This file have a great information about test on cement, their methods, result etc. This file give you great knowledge about cement.

1. A MINOR REPORT ON
TEST ON CEMENT
SUBMITTED BY- CHANDRAKANT DUBEY
(B.E , DIPLOMA IN CIVIL)

2. Cement Test
Cement Tests are performed to know the strength and characteristic
properties of cement. Various Test on cement is known nowadays to
check the quality of cement.
Quality Tests on cement are carried out to check the strength and quality
of the cement used in construction. It helps to identify the usage of cement
for different purposes based on its durability and performance.
The following tests are conducted on cement in the laboratory are as follows:
1. Fineness Test
2. Consistency Test
3. Setting Time Test
4. Strength Test
5. Soundness Test
6. Heat of Hydration Test
7. Tensile Strength Test
8. Chemical Composition Test

3. Importance of Fineness of Cement.
1. It can decrease bleeding.
2. It can increase the final strength of cement.
3. Fineness can also affect workability.
4. Fineness test indirectly measures the surface area of the particles of
cement per unit mass.
5. Fineness increases the strength development in the cement principally
during its first seven days.
6. It increases the rate of hydration. More is the fineness of cement particles
more will be the rate of hydration.

4. Apparatus.
1. IS Sieve (90 µm) with lid.
2. A balance of 0.01 gm sensitivity.
Procedure.
1. Take 1000 grams (1 Kg) of cement for the test sample and name it as
(w1).
2. Rub the cement particle well with your hands so that no lumps are left.
3. Now pour the 1 Kg cement content in the sieve and close it perfectly
with the sieve lid.
4. If you have a sieve shaking machine then it’s awesome, now you just
need to put the sieve in the shaking machine and start the machine for 15
minutes.
Anyway, if you don’t have the sieve shaking machine then no problem, you
can shake it also with your hands..
But you need to make sure that the sieving operation is done in all the
direction for a minimum of 15 minutes.
5. Brush the sieve base gently with the bristle brush so that nothing is left
on the sieve surface.
6. Now just weight the retained amount of cement on the sieve and note it
as (w2).
7. Now you need to find the percentage of the weight of cement-retained
on the 90 µm sieve.

5. 8. For calculation the formula is;
What is the consistency test of cement?
The consistency of cement is the minimum water requirement to start the
chemical reaction between water and cement.
This test helps to identify the minimum water required to make the cement
paste.
Why do we do cement consistency tests?
The cement starts hydrating when it reacts with the water and hardens itself.
Higher water quantity will give high workability of concrete, but at the same
time, it will lead to bleeding, segregation, which will affect the concrete strength.
Lower quantity of water decreases the workability, and it does not make a
homogeneous concrete element or mortar. So to make a proper water-cement
ratio that gives excellent
workability, strength, and durability of concrete, we have to conduct this
experiment.

6. The minimum quantity of water required to make uniform cement paste can be
determined by the cement test’s standard consistency. This test also helps
identify the initial and final setting time of cement and soundness of cement test.
Determination of standard consistency of cement
The standard consistency of cement test should be performed as per IS code
4031 part 4 specifications by the Vicat apparatus mentioned in IS code 5513.
The required water for making cement paste can be found by the plunger of the
Vicat apparatus penetrating the cement paste about 5mm to 7mm bottom from
the Vicat mould.

7. Apparatus Required
• Fix and place the Vicat apparatus on a flat surface and make necessary
adjustments.
• Now take 400gm of cement specimen and add 28% of water by the
weight of cement and mix gently for up to 3 to 5 minutes.
• Then fill the cement paste into the Vicat mould and remove the excess
cement paste by the trowel.
• Now place the Vicat mould on the Vicat apparatus and release the
plunger gently by contacting the cement paste surface.
• Then release the plunger and allow it to penetrate the cement paste
and note down the reading from the gauge scale from the bottom of
the Vicat mould.

8. • Now again, add water with cement paste at a different water ratio
until the reading lies between 5mm and 7mm.
Initial Setting Time and Final Setting
Time of Concrete
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9. The initial setting time of concrete is the time when cement paste starts
hardening while the final setting time is the time when cement paste has
hardened sufficiently in such a way that a 1 mm needle makes an impression on
the paste in the mould but 5 mm needle does not make any impression.
Theoretically, Initial setting time of concrete is the time period between addition
of water to cement till the time at 1 mm square section needle fails to penetrate
the cement paste, placed in the Vicat’s mould 5mm to 7mm from the bottom of
the mould. Final setting time is that time period between the time water is added
to cement and the time at which 1 mm needle makes an impression on the paste
in the mould but 5 mm attachment does not make any impression.
Contents: [show]
Technical Aspects of Concrete Setting Times
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1. It is essential that cement set neither too rapidly nor too slowly. In the first case
there might be insufficient time to transport and place the concrete before it
becomes too rigid. In the second case too long a setting period tends to slow up the

10. work unduly, also it might postpone the actual use of the structure because of
inadequate strength at the desired age.
2. Setting should not be confused with hardening, which refers to the gain in
mechanical strength after the certain degree of resistance to the penetration of a
special attachment pressed into it.
3. Setting time is the time required for stiffening of cement paste to a defined
consistency.
4. Indirectly related to the initial chemical reaction of cement with water to form
aluminum-silicate compound.
5. Initial setting time is the time when the paste starts losing its plasticity.
6. Initial setting time test is important for transportation, placing and compaction of
cement concrete.
7. Initial setting time duration is required to delay the process of hydration or
hardening.
8. Final setting time is the time when the paste completely loses its plasticity.
9. It is the time taken for the cement paste or cement concrete to harden sufficiently
and attain the shape of the mould in which it is cast.
10. Determination of final setting time period facilitates safe removal of scaffolding or
form.
11. During this period of time primary chemical reaction of cement with water is almost
completed.
Procedure to Find Setting Time of Cement
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Apparatus Required
• Vicat's apparatus
• Balance
• Measuring cylinder

11. • Stop watch
• Glass plate
• Enamel tray
• Trowel
Test Procedure
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Initial Preparation
1. Consistency test to be done before starting the test procedure to find out the water
required to give the paste normal consistency (P).
2. Take 400 g of cement and prepare a neat cement paste with 0.85P of water by weight
of cement.
3. Gauge time is kept between 3 to 5 minutes. Start the stop watch at the instant when
the water is added to the cement. Record this time (T1).
4. Fill the Vicat mould, resting on a glass plate, with the cement paste gauged as above.
Fill the mould completely and smooth off the surface of the paste making it level
with the top of the mould. The cement block thus prepared is called test block.

12. Fig 1: Vicat's Apparatus used for determination of setting time of cement
Test for Initial Setting Time
1. Place the test block confined in the mould and resting on the non-porous plate,
under the rod bearing the needle.
2. Lower the needle gently until it comes in contact with the surface of test block and
quick release, allowing it to penetrate into the test block.
3. In the beginning the needle completely pierces the test block. Repeat this procedure
i.e. quickly releasing the needle after every 2 minutes till the needle fails to pierce
the block for about 5 mm measured from the bottom of the mould. Note this time
(T2).
Test for Final Setting Time
1. For determining the final setting time, replace the needle of the Vicat’s apparatus by
the needle with an annular attachment.

13. 2. The cement is considered finally set when upon applying the final setting needle
gently to the surface of the test block; the needle makes an impression thereon,
while the attachment fails to do so. Record this time (T3).
Calculations
Initial setting time=T2-T1
Final setting time=T3-T1
Where,
T1 =Time at which water is first added to cement
T2 =Time when needle fails to penetrate 5 mm to 7 mm from bottom of the mould
T3 =Time when the needle makes an impression but the attachment fails to do so.
Standard Specification of Setting Time for Different
Type of Cement
Depending upon the admixtures added into the cement in the process of
manufacture of cement, the setting time differs for different cement. Standard
setting times are listed in the below table as per IS Codes.
Table-1: Setting Time for Different Type of Cement
Cement Type Initial Setting Time, min (min.) Final Setting Time, min (max.)
OPC(33) 30 600
OPC(43) 30 600
OPC(53) 30 600
SRC 30 600
PPC 30 600
RHPC 30 600

14. PSC 30 600
High alumina 30 600
Super sulphated 30 600
Low heat 60 600
Masonry cement 90 1440
IRS-T-40 60 600
FAQs
What is initial setting time of cement?
The initial setting time of concrete is the time when cement paste starts
hardening after adding water. It is the time period between the addition of water
to cement till the time at 1 mm square section needle fails to penetrate the
cement paste, placed in the Vicat’s mold 5mm to 7mm from the bottom of the
mold.
What is final setting time of cement?
Final setting time is that time period between the time water is added to cement
and the time at which 1 mm needle makes an impression on the paste in the
mould but 5 mm attachment does not make any impression.
What is the need for determining initial and final setting time
of cement?
Initial setting time is the time when the paste starts losing its plasticity. The test
is important for transportation, placing and compaction of cement concrete.
Initial setting time duration is also required to delay the process of hydration or

15. hardening.
Final setting time is the time when the paste completely loses its plasticity.It is
the time taken for the cement paste or cement concrete to harden sufficiently and
attain the shape of the mould in which it is cast. The determination of final
setting time period facilitates safe removal of scaffolding or form. During this
period of time primary chemical reaction of cement with water is almost
completed.
•

16. Strength Test
The strength test is not done on neat cement paste because of difficulties of excessive sinkage and
subsequent cracking of neat cement. Strength of cement is indirectly found on cement-sand mortar in
specific proportion. The cubes are prepared for this purpose. The cubes are then tested in compression
testing machine at the end of three days and seven days. Testing of cubes is carried out on their three
sides without packing. Thus the cubes are tested at each time.
Procedure
Preparation of Cement Mortar Cubes
1. Take 555 grams of standard sand, 185 grams of cement (1.e. ratio of cement to sand is 1:3) in a non-
porous enamel tray and mix them with a trowel for 1 minute.
2. Add water quantity (P/4 + 3.0) % of the combined weight of cement and sand and mix the three
ingredients thoroughly until the mixture is of uniform colour. The time of mixing should not be less than 3
minutes and not more than 4 minutes.
3. Immediately after mixing fill the mortar into a cube mould of size 7.06 cm.
4. Compact the mortar either by hand compaction in a standard specified manner or on the vibrating
table.
5. Place the moulds in a cabin at a temperature of 27 degrees ± 2 degree Celsius for 24 hours.
6. Remove the specimen from the moulds and submerge them in clean water for curing.
Testing of Cement Mortar Cubes

17. 1. Take the cube out of the water at the end of 3 days with a dry cloth. Measure the dimensions of the
surface in which the load is to be applied. Let be ‘L’ and ‘B’ respectively.
2. Place the cube in the compressive testing machine and apply the load uniformly at the rate of 35
Newton per millimetre square.
3. Note the load at which the cube fails. Let it be ‘P’.
4. Calculate the compressive strength of the cube by using formula. The compressive strength at the end
of the three days should not be less than 16 Newton per millimetre square.
5. Repeat the same procedure (Step 1 to 4) for the other two cubes.
6. Repeat the whole procedure (Step 1 to 5) to find the compressive strength of cube at the end of 7 days
and it should not be less than 22 Newton per millimetre square.
Calculation
(a) For 3 days of strength
Sl. No. Length (L) in mm Breadth (B) in mm Load (P) in N Compressive Strength in
1
2
3
Average =
(b) For 7 days of strength
Sl. No. Length (L) in mm Breadth (B) in mm Load (P) in N Compressive Strength in

18. 1
2
3
Average =
Result
Compressive strength of cement at 3 days = ………….. N/mm2
Compressive strength of cement at 7 days = …………… N/mm
Significance of Soundness Test on Cement
Cement is a composition of lime, silica, alumina, magnesia, alkaline, sulfur trioxide, iron
oxide, and calcium sulfate. Among which, lime constitutes 60 to 70%. Hence, a cement
deficient in lime will set quickly and will affect the property of the cement. Lime content in
higher amount will make the cement unsound. An unsound cement will affect the quality of
the cement work performed. This demands of soundness test of cement before using it.

19. Through this test, it is ensured that the cement won’t undergo any sort of expansion due to
the presence of excess amount of lime.
Le-Chatlier's Soundness Test on Cement
Apparatus
1. Le- chatelier mould
2. Cement
3. Glass sheets
4. Mixing pan
5. Trowel
6. Wight
The mould consists of a small split cylinder of spring brass or other suitable metal of 0.5mm
thickness forming of a mould 30mm internal diameter and 30mm height. On either side of
the split are attached to indicators with pointed ends A-A- the distance from these ends to
the center of the cylinder being 165mm. The mould shall be kept in good condition with the
jaws not more than 0.5mmapart.
Procedure For Soundness Test on Cement
1. The Le- chatlier mould and the glass plates are lightly oiled before conducting the
test
2. Prepare a cement paste as in consistency test with 0. 78 times the water required to
give a paste of standard consistency
3. Fill the cement paste in the Le- chatelier mould taking care to keep the edges of the
mould gently together during the operation.

20. 4. Cover the mould with another piece of a glass plate and place a small weight over the
cover plate.
5. Submerge the whole assembly immediately in water at a temperature of 27o+-2oC
and keep it there for 24 hours.
6. Take out the assembly again in water at 27+/- 2 deg C. The distance between the
indicator points are measured as A.
7. Submerge assembly again in water at 27 +/- 2 deg C
8. Bring the water to boiling in 25 to 30 minutes and keep at boiling for 3 hours. The
assembly should be immersed in water during this process.
9. Remove the mould from water and allow it to cool to 27 +/- 2 deg C
10. Measure the distance between the indicator points as B.
Calculations
Expansion= B- A = Here, A = The measurement taken after 24hours of immersion in water at
27 ± 2degree Celsius B = The measurement taken after 3hours of immersion in water at
boiling temperature
Conclusion
The value of soundness of cement obtained for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Low heat
cement, high alumina cement and rapid hardening cement must not exceed 10mm. The Le-
chatlier’s Method helps us to determine the lime present in the cement in excess. This is the
excess lime that causes expansion of cement.
Precautions
1. The test is conducted with special care and guidance

21. 2. Filling of moulds must not be done by applying extra pressure.
3. During the process of boiling, the water level must not go below the height of the
mould