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LAB4

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John Ryce Benjie Suerte
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8 views

LAB4

Uploaded by

John Ryce Benjie Suerte
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF CEMENT

(ASTM C188)

I. Introduction
➢ Definition
Specific gravity is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of cement to
the weight of an equal volume of water. It measures how much denser
cement is compared to water. Specific gravity is influenced by moisture
content, as cement can absorb atmospheric moisture. If the specific gravity
exceeds 3.19, it may indicate poor grinding or excess water, affecting the
cement’s bonding properties.

➢ Objectives
The main objectives of this test are:
✓ To determine the specific gravity of cement, which is essential
for mix proportioning calculations.
✓ To convert the mass of cement to volume accurately.

➢ Significance
The specific gravity of cement directly affects concrete density,
workability, and strength. Environmental conditions, especially humidity,
impact moisture content, which alters specific gravity. A precise measurement
is crucial to maintaining concrete quality and ensuring durability in construction
projects.

Standard Specifications/ Limit/Reference


Specifications
Specific Gravity for Portland Near 3.15
Cement

II. Apparatus

Le Chatelier Trowel Funnel

Weighing Balance
III. Procedure
1. Clean the Le Chatelier flask thoroughly, ensuring it is free from moisture.
Fill it with kerosene between 0mL and 1 mL mark and dry the inside
above the liquid level if necessary.

2. Immerse the flask in a water bath at a constant temperature for 30


minutes to stabilize. Record the initial volume reading after immersion.

3. Carefully introduce 64 grams of cement (accurate to 0.05 g) without


splashing, ensuring it does not stick to the inner walls above the liquid.
Place the stopper and gently swirl or roll the flask to remove air bubbles
until no more appear.

4. Immerse the flask again in the water bath for 30 minutes. Record the
final volume and calculate the specific gravity using the readings
IV. Computation

V. Results and Discussion

Weight of Initial Final Specific


Sample
Cement Volume Volume Gravity
No.
Sample
1 64 g 0 mL 20.8 mL 3.08
2 64 g 0 mL 21.5 mL 2.98
3 64 g 0 mL 21.2 mL 3.02
Average 3.03

VI. Conclusion
The specific gravity of Portland cement is typically around 3.15. Since
Holcim cement is a type of Portland cement, its specific gravity should be close
to this standard value. In our laboratory test, the average specific gravity
calculated from three samples of Conch cement was 3.03, which is within an
acceptable range and close to the standard.
In conclusion, since 3.03 is approximately 3.15, the cement meets the
required specification for construction use. This confirms that the tested cement
is suitable for producing strong and durable concrete structures. However,
regular testing of cement properties remains essential to ensure consistent
quality in infrastructure projects. Determining the specific gravity of cement is
crucial, as it helps assess the material’s density and behavior in water, which
directly impacts its performance in construction application.

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