DUHOK POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY

HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES ENGINEERING

FIRST YEAR (2016-2017)
REPORT OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
By: Heval Mohammed Ibrahim
‫هفال محمد ابراهيم‬
Experiment Name: 9.Fineness test for Gypsum
Date Performed: 06-02-2017
Date Submitted: 11-02-2017
Group Number: (B2)
Group Members: Hanaa ,Lorin ,Matin ,Media
,Miran ,Moafaq ,Mohammed B ,Mohammed N
,Mohammed Y ,Nichervan ,and me.
 9. Fineness test for Gypsum
9.1.Introduction:
• Fineness, or particle size, of gypsum affects hydration rate and
thus the setting and rate of strength gain.

• The smaller the particle size, the greater the surface area- to-
volume ratio, and thus, the more area available for water-
gypsum interaction per unit volume.

• When the gypsum contain impurities or stored in contact

with damp air or moisture, it will be crystallized and
consolidated.

• This will set more slowly and has less strength than gypsum
that is kept dry.
 9. Fineness test for Gypsum
9.2.Objectives:
The aim of this test method is to determine whether or not the
non-hydraulic gypsum under test meets the IQS 28/1988 for
gypsum fineness specification.
9.3. Apparatus and Materials:
1. Sieve No. 16.

2. Pan and cover

3. Sensitive scale (balance).

1.Sieve no. 16 2.Pan 3.Sensitive scale

 9. Fineness test for Gypsum
9.4.The Specification:
According to IQS 28/1988, the percentage of remaining weight
of gypsum over sieve No.16 should not exceed 8%.

9.5.Procedure:
Firstly we bring 200 grams of gypsum and weigh it(w1).

Then we Sieve the gypsum by shaking the sieve horizontally

and vertically for 3 minutes.

After that we Weigh (w2) the amount of gypsum retained on

sieve No. 16.

Finally we measure the fineness of the gypsum and compare it

with IQS standard 28/1988.
 9. Fineness test for Gypsum
9.5.Calculations and Results:

Fineness = W2
W1
×100

Where:

W1: The total weight of the gupsum (g).

W2: The weight of the remaining gypsum over sieve no.16 (g).
 9. Fineness test for Gypsum
Specimen No. W1 (g) W2 (g) Fineness (%)
B1 200 4.21 2.105
B2 200 6 3
B3 200 4.4 2.2

W2 4.21 4.21
FinenessB 1= × 100= × 100= =2.105 %
W1 200 2
W2 6 6
FinenessB 2 = × 100= × 100= =3 %
W1 200 2
W2 4.4 4.4
FinenessB 3 = × 100= × 100= =2.2 %
W1 200 2

Result: According to our results we realize that all of the

specimens are suitable to work with it.
 9. Fineness test for Gypsum
9.6.Discussion:
This test is so important because by the results of it we will
know if the gypsum is good for the building or not.

The obtained result help us a lot in any construction project,

whenever the gypsum is fineness, it will be more suitable to
work.

In my opinion, the only error that may occur when performing

this test is in sieving the gypsum.