Soundness test of cement by Le Chatelier

Method of Soundness test by Le Chatelier

The soundness of cement can be defined as the change in volume after hardened. The Le Chatelier Method for determining the Soundness of cement are given below :

Test standard : IS 4031-Part 3 : 1988

Test appratus :

• Weighing Balance
• Le-Chatelier Mould
• Constant temperature water bath
• Glass sheets
• Lubrication oil.

Test Procedure :

• Maintain the testing room temperature and relative humidity of 27± 2 °C and 65± 5%.
• Place the lightly oiled on the Le-Chatelier mould and glass sheet.
• Mix the cement paste with 0.78 times the water required to given a paste of standard consistency. After mixing fill cement paste in mould by gauging cement.
• Cover the mould with lightly oiled glass sheet, place a small weight on this covering glass sheet and immediately submerge the whole assembly in water at a temperature of 27± 2 °CC for 24 hours.
• Remove the whole assembly from water and Measure the distance separating the two indicator points to the nearest 0.5mm (Say A1, mm).
• Submerge the mould again in water bath at a temperature of 27± 2 C & bring the water to boiling for 25 to 30 minutes. After start boiling, mould kept boiling for 3 hours.
• Remove the mould from the water, allow it to cool & measure the distance between the indicator points (Say A2, mm).

Soundness of cement (mm) = A2-A1

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