CONSISTENCY OF CEMENT
Purpose:
To determine the quantity of water required to produce a cement paste of standard consistency.
Is Code :
IS: 4031 (Part 4) - 1988.
Apparatus used:
1)Vicat apparatus.
2)Balance, whose permissible variation at a load of 1000g should be +1.0g
3)Gauging trowel.
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.
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 7mm from the bottom of the Vicat mould