[LAB IN YOUR GRASP] "CHARACTERIZATION TEST: CEMENT DENSITY TEST"

Summary

In this video, Adlizie and Panglima from the Geopolymer Research Consortium LBE Green Concrete demonstrate a unique lab test for determining the density of Portland cement. The process involves using specific tools, including a Pyrex volumetric flask and digital scale, to measure the cement's weight in a series of steps, including adding kerosene and removing air bubbles. The test's results, including weights W1, W2, and W3, are used to calculate the cement's density, which in this case is 2.97. This hands-on demonstration offers valuable insight into concrete mix design formulation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Adlizie and Panglima are researchers at the Geopolymer Research Consortium LBE Green Concrete.
• 😀 The video demonstrates a unique cement density test for mix design formulation.
• 😀 Portland cement is a key material in concrete, mixed with gravel, sand, and water to form construction material.
• 😀 Before using Portland cement in concrete, it must be tested for characteristics like density.
• 😀 This cement density test uses a weight-based unit, unlike ASTM C188, which uses a volumetric unit.
• 😀 The test involves three key weights: W1, W2, and W3, to calculate the cement density.
• 😀 The tools required for the test include a 250 ml Pyrex volumetric flask, wooden stick, pipette, glass funnel, digital scale, iron bowl, plastic spoon, and kerosene.
• 😀 To begin the test, 50 grams of cement are weighed and placed in an iron bowl to determine W1.
• 😀 Kerosene is poured into the flask up to a specific line, and its weight is recorded to get W2.
• 😀 The cement is added to the flask, kerosene is topped up, and air bubbles are removed by turning the base of the flask, before weighing the flask again to get W3.
• 😀 The final cement density is calculated using the three weights (W1, W2, and W3), yielding a result of 2.97.
• 😀 The test should be repeated to obtain a mean value for accurate results.
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Q & A

What is the purpose of the cement density test?

The cement density test is used to determine the density of Portland cement, which is essential for formulating the correct mix design for concrete.

How does the cement density test differ from ASTM C188?

Unlike ASTM C188, which uses a volumetric unit to measure cement density, this test uses a weight-based unit for more precise calculations.

What materials are required for conducting the cement density test?

The materials required for the test include Portland cement, a Pyrex 250 mL volumetric flask, wooden stick, pipette, glass funnel, digital scale, iron bowl, plastic spoon, and kerosene.

Why is kerosene used in the cement density test?

Kerosene is used as a displacement liquid to fill the volumetric flask around the cement. It helps in determining the volume occupied by the cement and aids in accurate density calculation.

How do you ensure accurate results when performing the cement density test?

To ensure accurate results, it is important to eliminate air bubbles from the cement by gently rotating the flask and repeating the test multiple times to obtain a mean value.

What are the three key weights measured during the test?

The three key weights measured during the cement density test are W1 (weight of the cement), W2 (weight of the flask with kerosene), and W3 (weight of the flask with cement and kerosene).

What is the significance of the three weights W1, W2, and W3 in the density calculation?

W1 represents the weight of the cement, W2 is the weight of the flask with kerosene, and W3 is the weight after adding the cement and more kerosene. These values are used in a formula to calculate the cement's density.

What is the formula used to calculate the cement density?

The formula to calculate cement density is: Density = (W3 - W2) / W1, where W1, W2, and W3 are the weights obtained during the test.

Why is it important to remove air bubbles from the cement in the test?

Air bubbles can distort the results by affecting the volume measurement. Removing the bubbles ensures that the volume of the cement is accurately represented for precise density calculation.

What should be done after obtaining the initial density result?

After obtaining the initial density result, the test should be repeated to get a consistent mean value, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the measurement.