Consistency Test

 

This is a test to estimate the quantity of mixing water to form a paste of normal consistency defined as that percentage water requirement of the cement paste, the viscosity of which will be such that the Vicat’s plunger penetrates up to a point 5 to 7 mm from the bottom of the Vicat’s mould.

Importance-

 The water requirement for various tests of cement depends on the normal consistency of the cement, which itself depends upon the compound composition and fineness of the cement.

The Procedure -

300 g of cement is mixed with 25 per cent water. The paste is filled in the mould of Vicat’s apparatus (Fig. 5.9) and the surface of the filled paste is smoothened and levelled. A square needle 10 mm x 10 mm attached to the plunger is then lowered gently over the cement paste surface and is released quickly. The plunger pierces the cement paste. The reading on the attached scale is recorded. When the reading is 5-7 mm from the bottom of the mould, the amount of water added is considered to be the correct percentage of water for normal consistency.