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Consistently

The lab report details an experiment using Vicat's apparatus to determine the initial and final setting times of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The initial setting time was found to be 90 minutes and the final setting time 135 minutes, both meeting ASTM standards. The study emphasizes the importance of precise testing methods for evaluating material performance in construction.

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12 views6 pages

Consistently

The lab report details an experiment using Vicat's apparatus to determine the initial and final setting times of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The initial setting time was found to be 90 minutes and the final setting time 135 minutes, both meeting ASTM standards. The study emphasizes the importance of precise testing methods for evaluating material performance in construction.

Uploaded by

suburdulal29
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Lab Report: Determination of Initial and Final Setting Time of

Cement Using Vicat’s Apparatus


Abstract
The determination of the initial setting time of cement is essential to evaluate its workability
and suitability for construction applications. In this experiment, Vicat’s apparatus was
employed to measure the time required for a cement paste to achieve the initial setting under
controlled conditions. A paste was prepared by mixing 300 g of Ordinary Portland Cement
(OPC) with 75 g of potable water, achieving the standard consistency. The paste was molded
into a conical ring and placed in a moist cabinet to maintain standardized environmental
conditions. Penetration tests were conducted using a 1-mm needle at 15-minute intervals to
monitor the reduction in penetration depth over time.
The initial setting time was recorded as the time when needle penetration reduced to 25 mm,
while the final setting time was determined when the needle no longer visibly penetrated the
paste. The experiment resulted in an initial setting time of 90 minutes and a final setting time of
135 minutes, both within the acceptable range defined by ASTM standards. These findings
confirm the cement’s compliance with quality requirements and its suitability for practical
construction use. This study highlights the significance of precise testing methods in ensuring
reliable and consistent results in material performance evaluation.

Referenced Documents

This experiment was conducted in accordance with ASTM C191 specifications.

Apparatus
Electronic Balance: Sensitive to 0.1 mg.

Glass Graduates: Three pieces, each with a capacity of 200–250 ml.


Hand Gloves
Small Trowel
Three 4-inch Glass Plates

Vicat Apparatus: The apparatus includes the following attachments:


Square needle for initial setting time determination
Needle with annular collar for final setting time determination
Plunger for normal or standard consistency tests
The components of the Vicat apparatus include:
Weight of Movable Rod: 300 ± 5 g
Hardness of Rod: 35 HRC (Rockwell Hardness Number)
Diameter of Plunger End: 10 ± 0.05 mm

Length of Plunger: 50 mm
Diameter of Needle: 1 ± 0.05 mm
Length of Needle: 50 mm
Inside Diameter of Ring (Top): 60 ± 3 mm

Inside Diameter of Ring (Bottom): 70 ± 3 mm


Height of Ring: 40 ± 1 mm
Graduated Scale: Accuracy within 0.1 mm, deviation not exceeding 0.25 mm at any point

Fig: vicat apparatus.

Materials

• Cement: 300 g
• Potable Water: 87 g
Environmental Conditions

• Temperature: 20–27.5°C (air, cement, molds, and base plates); mixing water and
moist storage at 23°C ± 1.7°C
• Relative Humidity: Minimum 50% (laboratory), 90% (moist storage)

Procedure

Preparation of Cement Paste

1. Weighed 300 g of cement and mixed it with 87 g of water.


2. Allowed the mixture to rest for 30 seconds for water absorption, then thoroughly
mixed it into a paste while wearing gloves.

Molding the Specimen

1. Formed the cement paste into a spherical shape and transferred it into the larger
end of the Vicat ring.
2. Filled the ring completely and removed excess paste using a single movement of
the hand and a trowel.
3. Placed the ring on a glass plate and smoothed the top surface without
compressing the paste.
4. Transferred the molded specimen to a moist cabinet for curing.

Time of Setting Determination

1. The specimen was left undisturbed in the moist cabinet for 15 minutes after
molding.
2. Penetration tests were performed at 15-minute intervals using the 1-mm needle
until a penetration of 25 mm or less was recorded.
3. Recorded the results and determined the initial setting time by plotting
penetration vs. time on graph paper.
4. The final setting time was noted when the needle did not visibly penetrate the
paste.
Fig : 25 mm Penetration .

calculation
Weight of water : 300g

Percentage of water : 29%

Time ( min ) Penetration (mm)

Initial Full (40)

15 Full

30 Full

45 38

60 30

65 28

70 27

75 25
45

40

35

30

25
Penetration (mm)

20

15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Time (min)

Results

• Initial Setting Time: 75 minutes


• Final Setting Time: 180 minutes

Final setting time = 90 + 1.2*initial setting time

=(90 + 1.2*75)

= 180 minutes

Precautions

1. Ensured the apparatus was free from vibrations during testing.


2. Kept the 1-mm needle clean and straight to avoid inaccuracies.
3. Maintained consistent environmental conditions, as temperature, humidity, and
water content affect the setting time.

Conclusion

The experiment demonstrated the initial and final setting times of cement under
standardized conditions. The results align with ASTM requirements, ensuring the
cement's quality and suitability for construction purposes.

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