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TEST NO.3 DATA.11/4/2020

PROPOSE OF THE TEST: The purpose of this test is to determine

the initial setting time and Final setting time of an example of
Cement.

 MATERIALS
1. Potable water.
2. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC).

 APPARATUS
1. Sensitive balance.
2. Graduate cylinder.
3. Vicat apparatus (having plunger 1mm and 5mm).
4. Vicat mold.
5. Mixing machine.
6. Trowel.
7. Glass plate.
8. Hand covers (plastic gloves).
9. Stop watch.

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INTRODUCTION
Initial setting time is that time period between the time
water is added to cement and time at which 1 mm square
section needle fails to penetrate the cement paste, placed
in the Vicat’s mould 5 mm to 7 mm from the bottom of the
mould. and 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 in the
mould but 5 mm attachment does not make any
impression. This test is carried out to find whether a
cement sets at a rate suitable for a particular work.

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PROCEDURE
1. Wight 650 gm of sample of cement. with the percentage of mixing
water required for normal consistency (of test 2 we fined )
2. Place the bowl in the mixer, place all the mixing water in Add the
cement to the water and allow 30 seconds for the absorption of
the water, Start the mixer and mix at slow speed for 30 seconds.
Stop the mixer for 15 seconds at this time remove paste that may
have collected on the side of the bowl, Start the mixer at medium
speed and mix for 60 seconds
3. With the hands form this paste shape of ball, then throw up the
ball six times from one hand to the other hand, keeping the hands
about (15 cm)
4. pressed into the large end of the Vicat mold. Use the glass to
excess paste at the large end then place the large end at the glass
plate.
5. Use the trowel to excess past at the small end.
6. Center the paste confined in the ring, resting on the plate, under
the rod, the plunger and shall be brought in contact with surface
of the paste and tighten the set screw.
7. Determine the penetration of the 1-mm needle at this time and
every 15 minutes.
8. Record the results of all penetration tests and, using chart,
determine the time when a penetration of 25 mm is obtained.
9. Set the (5 mm) diameter needle on the lower end of the rod.
Determine the final time of setting every 60 minutes, and till the
circle of needle 5mm It does not appear on cement only needle or
determine the final setting time using the empirical equation and
as follows:
𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 = 1.2 × (𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒) + 90

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SKETCHE

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CALCULATION

Time (min) Penetration (mm)

0 0
15 3
30 7
45 10
60 14
120 22
180 34
240 40

INITIAL SETTING TIME CHART

45
40
40
34
35

30
PENETRATION

25 22

20
14
15
10
10 7
3
5
0
0
0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150 165 180 195 210 225 240 255 270
TIME

Initial setting time = 135 min . 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 ≤ 45 min(𝑜𝑘)

𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 = 𝟏. 𝟐 × (𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆) + 𝟗𝟎
Final setting time = 252 min . 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 ≥ 375 min(𝑜𝑘)

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DISCUSSION
by this test we know the time that cement taken to set initial. Our
initial setting time equal 135 and according to specification because not
less than 45 min, during this test we have some factors that effect on
the result if weather not good or the needle during needle penetration
not clean in the result if Initial setting time not qualified we can’t use it
in engineering.

The cement paste must be properly mixed and placed in the test
specimen within maximum time of 4±1/4 min from the instant when
cement and water were initially brought in contact.

The temperature of the air in the vicinity should be between 20-27 °C.
The temperature of the mixing water should be 23±2 °C. The relative
humidity of the laboratory should not be less than 50%