EXPERIMENT NO.

1b

DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF

CEMENT
AIM:

To determine the specific gravity of cement.

THEORY:

Specific gravity is the ratio of the weight of cement to the weight of equal volume of
kerosene displaced by it. In other words, the volume of kerosene displaced is equal to the
volume of solid matter and the volume of pores. Since water will react with cement. kerosene
is used to find out the specific gravity of cement. Specific gravity of cement normally varies
between 3.10-3.15.

A – Empty Density Bottle

B - kerosene
C – ¾ th of cement
D – cement + kerosene

Figure shows the density bottle.

APPARATUS:

1. Density bottle
2. Weighing balance and weights
3. Kerosene

PROCEDURE:

1. First, weigh the density bottle let it W1 gms fill with sample to 3/4th volume.
2. Then the bottle with cement and weigh it (W2 gms.)
3. To the above set up add kerosene upto the mark shown in the density bottle (W3 gms)
4. Remove the contents from the bottle.
5. Fill the density bottle with only kerosene upto the mark shown in the bottle (W4 gms)
6. From the formula, specific gravity of cement is calculated.
7. The above steps are repeated for minimum three trials.
RECORDING OF OBSERVATION

Weight of empty density bottle W1 = 0.122 g

Weight of density bottle + cement W2 = 0.172 g
Weight of density bottle + cement + Kerosene W3 = 0.374 g
Weight of density bottle + Kerosene W4 = 0.330 g
Specific gravity of Kerosene. GK = 0.79 g/cc

CALCULATION

Specific gravity of cement = 3.28 g/cc

RESULT: Specific gravity of given sample of Cement is formed to be

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1. Define Specific gravity.

Ans: Specific gravity, also called relative density, ratio of the density of a substance to that of a

standard substance

2. What is the significance of the test.

Ans: The cement particles have pores or particles that can contain water within it. Any change in

this value of specific gravity will affect the mix design. Hence, it is necessary to test the specific

gravity of the cement procured before mixing process.

3. Specific gravity of cement ranges between 3.1 to 3.16 g/cc.

BY – TANMAYA BUTANEY

REG NO : RA2011011010023