CONCRETE & HIGHWAY

MATERIALS LABORATORY
18CVL58
V SEMESTER
PART – A : CONCRETE
1. TESTS ON CEMENT
(D). FINENESS TEST ON CEMENT
 Fineness test on cement

 The fineness of cement has an important bearing on the rate of hydration and hence on the rate of gain of
strength and also on the rate of evolution of heat.
 Finer cement offers a greater surface area for hydration and hence faster the development of strength.

Fineness of cement is tested in two ways :

(a) By sieving.

(b) (b) By determination of specific surface (total surface area of all the particles in one gram of cement) by air-permeability

apparatus. Expressed as cm2/gm or m2/kg. Generally Blaine Air permeability apparatus is used.
(a). By sieving PROCEDURE:
1. Accurately weigh 100 gms of cement sample and place it over the test sieve. Gently
breakdown the air set lumps if any with fingers.
2. Hold the sieve with pan in both hands and sieve with gentle wrist motion, in circular and
vertical motion for a period of 10 to 15 minutes without any spilling of cement.
3. Place the cover on the sieve and remove the pan. Now tap the other side of the sieve with
the handle of brush and clean the outer side of the sieve.
4. Empty the pan and fix it below the sieve and continue sieving as mentioned in the steps 2
and 3. Totally sieve for 15 minutes and weigh the residue (Left over the sieve).

APPARATUS:
 IS: 90μ test sieve
 bottom pan
 weighing balance,
 brush

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(b). Specific Surface by air permeability
Related Video Link
PART – A : CONCRETE
1. TESTS ON CEMENT
(E). COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST ON CEMENT
 Compressive strength of Cement

The compressive strength of hardened cement is the most important of all the properties.

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