Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by Sieve Method

PROCEDURE:
1. Place a 50-g sample of the cement on the clean, dry 150-µm (No. 100) ) or or 75-µm (No.
200) ) sieve with the pan attached.
2. While holding the sieve and uncovered pan in in both hands, sieve with a gentle wrist
motion until most of the fine materials has passed through and residue looks fairly clean. (Note:
it takes 3-4 mins. doing this step). Then place the cover on the sieve and remove the pan.
3. With the sieve and cover held firmly in one hand, gently tap the side of the sieve with the
handle of the brush used for cleaning the sieve.
4. Empty the pan and thoroughly wipe it out with a cloth, replace the sieve in the pan, and
carefully remove the cover. Return any coarser material that has been caught in the cover
during the tapping to the sieve.
5. Continue sieving without the cover for 5-10 mins, depending on the condition of the cement.
Continue rotating the sieve until cement is in proper condition, or when there is no dust
remaining on the residue.
Make 1-min test as follows:
6. Hold the sieve, with pan and cover attached, moving forward and backward in slightly
inclined position while striking the side for about 150 times per min, against the palm of the
other hand. Perform this over a white paper.
7. Return any escaping material from the sieve. After every 25 strokes, turn the sieve about
one-sixth of a revolution in the same direction
8. Continue until not more than 0.05g of material passes through 1 min of sieving.
9. Transfer the residue on the sieve to the balance pan, brush the sides of sieve cloth to ensure
removal of residues.