Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement, Part 1: Determination of fineness by dry sieving

IS 4031 Part 1: Scope Summary

• Scope: Specifies methods for physical testing of hydraulic cement — primarily focusing on sampling and selection of test specimens.
• Rounding Off: Final test results must be rounded as per IS 2:1960 (Rules for rounding numerical values), maintaining the same significant figures as the standard’s specified values.
• Referenced Standards:

  IS No.	Title
  460 (Part 1 & 3)	Test sieves specification and aperture examination
  3535:1986	Sampling methods for hydraulic cements
  5165:1969	Interchangeable conical ground-glass joints

Key Points:

• Sampling and specimen selection are critical for test accuracy.
• Use standardized test sieves (wire cloth) as per IS 460.
• Follow IS 3535 for cement sampling protocol.
• Ensure proper rounding of results per IS 2.

This ensures uniformity and reliability in cement physical testing under IS 4031 Part 1.

flowchart TD
    A[Start: Cement Sample] --> B[Sampling as per IS 3535]
    B --> C[Test Specimen Selection]
    C --> D[Physical Testing using IS 460 Sieves]
    D --> E[Result Calculation]
    E --> F[Rounding off as per IS 2]
    F --> G[Final Test Report]

IS 4031 (Part 1): References and Key Specifications

1. Key Indian Standards Referenced (Clause 2.1)

2. Sieve Checking Procedure (Clause 4.4.1)

• Weigh ~10 g reference material (±0.01 g).
• Perform two sieving tests to get residues (P_1) and (P_2) (±0.1%).
• Acceptable difference: (|P_1 - P_2| \leq 0.3%).
• Mean residue (P = \frac{P_1 + P_2}{2}).
• Calculate sieve factor (F = \frac{R_r}{P}), where (R_r) is known residue on 90 µm mesh.
• Corrected residue: (R = R_{measured} \times F), with (F \approx 1.00 \pm 0.20).
• Check sieve every 100 uses.

3. Expression of Results (Clause 5)

• Report residue (R) on 90 µm sieve to nearest 0.1%.
• Standard deviation:
  • Repeatability ≈ 0.2%
  • Reproducibility ≈ 0.3%

Summary Diagram: Sieve Testing Process

flowchart TD
    A[Weigh 10 g reference material] --> B[Place in sieve]
    B --> C[Perform sieving twice]
    C --> D[Calculate residues P1 and P2]
    D --> E{Difference ≤ 0.3%?}
    E -- Yes --> F[Calculate mean P]
    E -- No --> G[Repeat test]
    F --> H[Calculate sieve factor F = Rr / P]
    H --> I[Correct residue R = R_measured × F]

Sampling & Selection of Test Specimens (IS 4031 Part 1)

• Reference Standard for Sampling:
  Sampling of cement must follow IS 3535:1986 ("Methods of sampling hydraulic cements").

• Key Points:

  • Take representative samples as per IS 3535.
  • Thoroughly mix the sample before testing to ensure uniformity.
  • Final test results must be rounded off according to IS 2:1960 (same decimal places as specified values).

• Test Sieves:
  Use wire cloth test sieves complying with:

  • IS 460 (Part 1): 1985 – Wire cloth test sieves
  • IS 460 (Part 3): 1985 – Examination of sieve apertures

Summary Table: Sampling & Specimen Selection

Rounding Rule (IS 2:1960)

• Round off the final test value to the same number of decimal places as the specified value in the standard.

This ensures uniformity and reliability in test specimen selection and result reporting.

IS 4031 Part 1: Sieving Method Key Points

Test Sieve Specifications (Clause 4.2.1)

• Frame: Cylindrical, 150–200 mm diameter, 40–100 mm depth.
• Mesh: 90 µm woven stainless steel cloth (abrasion-resistant, non-corrodible).
• Standards: Sieve cloth per IS 460 (Part 1 & 3) - 1985.
• Accessories: Tray below and lid above to prevent material loss.

Reference Standards (Clause 2.1)

Sampling (Clause 3.1)

• Follow IS 3535:1986 for cement sampling.
• Mix sample thoroughly before testing.

Material for Checking Sieve (Clause 4.3)

• Use standard reference material with known sieve residue.
• Store in airtight containers, labeled with sieve residue.

Typical Sieving Procedure Summary:

1. Place sample on sieve.
2. Cover with lid, place tray below.
3. Shake or vibrate sieve for specified time.
4. Weigh residue retained on sieve.
5. Calculate % residue = (Weight retained / Total sample weight) × 100.

Formula for Sieve Residue Percentage:

[ \text{Sieve Residue %} = \frac{W_r}{W_t} \times 100 ]

• (W_r) = Weight of material retained on sieve (g)
• (W_t) = Total sample weight (g)

flowchart LR
    A[Sample Preparation] --> B[Place Sample on Sieve]
    B --> C[Cover with Lid & Place Tray]
    C --> D[Shake/Vibrate Sieve]
    D --> E[Weigh Retained Material]
    E --> F[Calculate % Residue]

This ensures consistent, reproducible particle size analysis per IS 4031 Part 1.

IS 4031 Part 1 — Test Sieve Key Specifications

• Sieve Frame: Cylindrical, diameter 150–200 mm, depth 40–100 mm, made of firm, durable, non-corrodible metal.

• Sieve Cloth:

  • Mesh size: 90 µm (microns)
  • Material: Woven stainless steel or equivalent abrasion-resistant, non-corrodible wire.
  • Must comply with IS 460 (Part 1 & 3):1985 for wire cloth specifications and aperture examination.
  • Free from visible irregularities under optical inspection (IS 460 Part 3).

• Accessories: Tray below and lid above the sieve to prevent material loss during sieving.

Reference Standards

Key Use & Checking Procedure

• Purpose: Measure cement fineness by determining residue retained on the 90 µm sieve.
• Checking: Use a standard reference material with known sieve residue, stored airtight to prevent contamination.
• Formula for fineness (by residue):

[ \text{Fineness} = \frac{\text{Weight retained on 90 µm sieve}}{\text{Total sample weight}} \times 100% ]

flowchart TD
    A[Cement Sample] --> B[Test Sieve (90 µm)]
    B --> C[Residue on Sieve]
    B --> D[Passing Material]
    C --> E[Weigh Residue]
    E --> F[Calculate % Residue = (Residue/Total) * 100]

This ensures consistent, standardized measurement of cement particle size distribution.

IS 4031 Part 1: Material for Checking the Sieve (Clause 4.3)

• Reference Material: Use a standard reference material with a known sieve residue to verify sieve accuracy.
• Storage: Store this material in sealed, airtight containers to prevent changes from atmospheric absorption or deposition.
• Labeling: Containers must be clearly marked with the known sieve residue percentage of the reference material.

Test Sieve Specifications (Clause 4.2.1)

• Frame: Cylindrical, 150–200 mm diameter, 40–100 mm depth, made of non-corrodible metal.
• Mesh: Woven stainless steel wire cloth with 90 µm aperture.
• Compliance: Must meet IS 460 (Part 1 & 3) standards.
• Accessories: Tray below and lid above the sieve to prevent material loss during sieving.

Key Reference IS Standards (Clause 2.1)

Summary Diagram: Sieve Checking Process

flowchart TD
    A[Reference Material with Known Residue] --> B[Stored in Airtight Container]
    B --> C[Mark Container with Residue %]
    C --> D[Use Material to Check Sieve]
    D --> E[Test Sieve (90 µm mesh)]
    E --> F[Ensure Sieve meets IS 460 Standards]

Note: The fineness of cement is checked by sieving; the reference material ensures sieve accuracy and repeatability of tests.

Determination of Cement Residue (IS 4031 Part 1 - Clause 4.4.1)

Procedure Summary:

• Agitate 10 g cement sample in a stoppered jar for 2 min; wait 2 min.
• Gently stir powder to distribute fines.
• Place sample on 90 μm IS sieve; agitate manually until no more fines pass.
• Weigh residue (R1) to nearest 0.01 g.
• Repeat with a fresh 10 g sample to get R2.
• Calculate mean residue:
  [ R = \frac{R_1 + R_2}{2} % ]
• If difference > 1%, perform a third test and take mean of three.

Sieve Checking (Clause 4.4.2):

• Use reference material with known residue ( R_r ).
• Obtain two residues ( P_1 ), ( P_2 ) by sieving.
• Check difference ( |P_1 - P_2| \leq 0.3% ).
• Calculate sieve factor ( F = \frac{R_r}{P} ), where ( P = \frac{P_1 + P_2}{2} ).
• Correct residue:
  [ R_{corrected} = R \times F ]
• Check sieve every 100 tests.

Precision:

• Repeatability SD ≈ 0.2%
• Reproducibility SD ≈ 0.3%

Key Points:

flowchart TD
    A[Take 10g cement sample] --> B[Agitate in jar 2 min]
    B --> C[Wait 2 min]
    C --> D[Stir powder gently]
    D --> E[Place on 90μm sieve]
    E

IS 4031 Part 1: Checking the Sieve - Key Points

Test Sieve Specifications (Clause 4.2.1)

• Frame: Cylindrical, 150-200 mm diameter, 40-100 mm depth
• Mesh: 90 µm woven stainless steel cloth (abrasion-resistant, non-corrodible)
• Compliance: IS 460 (Part 1 & 3) for wire cloth and aperture uniformity
• Accessories: Tray below and lid above to prevent material loss

Reference Material (Clause 4.3)

• Use a standard reference material with known sieve residue
• Store in airtight sealed containers to prevent moisture or contamination
• Containers must be marked with sieve residue value

Procedure for Checking Sieve (Clause 4.4.2)

1. Shake cement sample in a stoppered jar for 2 minutes to disperse lumps.
2. Wait for 2 minutes.
3. Stir gently with a clean dry rod to distribute fines evenly.

Relevant IS Standards (Clause 2.1)

Summary Diagram: Sieve Checking Process

flowchart TD
    A[Prepare Cement Sample] --> B[Shake 2 min in Stoppered Jar]
    B --> C[Wait 2 min]
    C --> D[Stir Gently to Distribute Fines]
    D --> E[Pass Through 90 µm Sieve]
    E --> F[Measure Sieve Residue]
    F --> G[Compare with Reference Material]

This ensures accurate and repeatable sieve checking as per IS 4031 Part 1.

IS 4031 (Part 1) - Expression of Results Summary

• Rounding off: Final test or analysis values must be rounded as per IS 2:1960 rules, retaining the same significant figures as specified in IS 4031.

• Residue Reporting:
  Report residue on 90 µm sieve to the nearest 0.1%.

• Repeatability & Reproducibility:

  • Standard deviation of repeatability ≈ 0.2%
  • Standard deviation of reproducibility ≈ 0.3%

• Sieve Factor (F):
  Calculated as:
  [ F = \frac{R_r}{P} ]
  Where:

  • (R_r) = Known residue on 90 µm mesh of reference material
  • (P) = Mean residue from two determinations (P_1) and (P_2) (differ by ≤ 0.3%)
    Corrected residue:
    [ R = R_{measured} \times F ]
    (F) typically ranges 1.00 ± 0.20.

• Sieve Checking:
  Check sieve after every 100 uses to ensure accuracy.

Key Table Extract: Sieve Residue Check

flowchart TD
  A[Start] --> B[Weigh ~10g reference material]
  B --> C[Perform sieving twice]
  C --> D[Calculate residues P1 and P2]
  D --> E{Is |P1 - P2| ≤ 0.3%?}
  E -- Yes --> F[Calculate mean P = (P1+P2)/2]
  F --> G[Calculate sieve factor F = R

IS 4031 (Part 1) - Committee Composition & Key Specifications

Committee Composition (Annex A):
The Cement and Concrete Sectional Committee, CED 2, responsible for this standard, includes experts from:

• Academia (e.g., University of Roorkee)
• Cement Industry (The India Cements Ltd, Orissa Cement Ltd)
• Research Organizations (CSIR Structural Engineering Research Centre, Central Building Research Institute)
• Government Departments (Central Public Works Dept, Ministry of Transport)
• Testing & Quality Control Agencies (National Test House, Central Road Research Institute)
• Industry Representatives (Gammon India Ltd, Larsen & Toubro Ltd)
• BIS Director (Ex-officio Member)

Key Specifications:

• Sieve Checking (Clause 4.4.1):

  • Weigh ~10 g reference material (±0.01 g)
  • Perform two sieving tests, get residues (P_1) and (P_2) (±0.1%)
  • Acceptable difference: (|P_1 - P_2| \leq 0.3%)
  • Mean residue (P = (P_1 + P_2)/2) characterizes sieve condition
  • Calculate sieve factor:
    [ F = \frac{R_r}{P} ]
    where (R_r) = known residue on 90 µm mesh of reference material
  • Correct residue (R) by multiplying by (F) (typical (F = 1.00 \pm 0.20))
  • Check sieve after every 100 uses

• Reporting Residue:

  • Report residue on 90 µm sieve to nearest 0.1%
  • Repeatability SD ≈ 0.2%, Reproducibility SD ≈ 0.3%

Summary Table: Sieve Checking Procedure