Testing of cement
Testing of cement
Testing of cement can be broadly into two categories.
1) Field testing
2) Laboratory testing
A) Field testing
For ordinary work of less public importance one can perform field testing of cement to ensure about the quality of cement. Following observations and tests can be performed in the field to roughly know about its quality at the time of usage.
1) Take a look at the cement, there should not be any visible lumps.
2) The colour of the cement should normally be greenish grey.
3) Put your hand into the cement bag , it should give you a cool feeling.
4) Take a pinch of cement between your fingers, it should give a smooth feeling.
5) It should not feel oily when touched.
6) Take a handful of cement and throw it on bucket full of water , the particles should float for sometime before they sink.
7) Heat the cement on a hot plate for about 20 minutes. It should not change its Colour.
B) Laboratory testing
Samples for laboratory tests should be taken within one week of delivery and all tests should be started within one week of sampling. When it is not possible to test the sample within one week , the sample should be packed and stored in airtight container till the time of testing. Sometimes a bag of cement chosen at random from the lot and set for testing purposes in laboratory. However, the total quantity of cement required for one set of laboratory tests of cement is approximately 10 kg only. In most of the large construction sites, there are quality control department and laboratory, where routine testing of cement is performed for proper quality control at site . Even though in most of the cases only strength requirements are insisted on, it is strongly recommended that fineness requirements are also necessary for proper control of quality of cement. The laboratory tests should confirm the requirements of the Indian standard specification will have been checked at the factory laboratory before the production comes out from the factory but the cement may become unsuitable for use during transportation and storage price to its use in work. The following laboratory test are usually conducted to know the suitability of cement.
1) Chemical composition test
2) Fineness test
3) Standard consistency test
4) Setting time test
5) Compressive strength test
6) Soundness test
Testing of cement can be broadly into two categories.
1) Field testing
2) Laboratory testing
A) Field testing
For ordinary work of less public importance one can perform field testing of cement to ensure about the quality of cement. Following observations and tests can be performed in the field to roughly know about its quality at the time of usage.
1) Take a look at the cement, there should not be any visible lumps.
2) The colour of the cement should normally be greenish grey.
3) Put your hand into the cement bag , it should give you a cool feeling.
4) Take a pinch of cement between your fingers, it should give a smooth feeling.
5) It should not feel oily when touched.
6) Take a handful of cement and throw it on bucket full of water , the particles should float for sometime before they sink.
7) Heat the cement on a hot plate for about 20 minutes. It should not change its Colour.
B) Laboratory testing
Samples for laboratory tests should be taken within one week of delivery and all tests should be started within one week of sampling. When it is not possible to test the sample within one week , the sample should be packed and stored in airtight container till the time of testing. Sometimes a bag of cement chosen at random from the lot and set for testing purposes in laboratory. However, the total quantity of cement required for one set of laboratory tests of cement is approximately 10 kg only. In most of the large construction sites, there are quality control department and laboratory, where routine testing of cement is performed for proper quality control at site . Even though in most of the cases only strength requirements are insisted on, it is strongly recommended that fineness requirements are also necessary for proper control of quality of cement. The laboratory tests should confirm the requirements of the Indian standard specification will have been checked at the factory laboratory before the production comes out from the factory but the cement may become unsuitable for use during transportation and storage price to its use in work. The following laboratory test are usually conducted to know the suitability of cement.
1) Chemical composition test
2) Fineness test
3) Standard consistency test
4) Setting time test
5) Compressive strength test
6) Soundness test
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