IS : 4031 ( Part 7 ) - 1988

Indian St andard
METHODSOFPHYSICALTESTSFOR
HYDRAULICCEMENT
PA RT 7 DET ERM I N A T I ON OF COM PRESSI V E ST REN GT H
OF M A SON RY CEM EN T

( First Rev ision )

0. FORE WORD

0.1 This Indian Standard ( Part 7 ) ( First Revi- original standard in 1968, a number of standards
sion ) was adopted by the Bureau of Indian covering the requirements of different equipment
Standards on 10 March 1988, after the draft used for testing of cement, a brief description
finalized by the Cement and Concrete Sectional of which was also covered in the standard, had
Committee had been .approved by the Civil been published. In this revision, therefore,
Engineering Division Council. reference is given to different instrument specifi-
cations deleting the description of the instru-
0.2 Standard methods of testing cement are ments, as it has been recognized that reproducible
essential adjunct to the cement specifications. and repeatable test results can be obtained only
This standard in different parts lays down the with standard testing equipment capable. of
procedure for the tests to evaluate the physical giving desired level of accuracy. This part covers
properties of different types of hydraulic cements. the method for determining the compressive
The procedure for conducting chemical tests of strength of masonry cement. The criteria for
hydraulic cement .is,covered in IS : 4032-1985*. accepting compressive strength values has also
been incorporated in this revision.
0.3 Originally all the tests to evaluate the physi-
cal properties of hydraulic cements were covered 0.4 For the purpose of deciding whether a parti-
in one standard but for facilitating the use of cular requirement of this standard is complied
this standard and future revisions, it has been with, the final value, observed or calculated,
decided to print the different tests as different expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall
parts of the standard and accordingly, this be rounded off in accordance with IS : 2- 1960*.
revised standard has been brought out in The number of significant places retained in the
thirteen parts. This will also facilitate updating of rounded off value should be the same as that of
individual tests. Further, since publication of the the specified value in this standard.
*Method of chemical analysis of hydraulic cement *Rulea for rounding off numerical values ( revised 1.
(first rcvfsion ).

1. SCOPE 3. TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY

1.1 This standard ( Part 7 ) covers the procedure 3.1 The temperature of moulding room, dry
for determining the strength of masonry cement materials and water shall be maintained at
as represented by compressive strength tests on 27 f 2°C. The relative humidity of the labora-
50 mm mortar cubes. tory shall be 65 f 5 percent.
2. SAMPLING AND SELECTION OF TEST 3.2 The moist closet or moist room shall be main-
SPECIMENS tained at 27 f 2°C and at a relative humidity of
not less than 90 percent.
2.1 The samples of the cement shall be taken in
accordance with the requirements of IS : 3535 4. GENERAL
1986* and the relevant standard specification for
the type of cement being tested. The repre- 4.1 The standard sand to be used in the prepara-
sentative sample of the cement selected as above tion of mortar cubes shall conform to IS : 650-
shall be thoroughly mixed before testing. 1966*.

*Methods of sampling hydraulic cements ( first *Specification for standard sand for testing of cenicnt
revision ). (first revision 1.

1
IS : 4031 ( P a rt 7 ) - 1988

5. AP P ARATU S the interior faces and the top and bottom surfaces
5.1 B a la n c e - The balance shall conform to the
of each mould. Moulds shall then be set on
following requirements: plane, non-absorbent base plates that have been
thinly coated with the mineral oil, petrolatum,
On .balance in use,. the permissible variation or light cup grease.
at a load of 1 000 g shall be plus or minus
1’0 g. The permissible variation on new 7. PREPARATION OF MORTAR
balance shall be one-half of this value.
The sensibility reciprocal shall be not 7.1 Clean appliances shall be used for mixing.
greater than twice the permissible variation. Temperature df water and that of the test room
at the time when these operations are being
NCWEl- The sensibility reciprocal is generally
defined as the change in load required to change the performed shall be 27 f 2°C. Potable/distilled
position of rest of the indicating element or elements water shall be used in preparing the cubes.
of a non-automatic indicating scale a definite amount
at any load. 7.2 The material Fw each set of three specimens
NOTES- Self-indicating balance with equivalent shall be mixed separately and shall be as follows:
accuracy may also be used.
Masonry cement 420 g
5.2 S ta n d a rd We ig h ts - The permissible varia- Standard sand 1440g
tions on weights in use in weighing the cement
shall be as prescribed in Table 1. 7.2.1 The amount of water used for gauging
shall be such as to produce a flow of 110 f’5.
TABLE 1 PERMISSIBLE VARIATIONS percent with 25 drops in 15 s as determined in 7.3.
ON WE IGH TS
WEIGHTS PERMISSIBLE VARIATION 0N 7.3 D e te rm in a tio n o f F lo w
WEIGHTS IN USB,PLUS
OR ?XfINUS
7.3.1 Trial Mixing-With dry material as
specified in 7.2, make trial mortars with different
g g percentages of water until specified flow is
(1) (2) obtained Make each trial flow test with fresh
500 0.35 mortar. The mixing shall be done mechanically
300 0.30 by means of mixing apparatus as specified in
250 O-25 5.4. Place the dry paddle and the dry bowl in
020
the mixing position in the mixer, then introduce
200
0’15
the materials for batch into the bowl and mix in
100
0’10
the following manner:
50
20 0’05 a) Place all the mixing water in the bowl;
10 O-04 b) Add the masonry cement to the water,
5 o-03 then start the mixer and mix at the
2 0.02 slow speed ( 140 & 5 rev/min ) for 30 ‘s;
1 O-01
c) Add the entire quantity of sand slowly
over a period of 30 s, while mixing at
5.3 Cu be Mo u ld s - Cube mould of 50 mm size slow speed ( 140 f 5 rev/min);
and accessories conformiq to IS : 10086-1982*.
5.4 P la n e ta ry Mix e r - Planetary mixer confor-
4 Stop rhe mixer, change to medium
speed (285 * IO rev/min ), and .mix
ming to IS : 10890-1984t. for 30 s;
5.5 F lo w Ta ble a n d Ac c e s s o rie s - Flow table
and accessories conforming to IS : 5512-1983% 4 Stop the mixer, and let the mortar
stand for one and a half minutes.
5.6 Ta m p in g Ro d - Tamping rod conforming During the first 15 s of this interval,
to 6.1 (c) of IS : 10086-1982*. quickly scrap down into the batch any
mortar that may have collected on the
6. P REP ARATION OF MOU LD S side of the bowl, then for the remainder
of this interval, cover the bowl with
6.1 The interior faces of the specimen moulds the lid;
shall be thinly covered with mineral oil or light
cup grease. After assembling the moulds, f ) Finish by mixing for one minute at
excessive oil or grease shall be removed from medium speed ( 285 f 10 revjmin );
and
*Specification for moulds for use in tests of cement
and concrete. d In cases requiring further remixing, any
mortar adhering to the side of the
tSpecification for planetary mixer used in tests of
cement and pozzolana. bowl shall be quickly scra.ped down
SSpecification for ffow table for use in tests of into the batch with the scraper prior to
hydraulic cements and pozzolanic materials (firsr remixing which is to be continued till
revision). a uniform mortar is obtained.

2
 IS:403L(Part7)-1988

Upon the completion of mixing, the miiing the mortar batch. Place a layer of mortar
paddle shall,be shaken to ‘remove excess? mortar about 25 mrh in thickness in all the cube
into the mixing bowl. compartments, Tamp the mortar in each cube
compartment 32 times in about lOs, in four
7.3.2 Carefully wipe the flow-table top clean, rounds, each .round to be at right angles to ,ihe
and dry and place ,the mould. at the centre. other and consisting. of eight adjoining 1strokes
Place about 25 mm thick layer of mortar mixed over the surface of the specimen as illustra?ed in
in accordance with 7.3.1 in the mould and lamp Fig. 1. The -tanbping pressure shall be just
20,times with the tamping rod. The tamping sutficient to ensure uniform filling of the moulds.
pressure shall be just sufficient to ensure uniform The four rounds of tamping:( 32 strokes ) of: .the
filling of the mould. Then fill the-mould with mortar shall be completed in an& cube ,bef’ore
mortar and tamp-as specified for the first, -layer. going to the next. When the tamping. of ,the
Cut off the excess mortar to a plane iurf?ce,flush first layer in all of the cube compartments is
with the top of the mould by drawing the,straight completed, fill the compartments with the
edge of a trowel ( held .nearly perpendicular remaining mortar and then tamp as speci5ed for
to the mould ) with a sawing motion .across the the first layer. During -tamping bf the second
top of the mould. Wipe the table toi clean and layer, bring’ in the mortar forced ,dttt on to the
dry, particularly taking care td reillove anjr,waJer tops of tbe moulds after each round of tampihg
from around the edge of the flow mould. Lift by means of the gloved fingers and the tatiper
the mould away from the mortar one minute upon completion of each round and before
after completion of the mixing operatiqn. Imme- starting the next round of tamping. On com-
diately drop.the table through a height, of 12’5 pletion of the tamping, the tops of all cubes
mm, 25 times in 15 s. The flow is the resulting should extend slightly above the tops sf the
increase in average base diameter of ,the mortar moulds. Bring in the mortar that has been forced
mass, measured on ,at least four diaheters at out on ta the tops of the moulds with a trowel
approximately equi-spaced intervals expressed as and. smooth off the cubes by drawing the flat
a percentage of the briginal base diameter. side of the trowel, ( with the leading edge slightly
7.4 The material for moulding each ba$ch of raised ) once across the top of each cube at right
test specimens shall be, mixed-separately using angles to the length of the mould. Then for the
the quantities of dry materials, conforming to purpose of.. levelling the mortar and making the
the proportions specified in 7.2 and the-quantity m&tar that protrudes above the top of the
of water as determined in 7.3. Mixing of mortar mould of more uniform thickness, draw the flat
shall be done mechnically as described in 7.3.1. side of the trowel with the leading edge slightly
raised) lightly once along the length of the
8. MOULDING OF SPECIMENS mould. Cut off the mortar to a plane surface
8.1 Immediately following completion of the 5ush with the top of the mould by drawing the
flow tesf, feturn the mortar from the flow mould straight edge of the trowel (held nearly prependi-
to the mlxmg bowl. Quickly scrape down into cular to the mould) with a sawing motion over
the batch the mortar that may have collected on the length of the mould.
the side of the bowl and give the entire batch a NOTE-When a duplicate batch ir to be made
15 s mixing at medium speed ( 285 f IO rev/ immediately for additional specimens, the repctltion
min). Start moulding the specimens within a of flow teat may be omitted and the mortar allowed
to stand in the mixing bowl for 90 s and then remixed
total elapsed time of not more than 2 min and for 15 s at medium speed before starting the moulding
15 s after completion of the original mixing of of the specimens.

ROUNDS 1 AND 3 ROUNDS 2 AND 4

FIG. 1 ORDER OF TAMPING FOR MOULDING TESTSPECIMENS

9. STORAGE AND CURING OF SPECIMENS on plane plates in a moist cabinet, maintained
9 .1 All test specimens, immediately after mo$d- at a temperature of 27 f 2°C and a relative
ing and compaction, shall be kept in the moulds humidity of 90 percent or more, from 48 to 91 h

3
IS : 4 0 3 1 i Part 7 ) - 1 9 8 8

in such a manner that the upper surfaces shall 10.2.1 The cubes shall be tested on their sides
be exposed to the moist air. The cubes shall then without any packing between the cube and the
be removed from the moulds and placed in the steel plattens of the electrically operated testing
moist cabinet for five days in such a manner as machine. One of the plattens shall be carried
to allow free circulation of an around at least five on a base and shall be self-adjusting. An initial
faces of the specimens PIfter five days curing loading up to one-half of the expected maximum
in moist cabinet, the cubes for ‘I-day com- load for specimens having expected maximum
pressive strength shall be removed for testing loads of more than 13 500 N may be applied at
whereas the cubes for 28-day compressive any convenient rate. Apply no initial loading
strength test shall be immersed in clean water to specimens having expected maximum loads of
for another twenty-one days in storage tanks of less than 13 500 N. Adjust the rate of load
non-corrosive materials. without interruption so that the breaking strength
10. TESTING of the cube is reached in not less than 20 s and
not more than 80 s. Make no adjustment in the
1 0 .1 Test not less than three cubes for com- control of the testing machine while a specimen
pressive strength for each of the curing periods is yielding rapidly immediately before failure.
of 7 and -28 days as indicated in 9.1, the periods
being reckoned from the completion of moulding 1 1 . CALCULATION
and compaction.
1 1 .1 Th e measured compressive strength of the
10.2 Testing of the cube specimens shall be cubes shall be calculated by dividing the maximum
carried out immediately aft& their removal from load applied to the cubes during the test by the
the moist cabinet for 7-day specimens, and from cross-sectional area, calculated from the mean
storage water for all other specimens If more dimensions of the section and shall be expressed
than one specimen at a time is removed from the to the nearest 0’5 Nlmm2. In determining the
moist cabinet for 7-day tests, these cubes shall be compressive strength, do not consider specimens
covered with a damp cloth until the time of that are manifestly faulty, or that give strengths
testing. If more than one specimen at a time is differing by more than 10 percent from the
removed from storage water for testing, these average value of all test specimens. After dis-
cubes shall be placed in a pan of water at a carding specimens or strength values, if less than
temperature of 2Y f 2°C and of sufficient depth two strength values are left for determining the
to completely immerse each cube until the time compressive strength at any given period, a
of testing. retest shall be made.