Chapter IV

Specifications and Properties of

Portland Cement Mortar:
Compressive and Flexural Strengths

4.1 Purpose of Experiment:

To learn about portland cement specifications and to study its properties

including:

1. Fineness and surface area,

2. Setting time (covered in Chapter VII),
3. Compressive strength,
4. Flexural strength, and
5. Autoclave expansion.

4.2 Introduction

Portland cement is a powdery material made of baked lime stone and clay. Its
raw materials are basically natural rocks and minerals. Portland cement
manufacturing plants are typically located in areas with abundant sources of
good mineral resources. The chemical composition and properties of portland
cement are strongly affected by its original crude materials. It is, thus, important
to have standards for acceptance of portland cement based on such sought
characteristics.

4.3 Chemical Composition and Major Types of Portland Cement

Portland cement reacts with water in a process termed hydration to form cement
paste which is the binding element and the main source of strength in concrete.
Cement past coats all aggregate particles so that a monolithic concrete mass
result. The main compound of portland cement is calcium silicate while the main
compound of portland cement paste is calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) as
explained in Chapter I. Other than calcium silicate, other compounds are present
including:

1. Tri-calcium aluminate (3CaO.Al2O3) or C3A,

2. Tetra-calcium aluminoferrite (4CaO.Al2O3.Fe2O3) or C4AF,
3. Calcium sulfate (CaO.SO3),
4. Hydrated calcium sulfate/gypsum (CaO.SO3.2H2O),
5. Sodium oxide (N2O).

Each of the above mentioned compounds has an important effect upon cement
hydration as explained In the following:

4.1
1. Tri-calcium aluminate (C3A) accelerates hydration of portland cement and
generates a relatively large heat of hydration quantity. Hydration of C3A
can take place in several manners and require gypsum, calcium hydroxide
or ettringite to complete. C3A hydration can be expansive that generally
leads to the formation of ettringite. Some of the hydration products C3A
may be susceptible to attack by sulfate in water or soil.

2. Tetra-calcium aluminoferrite (C4AF) has little contribution to cement and

concrete properties due to its low amounts. Nevertheless, the gray color
of cement and concrete is a result of the iron oxide in calcium
aluminoferrite.

3. The sulfate in calcium sulfate or gypsum controls the rate of hydration of

C3A resulting in retarded setting of concrete. Also, gypsum controls
reduces drying shrinkage of hardened concrete. Generally, gypsum is
added to portland cement during manufacturing due to its benefits.

4. Sodium oxide has no effect upon cement hydration or hardened concrete

properties. However, it causes the alkalinity or pH of cement paste to
increase to between 13 and 14. Such high alkalinity of cement paste is
harmful if one is using acidic aggregate where a reaction termed alkali –
aggregate reaction may occur. Such reaction is typically expansive and
harmful to concrete.

Calcium silicate is in two forms, tri calcium silicate (C3S) and di-calcium silicate
(C2S). Hydration of C3S and C2S results in the formation of CSH
(3CaO.2SiO2.8H2O) and hydrated lime, Ca(OH)2. Hydration of C3S is relatively
fast with elevated heat of hydration. However, C2S hydration is slow with low
heat of hydration.

There are six major types of portland cement termed type I, type II, type III, type
IV, type V and white. Each type’s chemical composition is formatted to fit a
specific construction purpose as shown in Table 4.1. Along with the chemical
compositions, fineness or surface areas of portland cement types are listed in
Table 4.1.

Type I is termed ordinary and used for ordinary construction. Type II is used for
construction with potential minor sulfate exposure. As concrete with type III
cement is characterized with high early strength, it is used for projects with
demands for fast pace and early completion. Type IV with low heat of hydration
is generally used for mass concrete such as dams. Type V is generally used for
construction with potential for high levels of sulfate exposure. White portland
cement is typically used for making decorative or colored concrete. Without the
typical gray pigment, white concrete is more astatically pleasing and can be
colored significantly easier as compared with conventional concrete.

4.2
 Table 4.1: Portland Cement Major Types

Type C3S C2S C3A C4AF Fineness Construction

(%) (%) (%) (%) (m2/kg) Advantage

I 54 18 10 8 369 None

II 55 19 6 11 377 Mod. Sulfate

Resistance

III 55 17 9 8 548 High Early

Strength

IV 42 32 4 15 340 Low Hydration

Heat

V 54 22 4 13 373 Sulfate
Resistance

White 63 18 10 1 482 Decorative

Color

4.4 Specialized Types of Portland Cement

There are other types of portland cement utilized for special construction types.
A summarized list follows.

1. Air Entrained Cement: This type of cement is used for construction in

climates subjected to repeated freezing and thawing. It contains prescribed
amounts of air entraining agent so that concrete mixing is facilitated. Typically,
major cement types with air entraining agent are termed types IA, IIA, IIIA, IVA,
and VA.

2. Low Alkali Cement: Low alkali cement is used to reduce the effect of
alkali – aggregate reaction. In areas where acidic aggregate is used, the use of
low alkali portland cement can be very advantageous. Low alkali portland
cement contains less than 0.6% NaO. This has been found to significantly
reduce the harmful effect of alkali – aggregate reaction. As an example, in the
San Diego area, type II low alkali portland cement is the most common type.

3. Pozzolanic Cement: A pozzolan is occasionally added to portland cement

to impart certain advantageous properties. The subject of pozzolans in cement
and concrete is covered in Chapter X.

4.3
4. Expansive Cement: Certain types of portland cements are manufactured
to a certain chemical composition so that the hydration reaction is expansive. As
such, low or no drying shrinkage can be expected for concrete made with
expansive cement. Typically, expansive cements take advantage of the
formation of ettringite that is, as a rule, expansive. Among the common types of
expansive cements is type K.

5. Masonry Cements and Plastic Cements: These types of cement contain

additives to enhance its suitability for masonry construction. Lime is one of the
important additives in masonry or plastic cement. A pozzolan (fly ash) is also
used with masonry cement.

4.5 Portland Cement Specifications

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) lists specifications for all
types of portland cement. This chapter is concerned with the specifications for
the major types of portland cement that are types I, II, III, IV, and V. The
specifications of ASTM C 150 cover the above mentioned types. ASTM C 150
contains standard chemical composition requirements for portland cement as
well as optional ones. Also, ASTM C 150 contains standard physical
requirements for portland cement as well as optional ones. A summary of these
requirements is shown in Tables 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4.

Table 4.2: A summary of ASTM C 150 Requirements for Portland Cement

Standard Chemical Requirements

Cement Type I II III IV V

Silicone dioxide (SiO2), min, % – 20 – – –

Aluminum oxide (Al2O3), max, % – 6 – – –
Ferric oxide (Fe2O3), max, % – 6 – 6.5 –

Magnesium oxide (MgO), max, % 6 6 6 6 6

Sulfur trioxide (SO3), max, %
When C3A is 8% or less 3 3 3.5 2.3 2.3
When C3A is more than 8% 3.5 – 4.5 – –
Loss on ignition, max, % 3 3 3 2.5 3
Insoluble residues, max, % 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75

Tricalcium silicate, C3S, max, % – – – 35 –

Dicalcium silicate, C2S, min, % – – – 40 –
Tricalcium aluminate, C3A, max, % – 8 15 7 5
Tetracalcium aluminoferrite + twice the
tricalcium aluminate [C4AF + 2(C3A)], max, % – – – – 25

4.4
 Table 4.3: A summary of ASTM C 150 Requirements for Portland Cement

Optional Chemical Requirements

Cement Type I II III IV V

Tricalcium aluminate, C3A, max, % – – 8 – –

for moderate sulfate exposure
Tricalcium aluminate, C3A, max, % – – 5 – –
for high sulfate exposure
Sum of tricalcium silicate and – – – 58 –
tricalcium aluminate, (C3S + C3A), max, %
for moderate heat of hydration
Alkalies (Na2O + 0.658 K2O), max, % 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6
for low-alkali portland cement

Table 4.4: A summary of ASTM C 150 Requirements for Portland Cement

Standard Physical Requirements

Cement Type I II III IV V

Mortar air Content, max, % 12 12 12 12 12

Specific surface, min, m2/kg 280 280 – 280 280
Autoclave expansion, max, % 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8
Cube compressive strength, min, psi
One day of age – – 1800 – –
Three days of age 1800 1500 3500 – 1200
Seven days of age 2800 2500 – 1000 2200
28 days of age – – – 2500 3000
Time of setting
Initial setting, min, not less than 45 45 45 45 45
Final setting, min, not less than 375 375 375 375 375

This chapter focuses on strength tests of portland cement mortar that are
compressive strength and flexural strength. Although flexural strength is not a
required standard property of portland cement mortar, it is of high importance that
warrants attention. Setting time will be discussed in a later chapter of this
textbook.

4.5
4.6 Experimental Procedure:

4.6.1 Compressive Strength Using 2 in x 2 in Cubes:

The procedures outlined in ASTM C109 should be followed. As ASTM C109

explains, a mortar mixture of water/cement ratio of 0.485 and a sand/cement
ratio of 2.75 is prepared for use in making the specified samples (2 in x 2 in
cubes). Mix quantities are as shown in Table 4.5.

Table 4.5: Mix Quantities for Mortar Compressive Strength Test

No. of 2 in x 2 in Cube Samples 6 9

Cement Weight, g 500 740

Sand Weight, g 1375 2035

Water Weight, g 242 359

Mixing is performed in a mortar mixer (Fig 4.1) according to the following

procedure:

1. Place all the mixing water in the mixing bowl,

2. Add the cement to the water and mix at a slow speed (140 rpm) for about
30 s,

3. While the mixer is running add the sand slowly over a 30 s period,

4. Mix at medium speed (285 rpm) for 30 s,

5. Stop the mixer for 15 s, during which, the materials collected on the side
of the bowl are scraped.

6. Finish by mixing for 1 min at medium speed.

7. Allow the fresh mortar to stand in the bowl without cover for 75 s, and

8. In 15 s, scrape the mortar that has collected on the sides of the bowl and
remix at medium speed for 15 s.

4.6
 2 3 Controls
1
OFF
Arm for
Positioning

Mixing
Bowl

Overall View Mixing Blade

Figure 4.1: Schematic view of the mortar mixer.

It is specified in ASTM C 109 that a minimum workability of mortar should be

attained after completion of mixing. Workability of mortar is measured via the
flow table test (Fig 4.2) as specified in ASTM C 230. The flow table consists of a
10 – in round top – table made of brass or bronze. A handle can be rotated
manually or with an electric motor to gradually raise the table top a vertical
distance of ¾ in followed by a sudden drop of the same distance. Such rise and
sudden drop is termed a blow. A brass frustum mold for mortar is placed on the
table. The mold had an upper internal diameter of 2.75 in, a lower internal
diameter of 4 in, and a height of 2 in. The mold is filled with the freshly mixed
mortar. The top mortar surface is stricken off level with the mold. The mold is
removed and 10 blows of are applied in 6 seconds. The fresh mortar spreads
out on the table forming a circular globule (blob). The diameter of the globule is
measured and flow of fresh mortar is calculated as:

Mortar Flow = [(final diameter – initial diameter)/ initial diameter] x 100%

Since the initial diameter is 4 in, then the above equation can be rewritten as:

Flow = [(final diameter – 4)/4] x 100% (4.1)

4.7
 Mortar Frustum
10 in Round Brass
Top

Shaft

Lift Mechanism – ¾ in per Blow

Rotating
Handle

Alternative
Electric Motor Table Frame

Table Base

Figure 4.2: Schematic diagram of the flow table.

Molding the portland cement mortar cubes should start within 2 minutes and 30
seconds after the completion of mixing. The mold is filled in two 1 in – thick
layers with each layer tamped 32 times using a tamper (tamping rod) with a
rectangular cross – sectional dimensions of ½ in x 1 in according to the diagram
shown in Fig 4.3. After striking off its top surface with a trowel, the mortar in
cube molds should be slightly higher than the top of the mold. The samples are
placed in a moist room (100% RH and 72oF) immediately after molding. They
are demolded after 24 hours and stored in a saturated lime solution until the
testing age.

4
Rounds 1 & 3 Rounds 2 & 4 5
3 6
5
2 7
6 4 8
1 3
7
2
8 1

Figure 4.3: Tamping sequence for mortar cubes.

Testing is performed in a conventional testing machine with the load applied,

without a cushioning or bedding material, to the molded (side) face of the sample
rather than the top or bottom face. Testing is at a slow rate so that each cube is
broken in 20 and 80 s. The average of at least of two cube samples (preferably
three) is needed for a valid test result.

4.8
4.6.2 Flexural Strength of Portland Cement Mortar:

The procedures outlined in ASTM C 348 should be followed. As ASTM C 348

states, to obtain a statistically meaningful test result, a minimum of three samples
should be used. Sample mold can typically accommodate three samples (Fig
4.4). Sample dimensions are 1.575 in x 1.575 in x 6.3 in. Mix proportioning and
flow test are performed as explained in Section 4.6.1 for cube compression test.

1.5 in 1.5 in

6.3 in

Figure 4.4: Mortar flexural strength test molds.

After the completion of the flow table test, a ¾ in mortar layer is placed in each of
the three molds. A tamper with cross-sectional size of ¾ in x 3.1 in is used to
tamp the mortar layer in each mold according to the order in Fig 4.5. A second
mortar layer is added to each mold and tamped similar to the first layer. The
fresh mortar is cut off flush with the top of the samples using a trowel. The
samples are stored and cured similar to the cube compression samples as
explained in Section 4.6.1.

1 2
1.5 in
4 3

6.5 in

Figure 4.5: Tamping order for flexural strength test samples.

4.9
Samples are tested with a central point loading on a span of 4.685 in. Sample
supports must utilize the swivel and pivot (ball and rod) and must be greased
prior to testing to eliminate friction (Fig 4.6). The pivot allows the support point to
rotate freely about an axis (the rod) perpendicular to the sample. The swivel
allows the sample to rotate freely about a point (the ball) in all directions. With
such precautions, friction at the supports is diminished significantly or eliminated.
With such arrangement, the effect of friction at the supports can be substantial.

Span, L
3 3
/16” Rod /16” Rod

Bracket ¼” Ball Bracket

Support A Support B
Guiding Pins
1” Support Base

Side View

Top View

3 3
/16” Rod /16” Rod

Bracket
Pins ¼” Ball Pins
Support A

2 in 2 in
Support Details

Figure 4.6: Support details for flexural strength testing using the swivel and pivot.

4.10
Flexural strength can then be obtained for each sample and averaged for three
samples. Flexural strength equation can be stated as follows:

Flexural Strength = Bending Moment / Section Modulus

Flexural Strength = M / S = (PmaxL/4) / (bh2/6) (4.2)

Where:
M = maximum bending moment applied to the sample. M for the case of
central point loading can be determined as Pmax x L / 4,
S = sample cross-section modulus = bh2/6,
Pmax = maximum load sustained by the sample or failure load,
L = span length (e.g. 4.685 in),
b = sample width (dimension perpendicular to loading direction, and
h = sample height (dimension parallel to loading direction).

4.7 Experimental Results:

Each student is required to utilize the data sheets provided herewith for recording
the data acquired in this experiment. As part of this laboratory report, the
following information shall be provided:

1. Mix design for the mortar used in the each experiment,

2. Flow table test results,

3. Number of samples made for compression testing and flexural testing,

4. 7 – day cube compressive strength test results. Individual test data as well as
the average need to be reported.

5. 7 – day flexural strength test results. Individual test data as well as the
average need to be reported.

6. The ration of flexural to compressive strengths of portland cement mortar.

4.8 Discussion Questions:

1. Explain the procedure used in this laboratory experiment to compensate for

sand water absorption.

2. Comment on the ratio of flexural strength – to – compressive strength of

portland cement mortar.

3. In your opinion, what other important tests need to be performed to assess

portland cement suitability for construction?

4.11
 Compressive and Flexural Strength
Of
Portland Cement Mortar

Compressive Strength

Portland Cement Type =

Weight of Portland Cement used = ___________ lb

Weight of Sand used = ___________ lb

Sand Type = ___________ Sand FM =

Sand Moisture Content = % Sand Absorption Capacity = ___%

Required Weight of Water = ______ lb Adjustment for Sand Moisture = ____ lb

Weight of Water used = ___________ lb

Number of Samples Made = ___________ lb

Test Results:

Flow of Mortar = ___________ %

1. Sample Dimensions (Loaded Face) = x in

Ultimate Sample Compressive Load = lb Age = _____ days

Sample Compressive Strength = psi

2. Sample Dimensions (Loaded Face) = x in

Ultimate Sample Compressive Load = lb Age = _____ days

Sample Compressive Strength = psi

3. Sample Dimensions (Loaded Face) = x in

Ultimate Sample Compressive Load = lb Age = _____ days

Sample Compressive Strength = psi

AVERAGE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF MORTAR = ___________ PSI

4.12
Flexural Strength

Portland Cement Type =

Weight of Portland Cement used = ___________ lb

Weight of Sand used = ___________ lb

Sand Type = ___________ Sand FM =

Sand Moisture Content = % Sand Absorption Capacity = ___%

Required Weight of Water = ___________ lb

Water Adjustment for sand Moisture = lb

Weight of Water used = ___________ lb

Number of Samples Made = ___________ lb

Flexural Test Span Length = ___________ in

Test Results:

Flow of Mortar = ___________ %

1. Sample Cross – Sectional Dimensions = x in

Ultimate Sample Bending Load = lb Age = ______ days

Sample Flexural Strength = psi

2. Sample Cross – Sectional Dimensions = x in

Ultimate Sample Bending Load = lb Age = ______ days

Sample Flexural Strength = psi

3. Sample Cross – Sectional Dimensions = x in

Ultimate Sample Bending Load = lb Age = ______ days

Sample Flexural Strength = psi

AVERAGE FLEXURAL STRENGTH OF MORTAR = ___________ PSI

4.13