Concrete
Te c h n o l o g y
Erbil Polytechnic University
Technical Engineering College
Civil Engineering Department
Concrete Technology
2st stage | 3nd semester
Report name:
Report NO:
Reporter Name: Sharen Star
Group NO:1_A
Date of test:
Group Names:
Rashid nawzad
Bilal Mahde
Mohammad Ferman
Ghada Edris
Sharen Star
Introduction:
Cement can become unsound when some of its components expand improperly,
even after it has set. This unwanted expansion can lead to significant volume
changes, causing cracks and disintegration. The primary causes of this issue are
free lime and magnesia in the cement. To ensure soundness, two common tests are
used: the Le Chatelier test and the autoclave test.
Purpose:
To find the expansion of cement paste at standard consistency, using Le Chatelier
apparatus.
Materials:
1- Ordinary Portland cement.
2- Water.
Apparatus:
1- Le Chatelier apparatus consist of small brass cylinder split along
its generatrix two indicators with two pointed ends are attached to
the cylinder on either side of the split.
2- Two glass plate.
3- Small weight.
4- Balance.
5- Water bath.
6- Container.
7- Hand gloves, trowel, and scoop.
8- Glass Graduates.
Sketch:
Calculation:
Procedure:
1-Place the mold on a glass sheet.
2-prepare cement paste mixing 200mg of cement with water required to give a
paste of standard consistency .
3-Fill the mold with the cement past.
4-Cover the mold with another piece of glass sheet, place a small weight on this
covering the glass sheet and immediately submerge the whole assembly in water at
a temperature of 23 ± 2 and keep it there for 24 hrs.
5- Measure the distance separating the indicator points, which is found on the
cylindrical mold, to the nearest 0.5 mm [let be = d1].
6- Submerge the mold again in water at the temperature prescribed above. Bring
the water to a boiling point in 25 to 30 minutes and keep it boiling for 1 hour.
7- Remove the mold from the water, allow it to cool, and measure the distance
between the indicator ports (let be = 22).
8- Determine [d2 - d1], which represents the expansion of cement.
Discussion:
At the Sounders Fest for cement, Group A recorded measurements of 2.5 cm and
2.2 cm, while Group B measured 2 cm out of a total of 22 cm, according to Iraqi
specifications (I.S.S. 5/1291) and British Standards (B.S. 2:1991). The acceptable
expansion limit is 10 mm (1 cm) or less, but both groups exceeded this threshold.
However, despite exceeding the limit, both groups displayed consistent expansion
levels, which remain within a generally acceptable range. As a result, both groups
are deemed stable and unlikely to face issues such as cracking or instability from
expansion. Monitoring materials and curing conditions is essential for ensuring
long-lasting, high-performance concrete in real-world applications.
