Initial Setting Time

Expt. No.
3 Date:09/09/2020
INITIAL AND FINAL SETTING TIME OF CEMENT
Reference: IS 4031 (Part 5) – 1988

Aim: To determine the initial and final setting time of the given sample of cement.
Significance: When cement is mixed with sufficient water, hydration occurs. In the
beginning, the paste loses its fluidity and within a few hours, noticeable stiffening results.
This is called initial set and is measured by the ability of the paste to withstand a certain
pressure. Further build-up of hydration products is followed by commencement of the
hardening process, responsible for the strength of concrete, which is known as the final
set. The interval between the addition of water to dry cement to the initial and final set are
known as the initial setting time and the final setting time respectively. It is essential that
cement sets neither too rapidly nor too slowly. Initial setting time is specified to allow for
handling, transporting and placing the concrete before stiffening. Final setting time is
specified to avoid the undue delay in work and the postponement of the actual use of the
structure.
IApparatus: Vicat apparatus, Vicat mould, 1mm square needle for initial setting time,
needle with annular attachment for final setting time, measuring jar, weighing balance,
stop watch, nonporous smooth plate.
Procedure: Take 300g of cement in a pan. Take 0.85 times the water as required to
produce a cement paste of standard consistency. Start the stopwatch at the instant when
water is added to cement and prepare a cement paste within the gauging time. Fill the
cement paste in the Vicat mould, which is resting on a nonporous plate. After completely
filling the mould, smoothen the surface of the paste, making it level with the top of the
mould. The mould should be slightly shaken to expel entrapped air. Square needle of
cross-section 1mm × 1mm is attached to the moving rod of Vicat apparatus. Place the test
block under the rod bearing the needle. Lower the needle gently to touch the surface of
test block and quickly release, allowing the needle to penetrate into the paste and note the
penetration. In the beginning, the needle completely pierces the test block. It is then taken
out and dropped at a fresh place. Repeat the procedure at regular interval until the needle
Material Testing Lab II Manual LBS Institute of Technology for Women, Poojappura Page 1
fails to pierce the block beyond 5  0.5 mm measured from the bottom of the mould. The
time interval between the time when water is added to cement and the time at which the
needle fails to pierce the block beyond 5  0.5 mm measured from the bottom of the
mould is the initial setting time. For final setting time, replace this needle with the needle
with the needle having annular
attachment. Cement is considered as finally set when upon applying the needle gently to
the surface of the test block, the needle makes an impression thereon, while the annular
attachment fails to do so. The period elapsing between the times, when water is added to
the cement and the time at which the needle makes an impression on the surface of the test
block while the attachment fails to do so shall be the final setting time.
Observations and Calculations:
Weight of cement = 300g
Amount of water taken = 0.85 × P × 300 (where P = % of water required for standard
consistency)
= 0.85 × 32 × 300
= 8160 ml
Time (minutes) Penetration of Needle from

bottom (mm)
5 0
10 0
15 1
20 1
25 2
30 3
35 5
Result: Initial Setting time of Cement = 35 minutes
Final Setting time of Cement = minutes
Recommended Values: As per IS: 269 – 1976, the setting time of the cements, by the
Vicat apparatus method described in IS: 4031 – 1988 (Part 5) the initial setting time shall
not be less than 30 minutes and the final setting time shall not be more than 600 minutes
for ordinary Portland Cement.
Inference : As per IS: 269 – 1976, the setting time of the cements, by the Vicat apparatus method
described in IS: 4031 – 1988 (Part 5) the initial setting time shall not be less than 30 minutes.
Here the initial setting time is 35 minutes which is more than the recommended value.This may
be due to the manual errors while doing the experiment.

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Expt. No.

Reference: IS 4031 (Part 5) – 1988

Observations and Calculations:

Weight of cement = 300g

Time (minutes) Penetration of Needle from

Result: Initial Setting time of Cement = 35 minutes

Final Setting time of Cement = minutes

be due to the manual errors while doing the experiment.

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