DETERMINATION OF THE INITIAL AND FINAL SETTING TIMES OF CEMENT

Introduction:

The term setting time refers to the stiffening of cement paste after water is mixed. Broadly, it
is the change from fluid to solid.

What is initial and final setting time?

Initial setting time can be understood as the time that elapses between the moment water is
added to the cement to the time that the paste star losing its plasticity. Therefore, activities
such as mixing, transportation, placing, compacting and finishing could be completed within
this time period.
Final setting time can be referred as the time that elapses between the moment water is added
to the cement, to the time when the paste has completely lost its plasticity.

What causes the setting of a paste?

Setting occurs due to physical and chemical process.
When water is added to the cement, part of it, part of this water does not react with the
cement, therefore it remains free. When this water evaporates, the cement is set by a physical
process.
When water reacts with the cement, sulphate reacts with water to form Tobermorite gel. This
gel glue the particles of cement together and hardening (gain of strength of a set cement
paste). Calcium aluminate and gypsum react with water to form ettringite (needle-like solid)
that contributes somewhat for early strength.

Time of set is influenced by:

Cementitious material fineness
Cementitious material chemistry
Cementitious material content
Water to cement material ratio

Why is initial setting time required?

it is so that the paste is not disturbed after initial setting set and that transportation of concrete
needs finite time.

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Why maximum limit of final setting time is required?
It is so that to know the tome of the removal of shuttering after early strength.

Apparatus:

Vicat apparatus: It is an apparatus used to determine the initial and final setting time of
cement. It is equipped with a rod having a needle at the end with a graduated scale. The scale
gives the reading of the penetration the needle undergoes from the bottom of the mould of the
cement.

Plain needle: It is used to determine the initial setting time that is when it penetrates 5.0 mm
from the bottom of the mould of the cement.

Needle with a cap: It is used to determine the final setting time. This occurs when the cap
fails to make an impression on the surface of the cement.

Measuring cylinder: This apparatus is used to hold and measure the quantity of water.

Electronic balance: It is a device used to measure the quantity of cement and water. Before
measuring the quantity of cement and water, the electronic balance is tared.

Mixing board: It is in this container that the cement and water are mixed.

Trowel: It is with the help of this trowel that the cement and water are mixed thoroughly.

Stop watch: It is used to determine the time for mixing cement, and water and to determine
the setting time.

Procedure:

1. 400g of cement and 30 %, that is 120g of water in a measuring cylinder are measured
using an electronic balance which is tared.
2. The cement and water are then thoroughly mixed in a mixing board with the help of a
trowel.
3. As water is added to the cement, the stop watch is started immediately.
4. After mixing for about 4 1/4 minutes, a mould placed on its plate is filled with the
cement paste.

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5. Excess cement paste is strike off from the mould and is placed under the rod carrying
the plain needle.
6. The needle is lowered carefully until it touches the cement surface and is eventually
released.
7. At first, the needle completely pierces the cement giving a reading of 0.0 mm in the
vicat apparatus. But, the process is repeated at different points on the surface at
intervals of 20 30 minutes and later at one minute intervals.
8. When the needle fails to penetrate beyond a point of approximately 5.0 mm from the
bottom of the mould, the time is noted. This is the initial setting time of the cement.
9. The plain needle is now replaced with a needle with a cap. At first, the needle and the
cap, both penetrate the surface of the cement. The step is repeated until the cap fails to
make an impression on the cement surface, the time is noted. This is the final setting
time of the cement.

Tabulation of results:

Time on adding water 09:20

Time on initial setting state 10:35
Time on final setting state 14.35
Initial Setting Time (min) 75
Final Setting Time (min) 315