If water is included in the cement, the compressive strength of the hardened cement is considered as the vital factor. Cement hydrates and exposes cohesion and consistency.
If water is included in the cement, the compressive strength of the hardened cement is considered as the vital factor. Cement hydrates and exposes cohesion and consistency. It joins all the components like cement, sand, aggregate etc. collectively. The hardiness of cement-based compound like mortar/concrete is based on the type and nature of cement.
Owing to strength, nature of cement, both mortar and concrete contain high strength against compression and less strength against tension. Therefore, testing of cement for compressive strength is very crucial. Cement is examined for compressive strength so that the strength and stability of the structure is retained.
Initial strength gain is affected by high lime or high alumina content. The firmness of cement is also impacted with the degree of burning, the fineness of grinding, and the aeration it obtains once the final grinding is completed.
Under the strength test, cement mortar is applied since neat cement produces shrinkage and cracking and it becomes complicated for testing.
Primarily, cement is recognized with its compressive strength. Cement is designated with its grade like 53 grade, 43 grade, 33 grade of cement. This grade signifies the compressive strength of cement, i.e. 53 grade of cement species that compressive strength of cement cube after 28 days of curing should be 53 N/mm2 (MPa) or 530 kg/cm2.
Compressive Strength Test of Cement according to IS 4031 (Part 6) 1988.
The following equipments are required for conducting the test :
• Compression Testing Machine or Universal Testing Machine. • Cube Mould: 70.6 mm*70.6 mm*70.6 mm size • Vibrating Machine • Weighing Machine • Gauging Trowel • Measuring Cylinder • Tray
Method: Arrangement Of Test Samples
• Testing material is cement, sand and water. • The necessary material for each cube is as follows:
1. Cement – 200gm, 2. Sand – 600gm, 3. Water quantity (P/4 + 3) % of the total mass of cement and sand. Where P denotes the standard consistency of cement. • Initially, blend cement and sand in dry condition with a trowel for one minute and then include water and blend unless homogeneous colour is produced. • The time of mixing should not be under 3 minutes and not in excess of 5 minutes.
Moulding Samples • Once the blending is completed, mortar is provided in the cube mould. Prior to arrange the mortar, use oil on the inside surface of cube mould. • To discharge the entrained air and get rid of honeycombing, the mortar should be stimulated 20 times in about 8 s and then consolidated with vibration. • The vibration period should be 2 minutes at the certain speed of 12 000 ± 400 vibrations per minute. • Then, the top surface of the cube in the mould should be completed by leveling the surface with the blade of a trowel.
Curing Samples • Once the vibration is finished, retain the filled moulds in a moist closet or moist room for 24 hours. • As soon as that period is ended, detach mortar cube from the moulds and instantly immerse in clean, fresh water and put there unless it is removed before testing. • The cubes should not get dried once they are removed and unless they are tested.
Testing • The testing is done with compression testing machine or universal testing machine. • Test 3 cubes for compressive strength for every time period according to detailed specifications. As for instance 3 cubes for 3 days test, 3 cubes for 7 days test and 3 cubes for 28 days test. • The cubes testing should be performed on their sides. No packing among the cube is allowed and the steel plates of the compression testing machine while testing is going on. • The load shall be gradually and consistently employed and the rate of loading should remain 35 N/mm2/min.
Points to be considered • Clean appliances should be applied for the tests. • Test for temperature and humidity should be carried out at 27 ± 2°C temperature and 65 ± 5 percent of the relative humidity of the laboratory. • The water in which the cubes are immersed should be changed every 7 days and retained at a temperature of 27 ± 2°C • While determining the compressive strength, the faulty samples should not be utilized. • The samples which produce strength differing by above 10 % from the average value of all the test samples.
