2.

INITIAL AND FINAL SETTING TIME OF CEMENT

Aim: To determine the initial and final setting time of the cement paste.
Apparatus:
1. Vicat apparatus
2. 1 sqmm needle for initial setting time & 5 sqmm needle for final setting time
3. Weighing machine
4. Stop watch
5. Vicat mould
Materials:
1. Cement
2. Water
Theory:
Initial setting time is regarded as the time elapsed between the moment that the water is
added to the cement, to the time that the paste starts losing its plasticity. The final setting time is the
time elapsed between the moment the water is added to the cement and the time when the paste has
completely lost its plasticity and has attained sufficient firmness to resist certain definite pressure.
Generally the initial setting time should not be less than 30 minutes and final setting time
should not be more than 10 hours.
Procedure:
1. The Vicat Apparatus is used for setting time test.
2. 500 g of cement sample is to be taken and is mixed with 0.85 times the water required to
produce cement paste of standard consistency (0.85 P).
3. The paste is to be filled into the Vicat mould within 3-5 minutes.
4. Stop watch is to be started the moment water is added to the cement. The temperature of
water and that of the test room, at the time of test shall be within 27°C ± 2°C.
Initial Setting Time:
5. The needle of 1 sqmm is lowered gently to bring it in contact with the surface of the test
block and released quickly. Allow it to penetrate into the test block.
6. In the beginning, the needle will completely pierce through the test block. But after some
time when the paste starts losing its plasticity, the needle may penetrate only to a depth of
33-35 mm from the top.
7. The period elapsing between the time when water is added to the cement and the time at
which needle penetrates to a depth of 33-35 mm from the top is the initial setting time.
Final Setting Time:
8. Replace the needle of the Vicat appartus by a 5 sqmm needle.
9. The cement shall be considered as finally set when, upon, lowering the attachment gently
cover the surface of the test block, the centre needle makes an impression, while the
circular cutting edge of the attachment fails to do so. In other words the paste has attained
such hardness that the centre needle does not pierce through the paste more than 0.5 mm.
Observations:
Weight of the cement taken :
Standard consistency of cement (P) :
Weight of water added : 0.85 * P =
Calculations:
S.No Time in minutes Position of Vicat’s needle after penetration in mm from the top

Time taken in minutes for the penetration of the needle to a depth of 33-37 mm from the top is the
initial setting time of the cement. The time taken for the circular cutting edge of 5 sqmm to
penetrate not more than 0.5 mm is the final setting time.

Results:
Initial setting time of the given cement is ________________________.
Final setting time of the given cement is _________________________.