TEST ON CEMENT

EXPERIMENT NO. 1a

Object: To determine % water content for cement paste of Normal Consistency.

Apparatus: Vicat’s apparatus with plunger (300 gm), Balance (1 kg), Trowel, Stop
Watch & Vicat’s mould.

Theory: Cement Paste of Normal Consistency is defined by % water by weight of cement

which produces a consistency, which penetrates a plunger of 10mm dia to penetrate upto
a depth 5mm to 7mm above the bottom of the Vicat’s mould.

Procedure:
1. Weigh 300 gms of cement and place it in the enamel tray.
2. To start with, add about 28% of water of mix it by means of a spatula. Care
should be taken that the time of gauging is not less than 3minutes and not more
than 5 minutes. The gauging time shall be counted from the time of adding water
to the dry cement until commencing to fill the mould.
3. Fill the Vicat’s mould with this paste, the mould resting on non-porous plate.

1
 4. Make the surface of the cement paste in level with the top of the mould with a
trowel.
5. Place this mould together with the non-porous plate under the oil bearing the
plunger. Adjust the indicator to show 0-0 when, it touch the surface to the test
block.
6. Release the plunger quickly, allowing it to sink into the paste.
7. Prepare trail paste with varying % of water and test as described above until
needle penetrates 5-7mm above the bottom of the mould.
8. Express this amount of water as a % by weight of the dry cement.

Precautions:
a. Clean appliances should be used for gauging.
b. The temperature of cement and water and that of room at the time of test should
be 25ºC ± 2ºC.
c. In filling the mould, the operator’s hand and the blade of the gauging trowel alone
be used.

Observation Table:
(i) Room temperature.
(ii) Quantity of cement used. 300 gm
Sl. Qty. of water added % of dry weight Time of Penetration from
No. (weight in grams) of cement gauging(Minutes) Bottom of the
mould (mm.)

Result: % of water required to prepare a cement paste of standard consistency for given
cement found to be.

Discussion: This experiment is intended to find out for a given cement, the quantity of
water (P) to be mixed to give a paste of standard consistency. The value of w/c (P) is
useful in following experiments because w/c ratio for those experiments is standard.
Water/Cement ratio for cement paste (P) of normal consistency as:
Sl. Test Water/Cement Ratio
No.
1 Setting Time 0.85 P
2 Soundness by Le-Chatelier Method 0.78P
2
 Soundness by Auto Clave Method P
3 Compressive strength on 1:3 cement & standard P/4+3.0
sand mortar expressed as % of dry weight of
cement & sand.

Questions:
1. How do you define consistency of standard cement paste?
2. Why it is necessary to conduct the test for determining consistency of standard
cement paste?

3
 DETERMINATION OF INITIAL AND FINAL SETTING TIME FOR CEMENT

EXPERIMENT NO. 2a

Object: To determine the Initial and Final Setting Time for cement.

Apparatus: Vicat’s apparatus with needle and mould, Balance (1 kg), Trowel, Stop
Watch, Trough, Spatula and Thermometer.

Theory: When water is mixed with cement to form a paste, reaction starts out of three
main compounds viz. C3A, C3S and C2S, the C3A reacts quickly with water to produce
jelly like compound which starts solidifying.
During the next stage of hydration, cement paste starts hardening due to reaction of C 3S
and C2S and the paste gains strength.
Thus initial and final setting times are defined as arbitrarily viz.:

Initial Setting Time is defined as the period elapsing between the time when the water is
added to the cement and the time at which needle of 1mm square section falls to pierce
the test block to a depth of about 5mm from the bottom of the mould.

4
Final Setting Time is defined as the period elapsing between the time when the water is
added to the cement and the time at which the needle of 1mm diameter cross section with
5mm dia attachment makes an impression on the test block, while the attachment falls to
make an impression on the test block.
For Ordinary Portland Cement, As per BIS
Initial Setting Time Minimum – 30Minutes
Final Setting Time Maximum- 600 Minutes

Procedure:

(a) Initial Setting Time:

1. Take 300 gm of cement and use water as per 0.85P and prepare cement paste.
2. Start Stop Watch at the instant when water is added to the cement.
3. Fill the Vicat’s mould. The gauging time should be between 3-5 minutes.
4. Level the top surface and place the test block confined in mould and resting on
the non-porous plate under the rod.
5. Lower the rod after 2 minutes and note penetration
6. Repeat this procedure till needle fails to pierce the test block for about 5mm. This
time since the water added will be initial setting time.
(b) Final Setting Time
1. In this test replace the proper needle.
2. On releasing the needle impression will be like circle
3. Repeat the above procedure till getting the impression of needle only.
4. Note the time and this will represent final setting time since water is added to
cement.

Precautions:
1. Needle should be cleaned every time.
2. Shift the position of the mould after recording the penetration reading.
3. Clean appliances should be used for gauging.
4. The temperature of room at the time of test should be 27ºC ± 2ºC.
5. In filling the mould, the operator’s hand and the blade of the gauging trowel alone
be used.

Observation Table:
(i) Room temperature.

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 (ii) Quantity of cement used.
Sl. Qty. of water added % of dry weight of Time of Penetration
No. (weight in grams) cement gauging(Minutes) from Bottom of
the mould

Result: % of water required to prepare a cement paste of standard consistency for given
cement found to be.
Discussion: This experiment is intended to find out for a given cement, the quantity of
water (P) to be mixed to give a paste of standard consistency. The value of w/c (P) is
useful in following experiments because w/c ratio for those experiments is standard.
Water cement ratio for cement paste (P) of normal consistency as:
Sl. Test Water/Cement Ratio
No.
1 Setting Time 0.85 P
2 Soundness Le-Chatelier Method 0.78P
Soundness Auto Clave Method P
3 Compressive strength on 1:3 cement & standard P/4+3.0
sand mortar expressed as % of dry weight of
cement & sand.

Questions:
a. How do you define consistency of standard cement paste?
b. Why it is necessary to conduct the test for determining consistency of
standard cement paste?

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 DETERMINATION OF COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CEMENT

EXPERIMENT NO. 2b

Object: To determine the compressive strength of cement.

Apparatus: 70mm size Cast Iron Cube Moulds, Pan Mixer, Vibrating Table, Balance,
Trowel, Stop Watch, Trough, Spatula and Thermometer.

Theory: The compressive strength test is final check on the quality of cement. When
water is mixed in 1:3 cement & standard sand mortar, The fine aggregate used is the
standard sand specified by IS 650.The compression test enables also to distinguish rapid
hardening cement from low heat and ordinary cement. The OPC is now being classified
as 33 grade, 43 grade and 53 grade OPC depending on the strength of cement.
Compressive strength measured as 3,7, 28 days.

7
Procedure:
a) The material for each cube shall be mixed separately and quantities of cement,
standard sand and water are as follows:
Cement 200gms; standard sand 600gms
Water P/4+3% of combined wt. of cement and sand.
b) Place on non porous plate a mixer of cement and standard sand in the proportion
of 1:3 by wt. as given above.
c) Mix it dry with a trowel for one minute and then add water until the mix is of
uniform colour.
d) Gauging time should not be less than 3 minutes and should not exceed 4 minutes.
If it exceeds, mixture is rejected and operation is repeated.
e) Oil the interior face of the mould.
f) Place the assembled mould on the table of vibration machine and firmly hold it in
position by means of suitable clamps.
g) Immediately after mixing the mortar as specified above, place the entire quantity
of the mortar in the hopper above the cube mould and compact the same by
vibration for a period of about 2 minutes at a speed of 12000+400 vibration per
min.
h) Keep the cube at a temperature of 270c+20c in an atmosphere of at least 90%
relative humidity for 24 hrs after completion of vibration.

Precautions:
a) All appliances should be clean.
b) The mixture which takes more than 4 minutes. of mixing should be rejected.
Result:

Discuss:
1. Define compressive strength of cement?
2. What effect fineness of cement has on compressive strength of cement?

References:
1. SP-23.
2. Concrete Technology by Vizirani and S.P. Chandola.
3. Concrete Technology by A.M. Neville.
8
 FINENESS MODULUS OF COARSE AGGREGATE

EXPERIMENT NO. 3a

Object: To Determine the Fineness Modulus of coarse aggregate.

Apparatus: Set of IS Sieves, Balance, Cylindrical Container, Graduated Cylinder, Steel
Rule, Sieve Shaker.
Theory: Sand as a fine aggregate is used in mortars, coarse aggregate is the broken stone
used in concrete where as the mixed aggregate is limited to maximum of 4.75mm beyond
which it is known as coarse aggregate. Fineness Modulus is only a numerical index of
fineness giving some idea of the mean size of particle in the entire body of aggregates.
Determination of the fineness modulus may be considered as a method of standardization
by sieving a known weight of given aggregate in a set of standard sieves and by adding
the % weight of material retained on all the sieves by dividing the total % by 100.
The object of fineness modulus is to grade the given aggregate for the most economical
mix and workability with quantity of cement.

9
10
Procedure:
Fineness Modulus of Coarse Aggregate
In this case sieves of size 80mm to 2.36mm are used.
1. Take 2kg of coarse aggregate from a laboratory sample of 10kg.
2. Arrange the sieve in the order such that 80mm sieve is at the top and 2.36mm
at the bottom. Fix the bottom and cover at the top.
3. Keep the sand in the top sieve and carryout the sieving in set of sieves for 10
minutes.
4. Find weight retained on each sieve.

% FINER

PARTICAL SIZE

GRAPH FOR THE EXP. OF

FINENESS OF MODULUS

For Coarse Aggregates the sizes of sieves are 80mm, 40mm, 20mm, 10mm, 4.75mm and
2.36mm.

Observation Table:
Sl. IS Sieve Weight % Weight % Passing Remarks
No. Retained Retained
1 80 mm
2 40 mm
3 20 mm
4 10 mm
5 4.75 mm
6 2.36 mm
7 Pan

Results:
1. Fineness modulus of C.A. is =
References:
1. SP-23.
2. Concrete Technology by Vizirani and S.P. Chandola.
3. Concrete Technology by A.M. Neville.
11
 SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF COARSE AGGREGATE

EXPERIMENT NO. 3b

Object: Determine specific gravity of coarse aggregate by pycnometer.

Apparatus: Balance, Oven, Pycnometer, Air dried, A tray, An air tight container, Filter
paper and funnel.

Theory: specific gravity is the ratio of the weight of aggregate maintained for 24 + 1/2
hours at temperature 1000C to 1100C to the weight of equal volume of water displaced by
saturated surface dry aggregate.
Apparent specific gravity is the ratio of the weight of aggregate dried maintained for 24 +
1/2 hours at temperature 1000C to 1100C to the weight of equal volume of water
displaced by dry aggregate.

12
Procedure:
1. A sample about 1kg for 10mm to 4.75mm or 500gm if finer then 4.75mm is
placed in the tray and covered with distilled water at temp. of 220C to 32. 0C.
2. Soon after immersion air entrapped in or bubbles on the surface of the aggregate
are removed by gentle agitation with rod. The sample shall remain immersed for
24 + 1/2.
3. The water is carefully drained off from the sample by decantation through a filter
paper. .
4. The aggregate including any solid matter retained on the filter paper is exposed
to a gentel current of warm air to evaporate surface moisture and is stirred at
frequent intervals to ensure uniform drying until no free surface moisture can be
seen.
5. The saturated and surface dry sample is weighed (Weighed A).
6. The aggregate is then placed in pycnometer and then it should be filled with
distilled water.
7. Any air entrapped is eliminated by rotating the pycnometer on it side , the hole of
apex of the cone covered with finger.
8. The pycnometer is then dried on the outside and weighed (B). The contents of the
pycnometer are then transferred into a tray, care being taken to ensure that all the
aggregate is transferred.
9. The pycnometer is then refilled with distilled water to the same level as before,
dried on the outside and weighed (C).
10. The water from the sample is removed by decantation and the sample is dried in
the oven at 1000C to 1100C for 24 + 1/2 hours, cooled and weighed (D).

Observation Table:
Determination no. Sample 1 Sample 2
1. Weight of sample taken g
2. Weight of saturated and surface dry aggregate (C) g
3. Weight of pycnometer + sample + water (A) g
4. Weight of pycnometer + water (B) g
5. Weight of oven dry sample (D) g
6. Specific gravity D/C-(A-B)

13
 7. Apparent specific gravity D/D-(A-B)

Result:
1. Average value specific gravity =
2. Average value Apparent specific gravity =

References:
1. SP-23.
2. Concrete Technology by Vizirani and S.P. Chandola.
3. Concrete Technology by A.M. Neville.

14
 FINENESS MODULUS OF SAND AND BULKING OF SAND

EXPERIMENT NO. 4

Object: To Determine (i) The Fineness Modulus of sand and (ii) Bulking of sand.

Apparatus: Set of IS Sieves, Balance, Cylindrical Container, Graduated Cylinder, Steel

Rule, Sieve Shaker.
Theory: Sand as a fine aggregate is used in mortars, coarse aggregate is the broken stone
used in concrete where as the mixed aggregate is limited to maximum of 4.75mm beyond
which it is known as coarse aggregate. Fineness Modulus is only a numerical index of
fineness giving some idea of the mean size of particle in the entire body of aggregates.
Determination of the fineness modulus may be considered as a method of standardization
by sieving a known weight of given aggregate in a set of standard sieves and by adding
the % weight of material retained on all the sieves by dividing the total % by 100.
The object of fineness modulus is to grade the given aggregate for the most economical
mix and workability with quantity of cement.

Bulking of Sand‫ ׃‬The difficulty with measurement of fine aggregates by volume is the
tendency of sand to vary in bulk according to moisture contents. The extent of this
variation is given by this test. The bulking of sand occurs due to surface tension, due to
this, particles are pulled apart. If sand is measured by volume, bulking should be properly
accounted for.

15
Procedure:
(a) Fineness Modulus of Fine Aggregate
(i) Take 1kg of sand from a laboratory sample of 10kg.
(ii) Arrange the sieve in the order such that 10mm sieve is at the top and 150
micron at the bottom. Fix the bottom and cover at the top.
(iii) Keep the sand in the top sieve and carryout the sieving in set of sieves for 10
minutes.
(iv) Find weight retained on each sieve.
Bulking of Sand
1. Put sufficient quantity of the oven dried sand loosely in container until it is
about 2/3 full. Level the top of sand and weight the container, calculate the
weight of sand deducting the weight of container and also measure the height of
sand by steel rule.
2. Empty the sand into a clean metal tray without any loss add 1% of water by
weight of sand mix the sand and water thoroughly by hand.
3. Put the wet sand loosely into the container without tamping.
4. Smooth and level the top surface of the sand and measure its depth by steel rule.
5. Repeat the above procedure with % of water as 2,3,4 & 5
% FINER

PARTICAL SIZE

GRAPH FOR THE EXP. OF

FINENESS OF MODULUS
Size of sieves for Fine Aggregates are 10mm, 4.75mm, 2.36mm, 1.18mm, 600 micron,
300 micron and 150 micron.

16
Observation Table:
Sl. IS Sieve Weight % Weight % Passing Remarks
No. Retained Retained
1 10.0 mm
2 4.75 mm
3 2.36 mm
4 1.18 mm
5 600 micron
6 300 micron
7 150 micron
8 Pan

Bulking of Sand

Weight of Dry Sand

Height of loose dry sand = (h)

Sl. Wt. of water % of water Height of % Bulking Remarks

No. added added sand in =hx100 / h
cylinder
(h)

Results:
1. Draw a graph between % water content & % bulking
2. Max. bulking occurs at water content
3. Fineness modulus of F.A. is =
Discussion:
1. What happens to concrete if allowance for bulkage for moist sand is not made
during volume batching? How will it affect mix proportions?
2. Is bulkage allowance necessary, if weight batching is resorted?
3. How is bulking of sand expressed?
References:
1. SP-23.
2. Concrete Technology by Vizirani and S.P. Chandola.
3. Concrete Technology by A.M. Neville.

17
 WORKABILITY BY SLUMP AND COMPACTING FACTOR TESTS

EXPERIMENT NO. 5

Object: To Determine Workability by Slump and Compacting Factor Tests.

Apparatus: Mould in the from of a frustum of a cone, tamping rod, through, trowel, G.I.
Plain Sheet, Platform, and Weighing Machine.

Theory: Workability is the case with which concrete can be mixed, handled and
compacted. As per ISI it is the property of concrete which determines the amount of
useful internal work necessary to produce full compaction. For full compaction, concrete
mix possesses three properties. Mobility cohesiveness during movement of mix and the
absence of harshness in offering smooth surface finish to trowelling.

In slump test, the workability is measured by slump of concrete. This test is suitable for
lean concretes.
In compacting factor test, concrete is allowed to fall through a standard height. The
degree ratio i.e. the ratio of density actually achieved in the test to density of concrete
fully compacted. Thus it is rational method than slump test and suitable for dry mixes
with low slump.

18
Procedure:
(i) Internal surface of mould is cleaned first.
(ii) Take 2kg Cement, 4kg Fine Aggregate, 8kg Coarse Aggregate and mix first
CA+FA and then cement with aggregates.
(iii)Use water cement ratio 0.60 and make the mix.
(iv) Fill the mould in three layers each layer tamped 25 times by tamping rod.
(v) Remove mould by Raising gently.
(vi) Measure slump after mould is removed by scale.

Compacting Factor Test

The apparatus consists of two hopper vessels A&B provided with hinged bottom and a
cylinder. Here use same concrete which was used for slump test.
(i) First three vessels are cleaned.
(ii) The vessel A is filled with concrete sample.
(iii) The hinged of vessel A is opened so that concrete falls into the vessel B.
(iv) After this, vessel B is also opened so that concrete fall to cylinder.
(v) The surplus concrete in vessel C is struck off with steel float and weighted.
Let the weight be W1
(vi) The vessel is filled completely with vibrating. So as to have full compaction.
Now let weight of concrete be W2. Compacting Factor = W1/W2

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Observation
1. Height of frustum of cone =
2. Height of concrete after slump =
3. Slump of concrete =
4. Weight of concrete in cylinder after falling through vessel A & B.
5. Weight of fully compacted cone = (W2)
6. Compaction factor = W1 / W2

Result:
1. Slump for mix with w/c is found to be
2. Compacting for above concrete found to be.

Discuss:
1. Limitation, choice and use of slump and compaction factor test. Also discuss their
relative suitability.
2. Workability of concrete mix required for various structures.
3. Variation of strength of concrete if it is compacted manually or by vibrator.
4. Factors on which workability of concrete depends.
References:
1. SP-23.
2. Concrete Technology by Vizirani and S.P. Chandola.
3. Concrete Technology by A.M. Neville.

20
 TENSILE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE BY MODULUS OF RUPTURE

EXPERIMENT NO. 6

Object: To Determine Tensile Strength of Concrete by Modulus of Rapture.

And to Determine Tensile Strength of Concrete by Split Cylinder Test.

Apparatus: Mould (10x10x50cm), Vibrator, Tamping Bar, V. Testing Machine, Trowel

etc., 15cm. dia and 30cm long.

Theory: The knowledge of tensile strength in concrete is of value in estimating the load
under which crack will develop. The absence of cracking is of considerable importance in
maintaining the continuity of a concrete structure and preventing corrosion of
reinforcement.
Maximum Tensile stress reached in the bottom fibre of the test bean is known as
Modulus of rupture.

21
Procedure:
1. Prepare moulds by applying oil to inside surfaces.
2. For Bean Cylinder Cement (7kg), FA, CA = 1:2:4, w/c 0.6
3. First prepare dry mix of CA and FA and then mix cement and finally add water.
4. Fill the moulds in three layers each layer tamped by tamping rod 25 times.
5. Keep the moulds in moist air of relative humidity for 24 hours. After this period
the specimens are removed from the moulds and immediately immersed in clear
fresh water and kept prior to testing.
Test for Tensile Strength
6. Place the specimen in testing machine such that the load shall be applied to the
upper most surface as cast in mould, along two lines spaced 13.33cm for 50cm
long bean. The axis of load device.
7. Apply load carefully without shock @180kg/min. for 10cm specimen till
specimen fails. The appearance of fractured faces of concrete and any usual
features in the type of failure should be noted.
133

P/2 P/2
b

P/2 P/2

400

+ S.F.D.
-
B.M.D.

SPLIT TEST FOR CYLINDER

P
D=15CM

L=30CM
P

Now modulus of rapture is given by

fb= p1 / bd2 if a> 20cm for 15cm specimen or a>13.3 for 10cm specimen.
fb= 3p1 / bd2 if a> 20cm for 15cm specimen or a>13.3 for 10cm specimen.
Where
a = distance in cm between the line of fracture and nearer support measured on
concrete line of specimen.
b = width of specimen (cm)

22
 d = depth of specimen (cm)
p = maximum load applied to the specimen (kg)
l = length of specimen on which it is supported.
8. Place the cylinder in such a way it is supported throughout its length at lower and
upper places. Now apply load and note the load at which cylinder splits in two
portions let it be p
Tensile Strength = 2p / DL
Test two specimen are at 3 day and another after 7 days.
Prepare concrete mix 1:2:4 by weight using w/c ratio of 0.6, 0.55, 0.50 etc.
Observation Table:
Specimen Bean Cylinder
Identification mark
Concrete mix w/c ratio
Produced on
Tested on
Age of testing
Rupture / split load
Modulus of rupture/ split tensile strength
Average value

Result:

Discussion:
1. The results with values specified by ISI.
2. Importance of two tests i.e. tensile strength by modulus of rupture and by split
cylinder test.

References:
1. SP-23.
2. Concrete Technology by Vizirani and S.P. Chandola.
3. Concrete Technology by A.M. Neville.

23