Determination of Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by the No.

200 Sieve

EXPERIMENT NO. 2

INTRODUCTION

The fineness of cement has an important bearing on the rate of hydration and
hence on the rate of gain of strength and also on the rate of evolution of heat. Finer
cement offers a greater surface area for hydration and hence faster the
development of strength. The fineness of grinding has increased over the years. But
now it has got nearly stabilized. Different cements are ground to different fineness.
The disadvantages of fine grinding is that it is susceptible to air set and early
deterioration. Maximum number of particles in a sample of cement should have a
size less than about 100 microns. Increase in fineness of cement is also found to
increase the drying shrinkage of concrete.
Fineness of cement is tested in two ways :(a) By sieving.(b) By determination
of specific surface If the cement is fine then greater is its cohesiveness, which is the
property, required in the concrete because it gives compactness to the concrete.
Usually cement loses 10% of its strength within one month of its manufacturing. The
finer cement have quicker action with water and gain early strengths, though the
ultimate strength is not affected.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the fineness of hydraulic cement using the number 200 (0.075 mm)
sieve
ESSENTIAL MATERIALS and APPARATUS

Sample of Portland Cement

Vicats Apparatus
Weighing Scale

PROCEDURE

1. Place at least 100 grams

cement sample on the clean dry
No. 200 sieve (0.075 mm) with
the pan attached.

2. Start sieving with a gentle

wrist motion until most of the
fine
material
has
passed
through the sieve and the
residue appears fairly clean for
a period of 4 minutes.

3. Place the cover on the sieve

and remove the pan.
Then
gently tap the side of the sieve
to dislodge dust adhering to the
sieve.

Graduated Cylinder
Spatula

4. Empty the pan and wipe it.

Then replace the sieve on the
pan, and carefully remove the
cover.
Return
any
coarse
material that has been caught
in the cover during the tapping
of the sieve.

5. Continue the sieving without

the cover as described in
procedure #2 for 5 to 10
minutes depending on the
condition of the cement. The
gentle wrist motion involves no
danger in spilling the residue,
which shall be kept well spread
on the sieve. Replace the cover
and clean, following the same
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Determination of Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by the No. 200 Sieve

process
as
described
in
procedure #2. If the cement is
in
proper
condition,
there
should now be no appreciable

EXPERIMENT
NO. residue
2
dust remaining
in the
nor adhering to the sieve or
pan.

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RESULTS

TRIAL

1
2
3

SAMPLE
WEIGHT (g)
100
100
100

WEIGHT
RETAINED (g)
14
12.4
11.7

FINENESS
MODULUS
86%
87.6%
88.3%

REMARKS, SAFETY, and PRECAUTIONS

Care shall be taken to maintain the equal motion of the hands in order for the
cement to be sieved properly.
The time of gauging should not be less than 3 minutes and not more than 5
minutes.
The test should be conducted at room temperature 27C +/- 2C
Cover your mouth with a mask or a towel in order for the cement not to be
inhaled.
Wash your hands immediately in order to wash away the cement particles.
Make sure to clean all the apparatus so as not to let the cement dry and
block the holes of the sieve.

DOCUMENTATION

CONCLUSION

Strength develops on the concrete as hydration takes place. This is why for
rapid development of strength high fineness of cement is necessary.

The workability of non air-entrained concrete is increased by increasing the

cement fineness.

The 28-day compressive strength of concrete, with or without

entrained air, increases with an increase in cement fineness.

The fineness of cement has an important bearing on the rate of

hydration and hence on the rate of gain of strength and also on the
rate of evolution of heat. Finer cement offers a greater surface area for
hydrationand hence faster the development of strength. The fineness
of grinding has increased over the years. Butnow it has got nearly
stabilised. Different cements are ground to different fineness.