CHAPTER 9:

Determining the Time

of Setting of Portland
Cement
 SETTING TIME OF CEMENT:
 When cement is mixed with water, it hydrates and makes cement paste. This paste can be
moulded 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.
 Cement paste setting time is affected by a number of items including: cement fineness, water-
cement ratio, chemical content (especially gypsum content) and admixtures. Setting tests are
used to characterize how a particular cement paste sets. For construction purposes, the initial
set must not be too soon and the final set must not be too late. Additionally, setting times can
give some indication of whether or not a cement is undergoing normal hydration
INITIAL SETTING TIME OF CEMENT:
 The time to which cement can be moulded in any desired shape without losing it strength is
called Initial setting time of cement.
 The time at which cement starts hardens and completely loses its plasticity is called Initial
setting time of cement.
 The time available for mixing the cement and placing it in position is an Initial setting time of
cement. If delayed further, cement loses its strength.
FINAL SETTING TIME OF CEMENT:
 The time at which cement completely loses its plasticity and became hard is a final setting
time of cement.
 The time taken by cement to gain its entire strength is a Final setting time of cement.

SIGNIFICANCE IN CALCULATING INITIAL AND FINAL SETTING

TIME OF CEMENT:

 Well, After mixing cement with water, it takes time to place the cement paste in position,
initial setting time possess a primary role in strength & it is mandated that cement paste or
concrete is placed in position before it crosses initial setting time. i.e.,30mins. And it
shouldn’t be disturbed until it completes Final setting time i.e., 600mins for Ordinary Portland
Cement.
DETERMINATION OF SETTING TIME OF PORTLAND CEMENT:
SCOPE OF THE TEST:
 The initial set is a stage in the process of hardening after which any cracks that may appear
will not reunite. The concrete is said to be finally set when it has attained sufficient strength
and hardness.
MATERIALS:
 Sample of Portland cement.

APPARATUS AND METHOD OF TESTING:

 APPARATUS:
1. Trowel – a small hand tool used for digging, applying, smoothing or moving small amounts
of particulated material
2. Balance – used in determining the weight of materials
3. Spatula – a long flat metal with handle used to mix the materials
4. Pan – used in containing the materials during mixing and weighing
5. Graduated Cylinder - used for measuring volumes (amounts) of liquids.
DETERMINATION OF SETTING TIME OF PORTLAND CEMENT:
APPARATUS AND METHOD OF TESTING:
 APPARATUS:
6. Vicat Apparatus - used to find out the consistency, initial setting time and final setting time
of the cement
7. Rubber Mold – used to give the cement paste structure for testing.
 METHOD OF TESTING
1. Test for fineness of cement.
2. Weight about 300 grams of cement accurately and make a paste with 0.85 times the water
required to make a paste of normal consistency.
3. The paste is then placed in the rubber mold.
4. The small end of the rod is brought in contact with the surface of the paste and quickly
released.
5. The penetration of the needle can be read on the goals. The initial set is said to have
occurred when the needle ceases to penetrate a point 5mm above the bottom of the mold.
DETERMINATION OF SETTING TIME OF PORTLAND CEMENT:
APPARATUS AND METHOD OF TESTING:
 METHOD OF TESTING
1. The time taken for the instant of adding water to the cement up to the moment when the
6.
needle ceases to penetrate a point of 5mm above the mold is known as the initial setting
time of the cement. For ordinary Portland cement, the initial setting time should not be less
than 30 minutes.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HYDRAULIC AND NON-HYDRAULIC CEMENT:

 The main difference between hydraulic and non-hydraulic cement is that hydraulic cement
has the ability to set and harden underwater while non-hydraulic cannot set nor harden
under water. The former can harden instantly and sets with hydration reaction. The latter, on
the other hand, needs dry condition for it to set and harden, takes longer time to dry and
gain strength, and hardens by carbonation.
 EIGHT TYPES OF PORTLAND CEMENT AND THEIR USES:
A. Type I (Normal) – used in general construction that does not require any special properties of other types.
B. Type IA (Normal, air entraining)– used in general construction and adapts to freeze-thaw cycle.
C. Type II (Moderate sulfate resistance) – ideal for heavy structures like abutments, piers, and retaining walls.
D. Type IIA (Moderate sulfate resistance, air entraining) – used in heavy structures and adapts to freeze-thaw
cycles.
E. Type III (High early strength) – used in constructions that is to be operational immediately, and
where formwork needs to be removed and reused.
F. Type IIA (High early strength, air entraining) – used in constructions that is to be operational immediately,
and where formwork needs to be removed and reused; and adapts to freeze-thaw cycle.
G. Type IV (Low heat of hydration) – suited for the construction of massive structures with a
low surface-to-volume ratio, like gravity dams, where a large heat of hydration may result in dangerous
cracks.
H. Type V (High sulfate resistance) – used in canal linings, retaining walls, and culverts which is prone to
sulfate attacks
I. IRS T40 – (Special Grade Cement) is a special type of cement which is mainly used in railway works only.
This special cement is manufactured under the specifications that are approved by the ministry of Indian
Railways. This cement contains high volume of C3S content which are finely grinded in order to develop
high early strength.
SIGNIFICANT CHARACTERISTICS OF PORTLAND CEMENT:
 Portland cement is a hydraulic cement meaning it can harden underwater. It was named
as such due to its resemblance to Portland stone. It is a fine powder, produced by heating
limestone and clay minerals in a kiln to form clinker, grinding the clinker, and adding 2 to 3 percent of
gypsum. It is caustic – can cause chemical burns. It has several types.

FACTORS THAT AFFECT INITIAL AND FINAL SETTING TIME OF CEMENT

1. Composition of Cement
2. Amount of Gypsum in Cement
3. Fineness of the Cement
4. Curing Condition
5. Water Cement Ratio
6. Type of Admixture Used
FACTORS THAT AFFECT INITIAL AND FINAL SETTING TIME OF CEMENT

TYPE OF CEMENT INITIAL SETTING TIME IN MINUTES FINAL SETTING TIME IN

(MINIMUM) MINUTES (MAXIMUM)
OPC (33 GRADE) 30 600
OPC (43 GRADE) 30 600
OPC (53 GRADE) 30 600
PORTLAND POZZOLANA CEMENT 30 600
SULFATE RESISTING CEMENT 30 600
RAPID HARDENING CEMENT 30 600
PORTLAND SLAG CEMENT 30 600
MASONRY CEMENT 90 1440
HIGH ALUMINA 30 600
SUPER SULPHATED 30 600
LOW HEAT 60 600
IRS-T-40 60 600