Experiment 3: Time Setting of Cement: Results and Analysis

Experiment 3: Time Setting of Cement
Results and Analysis
From the data gathered, it was determined that the Initial Setting time of the first and
second trials were 2 hours, 30 mins, and 2 hours 33mins, respectively, with an average of 2
hours, 31 mins, and 30 secs.
Multiple factors can affect the time setting of cement, temperature, water-cement ratio
(percentage of water mixed), and humidity. Water-cement ratio was obtained during the second
experiment. The ideal percentage of water was 32% of the weight of cement. The experiment
was done in a well-ventilated room in terms of temperature and humidity. Last June 17, 2022,
when the experiment was conducted, the humidity from 7:00 am to 10:00 am was between 88%
and 67%, according to World Weather. The higher humidity and the colder the temperature, the
slower the time setting, and the lower the humidity and the higher the temperature, the faster
the time setting it.
Discussion
Knowing the time setting of cement can give an idea of how long the cement will not be
workable. After the initial time setting of the cement, the cement paste created will ultimately
lose its plasticity.
To know the Time Setting od Cement, a Gilmore needle was used. First, 500g of cement
was weighed and sieved using a No.200. Second, 160 ml of water was added to the cement
and mixed for 5 mins. Third, the cement paste was molded into a bowl-like shape (Figure 1) on
a glass plate. Fourth, after it was molded, it was left to set for 30 mins before using a Gilmore
needle to check its initial setting time. After the 30 mins, the cement paste was checked using
varying time intervals ranging from every 20 mins to every 5 mins with the Gilmore needle.
Significance of the Experiment
The Experiment, Time Setting of Portland Cement, was done to determine the initial
setting time of the cement paste, determine if the cement complies with the specification limit on
Gilmore time of setting and if the values satisfy ASTM standard C266. These objectives were
given to know whether the cement used adheres to the set standard and to provide an idea of
how long before Portland Cement reaches its initial setting time.
Conclusion and Application
The experiment conducted was able to satisfy the objectives presented. With an average
initial setting of 2 hours and 32 mins, the cement paste reached a minimum of 30 mins for the
initial setting time of cement.
Although the topic of the experiment was the Time Setting of Cement, only the initial setting was
recorded. The final setting time was not recorded due to the lack of the time since the final
setting is achieved in less than 10 hours.
The Time Setting of Cement can be used to know the time duration until the cement
paste loses its plasticity or workability. Since the cement will slowly start to harden after the
water is mixed, knowing how long before it loses its plasticity can help the workers' efficiency
and prevent wasting cement. Knowing the initial setting time could also help the cement paste
not to lose its strength.
It can also be used to determine when cement will ultimately lose its plasticity (Final
Setting Time). Once the cement reaches its final setting time, any form of scaffolding or support
used for the cement to attain its predefine shape can now be removed. Since construction
adheres to a schedule and an agreed date for the structure to be finished, knowing the time and
duration of each stage the cement undergoes can help create a time-efficient schedule to
prevent any delay.
Lastly, knowing the Time Setting of Cement can help transport the cement or concrete. It
is important to transport concrete via transit mixers to a construction site. With a time, limit of
roughly 1-2 hours, planning a route that will reach the construction site as fast as possible is
needed. If the concrete mix arrives too late, then the concrete will not be usable, causing the
Ready-mixed company to lose money due to poor planning.

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Experiment 3: Time Setting of Cement: Results and Analysis

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Experiment 3: Time Setting of Cement

Results and Analysis

Significance of the Experiment

Conclusion and Application

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