HACETTEPE UNIVERSITY
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
LABORATORY I: TESTS ON PORTLAND CEMENTS
The tests conducted within the laboratory session are shown below.
ASTM C109 Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars
(Using 2-in. or [50-mm] Cube Specimens)
ASTM C150 Standard Specification for Portland Cement
ASTM C187 Standard Test Method for Amount of Water Required for Normal Consistency
of Hydraulic Cement Paste
ASTM C188 Standard Test Method for Density of Hydraulic Cement
ASTM C191 Standard Test Methods for Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement by Vicat
Needle
ASTM C204 Standard Test Methods for Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by Air-Permeability
Apparatus
ASTM C305 Standard Practise for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement Pastes and
Mortars of Plastic Consistency
ASTM C348 Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Hydraulic-Cement Mortars
ASTM C1437 Standard Test Method for Flow of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
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Assume that you were received three different cement samples (Cement A, Cement B and
Cement C) from a company and you were asked to determine the compressive strength of their
mortar according to ASTM C 109 at 28th day. At the end, you reached the results shown in the
following table.
Cement A
Cement B
Cement C
[kN]
[kN]
[kN]
1
88.2
60.4
46.2
2
75.4
62.7
47.4
3
80.4
61.9
49.6
Type
No
Average [MPa]
You have to prepare a report about the determination of the compressive strength of
portland cement mortar. Remember that, in that report, the procedure, methodology followed
and materials should be mentioned, also. That report should include all the procedure from the
beginning to the end. In the discussion of results, please do not forget to compare the cement
samples, and discuss the possible reasons for deviations, if any.
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