JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY

OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

KIPKEMOI BERNARD KIRUI

EN251-0228/2010
BSC. CIVIL ENGINEERING

2ND YEAR- GROUP A

ECE2206: CIVIL ENGINEERING MATERIALS I

TITLE: To determine soundness of cement by Le-Chatelier's

apparatus
 THEORY

The most important quality of a cement, as it means the power of the cement to resist the
disintegrating influences of the atmosphere or water in which it may be placed. Unsoundness
in cement may vary greatly in degree, and show itself quite differently in different material.
Cement in which the unsoundness is very pronounced is apt to become distorted and cracked
after a few days, when small cakes are placed in water. Those in which the disintegrating
action is slower may not show any visible change of form, but after weeks or months
gradually lose coherence, and soften until entirely disintegrated. The method in common use
for testing unsoundness is to make small cakes or pats of neat cement, usually about 3 or 4
inches in diameter and 1/2 inch thick, upon a plate of glass, and keep them in air or water for a
few days, carefully watching them to see if they show any signs of distortion or surface cracks,
which may indicate a tendency to disintegration.

NEW CONCEPTS

Propositions 1: Soundness of Cement

The cement is said to be sound when the percentage of free lime and magnesia
is with in specified
Limits.
These materials expand in the structure and thus the concrete or mortar also
expand, causing
Unequal expansion of paste.
Propositions 2: Soundness of cement
Disintegration of cement compound is determined by Le- Chatelier apparatus.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Intellectual Skills:
1. To decide the suitability of given cement sample.
Motor Skills
1. To fill up the Le-Chatelier mould and placing glass plate as per procedure.
2. To measure expansion of the pointer.
Diagram

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS:

1. Le-Chatelier apparatus
2. Weighing balance accurate up to 0.1gm
3. Water bath with electric heating arrangement
4. Measuring cylinder
5. Glass plates
6. Stop watch
7. Trowel
8. Tray
Materials:
1. Cement sample
2. Water

STEPWISE PROCEDURE (AS PER IS: 4031):

1. Cement paste was prepared the formed was gauge with 0.78 times water
required to give a
Paste of standard consistency. The gauging time should not be less than 3
minutes nor
greater than 5 minutes.
2. The inner surface of the mould was oiled and Placed on a glass sheet and fill
it with cement
Paste, taking care to keep the edges of the mould gently together. the mould
was covered with
another piece of glass sheet and peace a small weight on this covering glass
sheet and
immediately submerge the whole assembly in water at a temperature of
27°Cand keep it for
24 hours.
3. The assembly was removed from water after 24 hrs. The distance between the
indicators
Points were measured and record as (D1)
4. The mould was submerged again in water and the water was boiled in 25 to
30 minutes and
Kept boiling for three hours.
5. The mould was removed from the water and Allowed it to cool and the
distance between the
Indicator points was measured and record as (D2).
6. Three samples were tested and average of the results recorded.

OBSERVATIONS:
1. Types and brand of cement Bamburi East African Portland cement.
2. Grade of cement
3. Weight of cement sample - (WC) =500 gm
4. Water required for standard consistency (P) = 39.2 %
5. Water added to the cement sample
=0.78 x P x WC
39.2
=0.78× 100 ×500
=152.88 For Soundness test of cement:

RESULTS:
D1=11.8mm
D2=18.0mm
The expansion of the cement in the Le Chatelier apparatus is found to be (18.0-
11.8) 6.2 mm

BIS REQUIREMENTS:
As per IS:269, when tested by Le Chatelier method, un -aerated ordinary
Portland cement shall not
Have an expansion of more than 10 mm.

CONCLUSION:
Since the average expansion of cement is 6.2 mm here Cement sample is
Sound .