Concrete Laboratory Dr.

ODAY ALI AZEZ

Test no (2)
Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement by Vicat Needle
Scope
This test method covers the determination of the initial and final setting of hydraulic
cement by means of the Vicat needle.

Standard
IQ 8; BS 12 Part 2; ASTM C191 -04

Apparatus
 Vicat Apparatus
 Vicat Needle C and F
 Vicat mould (internal diameter 70 mm at top , 80mm at bottom and height
40 mm)
 Measuring cylinder
 Stop watch
 Glass plate
 Electrical balance
 Spatula

Materials

 Amount of cement = 400 g

 Clean water

Procedure
1. Prepare a paste of 400 g of Cement by using the same procedure required for
the determination of normal consistency of hydraulic cement paste.
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Concrete Laboratory Dr. ODAY ALI AZEZ

2. Fill the Vicat mould (E) with the prepared paste, the mould resting upon a
non-porous plate. After completely filling the mould, smoothen the surface of
the paste, making it level with the top of the mould. The mould may be slightly
shaken to expel the air.
3. During the test period, store the mould in a cabinet to provide the required
standard condition of 20 ± 2 0C and relative humidity of shall be not less than
90%.
4. Place the mould, under the rod bearing the needle (C); lower the needle gently
until it comes in contact with the surface of the test sample and quickly
release, allowing it to penetrate into the test block.
5. Repeat this procedure until the needle, when brought in contact with the test
sample and released as described above, fails to penetrate the block beyond
5.0 mm measured from the bottom of the mould shall be the initial setting
time.

Determination of Final Setting Time

6. Replace the needle (C) of the Vicat apparatus by the needle with an
annular attachment (F).
7. The cement shall be considered as finally set when, upon applying
the needle gently to the surface of the test block, the needle makes
an impression thereon, while the attachment fails to do so.
8. The period elapsing between the time when water is added to the
cement and the time at which the needle makes an impression on the
surface of test sample while the attachment fails to do so shall be the
final setting time.

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Concrete Laboratory Dr. ODAY ALI AZEZ