Normal Consistency of Cement:

Normal Consistency is determined by using the Vicat Apparatus. It indicates the quantity of water to be used in a predetermined quantity of cement, so as to allow the plunger of the Vicat apparatus a penetration of 5 to 7 mm from the bottom of the cement mold.

400 gms of cement is mixed with 100cc of water mixed gauged (gauging to be finished by 3 minutes) and filled in the conical Vicat mold. The plunger released freely and the penetration was recorded.

Depending on the penetration being below 5mm to or more than 7mm, the quantity of water used is increased or reduced, and the test is repeated until the Vicat's plunger penetrates between 5mm to 7mm.

The quantity of water used as a % of the cement by weight is the normal consistency of the cement.