Strength of Cement

The ability of cement to resist compressive forces is known as its compressive strength, while its ability to endure bending forces is referred to as its flexural strength.

Cement, standard sand, and water are taken in the required proportions and mixed to form cement mortar.

This mortar is cast into a 2 inch cube specimen, and a beam specimen measuring 1.5 by 1.57 by 6.3 inches.

These specimens are cured in a moist environment until they can be de-molded.

The de-molded specimens are further cured in lime water until tested. Specimens are generally tested after one day, three days, seven days, and twenty-eight days of curing.

Testing involves placing a cube for the compression test and a beam for the flexural test in the machine and steadily increasing the load until the specimen fails.

The load at which the specimen fails is used to calculate the compressive strength and flexural strength of the cement mortar.

Lastly, the type of cement used significantly impacts the compressive strength of cement mortar.