Test procedure

a) The sample should be weighed to the nearest 0.1 grams, Weight A and then
sieved a little at a time on a 75 micron sieve. Care should be taken to prevent
loss of cement dust during loading and the sieve should be nested between a lid
and a receiver whilst sieving. Sieving of any portion should not continue for
longer than 4 minutes and not more than 25 grams of cement should be placed
on the sieve at any time. A bristle brush should be used to clean the mesh as
required.
b) The material retained on the sieve from each portion should be collected in
suitable dishes. There should be no cement dust adhering to the retained
material. If necessary, the retained material should be re-sieved to remove fines.
The total weight of material retained, Weight B, is determined.
c) To check that no significant weight of dust has been lost, the weight of the
material in the receiver, Weight C, should be determined.

8.1.5 Calculation

Weight A' = Weight B + Weight C

Loss of material during test = Weight A - Weight A'

The loss in weight should not exceed 0.5% of the original weight.

Weight B
Percentage retained on the 75 micron sieve = x 100%
WeightA

8.1.6 Reporting of results. The percentage retained on the 75 micron sieve should be
reported to the nearest 1 percent.

MAY 2001 Page 8.1