Fresh Concrete — Methods of Sampling, Testing and Analysis Part 7

Determination of Setting Time of Concrete by Penetration Resistance IS 1199

(Part 7) : 2018

PART 7 DETERMINATION OF SETTING TIME OF CONCRETE BY PENETRATION

RESISTANCE
Initial Setting Time — The time elapsed after initial contact of cement and water, till the mortar
(sieved from the concrete) acquires a penetration resistance of 3.5MPa. 2.2

Final Setting Time — The time elapsed after the initial contact of cement and water, till the mortar
(sieved from the concrete) acquires a penetration resistance of 27.6 MPa

APPARATUS:

Containers for Mortar Specimens

Penetration Resistance Apparatus

Pipette,

Tamping Rod,

Thermometer

PREPARATION OF MORTAR SPECIMENS

5.1 From the concrete mixture under test, select a representative sample of concrete of sufficient
volume to provide enough mortar to fill the test container, or containers, to a depth of at least 140
mm. Remove all the mortar from the sample of concrete by sieving it through a 4.75mm IS sieve
onto a nonabsorptive surface

5.2 Thoroughly mix the mortar manually on the nonabsorptive surface. Measure and record the
temperature of the mortar. Place the mortar in the container, or containers, in a single layer.
Compact the mortar to eliminate air pockets in the specimen and level the top surface. This may be
accomplished by rocking the container back and forth on a solid surface, or by tapping the sides of
the container. Sieved mortar is generally of fluid consistency and air pockets are readily removed by
this method of compaction. For stiffer mortars, alternative method as given below, by tamping with
the tamping rod, shall be followed. Place the mortar in the container(s) in layers of 50 mm each, and
compact by tamping each layer. Tamp the mortar once for each 6.5 cm2 of top surface area of the
specimen and distribute the strokes uniformly over the cross-section of the specimen. After
completion of the tamping, tap the sides of the containers lightly with the tamping rod to remove
voids left by the tamping rod and to further level the surface of the specimen. Upon completion of
specimen preparation, the mortar surface shall be at least 13 mm below the top edge of the
container to provide space for the collection and removal of bleeding water and to avoid contact
between the mortar surface and the protective covering specified in 8

7 NUMBER OF SPECIMENS
7.1 For tests under field conditions, prepare three specimens from each sample of concrete.

7.2 For tests under laboratory conditions, the requirements depend upon the purpose of the tests.
7.2.1 For testing to prove compliance of a material with performance requirements, at least three
separate batches shall be made for each test condition. One test shall be made on each batch. An
equal number of batches for each condition shall be made on any given day. When it is impossible to
make at least one test for each variable on a given day, the mixing of the entire series of batches
shall be completed in as few days as possible and one of the mixtures shall be repeated each day as
a standard of comparison.

7.2.2 For other tests, prepare three test specimens from one batch of concrete for each test
variable.

8 PROCEDURE

8.1 Remove bleed water from the surface of the mortar specimens just prior to making a
penetration test by means of a pipette or a suitable instrument. To facilitate the collection of
bleeding water, tilt the specimen carefully to an angle of about 10° from the horizontal by placing a
block under one side 2 min prior to removal of the water.

8.2 Insert a needle of appropriate size, depending upon the state of hardening of the mortar, in the
penetration resistance apparatus and bring the bearing surface of the needle into contact with the
mortar surface. Gradually and uniformly apply a vertical force downward on the apparatus until the
needle penetrates the mortar to a depth of 25 mm as indicated by the scribe mark. The time
required to penetrate to the 25 mm depth shall be approximately 10 s. Record the force required
and the time of application, measured as elapsed time after initial contact of cement and water. In
subsequent penetration tests take care to avoid areas where the mortar has been disturbed by
previous tests. The clear distance between two needle impressions shall be at least two diameters of
the needle being used, but not less than 13 mm. The clear distance between any needle impression
and the side of the container shall be not less than 25 mm.

8.3 Make penetration tests at hourly intervals for normal mixtures and normal temperatures, the
initial test being made after an elapsed time of 2 to 3 h. For accelerated mixtures or high
temperatures, it may be advisable to make the initial test after an elapsed time of 1 or 2 h and
subsequent tests at 30 min intervals. For low temperature conditions or retarded concrete mixtures,
the initial penetration test may be deferred for an elapsed time of 4 to 6 h and perhaps longer.
Subsequent tests may be made at intervals of 1 h, unless the rate of increase in penetration
resistance indicates that shorter intervals are desirable.

8.4 Not less than six penetrations shall be made in each rate of hardening test and the time intervals
between penetration resistance determinations shall be such as to give a satisfactory rate of
hardening curve, as indicated by equally spaced points. Continue the tests until a penetration
resistance of at least 27.5 MPa is reached.

Calculate the penetration resistance in MPa, as the force required to cause a 25 mm depth of
penetration of the needle divided by the area of the bearing face of the needle.
9 PLOTTING TEST RESULTS AND CALCULATION

9.1 Curves For each variable and condition of concrete as specified in 7 the results from each of
three or more rate of hardening tests shall be plotted separately, showing penetration resistance in
MPa as the ordinate or y-axis and elapsed time in hours and minutes as the abscissa or x-axis, where
3.5 MPa and 1h are represented by not less than 15 mm. A typical curve plotting penetration
resistance (MPa) versus elapsed time (min) based on test observations is shown in Fig. 1

9.2 Time of Setting Times of initial and final setting as defined in 2.1 and 2.2 shall be calculated by
averaging the elapsed times, determined from the curves plotted in accordance with 9.1. Times of
setting shall be reported in hours and minutes to the nearest minutes.

REPORT

The report shall include the following:

a) Identification of the test sample;

b) Location, where the test was performed;

c) Date and time of test;

d) Temperature at which test was conducted laboratory/ambient/as specified (mention the value of
the temperature in case of ambient/ as specified condition of testing);

e) Data on concrete mix (Grade, mix proportions, and maximum nominal size of aggregates);
f) Consistency of concrete as determined by the slump or other test for consistency;

g) The initial and final setting time as observed, in hours and minutes, to the nearest minute;

h) Any deviation from the standard test method; j) Declaration by the person technically responsible
for the test that it was carried out in accordance with this standard, except as noted in (h); and k)
The report may also include temperature of the mortar after sieving.