The Pontifical and Royal

University of Santo Tomas

The Catholic University of the Philippines
Faculty of Engineering________________________________________________
Department of Civil Engineering Lab 6, Ground Floor, Fr. Roque Ruaño Bldg., España
Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines 1500
CE 414L: Testing of materials (632)406-1611 loc. 8516

EXPERIMENT NO. 2
SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF CEMENT

INTRODUCTION:
Concrete, one of the most-widely used construction materials, is composed of cement or binder,
aggregates and water. Each component should be tested for its suitability as concrete material. The most
commonly used binder is the Portland cement.

OBJECTIVE:
This experiment aims to determine the specific gravity of Portland cement, which can be used in the
design of concrete.

SPECIMEN:
2 sets of 64 grams of Portland cement

APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES:

1 Le Chatelier Flask
1 Liter of water-free kerosene
1 Long stem thermometer
1 Water-bath apparatus (a container with ice and water)
1 Funnel
1 Beaker
1 Spatula
1 Pan
Balance

PROCEDURE: Figure 2.1 –

Le Chatelier Flask
1. Avoid direct contact with cement because it may cause irritation.
2. Prepare 2 sets of 64 grams Portland cement. Be sure that the cement is free of lumps. Set aside.
3. Dry the Le Chatelier flask thoroughly.
4. Fill the flask with water-free kerosene between 0- and 1-ml marks.
5. Take the temperature of the kerosene. It should be 20±0.1°C. If not, water-bath the flask with kerosene
until the temperature drops to 20±0.1°C. Note that the volume of kerosene will change as the
temperature changes. Make the necessary volume adjustment of the kerosene maintaining the desired
flask reading of 0- to 1 ml. Record the initial flask reading.
6. Introduce the 64-gram cement into the flask with water-free kerosene. Cover the flask with stopper or by
means of your palm and turn it upside down until all the cement is mixed with the kerosene.
7. Remove the stopper. Tilt the flask by holding it on the neck and roll it until there are no bubbles trapped
in the solution.
8. Water-bath the solution until the temperature is 20±0.1°C. Take the final flask reading.
9. Compute the specific gravity of cement.

CE 414L: Testing of Materials | Experiment No. 2: Specific Gravity of Cement

CLEANING PROCEDURE:
1. After obtaining the necessary data, shake the flask and pour the contents into a pail or any designated
container. Remove the remaining cement inside the flask by using kerosene. If there is no more cement
inside the flask wash it with soap and water. DO NOT THROW THE SOLUTION INTO THE SINK FOR IT MAY
CAUSE CLOGGING OF DRAINAGE. Be careful in handling the flask because it is very fragile, especially the
neck part.
2. Dry the flask thoroughly before returning it.

CE 414L: Testing of Materials | Experiment No. 2: Specific Gravity of Cement

 The Pontifical and Royal
University of Santo Tomas
The Catholic University of the Philippines
Faculty of Engineering________________________________________________
Department of Civil Engineering Lab 6, Ground Floor, Fr. Roque Ruaño Bldg., España
Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines 1500
CE 414L: Testing of materials (632)406-1611 loc. 8516

EXPERIMENT NO. 2
SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF CEMENT

Year and Section Date Started

Group Number Date Finished
Group Members Date Submitted

DATA AND RESULTS:

Table 2.1 – Specific Gravity of Cement

Specimen
Group No. 1 2 3
Trial 1 2 1 2 1 2
Weight of Cement, g
Temperature of Kerosene, °C
Initial Flask Reading, mL
Temperature of Solution, °C
Final Flask Reading, mL
Specific Gravity of Cement
Ave. Specific Gravity of Cement (Group)
Ave. Specific Gravity of Cement (Class)

Table 2.2 – Specific Gravity of Cement

Specimen
Group No. 4 5 6
Trial 1 2 1 2 1 2
Weight of Cement, g
Temp of Kerosene, °C
Initial Flask Reading, mL
Temperature of Solution, °C
Final Flask Reading, mL
Specific Gravity of Cement
Ave. Specific Gravity of Cement (Group)
Ave. Specific Gravity of Cement (Class)

CE 414L: Testing of Materials | Experiment No. 2: Specific Gravity of Cement

FORMULAS AND COMPUTATIONS:

CE 414L: Testing of Materials | Experiment No. 2: Specific Gravity of Cement

DRAWINGS/SKETCHES/DIAGRAMS/GRAPHS:

CE 414L: Testing of Materials | Experiment No. 2: Specific Gravity of Cement

SOURCES OF ERRORS:

CONCLUSION AND REMARKS:

CE 414L: Testing of Materials | Experiment No. 2: Specific Gravity of Cement

DOCUMENTATION:

CE 414L: Testing of Materials | Experiment No. 2: Specific Gravity of Cement

CE 414L: Testing of Materials | Experiment No. 2: Specific Gravity of Cement