The cement reacts with water and turns into a paste to form a layer on other ingredients to make the (concrete) bond stronger.
The optimum quantity of water and cement produces a strong, homogeneous mix material that gives consistency to the concrete or mortar.
The consistency of cement is the minimum water requirement to start the chemical reaction between water and cement.
This test helps to identify the minimum water required to make the cement paste.
The cement starts hydrating when it reacts with the water and hardens itself.
Higher water quantity will give high workability of concrete, but at the same time, it will lead to bleeding, segregation, which will affect the concrete strength.
Lower quantity of water decreases the workability, and it does not make a homogeneous concrete element or mortar. So to make a proper water-cement ratio that gives excellent workability, strength, and durability of concrete, we have to conduct this experiment.
The minimum quantity of water required to make uniform cement paste can be determined by the cement test’s standard consistency. This test also helps identify the initial and final setting time of cement and soundness of cement test.
Name of the experiment | Amount of water required |
Soundness (Le-chatelier method) | 0.78 P (P=Consistency of standard cement paste) |
Setting time | 0.85 P (P=Consistency of standard cement paste) |
The usage of cement in the site will affect by the following factors,
So the necessity of the cement test’s consistency is to find the required water to get an excellent and uniform cement paste in concrete or mortar considering the above factors.
Standard Consistency of OPC will be anywhere from 25-35%. That means we need 25-35% of the water in volume (based on cement quantity) to make a standard consistency of cement.
Assuming we have to calculate the water required for a 1000g of cement. It has 25% consistency. Therefore to prepare a standard consistency, we required = 1000 x 25% = 250g amount of water.
The standard consistency of cement test should be performed as per IS code 4031 part 4 specifications by the Vicat apparatus mentioned in IS code 5513.
The required water for making cement paste can be found by the plunger of the Vicat apparatus penetrating the cement paste about 5mm to 7mm bottom from the Vicat mould.
SI | Quantity of water added (ml) | Depth of penetration (mm) |
1 | ||
2 | ||
3 |
The required water amount has been calculated in percentage,
P = (W/C) x 100
P – Percentage of water
W – Weight water added
C – Weight of cement
Happy Learning 🙂
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Thanks alot I have got what I want and able to know about consistence tests for cement.......... #civilForLife
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Thanks a lot I am able explore my knowledge on consistency of cement
#civil planets
This test procedure is so simple and I can indeed call it a blessing to me.
Thank you Mr. Bala
Thanks