Concrete Technology (9021)

Experiment No. 2

EXPERIMENT NO : 2
1.0

TITLE:
To determine standard / normal consistency of cement.

2.0

PRIOR CONCEPTS:
Types of cement, chemical composition of cement, physical properties of cement

3.0

NEW CONCEPTS
Proposition 1 : Standard / normal consistency:
It means consistency which permits the Vicat's plunger of 10mm diameter to penetrate to a point
5mm to 7 mm from the bottom of Vicat's mould. with gauging time 3 to 5 minutes. It is expressed
as amount of water as a percentage by weight of dry cement.

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CONCEPT STRUCTURE:

Proposition 2 : Gauging time:

It is the period observed from the time water is added to cement for making cement paste till
commencing the filling of mould of Vicat's apparatus in this test.
Concept Structure :

MAHARASHTRA STATE BOARD OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Concrete Technology (9021)

5.0

Experiment No. 2

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Intellectual Skills:
1.
To understand normal consistency of cement.
Motor Skills
1.
To make arrangement of test apparatus as per the standard procedure
2.
To prepare cement paste as per standard procedure.
3.
To measure penetration of plunger on Vicat's mould.

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APPARATUS AND MATERIALS:

Apparatus:
Vicat apparatus with plunger and mould
Weighing balance accurate up to 0.1 gm, non-porous plate, tray, stopwatch,
Trowel, enamel trough and spatula, etc.
Materials:
Cement sample and water.

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DIAGRAMS

MAHARASHTRA STATE BOARD OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Concrete Technology (9021)

7.0

STEPWISE PROCEDURE: (as per I.S.4031-1988)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

7.

8.

9.0

Experiment No. 2

Weigh about 400 gm of cement accurately and placed it in enamel trough .

To start with add about 25% of potable water and mix it by means of spatula. Care should be
taken that the gauging time is not less than three minutes and not more than 5 minutes.
Apply thin layer of oil to inner surface of mould. Fill the Vicat's mould with this paste in the
mould resting on non- porous plate.
Make the surface of cement paste in level with the top of mould with the trowel. The mould
should be slightly shaken to the expel air.
Place the mould together with the non-porous plate under the rod bearing the plunger so that
it touches the surface of the test block.
Release quickly the plunger allowing it to sink in the cement paste in the mould. Note down
the penetration of the plunger in the paste ,when the penetration of plunger becomes stable
in the mould.
If the penetration of plunger in the paste is less than the 33 to 35 mm from the top of the
mould, prepare the trial paste with increasing percentage of water and repeat the above
mentioned procedure until the plunger penetrate to a depth of 33 to 35 mm from the top or 5
to 7 mm from the bottom of mould.
Expressed this amount of water as a percentage by weight of dry cement.

OBSERVATIONS:
Type and brand of cement ----------------------Grade of cement ----------------------------------Quantity of cement sample taken for test (W1)gm --------------For normal consistency of cement:

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RESULTS:
The standard consistency of cement sample is found to be -------------------%

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CONCLUSION:
The percentage of water required to prepare a cement paste of standard consistency is ------------

10.0 QUESTIONS:
Write Answers to QQQQ. .Q( The Question No. to be allotted by teacher )
1.
State the meaning of normal consistency of cement..
2.
What is the importance of this test?
3.
State the meaning of gauging time and its importance.
4.
How is the rate of setting of Portland cement controlled in manufacturing process?
5.
What is the range of values of standard consistency of cement?
6.
What is the effect of fineness of cement on standard consistency of cement?
7.
How is the consistency of cement paste is measured?
8.
Compare the contribution of C3S & C2S in setting of cement

MAHARASHTRA STATE BOARD OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Concrete Technology (9021)

9.

Experiment No. 2

Describe the chemical reaction which takes place during the first 24 hrs of hydration of OPC
at normal temperature.
( Space for answers)

10

MAHARASHTRA STATE BOARD OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Concrete Technology (9021)

Experiment No. 2

( Space for answers)

Signature of teacher

MAHARASHTRA STATE BOARD OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

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