Materials Testing allows us to determine the quality of a specific material such as metal, asphalt, concrete, and whether the material is suitable for an application. For instance, when concrete doesn't have enough water, it is too thick to pour. Alternatively, if it has too much water, voids form due to water evaporation, which will then weaken the structural integrity of the concrete. Testing the specific gravity is a way to ensure the reliability of concrete to handle weight without cracking, and to determine the concrete suitability for a particular job.

Balances and scales are used for a variety of applications such as measuring the specific gravity of cement in this case, which can be defined as the ratio between the weight of a given volume of material and the weight of an equal volume of water. Testing the gravity of cement is important to determine the density of concrete. When the specified gravity of cement is greater that 3.19 g/cc, it contains higher moisture levels affecting the mix, and making the concrete unsuitable for use.

To determine the specific gravity of cement, the Le Chatelier’s Flask method can be applied. Firstly, consider utilizing quality concrete testing equipment which will help you obtain the most accurate results.

Start by gathering and organizing all the items you will need for easy access during the specific gravity test:

1. For this test, the Le-Chatelier’s flask is used which consists of thin glass with a bulb at the bottom as shown

2. Glass Funnel

3. Weighing Balance with an accuracy of 0.1 gm such as The Luna Precision balances by Adams equipment

c. Kerosene. (to avoid any reactions otherwise produced when using water)

d. Cement

The specific gravity of cement formula is as follows:

Where: 

- W1 is the specific weight of the empty gravity flask

- W2 is the specific weight of gravity flask + cement

- W3 is the specific weight of flask+ kerosene + cement.

- W4 is the specific weight of gravity flask + kerosene.

- 0.79 is the specific gravity of kerosene

1. Weigh a clean and completely dry Le Chatelier Flask (W1)

2. Place a sample of cement in the flask and weight with its stopper (W2)

3. Add Kerosene to cement in flask until it is half full. 

4. Mix thoroughly using a glass rod to remove entrapped air bubbles.

5. Continue stirring and add more kerosene up to the graduated mark. Then, dry the outside and weigh (W3).

8. Empty the flask, clean it, refill with kerosene once again, dry the outside complety, then weigh (W4).

- Temperature must be constant before each balance reading is taken to obtain an accurate result.

- The duplicate determination of the specific gravity must range within 0.01 g/cc.