RESULT

We has required to submit the technical report of the laboratory results highlighting the data
acquisition process, analysis carried out, discussion and conclusion in order to achieve the
objective of the experiment.
Standard consistency of cement
Observation and calculation (table 1)
Description
Weight of cement taken,

W1

(g)

Weight of water added,

W2

(g)

Reading
300 g
37.3
300=112 ml
100
112
100=37.3
300

Standard consistency of cement, P;

W2
100
W1

Setting time of cement

Weight of water taken, (ml) = 0.85 P
=

weight of cement taken

32
300
100

= 96 ml
The setting time for given cement sample are;
1. Initial setting time of cement : 0 to 45 minutes
2. Final setting time for cement : 45 to 60 minutes

Fineness of cement
Observation and calculation (Table 2)
Serial no
1.
2.

Weight of cement
taken (g)
100g
100g
Average Fineness

Weight of residue
(g)
4.04g
6.44g

Fineness (%)
4.04%
6.44%
5.24%

Fineness of cement ()=

weight of residue(g)
100 %
100( g)

DISCUSSION

Experiment 1: Standard consistency

Standard consistency of a cement paste is defined as that consistency which will allow a vicat
plunger to penetrate to a depth from top of the mould. The apparatus used in this experiment
called Vicat apparatus, and this test helps to determine the water content for other tests like
initial and final settings time, and soundness and compressive strength.
In this experiment, the standard consistency we get as a result is 37.3%. We have tried the
experiment using another amount of water such as 35%, 36% and 36.5% but all the
experiment failed to satisfy the result that we needed to accomplish the experiment.
While doing this test, we has determine that there are few precautions we must obey in order
to get better results such as gauging time should be strictly observed, room temperature
should be well maintained as per test requirement, all apparatus used should be clean and the
experiment should be performed away from vibrations and other disturbances.

Experiment 2: Setting time

Setting time is the time required for stiffening process of cement paste to a defined
consistency. Setting should not be confused with hardening, which refers to the gain in
mechanical strength after the certain degree of resistance to the penetration of a special
attachment pressed into it.
Based on this experiment, we get the initial setting time for the cement is 0-45 minutes and
the final setting time for the cement is 45-60minutes. There are many factors that affect the
setting time such as cement composition, powder size and distribution, water composition,
temperature and air humidity.

Initial setting time is the time when the paste starts losing its plasticity. Initial setting time test
is important for transportation, placing and compaction of cement concrete. Initial setting
time duration is required to delay the process of hydration or hardening. Final setting time is
the time when the paste completely loses its plasticity. It is the time taken for the cement
paste or cement concrete to harden sufficiently and attain the shape of the mould in which it
is cast.

Determination of final setting time period facilitates safe removal of scaffolding or form.
During this period of time primary chemical reaction of cement with water is almost
completed.

Experiment 3: Fineness of cement

Based on experiment we carried out, we determine that the average fineness of cement used
is 5.24% as an average. So we determine that the fineness of cement is not according to
the ASTM standard, so the cement is perfectly fresh therefore it can be used for
making concrete where high strength is required.

CONCLUSION

As conclusion, to measure the setting times of cement, we have to do our tests on cement of
standard consistency. Normal consistency of standard cement can be gained by using water
and cement ratio of 37.3%. The initial setting time is 0-45 minutes and the final setting time
needed is 45-60 minutes. While, initial setting time is that time period between the time water
is added to cement and time at section needle fails to penetrate the cement paste, placed in the
Vicat mould from the bottom of the mould. Final setting time is that time period between the
time water is added to cement and the time at which 1 mm needle makes an impression on the
paste in the mould but 5 mm attachment does not make any impression.
For the standard consistency of cement experiment, we carried out that the amount of water
needed to achieve an accurate result is 112ml. As a result we get the standard consistency of
cement is 37.3%.
The given sample of cement contains 5.24% residue which less than 10 % by weight of
material used than 90 Micron sieve. Therefore it satisfied the criteria as satisfied by I.S.I. The
error in this experiment can occur if we sieve the cement by wrong ways. For the accurate
result we need to sieve the cement with the correct technique and enough time.
The consistency, the setting time and the fineness of cement were affected by several factors
which are humidity, lack of water used and grade of cement. If the type of cement used was
exposed to the atmosphere for long time, the consistency and also the fineness of cement will
be failed. For Portland cement, the setting time is also influenced by temperature, humidity of
air, kneading of paste and quantity of gypsum in cement

They are many types of error that can be occurred during experiment such as parallax error,
this error can occur whenever there is some distance between the measuring scale and the
indicator used to obtain a measurement. If the observer's eye is not squarely aligned with the
pointer and scale, the reading may be too high or low. Also, failure to calibrate or check zero
of instrument . Whenever possible, the calibration of an instrument should be checked before
taking data. If a calibration standard is not available, the accuracy of the instrument should be
checked by comparing with another instrument that is at least as precise, or by consulting the
technical data provided by the manufacturer. When making a measurement with a
micrometre, electronic balance, or an electrical meter, always check the zero reading first.
Re-zero the instrument if possible, or measure the displacement of the zero reading from the
true zero and correct any measurements accordingly. It is a good idea to check the zero
reading throughout the experiment.