CONSISTENCY TEST OF CEMENT

AIM:

To determine the quantity of water required to produce a cement paste of standard consistency as per IS: 4031 (Part 4) – 1988.

PRINCIPLE:

The standard consistency of a cement paste is defined as that consistency which will permit the Vicat Plunger to penetrate to a point 5 to 7 mm from the bottom of the Vicat mould.

APPARATUS:

Fig:- Vicat Apparatus

1) Vicat apparatus conforming to IS: 5513 – 1976
2) Balance, whose permissible variation at a load of 1000g should be +1.0g
3) Gauging trowel conforming to IS: 10086 – 1982

PROCEDURE:

• Weigh approximately 400g of cement and mix it with a  weighed quantity of water. The time of gauging should be between 3 to 5 minutes.
• Fill the Vicat mould with paste and level it with a trowel.
• Lower the plunger gently till it touches the cement surface.
• Release the plunger allowing it to sink into the paste.
• Note the reading on the gauge.
• Repeat the above procedure taking fresh samples of cement and different quantities of water until the reading on the gauge is 5 to 7mm.

RESULTS:

Express the amount of water as a percentage of the weight of dry cement to the first place of decimal.

Technical Discussion:

• If you add Less water than its quantity couldn’t complete chemical reaction. Thus, resulting is reduction of strain. 
• If you add more water would increased water cement ratio and so would reduce its strength.

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ALSO READ:-

1. INITIAL AND FINAL SETTING TIME OF CEMENT
2. SOUNDNESS TEST OF CEMENT
3. Compressive strength test of cement