CH.

Devi Lal State Institute of Engineering & Technology, Panniwala

Mota, Sirsa.
LABORATORY MANUAL
EXPERIMENT NO.: CVE- 305-P – 04 ISSUE NO. : 01 ISSUE DATE : 15-08-2019

REV. NO. : 00 REV. DATE : - NIL PAGE: 01/02

DEPTT. : CIVIL ENGINEERING LABORATORY: CONCRETE TESTING ( P) SEMESTER : Vth

Object:- To determine the initial and final setting time of cement.

Apparatus: - Vicat apparatus, initial and final setting needle.
Theory: In order that the concrete may be placed in position conveniently, it is necessary that the
initial setting time of Cement is not too quick and after it has been laid, hardening should be rapid so
that the structure can be made use as early as possible. The initial set is a stage in the process of
hardening after which any crack that may appear will not reunite. The concrete is said to be finally set
when it has obtained sufficient strength and hardness.

Procedure:-
1. Take a neat cement paste by gauging the cement with 0.85 P water. Where P = standard
consistency
2. The gauging time should be in between 3 to 5 minutes. Start the stopwatch at the instant when
the water is added to the cement.
3. Fill the Vicat mould and smooth off the surface of the paste making it level with the top of the
mould.
4. For determination of initial setting time, place the test block confined in the mould and resting
on non porous plate under the rod attached with the needle (B) lower the needle gently in
contact with the surface of the test block and release quickly allowing it to penetrate into the
test block.
5. Repeat this process until the needle fails to pierce the block for about 5mm measured from the
bottom of the mould. The arid elapsed between the time when water is added to the cement and
the time at which needle fails to pierce the test block by about 5mm is the initial setting time.
6. For determination of final setting time, replace the needle (B) of the Vicat apparatus by the
needle with an angular attachment C. The cement is considered finally set when upon applying
the needle C gently to the surface of the test block, the needle makes an impression thereon.
While the attachment fails to do so. In the event of scum forming on the surface of the test
block, use the underside of the test block for the determination of final setting time.

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 CH. Devi Lal State Institute of Engineering & Technology, Panniwala
Mota, Sirsa.
LABORATORY MANUAL
EXPERIMENT NO.: CVE- 305-P – 04 ISSUE NO. : 01 ISSUE DATE : 15-08-2019

REV. NO. : 00 REV. DATE : - NIL PAGE: 02/02

DEPTT. : CIVIL ENGINEERING LABORATORY: CONCRETE TESTING ( P) SEMESTER : Vth

Observation & Calculation:-

Sr. Description Initial Setting Time Final setting Time
No. 1 2 3 1 2 3
1 Time in minutes
2 Initial reading
3 Final reading
4 Height not penetrated mm

Result:
Initial setting time of cement = ________________minutes
Final setting time of cement = _________________minutes