Cement Expansion Tests for Soundness

Cement soundness is the ability of cement paste to keep its volume after it sets. If cement is unsound, it can expand later and damage a structure. This problem can come from free lime, magnesia, and calcium sulfate in the cement.

Free lime hydrates very slowly. As it reacts, it can expand and ca...

Occasionally, after the cement paste sets, the free lime, magnesia, and calcium sulfate may hydrate, causing a destructive expansion in the hardened cement.

Soundness is the ability of the cement paste to resist significant expansion after setting.

Le Chatelier and autoclave accelerated tests are used to determine the soundness of ...