MODULE I

CEMENT QUALITY TESTING

A. Cement Initial Bond Testing (SNI 03-6827-2002)

1. Purpose
The aim of this method is to obtain an initial setting time value
which is used to determine portland cement. This method is intended as a
reference and guide for testing the initial setting time of Portland cement
for civil works (SNI, Testing Method Initial setting time of Portland
cement using the Vicat tool, 2002)
2. Theoretical basis
a. Understanding
1) Initial setting time is the time required for cement paste to change
its properties from liquid to solid.
2) The final tie time is the time when the vicat needle penetration is
not visually visible.
3) Air temperature is room temperature at the time the test is carried
out.
4) The test specimen is a quantity of Portland cement with a certain
weight and content made from samples of Portland cement.
5) A sample of Portland cement is a quantity of Portland cement with
a certain weight and content taken from a storage place at random
and considered to represent a quantity of Portland cement that will
be used for a job.
b. Number of Examples
1) The number of Portland cement samples required for testing the
initial setting time of cement is determined based on applicable
regulations.
2) If a job will use more than one type of cement, then for each type
of cement used an initial setting time test must be carried out
 3) Samples for each type of cement are taken randomly based on
applicable regulations.
4) The weight or volume of each sample is determined according to
the number of test objects.
c. Example Management

Sample management must follow the following regulations:

1) Each sample must be clearly labeled, so that the identity of the

sample can be clearly known:
2) The sample label must contain:
a) Sample number
b) Cement type
c) Factory origin
d) Number of examples
e) Name of the technician who took the sample
f) Date of sampling
3) Cement samples must be stored in a dry place, to avoid the
possibility of changes in the condition and properties of the
cement
d. Testing System
1) Initial setting time testing of Portland cement is carried out with a
single test object
2) Recording test data must use a form from the laboratory
containing:
a) Identity of test objects and samples
b) Testing Technician
c) Test Date
d) Person in charge of testing
e) Recording test data
f) Name of laboratory and testing agency
 3) The test results must be signed by the person in charge testing.
(SNI, Initial Set Time Testing Method for Porland Cement Using
Vicat Tools, 2002)
3. Tools and Materials
a. Tool
1) Stopwatch
2) Vicat Apparatus, with specifications:
Weight of plunger and needle = 300 grams
Needle length = 50 mm
Needle diameter = 1 mm
3) Mold, with the following conditions:
Bottom = 70 mm
Top = 60 mm
Height = 40 mm
4) Baking pan
b. Material
1) Minimum 300 grams of Portland cement.
2) Clean water
4. Work Steps
a. Make a ball of cement paste with your hands, then throw it 6 times
from one hand to the other with a distance of ±15 cm.
b. Put the paste into the mold until it is completely filled, then place it
on the glass plate and level the top surface.
c. Insert the Vicat Apparatus needle until it touches the top surface of
the paste.
d. Every 15 minutes, the needle is dropped so that it penetrates the
paste for 30 seconds.
e. Make a graph of the relationship between time and the decline.
f. Initial bonding occurs at a drop of 25 mm
 5. Flowchart
Start

Prepare Tools and Materials :

Tools : Materials :
a. Stopwatch a. Portland cement
b. Vicat Apparatus minimum 300 grams
c. Mold b. Clean laboratory Step 1
d. Baking dish water Tools and
Materials

Work Steps :
1. Make a ball of cement paste with your hands, then throw it 6
times from one hand to the other with a distance of ±15 cm.
2. Put the paste into the mold until it is completely filled, then
place it on the glass plate and level the top surface.
3. Insert the Vicar Apparatus needle until it touches the top
surface of the paste.
4. Every 15 minutes, the needle is dropped so that it penetrates
Step 2
the paste for 30 seconds.
5. Make a graph of the relationship between time and the decline. Testing
Initial
6. Initial bonding occurs at a drop of 25 mm Cement
Bond

Observe the Results of the Experiment

Degradation of 25mm NO
YES
Step 3
Data Analysis Data
Analysis

Conclusion

Finish

Figure I.A.1 Flowchart of Initial Cement Bond

6. Table of the Experimental Data

MUHAMMADIYAH SURAKARTA UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
LABORATORY OF BUILDING MATERIAL
Jl. A. Yani Pabelan Kartasura Telp. (0271) 717417-219 Tromol Pos 1 Surakarta 57162

INITIAL CEMENT BOND

SNI 03-6827-2002

Table I.A.1. Initial Cement Bond Testing

Experiment 1 2 3 4 X 5 6 7
Time (minute) 0 15 30 45 52,5 60 75 90
Degradation (mm) 39 35 33 28 25 22 11 5
Specification of Degradation 25 mm
7. Graph of the Result of Experimental Data

MUHAMMADIYAH SURAKARTA UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
LABORATORY OF BUILDING MATERIAL
Jl. A. Yani Pabelan Kartasura Telp. (0271) 717417-219 Tromol Pos 1 Surakarta 57162

Graph of the Relationship between

Time and Degradation
45,00
40,00
35,00
30,00
25,00
20,00
15,00

Degradation (mm)
10,00
5,00
0,00
0,00 10,00 20,00 30,00 40,00 50,00 60,00 70,00 80,00 90,00 100,00
Time (minute)

Figure I.A.2 Graph of Relationship between Time and Degradation

8. Discussion
According to SNI 03-6827-2002, initial setting time is the time
required for cement paste to change its properties from a liquid to a solid
state. This test aims to determine the time needed for cement to harden,
starting from reacting with water and becoming cement paste until the
cement paste is stiff enough to withstand pressure.
When cement is mixed with water it will become a plastic slurry,
gradually this plastic property decreases and it becomes hard. The time
from mixing cement and water until it loses its plastic properties is called
the initial setting time, and the time until the cement paste becomes a hard
mass is called the final setting time. The initial tie time is determined based
on the time when the vicat needle penetration reaches a value of 25 mm. A
fairly long initial setting time is required for transportation, pouring,
compacting and leveling the concrete surface.

9. Calculation
Tabel I.A.2 Data of Initial Cement Bond
Experiment 1 2 3 4 X 5 6 7
Time (minute) 0 15 30 45 52,5 60 75 90
Degradation (mm) 39 35 33 28 25 22 11 5

Interpolation
(𝑌 − 𝑌1)
𝑋 = 𝑋1 + × (𝑋2 − 𝑋1)
(𝑌2 − 𝑌1)
(25 − 28)
= 45 + × (60 − 45)
(22 − 28)
= 52,5
10. Conclusion
From the initial cement bonding experiment, can be concluded that
in the graph and interpolation results, a decrease of 25 mm occurred at 52.5
minutes
11. Suggestion
a. In the initial cement bonding experiment, it must be carried out
carefully
b. Pay more attention to the stopwatch
12. Constraint
a. Experienced a little difficulty in paying attention to the vicat apparatus
when it touched the cement surface
b. Error in recording the time of decline
12. Figure of Tools and Materials

Figure 1.A.3 Stopwatch Figure 1.A.4 Vicat Apparatus

Figure 1.A.6 Cement

Figure 1.A.5 Mold

Figure 1.A.7 Baking Pan

13. Figure of Practice

Figure I.A.8 Practice of Initial

Cement Bond