Initial and Final Setting

of Cement
ASTM C 191
TIME SETTING OF HYDRAULIC CEMENT
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Theory

A cement when mixed with water will eventually solidify

acquiring hard mass. In time setting, the cement is set when
it is rigid enough to withstand deformation due to external
axial forces applied. The time required for the cement to
reach this stage is called the "Setting time"
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Definition and Process Terminology

Setting time
The setting of cement is described as the changes of the
cement from its semi-liquid state to pure solid state.

Initial Setting Time

The time wherein the cement paste is starting to lose
plasticity
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Final Setting Time

The time wherein the cement paste has no plasticity at all. It is the time
needed for the cement paste to solidify and take the shape of conical ring and
cannot be deformed
 Scope of the test

To determine the Initial and Final Setting Time of the

Cement using Semi Automatic Vicat Apparatus.
 “
Materials and Apparatus
Semi-automatic Vicat Apparatus with Standard Plunger, Conical Ring,
Non-absorptive Plate Disc

▫ Is a device used for determining the initial and

final setting time of cement that consists of a
rod weighing 300 grams, having a needle in
each end, and supported in a frame with a
graduated scale to measure the distance to
which the needle penetrates the cement.
Cement sample is placed inside the conical
ring and placed at the top of the non-
absorptive plate disc.
 Weighing Scale

- Is used to measure the weight or mass of samples

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Graduated Cylinder

“
- Is used to measure the volume of liquid
needed. Each marked line on the graduated
cylinder represents the amount of liquid that
has been measured.
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Cement

▫ Is a substance used in
construction that sets, hardens
and adheres to other materials
to bind them together
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Potable Water

- Substance added to cement

in order to make a cement
paste.
Flat Trowel
Is a small hand tool that has
an elongated triangular-
shaped flat metal blade, used
for leveling, spreading and
shaping cement, plaster and
mortar
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Conical Ring

The conical ring is a part of the vicat

apparatus where the cement paste is
placed in and has different diameter
of upper and lower surface. It can
hold upto 300g of the paste
Test Procedures
 For Calibrating the Vicat Apparatus

Step 1: In calibrating the apparatus, pull the hydraulic regulator in

which the needle will reach the plate within 6-7 seconds in the 40-
mm distance.

Step 2: Install the standard plunger in the apparatus.

 For Calibrating the Vicat Apparatus

Step 3: Place the copper top base and continuously lower the
sliding rod until the plunger touches the plate then adjust the
indicator to zero as the readings became standard

Step 4: To avoid the alteration of the sample, apply grease to the

conical ring, so that the sample will not be attached to the glass
plate as the setting of the cement is on going
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For Initial Setting

 Step 1:

Using the sample that passed the requirements for the

ASTM C-187, put it in a mould then cover the bottom part
of the mould with a non-stick plate as the base of the
mould.
 Step 2

Set the gauge of the Vicat apparatus as your

guide for the setting of the initial time.
 Step 3

Using the Vicat Apparaus, and using the

pointy needle of the apparatus, release the
gauge, as it slowly pierces through the test
sample.
 Step 4
Clean the needle every time it pierces through the test sample and
there must be an radius of 10mm to every pierced part of the test
sample then repeat the said process every 2-5 minutes until the
gauge that you used as a setting point will have an additional 1mm
to the gauge wherein it indicates that the base of the test sample have
hardened then mark the said time as the initial time (plus the time
used for the normal consistency of the test sample)
For Final Setting
Step 1: After setting the initial time, change the pointy needle to a stamp
needle.

Step 2: Repeat the same process just like getting the initial time but this
time, the needle must not penetrate the test sample nor must leave a mark to
the test sample.

Step 3: Repeat the process every 20-30 minutes.

Step 4: If the last time that the needle did not penetrate the test sample, then
record the time as the final setting of the test sample.
 Data and Results
INITIAL FINAL
TRIAL TIME TRIAL TIME
1 2:56 PM 1 5:11 – 5:46
2 3:11 PM 2 5:46 – 6:00
3 3:26 PM 3 6:00– 6:20
4 3:41 PM 4 6:20– 6:30
5 3:56 PM 5 6:30 – 6:45
6 4:11 PM 6 6:45 – 6:48
7 4:26 PM
8 4:41 PM
9 4:56 PM
10 5:11 PM
TOTAL TIME 2 HOURS TOTAL TIME 3 HOURS & 37
MINUTES
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Discussion

In this experiment, we will use the semi-automatic vicat apparatus

to determine the cement's setting time. We will use two different
needles, one to determine the initial setting time, and another to
determine the final setting time. Before starting the test, we must first
calibrate the apparatus. After that, we will mix 650g of cement and 228g
of water. Then, we will mold the mixed cement and toss it by hand 6
times, after the toss we put it on a conical ring then strip the excess
cement. Finally, we will perform the test in initial setting time every
hour and then test the final setting time every 10 minutes
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Conclusion

Based on the experiment performed, the results shows that the

initial setting time of cement present is 2 hours and final setting time of
cement paste is 3 hours and 37 minutes. Take note that the minimum
initial setting time is 45 minutes and maximum final setting time is 10
hours. To accept the result of the experiment, it is stated that the Initial
and Final setting time should be between the prescribed range. As a
disclaimer, requirements of temperature and humidity were not taken
into account in the lab. The data attained is acceptable; however, in the
field, higher initial setting time is advisable for transportation purpose.