EXPERIMENT NO:

DATE:

AIM: To determine initial and final setting time on cement.

THEORY: As soon as water is added to cement, hydration of cement starts which results in
changing the water cement mix from fluid to solid state (setting). Initial setting time is that
time period between the time water is added to cement and the time at which 1mm square
section needle (initial set needle) fails to penetrate the cement paste placed in Vicat’s Mould
5mm to 7mm from the bottom of the mould it is usually desirable that concrete should be
placed and compacted before initial set has started and not disturbed after.

In the second state of hydration, the hardening takes place and the 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 on the mould but 5mm attachment does not make any
impression.

APPARATUS: sample of cement, fresh clean water, Vicat’s apparatus, glass plate, initial
and final set needle, measuring cylinder, enamelled tray, stop watch, weighing equipment

PROCEDURE:

INITIAL SETTING TIME

1. Prepare water cement paste of standard consistency, starting the stopwatch the
moment the water is first added to cement.
2. Place the Vicat’s mould filled with paste of standard consistency with glass plate at
bottom in the Vicats’s apparatus, with indicator placed to 0-0 when the tip of the
initial set needle fixed in the needle holder touches the surface of the paste in mould.
3. Quickly release the needle to allow it to penetrate into the paste and note the
resistance offered from the bottom of the mould.
Repeat the process i.e. quickly releasing the needle after every two min. till the
resistance to penetration offered is 5mm from the bottom of the mould. Note this time
which is the INITIAL SETTING TIME
OBSERVATION TABLE

Sr. Qty of % of water for std Qty of water for Time Penetration from
No cement consistency(p) initial setting time the bottom of
mould (mm)

RESULT:

Time when needle fails to penetrate 5mm to 7mm from the bottom of the mould=

Time at which water is first added to mould=

Initial setting time=

FINAL SETTING TIME:

1. After noting the time of initial setting time replace the initial set needle with final set
needle (5mm diameter needle).
2. Note the time when the needle makes an impression on the paste while the attachment
fails to do so.

RESULT:

Final setting time =

CONCLUSION: