Laboratory No.

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CEMENT

Theory

Cement is usually subjected to compressive stresses when used in the form of concrete or
mortar. Mortar is a mixture of cement and sand in a specified ratio on which the strength of the
mortar depends. Mortar and compression strength are directly proportional but it does affect each
other. The mixture of sand and cement in water is generally weak in tension and is strong in
compression that is why when the concrete is subjected to tensile forces then it is provided with
steel rods in area of tension that is why it is then called as reinforced concrete. Therefore it is
obvious the mortar will be strong in compression as compared to tension.

Mortar is generally used for brick masonry and plastering. In first case the mortar is
subjected to very high compressive loads such as the load of the wall above it, therefore it is very
much necessary to test the mortar for its compressive strength. For this purpose required cement-
sand mixture is prepared before its use and after certain period of curing it is tested. The strength
of the mortar depends upon the fineness of cement, the gradation of sand and the most important
factor which water-cement ratio. If any one of the above factors is not according to the ASTM-
Standard then the strength of mortar is badly affected.

The standards of ASTM are provided for different ratios of mixture with which the test
results are compared and then decided for its use. These values are taken when the mortar is just
removed from curing. The compressive strength of a cement mortars is determined in order to
verify whether the cement conforms to IS specifications and whether it will be able to develop
the required compressive strength of concrete. The average compressive strength of at least three
mortar cubes (area of the face 50cm! ) composed of one part of cement and three parts of
standard stand should satisfy IS code specification.

Objective

Determine the compressive strength of standard cement mortar cubes compacted by

means of standard vibration machine.
Materials and Equipment

• Cube molds
• Sand
• Vibration Machine
• Shovel
• Graduated Cylinder
• Beaker

Methodology

Test Procedure for compressive strength of cement:

1. The mortar of cement and sand is prepared. The ratio is 1:3. It indicates that 1g of cement
is mixed with 3g of sand.
2. The water is added to the mortar. The water cement ratio is kept as 0.4 which means (X)
g of water is added to dry mortar.
3. The mortar is placed in molds. The test specimens are in the form of cubes with side as
70.6 mm or 76 mm. The molds are of metal and they are constructed in such a way that
the specimens can be easily taken out without being damaged. For 70.6 mm and 76 mm
cubes, the cement required is 185 g and 235 g respectively. The mortar, after being
placed in the molds, is compacted in vibrating machine for 2 minutes.
4. The molds are placed in a damp cabin for 1 day.
5. The next process is curing. The specimen is removed from molds and gradually put into
clear water.
6. The cubes are then tested in compression testing machine at the end of 3 days and 7 days.
The testing of cubes is carried out on their three sides without packing. Thus three cubes
are tested each time to find out the compressive strength at the end of 3 days and 7 days.
The average value is then worked out. During the test, the load is to be applied uniformly
at the rate of 350 kg/cm2 or 35 N/mm2.
7. The compressive strength of cement at the end of 3 days should not be less than 115
kg/cm2 or 11.50 N/mm2 and that at the end of 7 days should not be less than 175 kg/cm2
or 17.50 N/mm2.

Results and Analysis

Number of Days Compressive Strength (KN/s)

27 72.85
28 138.45
 The compressive strength of the mold that was submerged for twenty-seven days is 72.85
KN/s, while the other compressive strength of molds that was submerged for twenty-eight days
is 138.45 KN/s.

After the experiment that was conducted, the group therefore concludes that the more
days that the molds were submerged the higher compressive strength it takes.

DOCUMENTATION
 Republic of the Philippines

Batangas State University

College of Engineering, Architecture and Fine Arts

Civil and Sanitary Engineering Department

LABORATORY REPORT NO. 5

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CEMENT

GROUP 3 GROUP 7

Alano, Aldin Z. Albuera, Queency Lovely C.

Bautista, Gian Carlo B. Alcantara, Jora Marie H.

Delen, Edriel Royce P. Dapoc, Shiela Mae S.

Laylo, Angelika Joy E. De Chavez, Mhagie J.

Panopio, Andrea Jorizze G. Fundan, Estefany S.

De Jesus, Jan Hendrick Recana, Marielle C.

December 9, 2017