Expermint.no.

Specific Gravity of Cement

Date

AIM:
To determine the specific Gravity of the cement.

APPARATUS:
Balance, Specific Gravity bottle, kerosene, Water.

THEORY:
Specific gravity is defined as the ratio between weight of a given volume of
material and weight of an equal volume of water.

PROCEDURE:
1.Weigh the specific gravity bottle dry. Let the weight be W1.
2 .Fill the bottle with the water. Let the weight be W2.
3.Remove the water and fill the bottle with kerosene. Let the weight be W3.
4.Pour some of the kerosene out and introduce weighed quantity of cement in to
the
bottle. Roll the bottle gently in inclined position until no further air bubble rise
to
surface. Fill the bottle to the top with
kerosene and weigh it . Let this weight be W4.

OBSERVATION:
Weight of empty bottleW1=
Weight of bottle +water .. W2=
Weight of bottle +kerosene ..... W3=
Weight of bottle +cement+kerosene W4=
Weight of cement..W5=

CALCULATION:
Specific gravity of kerosene

s = (W3-W1) / (W2-W1)

Specific gravity of cement

S=W5 (W3-W1) / (W5+W3-W4)(W2-W1)

DISCUSSION:

RESULTS:
REMARKS:
PRECAUTION:
1. Kerosene used should be free from water.
2. while introducing cement care should be taken to avoid splashing and cement
should not adhere to the inside of the flask above the liquid

QUESTIONS:
1. Define specific gravity?
2. Why kerosene is used in place of water?
***********

Expermint.no.2

Fineness of cement

Date:

AIM:
To determine the fineness of cement sample.

APPARATUS:
IS: Test sieve 90u, balance, bristle brush .

THEORY:
The degree of fineness of cement is a measure of the mean size of the
grains in cement . The rate of hydration and hydrolysis and consequent
development of strength in cement mortar depends upon the fineness of cement.
The finer cement has quicker action with water and gain early strength .
However the shrinkage and cracking of cement will increase with the fineness of
cement.

PROCEDURE:
1. weigh accurately 100 gm of cement in a plate and transfer it to a clean dry
IS:test sieve and breakdown any air set lumps.
2. While holding the sieve and pan in both hands, sieve with gentle wrist motion
until most of the fine material has passed through and the residue looks fairly
clean.Note down the weight of the residue .

OBSERVATION:
1. Weight of cement =100gm
2. Weight of residue = ________

CALCULATION:
Fineness %= (Weight of residue in gms) / 100.

DISCUSSION:
RESULT:
REMARKS:

PRECAUTIONS:
1. Any air set lumps in the sample should be broken down with fingers.
2. The sieve must be cleaned thoroughly before starting the expt.

QUESTIONS:
1. What do fineness of cement indicate?
2. What is the correction factor?
3. Define specific surface.

Expermint.No.3.

Date:

STANDARD CONSISTENCY

AIM:
To determine standard consistency of given cement sample.

APPARATUS:
Vicat apparatus, Trowel, Measuring jar, Balance, Stopwatch, Glassplate .

THEORY:
Consistency is defined as the percentage water to be added to get a paste
such that with plunger penetrate upto a mark 5-7 mm from the bottom . It is the
paste of a certain standard solidity which is used to fix the quantity of water to be
mixed in cement before performing tests for tensile strength , setting time and
soundness

PROCEDURE:
1. Fix the Standard consistency plunger to the Vicat apparatus and note down
the
initial reading allowing the plunger to touch bottom glass plate.
2. Take 400 grams of Cement.
3. Add about 24% of water [i.e. (24/100)*400=96ml] and mix thoroughly and
level the surface of the paste.
4. Note down the final reading

OBSERVATION:
Percentage of water
Initial reading
Final reading
Height not being penetrated,
mm

DISCUSSION:
RESULTS:

24
%

28
%

30
%

..

PRECAUTION:
1. The plunger should be released quickly without pressure or jerk.
2. For each repetation of the experiment fresh cement is to be taken.
3. Gauge period must not less than 3 minute and not more than 5 minutes.

QUESTION:
1. What is normal or standard consistency of cement?
2. How is standard consistency expressed?
3. What are the range values of standard consistency?

Expermint.no.4

Date:

SETTING TIME

AIM:
To determine initial setting time and final setting time.
APPARATUS:
Vicat apparatus, Trowel, Measuring jar, Balance, Stopwatch, Glassplate.
THEORY:
The initial set is a stage in the process of hardening after which any crack
that may appear will not reunite on the otherhand finally set when it obtained
sufficient strength and hardness.
PROCEDURE:
1. Take 400gms of cement add 0.85P water where P= standard consistency.
2. Thoroughly mix, the gauging time is kept between 3-5 minutes.
3. Level the top surface and start the stopwatch at the instant when the water is
added.
4. Note down the initial reading by touching the needle to the bottom glass
plate.
5. Release the needle at a regular interval until the needle fails to penetrate the
block for about 5mm measured from the bottom of the mould.
6. For finding the final setting time replace the needle and release the needle at
regular interval until a stage at which the needle makes a mark while the
indent fails to make a mark and this time is called final setting time.
OBSERVATION:

Time in minute
Initial reading
Final reading
Height
not
being
penetrated in mm.
DISCUSSION:
RESULT:

10

15

REMARKS:
PRECAUTIONS:
1. For releasing the needle select a new position.
2. Plunger should be cleaned during every repetition.
3. Time interval should be decreased towards the end.
QUESTIONS:
1. What do you mean by initial setting time and final setting time?
2. What is the normal value of setting time?

Expermint.no.5

SOUNDNESS OF CEMENT

Date:

AIM:
To determine the soundness of cement.
APPARATUS:
Le-chatelier apparatus, 2 glassplates, balance, cylinder, trowel.
THEORY:
The free lime present in cement undergoes slacking when water is added
to cement. Due to this cement undergoes expansion. As a result of this cracks
appear in the mass.The difference in reading in Le-chatlier apparatus is less
than 10mm then the cement is called sound.
PROCEDURE:
1. Take 100gms of cement.
2. Add 0.78P of water and mix thoroughly to make a paste.
3. Place the apparatus on the glassplate and fill the paste in Le-chatlier mould
and place the other glass plate on the top.
4. Keep the whole assembly in water for 24hrs then remove the assembly and
note down the distance D1 between the indicator point.
5. Again place the assembly in water bath and boil for 3hrs then remove the
mould from water and allow it to cool then measure the distance D2 between
indicator point .
OBSERVATION:
D1= __________mm.
D2= __________mm.
CALCULATION:
D2-D1 = __________mm.
DISCUSSION:
RESULT:
REMARKS:

PRECAUTION:
1. Cement should be thoroughly mixed with the fingers atleast 1min
2. Distance between the tip of the pointer should be measured after cooling
completely.
3. Water level should not fall below the height of the mould.
QUESTIONS:
1. What do soundness and unsoundness mean?
2. what is the maximum expansion for ordinary Portland cement?

Expermint.no.6.

Compressive strength of Cement

Date:
AIM:
To determine Compressive strength of Cement.
APPARATUS:
UTM or Compressive testing machine, Cube moulds, Vibrating machine
Trowels, Balance.
THEORY:
The Compressive strength of cement is determined to verify whether the cement
conforms to IS Specification and whether it will be able to develop the required
compressive strength of cement.
PROCEDURE:
1.Calculate the material required. The quantities of cement and standard sand
shell be
Cement =185gm. Standard sand=555 gm.
2.Pour the dry material in a China dish and mix it dry with a trowel for one
minute.
3.Add water given by (P/4+3.5)%of dry weight of material. P is standard
consistence.
Standard Consistence is 30% then add 81.4 ml of water to the dish and mix
until
the mixture gets uniform color. The of mixing (gauging) shell be in any event,
not
less than 3 minute and not more than 4 minute.
4.Plase the assembled mould on the table of vibrating machine and firmly hold it
in
position by means of a suitable clamp. Fill the mortar and compact by
vibration.
The period of vibration shell be 2 minutes.
5.Remove the mould from the machine and keep it for 24 hours after completion
of
vibration.

6.At the end of this period, remove the cube from the mould and immediately
submerge in clean and fresh water, and keep there until taken out for testing.
7. Test three cubes at the end of 3 days and remaining 3 cubes at the end of 7
days.

OBSERVATION:

3 day Strength
Sl.No.

Load in tones

Strength in
Kg/cm2

7 Day Strength
Load in
Tones

Strength in
Kg/cm2

1
2
3
avg.
DISCUSSION:
RESULT:
PRECAUTION:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The mortar shall not be compressed by hand.

The cubes should be tested on their sides.
The in sides of the cubes mould should be oiled
Gauging period shell not be less than 3 min. and not more than 4 min.
The cube shall not be allowed to dry until they broken.

QUESTIONS:
1. What is the significance of this test?
2. What is the strength of the cement mortar?
3. What precautions do you take during determination of compressive
Strength?

Epermint.no.7

Test on concrete.
Slump Test

Date:

AIM:
To determine the workability by slump test.
APPARATUS:
Slump cone, tamping rod, tray, and balance.
THEORY:
Unsupported concrete when it is fresh will flow to the sides and sinking
in height will take place. This vertical settlement is known as slump.
Slump is a measure indicating the consistency or workability of cement
concrete and slump also gives an idea of W/C ratio needed for concrete to be
used for different works. Concrete is said to be workable if it can be easily
mixed placed, compacted and easily finished.
A workable concrete should not show any segregation or bleeding.
Segregation tries to separate out from the finer material and we get
concentration of coarse aggregate at one place. This results in large voids,
less durability and less strength. Bleeding of concrete is said to occur when
excess water comes up at the surface of concrete. This causes small pores
through the mass of concrete and is undesirable.
PROCEDURE:
1. Take 10 kg of coarse aggregate 5 kg of sand and 2.5 kg of cement.
2. Mix the dry constituents thoroughly to get a uniform colour.
3. Add calculated water for about say 0.5-w/c ratio (i.e., 0.5x2.5kg=1.25kgs)
and continue to mix thoroughly until we get uniform colour.
4. Strike off the top with a trowel or tamping rod so that the mould is
exactly filled.
5. Remove the cone immediately raising it slowly and carefully in the
vertical direction.
6. As soon as the concrete settlement comes to a stop measure the
subsidence of concrete which gives the slump.
7. Repeat the same procedure for different w/c ratio i.e., 0.6,0.7 and 0.8.

OBSERVATION:
Sl.No.
1
2
3
4

W/C Ratio

Slump

RESULT:
REMARKS:
PRECAUTIONS:
1. Strokes are to be applied uniformly through out the entire area of
concrete section.
2. Cone should be removed very slowly by lifting it upward with out
disturbing the concrete and unsupported concrete should be allowed to
spread and settle and after settlement height should be measured.
3. The experiment should be completed with in three minutes.
4. Before a test begun the interior of the mould be quite clean and damp but
not wet.
5. The base plate should be smooth and clean so that contact is made with
bottom of the mould around its whole circumference.
QUESTIONS:
1.What is workability?
2.What is slump?
3.Describe slump test.
4.What are the significance of slump test.
5.What are segregation and bleeding.
6.Give slump range for different purposes such as road, beam, column.

Expermint.no.8

Compaction Factor Test

Date:

AIM:
To determine the workability by compaction factor test.
APPARATUS:
Compaction factor test apparatus, pan, trowels, and balance.
THEORY:
Compaction factor test is adapted to determine workability of concrete where the
nominal maximum size of aggregate does not exceed 40mm and is primarily used in
laboratory. It is more sensitive and precise than slump test. It is particularly useful
for conc. mixes.of low workability as one normally used when the conc. is to be
compacted by Vibration. Such conc. my constantly fail to slump. The compaction
factor (CF) test able to indicate small variations in workability over a wide range.
PROCEDURE:
1. Keep the compaction factor apparatus on a level ground and grease the inner
surface
of the hoppers and cylinder.
2. Fasten the hopper doors.
Weigh the empty cylinder accurately and note down the weight w1 kg.
3. Fix the cylinder on the box with fly nut and bolt in such a way that central point
of hoppers and cylinder lie on the line.
4. Take 9 kg of aggregate 4.5 kg of sand and 2.25 kg of cement in the pan and mix
thoroughly to get uniform color.
5. Add calculated amount of water i.e, for w/c ratio of 0.5, add 0.5x2.25=1.125 lt. of
water and mix thoroughly to get uniform colour.
6. Fill the freshly mixed concrete in upper hopper gently and carefully.
7. After two minutes release the trap door so that the conc. may fall into the lower
hopper bringing the concrete into standard compaction.
8. Immediately after the concrete has come to rest open the trap door of lower
hopper and allow the concrete to fall into the cylinder bringing the concrete into
standard compaction.
9. Remove the excess concrete above the top of the cylinder by pair of trowels by
sawing motion.
10. Clean the cylinder from all sides properly. Find the weight of partially
compacted concrete thus filled in the cylinder say w2.
11. Refill the cylinder with same sample of concrete in approximately 5-cm layers.
Vibrating each layer heavily as to expel all the air and obtain full compaction of
concrete.

12. Level up mix and weight the cylinder filled with fully compacted concrete say w3
kg.
13. Repeat the same procedure for different w/c Ratio of 0.4,0.5,0.6,0.7,0.8 etc.
OBSERVATION:
Sl.No
.

W/C
Ratio

1
2
3
4
5

0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8

Wt.of
cylinder
W1

Wt of partially
compacted conc.
W2-W1

Wt of fully
compacted
conc W3-W1

C.F=W2-W1/
W3-W1

RESULT:
REMARKS:
PRECAUTION:
1. Test should be carried out in a level ground.
2. The trap hopper must be filled gently and to the same extent on each occasion
and the line between the end of the mixing and release of concrete from the
hopper must be constant say about 2 minute.
3. The mix should not be pressed or compacted in upper hopper.
QUESTIONS:
1.
2.
3.
4.

How do you compare a slump test with compaction factor test?

What is the distance between cylinder top and bottom of lower hopper?
What are the precautions do you take in the test?
What is the relationship between compaction factor and workability?

VEE-BEE TEST

Expermint.no.9.

Date:

AIM:
To determine the workability of concrete by Vee Bee Test.
APPARATUS:
Vee Bee Test Apparatus,pan, trowels,pan,balance.
THEORY:
For relatively higher dry mix having lesser w/c ratio workability can not be
determined by slump test or compaction factor test in such situation Vee Bee time
test is adopted. Vee bee time is the time required for conical shape of concrete to
change completely to a cylindrical shape, and this time gives workability.
PROCEDURE:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Take 10 kg of coarse aggregate 5 kg of sand and 2.25 kg of cement.

Mix the dry constituents thoroughly to get a uniform colour.
Apply grease to the inside surface of the mould.
Add calculated water for about say 0.4 w/c ratio (i.e;, 0.4x2.25=900ml)and
continue to mix thoroughly until we get uniform color.
5. Place the mix in the cylinder in 3 layers each time tamping 25 times tamping
with a tamping rod.
6. Gently lift the cone vertically upward.
7. Keep the glass plate in contact with specimen.
8. Switch on the instrument and simultaneously start the stop watch.
9. Observe the glass plate for getting full contact with concrete. The moment this
condition is achieved stops the stopwatch.
10. Difference in time gives the Vee Bee time.
OBSERVATION:
sl.no
1
2
3

w/c ratio
0.5
0.4
0.3

Vee bee time(sec)

RESULT:
REMARKS:
PRECAUTION:
1. Strokes are to be applied uniformly throughout the entire area of concrete
section.
2. Concrete should be removed very slowly by lifting it upward vertically without
disturbing the concrete and start the stop watch simultaneously.
QUESTIONS:
1. When do you prefer flow test?
2. What is the relation of flow test and workability?

CONCRETE TECHOLOGY
MANUAL

By
NARAYANA. B. R.
Sr.Lecturer. Civil Engg. Dept.

Department of Civil Engineering

GHOUSIA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
RAMANAGARAM

CONTENTS
EXPERIMENT

Page No.

Specific Gravity of Cement

Fineness of Cement

Standard Consistency

Setting Time

Soundness of Cement

Compressive Strength of Cement

11

Slump Test

13

Compaction Test

15

Vee Bee Time Test

17