How to Check Cement Quality on Site

How to Check Cement Quality

Cement quality checks also called field tests on cement are carried out to check the quality of cement supplied at the site. This check provides an idea of cement quality based on color, touch and feel, and other tests.

The following are tests used for cement quality check on site,

1. Color Test of Cement

The cement should be uniform throughout the bag. It should be a grey or light greenish shade.

2. Presence of Lumps

The cement must be free from small lumps. Such lumps are formed due to the absorption of moisture from the atmosphere. If any bag is found to have such types of lumps should be rejected.

How to Check Cement Quality
Lumps in cement

3. Cement smoothness Test

The cement should give a smooth feeling when touched or rubbed in between fingers and if it is felt rough, it indicates adulteration with sand.

4. Cement Temperature Test

As you immerse your hand in cement it should feel cement feels cool and not warm.

Read More: All Cement Tests and Their Procedure

5. Float Test/ Water Sinking Test

For this test, you should throw some small or handful quantity of cement into the full of water bucket then you can notice the cement particles float for some time before sinking it.

6. Setting Test

In this test, cement is mixed with water and made into a paste on a piece of a glass plate. This thick paste is kept underwater for 24 hours. It should set and not crack.

7. Strength of Cement Test

How to Check Cement Quality
Strength of cement test

A cement block of size 25 mm ×25 mm and 200 mm long is prepared and it is immersed for 7 days in water. After that, it is placed on supports 15cm apart and it is loaded with a weight of about 34 kg. The Cement block should not show signs of failure.

8. Date of Packing

We know that the strength of cement reduces with time, so it is important to check the manufacturing date of the cement. Normally the cement should be used 90 days from the date of manufacturing.

Points to Check on a Cement Bag Before Buying

How to Check Cement Quality on Site
Cement Bag Details

1. Check the Manufacturer Name and Trademark

On a cement bag, you have to check the manufacturer’s name and its registered trademark. If the name and trademark are not properly printed or there is any spelling mistake, then the cement bag may be duplicated.

2. IS Mark

We must check the ISI mark printed in black color on the cement bags. The ISI mark ensures about quality of cement that meets the requirements as per Indian standards or that the cement packed in the bag has fulfilled every requirement of the specifications.

3. Cement Grade

We must check the grade and type of cement printed on a cement bag. On the cement bag’s front side there should be mentioned OPC 53 words also.

For example ‘Ordinary Portland Cement, 53 Grade ’Ordinary Portland Cement, 53-S Grade whichever is applicable.

4. Cement Brand Name

Specified brand name of Cement bag. It is important to check cement is of a reputable brand. We must also verify the delivery sheet provided by the brand, to know the technical details of the product.

5. MRP of Cement Bag

MRP (maximum retail price) Check is also important to check on a cement bag. The supplier or manufacturer can fool us by selling the cement bag for a price more than MRP.

Therefore verifying the MRP before buying the cement bag will help the consumer to avoid any kind of fraud.

6. Use No Hooks

On the Standard brand of Cement, there is a printed ‘Use no Hooks’ or symbol on the cement bag.

7. Batch/Control Unit Number

Check there should be batch/control unit numbers in terms of the week; the month and year of packing must be printed on the cement bag.

It is secure to use a cement bag that is recently packed, usually less than 3 months.

8. Additive Details

Check if the type and percentage of performance improver are added and if added must be printed on the cement bag.

9. Reference IS Code

Reference IS code number should be printed on the cement bag. For example, if you have ordered OPC 53 grade cement, then “IS-12269-1987” should be printed on the cement bag.

if you have ordered Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), “IS 1489-1991” should be printed on the cement bags.

The above-mentioned points are essential to check on a cement bag, before buying it. This information will help you to ensure the cement bags are from a standard manufacturer.

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