PRACTICAL 3: STANDARD CONSISTENCY OF CEMENT PASTE

REFERENCE
IS: 4031, Part 4, 1988 - Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement (Determination of
consistency of standard cement paste).

OBJECTIVE
To perform Standard Consistency of Cement Paste

BACKGROUND
To determine initial and final setting time the amount of water needed to make standard paste
is required.

This test helps to determine water content for other tests like initial and final setting time,
soundness & compressive strength. However, we go through some problem such as minor error
at weighing the cement and taking the reading of water in measuring cylinder because our eyes
are not on perpendicular level. We took some time to get the most accurate result of consistency
of cement.

DEFINITION
The standard consistency of a cement paste is defined as that consistency which will permit the
Vicat plunger to penetrate to a point 5 to 7mm from the bottom of the Vicat mould.

APPARATUS USED
1. Vicat Apparatus Conforming to IS: 5513-1976.
2. Balance of capacity 1Kg and sensitivity to 1 gram.
3. Gauging trowel conforming to IS: 10086, 1982.
4. Water flask

5. Water
6. Cement Portland 400g
 Fig.1: Vicat Apparatus

PROCEDURE

1. Unless otherwise specified this test shall be conducted at a temperature 27 + 20 ˚C

and the relative humidity of laboratory should be 65 + 5%.
2. Prepare a paste of weighed quantity of cement (400gm) with weighed quantity of
potable or distilled water, taking care that the time of gauging is not less than 3 minute
nor more than 5 minute and the gauging is completed before any sign of setting occurs.
3. The gauging is counted from the time of adding water to the dry cement until
commencing to fill the mould.
4. Fill the Vicat mould with this paste resting upon a non-porous plate.
5. Smoothen the surface of the paste, making it level with the top of the mould.
6. Slightly shake the mould to expel the air.
7. Immediately place the test block with the non-porous resting plate, under the rod
bearing the plunger.
8. Lower the plunger (10 mm) gently to touch the surface of the test block and quickly
release, allowing it sink into the paste.
9. Record the depth of penetration.
10. Prepare trial pastes with varying percentages of water and test as described above until
the plunger is 5 mm to 7 mm from the bottom of the Vicat mould.
PRECAUTIONS
1. Gauging time should be strictly observed
2. Room temperature should be well maintained as per test requirement.
3. All apparatus used should be clean.
4. The experiment should be performed away from vibrations and other disturbances.

CALCULATION

Calculate percentage of water (P) by weight of dry cement required to prepare cement paste of
standard consistency by following formula, and express it to the first place of decimal.

Where,
W = Quantity of water added.
C = Quantity of cement used

CONSISTENCY OF CEMENT

Wt. of cement Needle

Trial no. (gm) Water(cc) Water (%) penetration Remarks
From top
bottom
(mm)
1 STANDARD
2 CONSISTENCY AT
28 DEGREE ROOM
3
TEMPERATURE

STANDARD CONSISTENCY (%) =

CONCLUSION: