ABSTRACT

The purpose of this experiment is to determine the normal consistency of

standardpaste cement using Vicat apparatus.That means this test is intended to be used to
determine the amount of water requiredto prepare hydraulic cement pastes for testing .The
principle of doing this test is standard consistency of cement is that consistencyat which the
Vicat plunger penetrates to a point 5-7mm from the bottom of Vicatmould.We will use that
device to determine the consistency of the our cement sample in orderto know how much
percent of water is required to make the right standard cement .

INTRODUCTION
Cement is the major raw material used in any construction. Therefore quality of cement
must be checked before using it as a building material. Setting time refers to the stiffening of
the cement paste or the change from a plastic state to a solid state. The setting time refers to
changes of the cement paste from fluid to rigid. Setting is usually described in two levels
which is the initial setting and final setting time. Initial setting time is defined as the time
which is measured from the instant at which water is added to cement and at the time at
which cement starts loosing its plasticity.For carrying out this test, the mould is prepared by
adding 85 percent of the water required to achieve standard consistency (0.85p). Then square
needle of size 1mm is inserted into the mould and noting the time required by the needle to
penetrate 33-35 mm. This time is reported as initial setting time.
Final setting time is the time taken from the instant of adding water to the time at which
cement becomes sufficiently stiff to loose all of its plasticity and resists definite pressure. For
carrying out this test mould is prepared by mixing 85 percent of the water required for the
standard consistency. The needle with annular collar is lowered down and the time at which
collar fails to make the impression and the needle does make is reported as final setting time.
Initial setting is the beginning of the noticeable stiffening in the cement paste and it is
corresponding to the rapid rise temperature, whereas final setting time refers to completion of
setting which correspond to the peak temperature in the cement paste. As the volume of the
gel increases, the stiffening of cement paste increases and the stage at which is completed, the
final hardening process begins. The setting time can be determined with the Vicat apparatus.
The Vicat test requires sample of cement using the amount of water required for normal
consistency according to a specified procedure.
 VICAT TEST IN LABORATORY

1.0 OBJECTIVE
To determine the amount of water required for normal consistency according to a
specific procedure.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of this experiment, students are able to:

 The student be able to describe the importance Vicat Test.

 The students be able to measure the setting time of cement.

3.0 INTRODUCTION
Setting time refers to the stiffening of the cement paste or the change from a plastic
state to a solid state. The setting time refers to changes of the cement paste from fluid
to rigid. Setting is usually described in two levels which is the initial setting and final
setting time. Initial setting is the beginning of the noticeable stiffening in the cement
paste and it is corresponding to the rapid rise temperature, whereas final setting time
refers to completion of setting which correspond to the peak temperature in the cement
paste. As the volume of the gel increases, the stiffening of cement paste increases and
the stage at which is completed, the final hardening process begins. The setting time
can be determined with the Vicat apparatus. The Vicat test requires sample of cement
using the amount of water required for normal consistency according to a specified
procedure

4.0 THEORY

The standard consistence of a cement paste is define as that consistency which will
permit a vicat plunger having diameter 10 mm and length 50 mm to penetrate to a
depth of 33- 35 mm from the top of the mould. The apparatus is called vicat apparatus.
This is used find out the percentage of water required to produce a cement paste of
standard consistency of the cement paste is sometime called normal consistency
(CPNC).
5.0 APPLICATION IN INDUSTRIES

Vicat Test are use widely in cement manufacturing industry and construction industry
to test and measure the setting time of cement.

5.0 EQUIPMENTS & MATERIALS

i) EQUIPMENT
 Analytical balance
 Measuring cylinder (6 times tyring)

 Vicat set

 Stop watch
  Ladle

ii) MATERIAL
 2500g cement

6.0 PROCEDURES
1. 400g of cement was deliberated and mixed while 120ml of water was infused
slowly.

2. The cement was mixed using two ladle then the cement was putted in the vicat
mould.
 3. The cement surface was flatten once using the ladle. The 10mm diameter of
plunger was degrading so that surface was touched before it’s free.

4. The amount of penetration was measured. The penetration process was repeated
With the different water label which 125ml, 130ml, 135ml and so on until the
Consistent standard cement paste was yielded when the vicat plunger was
Penetrate at the 5mm from the base mould.
5. The graph of water against penetration plunger level from the base of mould was
plotted
6. Standard consistent was defined as the percentage of water which can yield the
cement paste with locality of plunger at 5mm from the vicat mould
7. The value of standard consistent, temperature and the air moisture while the
experiment
8. The factors that influence the exactly result was discussed

7.0 RESULT AND CALCULATIONS:

Cement Water Percentage Vicat Reading Penetration

N0.
Weight (g) Amount (mL) Water (%) Initial Final (mm)
1 400 120 30.00 30 29 1
2 400 125 31.25 30 27 3
3 400 130 32.50 30 25 5
4 400 135 33.75 30 24 6
5 400 140 35.00 30 19 11
6 400 145 36.25 30 10 20
7 400 150 37.50 30 0 30
Percentage Water (%):

𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 (𝑚𝑙)

𝑥 100%
𝐶𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 (𝑔)

120
1 𝑥 100% = 30.00%
400

125
2 𝑥 100% = 31.25%
400

130
3 𝑥 100% = 32.50%
400

135
4 𝑥 100% = 33.75%
400

140
5 𝑥 100% = 35.00%
400
145
6 x 100% = 36.25%
400

150
7 𝑥 100% = 37.50%
400

Penetration (mm):

Final vicat reading – initial vicat reading

1 30 – 29 = 1
2 30 – 27 = 3
3 30 – 25 = 5
4 30 – 24 = 6
5 30 – 19 = 11
6 30 – 10 = 20
7 30 – 0 = 30
8.0 DATA AND ANALYSIS:

water percentage (%)

40

35

30

25

20
penetration (mm)
15

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Discussion:
From the graph above, we can see that percentage of water (%) is proportional to
penetration (mm). By using 400g of cement for 120ml of water, it shown that the penetration
(1mm) is the lowest and the highest penetration is 30 mm when 150ml of water is used. In
the beginning of trial, the amount of water that used is 120ml where it recorded the
penetration of 1mm. The amount of water that used for second test is raised by 5ml to
125ml, recorded the penetration of 3mm in the tested cement. Test 3 recorded 5mm of
penetration by using 130ml of water. Then, 135 ml of water was used in the fourth trial and
the penetration reached 6 mm. By raised the water to 140ml, the penetration shows it
increase to 11mm. The second last tested is using 145ml of water, recorded the penetration
of 20mm.By using 150ml of water as the last trial for our experiment, the exact value for
penetration was 30 mm where it shows that its reached to its optimum penetration.
As the conclusion, the experiment that have been carried out were successful. From
the graph that had plotted, the percentage of water for normal consistency for the given
sample of cement is 37.50%.
 CONCLUSION

In conlusion, Vicat Test are important in cement manufacturing industry and construction
industry to test and measure the setting time of cement. On this experiment, the cement had
achieved its optimum penetration ( 39mm ). The amount of water required for normal
consistency for the cement tested is 150 ml.

RECOMENDATION

After completion of this experiment, there are some precautions or recommendation to

complete this experiment perfectly. Firstly, the gauging time should be strictly observed.
Secondly, room temperature should be well maintained as per test requirement. Then, all
apparatus used should be clean. Lastly, the experiment should be performed away from
vibrations and other disturbance.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to express our deepest appreciation to all those who provided us the
possibility to complete this report. A special gratitude we give to our lecturer , Mr. Mohamad
Luthfi bin Ahmad Jeni, whose contribution in stimulating suggestions and encouragement,
helped us to coordinate our project especially in writing this report. Furthermore I would also
like to acknowledge with much appreciation the crucial role of the staff of Faculty Of
Engineering Technology, who gave the permission to use all required equipment and the
necessary materials to complete the task “Vicat Test”. A special thanks goes to our team
mate, Abdul Muhaimin bin Abu Bakar, Ahmad Luqmanul Hakim bin Mat Din, Anis Faezah
binti Azhar, Dalila binti Bakari and Abdul Wafiy Naqiudin, who help to assemble the parts
and gave suggestion about the task “Vicat Test”.
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