EXPERIMENT #1
1.1 OBJECTIVE
To determine the normal consistency, initial and final setting time of cement
1.2 REFERENCED CODES
a) IS 269: 2015 Ordinary Portland Cement – Specification
b) IS 4845: 1968 Definitions and terminology relating to hydraulic cement
c) IS 3535: 1986 Methods of sampling hydraulic cements
d) IS 4031: 1988 Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement: Part 4 Determination of
consistency of standard cement paste
e) IS 4031: 1988 Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement: Part 5 Determination of
Initial and final setting times
1.3 APPARATUS
• Vicat apparatus
• Split mould
• Glass plate
• Weighing balance
• Stop clock
1.4 EXPLANATORY NOTES
A mixture of cement and water is called cement paste, and it could vary in ‘consistency’
depending upon:
• Amount of water added to the paste (as a percentage of cement), and,
• Properties of the cement, e.g., fineness, chemical composition etc.
Constituents of cement react chemically with water and the formation of hydration products leads
to changes in the ‘consistency’ of the cement paste. This reaction starts as soon as cement comes
in contact with water, and stiffening, setting, hardening and strength-gain are some of the other
terms used extensively in studies related to hydration of cement. In the absence of methods to
measure consistency, an indirect method based on penetration resistance is used. Generally, the
Vicat apparatus is used.
Standard consistency, and initial and final setting times are routinely used as a measure of quality
control and better understanding of the properties of the cement being used for a concrete
construction project. They can be briefly described as follows:
• Standard consistency (P): A paste is said to have ‘standard consistency’ if the Vicat plunger
penetrates to a point 5-7 mm from the bottom of the Vicat mould. Usually, the amount of
water required to prepare such a paste is referred as standard consistency of the cement sample.
It generally varies between 26 ~ 33% for OPC.
• Initial and final setting time: ‘Setting’ refers to the process of solidification of cement as more
hydration products are formed. The test for initial and final setting is, in principle, based on
penetration resistance (as more solidification occur, the penetration resistance increases).
o Initial setting time (IST) is said to have reached when the paste (prepared in a specified
manner) does not allow the (standard) IST needle to penetrate beyond 5±0.5 mm measured
from the bottom of the mould.
o Final setting time (FST) is said to have reached when the (standard) FST needle makes an
impression upon applying gently to the surface of the test block while the annular attachment fails to do
so.
1.5 PROCEDURES
NOTE 1: Write brief description of the test procedures and provide small photograph(s) of
apparatus/equipment/test
specimens to aid the description. Important elements in the photograph must be labelled properly. A
caption should
be given for each photograph.
Consistency, initial and final setting time of cement
Standard consistency (P):
• 500 grams of cement is taken on a glass plate and 25% by weight (of cement) of water is
added.
• The Vicat mould is filled with this paste by keeping the mould over a non-porous plate.
After completely filling the mould, the top is levelled and is placed under the Vicat
plunger (10 mm diameter polished brass rod).
• The settlement of the plunger is read directly from the graduated scale. If it is between 5
and 7 mm from the bottom, then the water added is correct. Otherwise, test is to be
repeated as above by preparing pastes with varying percentages of water, until the amount
of water necessary to produce the required penetration of 5 to 7 mm.
Initial and Final setting time (IST and FST):
• 500 grams of cement is taken, and 85% (by weight) of water required for achieving
normal consistency is added to it (as determined earlier).
• Initial setting time is defined as the time elapsed between the time when water is added
to the cement and the time at which the 1 mm round Vicat needle fails to pierce the paste
by about 5±0.5 mm from the bottom of the mould.
• The final setting time is the time interval between the time when water is added to the
cement and the time at which the annular attachment of the needle fails to make an
impression on the surface of the test block of cement paste.
1.6 OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS
Consistency, initial and final setting time
trial water Penetration
1 30% 25mm
2 31% 15mm
3 32% 7mm
RESULT:
Consistency test is used to determine the amount of water required to produce a cement paste. Helps in
finding workability and setting time of cement
trail Intial setting time, min Final setting time, min
1 1 hr 37 min (97min) 10hr28min(628min)
RESULT:
Initial setting time is the time at which the plasticity nature of cement changes and final setting time is
the time at which the plasticity nature of cement is completely gone.
QUESTIONS:
1) For initial setting test A needle with a flat end (1 mm² cross-sectional area) is used for the IST. During
the test, the needle will penetrate the sample deeply at first, and as the paste begins to set, it will
penetrate less deeply. Know for the final setting test needle has a circular attachment with a 5 mm
diameter and a hollow cylindrical form. As the sample hardens, the needle cannot penetrate, indicating
the final setting point.
2) The minimum IST ensures sufficient workability time, prevents premature setting, and supports the
proper hydration process.
The maximum FST ensures that the cement hardens within a reasonable time to allow for subsequent
work, ensures early strength development, and maintains project efficiency
