Field test of Cement- 8 best methods to check the quality of cement at Site

Whenever there is work of construction, the best cement is the first and most necessary material to be available. But, when you are on-site or field then it is impossible or tough to “Field test of cement as a lab test whether it is of good quality or spoiled. Here I will show you the different steps for the Field test of cement.

However, you can’t use it if there is any sign of cement to be spoil. But, how can you recognize the sign?

So, here I am discussing some physical and simple practical ideas of testing cement at the construction site. Cement can be tested roughly by observing the color, feel touch, and appearance tests, etc.

Methods of Field test of Cement

The process of testing cement on construction sites is as follows.

  1. Date of manufacture test
  2. Lumps test
  3. Color test
  4. Rubbing Test
  5. Smell test of cement
  6. Temperature Test
  7. Float tests
  8. The strength of Cement Test
Field test of Cement
Field test of Cement

1) Date of manufacture test  

This is the first test you have to perform to check the manufacturing date of cement. As the strength of cement reduces with the time you should not use cement which is made a year ago. Generally, the date of manufacturing of cement should not be before 90 days.  

2) Lumps test    

This is the most important field test of cement. to check it, Take a bag of cement, and spread over the cemented or bricks ground. It should not contain any hard lumps.  

These types of lumps are formed by observing moisture from the atmosphere which does not gain the required strength in construction. So, you should immediately reject these types of cement if you found.

3) Color Test of Cement    

Check whether the color of cement is uniform and should be in Grey color with a light greenish shade.

If it’s color is not like that, then there may be excess of lime or clay present it which makes cement weak in strength. And uniformity indicates whether every component of cement has mixed properly or not. So, the color test is very necessary.  

4) Rubbing Test  

Take out some amount of cement from the bag by your hand and feel it. It should be smooth in rubbing. If it is not smooth then there is adulteration (not finely mixed) with a sand component in it.  

5) Smell test of cement  

Take a pinch of cement with your finger and smell it. It should not be the earthy smell. If this is earthy in smell then there is more amount of clay and silt has been mixed which makes cement weak.  

6) Temperature Test  

Insert your hand in the bag of cement deeply and feel whether it is cool or not. It should be a cool feeling. But if there is warm or hot, then there is a starting of hydration in it which will not be suitable for construction.  

7) Float Test  

Take a small quantity of cement and put it into a bucket of clean water. It should float for some time before it sinks. If it sinks immediately then there is moisture contained in it which makes cement hydration and loses their workability.  

8) The strength of Cement Test  

This is the most important test you should do for every nonstructural work for any structure you have given for supervision. For this make a block of cement having dimension 2.5 cm ×2.5 cm or (25 mm x 2.5 mm) and of length 200 mm long. Immerse it for seven days without disturbing it.  

After seven days put out and load 34 Newton of force on 150 mm apart from any side of the block. If the block didn’t break or fail to stand without rupture sign then the cement is of good quality otherwise it’s quality is low.  

But if you don’t have such types of arrangements then do the next process. Again make a block of mortar having cement, the sand ratio (1:6) of dimension 75 mm x 25 mm x 12 mm.   Immerse it for three days without disturbing.

After three days check the sound by hammering slowly with your finger or rocks. If there are quality sounds like metallic then the cement is considered to be good.  

In this way you can perferm the field test of cement at anytime.

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"Structural Engineer" with over 5 years of experience in estimation, structural design, and surveying. I am passionate about using his skills to create safe and sustainable structures. I am also a keen writer, and I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experiences with others.

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