Activity 5

Time of Setting of Portland Cement

Using Gillmore Needles

I. Purpose:

To determine the suitability of Portland cement for concrete works and to

determination the time that elapses before cement ceases to be fluid and plastic (initial set)
and the time required for it to harden to certain degree (final set) using Gillmore Needles.

II. Scope and Specifications:

The Gillmore Apparatus is used to determine initial and final set time of Portland
cement, masonry cement hydraulic hydrated lime and certain mortars. The unit consists of
two stainless steel needles with 3/16” (4.8 mm) cylindrical flat ends. One is ½” (2.12 mm)
diameter with A ¼ lb. (113.4 g) weight for initial set. The second is 1/24 (1.06 mm) diameter
with 1 lb. (453.6 g) weight for final set.

The Gillmore needle is applied at certain time intervals on the surface of a 3” diameter
pat, ½ thick and tapering to a thin outer edge, made from a neat cement paste of normal
consistency. The initial set is said to have occurred when the pat will bear without
appreciable mark the small Gilmore needle 1/24” in diameter and loaded to weigh ¼ lb. and
the final set when the large Gillmore needle 1/12” in diameter and loaded to weigh 1 lb.
fails to make any appreciable mark. Knowledge of the time of setting is of value since
crystallization begins with the initial set, thus molding and placing of the mortar should be
complete before the cement begins to set. A rapid set may indicate insufficient gypsum or
the presence of the soluble carbonates.

Specification: Initial set ---------- > 60 min.

Final set-------------- < 600 min.

III. Materials and Equipments:

1.) Gillmore needles, 1/24 in dia., ¼ lb and 1/12 in dia., 1 lb

2.) Graduated cylinder
3.) Balance and weights
4.) Glass plate
5.) Spatula
6.) Trowel
7.) Mixing bowl
IV. Procedure:

1.) Weigh 500 grams of cement.

2.) Prepare cement paste of normal consistency.
3.) Form on a glass plate a pat about 3 inches in diameter, ½ inch thick at the center with a
flat top and tapering to a thin edge.
4.) Place pat in moist closet with a temperature of 23 C and relative humidity of 90%.
5.) Determine setting time by applying needles lightly on the surface of pat. The cement
shall be considered to have acquired its initial set when the pat will bear without
appreciable indentation the ¼ lb. Gillmore needle, and the final set when the pat will
bear without appreciable indentation to 1 lb. Gillmore needle.

V. Test Data and Test Results:

1.) Clock time:

a.) Started ------- _______________
b.) Initial set ------- _______________
c.) Final set ------- _______________

2.) Time:
a.) Initial set, minutes,
(b)-(a) -------- __________

b.) Final set, hours,

(c)-(a) ------- __________

VI. Discussion and Analysis of Test Data:

a.) Computation:
 b.) Interpretation and Analysis of Test Results:

Drawing: