Test For physical Properties of Cement SOUNDNESS References: IS 4031-part-3 Engineering materials Duggal Properties of concrete Neville A.M.

Two Types Le Chateliers Test- Detects Free lime in cement Autoclave Test- Detects Free lime and Magnesia in cement

Le chateliers Test Aim: To determine Soundness of Cement by Le chateliers method. Apparatus: Le chateliers apparatus(brass mould with forks, Glass plate(2nos.), water bath. Material: 100g cement, water (0.58 times cement content)

Theory: It is essential that the cement paste once set doesnot undergo a large amount of change. The volume change/expansion happens due to presence of free lime, and Magnesia. This can result into expansion at later stages. Also, Tricalcium Aluminate reacts with Gypusm and can result in a slow hydration process leading to cement expanison. Procedure Take 100g of cement and add 0.58 times of water. Mix until the cement paste is of standard consistency.(determined by consistency test) Oil Le chateliers mould & place a glass plate below it; then fill in the cement paste. Cover the top of the mould with another glass plate. Place the entire assembly in a water bath. Allow the assembly to remain for 24hours. Then remove it and measure the distance between two forks of the mould. The next step is to place the mould in boiling water and let it boil for 3 hours. Measure the distance between forks again. The difference of the two readings indicates unsoundness of cement.

Observation Table/Data Qty of water: 58ml Qty of cement: 100g Initial Reading after 24hours:____mm Final reading after boiling(3hours):____mm Calculation: Unsoundness=final- initial reading of fork. Permissible limit: Unsoundness should be </=10mm