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LabEx No. 12 Setting Time of Hydraulic Cement Using Vicat Apparatus
LabEx No. 12 Setting Time of Hydraulic Cement Using Vicat Apparatus
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SETTING TIME OF HYDRAULIC CEMENT BY VICAT APPARATUS
INTRODUCTION
Setting refers to the stiffening of the cement paste. Stiffening should not be regarded
as hardening but the cement paste is simply changing its state from plastic to solid.
Thus, setting time test is used to characterize how a particular cement paste stiffens.
Cement paste setting time is influenced by several factors. These include cement
fineness, water-cement ratio, chemical composition (especially gypsum) and
admixtures. Ordinarily, setting is defined by two levels: initial set and final set. Initial
set has occurred when the paste begins to stiffen considerably and final set has
occurred when the cement can support some load. These setting times are important
in construction works utilizing concrete mix.
In both setting time tests, either the Vicat or the Gillmore apparatus can be used. But
in this laboratory exercise, Vicat apparatus (Figure 12.1) will be used as specified in
AASHTO T 131 and ASTM C 191: Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement by Vicat
Needle.
1. Vicat apparatus
2. Analytical balance
3. Graduated cylinder, 100 ml
4. Mixing pan
5. Pointed trowel
6. Spatula
7. Digital timer
8. Rubberized hand gloves
9. Clean water
SAMPLE DESCRIPTION
PROCEDURE
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FINAL DATA SHEET
Penetration Tests
Descriptions 1 2 3 4 5 6
Depth of penetration, mm
Sample Numbers
Descriptions S1 S2 S3 S4 Average
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Name: Date Performed:
Course/Year: Instructor:
Penetration Tests
Descriptions 1 2 3 4 5 6
Depth of penetration, mm
Sample Numbers
Descriptions S1 S2 S3 S4 Average