CE 222

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING

Laboratory Exercise No. 7:

FINENESS OF CEMENT

Discussion

The rate of hydration and hydrolysis and the consequent development in cement mortar
depends upon the fineness of grinding of cement. To have the same rate of hardening in different
brands of cement, the fineness has been standardized.

1. The rate of hydration increases with fineness and leads to high strength and heat generation.
2. Hydration takes place on the cement particle surface. Finer particles will be more completely
hydrated
3. Increasing fineness decreases the amount of bleeding bur also requires more water for
workability, which can result in an increase in dry shrinkage.
4. High fineness reduces the durable of freeze-thaw cycles.
5. Increased fineness requires more gypsum to control setting.
The most important properties are specific surface of the particles, and particle size distribution.
Fineness was originally measured using sieve analysis, but this method is very awkward and really gives
no information about the distribution of fine particles. In general, fineness is measured by a single
parameter, specific surface area. This parameter is considered the most useful measure of cement
fineness even though it does not measure particle distribution.

There are two ASTIM test for fineness:

1. Wagner Turbidimeter - measured specific surface area from suspension of the cement in a tall
glass container. The test is based on Stroke's Law that states a sphere will obtain a constant
velocity under the action of gravity.

2. Blaine air permeability apparatus - This test is based on the relationship between the surface
area in porous bed and the rate of the fluid flow ( air ) through the bed. The test is compared
to a standard sample determined by the U.S. Bureau of standards. The Blaine method is used
more often and is generally 1.8 times larger than the Wagner method. However, in cases of
dispute, the Wagner method governs.
Objective: To determine the fineness of Portland cement by sieve analysis.

Referenced Documents: ASTM 115 - 96a

AASHTO ( T98 - 99, T 192 )

Apparatus:

1. Balance, sensitive to 0.1 gm.

2. Sieve No. 200
3. Container
Procedure:

1. Weight accurately 100 gm of cement and place it on No. 200 sieve.

2. Breakdown any air-set lumps in the sample with fingers but do not rub it on the sieve.
3. Sieving is done by a gentle motion of the wrist for fifteen (15) minutes continuously
4. Weight the residue and should not exceed ten percent (10%) by weight of the cement sample

Tabulation
Weight of Cement Weight Cement Sample
Sr.No. Fineness of Cement
Sample (W1) Retained on 90µm Sieve (W2)
1 120 gm 11.60 gm 9.6%
2 120 gm 11.20 gm 9.3%
3 120 gm 10.90 gm 9.08%
Average 9.33%

Computations: