POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Sta Mesa, Manila

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING

LABORATORY WORKS
“Determination of Specific Gravity of Cement”

Submitted by:
Group 2

Cadayona. Dennise Jamaika

Gallero, Oscar Jr
Mahinay, Colyn Claire
Parungao, John Benedict
Santos, Adrian
Visquera, Adriane T.
 LABORATORY NO. 1
Determination of Specific Gravity of Cement

Date of Experiment: December 7, 2019

SIGNIFICANCE
The test method covers the determination of the density of hydraulic cement. The
density of hydraulic cement is defined as the mass of a unit volume of the solids. Its
particular usefulness is in connection with the design and control of concrete mix. The
specific gravity of portland cement is generally about 3.15. Specific gravity is not an
indication of the quality of the cement. It is used in calculating mix designs.

APPARATUS
1. Graduated cylinder as a subsitute to Le chatelier flask
2. Kerosene (free of water, density is not < 0.73g/ml at 23°c ± 2°c )
3. Balance and weights

PROCEDURE
The weight of the graduated cylinder was first recorded before putting the
kerosene. Afterwards, the combined weight of the graduated cylinder and kerosene will
be measured. The graduated cylinder was immersed in a water bath of about 23°C for
15 minutes. After the graduated cylinder has been dried, the combined weight was
recorded again. 50 grams of cement was then poured out into the graduated cylinder with
kerosene, then the combine weight was recorded. The graduated cylinder was again
immersed in a water bath of about 23°C for 15 minutes. After the graduated cylinder has
been dried, the final weight of the graduated cylinder with kerosene and cement was
recorded.

DATA ANALYSIS
A. Cement Density
For the calculation of cement density, the following formula was used.
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 (𝑔)
Cement Density = 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 (𝑐𝑚)3 −𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 (𝑐𝑚)3

B. Specific Gravity
In connection with proportioning and control of concrete mixtures, density may be
more usefully expressed as specific gravity (a dimensionless number). Calculate
the specific gravity as follows: (At 4 °C the density of water is 1 G/CM3)

𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦
Specific Gravity = 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝐴𝑇 4 °𝐶
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

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