Method of test for determining the setting time of concrete by penetration resistance

IS 8142: Scope & Key Specifications Summary

IS 8142 covers testing procedures for concrete hardening rate by penetration resistance.

Key Specifications:

• Concrete Mixture Data:

  • Cement type & proportions
  • Fine & coarse aggregates (max size, grading)
  • Water-cement ratio (net water content/cement content)

• Admixtures:

  • Name, nature, % active ingredients by mass of cement

• Fresh Concrete Properties:

  • Air content & determination method
  • Consistency (slump or equivalent test)
  • Temperature of mortar after sieving
  • Ambient temperature during testing

• Specimen Handling:

  • Store specimens at test temperature
  • Cover with water-impermeable cover to prevent moisture loss
  • Shield from sunlight

• Testing & Reporting:

  • Minimum 3 specimens per variable
  • Plot penetration resistance (N/mm²) vs. time (hours:min)
  • Scale: 3.5 MN/m² = 13 mm on graph; 1 hour = 13 mm on time axis

Typical Reporting Table Format:

graph TD
  A[Concrete Mix Data] --> B[Specimen Preparation]
  B --> C[Specimen Storage & Protection]
  C --> D[Penetration Resistance Test]
  D --> E[Plot Resistance vs Time]
  E --> F[Report Generation]

This scope ensures consistent, repeatable testing of concrete hardening as per IS 8142.

IS 8142: Key Definitions & Specifications Summary

Definitions (Clause 2.0)

• Standardizes terms related to concrete penetration resistance testing.
• Defines specimen types, test conditions, and measurement units (N/mm² or kgf/cm²).

Report Requirements (Clause 10.1)

Include in test report:

• Concrete Mix Data: Cement type, proportions of cement, fine & coarse aggregates (max size, grading), water-cement ratio.
• Admixtures: Name, nature, and % active ingredients by mass of cement.
• Air Content: % air in fresh concrete and test method.
• Consistency: Slump or equivalent test results.
• Mortar Temperature: After sieving.
• Ambient Temperature: During test period.
• Test Date

Test Data Presentation (Clause 10.2)

• Plot penetration resistance (ordinate, N/mm² or kgf/cm²) vs. elapsed time (abscissa, hours/minutes).
• Scale: 3.5 MN/m² (35 kgf/cm²) = ≥13 mm; 1 hour = ≥13 mm on graph.

Specimen Handling (Clause 5.1)

• Store specimens at test temperature.
• Cover with water-impermeable sheet to prevent moisture loss.
• Protect from sun.
• Remove bleed water only during testing.

Typical Penetration Resistance Plot (Conceptual)

graph LR
A[Elapsed Time (hours)] --> B[Penetration Resistance (N/mm²)]
B --> C[Plot resistance curve]

This ensures consistent measurement of concrete setting/hardening as per IS 8142.

IS 8142: Apparatus Specifications for Penetration Resistance Testing

1. Penetration Resistance Apparatus (Clause 3.2)

• Type:
  • Spring reaction-type or hydraulic reaction-type.
• Capacity & Graduation:
  • Spring type: 50 N to 600 N (5 to 60 kgf), increments ≤ 10 N (1 kgf).
  • Hydraulic type: 700 to 900 N (70 to 90 kgf), increments ≤ 10 N (1 kgf).
• Accuracy: ±10 N (1 kgf).
• Needles:
  • Removable with bearing areas: 645, 323, 161, 65, 32, 16 mm².
  • Needle shank scribed 25 mm above bearing face.
  • 16 mm² needle length ≤ 90 mm (to minimize bending).
• Calibration: Spring apparatus must be recalibrated periodically.

2. Pipette (Clause 3.3)

• Used to draw off free water from specimen surfaces.

3. Specimen Storage (Clause 5.1)

• Maintain test temperature.
• Cover specimens with water-impermeable covers to prevent evaporation except during testing or water removal.
• Shield specimens from sunlight.

Needle Bearing Areas Summary

flowchart LR
    A[Penetration Resistance Apparatus]
    A --> B[Spring Reaction Type]
    A --> C[Hydraulic Reaction Type]
    B --> D[Capacity: 50-600 N]
    C --> E[Capacity: 700-900 N]
    A --> F[Needles]
    F --> G[Areas: 645, 323, 161, 65, 32, 16 mm²]
    F --> H[Length ≤ 90 mm

IS 8142: Preparation of Mortar Specimens — Key Specifications & Guidelines

Containers (Clause 3.1)

• Rigid, watertight, non-absorptive, non-oiled.
• Shape: Cylindrical or rectangular cross-section.
• Minimum dimensions: 150 mm lateral dimension x 150 mm height.
• Must provide sufficient surface for undisturbed penetration resistance reading.

Tamping Rod (Clause 3.4)

• Material: Steel, round, straight.
• Diameter: 16 mm.
• Length: Approximately 600 mm.
• Tamping end: Hemispherical tip of 16 mm diameter.

Storage of Mortar Specimens (Clause 4.3)

• Store specimens in a controlled environment maintaining proper temperature and humidity.
• Prevent drying or contamination until testing.

Reporting Requirements (Clause 10.1)

Include in test report:

• Concrete mix data: cement type, proportions, aggregate size/grading, water-cement ratio.
• Admixture details: type, percentage, active ingredients.
• Air content and test method.
• Concrete consistency (slump or equivalent).
• Mortar temperature after sieving.
• Ambient temperature during testing.
• Test date.

Summary Table: Container & Tamping Rod Dimensions

flowchart LR
    A[Mortar Preparation] --> B[Sieving & Mixing]
    B --> C[Fill Container (≥150mm)]
    C --> D[Tamping with 16mm Rod]
    D --> E[Storage (Controlled Temp & Humidity)]
    E --> F[Testing & Reporting]

This ensures uniform specimen preparation for reliable penetration resistance testing per IS 8142.

Storage of Mortar Specimens as per IS 8142

Key Specifications:

• Containers (Clause 3.1):

  • Rigid, watertight, non-absorptive, non-oiled.
  • Cylindrical or rectangular cross-section.
  • Minimum lateral dimension: 150 mm.
  • Minimum height: 150 mm.
  • Must allow enough surface area for undisturbed penetration resistance readings.

• Tamping Rod (Clause 3.4):

  • Steel, round, straight.
  • Diameter: 16 mm.
  • Length: approx. 600 mm.
  • Rounded hemispherical tip of 16 mm diameter.

Storage Conditions (Clause 5.1):

• Maintain specimens at the selected test temperature.
• Cover specimens with a tight-fitting, water-impermeable cover to prevent moisture loss.
• Protect specimens from sunlight.
• Remove bleeding water only during testing or cleaning.

Summary Table:

flowchart TD
    A[Prepare Mortar Specimen] --> B[Place in Container (≥150mm)]
    B --> C[Cover with Water-impermeable Lid]
    C --> D[Store at Test Temperature]
    D --> E[Protect from Sunlight]
    E --> F[Remove Bleeding Water during Testing]

IS 8142: Number of Specimens & Testing Specifications

Number of Specimens (Clause 6.1)

• Minimum 3 separate batches per test condition.
• Perform one rate of hardening test per batch.
• Equal number of batches for each condition on the same day.
• If testing all variables on one day is impossible:
  • Complete mixing in as few days as possible.
  • Repeat one mixture each day as a standard of comparison.

Storage (Clause 5.1 & 4.3)

• Store specimens at selected test temperature.
• Cover specimens with tight-fitting, water-impermeable covers to prevent moisture loss.
• Shield specimens from sunlight.
• Remove bleeding water only during testing.

Penetration Resistance Tests (Clause 7.4)

• At least 6 penetration resistance determinations per rate of hardening test.
• Time intervals chosen to produce equally spaced data points on the hardening curve.
• Continue until penetration resistance reaches 26–97 N/mm² (275 kgf/cm²).

Summary Table for Specimen Testing

flowchart TD
    A[Start Test] --> B[Prepare ≥3 Batches]
    B --> C[Store Specimens Properly]
    C --> D[Conduct 1 Hardening Test per Batch]
    D --> E[Perform ≥6 Penetration Tests]
    E --> F{Penetration Resistance ≥ 26-97 N/mm²?}
    F -- No --> E
    F -- Yes --> G[End Test]

This ensures reliable, repeatable results per IS 8142 specifications.

IS 8142: Test Procedure - Key Specifications and Guidelines

Specimen Storage (Clause 5.1)

• Store specimens at the selected test temperature.
• Cover specimens with a tight-fitting, water-impermeable cover to prevent moisture evaporation.
• Remove cover only during bleeding water removal or penetration tests.
• Shield specimens from direct sunlight.

Number of Specimens (Clause 6)

• Use multiple specimens for reliability (exact number per test as per detailed code sections).

Test Reporting Requirements (Clause 10.1)

Include in the report:

• Concrete mixture data: Type, proportions of cement, fine and coarse aggregates (max size, grading), water-cement ratio.
• Admixtures: Name, nature, % active ingredients by cement mass.
• Air content: Method and results.
• Consistency: Slump or equivalent test.
• Mortar temperature: After sieving.
• Ambient temperature: During testing.
• Date of test.

Test Repeatability (Clause 9.1)

• Range of 3 tests by same operator/machine ≤ 84 minutes.
• Average setting times for two sets of 3 batches differ by ≤ 20 minutes.

Equipment (Clause 3.3)

• Use a pipette or suitable instrument to draw off free water from specimen surfaces.

Summary Table for Test Data Reporting

flowchart TD
    A[Prepare Specimens] --> B[Store at Test Temp]
    B --> C{Cover Specimens?}
    C -- Yes --> D[Prevent Evaporation]
    C -- No --> E[Remove Bleeding Water]
    D --> F[Shield from Sun]
    E --> F
    F --> G[Conduct Tests]
    G --> H[Record Data & Report]

This ensures proper specimen handling, repeatable results, and comprehensive reporting per IS 8142.

IS 8142: Calculation of Penetration Resistance

Key Formula (Clause 8.1)

[ \text{Penetration Resistance} (N/mm^2) = \frac{\text{Force required for 25 mm penetration (N)}}{\text{Needle bearing area (mm}^2)} ]

• Force is measured at 25 mm penetration depth.
• Needle bearing areas available: 645, 323, 161, 65, 32, 16 mm² (Clause 3.2).

Apparatus Specifications (Clause 3.2)

• Spring reaction-type: 50 N to 600 N, increments ≤ 10 N.
• Hydraulic reaction-type: 700 to 900 N capacity, increments ≤ 10 N.
• Needles scribed 25 mm above bearing face.
• 16 mm² needle length ≤ 90 mm to avoid bending.
• Apparatus accuracy: ±10 N.
• Periodic recalibration required for spring-type.

Testing Protocol (Clause 7.4)

• Minimum 6 penetration resistance tests per hardening rate.
• Tests spaced to produce a smooth hardening curve.
• Continue until penetration resistance ≥ 26.97 N/mm² (275 kgf/cm²).

Plotting Curves (Clause 10.2)

• Plot penetration resistance (N/mm²) vs. time (hours/minutes).
• Scale: 3.5 MN/m² (35 kgf/cm²) = 13 mm, 1 hour = 13 mm on graph.

Summary Table: Needle Areas and Max Force

flowchart LR
    A[Apply Force to Needle] --> B[Needle Penetrates 25 mm]
    B

IS 8142: Precision and Reproducibility Key Points

Precision (Clause 9.1)

• Range of 3 results by same operator, machine, materials on different days ≤ 84 minutes
• Average setting times for two sets (each 3 batches) differ by ≤ 20 minutes

Reproducibility

• Ensured by controlling:
  • Same operator and apparatus
  • Similar materials and environmental conditions
  • Proper specimen storage (Clause 5.1): covered, moisture-protected, shielded from sun

Apparatus Specifications (Clause 3.2)

• Spring reaction-type or hydraulic apparatus
• Load range: 50 N to 600 N (spring) or 700 to 900 N (hydraulic)
• Graduation: 10 N increments or less
• Needle bearing areas: 645, 323, 161, 65, 32, 16 mm²
• Needle length for 16 mm² ≤ 90 mm

Test Report Requirements (Clause 10.1)

Include:

• Concrete mix data (cement type, aggregate size/grading, water/cement ratio)
• Admixture details (% active ingredients)
• Air content & test method
• Consistency (slump or equivalent)
• Mortar temperature after sieving
• Ambient temperature during test
• Test date

Summary Table: Precision Limits

flowchart LR
    A[Specimen Preparation] --> B[Store at controlled temp]
    B --> C[Cover with water-impermeable cover]
    C --> D[Conduct Penetration Resistance Test]
    D --> E[Record Setting Times]
    E --> F{Check Precision}
    F -->|Range ≤ 84 min| G[Accept Results]
    F -->|Range > 84 min| H[Repeat Test]

This ensures reliable and reproducible setting time measurements per IS 8142.

IS 8142 - Report Requirements & Key Formulas

Report Contents (Clause 10.1)

The report must include:

• Concrete Mix Data: Cement type, proportions of cement, fine & coarse aggregates (max size & grading), water-cement ratio.
• Admixtures: Name, nature, % by mass of cement.
• Air Content: % in fresh concrete & test method.
• Consistency: Slump or other consistency test results.
• Temperature: Mortar temperature after sieving and ambient temperature during testing.
• Date of Test

Time of Setting (Clause 10.3)

• Initial setting time = time at penetration resistance = 3.43 N/mm² (35 kgf/cm²)
• Final setting time = time at penetration resistance = 26.97 N/mm² (275 kgf/cm²)
• Times are averaged from curves (Clause 10.2) and reported in hours & minutes.

Penetration Resistance Plot (Clause 10.2)

• Plot penetration resistance (N/mm²) vs elapsed time (hours:minutes).
• Scale: 3.5 MN/m² (35 kgf/cm²) and 1 hour represented by ≥ 13 mm on graph.

Summary Table for Setting Times

This structured report ensures comprehensive documentation of concrete properties and setting behavior per IS 8142.