OBJECTIVE :

1) To determine normal consistency of

2) the
To determine cement.
initial and final setting
cement
the
time
of
CONSISTENCY : The thickness or the viscosity of the cement paste is called
consistency. It is the ratio of the mass of water to the mass of cement expressed
as percentage.
STANDARD CEMENT
PASTE: It
is
the cement
paste
for
which the 10mm diameter plunger in a standard
VICATs test penetrates to such an extent that its distance from the bottom is 5-7
mm. The normal consistency of cement is 28%.
NORMAL CONSISTENCY: It is the consistency of the standard cement paste .
INITIAL SETTING TIME: The time elapsed between the initial mixing
of cement and water and the time
when a
1mm2
cross
section needle
gives
a penetration between 4-7 mm from
the
bottom in a standard Vicat apparatus is known as the initial setting time of that
particular
cement paste.
FINAL SETTING TIME : The time elapsed between the initial contact of
cement and water and the time when the smaller needle( 1mm2 cross section and
0.5 mm deep ) penetrates the surface of the paste and the outer metal attachment
of 5mm diameter does not leave any impression on the paste.

Using the Vicats Apparatus the Initial Setting time of a Cement is 1hour20 minutes
Using the Vicats Apparatus the Final Setting time of a Cement is 4hours 25min