Determination of the soundness of cement

Introduction:
It is very important that the cement after setting shall not undergo any appreciable change of
volume. Certain cements have been found to undergo a large expansion after setting causing
disruption of the set and hardened mass. This will cause serious difficulties for the durability
of structures when such cement is used. The testing of soundness of cement, to ensure that the
cement does not show any appreciable subsequent expansion is of prime importance.
The cement is tested for soundness by the Le Chatelier method of measuring its expansion
with the method described in SLS 107: Part 2: 2002.
The soundness is determined by observing the volume expansion of cement paste of standard
consistence as indicated by the relative movement of two needles. The cement shall not have
an expansion of more than 10 mm when tested for soundness according to the above method.
Objective:

Objective of this test is to determine the soundness of cement.

Apparatus:
The following apparatus are required.
1. Le Chatelier apparatus (Figure 1)

Figure 1 Le Chatelier apparatus used for the determination of soundness of cement

2. Graduated cylinder
3. A weight balance readable to at least 0.01 g
4. A plasterer's steel trowel
5. A measuring ruller
Procedure:
1. A cement paste was prepared with standard consistence.
2. A lightly oiled Le Chatelier mould was placed on the lightly oiled base-plate and it
was immediately filled without undue compaction or vibration using only hands and a
plasterer's steel trowel, to level the top surface.
3. The mould was covered with the lightly oiled cover plate and the additional mass was
added on top of it.
4. According to the Euoro cord, then the complete apparatus has to be immediately
placed in the humidity cabinet. Maintain it for (24 0.5) hours at (20 1)0 C ambiont
temperatue and not less than 98 % relative humidity in order to prevent the water
evaporation.
5. At the end of the (24 0.5) hours period , the distance (A) between the indicator
points was measured to the nearest 0.5 mm.
6. Then the mould was gradually heated to boiling during (30 5) min and the water
bath was maintained at the boiling temperature for 3h 5 min.
7. At the end of the boiling period the distance (B) between the indicator points was
measured to the nearest 0.5 mm.
8. The mould was allowed to cool to (20 2)0 C and the distance (C) between the
indicator points was measured to the nearest 0.5 mm.
9. For each specimen, the measurements A and C were recorded and calculated the
difference C A, and calculated the mean value of C A to the nearest 0.5 mm.
Observation:

Observations are given in Calculations and result.

Calculations and result:

Discussion:

1. Briefly discuss the importance of the soundness test to determine the quality of
cement use for any construction work.