HOW TO CHECK SOUNDNESS OF CEMENT BY LEE-CHATELIERS MATHOD (IS:4031-(PART 3)-1988) ?

In the soundness test a specimen of hardened cement paste is boiled for a fixed time so that any tendency to expand is speeded up and can be detected. Soundness means the ability to resist volume expansion.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the soundness of hardened cement paste by le-Chateliers method.

APPARATUS

• Le-Chateliers Apparatus : The size of apparatus should be made as per IS: 5514.

• Water Bath : The water bath should have a minimum temperature 100 with an accuracy of 1. 

• Caliper : The measuring length of caliper is 30 cm with 0.5 mm accuracy.

• Measuring Cylinder : The volume of measuring cylinder is 100 ml with an accuracy of 1 ml.

• Balance : The should weigh 100 g accurately with an accuracy of 1 g.

• Glass sheets (2 nos), Enamel tray, trowel are the other apparatus required for test.

PROCEDURE

• The mould is placed on a glass sheet and is filled with neat cement paste formed by gauging 100 g cement with 0.78 times the water required to give a paste of standard consistency. 

• The mould is covered with a glass sheet and a small weight is placed on the covering glass sheet. 

• The mould is then submerged in the water at temperature of 27°-32°C. 

• After 24 hours, the mould is taken out and the distance separating the indicator points is measured to the nearest 0.5 mm (L1). 

• The mould is again submerged in water. The water is now boiled for 3 hours. 

• The mould is removed from water and is cooled down. 

• The distance between the indicator points is measured again to the nearest of 0.5 mm (L2). 

• The difference between the two measurements represents the unsoundness of cement.

CALCULATION

The difference between the two  measurements to the nearest of 0.5 mm represents the unsoundness of cement.

Soundness Of Cement = L₁-L₂

PRECAUTIONS

• All the measurements should be done accurately.

• Extra pressure should not apply while filling the moulds.

• During boiling water level should not fall below the height of the mould.

STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS

Type/Name of cement	Reference Indian standard	Expansion (max.)
OPC (33)	IS:269-1989	10 mm
OPC (43)	IS:8112-1989	10 mm
OPC (53)	IS:12269-1987	10 mm
Rapid hardening	IS:8041-1990	10 mm
Low heat cement	IS:12600-1989	10 mm
Super sulphated	IS:6909-1990	5 mm
Portland pozzolana	IS:1489-1991(part 1)	10 mm
PSC	IS:455-1976	10 mm
High alumina cement	IS:6452-1989	5 mm
SRC	IS:12330-1988	10 mm
Masonry cement	IS:3466-1988	10 mm
IRS-T-40	Railway standards	5 mm