University of the Cordilleras
College of Engineering and Architecture
Department of Civil Engineering
CONSISTENCY OF STANDARD CEMENT PASTE
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in
CMT - CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Third Term,2020 - 2021
Submitted by:
ANTERO, Audrey C.
Submitted to:
ENGR. DEXTER HANSEL C. APNOYAN
MSCE
June 11, 2021
Name: ___Antero, Audrey C._________
Group No. :__________________
Date Performed: ___June 11,2021_________
LABORATORY WORK NO. 9: CONSISTENCY OF STANDARD CEMENT PASTE
OVERVIEW:
Consistency one property of freshly mixed concrete, is an important consideration in
securing a workable concrete that can be properly compacted in the forms. The term consistency relates
fluidity from the driest to the wettest mixtures. The common test to determine consistency are the
“slump” test and the “ball penetration” test. These tests give only rough measures of consistency, but they
do give satisfactory measures of this property for most practical work.
For convenience, various degrees of wetness of a mix may be roughly classified as dry, tiff,
medium, wet, or sloppy. A concrete is said to have medium or plastic consistency when it is just wet
enough to flow sluggishly, not so dry that it crumbles or so that water or paste runs from the mass.
The principal factors affecting consistency are: the relative proportions of cement to
aggregates, the water content of aggregate, the size of aggregate, the shape and surface characteristics of
the aggregate particles, and the fineness and type of cement and the kind and amount of a mixture.
The aim of this experiment is to find out for a given cement, the quality of water to be
mixed, should give a paste of normal consistency.
ESSENTIAL MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT:
1. Sample of portland cement
2. Balance
3. Spatula
4. Pan
5. Trowel
6. Graduated cylinder
7. Vicat apparatus
8. Rubber mold
TESTING PROCEDURE:
1. Weigh accurately about 300 gm of neat cement sample to be tested.
2. Mix about 25% of a clean water to the cement by spatula.
3. After about a minute, mixed it thoroughly with hands for at least one minute.
4. The kneaded paste is formed into a ball and tossed about six times from one hand to
another.
5. The ball is then pressed into a rubber mold and the excess paste is removed.
6. The larger end of the rod is brought in contact with the surface of the paste and reading
on the scale is taken.
7. The rod is then quickly released without any jerk and penetration noted. If the rod
penetrates by 33 to 35 mm the paste is said to be of normal consistency.
8. The time taken between adding of water to cement and the filling of the mold should be
between 3 to 5 minutes.
9. Trial paste should be made with varying percentage of water to determine the percentage
for which the desired penetration is obtained. The amount of the water is expressed as a
percentage by weight of dry cement usually 30%.
Approximate range in slump of concrete for various degrees of consistency:
Consistency Slump, mm Remarks
Crumbles and fall apart under
ordinary handling; can be
compacted into rigid mass under
Dry 0 - 25
vigorous ramming, heavy pressure
or vibration, but unless care is used
to exhibit voids or honeycombs.
Tends to stand as a pile; holds
together fairly well but crumbles if
chuted; with care and effort can be
Stiff 15 -65
tamped into solid dense mass;
satisfactory for vibratory
compaction.
Alternate terms; plastic, mushy
quaking, easily molded although
Medium 50 - 140
some care required to secure
complete compaction.
Pile flattens readily when dumped;
Wet 125 - 200
can be poured into place.
Group or mortar tends to run out of
Sloppy 175 - 250 pile, leaving coarser material
behind.
DISCUSSIONOF THEORY: (Related Literatures about the Laboratory Work Topic minimum of 3
pages, cite your references properly. APA Style eg. Author/s (YEAR OF PUBLICATION))
APENDICIES:
I. Detailed Computations: (IF APPLICABLE)
II. References: (Use APA Style of Citation) eg. Last Name Author, Initials (YEAR) Title of Journal
(Book), Chapter page range, Location (publisher)
III. ASTM/AASHTO Standards (will be provided)
DISCUSSION OF THEORY:
A. Title: Influence of Nano-SiO2
on the Consistency, Setting Time,
Early-Age
Strength, and Shrinkage of
Composite Cement Pastes
B. Author/s: Chen, Y.,Deng, Y., &
Li, M.
C. Literature Review:
Title: Influence of Nano-SiO2 on the Consistency, Setting Time, Early-Age
Strength, and Shrinkage of Composite Cement Pastes
Author/s: Chen, Y.,Deng, Y., & Li, M.
Literature Review:
A. Title: Influence of Nano-SiO2
on the Consistency, Setting Time,
Early-Age
Strength, and Shrinkage of
Composite Cement Pastes
B. Author/s: Chen, Y.,Deng, Y., &
Li, M.
C. Literature Review:
A. Title: Influence of Nano-SiO2
on the Consistency, Setting Time,
Early-Age
Strength, and Shrinkage of
Composite Cement Pastes
B. Author/s: Chen, Y.,Deng, Y., &
Li, M.
C. Literature Review:
A. Title: Influence of Nano-SiO2
on the Consistency, Setting Time,
Early-Age
Strength, and Shrinkage of
Composite Cement Pastes
B. Author/s: Chen, Y.,Deng, Y., &
Li, M.
C. Literature Review:
The effects of adding nano-silica (SF) to the consistency, setting time, early-age strength, and
shrinkage of composite cement pastes were investigated in this study. Silica fume (SF) has long been used
to improve the characteristics of cement. The addition of nano silica to cement, with the advent of
nanotechnology, improves the characteristics of cement more than the addition of silica fume. It was
found that nano-silica, in little amount, decreased water demand and increased workability of cement,
larger amount increased water demand. Supporting research has shown that adding a little amount of nano
silica to a hardened mixture improves the mechanical characteristics.
Ordinary Portland cement, fly ash, silica fume, and amorphous silica were employed in the
investigation to enhance homogeneity, nano-silica, and Poly-carboxylic superplasticizer (SP) are used NS
and SF particles are dispersed. Cement pastes were made with varied amounts of SF and NS for
comparison, and homogeneity was achieved using an ultrasonic mixer with a 90W input. In compliance
with GB 1346-2011, consistency and setting time were evaluated. For compressive and bending strength
tests, paste was molded on 40mm cubes and 40 x 40 x 160 mm beams, respectively. ASTM C1608-2012
and ASTM C1698-2014 were used to perform chemical and autogenous shrinkage, respectively. All the
data was in effective average value.
The results showed that the increasing amount of SF and NS also increases the necessary amount
of SP for standard consistency. Generally, NS requires less SP than SF to achieve standard consistence;
addition of 30% FA in mass percentage also results to the same conclusion. NS increases mix viscosity
due to its very high specific surface areas caused by its nano-sized particles resulting to lower SP dosage
to control the mixture’s viscosity.
With the addition of either SF or NS, the setting time was reduced; nonetheless, NS had a faster
initial and final set than FS, even when FA was added to the NS mixtures. The reduction in time is
primarily due to the reduction in initial setting time. Because of its high specific surface areas, NS
decreases setting time and speeds up the pace of hydration.
NS and SF both enhanced their early-age compressive strength, although SF's strengthening
impact is smaller than NS's, which is more apparent in bending strength. Also, adding a lot of FA reduces
compressive strength before 7 days but enhances bending strength.
Cement pastes shrink chemically and autogenously when the amount of SF or NS increases. NS,
on the other hand, is more effective than SF at causing early age shrinking due to its incredibly small
particles.
The addition of NS changes the microstructure of the mixture, making it denser and more compact.
Reference:
Chen, Y.,Deng, Y., & Li, M. 2016. Influence of Nano-SiO2 on the Consistency, Setting Time, Early-Age
Strength, and Shrinkage of Composite Cement Pastes
ASTM/AASHTO Standards:
ASTM C1608-2012
ASTM C1698-2014
University of the Cordilleras
College of Engineering and Architecture
Department of Civil Engineering
DETERMINATION OF SETTING TIME OF PORTLAND
CEMENT
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in
CMT - CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
Third Term,2020 - 2021
Submitted by:
ANTERO, Audrey C.
Submitted to:
ENGR. DEXTER HANSEL C. APNOYAN
MSCE
June 11, 2021
Name: __Antero, Audrey. C_________
Group No. :__________________
Date Performed: ____June,11 2021______
LABORATORY WORK NO. 10: DETERMINATION OF SETTING TIME OF
PORTLAND CEMENT
DISCUSSION:
The initial set is a stage in the process of hardening after which any cracks that may appear
will not reunite. The concrete is said to be finally set when it has attained sufficient strength and hardness.
REFERENCE:
ASTM C 191-71
AASHTO T 131-74
ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS:
a. Portland Cement
b. Vicat Apparatus
c. Rubber Mold
d. Balance sensitive to 0.1 gm.
e. Mixing container
f. Graduated cylinder
g. Spatula
TESTING PROCEDURES:
1. Test for fineness of cement.
2. Weigh about 300 gms. of cement accurately and make a paste with 0.85 times the water
required to make a paste of normal consistency.
3. The paste is then placed in the rubber mold.
4. The small end of the rod is brought in contact with the surface of the paste and quickly
released.
5. The penetration of the needle can be read on the goals. The initial set is said to have
occured when the needle ceases to penetrate a point 5 mm above the bottom of the
mold.
6. The time taken from the instant of adding water to the cement up to the moment when
the needle ceases to penetrate a point 5 mm above the bottom of the mold is known as
the initial setting time of the cement. For ordinary portland cement, the initial setting
time should not be less than 30 minutes.
DATA AND RESULTS:
a. weight of cement: ________615_______gms
b. volume of water: __________215_______ml
c. water-cement ratio: ________1:33__________
d. initial setting time: _________4800_________sec.
e. Final setting time: _________10__________hrs.
trials Time, min. Depth of penetration, mm
1 0 44
2 10 44
3 20 44
4 30 44
5 40 44
6 50 44
7 60 44
8 70 41
9 80 39
10 90 38
11 100 37
12 110 31
DISCUSSIONOF THEORY: (Related Literatures about the Laboratory Work Topic minimum of 3
pages, cite your references properly. APA Style eg. Author/s (YEAR OF PUBLICATION))
REPORT:
1. Plot a semi-logarithmic scale a curve showing the relationship between time (abscissa)
and the depth of penetration (ordinate). From this curve drawn, determine the time
required for a 25 mm needle penetration.
45
43
DEPTH OFPENETRATION
41
39
37
35
33
Linear ()
31
29
27
25
1 10 100 1000
TIME
2. Explain the following:
a. The difference between hydraulic and non-hydraulic cement.
The primary distinction between hydraulic and non-hydraulic cement is that
hydraulic cement can set and harden underwater, but non-hydraulic cement cannot.
The former hardens quickly and sets because of the hydration reaction. The latter, on
the other hand, requires a dry environment to set and harden, takes longer to dry,
and harden, and hardens through carbonation.
b. The Dry Process of manufacturing Portland cement.
Raw materials for cement manufacturing are dried and reduced to a fine powder in a
grinding mill in the dry process. The dry powder/raw meal is then pumped into a
blending silo, where compressed air is used to combine the ingredients into a
homogenous and intimate mixture. After being held in a storage tank, the mixture is
fed into a rotary kiln to produce clinkers. Clinkers are subsequently processed in a
ball mill with a gypsum content of 2% to 3%. It is then fed into cement silos before
being packed into the proper pack at a packing plant.
3. List eight types of Portland cement and give their uses.
a. Type I (Normal) – used in general construction that does not require any special
properties of other types.
b. Type IA (Normal, air entraining) – used in general construction and
adapts to freeze-thaw cycle.
c. Type II (Moderate sulfate resistance) – ideal for heavy structures like
abutments, piers, and retaining walls.
d. Type IIA (Moderate sulfate resistance, air entraining) – used in heavy structures and
adapts to freeze-thaw cycles.
e. Type III (High early strength) – used in constructions that is to be operational
immediately, and where formwork needs to be removed and reused.
f. Type IIA (High early strength, air entraining) – used in constructions that is to be
operational immediately, and where formwork needs to be removed and reused; and adapts
to freeze-thaw cycle.
g. Type IV (Low heat of hydration) – suited for the construction of
massive structures with a low surface-to-volume ratio, like gravity
dams, where a large heat of hydration may result in dangerous cracks.
h. Type V (High sulfate resistance) – used in canal linings, retaining walls,
and culverts which is prone to sulfate attacks
4. Give and describe the significant characteristics of Portland cement.
Portland cement is a hydraulic cement, which means it can harden even while
submerged in water. Because of its likeness to Portland stone, it was given that name.
It's a fine powder made by clinkering limestone and clay minerals in a kiln, grinding the
clinker, and adding 2 to 3 percent gypsum. It is caustic, which means it can cause
chemical burns. There are various types of it.
5. Draw and describe the Gilmore apparatus.
It is used to figure out how long it takes for cement to set. Two horizontal arms contain
two weighted steel needles that have been carefully cut to satisfy the need. The
beginning needle, with a diameter of 2.12 mm, weighs 113 g, whereas the final needle,
with a diameter of 1.06 mm, weighs 453,6 g.
APENDICIES:
I. Detailed Computations: (IF APPLICABLE)
II. References: (Use APA Style of Citation) eg. Last Name Author, Initials (YEAR) Title of Journal
(Book), Chapter page range, Location (publisher)
III. ASTM/AASHTO Standards (will be provided)
DISCUSSION OF THEORY:
Title: Effects of Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) Towards Consistency and Setting
Time Properties of Concrete
Author/s: Imran, N.F. , Hasri, M.N., Khairul Fitry, N.A., Hasan, D. & Ramli,
M.Z.
Literature Review:
The effects of palm oil fuel ash (POFA) on concrete consistency and curing time for use in the
construction of stiff pavements in Malaysia were investigated in this paper. Pozzolans are non-
cementitious siliceous or siliceous and aluminous materials that improve the workability, strength, and
durability of concrete. Because finer particle size enhances packing and pozzolanic activity, which leads
to increased durability, their particle size/fineness has a significant impact on the qualities of mortar or
concrete.
POFA (palm oil fuel ash), whose disposal is a concern in Malaysia, is a pozzolanic substance that
improves the compressive strength of concrete. The more finely it is ground or burned, the more
compressive strength it will provide to the concrete.
POFA samples were acquired from a palm oil plantation and prepared by oven drying for 24
hours, sieving at 212 micrometers, and liquifying at 1kg:200mL water. The consistency and setting time
tests were performed in accordance with BS EN 196-03:2005 and ASTM-C 150-09, respectively.
Regardless of the proportion of POFA and water in each sample, the consistency test revealed the
same penetration. The powder methodology revealed that a higher POFA % equals a higher water
percentage for achieving standard uniformity. The highest water percentage using this approach is 5%
POFA. The liquidation procedure produced the same outcomes with 5% POFA as the one with the
greatest water percent. According to the journal, the shape and fineness of pozzolan are important in
obtaining low water content.
The powder method setting time test revealed that a larger percentage of POFA equals a longer
setting time. The beginning and final setting times for 5% POFA are the longest. The liquidation
procedure produced the same results, but with a longer setting time for the POFA-added mixtures.
REFERENCE:
Imran, N.F. , Hasri, M.N., Khairul Fitry, N.A., Hasan, D. & Ramli, M.Z. 2013. Effects of Palm Oil Fuel
Ash (POFA) Towards Consistency and Setting Time Properties of Concrete
ASTM/AASHTO Standards:
ASTM C 191-71
AASHTO T 131-74
