Scribd
Upload
274 views4 pages

Initial and Final Setting Time of Cement

This document describes procedures for determining the initial and final setting times of cement using a Vicat apparatus. Initial setting time is measured by penetrating a cement paste block with a needle every 2 minutes until the needle fails to penetrate 5mm into the block. Final setting time is measured when a needle attached to an annular ring makes an impression on the cement surface but the ring does not. The objectives, theory, equipment, and step-by-step procedures for each test are provided.

Uploaded by

Hamza Mughal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
274 views4 pages

Initial and Final Setting Time of Cement

This document describes procedures for determining the initial and final setting times of cement using a Vicat apparatus. Initial setting time is measured by penetrating a cement paste block with a needle every 2 minutes until the needle fails to penetrate 5mm into the block. Final setting time is measured when a needle attached to an annular ring makes an impression on the cement surface but the ring does not. The objectives, theory, equipment, and step-by-step procedures for each test are provided.

Uploaded by

Hamza Mughal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

DETERMINATION OF INITIAL & FINAL SETTING TIMES OF

CEMENT

Objective:
To determine the initial and final setting times of cement.

Theory:

Initial setting time: Initial setting time duration is required to delay the
process of hydration or hardening.

Final setting time: Final setting time is the time when the paste
completely loses its plasticity. It is the time taken for the cement paste or cement
concrete to harden sufficiently and attain the shape of the mould in which it is cast.

Apparatus:

1. Vicat’s apparatus

2. Balance

3. Measuring cylinder

4. Stop watch

5. Glass plate

6. Enamel tray

7. Trowel

Procedure:
Initial setting time:
1. Consistency test to be done before starting the test procedure to find out the water
required to give the paste normal consistency.
2. Take 400 g of cement and prepare a neat cement paste with 0.85P of water by
weight of cement.

3. Gauge time is kept between 3 to 5 minutes. Start the stop watch at the instant when
the water is added to the cement. Record this time.
4. Fill the Vicat mould, resting on a glass plate, with the cement paste gauged as
above. Fill the mould completely and smooth off the surface of the paste making it
level with the top of the mould. The cement block thus prepared is called test
block.

Vicat Apparatus
Test for initial setting time:
1. Place the test block confined in the mould and resting on the non-porous plate,
under the rod bearing the needle.
2. Lower the needle gently until it comes in contact with the surface of test block and
quick release, allowing it to penetrate into the test block.

3. In the beginning the needle completely pierces the test block. Repeat this
procedure i.e. quickly releasing the needle after every 2 minutes till the needle fails
to pierce the block for about 5 mm measured from the bottom of the mould. Note
this time.
Final setting time test:
1. For determining the final setting time, replace the needle of the Vicat’s apparatus
by the needle with an annular attachment.

2. The cement is considered finally set when upon applying the final setting needle
gently to the surface of the test block; the needle makes an impression thereon,
while the attachment fails to do so. Record this time.
Cement paste

Calculations:
Results
Comments

You might also like