University of Southeastern Philippines

College of Engineering

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING LABORATORY

CE 412
REPORT
SECTION
JOHN LORD M. CASTILLO
CE 4-1 GRADE

LAB EXP. 7
ASTM DETERMINATION OF SETTING TIME OF CEMENT
DATE
________

I. SAMPLE SOURCE
Local Hardware

II. APPARATUS USED

Portland Cement Sample
Weighing Scale, 300g
Sieve (No.200)
Spatula
Mixing Container
Vicat Apparatus

III. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

Cement has many important properties which are gained by adding required
amount of water to start the reaction between them. When water is mixed with
cement, the paste is formed and it remains in the plastic state for a first few minutes.
During these first few minutes, the paste can be molded in any required shape due to
its plasticity. However, within this specific time, reaction continues between cement
and water. During this reaction, paste loses its plasticity and gets hardened.
Afterwards, molding the hardened paste in the desired shape is difficult. The early
time of the hardening of cement paste is known as “Setting Time of Cement”.

Setting Time is defined as a specified time required for concrete or mortar to

change from liquid state to plastic state and plastic state to solid state so that the
surface becomes sufficiently rigid to withstand a definite amount of pressure. It is
necessary to place and consolidate the concrete or the mortar before initial setting to
start and do not disturb till the final setting of mortar or concrete has taken place.

IV. PROCEDURES
1. Assemble all the materials needed.
2. Mix the cement sample with water to form a cement paste with normal
consistency.
3. Place the cement paste in a conical ring with an inside diameter 70mm at bottom
and 60mm at top, with height of 40mm.
4. Bring the small end of the needle of the Vicat Apparatus on the surface of the
paste and then quickly release the needle to allow it to penetrate the paste.
5. Determine the penetration of the Vicat needle into the cement paste in 30 seconds,
every 15 minutes.
6. Initial setting time is reached when the penetration in 30 seconds is 5mm above
the bottom of the mold. Utilize interpolation method to obtain this time.
7. Final setting time is reached when the needle cease to sink any deeper when
released.

1
 V. ILLUSTRATION (DOCUMENTATION OF ACTUAL LAB
EXPERIMENT/PICTURES AND ILLUSTRATION)

Prepare the materials. Mix the cement sample.

Place the cement paste in the mold Determine the penetration of the
and set up the Vicat apparatus. Vicat needle.

VI. RESULTS (TABLE FORM) AND CALCULATION

TOTAL TIME PENETRATION READING (mm)
15 minutes 0
30 minutes 0
45 minutes 0
1 hour 0
1 hour and 15 minutes 0
1 hour and 30 minutes 0
1 hour and 45 minutes 3.75
2 hours 4.63
2 hours and 15 minutes 10.8
2 hours and 30 minutes 25.1
2 hours and 45 minutes 28.6
3 hours 31.1
3 hours and 15 minutes 34
3 hours and 30 minutes 34.4
3 hours and 45 minutes 34.9
4 hours 35.5
4 hours and 15 minutes 35.6

Initial Setting Time:

2
 Penetration (mm) Time
3.75 105 minutes
5 x
4.63 120 minutes

by Interpolation:

120 min−105min 120−x

=
4.63 mm−3.75 mm 4.63−5

x = 126.31 minutes

Initial Setting Time = 126.31 minutes

Final Setting Time = 255 minutes

VII. OBSERVATION AND CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED

Since this is the first experiment that involves cement and we are still quite unfamiliar
on how to properly mix the cement and water regarding their volume ratios, we had a
hard time achieving a mixture with normal consistency.

VIII. LESSONS LEARNED AND PERSONAL REFLECTION

I have learned in this experiment the virtue of patience. To achieve something in life,
sometimes we should learn how to not rush things and wait patiently for something to
happen.

IX. GROUP MEMBERS WITH PICTURE FOR THIS EXPERIMENT

Angob, Claudette Stephanie
Buladaco, Khriztle Vonn
Barba, Frances Nicole
Castillo, John Lord
Balili, Droisi John
Ausa, Joana Mae
Bonso, Lloyd

CHECKED BY: MERLINDA L. LEMIN

DATE: __________________ INSTRUCTOR
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