FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PAHANG LABORATORY MANUAL

COURSE CIVIL ENGINEERING MATERIAL LABORATORY

COURSE CODE ECS256

LEVEL OF OPENNESS 0

CATEGORY TRADITIONAL

DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%) 0

PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK

TITLE STANDARD CONSISTENCY, SETTING TIME AND FINENESS OF CEMENT

1.1 Introduction

The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities (assigned as

Level 0) will not be able to provide the avenue for students to enhance
independent learning activities and inculcate creativity and innovation. The
traditional method is fully prescriptive where the three elements namely
problem, ways & means and answers are provided/fully given to the
students. However, it is still necessary to be implemented as part of the
whole laboratory course activity especially to first and second year students.

In this laboratory activity students will be exposed to determine the fineness

of cement (IS:4031 (Part1):1996) and the usage of the vicat apparatus to
determine the standard consistency (IS:4031 (Part4):1998) and setting time

PREAMBLE of cement paste (IS:4031 (Part5):1998).

1.2 Objective

The objective of the test is:

1) To determine standard consistency of cement paste.

2) To determine initial and final setting time given cement sample by

vicat apparatus.

3) To determine the fineness of cement.

1.3 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:

1. Find out the standard consistency and setting time of cement paste.

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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PAHANG LABORATORY MANUAL

2. Find out the fineness of cement.

3. Analyze data correctly and present in typical format.

4. Work in a group to produce technical report.

1.4 Theoretical Background

Standard consistency determines the state of fluidity of the cement paste.

The objective of conducting this test is to find out the amount of water to be
added to the cement to get a paste of normal consistency. The paste of a
certain standard fluidity will be used to determine the water content of the
paste for setting time and soundness test.

Setting time. In order that the concrete may be placed in position

conveniently, it is necessary that the initial setting time of cement is not too
quick and after it has been laid hardening should be rapid so that the
structure can be made use of as early as possible.

The initial set is a stage in the process of hardening after which and crack
that may appear will not re-unite. The concrete is said to be finally set when
it has obtained sufficient strength and hardness. Therefore certain limits for
initial and final setting time have to be specified.

Control of particle size of cement is important because it can influence the

behavior of the cement. Cement which is more finely ground hardens more
rapidly and has a higher rate of heat evolution at early ages. Fineness of
grinding is of more importance in relation to the workability of concrete
mixes. Greater fineness improve the cohesiveness of a concrete mix and
reduce the bleeding. However as it raise the rate of strength development,
increasing the fineness indirectly increase the risk of shrinkage crack
formation.

Determination of fineness of cement and the amount of water required to

produce a cement paste of standard consistency and acceptable setting
PROBLEM STATEMENT time is important.

The group must carry out the test following the procedures outline and
subsequently analyse the data and present it in a proper technical format.

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FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PAHANG LABORATORY MANUAL

3.1 Apparatus

4 90µm sieve

5 Tray

6 Digital weighing balance

7 Automatic vicat apparatus (including needle and plunger)

8 Trowel

9 Measuring cylinder

WAYS & MEANS Figure 3.1. Automatic vicat apparatus

Automatic vicat apparatus, vicat mould, vicat needle for initial setting time
is having a cross sectional area of 1.13 mm2, vicat needle for final setting
time is having a cross sectional area of 1.00 mm2, plunger for standard
consistency,

3.2 Procedures

3.2.1 Fineness of Cement

1. 100 grams of cement is weighed, W 1.

2. The weighed cement is sieved in a 90 µm sieve thoroughly for five

minutes.

3. The residue is weighed, W 2, and expressed as a percentage of total

weight cement and the value is reported as the fineness of cement.

3.2.1 Standard Consistency

1. Take 400 g of cement and prepare a cement paste by mixing with water
at several water-cement ratios (24-32%) measured by weight. The time

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FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PAHANG LABORATORY MANUAL

of gauging should be kept between3 to 5 minutes. The gauging time was

counted from the time of adding water to the dry cement until
commencing to fill the mould.

2. Fill the vicat mould with this paste resting upon a non-porous plate.
After completely filled the mould in 1 layer, the surface of the paste was
smoothen off by single movement palm, making it level with the top of
the mould. The mould was mainly slightly shaken to expel air present in
the paste.

3. Attach the plunger (10 mm diameter and 50 mm length) under the rod
and lower gently until it touch the surface of the block, it then released
quickly to allow it to sunk into the paste.

4. The trial paste should be prepared with varying percentage of water

(firstly at an interval of 4% that is the range between 24% and 32% and
then at a interval 1% and 0.25% between the percentage range
determined by the previous test) and tested as described above until the
amount of water necessary making up the standard consistency (when
the plunger penetrate between 33-35 mm from top of the moud) is
found.

3.2.2 Setting Time of Cement

1. Prepare a neat cement paste by gauging the cement with 0.85P

water. Where P =Standard Consistency as found before. The
gauging time again should be kept between 3 to 5minutes. The stop
watch was started at the instant when water is added to the cement.

2. Fill the vicat mould resting on a non-porous plate and smoothen off
the surface of the paste making it level with the top of the mould. The
cement prepared is known as the test block.

3. For the determination of initial setting time, place the test block under
the rod bearing the needle (1 mm diameter).

4. Lower the needle gently to make contact with the surface of the
cement paste and release quickly allowing it to penetrate the test
block.

5. Repeat the procedure until the needle failed to pierce the block for

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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PAHANG LABORATORY MANUAL

about 5 mm measured from the bottom of the mould. The time period
elapsing between the time water is added to the cement and the time
the needle fails to pierce the test block by 5 mm measured from the
bottom of the mould is the initial setting time.

6. For the determination of final setting time, the needle of the vicat
apparatus should be replaced with a needle with an annular
attachment. The cement is considered as finally set when upon
applying the needle gently to the surface of the test block, the needle
make an impression therein while the attachment fails to do so.

7. The final setting time is the time period elapsing between the time
water is added to the cement and the time the needle make an
impression on the surface of the test block while the attachment fails
to do so.

Figure 3.2: Needle, needle with annular attachment and plunger

3.3 Data Acquisition

All data collected from the tests may be recorded into the following tables:

Table 6.1: Fineness of Cement

a. Weight of cement taken, W1 = gm

b. Weight of residue after sieving, W 2 = gm
c. Fineness of cement = %

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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PAHANG LABORATORY MANUAL

Table 6.2: Standard Consistency of Cement

a. Weight of cement taken for one mould = 400 gm

b. Weight of water added = gm
c. Initial reading = min
d. Final reading = min
e. Height not penetrated = mm
f. Initial setting time = min
Comments:

Table 6.3: Setting Time of Cement

a. Weight of cement taken = 400 gm

b. Weight of water taken (0.85 P × 400 gm) = gm
c. Final setting time in minutes = min
Comments:

Calculations

1. Fineness of cement = (W1-W 2)/W 1) x 100%=………….%

4.0 Results, Analysis and Conclusion

The group is required to submit the technical report of the laboratory results
highlighting the fineness of cement, standard consistency of cement, the
RESULTS
initial setting time and the final setting time of cement paste.

The format of the report is left to the creativity and discretion of the group.

The report must be submitted 7 days after the completion of the test.

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