The soundness of cement refers to the ability of cement paste to retain its volume after setting. Unsound cement can lead to expansion and structural damage due to the presence of free lime, magnesia, and calcium sulfate. Free lime hydrates very slowly, expanding and causing unsoundness, which is difficult to detect because it intercrystallizes with other compounds. Magnesia also reacts with water, forming crystals that can disrupt the cement's structure. Calcium sulfate can create ettringite, which leads to expansion if not adequately consumed during the setting process.
The standard tests for cement soundness are Le Chatelier's and autoclave tests. Le Chatelier's test primarily detects unsoundness from free lime, and the autoclave test measures the unsoundness from free lime and magnesia. If expansion is more than 0.8% of the original length after autoclaving, the cement may be considered unsound. Unsoundness from free lime is rare, with magnesium-related issues more prevalent in US-produced cement due to the raw materials used.
