Experiment No.

Determination of Normal Consistency of Cement with

Vicat’s Apparatus
Related Theory:
Normal consistency is Normal c the consistency of cement pastes which allows
penetration of the 10 mm diameter needle of Vicat plunger to 5 to 7 mm from the
bottom of the standard Vicat apparatus. Normal consistency is also known as
standard consistency of cement.
This test method conforms to the ASTM standard requirements of specification
ASTM C187-04 and B.S 12. The usual range of values lies between 26 to 33 percent
by weight of dry cement.
Objective:
The objective of the experiment is to determine the normal consistency of cement
with Vicat’s Apparatus.
Apparatus:
❖ Balance set of metric weights.
❖ Vicat apparatus having moveable plunger of 10mm diameter
❖ Spatula
❖ Steel plate/Mixing plate.
❖ Scraper
❖ 3 Glass graduated cylinder, 200 or 250-ml capacity.
❖ Trowel
❖ Stopwatch
❖ Vicat’s Apparatus

Material:
✓ Amount of cement = 400 g (BS 12)
✓ Clean water

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CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
 Figure 1.1 Vicat’s Apparatus
Experimental Procedure:
➢ The cement was mixed with a measured quantity of water, and a cement paste
was made according to the standard procedure.
➢ The cement paste was put in the ring of the Vicat apparatus, and the excess
paste was removed with the help of a trowel.
➢ The paste confined in the ring, resting on the plate under the rod B, Fig. 1, had
the plunger end C brought in contact with the surface of the paste, and the set-
screw E was tightened.
➢ The movable indicator F was then set to the upper zero mark of the scale or
took an initial reading, and the rod was released immediately. This was not to
exceed 30 s after the completion of mixing.
➢ The apparatus was required to be free of all vibrations during the test.
➢ The paste was considered of normal consistency when the rod settled to a
point 10mm ± 1 mm below the original surface in 30 s after being released.

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CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
 ➢ Trial pastes were made with varying percentages of water until the normal
consistency was obtained. Each trial was made with fresh cement.
➢ Experiments had found that the percentage of water added to obtain normal
consistency ranged from 26% to 33% of the amount of cement.

30

25

20

15

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Figure 1.2 Graph

Calculations:
Type of cement: Ordinary Portland Cement.
Data sheet
Percentage of water 27 30 33
Penetration in mm 3 6 25

Result:
Percentage of water required for cement paste of Normal Consistency = 31% of Water

Student Name : Md Asraful Islam

Student ID : 232-449-045

3
CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
Group : Civil Engineering
Semester : 1st -2024
Date : 8-02-2024
Signature of the Teacher

4
CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
Experiment No. 2

Determination of Initial Setting Time of Cement with Vicat’s

Apparatus
Related Theory:
Setting time of cement: When cement is mixed with water, it hydrates and makes
cement paste. This paste can be molded into any desired shape due to its plasticity.
Within this time cement continues with reacting water and slowly cement starts
losing its plasticity and set harden. This complete cycle is called Setting time of
cement.
Initial Setting time of Cement: The time at which cement starts hardens and
completely loses its plasticity is called Initial setting time of cement.
Final setting time of Cement: The time at which cement completely loses its
plasticity and became hard is a final setting time of cement.
This test method conforms to the ASTM standard requirements of specification
ASTM C403. Ordinary Portland cement should have the initial setting time not less
than 45 minutes and final setting time not more than 375 minutes.
Objective:
The objective of this experiment is to determine the initial setting time of cement.
Apparatus:
❖ Balance set of metric weights.
❖ Vicat apparatus having moveable plunger of 10mm diameter
❖ Spatula
❖ Steel plate/Mixing plate.
❖ Scraper
❖ 3 Glass graduated cylinder, 200 or 250-ml capacity.
❖ Trowel
❖ Stopwatch
❖ Vicat’s Apparatus

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CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
 Figure 2.1 Vicat’s Apparatus
Experimental procedure:
Preparation of Cement Caste:
✓ 400gm of cement was weighted and it was placed on the mixing plate. Crater
was formed in the center and the measured quantity of water was added (the
water required for normal consistency for ordinary cement ranges from 26%
to 33% by weight of dry cement).
✓ The material was turned at the outer edge into the crater within 30sec with a
trowel.
✓ After an additional interval of 30sec for the absorption of the water, the
operation was completed by continuous, vigorous mixing, squeezing and
kneading with the hands for 1.5min.

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CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
Molding Test Specimen:
❖ The cement paste was formed quickly into the approximate shape of a ball
with gloved hands. Then tossed twenty-five times through a free path of about
6 in., (150mm) from one hand to another, producing a nearly spherical mass
that may be easily inserted into the Vicat ring with a minimum amount of
additional manipulation.
❖ The ball was pressed and resting in the palm of one hand, into the larger end
of the conical ring held in the other hand, completely filling the ring with
paste. The excess was removed at the larger end by a single movement of the
palm of the hand.
❖ The ring was placed on its larger end on a plane, non-absorptive plate, and
sliced the excess paste at the smaller end at the top of the ring was sliced off
by a single oblique stroke of a sharp- edged trowel held at a slight angle with
the top of the ring and the top was smoothed, if necessary, with a few light
touches of the pointed end of the trowel. During these operations of curing
and smoothening, care was taken not to compress the paste.
❖ The test specimen was placed immediately in the moist closet or moist room
and allowed to remain there except when determinations of setting were being
made.

Determination Time of Setting:

➢ The time of setting specimen was allowed to remain in the moist cabinet for
30 min after moulding without being disturbed. The penetration of the 1 mm
needle was determined at this time and every 15 min thereafter for Ordinary
Portland cement (Type I & every 10 min for Rapid Hardening cement, Type
III) until a penetration of 25 mm or less was obtained.
➢ For the penetration test, the needle of the rod was lowered until it rested on
the surface of the cement paste. The set screw was tightened, and the indicator
was set at the upper end of the scale, or an initial reading was taken. The rod
was released quickly by releasing the set screw, and the needle was allowed
to settle for 30 sec, and then the reading was taken to determine the
penetration.
➢ No penetration test was made closer than ¼ in. (6.4 mm) from any previous

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CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
 penetration closer than 3/8 in. (9.5 mm) from the inside of the mould.
➢ The results of all the penetration tests were recorded. By plotting data from
all the penetration tests and by interpolation, or by plotting penetration vs.
setting time curve, the time when a penetration of 25 mm was obtained was
determined. This was the initial setting time. The final setting time was when
the needle did not sink visibly into the paste.

Graph
40

35

30
Penetration in mm

25

20

15

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Time in minutes

Figure 2.2 Graph

Calculation:
The time required for 25mm penetration was calculated from a plot of penetration
(in mm) against time (in minutes) in plain graph paper. This time was arbitrarily
taken as the initial setting time.

Precautions:
The apparatus was ensured to be free from vibration during the penetration
test.
Care was taken to keep the 1 mm needle straight, and the needle was kept

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CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
 clean as the collection of cement on the sides of the needle might have retarded
the penetration, while cement on the point (tip) might have increased the
penetration.
The time of setting was affected not only by the percentage and temperature
of the water used and the amount of kneading the paste received but also by
the temperature and humidity of the air, and its determination was therefore
only approximate.

Discussion:
The initial setting time of cement refers to the time taken by the cement paste to
harden enough to resist a certain level of pressure. This discussion involves
measuring the time it takes for the Vicat needle to penetrate a cement paste sample
to a specified depth, indicating the beginning of the setting process. It's a crucial
parameter in construction as it determines the workability and handling
characteristics of cement.
Exp. 1, Given that,
Percentage of water for Normal Consistency = 31% of Water

Data sheet
Time in minutes 15 30 45
Penetration in mm 36 31 25

Result:
The initial time of cement = 45 minutes

Student Name : Md Asraful Islam

Student ID : 232-449-045
Group : Civil Engineering
Semester : 1st -2024
Date : 15-02-2024
Signature of the Teacher

9
CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
Experiment No. 4

Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregate

Related Theory:
Aggregate gradation known as sieve analysis defined as the dividing the particle
sizes expressed as a percentage of the total weigh. it is used to determine the particle
size distribution of a granular sizes. The technique involves the layering of sieves
with different grades of sieve opening sizes. The finest sized sieve lies on the bottom
of the stack with each layered sieve stacked above in order of increasing sieve size.
When an aggregate is added to the top and sifted, the particles of the aggregate are
separated into the final layer the particle could not pass.
No. 100, No. 50, No. 30, No. 16, No. 8, No. 4, and 3/8 in. are the ASTM standard
sieves. This test method conforms to the ASTM standard requirements of
specification C136-2001. Designates minimum of 500 grams (4.76 mm.) dry weight
for fine aggregates – i.e., material with at least 85 percent finer than a No. 4 Sieve
and more than 5 percent coarser than a No. 8 Sieve.
Objective:
To perform an analysis of the composition of fine and coarse aggregates.
Apparatus:
➢ Balance
➢ Sieves
➢ Mechanical sieve shaker
Material:
✓ Sand (an air dry simple of fine aggregate)
✓ Gravel (an air dry simple of coarser aggregate)

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CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
 Figure 4.1 Sieve Analysis Test Equipment
Experimental Procedure:
➢ The sample was dried to constant weight at a temperature of 110 ± 50°C.
➢ The sieve was nested in order of decreasing size of opening from top to
bottom, and the sample was placed on the top sieve.
➢ The sieves were agitated by hand or by mechanical apparatus for a sufficient
period, approximately 1.5 minutes.
➢ The quantity of material on a given sieve was limited so that all particles had
the opportunity to reach sieve openings a number of times during the sieving
operation. For sieves with openings smaller than 4.75mm (No. 4), the weight
retained on any sieve at the completion of the sieving operation was not
exceeded 6 kg/m^2 (4 lb./in^2) of sieving surface. For sieves with openings
4.75mm (No. 4) and larger, the weight in kg/m^2 of sieving surface was not
exceeded the product of 2.5 times the sieve opening in mm. In no case was
the weight so great as to cause permanent deformation of the sieve cloth.
➢ Sieving was continued for a sufficient period and in such a manner that after
completion, not more than 1% of the weight of the residue on any individual

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CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
 sieve would pass through that sieve during 1 minute of continuous hand
sieving.
➢ The weight of each size increment was determined by weighing on a scale or
balance to the nearest 0.1gm of the total original dry sample weight. The total
weight of the material after sieving was checked closely with the original
weight of the sample placed on the sieves.
Calculation:
✓ Percentages passing, total percentage retained, or percentages in various size
fractions were calculated to the nearest 0.1gm based on the total weight of the
initial dry sample.
✓ The fineness modulus was calculated, when required, by adding the total
percentage of material in the sample that is coarser than each of the following
sieves (Cumulative percentage retained), and dividing the sum by 100. The
sieve sizes used for calculation were 150-μm (No. 100), 300-μm (No. 50),
600-μm (No. 30), 1.18-mm (No. 16), 2.23-mm (No. 8), 4.75-mm (3/8 in),
37.5-mm (1.5 in), and larger, increasing in the ratio of 2 to 1.

For Fine Aggregate

Weight of Fine Aggregate: 500 gm

Sieve Sieve Opening Materials % Materials Cumulative %

Percent finer
Number (mm) Retained (gm) Retained retained
4 4.75 14 2.8 2.8
8 2.36 52 10.4 13.2
16 1.19 113 22.6 35.8
30 0.59 207 41.4 77.2 4.226
50 0.3 90 18 95.2
100 0.15 16 3.2 98.4
pan 8 1.6 100

Result:
∑ 𝑐𝑢𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 % 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒
Fineness Modulus, 𝐹𝑀 =
100
422.6
= = 4.226
100

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CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
 Graph For Fine Aggregate
120

100
Cumulative % retained
80

60

40

20

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Sieve Number

Figure 4.2 Graph for Fine Aggregate

For Coarse Aggregate
Weight of Fine Aggregate: 1000 gm

Sieve Sieve Opening Materials % Materials Cumulative % Percent

Number (mm) Retained (gm) Retained retained finer

3/4" 19.05 377 37.7 37.7

3/8" 9.5 597 59.7 97.4

4 4.75 16 1.6 99

8 2.36 5 0.5 99.5

16 1.19 0 0 99.5 8.316

30 0.59 0 0 99.5

50 0.3 0 0 99.5

100 0.15 0 0 99.5

pan 5 0.5 100

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CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
Result:
∑ 𝑐𝑢𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 % 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒
Fineness Modulus, 𝐹𝑀 =
100
831.6
= =8.316
100

Graph for Coarse Aggregate

120

100
Cumulative % retained

80

60

40

20

0
0 2 4 6 8 10
Sieve Number

Figure 4.3 Graph for Coarse Aggregate

Student Name : Md Asraful Islam

Student ID : 232-449-045
Group : Civil Engineering
Semester : 1st -2024
Date : 29-02-2024
Signature of the Teacher

14
CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
Experiment No. 5
Specific Gravity and Absorption Capacity of Fine Aggregate
Related theory:
The main purpose of this experiment is to determine the bulk specific gravity,
apparent gravity and absorption of fine aggregate. There are some definitions of the
terms that are related to these experiments.
• Specific gravity is the ratio of weight in air of a unit volume of a material to
the weight of an equal volume of water.
• Bulk specific gravity is the ratio of the weight in air of a unit volume of
aggregate (including the permeable and impermeable voids in the particles,
but not including the voids between the particles) to the weight of an equal
volume of water.
• Apparent specific gravity is the ratio of the weight in air of a unit of volume
of the impermeable portion of aggregate to the weight of an equal volume of
water.
• Absorption is the increase in weight of aggregate due to the water in pores,
but not including water adhering to the outside surface of the particles,
expressed as a percentage of the dry weight.
Objective:
To determine the bulk specific gravity, apparent gravity and absorption of fine
aggregate.
Apparatus:
balance, beaker, pycnometer (or volumetric flask of 500cm³ capacity or fruit jar
fitted with a pycnometer top), aluminum tray and oven.
Sample:
About 400g of fine aggregate sample.

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CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
 Figure-1: Diagrammatic representation of moisture in aggregate

Experimental Procedure:
1.Test sample with 50g of fine aggregate was weighed: A(g)
2.The test sample was covered with water, by addition of at least 6 percent moisture
to the sample, and it was permitted to stand for about 24 hours.
3.The excess water was decanted with care to avoid loss of fines. The sample was
spreader on a flat nonabsorbent surface exposed to gently moving current of warm
air, and was frequently stirred to secure homogenous drying. This step was continued
until the sample approached a free-flowing condition. When the specimen has
reached a surface dry condition, it is called saturated surface dry (SSD).
4.The SSD sample was weighed: B(g)
5.The volumetric flask was filled with water to the top, and was weighed: C(g)
6.Part of water was removed and the SSD sample was introduced into the volumetric
flask.
7.The additional water was filled to approximately 90% of its capacity.
8.The volumetric flask was rolled, inverted and agitated to eliminate the air bubbles.
9.The water level was brought in the volumetric flask to its calibrated capacity.

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CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
 10.The total weight of the volumetric flask, specimen, and water were determined:
D(g)
11.The sample was removed from the volumetric flask, and was dried to constant
weight at a temperature of 110 degree’s
C, the sample was cooled and weighed: E (g).
12.The specific gravity and absorption were then calculated.

Conclusion:

a) Bulk specific Gravity (oven-dry basis), Sd

𝐴
Bulk Specific Gravity (Oven Dry Basis) =
𝐵+𝑆−𝐶
b) Bulk specific gravity (Saturated surface- dry basis), Ss
𝑆
Bulk Specific Gravity (S. S. D. Basis), G =
𝐵+𝑆−𝐶
c) Apparent specific gravity, Sa
𝐴
Apparent specific gravity =
𝐵+𝐴−𝐶
d) Absorption, A %

𝑆−𝐴
Absorption Capacity, D% = ∗ 100
𝐴

Where,

A = weight of oven-dry specimen in air, gm

B= weight of Pycnometer filled with water, gm

S= weight of the saturated surface-dry specimen, gm and

C= weight of Pycnometer with specimen and water to calibration mark, gm

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CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
 Data Sheet

Wt. Of pycnometer Filled Oven Dry Wt. of pycnometer with Wt. of S.S.D. sample
with water to Calibration Wt. in Air Specimen and water to in Air
mark. A gm Calibration mark. S gm
B gm C gm

676 46 706 50

Tests Formula Calculation Results

Apparent Specific 𝐴 46 = 2.875
Gravity 𝐵+𝐴−𝐶 676 + 46 − 706
Bulk Specific Gravity 𝐴 46 =2.3
(Oven Dry Basis) 𝐵+𝑆−𝐶 676 + 50 − 706
Absorption Capacity, 𝑆−𝐴 50 − 46 =8.70%
∗ 100 ∗ 100
D% 𝐴 46
Bulk Specific Gravity 𝑆 50 =2.5
(S.S.D. Basis), G 𝐵+𝑆−𝐶 676 + 50 − 706

Result:

From the experiment, our results are as below:

Bulk specific gravity (dry) of fine aggregates is 2.3

Bulk specific gravity (saturated surface dry) of fine aggregates is 2.5

Apparent specific gravity of fine aggregates is 2.875

Absorption of fine aggregates is 8.70%.

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CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
From the above results, it can be concluded that surface moisture or saturated surface
dry in fine aggregates can cause an increase in volume compared to the dry volume
which is called bulking. Besides that, absorption and bulking of the fine aggregates
is higher than the coarse aggregates compared to the previous test.

Discussion:

Inaccuracy probably occurred in the test which we have not enough time to wait the
sand approaches a free-flowing condition and reached a surface dry condition before
weighted. Thus, it may affect the reading of the saturated surface dry of the sample.
When comparing the results of the bulk specific gravity of (saturated surface dry)
fine aggregates is higher than the bulk specific gravity of (dry) fine aggregates, it
can be identified that the absorption of water through the pores inside the aggregates
cause the increasing of bulk specific gravity value. From the experiment, we
obtained 8.70% of absorption of fine aggregates which is not fall in the range of 5%
to 20% according to the theory.

There are a few things that we have to be alert while conducting the experiment to
avoid inaccuracy result. Firstly, the procedure in the lab sheet must be followed
accordingly and the reading of the sample must be taken as stated in the procedure.

The sample was ensured to be immersed in the water for a period of 24  4 hours
when preparing the sample. Besides, the water was poured out slowly from the
pycnometer so that we can reduce the loss of fines. The sample must spread on the
flat nonabsorbent surface and exposed to the air to obtain the saturated surface dry
condition. The beaker needs to stir for a while to eliminate the air bubbles when the
beaker filled with water and saturated surface dry sample.

While remove the sample from beaker, make sure the sample is removed clearly to
avoid the loss of fines. Moreover, switch off all the fans before weighing the samples

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CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab
due to the sensitive of the digital balance. Make sure it is no deviation error when
using the digital balance and the sample should make sure dried at temperature of
110  5ºC (approximately 24 hours).

Student Name : Md Asraful Islam

Student ID : 232-449-045
Group : Civil Engineering
Semester : 1st -2024
Date : -03-2024
Signature of the Teacher

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CENG 224: Engineering Materials Lab