- FINENESS ae Hineness effects the rate of hydration. Finer is the cement the fi strength development takes place. The effects of greater fineness on strength are particularly noticeable during the first seven days, Also, as the fineness increases the amount of water required for a constant slump concrete decreases. On the other hand, ¢ i is considerable. ng toa higher finen} cost of g 2- SOUNDNESS It is a physical property tested by determining the ability of hardened cement paste to retain its volume alter setting. Too much hard burnt free lime maunesia in the cement causes lack of soundness or a delayed destructive expansion, Calcium Sulphate is the third. which causes expansion, Since, unsoundness of cementig not apparent until after a period of months or years. So, it is essential to test the soundness of the cement, Le Chattlier test detects the unsoundness due to free lime onlys y2ek- c- 434 3- SETTING TIME ae Setting is defined as, “stiffening of cement paste.” It is in plastic long enough for finishing operations on of cement compounds. The perature changes in the cement paste. nt decreases with the rise in observed. In practical circumstances plastic is usually more dependant spheric temperature then on the setting time necessary for mortar and concrete to re to be cartied out. Settir sed by a selective hydre setting process is accompanied by te The setti temperature but above 30°C a reverse eff the length of time that a cone ‘on amount of mixi of the cement, 4- FALSE SET It is abnormal dr premature stiffening of the cement paste with in 10 appreciable heat is evolved and renlixing of cement paste without addition of water restores the elasticity of the paste until it sets in normal manner. Duri alies of cement react with moisture: of air forming Calcium Hydroxide which further converts to lime stone (CaCO3). In this false set oc 2 wa a féw minutes of mixing with water. In false setting storage the al 5- SPECIFIC GRAVITY : Specific gravity of Portland ‘cement is generally about 3.15. Cements made from materials other than lime stone and clay may have sornewhat different values. Specific gravity is not an indication of the quality of cement but used in the mixed design calculationspies between cement and wi composition of the cement and the rate of heat generati the cement. the chemical composition structures with considérable mass. the rate an I heat may be ¢ create undesirable stresses in the structure. be beneficial in cold weather to maintain favor: compressive stren: Compres standard sand is used. accurately because of mixtures to a concrete samples! amounts of hea mount of heat generated depends. ion is effected and the temperature during the hydr d amount of heat generated are snot rapidly dis ipated an undesirable rise in the temperature may occur companied by thermal expansion. ‘A subsequent drop in temperature may th On the other hand, the rise in temperature 1 able curing conditions. 34 Yoke eae COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH. E The ability of cement to develop ure is one of its most important characteristics. ing tests on 2 inches mortar cubes in which @ ‘ us ages indicate the strength producing to predict concrete stren| f variables that may occur in anumber of concrete strength tests should be made on ents to be used. Following tabl er. The eth in a concrete mint ive strength is determined by maki Strength tests at vario tt should not be used to try of the cement bul eat number 0 he compressive Jar ingredi ly determine U om the particu ate made fr ¢ shows comparative ypes of cement: erated during first seven days by five ty]