BS En196-3
BS En196-3
BS En196-3
196-3:1995
Methods of testing
cement —
Part 3: Determination of setting time
and soundness
Cooperating organizations
Contents
Page
Cooperating organizations Inside front cover
National foreword ii
Foreword 2
Text of EN 196-3 3
National annex NA (informative) Determination of
standard consistence Inside back cover
National annex NB (informative) Committees responsible Inside back cover
National annex NC (informative) Cross-references Inside back cover
© BSI 01-1999 i
BS EN 196-3:1995
National foreword
This British Standard has been prepared under the direction of Technical
Committee B/516, Cement and lime. It is the English language version
of EN 196-3:1994 Methods of testing cement — Part 3: Determination of setting
time and soundness published by the European Committee for Standardization
(CEN). EN 196-3 was drawn up by CEN Technical Committee 51, Cement and
building limes, as Part 3 of a series on testing cement which was originally
accepted by CEN on 15 November 1985 and made available on 12 May 1987. The
UK gave a negative vote at the final voting stage and, under the CEN Rules then
in force, was not obliged to implement this Part. A second formal vote was taken
in November 1992 when the UK again gave a negative vote but, under the CEN
Rules now in force, is obliged to implement this Part. This British Standard
supersedes BS 4550-3.5:1978, BS 4550-3.6:1978 and BS 4550-3.7:1978 which are
withdrawn.
The methods described in this standard retain the use of the familiar Vicat and
le Chatelier apparatus. The UK negative votes on this Part were due to the fact
that the draft European Standard contained certain errors, some of which remain
in the 1994 text, e.g. the minimum laboratory relative humidity in 4.1 should
be 50 % to accord with EN 196-1. Furthermore, the requirement in 7.1.3 for a
minimum relative humidity of 98 % is inappropriate as values at this level can
neither be measured nor controlled with any precision. The lengths of the
standard consistence plunger and of the setting time needles are not critical
where the Vicat apparatus is calibrated in advance of the test (see 5.2.3 and 6.2).
However, for convenience in use, they should be of the same length
within ± 1 mm. Hence, in the typical illustrations shown in Figure 1, the needle
lengths in (d) and (e) should be shown to the upper shoulder of the cone.
The Vicat mould is specified in 5.1 to be of hard rubber but “moulds of metal may
be used provided that .... they can be shown to give the same test results”. Such
data are available in the UK enabling metal moulds to be used.
In the test for standard consistence, 5.2.3 requires repeat tests “with pastes
containing different water contents until one is found to produce a distance
between plunger and base-plate of (6 ± 1) mm”. The UK procedure for meeting
this requirement is given in national annex NA.
BS 4550-3.7:1978 included a soundness test for supersulfated cement, based on
immersion in cold water, which does not appear in EN 196-3. This procedure is
being retained in an appendix to BS 4248:1974.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.
Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
the EN title page, pages 2 to 8, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.
ii © BSI 01-1999
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 196-3
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM December 1994
English version
CEN
European Committee for Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation
Europäisches Komitee für Normung
Foreword Contents
This European Standard was drawn up by Page
Technical Committee CEN/TC 51, Cement and Foreword 2
building limes, of which the secretariat is held
1 Scope 3
by IBN.
2 Normative references 3
The European Standard on the methods of testing
cement comprises the following Parts: 3 Test principles 3
EN 196-1, Methods of testing cement — 4 General requirements for testing 3
Part 1: Determination of strength. 5 Standard consistence test 3
EN 196-2, Methods of testing cement — 6 Setting time test 6
Part 2: Chemical analysis of cement. 7 Soundness test 7
EN 196-3, Methods of testing cement — Figure 1 — Vicat apparatus for
Part 3: Determination of setting time and determining the standard consistence
soundness. and setting time of cement 4
ENV 196-4, Methods of testing cement — Figure 2 — Le Chatelier apparatus for the
Part 4: Quantitative determination of constituents. determination of soundness of cements 8
EN 196-5, Methods of testing cement —
Part 5: Pozzolanicity test for pozzolanic cements.
EN 196-6, Methods of testing cement —
Part 6: Determination of fineness.
EN 196-7, Methods of testing cement —
Part 7: Methods of taking and preparing samples of
cement.
EN 196-21, Methods of testing cement —
Part 21: Determination of chloride, carbon dioxide
and alkali content of cement.
This European Standard shall be given the status of
a National Standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by
June 1995, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by June 1995.
This European standard supersedes EN 196-3:1987.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal
Regulations, the following countries are bound to
implement this European Standard: Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, United Kingdom.
2 © BSI 01-1999
EN 196-3:1994
© BSI 01-1999 3
EN 196-3:1994
NOTE The specified dimensions have to be observed. If the plunger, needle and needle with attachment are all adjusted to have
the same mass, e.g. (9 ± 0,5) g, one correcting weight is sufficient for each apparatus.
Figure 1 — Vicat apparatus for determining the standard consistence
and setting time of cement
4 © BSI 01-1999
EN 196-3:1994
NOTE The specified dimensions have to observed. If the plunger, needle and needle with attachment are all adjusted to have the
same mass, e.g. (9 ± 0,5) g, one correcting weight is sufficient for each apparatus.
Figure 1 — Vicat apparatus for determining the standard consistence
and setting time of cement (concluded)
Stop the machine after 90 s for 15 s during which Immediately after levelling the paste, transfer the
remove with a suitable scraper any paste adhering mould and base-plate to the Vicat apparatus and
to the bowl outside the mixing zone and return it to position it centrally under the plunger. Lower the
the mix. Restart the machine and run at low speed plunger gently until it is in contact with the paste.
for a further 90 s. The total mixer running time shall Pause in that position for between 1 s and 2 s in
be 3 min. order to avoid initial velocity or forced acceleration
NOTE Any other mixing method, whether by machine or hand, of the moving parts. Then release the moving parts
may be used provided that it can be shown to give the same test quickly and allow the plunger to penetrate
results as the specified method. vertically into the centre of the paste. The release of
5.2.2 Filling the mould the plunger shall occur 4 min after zero time. Read
Transfer the paste immediately to the mould, which the scale when penetration has ceased or 30 s after
has previously been placed on a lightly greased the release of the plunger, whichever is the earlier.
plane glass base-plate, and fill it to excess without Record the scale reading, which indicates the
undue compaction or vibration. Remove the excess distance between the bottom face of the plunger and
by a gentle sawing motion with a straight-edged the base-plate, together with the water content of
implement in such a way as to leave the paste filling the paste expressed as a percentage by mass of the
the mould and having a smooth upper surface. cement. Clean the plunger immediately after each
5.2.3 Penetration test penetration.
Repeat the test with pastes containing different
Calibrate the Vicat apparatus with the plunger
water contents until one is found to produce a
[Figure 1(c)], attached in advance of the test, by
distance between plunger and base-plate
lowering the plunger to rest on the base-plate to be
of (6 ± 1) mm. Record the water content of that paste
used and adjusting the pointer to read zero on the
to the nearest 0,5 % as the water for standard
scale. Raise the plunger to the stand-by position.
consistence.
© BSI 01-1999 5
EN 196-3:1994
6 Setting time test Record the scale reading, which indicates the
distance between the end of the needle and the
6.1 Apparatus
base-plate, together with the time from zero. Repeat
6.1.1 Room or humidity cabinet the penetration test on the same specimen at
A room or a humidity cabinet of adequate size and conveniently spaced positions, not less than 10 mm
maintained at (20 ± 1) °C and not less than 90 % from the rim of the mould or from each other, at
relative humidity. conveniently spaced intervals of time, e.g. at 10 min
NOTE Provided that it can be shown to give the same test
intervals. Between penetration tests keep the
results, a water-bath capable of maintaining filled moulds in specimen in a room or humidity cabinet as specified
water at (20 ± 1) °C may be used. in 6.1.1. Clean the Vicat needle immediately after
6.1.2 Vicat apparatus for initial set each penetration. Record the time measured from
zero at which the distance between the needle and
Remove the plunger and replace it by the needle the base-plate is (4 ± 1) mm as the initial setting
[Figure 1(d)] which shall be of steel and in the form
time of the cement to the nearest 5 min. The
of a right cylinder of effective length (50 ± 1) mm and
required accuracy may be assured by reducing the
diameter (1,13 ± 0,05) mm. The total mass of moving
time interval between penetration tests near the
parts shall be (300 ± 1) g. Their movement shall be
end-point and observing that successive results do
truly vertical and without appreciable friction, and not fluctuate excessively.
their axis shall coincide with that of the needle.
NOTE Automatic setting time machines are commercially
6.3 Determination of final setting time
available and may be used provided that they can be shown to Invert the filled mould used in 6.2 on its base-plate
give the same test results as the specified apparatus and
procedure.
so that the tests for final set are made on the face of
the specimen originally in contact with the
6.2 Determination of initial setting time base-plate. Fit the needle with a ring attachment
Calibrate the Vicat apparatus with the needle [Figure 1(e)] to facilitate accurate observation of
[Figure 1(d)], attached in advance of the test, by small penetrations. Use the procedure described
lowering the needle to rest on the base-plate to be in 6.2. The intervals of time between penetration
used and adjusting the pointer to read zero on the tests may be increased to e.g. 30 min.
scale. Raise the needle to the stand-by position. Between penetration tests keep the specimen in a
Fill a Vicat mould with paste of standard room or humidity cabinet as specified in 6.1.1. Clean
consistence and level it, in accordance with 5.2.1 the Vicat needle immediately after each
and 5.2.2. penetration.
Place the filled mould and base-plate in the room or Record, to the nearest 15 min, the time measured
humidity cabinet specified in 6.1.1 and, after a from zero at which the needle first penetrates
suitable time, transfer to the Vicat apparatus and only 0,5 mm into the specimen as the final setting
position under the needle. Lower the needle gently time of the cement. This time is that at which the
until it is in contact with the paste. Pause in that ring attachment first fails to mark the specimen and
position for between 1 s and 2 s in order to avoid may be accurately established by reducing the time
initial velocity or forced acceleration of the moving interval between tests near the end-point and
parts. Then release the moving parts quickly and observing that successive test results do not
allow the needle to penetrate vertically into the fluctuate excessively.
paste. Read the scale when penetration has ceased,
or 30 s after the release of the needle, whichever is
the earlier.
6 © BSI 01-1999
EN 196-3:1994
7 Soundness test At the end of the (24 ± 0,5) h period measure the
distance (A) between the indicator points to the
7.1 Apparatus
nearest 0,5 mm. Then heat the mould gradually to
7.1.1 Le Chatelier apparatus. The mould shall be of boiling during (30 ± 5) min and maintain the
spring brass with indicator needles and shall have water-bath at boiling temperature for 3 h ± 5 min.
the dimensions shown in Figure 2(a). The resilience NOTE 2 Where it can be shown that the expansion after a
of the mould shall be such that the action of a mass shorter boiling period is the same as that after 3 h, such a shorter
of 300 g applied as shown in Figure 2(c) shall period may be used.
increase the distance between the indicator ends of At the end of the boiling period the distance (B)
the needles by (17,5 ± 2,5) mm without permanent between the indicator points may be measured to
deformation. the nearest 0,5 mm.
A pair of plane glass base and cover plates shall be Allow the mould to cool to (20 ± 2) °C. Measure the
provided for each mould. Each plate shall be larger distance (C) between the indicator points to the
than the mould. The cover plate shall weigh at nearest 0,5 mm.
least 75 g; an additional small mass may be placed For each specimen, record the measurements A
on a thin plate to satisfy this requirement. and C and calculate the difference C – A.
7.1.2 Water-bath, with means of heating, capable of Calculate the mean of the two values of C – A to the
containing immersed Le Chatelier specimens and of nearest 0,5 mm.
raising the temperature of the water
7.3 Interpretation
from (20 ± 2) °C to boiling in (30 ± 5) min.
7.1.3 Humidity cabinet, of adequate size and The main purpose of the soundness test is to assess
maintained at (20 ± 1) °C and not less than 98 % the possible risk of late expansion due to hydration
relative humidity. of uncombined calcium oxide and/or magnesium
oxide. For this purpose report the mean
7.2 Procedure difference C – A.
Carry out the test simultaneously on two specimens NOTE Where it can be shown that the conditions of the test
from the same batch of cement paste. lead to no significant difference between measurements B and C,
the difference B – A may be reported since this reduces the time
Prepare a cement paste of standard consistence. needed for the test.
Place a lightly oiled Le Chatelier mould on the
7.4 Retest
lightly oiled base-plate and fill it immediately
without undue compaction or vibration using only Should the fresh cement fail to comply with the
the hands and a straight-edged implement, if specified soundness requirement it may be retested
desired, to level the top surface. During filling, after storage. For this purpose, spread out the
prevent, the split in the mould from accidentally cement in a layer of 7 cm thickness and store it
opening e.g. by gentle pressure with the fingers or for 7 days in an atmosphere maintained
by tying or by use of a suitable rubber band. at (20 ± 2) °C and not less than 65 % relative
humidity. Then retest the cement according to 7.2.
Cover the mould with the lightly oiled cover plate,
add the additional mass, if necessary, and then
immediately place the complete apparatus in the
humidity cabinet. Maintain it for (24 ± 0,5) h
at (20 ± 1) °C and not less than 98 % relative
humidity.
NOTE 1 Provided that it can be shown to give the same test
results, the mould may be placed, between its glass plates, with
the additional mass, if necessary, in a water-bath and
maintained under water for (24 ± 0,5) h at (20 ± 1) °C.
© BSI 01-1999 7
EN 196-3:1994
8 © BSI 01-1999
BS EN 196-3:1995
© BSI 01-1999
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BSI Ð British Standards Institution
|
|
|
|
|
|
| BSI is the independent national body responsible for preparing British Standards. It
|
| presents the UK view on standards in Europe and at the international level. It is
| incorporated by Royal Charter.
|
|
| Revisions
|
|
| British Standards are updated by amendment or revision. Users of British Standards
|
| should make sure that they possess the latest amendments or editions.
|
|
| It is the constant aim of BSI to improve the quality of our products and services. We
|
| would be grateful if anyone finding an inaccuracy or ambiguity while using this
| British Standard would inform the Secretary of the technical committee responsible,
|
| the identity of which can be found on the inside front cover. Tel: 020 8996 9000.
|
| Fax: 020 8996 7400.
|
|
| BSI offers members an individual updating service called PLUS which ensures that
|
| subscribers automatically receive the latest editions of standards.
|
|
| Buying standards
|
| Orders for all BSI, international and foreign standards publications should be
|
| addressed to Customer Services. Tel: 020 8996 9001. Fax: 020 8996 7001.
|
|
| In response to orders for international standards, it is BSI policy to supply the BSI
|
| implementation of those that have been published as British Standards, unless
|
| otherwise requested.
|
|
| Information on standards
|
| BSI provides a wide range of information on national, European and international
|
| standards through its Library and its Technical Help to Exporters Service. Various
|
| BSI electronic information services are also available which give details on all its
|
| products and services. Contact the Information Centre. Tel: 020 8996 7111.
|
| Fax: 020 8996 7048.
|
|
| Subscribing members of BSI are kept up to date with standards developments and
| receive substantial discounts on the purchase price of standards. For details of
|
| these and other benefits contact Membership Administration. Tel: 020 8996 7002.
|
| Fax: 020 8996 7001.
|
|
| Copyright
|
|
| Copyright subsists in all BSI publications. BSI also holds the copyright, in the UK, of
|
| the publications of the international standardization bodies. Except as permitted
| under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 no extract may be reproduced,
|
| stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means ± electronic,
|
| photocopying, recording or otherwise ± without prior written permission from BSI.
|
|
| This does not preclude the free use, in the course of implementing the standard, of
|
| necessary details such as symbols, and size, type or grade designations. If these
|
| details are to be used for any other purpose than implementation then the prior
| written permission of BSI must be obtained.
|
|
| If permission is granted, the terms may include royalty payments or a licensing
|
| agreement. Details and advice can be obtained from the Copyright Manager.
|
| Tel: 020 8996 7070.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BSI |
|
389 Chiswick High Road |
|
London |
|
W4 4AL |
|
|
|
|
|
|