STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE Ref.
No SOP/CMT-002
Tusschenbroek testing protocol (false setting of Rev. No. 0
hydraulic binder) Eff. Date 5 NOV 2018
Prepared By: Abraham Henry Approved by: Page 1 of 3
1.0 Objective
The purpose of this protocol is to define the test for determining the false setting of
hydraulic binder.
2.0 Reference
EN 197-1: cements, compositions, specifications and conformity criteria – Part 1
EN 196-1: Method of testing cements – Part 1
EN 196-3: Method of testing cements – Part 3
3.0 Laboratory & Apparatus
3.1 Laboratory must be mastered at (20 +/- 2)°C with a relative humidity at least at 65%.
3.2 Balance allowing to weight at ± 1 g.
3.3 Graduated cylinder allowing to measure a volume at ± 1%.
3.4 Lab mixer (EN 196-1)
3.5 Vicat apparatus (EN 196-3)
4.0 Sample Preparation
4.1 Drinking water at 20 ± 2 ̊C
4.2 Cement stored at 20 ± 2 ᵒ C
5.0 Procedure
5.1 Weigh to an accuracy of +/- 1 g 500 g of cement and water 175 g +/-1 g.
5.2 When water is measured by volume using the graduated cylinder it shall be dispensed
to an accuracy of ± 1 ml
5.3 Place the water and then the cement into the bowl – mixing apparatus is off.
5.4 Immediately start the mixer at low speed during 15 seconds
5.5 Immediately start the mixer at low speed during 15 seconds.
5.6 Stop.
5.7 Transfer the paste immediately to the lightly oiled mould, which has previously been
placed on the glass base-plate sealed with Vaseline
5.8 Fill it to excess without undue compaction or vibration
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE Ref. No SOP/CMT-002
Tusschenbroek testing protocol (false setting of Rev. No. 0
hydraulic binder) Eff. Date 5 NOV 2018
Prepared By: Abraham Henry Approved by: Page 2 of 3
5.9 Remove the excess by a gentle sawing motion with a straight-edged implement in
such a way as to leave the paste filling the mould and having a smooth upper surface.
5.10 Penetration test: immediately after levelling the paste, transfer the mould and base
plate to the Vicat apparatus and position it centrally under the plunger.
5.11 Lower the plunger gently until it is in contact with the paste. Pause in that position for
between 1 s and 2 s in order to avoid initial velocity or forced acceleration of the
moving parts.
5.12 Then release the moving parts quickly and allow the plunger to penetrate vertically
into the centre of the paste.
5.13 The release of the plunger shall occur 20 s after the end of mixing.
5.14 Read the scale at the end of penetration or after 15 s after the release of the plunger,
whichever is the earlier one.
5.15 Record the scale reading, which indicates the distance between the bottom face of the
plunger and the base plate.
5.16 Repeat the test every 5 minutes within 15 minutes time. The plunger must penetrate in
a different area of the paste. You shall respect 1 cm between each penetration spot.
5.17 Clean plunger immediately after each penetration.
6.0 Reporting
6.1 We report the scale reading measured every 5 minutes (T0, T5, T10, T15)
6.2 We consider there is a “false set” when the scale reading is over than zero at 15 minutes.
6.3 The gap between the scale reading at different times (T0, T5, T10, T15) helps to
appreciate the importance of “false set”.
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE Ref. No SOP/CMT-002
Tusschenbroek testing protocol (false setting of Rev. No. 0
hydraulic binder) Eff. Date 5 NOV 2018
Prepared By: Abraham Henry Approved by: Page 3 of 3
