Plain and Reinforced Concrete -1 (Lab Manual)

JOB NO. 4
Standard Test Method for The Determination of the Initial and
Final Setting Time of Cement by Vicat Needle Apparatus
(ASTM C 187-04b)
Purpose
To determine of the normal consistancy of hydraulic cement.
To determine the amount of water required to prepare hydrualic cement pastes for

testing.
To determine intial and final setting time of the cement.

Apparatus
Vicats apparatus
Plunger(dia = 10mm, length = 50mm)
Weighing balance
Glass plate and trowel
Spatula and safety gloves

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Plain and Reinforced Concrete -1 (Lab Manual)

Related theory
Consistency:
The thickness or viscosity of the cement paste is called consistency. It is the ratio of
thickness of water to the mass of cement expressed as percentage.
Standard cement paste:
It is the cement paste for which the 10mm diameter plunger in a standard VICATS test
penetrates to such an extent that its distance from the bottom is 101mm. the normal
consistency of cement is 28%.
Normal consistency:
It is consistency of the standard cement paste.
Initial setting time:
The time elapsed between the initial mixing of cement and water and the time when a
1mm cross-section needles gives a reading between (4-7) or101mm from the bottom
in a standard Vicat apparatus is known as initial setting time of the particular cement
paste.
Final setting time:
The time elapsed between the initial contact of cement and water and the time when the
smaller needle (1mm cross-section and 0.5mm deep) penetrates the surface of the paste
and the outer metal attachment of 5mm diameter does not leave any impression on the
paste.
For example
Using the Vicats apparatus the initial setting time of a cement is 1 hour 20mints.
Using the Vicats apparatus the final setting time of a cement is 4hours 25min.
Temperature and humidity:
The temperature of the air in the vicinity of the mixing slab, the dry cement, molds, and
base plate shall be maintained between 20 and 27.5 C (68 and 81.5 F). The temperature
of the mixing water shall not vary from 23.0 C (73.5 F) by more than 2.0 C (3.5 F).
The relative humidity of the laboratory shall be not less than 50%.
Hardening:
Hardening is the rate of gain of strength due to chemical reaction. It also refers to strength
of concrete after specified interval of time.
Specifications:

Needle size 1mm1mm.

50mm length of needle.
Temperature:
Air temperature
233 C
Water temperature
232 C
Humidity should not be less than 50%

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Plain and Reinforced Concrete -1 (Lab Manual)

Procedure:
Take 650g of cement and mix it with 26% of water by weight of dry cement. The

Gauging time should not be more than 4min 15 sec.

Fill the Vicat mould with paste and level it with trowel.
Lower the plunger gently till it touches the cement surface.
Release the plunger allowing it to sink into the paste.
Note the reading on the gauge.
Repeat the above procedure taking fresh samples of cement and different
quantities of water until the reading on the gauge is 101mm.
Prepare a cement paste of standard consistency and put it in the ring of the Vicat
apparatus within the allowable time 4min 15 sec. clear and level any extra paste
by mean of a trowel.

i.

Initial setting time:

Determine the penetration of the 1-mm needle at the start. If a penetration reading of
10mm is obtained, then note down the time as the initial setting time otherwise
keep checking the penetration reading after every 15min thereafter until a penetration
reading of 25 mm is obtained which will be the initial setting time of the cement.
Make each penetration test at least inches away from any previous penetration and
at least 25mm away from the inner side of the mold.

ii.

Final setting time:

Keep on performing the same experiment until there is no considerable penetration
shown by needle. Note down the time as final setting time.

Precautions:
Gauging time should be strictly observed
Room temp. Should be well maintained as per test requirement.
All apparatus used should be clean.
The experiment should be performed away from vibrations and other disturbances.
Observation and calculation:
Weight of cement= 650g
Type of cement:

Ordinary Portland

Source of cement:

Civil engineering department

Manufactures of cement:

Best way

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Plain and Reinforced Concrete -1 (Lab Manual)

Sr. No.

1
2

Initial setting time

Min
Hrs.
190
3.2
185
3.1

Final setting time

min
Hrs.
370
6.3
363
6.1

Comments:
After Performing

the experiment, we have concluded the results that the initial

setting time of cement is 190 mins and final setting time of cement paste is 370
mins.
To perform this test plunger is replaced by the needle
Area = 1mm2
Length = 50mm

For final setting time

Setting time = 90+1.2 x (initial setting time)

The minimum initial setting time is 45 minutes and maximum final setting time is
10 hrs. As the Initial and Final setting time is coming in between the prescribed
range, it means that the experiment is performed accurately.

Usually in fields a larger initial setting time is preferred so that we can mix, transport
and place the concrete easily as some times concrete mixers have to transport
concrete to some places which are not very close to the concrete plant.
The final setting time is always preferred in order to avoid large expenditures on
the form work or shuttering as it plays a vital role in the economy of a construction
project.

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