CEMENT TEST

INTRODUCTION

Cement is a binding material made by grinding calcined lime stone and clay to a fine
powder, which can be mixed with water and poured to fit as a solid mass or used as an
ingredient in making mortar or concrete. As the composition and fineness of the powder vary,
different properties of cement also vary.

NECESSITY OF CHECKING CEMENT

Checking of materials is an essential part of civil engineering as the life of structure is dependent
on the quality of material used. Following are the tests to be conducted to judge the quality of
cement.
1. Consistency of Cement
2. Initial Setting Time of Cement
3. Final Setting Time of Cement
4. Fineness of Cement
5. Soundness of Cement
6. Compressive Strength Test of Cement

REFERENCES :- Specification IS:269,8112,12269

Method of test : 4031

1. CONSISTENCY OF CEMENT ( IS-4031 Part-IV)

Object:

The basic aim is to find out the water content required to produce a cement paste of standard
consistency with the help of Vicat Apparatus.
The principle is that standard consistency of cement is that consistency at which the Vicat
plunger penetrates to a point 5-7mm from the bottom of Vicat mould.

Sampling
Each sample for testing consists of a mixture of approximately equal proportion , selected
from at least 12 different positions of the heap or heaps when the cement is loose, or from
not less than 12 different bags. If the number of bags is less , every care is taken to obtain
a fair average sample from different portions of the bag. The final sample should weigh at
least 5 Kgs and be kept in air tight container.
 Apparatus
Stop watch ,Vicat apparatus , measuring jar , weighing balance and rice plate.

Procedure
1) Standard consistency of cement paste is defined as the consistency which
will permit the Vicat plunger to penetrate to a point 5 to 7 mm from the bottom of
the vicat mould .
2) For preparing one mould take 400 gms of cement and prepare a paste of
the cement with weighed quantity of water , taking care that the time of gauging
is not less than 3 minutes and not more than 5 minutes.
3) Gauge time is counted from the time of adding water to the dry
cement until commencing to fill the mould, fill the vicat mould with this paste ,
the mould resting upon non porous plate.
4) After completely filling the mould , smooth off the surface of the paste.
The mould may be slighting shaken to expel air.
5) Place the test mould with the non porous plate resting under the rod
bearing the plunger. Lower the plunger gently to touch the surface of the test
block and quickly release allowing it to sink into the paste.
6) Prepare trial paste with varying percentage of water ( firstly at an
interval of 4% that is of 28 % , 32 % and 36 % and then at an interval of 1%
and 0.25 % ).

Observation & Calculation:

Testing Date :-
Weight of cement- 400 gms
Sr. No. Volume of water (cc) % of water Reading on Vicat (mm)
 Acceptance Criteria

If the plunger penetrates into the paste 5 to 7 mm from the bottom of the mould , the
paste said to be of normal consistency otherwise paste should be made with varying
quantity of water and making of paste is repeated till the desired penetration is
obtained.

For Example :

Testing Date :-
Weight of cement- 400 gms
Sr. No. Volume of water (cc) % of water Reading on Vicat (mm)
1 120 120/400 *100 =30% 12
2 124 124/400 *100 = 31% 9
3 128 128/400 *100 = 32% 6

Result: The consistency of Cement is 32% as penetration for this amount of water is 5-7 mm

OBSERVATION & CALCULATION SHEET FOR CONSISTENCY CEMENT

Sample No:- Job No :-

Type of Cement :-

Grade of cement :-

Manufactured Date :-

Testing Date :-
Weight of cement- 400 gms
Sr. No. Volume of water (cc) % of water Reading on Vicat (mm)
1
2
3
4
5

Tested By (Lab In charge)

2 INITIAL SETTING TIME OF CEMENT ( IS-4031 Part-V)

Object
To determine sufficient time for various operation like mixing, transportation, placing and
compaction of cement with the help of vicat apparatus.
For ordinary Portland cement Initial Setting Time - Not less than 30 minutes.
 Apparatus
Stop watch ,Vicat apparatus , Initial setting time needle, measuring jar , weighing balance
and rice plate.

Procedure
1) Take 400 gms of cement and prepare a neat cement paste with 0.85 P of water by weight of
cement , where P is standard consistency of cement.
2) Gauge time is kept between 3 to 5 minutes , start the stop watch at the instant when the water is
added to the cement.
3) Fill the vicatmould with the cement and smoothen the surface of the paste making it level with the
top of the mould confined on non porous plate. The cement block thus prepare is known as the test block.
4) For initial setting time taking place the test block under the rod bearing the needle 'B 'lower the
needle gentlyuntill it comes in contact with in the surface of the test block and quickly release it, allowing
it to penetrate into the test block.
5) In the beginning the needle completely pierces the test block , repeat this procedure until the
needle fails to pierce the block for beyond 5mm measured from the bottom of the mould.
6) The period elapsing between the time when water is added to the cement and the time at which the
needle fails to pierce the test block beyond 5mm , is the initial setting time.

Acceptance Criteria:
For ordinary Portland cement - Not less than 30 min.

For Example :

Testing Date :-
Weight of Cement = 400 gm
Water = 0.85 x Consistency in % x 4 = 0.85*32*4 = 108.8 ml
Reading 1
(i) Time when water added : - hr ….. min….. 9 am
 (ii) Initial setting time : - hr ….. min… 10 am
Initial setting time : - (ii)-(i) = hr ….min… 10-9 = 1 hour = 60 min

Result : Initial Setting time is 60 minutes.

OBSERVATION & CALCULATION SHEET FOR INITIAL SETTING TIME OF CEMENT

Sample No:- Job No :-

Type of Cement :-

Grade of cement :-

Manufactured Date :-
Testing Date :-
Weight of Cement = 400 gm
Water = 0.85 x Consistency in % x 4
Reading 1 2 3
(iii) Time when water added : - hr ….. min…..
(iv) Initial setting time : - hr ….. min…
Initial setting time : - (ii)-(i) = hr ….min….

Tested By (Lab In charge)

3 FINAL SETTING TIME OF CEMENT ( IS-4031 Part-IV)

Object
To find that laying of cement mortar, the hardening period should be rapid so that the
setting time may be made in use as early as possible.
For ordinary Portland cement Final Setting Time – Maximum 10 hours

Apparatus
Stop watch ,Vicat apparatus , Initial setting time needle, measuring jar , weighing balance
and rice plate.

Procedure
1) Same as initial setting time. For final setting time replace the needle of the viccat's apparatus by
the needle with an annular attachment.
2) The cement is considered finally set upon applying the final setting needle gently to surface of the
test block, the needle makes an, impression thereon, while the attachment fails to do so. The period
elapsing between the time when water is added to the cement and the time at which the needle makes an
impression on the surface of the test block while the attachment fails to do so shall be the final setting
time.

Observation &Calculation :

Testing Date :-
Weight of Cement = 400 gm
Water = 0.85 x Consistency in % x 4 = 0.85*32*4 = 108.8 ml
Reading 1
(i) Time when water added : - hr …..
min…..
(ii) Initial setting time : - hr ….. min…
Initial setting time : - (ii)-(i) = hr ….min…

Acceptance
For ordinary Portland cement less than 10 hours.

For Example :

Testing Date :-
Weight of Cement = 400 gm
Water = 0.85 x Consistency in % x 4 = 0.85*32*4 = 108.8 ml
Reading 1
(iii) Time when water added : - hr ….. 9 am
min…..
(iv) Initial setting time : - hr ….. min… 2 pm
Initial setting time : - (ii)-(i) = hr ….min… 14-9 = 5 hour = 300 min

Result : Initial Setting time is 300 minutes.

 OBSERVATION & CALCULATION SHEET FOR FINAL SETTING TIME OF CEMENT

Sample No:- Job No :-

Type of Cement :-

Grade of cement :-

Manufactured Date :-

Testing Date :-
Weight of Cement = 400 gm
Water = 0.85 x Consistency in % x 4
Reading 1 2 3
(i) Time when water added :- hr ….. min…..
(ii) Final setting time :- hr ….. min…..
Final setting time : - (ii)-(i) = hr ….min….
Tested By (Lab In charge)

Procedure
Break down any air set lumps in the cement with fingers. Weigh accurately 100 gm of the
cement and place it on a standard 90 micron IS
4 FINENESS OF CEMENT ( IS-4031 Part-I)

Object
The object of this test is to check the proper grinding of cement since finer the
cement quicker is action with water to gain early strength.
Apparatus
90 micron IS sieve Rice plate , weighing balance 0.1 gm accuracy

1. sieve.
 2. Sieve for 15 minutes continuously.
3. Weigh theresidue left after 15 minutes of sieving.
Observation & Calculation:
Sample No:- Job No :-
Type of Cement :-
Grade of cement :-
Manufactured Date :-

Testing Date :-
Weight of cement-…… gms
Sr. Residue Weight (gm) % of Residue Average
No.
1
2
3

Acceptance Criteria
The residue weight should not exceed the limits given below -
The object of this test is to check the proper grinding of cement since finer the cement
quicker is action with water to gain early strength.
Determine the fineness of cement by dry sieving .
The principle of this is we determine the proportion of cement whose grain size is larger than
specified mesh size.

Acceptance Criteriaof Fineness of cement

Sr.No Type of cement Percentage retained

.

1. Ordinary Portland Cement 10%

2. Rapid Hardening Cement 05%

 3. Low Heat Cement 05%

For Example: OPC cement

Testing Date :-
Weight of cement-…100… gms
Sr. Residue Weight (gm) % of Residue Average
No.
1 8 8/100*100 = 8%
2 9 9/100*100 = 9%
8%
3 7 7/100*100 = 7%

Result :% cement retained is 8% which is lesser than 10% therefore okay

OBSERVATION SHEET FOR FINENESS OF CEMENT ( by Dry method )

Sample No:- Job No :-

Type of Cement :-

Grade of cement :-

Manufactured Date :-

Testing Date :-
Weight of cement-…… gms
Sr. Residue Weight (gm) % of Residue Average
No.
1
2
3
Observed Fineness of cement by 90 micron sieve (Ang) is : __________%

Tested By (Lab In charge)

5 SOUNDNESS OF CEMENT ( IS-4031 Part-III)

The ability of cement to maintain a constant volume is known as soundness of cement.

Object
The object of this test is to determine the slaking action of free lime and magnesia,
if they exist , by application of heat thereby discovering the defect in short time.
Apparatus
Le-chatelier Apparatus, two glass plate, temp control water bath , scale.
 Procedure
1. Take 100 gm of cement mix it with (0.78P)ml of water, where P is consistency of cement.
2. Place the mould on a glass sheet and filled with the cement paste formed by gauging
cement.
3. Cover mould with another glass plate, placing small weight on the covering glass plate and
immediately submerge the whole assembly in water at a temperature of 27 ± 2 oC and keep
for 24 hours.
4. Measure the distance 'D1' between the arms as original distance.
5. Transferthese moulds in the boiling water & keep them in boiling water for 3 hrs.
6. After cooling once more the distance between thearms is measured& noted as the final
reading.

Observation Table:

Testing Date :-
Weight of cement :- 100(gms)
Water :0.78*32 = 24.96 ml (c.c.)
Reading. 1 2 3
Distance between two points
24 hrs. in water (mm)
Reading after 3 hrs. in boiling (mm)
Difference (mm)
Average (mm)

Acceptance Criteria
Distance between thearms shall not be more than 10mm

For Example:
Testing Date :-
Weight of cement :- 100(gms)
Water :0.78*32 = 24.96 ml (c.c.)
Reading. 1 2 3
Distance between two points 2 2 2
 24 hrs. in water (mm)
Reading after 3 hrs. in boiling (mm) 6 6 8
Difference (mm) 4 4 6
Average (mm) 4.66

Result: the Soundness is found to be 4.66 mm which is less than 10 mm hence okay

OBSERVATION SHEET FOR SOUNDNESS OF CEMENT

Sample No:- Job No :-

Type of Cement :-

Grade of cement :-

Manufactured Date :-

Testing Date :-
Weight of cement :- ………….(gms)
Water :-…………(c.c.)
Reading. 1 2 3
Distance between two points
24 hrs. in water (mm)
Reading after 3 hrs. in boiling (mm)
Difference (mm)
Average (mm)
Tested By (Lab In charge)

6 COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST OF CEMENT ( IS-4031 Part-VI)

Object
To determine the Compressive Strength of Cement expressed in N/mm2 which is calculated
by dividing the maximum load applied to the cement cube during the test by cross sectional
area.
Apparatus
70.6 mm X 70.6 mm X 70.6 mm cube moulds, apparatus for gauging and mixing mortar,
compression testing machine.

1. Procedure
1. Gauge a mixer of cement (200gm ) and standard sand( Ennore sand) (grade I=200gm,grade
II=200gm, grade III=200gm) in the proportion of 1:3 by weight and add water of quantity
(P/4 + 3.0 )X8 percent of combined weight of cement and sand , where P to the percent of
water required to produce a paste of standard consistency .
 2. Fill the cube mould by compacting it for 2 minutes on a vibrating machine at a speed of
12,000 ± 400 vibration per minutes.
3. Smoothen the top surface of the cubes with flat side of a trowel .
4. Immediately on completion of moulding, place the cube moulds in an atmosphere of 27 oC
± 2oCand relatively humidity over 90 % . After 24 hours remove the specimen from the
moulds and keep them in water till tested.
5. Test the cubes at three days , 7 days , age in the compression testing machine at such a rate
that maximum load is reached in 80 to 100 seconds.
6. Report to average compressive strength inMPa or N /mm2 ( or kg / cm 2 )

2. Casting Of Cement Cube:

a. Gauge cement and Indian sand in the proportion of 1:3 by weight using (P/4 + 3.0) % of
water.
b. Fill the cube mould by compacting it for 2 minutes on a vibrating machine(12,000 ±
400vibration per minutes).
c. Smoothen the top surface &place the cube moulds in an atmosphere of 27 oC ± 2oC and
relative humidity over 90 % .After 24 hours remove the specimen from the moulds and keep
them in water till tested.

3. Testing Of Cement Cube:

Test the cubes at 3 days, 7 days, 28 days age in the compression testing machine at such a
rate that maximum load is reached in 80 to 100 seconds.Report to average compressive
strength in MPa or N /mm2 ( or kg / cm 2 )

6.Observation& Calculation:

Testing Date :-
Weight of Cement - 200 gm
Weight of Std. Sand - 600 gm(Grade I -200gm X Grade II -200gm X Grade III -200gm)
Water = (P/4 + 3) X 8 = (32/4 +3 )*8 = 88 ml
Reading Days 3 Days 7 Days 28
1
2
3
Ave. Comp. Strength in ‘N / mm2’

7 Acceptance Criteria :-

For ordinary Portland cement

Compre 33 43 53
 ssive Gr gr gr
Strengt ad ad ad
h in e e e
MPa
(Min)

3 day 16 23 27

7 day 22 33 37

28 day 33 43 53

For Example:
Testing Date :-
Weight of Cement - 200 gm
Weight of Std. Sand - 600 gm
Water = (P/4 + 3) X 8 = (32/4 +3 )*8 = 88 ml
Reading Days 3 Days 7 Days 28
1 17 24 43
2 16 23 42
3 18 25 44
Ave. Comp. Strength in ‘N / mm2’ 17 23 43

Result:

3 days The average compressive strength of cement = 17 N/sq mm

7 days The average compressive strength of cement = 17 N/sq mm

28 days The average compressive strength of cement = 17 N/sq mm

 OBSERVATION SHEET FOR COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST OF CEMENT

Sample No:- Job No :-

Type of Cement :-

Grade of cement :-

Manufactured Date :-

Testing Date :-
Weight of Cement - 200 gm
Weight of Std. Sand - 600 gm
Water = (P/4 + 3) X 8 =……. c.c.
Reading Days 3 Days 7 Days 28
1
2
3
Ave. Comp. Strength in ‘N / mm2’

Tested By (Lab In charge)