As a civil engineer or construction professional, having a solid grasp of specific gravity test on cement | determine the specific gravity of cement can make a significant difference in your project outcomes. This detailed article covers all the key aspects that every site engineer and civil engineering student should be familiar with.
Specific Gravity Test on Cement | Determine the specific gravity of cement –
To determine the specific gravity of cement.
Theory and Scope
Specific gravity is normally defined as the ratio between the mass of a given volume of material and the mass of an equal volume of water. One of the methods of determining the specific gravity of cement is by the use of a liquid such as water-free kerosene which does not react with cement. A specific gravity bottle or a standard Le Chatelier specific gravity flask may be used.
In addition to hydraulic cement, the Le Chatelier specific gravity flask can also be used to obtain the specific gravity of dust, sand, and other fine materials.
Also read: Laboratory Tests On Cement | 8 Different Types Of Cement Test
Weighing balance; Le Chatelier specific gravity flask with a ground glass stopper, Specific gravity bottle; Kerosene free from water; Constant temperature water bath.
Description of Apparatus
The Le Chatelier flask shown in Fig. below is made of thin glass having a bulb at the bottom. The capacity of the bulb is nearly 250 ml. The bulb is 78 mm in mean diameter. The stem is graduated in millilitres; a small oval bulb in the neck holds 17 ml, below this bulb are graduations from 0−1ml; above the bulb, the neck is graduated from 18−24 ml. The portion above the 24 ml mark is in the form of a funnel having a top diameter of 50 mm. Thus the total capacity of the stem of the bulb is 24 ml. A glass stopper or nipple is fitted in the stem to cover the flask.
Step 1: With a specific gravity bottle
(a) Weigh the specific gravity bottle dry. Let the mass of the empty bottle be W1.
(b) Fill the bottle with distilled water and weigh. Let the mass be W2.
(c) Wipe dry the specific gravity bottle and fill it with kerosene and weigh. Let this mass be W3.
(d) Pour some of the kerosene out and introduce a weighed quantity of cement, W5 (about 50 g) into the bottle. Roll the bottle gently in an inclined position until no further air bubbles rise to the surface. Fill the bottle to the top with kerosene and weigh it. Let this mass be W4.
(e) From these data calculate the specific gravity of the cement, S.
The specific gravity of kerosene,
Volume of bottle = W2 – W1
Volume of cement = W5/S
Volume of kerosene after the cement has been added = (W2 – W1) − W5/S
Where from a mass of kerosene after cement has been added = [(W2 – W1) − W5/S] s
Therefore, [(W2 – W1) − W5/S ] s + W5 + W1 = W4
Substituting the value of s and simplification,
Therefore, specific gravity of cement,
Observations and Calculations
Step 2: With Le Chatelier flask
Apparatus for determining the specific gravity of cement
1. Dry the flask carefully and fill with kerosene or Naphtha to a point on the stem between zero and 1 ml.
2. Dry the inside of the flask above the level of the liquid.
3. Immerse the flask in a constant temperature water bath maintained at room temperature, for a sufficient period before taking any reading so as to avoid variation greater than 0.2°C in the temperature of the liquid in the flask.
4. Record the level of the liquid in the flask as the initial reading, V1.
5. Place a weighed quantity of cement, W1 (about 60 g) into the flask so that level of kerosene rises to about say 22 ml mark. Care is taken to avoid splashing and to see that cement does not adhere to the sides of the flask above the liquid.
6. After putting all the cement into the flask, insert the nipple and roll the flask gently in an inclined position to free the cement from the air until no further air bubble rises to the surface of the liquid.
7. Keep the flask back in a constant temperature water bath and note down the new liquid level as the final reading, V2.
8. Calculate the specific gravity, S.
Observations and Calculations
Precautions
1. The kerosene or Naphtha used should be free from water.
2. The specific gravity bottle and the Le Chatelier flask should be held in a constant temperature water bath sufficiently long to ensure the same temperature before each weighing is made.
3. Duplicate determination of specific gravity should agree within 0.01.
4. While introducing cement, care should be taken to avoid splashing and cement should not adhere to the inside of the flask above the liquid.
Also read: What Is Specific Gravity? How To Determine Water Content Using It
In case specific gravity bottle shown in Fig. above is used, it is necessary to determine the specific gravity of kerosene or other liquid used and all the measurements are made entirely by mass. If Le Chatelier flask is used, some of the measurements are made by volume and it is not necessary to know the specific gravity of kerosene. The relative density of kerosene is 0.8. The specific gravity of ordinary Portland cements is in the range of 2.15.
Conclusion
Understanding specific gravity test on cement | determine the specific gravity of cement is a fundamental part of becoming a competent civil engineer. We have tried to cover every important aspect in this article so you can confidently apply this knowledge in real-world construction scenarios. Stay tuned to CivilNotess for more valuable content tailored for civil engineering professionals.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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