622 ENGINEERING MATERIALS. CHAP. XV. 



STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CEMENT 



OF THE 



AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING MATERIALS. 

 ADOPTED AUGUST 16, 1909. 



1. General Observations. These remarks have been prepared with a view of pointing out 

 the pertinent features of the various requirements and the precautions to be observed in the inter- 

 pretation of the results of the tests. 



2. The Committee would suggest that the acceptance or rejection under these specifications 

 be based on tests made by an experienced person having the proper means for making the tests. 



3. Specific Gravity. Specific gravity is useful in detecting adulteration. The results of 

 tests of specific gravity are not necessarily conclusive as an indication of the quality of a cement, 

 but when in combination with the results of other tests may afford valuable indications. 



4. Fineness. The sieves should be kept thoroughly dry. 



5. Time of Setting. Great care should be exercised to maintain the test pieces under as 

 uniform conditions as possible. A sudden change or wide range of temperature in the room in 

 which the tests are made, a very dry or humid atmosphere, and other irregularities vitally affect 

 the rate of setting. 



6. Constancy of Volume. The tests for constancy of volume are divided into two classes, 

 the first normal, the second accelerated. The latter should be regarded as a precautionary test 

 only, and not infallible. So many conditions enter into the making and interpreting of it that 

 it should be used with extreme care. 



7. In making the pats the greatest care should be exercised to avoid initial strains due to 

 molding or to too rapid drying-out during the first twenty-four hours. The pats should be pre- 

 served under the most uniform conditions possible, and rapid changes of temperature should be 

 avoided. 



8. The failure to meet the requirements of the accelerated tests need not be sufficient cause 

 for rejection. The cement may, however, be held for twenty-eight days, and a retest made at the 

 end of that period, using a new sample. Failure to meet the requirements at this time should be 

 considered sufficient cause for rejection, although in the present state of our knowledge it cannot 

 be said that such failure necessarily indicates unsoundness, nor can the cement be considered 

 entirely satisfactory simply because it passes the tests. 



SPECIFICATIONS. 



1. General Conditions. All cement shall be inspected. 



2. Cement may be inspected either at the place of manufacture or on the work. 



3. In order to allow ample time for inspecting and testing, the cement should be stored in a 

 suitable weather-tight building having the floor properly blocked or raised from the ground. 



4. The cement shall be stored in such a manner as to permit easy access for proper inspection 

 and identification of each shipment. 



5. Every facility shall be provided by the Contractor and a period of at least twelve days 

 allowed f.or the inspection and necessary tests. 



6. Cement shall be delivered in suitable packages with the brand and name of manufacturer 

 plainly marked thereon. 



7. A bag of cement shall contain 94 pounds of cement net. Each barrel of Portland cement 

 shall contain 4 bags, and each barrel of natural cement shall contain 3 bags of the above net weight. 



8. Cement failing to meet the seven-day requirements may be held awaiting the results of 

 the twenty-eight-day tests before rejection. 



9. All tests shall be made in accordance with the methods proposed by the Committee on 

 Uniform Tests of Cement of the American Society of Civil Engineers, presented to the Society 

 January 21, 1903, and amended January 20, 1904, and January 15, 1908, with all subsequent amend- 

 ments thereto. (See addendum to these specifications.) 



10. The acceptance or rejection shall be based on the following requirements: 



NATURAL CEMENT. 



11. Definition. This term shall be applied to the finely pulverized product resulting from 

 the calcination of an argillaceous limestone at a temperature only sufficient to drive off the carbonic 

 acid gas. 



12. Fineness. It shall leave by weight a residue of not more than 10 per cent on the No. 100, 

 and 30 per cent on the No. 200 sieve. 





