Group No: 5 Group Leader: OFALLA, RAYMART RATING:

Date Performed: AUGUST 18, 2018 Date Submitted: OCTOBER 29, 2018
Year and Section: BSCE-4D

EXPERIMENT NO. 4
INITIAL AND FINAL SETTING TIME OF CEMENT
(ASTM C191 Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement by Vicat Needle)

OBJECTIVE
To determine the Initial and Final Setting Time of Cement using Vicat Apparatus.

MAIN PRINCIPLE
This test is carried out to find whether a cement sets at a rate suitable for a particular
work. There is no necessary relationship between the time of setting and that
of hardening or attaining the maximum strength. A slow setting cement may harden more rapidly
than a quick setting one, and vice versa. The hardening of cement is actually a continuation of
the chemical action which began with setting. If the cement is placed in the mold. After initial
setting time the cement mold can be detached and after final setting time the Vicat’s apparatus
plunger gives no impression.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL

• Semi-Automatic Vicat Apparatus with the following accessories:
o Standard plunger
o Needle for initial setting
o Needle for final setting
o Plane non-absorptive plate
o Conical ring
o Disc
• Weighing scale
• Graduated Cylinder
• Flat trowel
• Mixing Bowl
• Timer
• Cement
• Potable Water
PRECAUTION
• Maintain the temperature of the air in the vicinity of the mixing slab, the dry cement,
molds, and base plates at 23.0 ± 3.0°C.
• Maintain the temperature of the mixing water at 23.0 ± 2.0ºC.
• The relative humidity of the mixing room shall be not less than 50 %
• After a minute from the instant adding of water it should be thoroughly mixed for at least
one minute.
• For each repetition of experiment fresh cement is to be taken
• Plunger should be cleaned during every repetition and make sure it moves freely and that
there is no vibration.

TEST PROCEDURE
Calibration of Vicat apparatus
1. Adjust the hydraulic regulator such that the falling for 40mm distance 6-7 seconds
2. Install the standard plunger in the apparatus
3. Place the glass plate top the base and lower down sliding rod until the standard
plunger touches the glass plate
4. Adjust the indicator to zero reading
5. Place a thin film of grease on the bottom of the conical ring and attached it to the
glass plate.
Molding of test Specimen
Prepare a 650g of cement and place on the mixing plate.
1. Turn the cement paste into a ball using glove hands.
2. Toss the cement paste(ball) into the other hand about 6 times and 6 inches apart.

3. Press the ball into the larger or bousing the palm with another palm with a conical ring
held in the other hand.

4. Place the ring in a non-absorptive plate and slice of the excess paste at a single stroke
of the trowel (with a slight angle on the top of the ring).
5. With one or two touches using the pointed end of the trowel smoothen the specimen
(make sure that it wouldn’t compress the paste).
6. Place the specimen in a non-absorptive cabinet or room.
Procedure of Initial time setting
• In the moist room or cabinet allow the specimen to stay for 30 minutes. Without any
vibration, and disturbance in the surrounding
 • For determining the initial setting time of cement paste, set the 1mm diameter needle on
the lower end of the rod.
• Place the conical ring with the cement paste sample in at the top of non-absorptive plate
and set the one 1mm needle in touch with the cement paste.
• Take the first penetration of the specimen after 30 minutes in moist cabinet, for 30
seconds allow It to freely penetrate. (Note: record the time when penetration starts, end
and how deep it goes.)
• Before taking another penetration, clean the needle and place it in touch of the cement
paste.
• After 15 minutes take another penetration at the sample 6 mm away from the previous
penetration.
• After a series of penetration. Take the initial setting when the needle penetrates 25mm or
less
(Note: take the 25 mm penetration by interpolating when given a less than 25 mm
reading)
• Record the initial setting time.

Procedure of Final Setting time

• Replace 1mm needle use in the initial setting time by 5mm needle for final setting time.
• Place the 5mm diameter needle in touch of the specimen.
• After 15 minutes of taking the initial setting time, take the first penetration of final setting
time.
• Before taking another penetration, clean the needle and place it in touch of the cement
paste.
• After 15 minutes take another penetration at the sample __ mm away from the previous
penetration.
• The cement sample reached the final setting time when the needle doesn’t penetrate of
leave a mark in the sample.
• Record the final setting time.

CALCULATION
• Initial setting time (Ti) = Time of Initial Setting (Ti´) – Time water was added to cement
(To)
• Final setting time (Tf) = Time of Final Setting (Tf´) – Time water added to cement (To)

DATA SHEET
For Initial Setting time

Ti Ti´ To
55 minutes 60 minutes 5 minutes
For Final Setting Time

Tf Tf´ To
393 minutes 398 minutes 5 minutes

SAMPLE CALCULATION
Initial setting time (Ti) = Time of Initial Setting (Ti´) – Time water was added to cement (To)
Initial setting time (Ti) = 60 minutes – 5 minutes
Initial setting time (Ti) = 55 minutes

Final setting time (Tf) = Time of Final Setting (Tf´) – Time water added to cement (To)
Final setting time (Tf) = 398 minutes – 5 minutes
Final setting time (Tf) = 393 minutes
ILLUSTRATION
DISCUSSION/OBSERVATION/ANALYSIS

Initial setting time is that time period between the time water is added to cement and time

at which 1 mm square section needle fails to penetrate the cement paste, placed in the Vicat’s

mould 5 mm to 7 mm from the bottom of the mould. Final setting time is that time period

between the time water is added to cement and the time at which 1 mm needle makes an

impression on the paste in the mould but 5 mm attachment does not make any impression. It is

essential that cement set neither too rapidly nor too slowly. In the first case there might be

insufficient time to transport and place the concrete before it becomes too rigid. In the second

case too long a setting period tends to slow up the work unduly, also it might postpone the actual

use of the structure because of inadequate strength at the desired age. Setting should not be

confused with hardening, which refers to the gain in mechanical strength after the certain degree

of resistance to the penetration of a special attachment pressed into it. Setting time is the time

required for stiffening of cement paste to a defined consistency. Indirectly related to the initial

chemical reaction of cement with water to form aluminum-silicate compound. Initial setting time

is the time when the paste starts losing its plasticity. Initial setting time test is important for

transportation, placing and compaction of cement concrete. Initial setting time duration is

required to delay the process of hydration or hardening. Final setting time is the time when the

paste completely loses its plasticity. It is the time taken for the cement paste or cement concrete

to harden sufficiently and attain the shape of the mould in which it is cast. Determination of final

setting time period facilitates safe removal of scaffolding or form. During this period of time

primary chemical reaction of cement with water is almost completed.

CONCLUSION

The initial setting time of cement using the vicat apparatus is 55 min while the final

setting time of cement is 393 min.

PEER EVALUATION
GROUP LEADER
OFALLA, RAYMART L. 99
GROUP MEMBER
CAMPANA, KHIZIA MARIELLE O. 99
ESTRAEL, JAY P. 99
GAMBOA JR., JOEL O. 100
PANTAS, HANNA MAE A. 99
TALAY, TRACY D. 99