WATER ABSORPTION TEST OF BRICKS, TEST ON

BRICKS

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test). So please continue to the end & keep your love and support on me.

IS Code for Water Absorption Test of Brick :-

 IS: 3495 (Part-2):1992

APPARATUS REQUIRED FOR THE TEST:-

 A sensitive balance capable of weighing within 0.1 percent of the mass of

the specimen
 A ventilated oven

PROCEDURE OF THE TEST:-

1. Take a fresh specimen and weight it (M1).
2. Immerse completely dried specimen in clean water at a temperature of 25°C
to 29°C for 24 hours.
3. Remove the specimen and wipe out any traces of water with a damp cloth
and weigh the specimen.
4. Complete the weighing 3 minutes after the specimen has been removed from
water (M2).
REPORT:-
Water absorption (A), percent by mass after 24 hours immersion in cold water is
given by the formula:
 TEST FOR COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF DIFFERENT
TYPES OF BRICKS, TEST ON BRICKS, IS: 3495 (Part-1):
1992

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I have explained about test for compressive strength of different types of bricks.

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types of bricks. So please continue to the end & keep your love and support on
me.

IS Code for Compressive Strength Test of Brick :-

 IS: 3495 (Part-1): 1992

DIFFERENT TYPES OF BRICKS :-

a).Solid brick – Solid bricks have no holes, cavities or depressions.

b).Cellular brick – Cellular bricks have no holes, but may have frogs or cavities
not exceeding 20% of the gross volume of the brick.

c).Perforated brick – Perforated bricks have holes not exceeding 25% of the
gross volume of the brick. The area of any one hole shall not exceed 10% of the
gross area of the brick.

d).Frogged brick – Frogged bricks shall have depressions in one bed. Frog size
should not exceed 130mm×50 mm×10 mm.

EQUIPMENT/APPARATUS REQUIRED FOR THE TEST :-

 Compression testing machine

  The compression plate of which shall have a ball seating in the form of
portion of a sphere the center of which coincides with the center of the
plate, shall be used.

Compression Testing Machine

PROCEDURE OF THE TEST :-

Preparation of Specimens:-

1. Take twelve bricks randomly from sample.

2. You can take halved bricks and use half of each whole brick for
determining the compressive strength.
3. The overall dimension of each bedding face shall be measured to the
nearest of 1.3 mm and the area of the face having smaller area shall be
taken as the area of the bricks for testing the compressive strength.

A) Bricks with frogs

1. Immerse the bricks in water at room temperature for 24 hours.

2. Remove the specimens and allow to dry at room temperature for about 5
minutes.
 3. Then fill the frogs with cement-sand mortar with a ratio of 1:1 1/2. (Sand
should be clean and well graded and passing through 3.35 mm sieve).
4. Trowel the mortar off flush with surface of the bricks.
5. After filling the frogs, store the bricks under the damp sacks for 24 hours
and then immerse in water for 6 days before bricks are considered ready
for testing.
6. After seven days of filling the frogs, take out the specimens and wipe off
the moisture with damp cloth.
7. Then place the specimen with flat surface horizontally and the mortar filled
face facing upwards between two plywood sheets of 3-ply, normally 3 to 4
mm thick and carefully centered between the plates of the compression
testing machine.
8. Then apply the load axially at a uniform rate of 14 N/mm² per minute, until
failure. The failure shall be deemed to have occurred when no further
increase in the load is registered with unchanged rate of moving head
travel.

B)Solid bricks / bricks with a frog intended to be laid downwards /

perforated bricks / cellular bricks
Immerse the brick in water for 6 days or saturate the brick by boiling as well as
water absorption test.

(Heat the water to boiling point (100ºC) in approximately 1 h. Boil theme for 5
hour continuously, and then quit it for cooling to room temperature by natural
loss of heat for not less than 16 h or more than 19 h).
–: Then follow the row no. 7. and 8. of procedure.

C) Solid bricks with cavities

Fill the cavities with capping compound or mortar mix and immerse in water for 6
days and then follow the row no. 7. and 8. of procedure.

D) Brick with holes

No capping compound is used and holes remain empty. Immerse the brick in
water for 6 days, take out and wipe off the moisture and then follow the row no.
7. and 8. of procedure.
CALCULATION:-
Calculation of compressive strength:- Obtain the strength of each specimen
by dividing the maximum load obtained during loading by the appropriate area of
the bed face. Record the strength in N/mm² to the nearest 0.1 N/mm².

Calculate the average of the 12 compressive strengths and report it to the

nearest 0.1 N/mm². See the equation given below.

For bricks with holes,

Net area of brick = Gross area of brick – area of holes.
Gross area = Length of brick × width of brick.

Where d is the diameter of the hole.

Note. When bricks are to be used as crushed aggregate, for in a blend as

unfound material, the necessity to determine the compressive strength
accurately as it is when the bricks are to be used in load-bearing walls, is not so
critical.

REPORT:- Report the compressive strength in a data sheet to the nearest 0.1

N/mm².
 WATER ABSORPTION OF BRICK BY 5 HOURS
BOILING TEST, TEST ON BRICKS, IS: 5454: 1976

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article I have explained about determination of water absorption of brick by 5
hours boiling test.

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hours boiling test easily. So please continue to the end & keep your love and
support on me.

APPARATUS/EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR THE TEST:-

 Ventilated drying oven with automatic control capable of maintaining a

constant temperature of 110ᵒC – 115ᵒC.
 Water tank, provided with a grid to ensure free circulation of water between
masonry units and the bottom of the tank.
 Weighing Balance to an accuracy of 0.1% of the mass of the specimen.

Ventilated drying oven

IS Code for Water Absorption Test of Brick by 5 Hours Boiling Method :-

  IS: 5454: 1976

PROCEDURE OF THE TEST :-

1. First of all, take 10 bricks sampled in accordance with this test procedure.
2. Dry the specimens to constant mass in the oven at a temperature of
between 110 ᵒC and 115 ᵒC.
3. Now cool the specimens to room temperature and weigh each specimen to
an accuracy of 0.1% of its mass. Note down it as M1.
4. Place the 10 specimens in a single layer in a tank of water immediately
after weighing, so that the water can circulate freely on all sides of them.
Leave a space of about 10 mm between bricks and the sides of the tank.
5. Heat the water to boiling point (100ᵒC) in approximately 1 h.
6. Boil theme for 5 hour continuously, and then quit it for cooling to room
temperature by natural loss of heat for not less than 16 h or more than 19
h.
7. Take the specimens, wipe off the surface water with a damp cloth and
weigh. When wiping perforated bricks, shake them to expel water that
might otherwise be left in the perforations.
8. Weigh any one of the specimens within 2 min after its removal from the
water. Note down it as M2.

Table:- Water Absorption of Brick

Water Avera
Brick M 1 M 2 Absorpti ge
s on (%) Water
Absor
ption
(%)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
 9
10

CALCULATION OF WATER ABSORPTION :-

The water absorbed by each specimen 'A' is expressed as a percentage of the
dry mass using the following expression.

Calculate the average of the water absorption’s of the 10 specimens to the

nearest 0.1% and report it.

Note:- Water Absorption shall not be more than 10 percent by weight up to grade

A, 12 percent by weight up to grade B and 16 percent by weight for grade C.
DIMENSION TEST OF BRICKS or TEST ON BRICKS
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size). So please continue to the end & keep your love and support on me.

IS Code for Dimension Test of Brick  :-

 IS: 1077:1999
 IS: 12894:1990
 IS: 13757:1993

APPARATUS REQUIRED FOR THE TEST :-

 Measuring Tape (0.1 mm)

PROCEDURE OF THE TEST:-

1. Take the twenty No. (20) of test specimens (bricks).
2. Lay the twenty No. of brick contact with each other in longitudinal direction
to   measure the length of the test piece.
3. Lay the twenty No. of brick in width wise direction and measure the width.
4. Lay the twenty No. of brick in height wise direction and measure the
thickness.
5. Calculate the individual and average of the measures.
6. Report the result i.e. height, width & thickness of 20 bricks in (mm).
                              Arrangement of Bricks to Measure Dimensions

Brick Sizes Based on IS 1077 Specification (Common Burnt Clay Building Bricks)
:-

A.) The standard modular size of common building bricks shall be as follows: 
Length Depth/Width Height
(L) (D/W) (H)
mm mm mm
190 90 90
190 90 40

Dimension of Brick

B.) The non-modular size of bricks shall be as follows:

Length Depth/Width Height
(L) (D/W) (H)
 mm mm mm
230 110 70
230 110 30

C.) Additionally, for obtaining proper bond arrangement and modular dimensions
for the brick work, with the non-modular sizes, the sizes of bricks may be as
follows:
Length Depth/Width Height
(L) (D/W) (H)
mm mm mm
70 110 701/3
 EFFLORESCENCE TEST OF BRICKS, TEST ON
BRICKS
  

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article I have explained about efflorescence test of bricks (brick test).

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continue to the end & keep your love and support on me.

IS Code for Efflorescence Test of Brick :-

 IS: 3495 (Part-3): 1992

APPARATUS REQUIRED FOR THE TEST:-

 A shallow flat bottom dish containing sufficient distilled water to completely

saturate the specimens. The dish shall be made of glass, porcelain or glazed
stoneware and of size 180 mm × 180 mm × 40 mm depth for square shaped
and 200 mm diameter × 40 mm depth for cylindrical shaped.

Efflorescence Test Apparatus

PROCEDURE OF THE TEST:-

1. Place the end of the bricks in the dish, the depth of immersion in water being
25 mm.
 2. Place the whole arrangement in a warm (for example, 20 to 30 °C) well
ventilated room until all the water in the dish is absorbed by the specimens
and the surplus water evaporates.
3. Cover the dish containing the brick with suitable glass cylinder so that
excessive evaporation from the dish may not occur.
4. When the water has been absorbed and bricks appear to be dry, place a
similar quantity of water in the dish and allow it to evaporate as before.
5. Examine the bricks for efflorescence after the second evaporation and report
the results.

Report:-
The liability to efflorescence shall be reported as ‘nil’, ‘slight’, ‘moderate’, ‘heavy’
or ‘serious’ in accordance with the following definitions:-

Nil - When there is no perceptible deposit of efflorescence.

Slight - When not more than 10 percent of the exposed area of the brick is covered
with a thin deposit of salts.
Moderate - When there is a heavier deposit than under ‘slight’ and covering up to
50 percent of the exposed area of the brick surface but unaccompanied by
powdering or flaking of the surface.
Heavy - When there is a heavy deposit of salts covering 50 percent or more of the
exposed area of the brick surface but unaccompanied by powdering or flaking of
the surface
Serious - When there is a heavy deposit of salts accompanied by powdering and/or
flaking of the exposed surfaces.
Experiment-Efflorescence-test-Results
Specific Gravity of Fine Aggregate as per IS Code 2386-3 (1963)

What is Specific Gravity of Fine Aggregate?

Specific gravity of fine aggregate (sand) is defined as the ratio of the weight of a

given volume of aggregates to the weight of equal volume of water. The specific
gravity of fine aggregate (sand) is considered to be around 2.65 to 2.67.

Sand particles composed of quartz have a specific gravity between 2.65 to 2.67.

While inorganic clays generally range from 2.70 to 2.80. Soils with large amounts
of organic matter or porous particles (such as diatomaceous earth) have specific
gravity below 2.60 (Some range as low as 2.00).

What is Specific Gravity of Aggregates?

The specific gravity of an aggregate is considered as the measure of strength or

quality of the material. Specific gravity is defined as the ratio of weight of a given
volume of aggregate to the weight of equal volume of water. Aggregates having
low specific gravity are generally weaker than those with aggregates having high
specific gravity. This property helps in a general identification of aggregates.
Determination of Specific Gravity of Fine Aggregate, IS: 2386 (Part 3): 1963
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Apparatus Required for Specific Gravity Test of Fine Aggregate:-

 Pycnometer bottle of 1000ml capacity

 Taping rod
 Funnel
 Weighing Balance

IS Code of Test for Specific Gravity of Fine Aggregate:-

 IS: 2386 (Part-3): 1963, Methods of test for aggregates for concrete
(Determination of Specific Gravity of aggregates)

Procedure of Test for Specific Gravity of Fine Aggregate:-

1. Take a clean, dry pycnometer and determine its empty weight (W₁ g).
 2. Take a clean sample of fine aggregate (about 1kg) for which specific
gravity is to be find out and transfer that to the pycnometer and weight (W₂
g). The aggregates finer than 6.3mm are taken.
3. Pour distilled water in the pycnometer with aggregate sample at the
temperature at 27 ºC, to just immerse sample.
4. Immediately after immersion, remove the entrapped air from the sample by
shaking or rotating the pycnometer, placing a finger on the hole at the top
of the sealed pycnometer.
5. Wipe out the outer surface of pycnometer. Now the pycnometer is
completely filled up with water till the hole at the top, and after confirming
that there is no more entrapped air in pycnometer, weight it (W₃ g).
6. Transfer the aggregate of the pycnometer into a try care being taken to
ensure that all the aggregate is transferred. Clean the pycnometer.
7. Refill the pycnometer with distilled water up to the top of the pycnometer,
without any entrapped air.  It should be completely dry from outside and
take the weight (W₄ g).
8. For mineral filler, specific gravity bottle is used and the material is filled up
to one-third of the capacity of bottle. The rest of the process of determining
specific gravity is similar to the one described above.

Observations:-

Table: Observation Table for Specific Gravity of Fine Aggregate

Trail Trail
No.1 No. 2

Weight of pycnometer in air

(W₁ g)

Weight of pycnometer + Fine

aggregate (W₂ g)

Weight of pycnometer +
water + Fine aggregate (W₃
g)

Weight of pycnometer +
water in air (W₄ g)

Apparent Specific Gravity:

(W₂ – W₁) / [(W₄ – W₁) - (W₃

– W₂ )]
Calculations:-

Formula for specific gravity of fine aggregate:-

Result:-

The Specific gravity of fine aggregate is =……………

General Remarks:-

1. The specific gravity of aggregates normally used in construction ranges

from around 2.5 to 3.0 with an average value of about 2.68.
2. Specific gravity of aggregates is considered as an indication of strength.
Aggregates having higher specific gravity are generally considered as
having higher strength and aggregates having low specific gravity are
generally considered as having weaker strength.
Initial Setting Time and Final Setting Time of Cement by Vicat Apparatus
What is Setting Time of Cement Paste?

Setting time of cement paste is that the interval during which the cement paste
losses its plasticity after adding water in cement.

Setting time of cement is calculated in two parts:

(1) Initial setting time of cement and (2) Final setting time of cement.

What is Initial Setting Time of Cement Paste?

Initial setting time is regarded as the time elapsed between the moments that the
water is added to the cement to the time that the paste starts losing its plasticity
and the hardening of the cement starts. It is the time within which the cement can
be molded in any desired shape without losing its strength.

What is Final Setting Time of Cement Paste?

The final setting time is the time elapsed between the moment when water is
added to the cement and the time when the paste has completely lost its
plasticity and has attained the sufficient firmness to resist certain and definite
pressure. This is the time taken for the cement paste to becomes hard and attain
the shape of the mould in which it is cast.
Vicat-Apparatus-Diagram
Determination of Initial Setting Time and Final Setting Time of Cement
as per IS: 4031 (Part 5)-1988

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apparatus, IS code, test procedure, formula, result and lab report about initial
and final setting time of cement by Vicat apparatus.

IS Code of Initial Setting Time and Final Setting Time Test of Cement
Paste Sample:-

1. IS: 4031 (Part 5)-1988, Methods of physical test for hydraulic cement paste
2. IS: 5513-1996, For specification for Vicat’s apparatus

Apparatus Required For Initial Setting Time and Final Setting Time Test
of Cement Paste:-

1. Vicat’s apparatus conforming to IS: 5513-1976

2. Plunger
 3. Glass plate  
4. Weighing Balance of capacity 1000g and sensitivity to 1g.
5. Gauging trowel conforming to IS: 10086-1982.
6. Stop Watch
7. Dial Gauge

What is Vicat’s Apparatus?

The Vicat’s apparatus for consistency test of cement paste consists of a frame
having a movable rod with a cap at one end and at the other end any one of the
following attachment, which are interchangeable:

 Needle for determining the initial setting time

 Needle for determining the final setting time
 Plunger for determining the standard consistency

The other two needles are made to freely fall into a Vicat mould filled with the
cement paste and the amount of penetration of the needles of plunger of 10 mm
diameter can be noted using the vertical graduations from 0 mm to 50 mm.
Parts of Vicat’s Apparatus with Explanation:-

1. Needles

Needle for Initial Setting Time: The needle is having a cross sectional area of
1mm². The end of the needle is flat.

Needle for Final Setting Time: The needle is circular and is having a cross
sectional area of 1mm². The needle is fitted with a metal attachment. The end of
needle projects beyond the cutting edge of the hollowed out metal attachment.

2. Plunger for Standard Consistency

Plunger is made of polished brass with a projection at the upper end for insertion
into the movable rod. The lower end is flat.

3. Movable Rod

Movable rod carries an indicator which moves over a graduated scale attached to
the frame (certain models have an additional attachment of dash pot, which
facilitates lowering of movable rod slowly).

4. Graduated Scale

Graduated scale is 40mm in length and the shortest division of scale is 1mm.

5. Vicat Mould
Single mould: The Vicat mould is in the foam of a frustum of a cone having an
internal diameter of 60 ± 0.5mm at the top, 70 ± 0.5mm at the bottom and height
40 ± 0.5mm.

Split type Vicat mould: The split type Vicat mould is used as an alternative to
single mould. This mould consist of a split ring having an internal diameter 80 ±
0.1mm and a height 40 ± 0.5mm. A non-porous base plate is provided. The split
mould is provided with a suitable clamping ring.

Sampling and Selection of Test Specimen:

The samples of the cement shall be taken as per IS: 3535- 1986* and the
relevant standard specification for the type of cement being tested. Mix
thoroughly the cement sample before testing.

Temperature and Humidity:

Unless otherwise specified this test shall be conducted at a temperature 25ºC to

29ºC and the relative humidity of laboratory should be 60% to 70%.

The moist closet or moist room shall be maintained at 25ºC to 29ºC and at a
relative humidity equal to or more than 90%.
 Vicat Apparatus

Procedure for Initial Setting Time and Final Setting Time Test of Cement
Paste:-

Preparation of Test Block

1. Before testing the setting time of cement, do the consistency test to obtain
the required quantity of water to give the paste normal consistency.
2. Prepare a neat 300 g cement paste by gauging the cement with 0.85 times
the water required to give a paste of standard consistency. Potable or
distilled water will be used in preparing the cement paste.
3. Take care that the time of gauging is not less than 3 minutes, not more
than 5 minutes and the gauging will be completed before setting occurs.
4. The gauging time will be counted from the time of adding the water to the
dry cement until starting to fill the mould. Record this time (T₁).
5. Fill the Vicat mould with a cement paste gauged as above and also the
mould resting on a nonporous plate.
6. Fill the mould completely and smooth off the surface of the cement paste
making it level with the top of the Vicat mould.
7. In filling, the mould operators hands and the blade of the gauging trowel
will only be used.
8. After moulding, immediately place the test block within the moist closet or
moist room and allow it to remain there except when determinations of the
time of setting are being made.

Determination of Initial Setting Time

1. Place the test block confined in the mould and resting on the non-porous
plate, under the rod bearing lower the needle gently until it comes in touch
with the surface of the test block and quickly release, allowing it to
penetrate into the test block.
2. In. the beginning, the needle will completely pierce the test block.
3. Repeat this procedure until the needle, when brought in touch with the test
block and released as described above, fails the to pierce the block
beyond a point 4.5 mm to 5.5 mm measured from the bottom of the mould.
4. The period elapsing between the moments when the cement is mixed with
water and the moment at which the needle fails to pierce the test block
beyond a point 4.5 mm to 5.5 mm measured from the bottom of the mould
will be the initial setting time of the cement paste.
5. Record this time (T₂).

Determination of Final Setting Time

1. Replace the needle of the Vicat apparatus by the needle with an annular
attachment.
2. The sample of cement paste will be considered as finally set when, upon
applying the needle gently to the surface of the test block, the needle
makes an impression there on, while the attachment fails to do so.
 3. The period elapsing between the time when the cement is mixed with
water and the time at which the needle makes an impression on the
surface of test block while the attachment fails to do so will be the final
setting time of the cement paste.
4. Record this time (T₃).

Note: In the event of a scum forming on the surface of the test block, use the
underside of the block for the determination of setting time of cement.

Observations:-
1. Type of cement =…………………….

2. Brand of cement = …………………..

3. Weight of given sample of cement is =…………… ….g

4. The normal consistency of a given sample of cement paste is = …………...%

5. Volume of the water added for preparation of test block = ………………ml

Table:-

Sl. No. Setting Time Penetration

(min) (mm)
1
2
3
4
 5
6

Calculation:-

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.

Result:-

1. The initial setting time of the cement paste sample is found to be ………..
minutes.

2. The final setting time of the cement paste sample is found to be ………..
minutes.

Report:-
The results of initial setting time and final setting time of cement is reported
to the nearest five minutes.

Safety and Precautions While Testing:

1. Clean the apparatus thoroughly before testing and after testing.

2. The test should be performed away from vibrations and other
disturbances.
3. Care should be taken to maintain the specified temperature, humidity and
the time of mixing so as to avoid setting of cement paste as per test
requirement.
4. Clean appliances should be used for gauging and gauging time should be
strictly observed.
5. Care shall be taken to keep the needle straight and clean.
6. The initial and final setting time needles should be released gently.
7. Position of the Vicat mould should be shifted slightly after each penetration
to avoid penetration at the same place.

Table: Indian Standard Specification of Cement

Importance of Initial and Final Setting Time of Cement:-

1. Cement should not set too rapidly or too slowly. In the first case if a
cement paste sets too rapidly, 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 the project work unduly, also it might
postpone the actual use of the structure because of inadequate strength at
the desired age.
2. Setting of cement should not be confused with hardening of cement,
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. Determination of setting time is the time required for concretizing of
cement paste to a defined consistency.
 4. During setting of cement, the initial chemical reaction of cement with water
indirectly related to form aluminum-silicate compound.
5. Initial setting time test of cement is important for transportation, placing
and compaction of cement paste.
6. Determination of initial setting time duration is required to delay the
process of hydration or hardening.
7. Determination of final setting time facilitates safe removal of scaffolding or
form.
8. During the final setting time, primary chemical reaction of cement with
water is almost completed.

Value of Initial and Final Setting Time for Ordinary Portland Cement
(OPC):

The initial setting time for OPC, SRC, PPC, RHPC and PSC is 30 minutes. The
final setting time for OPC, SRC, PPC, RHPC and PSC is 600 minutes.
Fineness Test of Cement by Dry Sieving or Sieve Analysis
Civil Allied Gyan March 27, 2020

What is the degree of fineness of cement?

The degree of fineness of cement is a measure of the average (mean) size of the

grains. The finer cement has quicker action with water and gains early strength
without change within the ultimate strength. Finer cement is susceptible to
shrinkage and cracking.

How do you calculate fineness of cement?

Fineness of cement can be calculated by using air permeability method or by

using sedimentation method or from particle size analysis (sieve analysis). Sieve
analysis (dry sieving) measures the cement particle size whereas air permeability
method and sedimentation method measures specific surface area of cement.
Here we have explained about particle size analysis (sieve analysis) of cement.

The fineness of cement is measured by sieving it on standard sieve. The

proportion of the sample of cement of which the grain sizes are larger than the
specified mesh size is thus determined.

What is the unit of fineness of cement?

The fineness of cement is a measure of the size of cement-particles. In sieve

analysis of cement, fineness of cement is calculated by ratio of weight of
cement-sample retained on the sieve with total weight of cement-sample. Thus
there is no unit of fineness of cement.

While in air permeability method or sedimentation method, the fineness of

cement is expressed in terms of the specific surface area of cement. Specific
surface is expressed as the total surface area in square meter of all the cement
particles in one Kg of cement. Thus, the unit of fineness of cement is m²/Kg. The
higher the specific surface, the finer the cement.

Fineness of Cement by Sieve Analysis as per IS: 4031 (Part 1): 1996

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explained about determination of fineness of cement of by sieve analysis. Read
definition, apparatus, IS code, test procedure, observations, formula, result and
lab report about fineness of cement of by sieve analysis.

IS Code for Fineness of Cement by Sieve Analysis Test:-

1. IS: 4031 (Part 1): 1996 for determination of fineness of cement

2. IS: 460 (Part 1): 1985 for specification of sieves

A reference sample of cement having a known proportion of material coarser

than the specified mesh size is used for checking the specified sieve.

Apparatus Required For Fineness of Cement by Sieve Analysis:-

1. 90μ IS Sieve with pan as per IS: 460 (Part 1, 2 and 3): 1985
2. Sieve lid
3. Weighing balance capable of weighing up to 100 g to the nearest 10 mg
4. A nylon or pure bristle brush, preferably with 25 mm to 40 mm bristle, for
cleaning the sieve
5. Gauging trowel
6. Tray
7. Tamping rod
8. Sieve Shaking Machine (optional)
 Temperature and Humidity:-

  The temperature of moulding room, dry materials and water will be maintained at

25 °C to 29 °C. The relative humidity of the laboratory will be 60 to 70 percent.

  The moist closet or moist room will be maintained at 25 °C to 29 °C and at a

relative humidity of not less than 90 percent.

Sampling and Selection of Test Specimens:-

The samples of the cement will be taken according to the requirements of IS

3535:1986 (Methods of sampling hydraulic cements) and the relevant standard
specification for the type of cement being tested.
Mix thoroughly the representative sample of the cement, selected as above,
before testing.

Procedure of Fineness Test of Cement by Sieve Analysis:-

1. Agitate the representative sample of the cement to be tested by shaking

for 2 minutes in a stoppered jar to disperse agglomerates (lumps). Wait for
2 minutes and stir the resulting cement powder gently using a clean dry
rod in order to distribute the fines throughout the cement.
2. Accurately weigh 100 g of cement for test sample to the nearest 0.01 g
and place it on the sieve being careful to avoid loss. (Total weight of
cement, W1)
3. Rub the cement particle well with your fingers so that no air set lumps are
left and agglomerates are dispersed.
4. Fit the lid over the sieve.
5. If you have a sieving machine then you just need to put the sieve in the
sieving machine and start the machine for 15 minutes.
6. If you don’t have the sieving machine then no problem, you can shake it
also with your hands. Hold the sieve with pan in both hands and sieve with
gentle wrist motion, in circular and vertical motion for a period of 15
minutes without any spilling of cement until no more fine material passes
through it.
7. Place the cover on the sieve and remove the pan.
8. Now tap the other side of the sieve with the handle of brush and clean the
outer side of the sieve.
9. Now weigh the retained amount of cement on the sieve. (Weight of
cement sample left on the sieve, W₂)
10. Empty the pan and fix it below the sieve.
11. Repeat the whole procedure, at least three times, using a fresh 100 g
sample of cement to be tested.
12. Totally sieve for 15 minutes and weigh the residue (weight of cement left
over the sieve).
13. Calculate the fineness of cement by formula W₂∕W1Х100 % (also given
below) for each time. Then express the fineness of cement as the average
of the three values.
14. Check the sieve after every 100 sieving.
Observations:-

1. Weight of cement taken =................

2. Weight of cement retained on the sieve =................

3. Type of cement =................

4. Brand of cement=.................

5. Room temperature=..................

Table: Observation Table for Fineness of Cement

Observations Trail Trail Trail

No. 1 No. 2 No. 3

Weight of Sample

Weight of Residue of
Cement

% of Fineness of
Cement

Weight of Residue of
Fly Ash

% of Fineness of Fly
Ash

Calculations:-
Formula for Fineness of Cement by Sieve Analysis:-
Result:-

Fineness of the given cement-sample is = …………… %

Limit:-

According to Indian Standard, the amount of cement-retained on the 90 µm sieve

will never exceed 10%. i.e. the fineness of cement should be lower than 10%.

Report:-

Report the value of the fineness of cement, to the nearest 0.1 percent, as the
residue on the 90 pm sieve for the cement tested.

The standard deviation of the repeatability is about 0.2 percent and of the
reproducibility is about 0.3 percent.

Safety and Precautions While Testing:-

1. Clean the apparatus thoroughly before testing and after testing.

2. The test should be performed away from vibrations and other

disturbances.
 3. Wear helmet, shoes and hand gloves during the test.

4. The weighing should be done accurately.

5. Make sure that the sieving operation is done in all the direction for a

minimum of 15 minutes.
6. Sieving will be done holding the sieve in both hands and gentle wrist

motion, this will involve no danger of spilling the cement, which will be kept
well spread out on the screen. More or less continuous rotation of the
sieve will be carried out throughout sieving.
7. Washers, shots and slugs will not be used on the sieve. The underside of

the sieve will be lightly brushed with a 25 or 40 mm bristle brush after

every five minutes of sieving.
8. Mechanical sieving devices (Sieve Shaking Machine) may be used, but the

cement will not be rejected if it meets the fineness requirement when

tested by the hand method.

Why fineness test of cement is done?

In almost all cement test, the fineness test of cement is to be

determined. Fineness test is used in checking the proper grinding of cement and
measuring the surface area of the cement particles per unit mass. As well as
fineness of cement increases, the requirement of water for workability also
increases which results in a higher possibility of dry shrinkage.

Significance or Importance of Fineness Modulus Test of Cement

Civil Allied Gyan September 13, 2020
What is the degree of fineness of cement?

The degree of fineness of cement is a measure of the average (mean) size of the

grains. The finer cement has quicker action with water and gains early strength
without change within the ultimate strength. Finer cement is susceptible to
shrinkage and cracking.

Hi friends, you are welcomed in the world of Civil Allied Gyan. Read about
significance or importance of fineness test of cement and effect of fineness test
of cement.

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Significance or Importance of Fineness Test of Cement or
Effect of Fineness Test of Cement

1. In almost all cement test, the fineness test of cement is to be determined.

2. Fineness test is used in checking the proper grinding of cement and
measuring the surface area of the cement particles per unit mass.
3. As well as fineness of cement increases, the requirement of water for
workability also increases which results in a higher possibility of dry
shrinkage.
4. Fineness of cement affects hydration rate of the cement and hence the
rate of strength gain.
5. Fineness of cement can increase the rate of hydration. More is the
fineness of cement particles more will be the rate of hydration of the
cement particles.
6. Fineness of cement affects bleeding rate of the cement. Bleeding can be
reduced by increasing fineness. However, increased fineness can also
lead to the requirement of more water for workability of cement, resulting in
a higher possibility of dry shrinkage.
7. Fineness of cement can increase the final strength of cement.
8. Fineness of cement can also affect its workability.
9. Fineness test of cement is used to check the proper grinding of the cement
and indirectly measures the surface area of the particles of cement per unit
mass.
10. The smaller the cement particles size, the greater the surface area-to-
volume ratio, and thus, the more area available for water-cement
interaction per unit volume.
11. Therefore, finer cement reacts faster with water and the rate of
development of strength and corresponding heat of hydration is high.
12. Fineness of cement increases the strength development in the cement
principally during its first seven days.
13. Fineness of cement is a measure of how even each granules are, leading
to a greater surface area and greater the surface area more the adhesion.