Experiment No.

1
FINENESS OF CEMENT

Fineness of cement is a measure of the size of the particle of cement.

Objective
To determine the fineness of cement by sieve method.

Apparatus
1. Sieve No. 200 with receiving pan and covering lid
2. Weighing balance accurate up to 0.1 gm
3. Sampling spoon
4. Mixing bowl
5. Brush

Materials
Cement sample

Procedure
Sieving Method:
1. Weigh accurately 100g of cement and place it on the Sieve No. 200.
Breakdown any air set lumps in the sample with fingers, without rubbing
them on the sieve (W).
2. Continuously sieve the sample for 15 minutes by holding the sieve in both
hands and weigh the residue on the left on the sieve after sieving (W1).

Calculation
Equation:
𝑊2
𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 100% − [ × 100%]
𝑊1
Where:
W1 = weight of the cement sample
W2 = weight of the residue
 DATA SHEET
Name: Group No.
Course and Section: Date:

Experiment No. 1
FINENESS OF CEMENT

Type of Cement

Trial No.

Weight of Sample (grams)

Weight of Residue (grams)

Fineness of Cement (%)

Average Fineness (%)

Student’s Signature
 Experiment No. 2
NORMAL CONSISTENCY OF CEMENT

It is the measure of correct amount of water added to the specific quantity of the
cement to attain the mixture of normal consistency.
Objective
To determine the amount of water required to form a workable cement paste using
the Vicat apparatus.

Apparatus
1. Graduated cylinder
2. Glass plate
3. Sampling spoon
4. Spatula
5. Mixing bowls
6. Scale
7. Vicat apparatus

Materials
Cement sample

Procedure
1. Prepare 500g of cement.
2. Mix cement with measured quantity of clean water.
3. Mold cement paste into shape of a ball. With gloved hands, toss ball six time
through a free path of about six inches from one hand to another.
4. Press ball into larger end of the vicat ring and completely fill the ring with
paste.
5. Remove excessive paste without compressing the sample and place the ring
under the plunger of the Vicat apparatus.
6. Place plunger in contact wit top of paste and lock. Set the indicator on the
scale to zero.
7. Release the plunger and record settlement of plunger in mm after 30 seconds.
8. Repeat process with trial paste with varying percentages of water until
normal consistency is observed.
 9. Record the weigh of water added to 500g of cement, when the plunger
penetrates 101mm (9mm to 11mm) in 30 seconds.
10. W = _____________ g of water.

Calculation
Equation:
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 10 ± 1𝑚𝑚 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (𝑚𝐿)
𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = × 100%
𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒
 DATA SHEET
Name: Group No.
Course and Section: Date:

Experiment No. 2
NORMAL CONSISTENCY OF CEMENT

Type of Cement
Trial No.
Weight of Sample (grams)
Volume of Water Used (ml)
Penetration (mm)
Volume of Water Used at
10±1 mm Penetration (ml)
Normal Consistency (%)

Student’s Signature
 Experiment No. 3
TIME SETTING OF CEMENT

Setting test is used to characterize how a particular cement paste sets and hardens.

Objective
To determine the time setting of cement using the Gillmore needles.

Apparatus
1. Graduated cylinder
2. Glass plate
3. Sampling spoon
4. Spatula
5. Mixing bowls
6. Scale
7. Gillmore needles

Materials
Cement sample

Procedure
1. Prepare the cement paste of normal consistency by mixing 500g of cement
and water (use the amount of water obtained in Experiment No. 3 for
normal consistency).
2. Record the time when water is added to the cement.
3. Mold a circular pat with flat top on a clean glass plate (Base diameter=3in.,
Top diameter=2in., Thickness=0.50in.)
4. Record initial and final setting times in minutes.
Initial setting time – the period elapsing between the time, water is
added to the cement and the needle for initial setting makes and
impression on the surface of the cement pat.
Final setting time – the period elapsing between the time, water is
added to the cement and the needle for the final setting makes an
impression on the surface of the cement pat.
Calculation
Equation:
𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑒𝑡 = 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑀𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑝𝑎𝑡 − 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔
 DATA SHEET
Name: Group No.
Course and Section: Date:

Experiment No. 3
TIME SETTING OF CEMENT

Type of Cement

Weight of Cement (grams)

Volume of water at Normal
Consistency (ml)
Time of Making the Cement
Pat (H:M)
Trial No. 1 2 3 4

Time of Initial Setting (H:M)

Time of Final Setting (H:M)

Initial Set (H:M)

Final Set (H:M)

Average Initial Set (H:M)

Average Final Set (H:M)

Student’s Signature
 Experiment No. 4
SOUNDNESS OF CEMENT

Test that manifest the resistance of Portland cement against deformation caused by
temperature change.

Objective
To determine the soundness of cement by Steam Test.

Apparatus
1. Graduated cylinder
2. Glass plates
3. Sampling spoon
4. Spatula
5. Mixing bowls
6. Scale
7. Steamer

Materials
Cement sample

Procedure
1. Prepare the cement paste of normal consistency by mixing 500g of cement
and water (use the amount of water obtained in Experiment No. 6 for
normal consistency)
2. Record the time when the water is added to the cement.
3. Mold a circular pat with flat top on a clean glass plate (Base diameter=3in.,
Top diameter=2in., Thickness=0.50in.)
4. Cure the specimen for 24 hours then steam the specimen for 5 hours.
5. A pat of neat cement is “sound” if it shows no signs of:
Cracking
Checking
Disintegration
Distortion
 DATA SHEET
Name: Group No.
Course and Section: Date:

Experiment No. 4
SOUNDNESS OF CEMENT

Type of Cement

Weight of Cement (grams)

Volume of Water at
Normal Consistency (ml)
Time of Making the
Cement Pat (H:M)
Time of Placing Cement
Pat in Steam Apparatus
Trial No. 1 2 3 4

Checking

Cracking

Disintegration
Conclusion (if suitable for
concrete use)

Student’s Signature
 Experiment No. 5
SPECIFIC GRAVITY TEST OF CEMENT

Specific gravity is normally used in concrete mixture proportioning calculations.

The specific gravity of Portland cement is generally around 3.15 (PCA, 1988)

Objective
To determine the specific gravity of cement by using the Le-Chatelier’s flask.

Apparatus
1. Le-Chatelier’s flask
2. Sampling spoon
3. Spatula
4. Mixing bowls
5. Thermometer
6. Scale
7. Water bath

Materials
Cement sample
Kerosene (free from water)

Procedure
1. Dry the flask carefully and kerosene or naphtha to a point on the stem
between zero and 1 ml.
2. Record the level of liquid in the flask as initial reading.
3. Put a weighted quantity of cement (64g) into the flask so that level kerosene
rise to 22ml mark.
4. After putting all the cement to the flask, roll the flask gently into an inclined
position to expel air until no further air bubble rises to the surface of the
liquid.
5. Note down the new liquid level as final reading.
*to get more accurate results, the flask should be held in a constant temperature
(40C) before the reading is taken.

Calculation
Equation:
𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
𝑉2 − 𝑉1
Where:
V1 = initial reading of the flask
V2 = final reading of the flask
 DATA SHEET
Name: Group No.
Course and Section: Date:

Experiment No. 5
SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF CEMENT

Type of Cement

Trial No. 1 2

Weight of Sample (grams)

Initial-Reading (ml)

Final Reading (ml)

Specific Gravity

Average Specific Gravity

Student’s Signature
 Experiment No. 6
WORKABILITY OF MORTAR

Workability of mortar is its ease of use measured by the flow of the mortar. It is a
main requirement of a good mortar.

Objective
To determine the amount of water required to produce a mortar of standard
consistency using the Flow Test.

Apparatus
1. Flow table
2. Flow mold and tamper
3. Set of sieves
4. Graduated cylinder
5. Sampling spoon
6. Spatula
7. Mixing bowls
8. Scale
9. Sieve shaker

Materials
Cement
Sand
Mold release agent

Procedure
Mortar preparation:
1. Prepare the mortar by mixing 250g of cement and 750g of standard sand (i.e.
ratio of cement to sand is 1:3) with a trowel for one minute.
2. Add water then mix the three ingredients thoroughly until the mixture is of
uniform color. The time of mixing should not be more than 4 minutes.
 3. Place a layer of mortar about 1in. thick and tamp 20 times.
4. Then fill the mold and tamp the second layer 20 times. Remove excess paste
with spatula, held perpendicular to the mold using a sawing motion.
5. Remove the mold vertically. Then drop the flow table at ½ inch height 25
times within 15 seconds.
6. When the mortar is dropped, it spreads out on the flow table. Get the final
diameter (average of four diameters).
7. Calculate the flow. Flow is defined as the increase in diameter divided by the
original diameter multiplied by 100. Laboratory mixed mortar, where
conditions are more controlled, should have a flow of approximately
1105%.
8. Repeat the same procedure (steps 1 – 7) until the required flow is obtained.
Each trial shall be made with fresh mortar.

Calculations
Equations:
(a)
𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
𝐷2 =
4
Where:
D2 = final diameter

(b)
𝐷2 − 𝐷1
𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤 = × 100%
𝐷1
Where:
D1 = original diameter
D2 = final diameter

(c)
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑡 110 ± 5% 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤
%𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = × 100%
𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑑
 DATA SHEET
Name: Group No.
Course and Section: Date:

Experiment No. 6
WORKABILITY OF MORTAR

Type of Cement

Weight of Cement (grams)

Weight of standard sand
(grams)
Trial No. 1 2 3 4

Volume of Water Used (ml)

Final Diameter (in)

Flow
Volume of Water Used at
110±5% flow (ml)
% water

Student’s Signature
 Experiment No. 7
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CEMENT

Compressive strength of cement mortar cubes indicates the compressive strength

of cement. The compressive strength of hardened cement is the most important
property of cement.

Objective
To determine the compressive strength of cement by using (50mm) mortar cube
specimens.

Apparatus
1. Set of sieves
2. Graduated cylinder
3. Sampling spoon
4. Spatula
5. Mixing bowls
6. Cube mold
7. Scale
8. Sieve shaker
9. Universal testing machine

Materials
1. Cement
2. Sand
3. Oil or Mold release agent

Procedure
I - Mortar Preparation
1. Prepare the mortar by mixing 250g of cement and 750g of standard sand (i.e.
ratio of cement to sand is 1:3) with a trowel for one minute.
2. Add water (P, from Experiment No. 6)
 3. Mix the three ingredients thoroughly until the mixture is of uniform color.
The time of mixing should not be more than 4 minutes.
II – Molding test of specimens
1. Apply a thin layer of oil/mold release agent to the interior surfaces of the
mold. Wipe surfaces with a cloth to remove any excess.
2. Place a layer of mortar in all of the cube compartments, about 1 inch thick
(approximately ½ of the depth of the mold).
3. Tamp the mortar in each cube compartment 32 times in about 10 seconds
in four (4) rounds, each round to be at right angles to the other and
consisting of eight adjoining strokes over the surface of the specimen (See
figure below)

4. Fill the compartments with the remaining mortar and tamp as specified
for the first layer. Remove excess paste.
5. Place molded specimens in a moist room for 24 hours. After 24 hours,
remove specimens from the molds and immerse in a saturated lime water
curing tank.
III – Compressive strength determination
1. Remove specified test specimen from the curing tank. Wipe to a surface dry
condition. Determine the unit weight of the specimen by carefully weighing
and measuring the dimensions of each cubical specimen. Express the unit
weight in g/cc.
2. Test the specimens for compression using the Universal Testing Machine
(UTM) according to the specified testing schedule.
3. Record the total maximum load as indicated by the testing machine.
Calculate the compressive strength of the specimen in MPa.
 ASTM C 150 Portland Cement Mortar Compressive Strength
Specifications in MPa (psi)

Curing Time Portland Cement Type

I IA II IIA III IIIA IV V

12.4 10.0
1 day - - - - - -
(1800) (1450)
12.4 10.0 10.0 8.3 24.1 19.3 8.3
3 days -
(1800) (1450) (1500) (1200) (3500) (2800) (1200)
19.3 15.5 17.2 13.8 6.9 15.2
7 days - -
(2800) (2250) (2500) (2000) (1000) (2200)
17.2 20.7
28 days - - - - - -
(2500) (3000)

Note: Type II and IIA requirements can be lowered if eithered an optional heat pf
hydration of chemical limit on the sum C2S and C2A is specified.

Calculation
𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑
𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ =
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎
 DATA SHEET
Name: Group No.
Course and Section: Date:

Experiment No. 7
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CEMENT

Average Final Diameter (Flow Test)

% Flow

Volume of Water (ml)

Weight of Graded Sand (grams)

Age of the Specimen (days)

Specimen no, 1 2 3

Load (N)

Area (mm2)

Compressive Strength (MPa)

Average Compressive Strength (MPa)

Student’s Signature