CEMENT

TESTING

Setting Time
&
Le Chatelier's Soundness Test

Dr. Hindavi Gavali

Prof. Prahlad R
1
CEMENT PHYSICAL TESTING

 Determination of Standard consistency of cement paste

 Vicat’s apparatus with plunger of 10+ 0.05 mm diameter

Consistency of Cement  Used for finding out initial setting time, final setting time
& Le Chatelier soundness test

 Determination of initial setting time

 Vicat’s apparatus with a needle of 1.13 + 0.05 mm diameter
Setting Time - Initial & Final  Determination of final setting time

 Vicat’s apparatus with a needle that has an annular attachment

 Used to describe stiffening of the cement paste

 Determination of soundness of cement

Soundness- Le Chatelier’s Test
 Le Chatelier's Apparatus
 Used for detecting unsoundness due to free lime only
2
 IS 4031- (Part 4)- 1988
IS 4031-4: Methods of physical tests for hydraulic
cement, Part 4: Determination of consistency of
standard cement paste
CONSISTENCY - This standard covers the procedure for

It refers to the relative mobility of a freshly determining the quantity of water

mixed cement paste or its ability to flow. required to produce a paste of standard
consistency.

3
OVERVIEW
• Definition: Standard consistency of a cement paste is defined as that consistency which will
permit a Vicat plunger having 10 mm dia and 50 mm length to penetrate to a depth of 5-7 mm
from bottom of the mould.

• Sampling and selection of test specimen: in accordance with the requirements of IS 3535-1986

• Standard Environmental Condition:

Temperature 27 ± 20 C
Relative Humidity 65 ± 5 %

4
APPARATUS

Vicat Apparatus –
Confirming to IS 5513-1976

Measuring
Balance Gauging trowel Enamel tray Stopwatch
cylinders
On balance in use, the Confirming to IS Capacity: 100 ml
permissible variation 10086:1982 with 1 ml accuracy
at a load of 1000 g
shall be plus or minus
5 1.0 g
VICAT APPARATUS

Plunger used for consistency

test

6
 Insert Image

PROCEDURE
1. Prepare a paste of weighed quantity of Cement with a weighed quantity of potable or distilled water.
o The time of gauging is not less than 3 minutes, nor more than 5 min, and the gauging shall be completed before
any sign of setting occurs.
o The gauging time shall be counted from the time of adding water to the dry cement until commencing to fill the
mould.

2. Fill the Vicat mould with this paste, the mould resting upon a non-porous plate.
3. After completely filling the mould, smoothen the surface of the paste, making it level with the top of the mould.
o The mould may be slightly shaken to expel the air

4. Place the whole assembly(i.e. mould + cement paste + glass plate) under the rod bearing plunger.
5. Lower the plunger gently so as to touch the surface of the test block and quickly release the plunger allowing it to
sink into the paste.
6. Measure the depth of penetration and record it.
7. Prepare trial pastes with varying percentages of water content and follow the steps (2 to 7) as described above, until
the depth of penetration becomes 33 to 35 mm. 
7
 Insert Image

CALCULATIONS AND RESULT

• Calculate
  percentage of water (P) by weight of dry cement required to prepare cement paste of
standard consistency by following formula, and express it to the first place of decimal.

• P (%) = [W= Quantity of water added, C= Quantity of cement added]

RESULT
• Normal consistency ( percentage of water by weight of dry cement) = ………….. %

8
 Insert Image

CONSISTENCY OF CEMENT PASTE

Precautions:
• Gauging time should be strictly observed
• Room temperature should be well maintained as per test requirement.
• All apparatus used should be clean.
• The experiment should be performed away from vibrations and other disturbances.

Significance:

• This test helps to determine water content for other tests like initial and final setting time, soundness & compressive
strength.

• Generally the normal consistency for OPC ranges from 26 to 33%.

9

SETTING TIME
• Initial setting time of cement: it is the time elapsed between the
moments that the water is added to the cement, to the time that the
paste starts losing its plasticity.
IS 4031- (Part 5)- 1988
IS 4031-4: Methods of physical tests for hydraulic
cement, Part 4: Determination of initial and final
setting times
This standard covers the procedure for
determining the initial and final setting times

• Final setting time of cement: the final setting time is the time of cement.
elapsed between the moment the water is added to the cement and
the time when cement paste loses its plasticity completely and has
attained sufficient firmness to resist certain definite pressure.
10  
SETTING TIME
Initial & final setting time of cement
• Objective: To determine the initial and final setting times of cement.
• Sampling and selection of test specimen: in accordance with the requirements of IS 3535-1986.
The representative sample of the cement selected as above shall be thoroughly mixed before
testing.
• Standard Environmental Condition:

Temperature 27 ± 20 C
Relative Humidity of 65 ± 5 %
laboratory
Relative Humidity of moist not less than 90 %
closet or moist room

11
 Insert Image

SIGNIFICANCE
Initial & final setting time of cement
• Initial and final setting time of cement is very important to test to be performed on cement. Both the parameters
are required before using cement for any purpose.
• It is required that cement does not lose its plasticity too early or too late. If cement set too early, there is
insufficient time for transportation and place concrete.
• If cement set too late then there is a delay in construction work. Also, concrete will not get sufficient strength
early and the formwork removal process delayed.
• It is indirectly related to the chemical reaction of cement with water to form an aluminum-silicate compound.
• Initial setting time is an important time to know for concrete transportation, placing, and curing.
• Initial setting time also utilized to delay the process of hydration or hardening.
• The final setting time utilized for the safe removal of scaffolding or form.

12
APPARATUS
INITIAL SETTING TIME
FINAL SETTING TIME

13
VICAT APPARATUS

Needle used for initial

setting time

Needle used for Final setting time

14
 Insert Image

PREPARATION OF THE TEST

Initial & Final setting times

1. Consistency of cement shall be tested before conducting a test to find out % of the water required by the
weight of cement as normal consistency of cement (P).

2. Take dry weight (say 400 gm) of cement and add water about 0.85x P (P is % water required for
normal consistency of cement)

3. Mix water with cement quickly in a short time about 3 min to 5 min. Start the stopwatch at the instance
when water added to the cement. Record this time (T1).

4. Now, fill this prepare cement paste in Vicat apparatus mould having diameter 80 mm and Height 50 mm
resting on non –porous glass plate.

15 5. Properly fill and smooth off the top surface of mould and level it.
 Insert Image

PROCEDURE
Initial setting time
1. For determining the initial setting time of cement, place this mould filled with cement paste below the
Vicat apparatus and fit needle used for testing initial setting time.

2. Lower the bottom of needle such that it touches the top of cement paste filled  in mould.

3. Remove locking pin from top and quick release the needle, allowing it to penetrate into the cement
paste.

4. At the beginning, the needle penetrates and touches the bottom of mould.

5. Repeat this process, like quickly releasing the needle after every 2 minutes till the needle fails to
penetrate the cement paste for about 5 mm measured from the bottom of the mould.
16
6.  Note Time (T2) when needle fail to penetrate 5 mm+0.5 from the bottom of mould.
 Insert Image

PROCEDURE
Final setting time
1. For determining the final setting time of cement replace the needle with another needle having annular
ring attachment.

2. Now, slightly release this needle on the surface of cement paste and observe that it is making an
impression of the ring on the surface or not.

3. Note the time when need fails to make an impression of the surface of cement paste (T3).

17
 Insert Image

CALCULATIONS
Initial and Final setting time

• Initial setting time of cement = Time when needle fails to penetrate 5 m from the bottom of mould (T2)  –
The time when added to cement (T1)

• Final setting time of cement = Time when annular needle impression stop on cement paste (T3) – Time
when water added to cement (T1)

Results: The results of initial and final setting time shall be reported to the nearest five minutes.

18
 Insert Image

REPORT
Initial & Final setting time
• Consistency of cement (P)  = ………%  and Weight of cement (C)= …….. g
• Water to be added in cement = (0.85 x P ) x C =  ……….. ml
• Time when water added to cement (T1)= ……
• Time when needle fail to penetrate less than 5 mm from bottom of mould (T2)= ……..
• Time when annular ring needle fail to make impression on the surface of paste (T3) =……

• Initial Setting Time  of Cement = T2-T1 = ………

• Final setting Time of Cement = T3- T1= ………

19
 Insert Image

FACTORS AFFECTING SETTING TIME OF CEMENT

 Fineness of cement,

 Presence of salts in sand,

 Atmospheric conditions, etc.

• For example, cement requires a temperature of 27°c to complete Hydration, during winters the

climate is low which stops the hydration and takes a longer time to set harden.

20
 Insert Image

STANDARD-SETTING TIME FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF CEMENT

Name of Cement Ref. IS Code Initial Setting Time(min) Final Setting Time(Max)
OPC (33) IS: 269 30 600
OPC (43) IS: 8112 30 600
OPC (53) IS: 12269 30 600
SRC IS: 12330 30 600
PPC IS: 1489.P1 30 600
RHPC IS: 8041 30 600
PSC IS: 455 30 600
High Alumina IS: 6452 30 600
Super Sulphate IS: 6909 30 600
Low Heat IS: 12600 60 600
Masonry Cement IS: 3466 90 1440

21

SOUNDNESS
Soundness of cement is the ability to retain its volume
after it gets hardened (or after setting).
IS 4031- (Part 3)- 1988
IS 4031-4: Methods of physical tests for hydraulic
cement, Part 4: Determination of soundness
This standard covers the procedure for
determining the soundness of cement.

The test performed to find out the excess amount of lime

percentage in cement is known as Le Chatelier's
soundness test of cement.
22
 
SOUNDNESS TEST
Le Chatelier Method
• Objective: To determine the soundness of cement
• Sampling and selection of test specimen: in accordance with the requirements of IS 3535-1986.
The representative sample of the cement selected as above shall be thoroughly mixed before
testing.
• Standard Environmental Condition:

Temperature 27 ± 20 C
Relative Humidity of 65 ± 5 %
laboratory
Relative Humidity of moist not less than 90 %
closet or moist room

23
 Insert Image

SOUNDNESS OF CEMENT
• The unsoundness of cement is caused by undesirable expansion of some of its constituents,
sometimes after setting.

• The chief tests for soundness are the Le Chatelier and Autoclave tests. 

• It is essential that the cement paste, once it has set, does not undergo a large volume change.

• One restriction is that there must be no appreciable expansion, which under conditions of restraint
could result in disruption of hardened cement paste

• The large change in volume accompanying expansion results in disintegration and sever cracking.

• The expansion may occur due to reactions of free lime, magnesia & calcium sulphate, and cements
24
exhibiting this type of expansion are classified as unsound.
 Insert Image

SOUNDNESS OF CEMENT

•  
• Free lime is present in the clinker and it is intercrystallised with other compounds; consequentially it
hydrates very slowly occupying a larger volume than the free calcium oxide.

• Magnesia reacts with water in a manner similar to CaO, but only the crystalline form is deleteriously
reactive so that unsoundness occur.

• Calcium sulphate is the third compound liable to cause expansion through the formation of calcium
sulphoaluminate (ettringite) from excess Gypsum (not used by A during setting).

• Unsoundness in cement does not come to surface for a considerable period of time. Therefore,
accelerated tests are required to detect it.
25
APPARATUS

Le-Chatelier Apparatus
Confirming to IS 5514-1969

Measuring
Balance Gauging trowel Enamel tray Water bath Vernier Caliper
cylinders
Capable of containing
On balance in use, the Confirming to IS Capacity: 100 ml immersed Le-Chatelier should be able to
permissible variation 10086:1982 with 1 ml accuracy moulds with specimens and measure upto 30
at a load of 1000 g of raising their temperature
shall be plus or minus mm with least
from 27+2 °C boiling in count of 0.1 mm
26 1.0 g 27+3 minutes.
LE-CHATELIER APPARATUS
• Consist of a small split cylinder of spring brass to other
noncorrodible metal of 0.5mm thickness forming a
mould of 30 mm internal diameter and 30 mm high.

• On either side of the split, two indicators are brazed

suitably with pointed ends made of 2mm diameter brass
wire in such a way that the distance of these ends to the
centre of the cylinder is 165mm.

• The split cylinder will be kept between two glass plates.

27
 Insert Image

PREPARATION OF THE TEST

Soundness Test

1. Consistency of cement shall be tested before conducting a test to find out % of the water required by
the weight of cement as normal consistency of cement (P).

2. Take dry weight (say 400 gm) of cement and add water about 0.78 x P (P is % water required for
normal consistency of cement)

3. Mix water with cement quickly in a short time about 3 min to 5 min.

4. Start the stopwatch at the instance when water added to the cement. Record this time (T1).

28
 Insert Image

PROCEDURE
1. Place the lightly oiled mould on a lightly oiled glass sheet and fill it with cement paste formed by gauging
cement with 0.78 times the water required to give a paste of standard consistency. [refer IS : 4031 (Part 4 )-
1988].
2. Cover the mould with another piece of lightly oiled glass sheet, place a small weight on this covering glass
sheet and immediately submerge the whole assembly in water at a temperature of 27 ± 2°C and keep there
for 24 hours.
3. Measure the distance separating the indicator points to the nearest 0.5 mm.
4. Submerge the mould again in water at the temperature prescribed above.
5. Bring the water to boiling, with the mould kept submerged, in 25 to 30 minutes, and keep it boiling for
three hours.
6. Remove the mould from the water, allow it to cool and measure the distance between the indicator points.
7. The difference between these two measurements indicates the expansion of the cement.
29
 Insert Image

CALCULATIONS

Soundness/expansion of cement = L1-L2

• L1=Measurement taken after 24 hours of immersion in water at a temperature of 27 ± 2°C

• L2=Measurement taken after 3 hours of immersion in water at boiling temperature.

Calculate the mean of two values to the nearest 0.5 mm to represent the expansion of cement.

30
 Insert Image

RETEST

• In the event of cement failing to meet the test for soundness, a retest may be made after aeration.

• For this purpose, spread out the cement in a layer of 75mm thickness and store it for 7 days in an atmosphere
maintained at 27 ± 2°C and relative humidity of 50 to 80 percent.

• Retest this cement as per the standard procedure

• The Le-Chatelier test detects unsoundness due to free Lime only. This method of testing does not indicate the
presence and after effect of the excess of magnesia.

• As per Indian Standard specification, if the content of magnesia is greater than 3% in cement then Autoclave
Test is performed which is sensitive to both Lime and Magnesia
31
 Insert Image

LE CHATELIER SOUNDNESS LIMITS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF CEMENT

Cement Soundness (mm) Max Cement Soundness (mm) Max

33 Grade OPC 10 Slag Cement 10

43 Grade OPC 10 High Alumina Cement 5

Super Sulphated Cement 5
53 Grade OPC 10

Low Heat Cement 10

Sulphate Resisting Cement 10

Portland Pozzolana Cement 10 Masonry Cement 10

Rapid Hardening Cement 10 OPC Grade 53 S [IRS-T-40] 5

32
 Insert
Insert Image
Image

THANK YOU

33
LINKS FOR REFERENCE
Consistency Test : https://youtu.be/fL6E0E1LOBg

Setting Time: https://youtu.be/3tKuexK4zto

Soundness test: https://youtu.be/je5ztHs9tII, https://youtu.be/jwDjT2lWKzI