1. CON 123
Cementitious Materials
Session 6
Physical Properties

2. Physical Properties of Portland
Cement
Physical Tests
 Consistency of flow
 Normal Consistency
 Setting time
 Soundness
 Compressive strength
 Fineness
 Heat of Hydration
 Air Content

3. Consistency of Mortar
ASTM C 230 (AASHTO M 152) and ASTM C 1437
 Consistency test for mortar
using the flow table.
 The mortar is placed in a
small brass mold centered
on the table.
 After the mold is removed
and the table undergoes a
succession of drops, the
diameter of the pat is
measured to determine
consistency.

4. Consistency of Cement Paste Vicat Plunger
ASTM C 187 (AASHTO T 129)
 Normal consistency test
for paste using the Vicat
plunger.

5. Setting Time
ASTM C 266 (AASHTO M 154)
 Time of set as
determined by the
Gillmore needle.

6. Soundness Test
ASTM C 151 (AASHTO T 107)
In the soundness test,
25-mm square bars are
exposed to high
temperature and pressure
in the autoclave to
determine the volume
stability of the cement
paste.
6

7. Mortar Cubes
ASTM C 109 (AASHTO T 106)
 50-mm (2-in.) mortar
cubes are cast (left) to
determine strength
characteristics of
cement.

8. Mortar Cubes
ASTM C 109 (AASHTO T 106)
 50-mm (2-in.) mortar
cubes are crushed
(right) to determine
strength characteristics
of cement.

9. Strength Development of Mortar Cubes
Relative strength
development of Portland
cement mortar cubes as a
percentage of 28-day
strength.

10. Fineness of Cement
(ASTM C 204)
 Blaine test apparatus
(left) for determining
the fineness of cement.
Wagner fineness values
are a little more than
half of Blaine values.

11. Fineness of Cement
(ASTM C 115)
 Wagner turbidimeter
(right) for determining
the fineness of cement.
Wagner fineness values
are a little more than
half of Blaine values.

12. Cement Fineness
Quick tests, such as
washing cement over this
45-micrometer sieve, help
monitor cement fineness
during production.

13. Particle Size Distribution
A laser particle analyzer
uses laser diffraction to
determine the particle
size distribution of fine
powders illustrates typical
results.

14. Particle Size Distribution

15. Heat of hydration can be determined by ASTM C 186.
15

16. Heat of hydration can be determined by a conduction calorimeter.
16

17. Heat of Hydration at 7 Days
Type II
Type I Type II Moderate Type III Type IV Type V
Heat
% of
100 99 75 106 67 89
Type I
ASTM C 186 Heat of Hydration for Selected Portland Cements from the 1990s, kJ/kg

18. Heat Evolution
 Heat evolution as a function of time for
cement paste.
 Stage 1 is heat of wetting or initial hydrolysis
(C3A and C3S hydration).
 Stage 2 is a dormant period related to initial
set.

19. Heat Evolution
 Stage 3 is an accelerated reaction of the
hydration products that determines rate of
hardening and final set.
 Stage 4 decelerates formation of hydration
products and determines the rate of early
strength gain.
 Stage 5 is a slow, steady formation of hydration
products establishing the rate of later strength
gain.

20. Heat Evolution

21. Density of Cement
Le Chatelier Flask (ASTM C 188 or AASHTO T 133)
 Density of cement can
be determined by (left)
using a Le Chatelier
Flask and kerosene.

22. Density of Cement
Helium Pycnometer
 Density of cement can
also be determined by
(right) using a helium
Pycnometer.

23. Thermal Analysis
 Thermogravimetric
analysis (TGA)
 Differential Thermal
Analysis (DTA)
 Differential Scanning
Calorimetry (DSC)

24. Cement Mill Test Report
 Required Chemical Tests
 Required Physical Tests
 Optional Chemical Tests
 Optional Physical Tests
 Compliance to Specifications
 Certification by Supplier

25. Example Mill Test
Report

26. Sustainable Development
 Cement production is responsible for 5% of
the worlds CO2 emissions
 World Business Council for Sustainable
Development - General Principles
 Economic
 Environmental
 Social

27. World’s Cement Production

28. Sustainability Design
 How “Green” Do You Want To Be?
 “Right Thing” To Do?
 Are “Clients” Asking?
 A “Competitive” Advantage?
 “Resources!”
 “Time and Money !”
 “Acceptance!”
 “Commitment!”

29. Sustainable Development
 Cradle to Cradle
 Economic
 Environmental
 Social

30. Pursuing Positive Effects
100%
Value
Generation
Corporate Reputation
Financial Profit
Social Profit
Healthy Materials
Energy & Materials
Renewability
Material Value
Recovery
10%
Yesterday Tomorrow

31. What is a Sustainable Product?
 Meets market requirements
 Positive social effects (for individuals and
communities)
 Safe for human and ecological health
 Sourced from renewable or perpetually
recycled materials
 Sourced from renewable energy
 Designed for safe, productive return to
nature or industry
 Recovered and recycled at its highest
quality after use

32. Key Sustainable Commitments
 Emissions Reporting: Targets/Data
 Development of Guidelines: Fuels/Materials
 Common Reporting Practices and Health/Safety Best
Practices
 Emissions Reduction: Measurement/Monitoring/
Public Report
 Assessment of Environmental and Social Impact

33. Protocol for Sustainable Development
 Resource and Energy Conservation
 Alternative raw material for clinker production
 Non-quarried waste streams & by-products
 Recycling and appropriate utilization of CKD
 CO2-Combustion-Decarbonization
 Energy Efficiency: Fuel & Power consumption
 Reduction of Clinker Factor
 Utilization of alternative fuels
 Alternative processes for clinker production

34. Physical Properties
Please return to Blackboard and watch the
following videos:
 Video 1: Setting Time
 Video 2: Test for Soundness
 Video 3: Compression Strength Test
 Video 4: False Set Test
 Video 5: Fineness Test