CONSISTENCY TEST FOR CEMENT

CONSISTENCY TEST FOR CEMENT

object

Standard consistency of a cement paste is defined as that consistency which will permit a vicat plunger having 10 mm dia and 50 mm length to penetrate to a depth of 33-35 mm from top of the mould.

APPARATUS

MEASURING INSTRUMENTS

NAME	CAPACITY / RANGE / SIZE	ACCURACY / LEAST COUNT
Vicat apparatus	Should be made as per IS:5513	—
Balance	1000 g	1 g
Measuring cylinder	100 ml	1 ml

OTHER ACCESSORIES

Tray, glass plate

            

                                                   Fig:-Showing Vicat Apparatus

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION

Temperature	27 ± 20 C
Humidity	65 ± 5 %

 

PROCEDURE

1.      Take 400 g of cement and place it in the enameled tray.

2.      Mix about 25% water by weight of dry cement thoroughly to get a cement paste. Total time taken to obtain thoroughly mixed water cement paste i.e. “Gauging time” should not be more than 3 to 5 minutes.

3.      Fill the vicat mould, resting upon a glass plate, with this cement paste.

4.      After filling the mould completely, smoothen the surface of the paste, making it level with top of the mould.

5.      Place the whole assembly(i.e. mould + cement paste + glass plate) under the rod bearing plunger.

6.      Lower the plunger gently so as to touch the surface of the test block and quickly release the plunger allowing it to sink into the paste.

7.      Measure the depth of penetration and record it.

8.      Prepare trial pastes with varying percentages of water content and follow the steps (2 to 7) as described above, until the depth of penetration becomes 33 to 35 mm. 

                     Table:-Observation table for Normal Consistency

S.No.	Wt of cement in gm	% Water added	Water added in cc	Penetration of plunger in mm.	Normal consistency(P)
1	400	26	104	17
2	400	28	112	20	30
3	400	30	120	33

 

CALCULATION

Calculate percentage of water (P) by weight of dry cement required to prepare cement paste of standard consistency by following formula, and express it to the first place of decimal.

Where,

W=Quantity of water added

C=Quantity of cement used

PRECAUTIONS

§  Gauging time should be strictly observed

§  Room temperature should be well maintained as per test requirement.

§  All apparatus used should be clean.

§  The experiment should be performed away from vibrations and other disturbances.