Experiment# 11

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
Materials of Construction and Testing
EXPERIMENT 11: TIME OF SETTING OF HYDRAULIC CEMENT BY VICAT

NEEDLE
11.1. Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Experiment

b) Ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
d) Ability to function on multidisciplinary teams.
11.2. Experiment’s Intended Learning Outcomes (EILOs)

At the end of this experiment the student shall be able to:
a) Apply appropriate ASTM/AASHTO standards for time of setting of hydraulic cement.
b) Examine the effect of water in the setting time of hydraulic cement.
c) Prepare the necessary amount of water to combine with hydraulic cement to control
concrete mixtures and design.
11.3. Objectives of the Experiment

The objective of this experiment is to determine the time setting of hydraulic cement by
means of vicat needle.
11.4. Principle of the Experiment
This test method provides a means of determining compliance with a specification limit for Vicat
time of setting.
The measured time of setting is affected by the percentage and temperature of the water used, the
amount of kneading the paste received, and by the temperature and humidity of the mixing room
air and the moist cabinet or moist room air.
The measured time of setting of hydraulic cement is test-method specific. Time of setting as
measured by this method will not necessarily be similar to other methods used for determining
the time of setting of hydraulic cements.
.
11.5. Materials / Equipment
Weights / Weighing Device

Glass Graduates
Vicat Apparatus
Container
Scoop / Spatula
Labelling Devices
11.6. Procedure
11.6.1. Preparation of Cement Paste
1. Weigh 650 grams of cement with the percentage of mixing water required for
normal consistency. Distilled water is preferable and shall be used for all the
referee or cooperative tests.
2. The test specimen used for the determination of normal consistency may be used
for the additional determination of setting time by Vicat needle.
11.6.2. Molding Test Specimen
1. Quickly form the cement paste, prepared as described in Preparation of Cement

Paste, into a ball with the gloved hands and toss six times from one hand to the
other, maintaining the hands about 6in (152mm) apart.
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2. Press the ball, resting in the palm of the hand, into the larger end of the conical
ring held in the other hand, completely filling the ring with paste.
3. Remove the excess at the larger end by a single movement of the palm of the
hand. Place the ring on its larger end on a glass plate and slice off the excess
paste at the smaller end at the top of the ring by a single oblique, stroke of a
sharp – edged trowel held at a slight angle with the top of the ring.
4. Smooth the top of the specimen, if necessary, with one or two light touches of the
pointed end of the trowel. During the operation of cutting and smoothing, take
care not to compress the paste.
5. Immediately after molding, place the test specimen in the moist closet or moist
room and allow it to remain there except when determinations of time setting are
being made. The specimen shall remain in the conical mold, supported by the
glass plate throughout the test period. A time of set specimen and an autoclave
bar may be made from the same batch.

11.6.3. Time of Setting Determination
Allow the time of setting specimen to remain in the moist cabinet for 30 minutes after
molding without being disturbed. Determine the penetration of the 1mm needle at
this time and every 15 minutes thereafter until a penetration of 25mm or less is
obtained.
1. For the penetration test, lower the needle of the rod until it rest on the surface of
the cement paste.
2. Tighten the screw and set the indicator at the upper end of the scale or take an
initial reading.

3. Release the rod quickly by releasing the set screw and allow the needle to settle
for 30 seconds; then take the reading to determine the penetration. If the paste is
obviously quite soft on the early readings, the fall of the rod may be retarded to
avoid bending the 1-mm needle, but the rod shall be released only by the set
screw when actual determinations for the setting time are made. No penetration
test shall be made closer than ¼ inch (6.4mm) from any previous penetration and
no penetration test shall be made closer than 3/8 inch (9.5mm) from the inside of
the mold.
4. Record the results of all penetration tests and, by interpolation, determine the
time when a penetration of 25mm is obtained. This is the initial setting time. The
final setting time is when the needle does not sin visibly into the paste,

Note:
All apparatus shall be free from vibration during the penetration test. Take care
to keep the 1mm needle straight, and the needle must be kept clean as the
collection of cement on the sides of the needle may retard the penetration, while
cement on the point may increase the penetration. The time of setting is affected
not only by the percentage and the temperature of the water used and the amount
of kneading the paste received, but also by the temperature and humidity of the
air, and its determination is therefore only approximate.
11.7. Activity Report

Course: BSCE Experiment No.: 11
Group No.: 1 Section: V134A
Group Members: AGUILAR, RICO RHEN Date Performed:
AZORES, TRISTAN JANUS Date Submitted:
BALDO, MICHEAL Instructor: ENGR. ALMIENDA
BARCELO, IAN FREDRICK
CAGURUNGAN, JOHN MARK
11.7.1. Data and Results
TIME PENETRATION
TRIAL
(minutes) (mm)
1 15 40
2 30 40
3 45 40
4 60 40
5 75 39

6 90 39
7 105 35
8 120 31
9 135 26
10 150 22
11 165 22
11.7.2. Calculation
Initial Setting Time _150 minutes_

Final Setting Time _165 minutes_
11.7.3. Observation
Aguilar, Rico Rhen

This test method is used to determine the time of setting of the hydraulic cement by
VICAT needle apparatus. The knowledge of the setting time of the cement is always
helpful in deciding the time duration to mix, transport, place and compact the concrete
effectively. We always prefer a larger initial setting time so that we can mix, transport
and place the concrete easily. According to ASTM specifications, the initial setting time
shall not be less than 45 min but in the field we prefer an initial setting time not less than
90 min.
Azores, tristan janus

Baldo, Micheal
Barcelo, ian fredrick
Cagurungan, John Mark

In this experiment i observed to determine the range of applicability of the method from
the range of the average time of setting of the cements used for qualification and
standardization. Also i observed that you need to be more patient to determine the exact
time.

11.7.4. Conclusion/s
Aguilar, Rico Rhen

Based on our experiment, a smaller value of the final setting time is always preferred in
order to avoid large expenditures on the formwork. According to our experiment, the
final setting time shall not be greater than 3hrs and shall not be less than 90 minutes with
15 minutes interval. The first to fourth trial, we come up with consistent penetration with
40 mm but the following trials the cement is starting to become concrete. With that, we
conclude that the gathered data with initial setting time is 150 minutes while the final
setting time with 165 minutes.
Azores, tristan janus
Baldo, Micheal
Barcelo, ian fredrick
Cagurungan, John Mark

I conclude that in this test method provides a means of determining compliance with a
specification limit for Vicat time of setting. Refer to the appropriate specification for the
cement to determine if this test method is used for specification compliance. Also i
conclude in experiment the final setting time shall not be less than 90 minutes and greater
than 180 minutes or 3hrs. The 1st to 4th trial the consistency of cement is 40mm no
change, after 10 to 11 trial our cement was consistent in 22, (time is 150 and 160
minutes). After that it ready for the next test.
11.7.5. Rating
11.8. References
ASTM C191. (2004). Standard Method of Test for Time Setting of Hydraulic Cement by Vicat
Needle. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.

Bureau of Research and Standards. (2014). Laboratory Testing Procedures Manual: Portland
Cement (Vol. III). Department of Public Works and Highways.

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DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Materials of Construction and Testing

EXPERIMENT 11: TIME OF SETTING OF HYDRAULIC CEMENT BY VICAT

11.1. Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Experiment

11.2. Experiment’s Intended Learning Outcomes (EILOs)

11.3. Objectives of the Experiment

11.4. Principle of the Experiment

Weights / Weighing Device

11.6.1. Preparation of Cement Paste

11.6.2. Molding Test Specimen

1. Quickly form the cement paste, prepared as described in Preparation of Cement

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11.7. Activity Report

11.7.1. Data and Results

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Initial Setting Time _150 minutes_

Aguilar, Rico Rhen

Azores, tristan janus

Barcelo, ian fredrick

Cagurungan, John Mark

Wednesday, October 21, 2020 7

Aguilar, Rico Rhen

Azores, tristan janus

Barcelo, ian fredrick

Cagurungan, John Mark

Wednesday, October 21, 2020 8

Wednesday, October 21, 2020 9

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