JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY

OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

KIPKEMOI BERNARD KIRUI

EN251-0228/2010
BSC. CIVIL ENGINEERING

2ND YEAR- GROUP A

ECE2206: CIVIL ENGINEERING MATERIALS I

TITLE: To determine standard / normal consistency of cement.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To understand normal consistency of cement.

2. To make arrangement of test apparatus as per the standard procedure
3. To prepare cement paste as per standard procedure.
4. To measure penetration of plunger on Vicat's mould

INTRODUCTION

Normal consistency is an important property of cement paste, as is considered to be a major

parameter in determining the setting time and compressive strength of cement. A number of
trials need be made before its value is obtained. This paper consists of two parts. The first part
deals with a "One point method" of finding normal consistency. Based on the data on cements of
different finenesses, a generalized equation is developed for the assessment of normal
consistency. Ihis equation leads to a simple and rapid way of assessing normal consistency. It is
based on the principle that penetration resistance of cement paste is a measure of shear strength
which in turn depends on the physico-chemical interactions between cement and water expressed
in terms of generalized water-cement ratios. This method eliminates trials. The second part
consists of the development of an alternative method for the determination of normal
consistency. This is developed to minimize the shortcomings like mode of mixing, sample
preparation, mode of measurement etc., in the existing Vicat's method. Cone penetrometer,
extensively used to determine the liquid limit of soils, has been found to be a viable alternative to
Vicat's apparatus. The analysis of the data indicates that, with the analysis of more extensive
data, the cone penetrometer itself can be used to determine "the setting time of cement besides
the normal consistency.

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS:

Apparatus:
Vicat apparatus with plunger and mould
Weighing balance accurate up to 0.1 gm, non-porous plate, tray, stopwatch,
Trowel, enamel trough and spatula, etc.

Materials:
Cement sample and water.
DIAGRAM

PROCEDURE:

1 About 500 gm of cement were accurately weighed and placed in enamel trough.
2. About 25% of potable water were added and mixed by means of spatula. Care was
Taken that the gauging time was not less than three minutes and not more than 5 minutes.
3.Thin layer of oil was applied to inner surface of mould. The Vicat's mould was filled with
paste in the
mould resting on non- porous plate.
4. The surface of cement paste was leveled with the top of mould with the trowel. The mould
was slightly shaken to the expel air.
5. The mould was placed together with the non-porous plate under the rod bearing the plunger so
that
It touches the surface of the test block.
6. The plunger was released quickly allowing it to sink in the cement paste in the mould.
The penetration of the plunger in the paste was noted down
7. The above
mentioned procedure was repeated until the plunger penetrate to a depth of 5
To 7 mm from the bottom of mould.
8. This amount of water was expressed as a percentage by weight of dry cement.

RESULTS

Trial # Amount of cement Amount of water Depth of

penetration
1 500 grams 3 3.6 mm
160 mm
2 500 grams 3 2.6 mm
180 mm
3 500 grams 3 5 mm
196 mm
DISCUSSION
Percentage of water by mass

196÷500×100=
The standard consistency of cement sample is found to be 39.2 %

CONCLUSION:
. Normal consistency of standard cement can be gained by using the W \ C ratio and depending
on 26%- 33%.
The higher rate of water the more initial setting time needed.