T 129 METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING

Standard Method of Test for

Normal Consistency of Hydraulic Cement

AASHTO DESIGNATION: T 129-88

(ASTM DESIGNATION: C 187-86e1)

1. SCOPE Specification ASTM C 1005. The 6. PROCEDURE

weighing device shall be evaluated for
precision and accuracy at a total load of
1.1 This method covers determination of 1,000 g. 6.1 Preparation of Cement PasteMix 650
the normal consistency of hydraulic g of cement with a measured quantity of
cement. 4.2 Glass Graduates-200 or 250 mL clean water following the procedure
capacity and conforming to the prescribed in Section 6 of T 162.
1.2 This standard may involve hazardous requirements of M 210.
materials, operations, and equipment. 6.2 Molding Test SpecimenQuickly form
This standard does not purport to address 4.3 Vicat Apparatus-The Vicat apparatus the cement paste, prepared as described
all of the safety problems associated with shall consist of a frame A (Figure 1) in Section 6.1 into the approximate shape
its use. It is the responsibility of whoever bearing a movable rod B, weighing 300 of a ball with gloved hands. Then toss six
uses this standard to consult and establish g, one end C, the plunger end, being 10 times through a free path of about 6 in.
appropriate safety and health practices mm in diameter for a distance of at least (150 mm) from one hand to another so as
and determine the applicability of 50 mm, and the other end having a to produce a nearly spherical mass that
regulatory limitations prior to use. removable needle D, 1 mm in diameter may be easily inserted into the Vicat ring
and 50 mm in length. The rod B is with a minimum amount of additional
reversible, and can be held in any desired manipulation. Press the ball, resting in
2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS position by a set screw E, and has an the palm of one hand, into the larger end
adjustable indicator F which moves over of the conical ring G, Figure 1, held in
a scale (graduated in millimetres) the other hand, completely filling the ring
2.1 AASHTO Standards:
attached to the frame A. The paste is held with paste. Remove the excess at the
M 210 Apparatus for Use in in a rigid conical ring G, resting on a larger end by a single movement of the
Measurement of Length plane non-absorptive square base plate H palm of the hand. Place the ring on its
Change of Hardened Cement about 100 mm' on each side. The rod B larger end on the base plate H, and slice
Paste, Mortar, and Concrete shall be made of stainless steel having a off the excess paste at the smaller end at
R 11 Indicating Which Places of hardness of not less than 35 HRC (Note), the top of the ring by a single oblique
Figures Are to be Considered and shall be straight with the plunger end stroke of a sharpedged trowel held at a
Significant in Specified which is perpendicular to the rod axis. slight angle with the top of the ring, and
Limiting Values The ring shall be made of a smooth the top, if necessary, with a few
T 162 Mechanical Mixing of noncorroding, nonabsorbent material, and light touches of the pointed end of the
Hydraulic Cement Pastes and shall have an inside diameter of 70 mm at trowel. During these operations of cutting
Mortars of Plastic the base and 60 mm at the top, and a and smoothing, take care not to compress
Consistency height of 40 mm. In addition to the the paste.
above, the Vicat apparatus shall conform
2.2 ASTM Standards: to the requirements as indicated in the 6.3 Consistency Determination-Center
C 1005 Specifications for Weights table entitled "Vicat Apparatus." the paste confined in the ring, resting on
and Weighing Devices for the plate, under the rod B, Figure 1, the
Use in the Physical Testing of NOTE-The requirement that the rod be made plunger end C of which shall be brought
Hydraulic Cements of stainless steel shall apply only to new Vicat in contact with the surface of the paste,
apparatus or replacement rods and not to and tighten the setscrew E. Then set the
E 177 Use of the Terms Precision equipment in use which meets the other movable indicator F to the upper zero
and Accuracy as Applied to requirements of T 129. mark of the scale, or take an initial
Measurements of a Property reading and release the rod immediately.
of a Material This must not exceed 30 seconds after
5. TEMPERATURE AND
HUMIDITY completion of mixing. The apparatus
3. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE shall be free of all vibrations during the
test. The paste shall be of normal
5.1 The temperature of the air in the consistency when the rod settles to a
3.1 This method is intended to be used to vicinity of the mixing slab, the dry point 10 ± 1 mm below the original
determine the amount of water required cement, molds, and base plates shall be surface in 30 seconds after being
to prepare hydraulic cement pastes for maintained between 20 and 27.5°C (68 released. Make trial pastes with varying
testing. and 81.5°F). The temperature of the percentages of water until the normal
mixing water shall not vary from 23°C consistency is obtained. Make each trial
(73.4°F) by more than ± 1.7°C (3°F). with fresh cement.
4. APPARATUS
5.2 The relative humidity of the
laboratory shall be not less than 50
4.1 Weights and Weighing Devices-The percent.
weights and weighing devices shall
conform to the requirements of
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T 129 METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING

7. CALCULATION 8. PRECISION operator in a laboratory should agree

within 0.7 percentage point, and test
results between two laboratories should
7.1 Calculate the amount of water 8.1 The single operator-instrument agree within 1.0 percentage point 95
required for normal consistency to the precision has been found to be 0.25(1S). percent of the time.
nearest 0.1 percent and report it to the and the multilaboratory precision has
nearest 0.5 percent of the weight of the been found to be 0.35(1S) as defined in
dry cement. ASTM E 177; therefore, the results of
two properly conducted tests by the same

Vicat Apparatus
Weight of movable rod 300 ± 0.5 g (0.661 lb 8 grains)
Diameter of plunger end of rod 10 t 0.05 mm (0.394 ± 0.002 in.)
Diameter of needle 1 ± 0.05 mm (0.039 ± 0.002 in.)
Inside diameter of ring at bottom 70 ± 3 mm (2.75 =0.12in.)
Inside diameter of ring at top 60 ± 3 mm (2.36 =0.12in.)
Height of ring 40 ± 1 mm (1.57 = 0.04 in.)
Graduated scale The graduated scale, when compared with a standard scale accurate to within 0.1 mm at all points, shall not
show a deviation at any point greater than 0.25 mm.

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