2. FORENORD
During the next few years, specifications will change An accompanying publication entitled 'Site sampling
from using the as 1881 test methods to those given in and testing of concrete: a site managers guide' has
the series as 12350: Testing fresh concrete and the also been produced to assist site engineers and
series as 12390: Testing hardened concrete. managers to ensure that sampling and testing are
Fortunately the tests included on this poster are the carried out correctly. The guide highlights some of the
same and the only difference is in the reporting of the potential problems associated with using incorrect
slump and flow values. However on the test certificate, procedures.
it is necessary to report the standard used.
Don't forget - The test results will be misleading if
these procedures are not carried out.
Get it right - Otherwise it's a waste of time and could
cost your company money.
For fulldetailsof equipment,testsandrecords
see:as
1881: Testing concrete,
aSEN12350:Tesdngfreshconcret~and
as EN 12390: Testing hardened concrete.
3. Safety
When Portland cement is mixed with water, or even becomes damp, alkalis are released which can be harmful to
the skin. The effect depends on the length of contact, any abrasion, the individual, and the part of the body
involved. Suitable protective clothing should be worn. If eyes are affected they should be washed out without
delay and medical attention sought.
All advice or information in this publication is intended for those who will evaluate the significance and limitations
of its contents anCltake responsibility for its use and application. No liability (including that for negligence) for any
loss resulting from such advice or information is accepted. Readers should note that all publications are subject to
revision from time to time and should therefore ensure that they are in possession of the latest version.
4. SAMPLING BS1881:Part101or
BSEN 12350-1
The standard method
To ensure it is representative of the whole load a Sample as the load is discharged.
standard sample consists of scoopfuls taken from Scoopfuls must be taken through the moving stream,
four different parts of the load and collected in sampling the whole width and depth - not just the
buckets. top part.
let very first concrete go
Take a scoopful from part 1
Take a scoopful from part 2
Take a scoopful from part 3
Take a scoopful from part 4
let the last concrete go
Complete a Sampling certificate and record which sampling method was used.
5. Safety
When Portland cement is mixed with water, or even becomes damp, alkalis are released which can be harmful to
the skin. The effect depends on the length of contact, any abrasion, the individual, and the part of the body
involved. Suitable protective clothing should be worn. If eyes are affected they should be washed out without
delay and medical attention sought.
All advice or information in this publication is intended for those who will evaluate the significance and limitations
of its contents an'd take responsibility for its use and application. No liability (including thatfor negligence) for any
loss resulting from such advice or information is accepted. Readers should note that all publications are subject to
revision from time to time and should therefore ensure that they are in possession of the latest version.
6. BS1881:Part 102or
BSEN206-1: 2000, clause5.4. 1
Thealternativemethod
For an early check on the workability of concrete Sample as the load is discharged.
d€livered in a truckmixer this alternative method of Scoopfuls must be taken through the moving stream,
sampling for the slump test may be used. Additional sampling the whole width and depth - not just the
tolerances will be applicable for concrete sampled by top part.
this alternative method.
Let very first concrete go
Take six scoopfuls from the
next 0.3 m3
'''''-
Take six scoopfuls after the first 0.3m3 has
been discharged.
Do not use this sample to make cubes.
BS 1881: Part 101 requires two slump tests when concrete is sampled by the alternative method.
7. THE SLUMP TEST BS 1881: Part 102 or
BS EN 12350-2
Empty the sampling Flatten the final heap by repeatedly
buckets onto the mixing digging-in the shovel vertically
tray Liftthe shovel clear each time
. Scrape each bucket clean Ifthe alternative method of
sampling has been used,
divide this heap into two
and test each part
. Thoroughly remix the Ensure the slump cone is clean and
sample shovelling into damp
a heap Place the metal plate on a solid level
. Turn the heap over to base away from vibration or other
disturbance
form another
. Do this three times Place the cone on the plate and
stand on the foot-pieces
8. Fillthe cone in three equal depth Carefullycleanoff spillage
layers from sideand baseplate
Use the standard slump rod
Rod each layer 2S times
Spread the blows evenly over the
area
Make sure the rod just penetrates
the layer below
. Heap the concrete above the top of
the cone before rodding the third
layer
. Top up if necessary . Carefully lift the cone
Usethe rod with a sawingand straight up and clear,
rolling motion to strikethe concrete to a count of between 5
levelwith the top of and 10 seconds
the cone Complete steps 5 to 8
within 150 seconds
9. Laythe rod across the upturned There are three kinds of slump
slump cone
Measure the distance between the
underside of the rod and the highest
-
point of the concrete the true Slump
i
slump
Recordthis distance to the nearest T
Smm if using BS1881: Part 102 or
10 mm if using BSEN 123S0-2
In all cases record the kind of slump
Checkthe type of slump
Ifthe slump isn't true, take a new
sample and repeat the test
. Ifthe second slump isn't true, get
advice
1.True
. Complete the Sampling and testing
certificates
2.Collapse 3.Shear
10. Youwill need thisequipment or the SlumpTest
f
Small scoop cf Sampling scoop
cP Steel rule
/
Square-mouthed
shovel Slump rod
/ Slump cone and
rigidmetalplate
i}
Buckets or
wheelbarrow
53 Mixing tray
<> Sampling and
testing certificates I!l ' '
"
Cloth
11. THE FLON TEST BS1881:Part 105or
BSEN 12350-5
First, find a suitable location for the flow table. It Sampling using the standard method is
must be placed on a firm flat surface. It may be recommended
necessary to prepare an area for the table.
. Empty the sampling buckets Ensure the mould and table are clean
onto the mixing tray and damp
. Scrape each bucket clean Place the mould on the centre
of the table and stand on the
foot-pieces
Fillthe mould in two layers,
tamping each layer ten times with
the tamping bar
. Thoroughly remix the sample Ifnecessary, add more concrete to
as described for the slump test fill the top layer
Use the tamping bar to strike the
concrete level with the top of the
mould
12. ' Carefullyclean off spillage from Carefully stand on the toe
around the mould and table top board at the front of the
table
Wait 30 seconds from striking off
Carefully lift the mould straight up
and clear, to a count of between 3
and 6 seconds
13. Slowly lift the table top by the
handle until it reaches the upper
stop
. Allow the table to fall freely
Repeat this cycle to give a total of
15 drops
Each cycle should take about 4
seconds
. Measure the largest dimension of
concrete spread in two directions,
parallel to the table edges
. Record the two diameters to
nearest 5mm if using BS 1881: Part
105 or 10mm if using BS EN
12350-5
If there is a ring of cement paste
several mm beyond the coarse
aggregate, report that segregation
has occurred
Complete the Sampling and testing
certificates
14. You will need this equipment for the Flow Test
1 .....'r.""__.I :.r.'8W:IU..-:i ......... (:.8::.l.L!1I818.1::.1.. i. ::.1_....,.
d cJj
!!l
Smallscoop Sampling scoop Sampling and ,0:::......
,
testingcertificates '':
"-
Square-mouthed
shovel 700mmrule / Mixing tray
0
Buckets
or Flowtable
wheelbarrow
Mixing
tray 53 Mould
13
Cloth rQ9 Hardwood
tamping bar
15. MAKING CUBES BS 1881: Part 108 or
BS EN 12390-2
Sample the concrete in the standard manner. Concrete sampled using the alternative method cannot
be used for making cubes.
Check that the . Fill the mould with
moulds are clean and concrete in 50mm layers
lightly oiled with all . Using the special tamping
bolts tightened so bar. compact
that there will be no the concrete with not less
than:
. leakage that the
Ensure 25 tamps for each of
correct halves of the the two layers in a
mould are used and 100mm mould
that the corner lining 35 tamps for each of
pins are correctly the three layers in a
located 150mm mould
. Thoroughly remix the
sample as described
for the slump test
16. . and smooth overconcrete
Removesurplus
with a
Cover each mould with a
damp cloth and plastic
float sheet
. Wipe the mould edges
clean
Store inside at normal
room temperature (15'C
. Number the moulds for to 2S'C) e.g. on top of the
identification and record curing tank
details Protect the cube moulds at
all times from high and
low temperatures
(especially frost) and
drying winds
Complete the Sampling
and cube making
certificates
17. Youwill need this equipment for Making Cubes
Smallscoop Sampling scoop Spanner
Square-mouthed Damp cloth and Hide hammer
shovel plastic sheet
8
Buckets or Cloth
Tamping bar wheelbarrow
18. Lightly re-oil the cube moulds with release oil
Cube moulds Mixing tray Sampling, cube
making and storage
certificates
Maximuml Steel float Curing tank
minimum
thermometer ; . -',
Felt tip pen or Brush
and
I mouldoil
crayon
19. STORING CUBES BS 1881: Part 111 or
BS EN 12390-2
The cubes should be taken from the moulds the day after making, numbered and put in a curing tank.
Record the
maximum/minimum
. Part the sides of the
mould, tapping gently with
overnight storage the hide hammer
temperatures on the lift off carefully
certificate iMAX . Remember, new cubes
are easily damaged
unless handled carefully
MIN lMJ
. Slacken all nuts . Mark each cube with its
identification number on
two of its cast sides
20. I'
. Place the cubes in the For despatch to test
curing tank laboratory, wrap the wet
. Clean and reassemble the cubes in damp cloths. and
moulds then plastic bags and pack
in trays
. Attach the sampling.
testing. cube making and
storage certificates, plus
the order for testing. to
. Check that the water the package
......
temperature is
controlled at 20.C :t 2.C
and the cubes are covered
by water
. Make sure the power 20.C
supply is not switched off
day or night
. Check the temperature
range daily using the
maximum/minimum
thermometer
. Keep a record of the
readings
21. -
-
Ql1ARRY
PRODUCTS
ASSOCJ AT ION
o Quarry Products Association
First published by the British Cement Association
for the Ready-mixed Concrete Bureau
National Helpline
07004 500 500
Publication number 97. 334
(~
First published 1993
Revised 2002. 2004
fS8N07210 14704
Produced by Rudkin Design
Telephone: (01327) 301770
)
The Concrete Centre™
For further information contact:
The Concrete Centre
Riverside House, 4 Meadows Business Park
Station Approach, Blackwater
Camberley, Surrey GU17 9AB
I.
