The Constructor

Initial Setting Time and Final

Setting Time of Concrete
Fasi Ur Rahman 5 years ago

The initial setting time of concrete is the time when

cement paste starts hardening while the final setting
time is the time when cement paste has hardened
sufficiently in such a way that a 1 mm needle makes an
impression on the paste in the mould but 5 mm needle
does not make any impression.

Theoretically, Initial setting time of concrete is the time

period between addition of water to cement till the time
at 1 mm square section needle fails to penetrate the
cement paste, placed in the Vicat’s mould 5mm to 7mm
from the bottom of the mould. Final setting time is that
time period between the time water is added to cement
and the time at which 1 mm needle makes an
impression on the paste in the mould but 5 mm
attachment does not make any impression.

Contents:

Technical Aspects of Concrete Setting Times

Procedure to Find Setting Time of Cement
Apparatus Required

Test Procedure
Initial Preparation
Test for Initial Setting Time
Test for Final Setting Time

Calculations
Standard Specification of Setting Time for Different
Type of Cement
FAQs

Technical Aspects of Concrete

Setting Times
1. It is essential that cement set neither too rapidly nor
too slowly. In the first case there might be insufficient
time to transport and place the concrete before it
becomes too rigid. In the second case too long a
setting period tends to slow up the work unduly, also
it might postpone the actual use of the structure
because of inadequate strength at the desired age.
2. Setting should not be confused with hardening, which
refers to the gain in mechanical strength after the
certain degree of resistance to the penetration of a
special attachment pressed into it.
3. Setting time is the time required for stiffening of
cement paste to a defined consistency.
4. Indirectly related to the initial chemical reaction of
cement with water to form aluminum-silicate
compound.
5. Initial setting time is the time when the paste starts
losing its plasticity.
6. Initial setting time test is important for
transportation, placing and compaction of cement
concrete.
7. Initial setting time duration is required to delay the
process of hydration or hardening.
8. Final setting time is the time when the paste
completely loses its plasticity.
9. 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.
10. Determination of final setting time period facilitates
safe removal of scaffolding or form.
11. During this period of time primary chemical reaction
of cement with water is almost completed.

Procedure to Find Setting Time

of Cement
Apparatus Required

Vicat’s apparatus
Balance
Measuring cylinder
Stop watch
Glass plate
Enamel tray
Trowel

Test Procedure
Initial Preparation

1. Consistency test to be done before starting the test

procedure to find out the water required to give the
paste normal consistency (P).
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 (T1).

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.

Fig 1: Vicat’s Apparatus used for determination of

setting time of cement

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 (T2).

Test for Final Setting Time

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 (T3).

Calculations
Initial setting time=T2-T1

Final setting time=T3-T1

Where,

T1 =Time at which water is first added to cement

T2 =Time when needle fails to penetrate 5 mm to 7 mm

from bottom of the mould

T3 =Time when the needle makes an impression but the

attachment fails to do so.

Standard Specification of
Setting Time for Different Type
of Cement
Depending upon the admixtures added into the cement
in the process of manufacture of cement, the setting
time differs for different cement. Standard setting times
are listed in the below table as per IS Codes.

Table-1: Setting Time for Different Type of

Cement

Cement Initial Setting Final Setting Time,

Type Time, min (min.) min (max.)
OPC(33) 30 600
OPC(43) 30 600
OPC(53) 30 600
SRC 30 600
PPC 30 600
RHPC 30 600
PSC 30 600
High 30 600
alumina
Super 30 600
sulphated
Low heat 60 600
Masonry 90 1440
cement
IRS-T-40 60 600

FAQs
What is initial setting time of cement?
The initial setting time of concrete is the time when
cement paste starts hardening after adding water. It is
the time period between the addition of water to cement
till the time at 1 mm square section needle fails to
penetrate the cement paste, placed in the Vicat’s mold
5mm to 7mm from the bottom of the mold.

What is final setting time of cement?

Final setting time is that time period between the time
water is added to cement and the time at which 1 mm
needle makes an impression on the paste in the mould
but 5 mm attachment does not make any impression.

What is the need for determining initial and

final setting time of cement?
Initial setting time is the time when the paste starts
losing its plasticity. The test is important for
transportation, placing and compaction of cement
concrete. Initial setting time duration is also required to
delay the process of hydration or hardening.
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. The
determination of final setting time period facilitates
safe removal of scaffolding or form. During this period
of time primary chemical reaction of cement with water
is almost completed.

Read More :

Determination of Standard Consistency of Cement

Final Setting Time of Cement as per IS:4031-Part 5

Initial Setting Time of Cement as per IS 4031, IS 269

Categories: Building Materials, Building Technology Guide,

Cement, Concrete Technology, How To Guide, Tests on
Cement

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