Experiment No.

1:
Standard test method for the determination of the normal consistency of the hydraulic cement
(ASTM C - 187)
Scope & Significance:
This test method covers the determination of the normal consistency of hydraulic cement . It
is intended to be used to determine the amount of water required to prepare hydraulic cement
pastes for testing. Testing includes

Initial setting time,

Final setting time and
Soundness test of cement

Related theory:
Consistency
The thickness or the viscosity of the cement paste is called consistency.
Cement Paste
The viscous mass obtained by mixing cement with water is known as cement paste.
Standard Cement Paste
It is the cement paste for which the 10mm diameter plunger in a standard VICAT test
penetrates to such an extent that its distance from the bottom is 5-7mm.
Standard/Normal Consistency
It is the thickness or the viscosity of the standard paste and is expressed as the percentage of
weight of water.
Apparatus:

Reference Masses and Devices for Determining Mass

VICAT Apparatus
Plunger with 10mm diameter and 50mm length
Glass graduates (200mL or 250mL capacity)
Spatula
Glass plate trowel
Stop watch

Test Specifications:
Temperature & Humidity
The temperature of the air in the vicinity should be between 20-27.5 C. The temperature of
the mixing water should be 232 C. The relative humidity of the laboratory should not be
less than 50%.

Amount of Cement
Amount of cement required for the test according to various specifications are mentioned
below:
BS-12

= 500gm

ASTM C - 187 = 650gm

Mixing Time
The cement paste must be properly mixed and placed in the test specimen within a maximum
time of 41/4 min from the instant when cement and water were initially brought in contact.
Procedure:
Mix 650gm of cement with a measured quantity of water and make a cement paste as per the
standard procedure. Put the cement paste in the ring of the vicat apparatus and remove the
excess paste with the help of a trowel. Center the paste confined in the ring, resting on the
plate, under the plunger rod and bring the plunger end in contact with the surface of the paste,
Pull the hydraulic jack so that some amount of energy is stored in it and when released that
stored energy is transferred to the cement paste. This must not exceed 30 s after completion
of mixing. The apparatus shall be free of all vibrations during the test. The paste of normal
consistency is achieved when the rod settles to a point such that it is 4-7mm above the bottom
surface in 30 s after being released. Make trial pastes with varying percentages of water until
the normal consistency is obtained. Make each trial with fresh cement.
Observations & Results:
Cement Brand = S.R.MAPPLE LEAF
Trial
Sr.
#

Weight
of
Cement

Moisture
Content

Weight/Volume of
Water

Temperature

Mixing
Time

Scale
Reading

(gm)

(%)

(1gm = 1mL)

(C)

(min)

(mm)

28

140

14

1
500
2

500

28

140

14

17

500

27

135

14

28

500

28.5

142.5

14

Achieved Standard Consistency = 28%

Comments:

This experiment tells us the amount of water content at which we can obtain the

maximum strength of cement.

The achieved Standard Consistency is coming within the range of water (26% to

33% ) So, the standard consistency of cement paste is 28%.

Moreover the temperature and humidity values were not in the specified range.

This test also gives us information that how much amount of water is enough to
prepare a paste of cement before using it at the site at the time of construction.