SOP # QCT-009-01

The Akshaya Patra Foundation Prepared on: 01/04/2018

Version:1.0
SOP Name: Cement Consistency / Initial & Final setting time Test
Document storage location/source: QC Lab Pages: 08

1. PURPOSE
1.1 This test is done for determining the quantity of water required to produce a cement paste
of standard consistency, initial & final setting time of cement.

2. SCOPE
2.1 This test covers the procedures for determining the consistency required to make
standard paste of cement and also initial and final setting time with same consistency.

3. RESPONSIBILITY
3.1. Lab Technician – Collecting sample as per specified procedure
Conduct test as per related standard or specification
Record test results and compiled in approved test format which is
mention in approved ITP
3.2. Quality Engineer - Review test results
Documentation of test results
Training lab technician for material testing
Prepare non-conformance report and documentation

4.REQUIREMENTS
4.1 TEST EQUIPMENT
4.1.1 Vicat apparatus with plunger.
4.1.2 Graduated Jar to measure water.

Document prepared Reviewed Approved Effective date

Name: Name: Name: 01-04-2018
Pushpendra Chaudhary Dr. Vikram Rajagopal Suvyakta Narasimha Dasa
Position: Position: Position:
QA/QC – Civil Engineer Head Quality Projects Regional President
Signature Signature Signature
 SOP # QCT-009-01
The Akshaya Patra Foundation Prepared on: 01/04/2018
Version:1.0
SOP Name: Cement Consistency / Initial & Final setting time Test
Document storage location/source: QC Lab Pages: 08

4.1.3 Weight balance.

4.1.4 Trowel
4.1.5 Vicat apparatus with setting time needles.
4.1.6 Weight balance of permissible variation + 1.0gm.
4.1.7 Gauging Trowel.
4.2 SAMPLING:
4.2.1 The sample for consistency and initial & final setting time test is to be taken from
cement, each batch/every lot. Sampling is to be done as per IS 3535: 1986.

5. DEFINITIONS and abbreviations

5.1 IS- Indian Standard
5.2 SOP- Standard Operating Procedure
5.3 ITP- Inspection and test Plan
6. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
6.1 IS: 4031, Part-4: Method of Physical testing for hydraulic cement, Determination of
consistency of standard cement paste of hydraulic cement.
6.2 IS: 5513, Specification of Vicat apparatus
6.3 IS: 4031, Part-5: Method of Physical testing for hydraulic cement, Determination of initial &
final setting time of cement
6.4 IS: 3535 Method of sampling cement.
7.1 PROCEDURE

Document prepared Reviewed Approved Effective date

Name: Name: Name: 01-04-2018
Pushpendra Chaudhary Dr. Vikram Rajagopal Suvyakta Narasimha Dasa
Position: Position: Position:
QA/QC – Civil Engineer Head Quality Projects Regional President
Signature Signature Signature
 SOP # QCT-009-01
The Akshaya Patra Foundation Prepared on: 01/04/2018
Version:1.0
SOP Name: Cement Consistency / Initial & Final setting time Test
Document storage location/source: QC Lab Pages: 08

7.1.1 Take 400 gm cement & add water 25% of the weight of cement to make the standard
cement paste.
7.1.2 After filling the mold place it on the base plate of the Vicat apparatus with the glass
plate, for making it level with the top of the mold.
7.1.3 Then slightly shake the mold to expel the air.
7.1.4 Now lower the plunger just near the top surface of the cement paste & realize quickly it
to sink into the paste.
7.1.5 The above operation should be carried out immediately after filling the mold.
7.1.6 Continue the same process with the varying percentage of water in the range of 25% to
30% until the desired limit not achieved.
7.1.7 For preparation of a neat cement paste, take 400gm cement gauging with 0.85 times of
the water required to make a cement paste of standard consistency.
7.1.8 Time limit for the above operation is 3 to 5minute, starts from adding water with the
dry cement to fill the cement paste into the mold.
7.1.9 Place the test mold on a non-porous testing plate made off glass.
7.1.10 After filling make the top surface smooth & level.

7.1.2 Determination of initial setting time of cement: -

7.1.2.1 Place the test specimen under the rod, bearing the initial setting time needle.

Document prepared Reviewed Approved Effective date

Name: Name: Name: 01-04-2018
Pushpendra Chaudhary Dr. Vikram Rajagopal Suvyakta Narasimha Dasa
Position: Position: Position:
QA/QC – Civil Engineer Head Quality Projects Regional President
Signature Signature Signature
 SOP # QCT-009-01
The Akshaya Patra Foundation Prepared on: 01/04/2018
Version:1.0
SOP Name: Cement Consistency / Initial & Final setting time Test
Document storage location/source: QC Lab Pages: 08

7.1.2.2 Lower the needle gently until it comes contact with surface of the cement paste &
realize quickly it to sink into the paste.
7.1.2.2 Repeat the process several times until the needle penetrate to a point 5 + 0.5 mm
measured from the bottom of the vicat mold.
7.1.2.3 The period elapsing between the time of adding water to the cement & the time at
which the needle successfully penetrates into the cement paste to a point 5 + 0.5 mm
measured from the bottom of the vicat mold is known as initial setting time.
7.1.2.4 Record the time.

7.1.3 Determination of final setting time of cement: -

7.1.3.1 After initial setting time test, replace the initial setting time needle by the final setting
time needle with an annular attachment.
7.1.3.2 Now lower the needle gently until it comes contact with surface of the cement paste
& realize quickly it.
7.1.3.3 When the needle drops on the test sample it makes a point impression along with a
circular mark due to cutting edge of annular attachment thereon.
7.1.3.4 Repeat the process several times until the impression of annular attachment shall be
vanished.
7.1.3.5 The period elapsing between the time of adding water to the cement & the time at
which the impression of annular attachment is being vanished is known as final
setting time.
7.1.3.6 Now record the time.

Document prepared Reviewed Approved Effective date

Name: Name: Name: 01-04-2018
Pushpendra Chaudhary Dr. Vikram Rajagopal Suvyakta Narasimha Dasa
Position: Position: Position:
QA/QC – Civil Engineer Head Quality Projects Regional President
Signature Signature Signature
 SOP # QCT-009-01
The Akshaya Patra Foundation Prepared on: 01/04/2018
Version:1.0
SOP Name: Cement Consistency / Initial & Final setting time Test
Document storage location/source: QC Lab Pages: 08

7.2 CALCULATION:
7.2.1 Calculated values shall be tabulated in the formats & tallied with the IS limits.
7.2.2 Test results shall be recorded in approved format mentioned in QCF#12.

8. OBSERVATIONS

Sample 1 Sample 2

Consistency of cement paste

Initial setting time of cement

Final setting time of cement

9. ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA:
 Initial setting time in minute should not be less than 30 minute
 Final setting time in minute should not be more than 600 minute.

Document prepared Reviewed Approved Effective date

Name: Name: Name: 01-04-2018
Pushpendra Chaudhary Dr. Vikram Rajagopal Suvyakta Narasimha Dasa
Position: Position: Position:
QA/QC – Civil Engineer Head Quality Projects Regional President
Signature Signature Signature
 SOP # QCT-009-01
The Akshaya Patra Foundation Prepared on: 01/04/2018
Version:1.0
SOP Name: Cement Consistency / Initial & Final setting time Test
Document storage location/source: QC Lab Pages: 08

10. Process Map:

Sampling of Material

Conduct test as per procedure

Calculation of readings

No
Check for acceptance Accepted/Not accepted Reject /Record

Yes

Use

Document prepared Reviewed Approved Effective date

Name: Name: Name: 01-04-2018
Pushpendra Chaudhary Dr. Vikram Rajagopal Suvyakta Narasimha Dasa
Position: Position: Position:
QA/QC – Civil Engineer Head Quality Projects Regional President
Signature Signature Signature
 SOP # QCT-009-01
The Akshaya Patra Foundation Prepared on: 01/04/2018
Version:1.0
SOP Name: Cement Consistency / Initial & Final setting time Test
Document storage location/source: QC Lab Pages: 08

11. REVISION LOG

Effective Previous
SOP no. Significant Changes
Date SOP no.

Document prepared Reviewed Approved Effective date

Name: Name: Name: 01-04-2018
Pushpendra Chaudhary Dr. Vikram Rajagopal Suvyakta Narasimha Dasa
Position: Position: Position:
QA/QC – Civil Engineer Head Quality Projects Regional President
Signature Signature Signature