Analysis of the ASTM round-robin test on particle size distribution of Portland cement:

Abstract

Particle size distribution (PSD) is an essential property of cement. The only standard method to measure the PSD of cement, namely ASTM C115 [1] is limited in scope; this standard describes a method for determining “fineness” with a lower size detection limit of 7.5 μm. As there is no standard procedure covering the whole range of cement PSD, the implementation of different measurement methods varies widely within the industry. In general, the round-robin results summarized here have demonstrated the high variability between participants using instruments based on the same physical principles. ASTM committee C01.25.01 sponsored a round-robin test to measure the PSD of cement. The aim of the current report is to analyze the data generated during those tests and to summarize the various approaches available to measure the PSD of cement. The analysis of the data is conducted in two parts. In the first part, an attempt is made to establish a reference distribution using a standard cement powder (SRM 114p). This is followed up by a comparison of the roundrobin data in order to initiate discussion on developing a standard test method for cement PSD to be submitted for ASTM consideration. The report provides all raw data collected during the round robin tests, and the results of a statistical analysis of the collected data. Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank the ASTM Task Group C01.25.01 that provided the data from the round-robin test. We would like to thank all the participants (listed below in alphabetical order) of the round-robin for their comments that allowed us to better understand the industry’s perspective. Also, we would like to thank Robin Haupt and the staff of Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL) who were instrumental in providing the samples to the round-robin participants. Participants to the Round-Robin: Ray Braun, Southdown Cement Gregory Buchanan, Roan Industries, Inc. Paul Bussee, Southdown Mario Cesar Cabrera – Cabrera, CENAM Bob Collins, Blue Circle Mike Coole, Blue Circle Industries PLC Fraser Deas, Blue Circle Cement Jim Kaminski, Malvern Jennifer Kimball, Dragon Larry Necessary, Roanoke Doug Ostrander, Lehigh Cement Co. Greg Pokrajac, Particle Sizing Systems Sadananda Sahu, RJ Lee Group, Inc. Brian Sears, Horiba Instruments Inc. Nile R. Strohman, W. R. Grace & Co. Craig Szabo, Lafarge R.L. Tuttle, Holnam, Inc. Jesse Uribe, TXI Ren Xu Coulter TABLE OF CONTENT