CONSISTENCY OF STANDARD CEMENT PASTE (IS:4031-Part4-1988)

Overview

Standard consistency of a cement paste is defined as that consistency which will permit a vicat plunger having 10 mm dia and 50 mm length to penetrate to a depth of 33-35 mm from top of the mould.

Apparatus

Measuring Instruments

NAME CAPACITY / RANGE / SIZE ACCURACY / LEAST COUNT
Vicat apparatus Should be made as per IS:5513  —
Balance 1000 g 1 g
Measuring cylinder 100 ml 1 ml

Other accessories

Tray, glass plate
Vicat Apparatus
Vicat Apparatus

Environmental Condition

Temperature 27 ± 20 C
Humidity 65 ± 5 %

Procedure

  1. Take 400 g of cement and place it in the enameled tray.
  2. Mix about 25% water by weight of dry cement thoroughly to get a cement paste. Total time taken to obtain thoroughly mixed water cement paste i.e. “Gauging time” should not be more than 3 to 5 minutes.
  3. Fill the vicat mould, resting upon a glass plate, with this cement paste.
  4. After filling the mould completely, smoothen the surface of the paste, making it level with top of the mould.
  5. Place the whole assembly(i.e. mould + cement paste + glass plate) under the rod bearing plunger.
  6. Lower the plunger gently so as to touch the surface of the test block and quickly release the plunger allowing it to sink into the paste.
  7. Measure the depth of penetration and record it.
  8. Prepare trial pastes with varying percentages of water content and follow the steps (2 to 7) as described above, until the depth of penetration becomes 33 to 35 mm. 

Calculation

Calculate percentage of water (P) by weight of dry cement required to prepare cement paste of standard consistency by following formula, and express it to the first place of decimal.

cement consistency 1

Where,

W=Quantity of water added

C=Quantity of cement used

Precautions

  • Gauging time should be strictly observed
  • Room temperature should be well maintained as per test requirement.
  • All apparatus used should be clean.

  • The experiment should be performed away from vibrations and other disturbances.

Technical Discussion

  • This test helps to determine water content for other tests like initial and final setting time, soundness & compressive strength.
NAME OF TEST 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)
Compressive strength  cement consistency 2of combined mass of cement and sand.
  • Consistency refers to the relative mobility of a freshly mixed cement paste or mortar or its ability to flow. For a mortar the standard consistency is measured by flow table test.
  • Generally the normal consistency for OPC ranges from 26 to 33%.

Test Standard Reference

  • IS:4031(Part 4):1988-Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement (Determination of consistency of standard cement paste)

Related videos

38 thoughts on “CONSISTENCY OF STANDARD CEMENT PASTE (IS:4031-Part4-1988)”

  1. Factor 0.85 for Initial setting time how it is derive,
    Factor 0.78 for Soundness how it is derive,
    Comp. strength (P/4+3), 4 and 3 how it is derive
    Insoluble residue for PPC max= X+4*(100-X)/100, 4 how it is derive

    Reply
  2. Sir
    I’m doing my project related to phospho gypsm. How can i find out the standard consistency of phospho gypsm? Is it same as for cement?

    Reply
  3. In our Lab Consistency Test for OPC 43 grade was carried out it came 35%.
    Is it correct, as because the standard value lies in between 25% to 33%

    Reply
  4. Hii iam Rajesh
    We know
    The percentage of water is added for initial setting time is 0.85p
    Take an Eg :
    Cement =1000 g or 1kg
    Water required =0.85p ×wt.of cement
    =0.85×0.25×1000
    =212.5ml of water added
    Tanq

    Reply
  5. Hii iam Rajesh
    We know
    The percentage of water is added for initial setting time is 0.85p
    Take an Eg :
    Cement =1000 g or 1kg
    Water required =0.85p ×wt.of cement
    =0.85×0.25×1000
    =212.5ml of water added
    Tana

    Reply
  6. Dear
    Sir Please suggest me about Concistency Related Trouble . I want to know about .85 times , what is it???? please help me

    Thanks& Regards .
    Lalan Kumar Asst. Lab Tech

    Reply
  7. Sir i m doing project on geopolymer using fly ash but i dont know how to find the normal consistency of fly ash i tried as like cement but its taking the water around 80% is it right or how much should be the maximum percentage ?

    Reply
      • Based on trial and error we get the standard value. that is, in between 25% to 33% of water (by weight of the cement), we will achieve the standard consistency for different type of cement.
        (Note: Consistency means, Amount of water required to form uniform cement paste)

        Reply
  8. Okay I got the consistency part.
    But when I go for Initial Setting Time or Finap Setting time, the amount of water to be added is mentioned as “0.85P”
    So my doubt is, If I am taking 100gm of cement and amount of water as “22.1”gm (0.85×26) it is OK.
    But if I take larger amounts for eg. 2000gm of cement, will amount of water according to 0.85P be “22.1gm” ???
    But that will be too small amount isn’t it??
    Plz help…..

    Reply
    • 0.85 times the water required in ml is the equation for water demand for IST and FST. Hence you need to re-estimate the water qty when any changes occur in cement qty.

      water required for 100 gm cement will be different from water for 200 gm cement as it is to be as per standard consistency (5-7cm in Vicat Apparatus).

      Reply
  9. Okay I got the consistency part.
    But when I go for Initial Setting Time or Finap Setting time, the amount of water to be added is mentioned as “0.85P”
    So my doubt is, If I am taking 100gm of cement and amount of water as “22.1”gm (0.85×26) it is OK.
    But if I take larger amounts for eg. 2000gm of cement, will amount of water according to 0.85P be “22.1gm” ???
    But that will be too small amount isn’t it??
    Plz help…

    Reply
    • when we taking reading from bottom of the mould then it should come 5 to 7 mm (confirming to IS 4031 part 4 ). and above he is clearly mention that he was takes reading from the top of mould.

      Reply

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