How to Calculate the Specific Gravity of Cement with respect to IS code?

IS 4031(part 11): 1988 specifies the following test procedure to be adopted for the Determination of Specific Gravity of Cement and the test should be done at room temperature.

Apparatus:

• Standard Le – Chatelier Flask
• Analytical balance of accuracy +/-0.0002g
• Constant temperature water bath
• Cement
• Kerosene

Procedure:

• Kerosene is taken in the Le-Chateliers Flask, such that the level is in between the ‘0’ &  ‘1’ (V1) mark.
• 64 g (W) cement is then added to the flask using a funnel. Care to be taken so that cement particles did not stick to the walls of the flask.
• The neck should be sealed with the glass lid or cork and rotated in all axis in order to ensure all the air bubbles are removed, after adding cement.
• The flask is then placed in room temperature inside a water bath for 24 hours.
• The final reading of the level in the flask (V2) mark is then noted after the 24 hour period.
• Then specific gravity of cement can be calculated using following equation.
• Density = Mass of cement(gm)/Displaced volume (cm3)
• Density = W/(V2-V1)

  It is based on the fact the change in volume observed is equal to the volume of cement and we already know the weight so Density/ Specific Gravity can be calculated and Kerosene is used here because it is a non-polar liquid.