i would like to know how the cement grade be checked? kindly let me know what other test can be done to know the quality of cement?
Don't usually check the portland cement, usually you test the concrete mix to assure it gives you the strength you desire. This is usually done with actual breaks of cylinders made from the mix you want to use, done before the mix design is approved. Then, additional cylinders are cast while placing the concrete and tested at intervals over a 28-30 day period to make sure the concrete strength meets your requirements. The exact number of cylinders is usually decided by the owner or engineer, based on the amount of concrete poured at one time. The minimum number of cylinders is usually 3, one to break at 3-7 days, one to break at 28-30 days, and one spare.
There is a physical property called the fineness modulus: But is does apply to cement because cement is a too fine powder. Typically for fine aggregates in concrete, the fineness modulus should be between 2.3 and 3.11. The FM is obtained by adding the cumulative weight percentages retained on the no. 4 sieve, no. 8, no. 16, no. 30, no. 50, and no. 100, and dividing the sum by 100. You can also check what ASTM C-150 says about portland cement.
