Readymix Concrete BS EN 206-1

Quarry Products Association
Guidance on the application of the EN 206-1

conformity rules
April 2001
Publication prepared by a Task Group comprising:
T A Harrison (convenor) Quarry Products Association

S Crompton RMC Readymix Ltd.
C Eastwood RMC Readymix Ltd.
G Richardson Lafarge Aggregates Ltd.
R Sym SignalsfromNoise.com Ltd.
Guidance on the application of the EN 206-1 conformity rules
Further copies and revisions of this publication can be freely downloaded from the website:
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the significance and limitations of its contents and take responsibility for its use and application. No
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Readers should note that Quarry Products Association publications are subject to revision from time to
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Executive summary
For a selected level of risk (probability of non-conformity during an assessment period),
the design margin to achieve conformity depends upon the number of test results in the
assessment period and the level of auto-correlation. The highest risk of non-conformity is
with busy plants with frequent testing.
Increased numbers of test results in an assessment period together with reduced levels of
auto-correlation, increase the probability of correctly identifying whether the population
conforms or not and thereby reduces the risk to the concrete producer.
The recommended method for deriving the population standard deviation is to use 0.886
times the mean range between consecutive results.
Use Method 2 in BS EN 206-1: 2001 for deriving when the standard deviation changes.
Method 1 is too insensitive and where the standard deviation is high, it is very difficult for
this system to trigger a change.
Conformity applies to conditions of uniform production. Whilst a change in mean strength

or standard deviation indicates a change in the conditions of production i.e. non-uniform
conditions, the assessment period should be ended immediately only under certain
conditions of change of standard deviation. Guidance is given on where such a change
should immediately start a new assessment period.
Assessment periods need not be uniform for all plants or for different concretes within a
plant. The producer defines the assessment periods. Where practical, the assessment
period for strength of a concrete family should contain at least 35 results. The definition of
a typical assessment period for strength would follow the form:
The period for the assessment of compressive strength for a concrete or concrete family
is the shortest of:
• period of uniform conditions for production e.g. period of constant standard

deviation;
• period needed to obtain 35 results;
• 12 months.
Recommendation are made with respect to conformity for strength to all options given in
BS EN 206-1: 2001 (see 3.1) and for:
• statistical outliers;
• concretes where the maximum w/c ratio or minimum cement content control the
strength of the concrete;
• use of prescribed concretes to increase the number of data sets;
• concrete families and individual concretes;
• low volume production;
• authorised addition of water on site.
Guidance on conformity for properties other than strength is given. The requirements that
are spread throughout BS EN 206-1 are collated into tables for easy application.
Where a potential non-conformity is indicated, it is strongly recommended that the data

are analysed in depth to delimit the period of non-conformity and to determine those
members of a family that are in conformity and those that are not. Some guidance is
provided in this publication.
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Contents
Executive summary
Glossary
1. Introduction
2. Background to the BS EN 206-1 conformity rules for strength
2.1 Requirement for uniform conditions of production
2.2 Initial and continuous production
2.3 Initial production for compressive strength
2.4 Continuous production for compressive strength
2.4.1 Introduction
2.4.2 Historical background to the conformity rule
2.4.3 Effect of increasing the number of test results above 15
2.4.4 Effect of auto-correlation
2.5 Conformity of tensile splitting strength
2.6 Conformity of flexural strength
3. Guidance on the application of the conformity rules for compressive strength
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Relevant test data
3.3 Point of sampling and sampling rate
3.4 Number of specimens per test result
3.5 Age of test
3.6 Assessment period
3.7 Higher sampling rates
3.8 Non-overlapping and overlapping results
3.9 Use of concrete families
3.10 Estimation of the standard deviation
3.11 Low volume production
4. Conformity of concrete for properties other than strength
4.1 Basis of the method
4.2 Assessment periods for properties other than strength
4.3 Conformity requirements for properties other than strength and consistence
4.3.1 General
4.3.2 Density of heavyweight concrete
4.3.3 Density of lightweight concrete
4.3.4 Maximum w/c ratio and minimum cement content
4.3.5 Air content
4.3.6 Chloride content of concrete
4.4 Conformity criteria for consistence
5. References
Appendix A: Basis for the analysis of the risks associated with the criteria for initial
production
Appendix B: Auto-correlation in concrete test results
B.1 Interpretation of auto-correlation
B.2 Confidence limits for correlation coefficients
B.3 Calculation of auto-correlation
B.4 Taerwe’s Model
B.5 An example
Appendix C: Derivation of the difference between the target mean strength and the limits
for conformity
Appendix D: Example of the application of the recommendations where the standard
deviation changes part way through an assessment period
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Glossary
The following terms have been explained in the context of this publication.
Auto-correlation: A measure of how related test data are to their adjacent results.
Concrete family: A group of concrete compositions for which a reliable relationship between
relevant properties is established and documented.
Conformity: A series of procedures undertaken by the producer to assure the specifier and
user that the delivered concrete conforms to its specification and the appropriate
requirements of BS EN 206-1 and BS 8500. The procedures are the application of the
conformity rules given in BS EN 206-1 and, where appropriate, the conformity rules given in
BS 8500 to test data obtained, normally, from samples of the freshly produced concrete.
Non-conformity: The result of an in-depth analysis of a potential non-conformity that shows

the concrete did not conform in one or more respects to its specification.
Operating-characteristic curve (O-C curve): A figure that shows the relationship between
the quality of concrete supplied and the probability that it will be accepted when it is tested
and the conformity rule is applied.
Potential non-conformity: A result of the initial application of a conformity rule to test data
from a single concrete or concrete family that indicates non-conformity. This is followed by an
in-depth analysis to verify whether the concrete was in conformity and, if not, over what period
was it non-conforming.
Producer’s risk: The risk that the concrete defined by the specification as of acceptable
quality will be deemed as non-conforming when the conformity criteria in BS EN 206-1 are
applied.
Specifier’s risk: The risk that the concrete defined by the specification as of unacceptable
quality will be deemed as conforming when the conformity criteria in BS EN 206-1 are
applied.
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1. Introduction
This publication is aimed at the technical managers of concrete production facilities. It is
assumed that they have some basic knowledge of statistics and that they can interpret
and apply the information given in this publication to their particular situations. This is
necessary, as there is no uniquely correct solution. However, general recommendations
are made.
This publication explains and amplifies the conformity rules for compressive strength
given in BS EN 206-1: Concrete – Part 1: Specification, performance, production and
conformity. Information is given on the margins necessary for achieving a selected
probability of acceptance (P a). In Section 4, the requirements in BS EN 206-1 for
conformity for properties other than strength are explained and guidance provided on
application of these requirements.
Only the initial analysis of test data for conformity is covered. This leads to the
identification of potential non-conformity. Further analysis is necessary to confirm non-
conformity. This should include:
• checking that the correct test specimens were tested;

• checking that the test data did not give any justifiable reason for excluding them
from the conformity assessment;
• checking for non-uniform conditions;
• an in-depth analysis to determine which members of the family were in conformity
and which members were in non-conformity and over what period.
The information and recommendations in this publication are based on statistical theory,
analysis based on simulated data and analysis of real production data from a range of
concrete production plants. Data from the following types of plant were included in the
analysis:
• busy stable plant;

• busy unstable plant;
• low volume, regularly sampled plant;
• low volume, irregularly sampled plant.
This analysis showed that the greatest risk to producers occur in busy plants with high
rates of testing. This is because there will be a lot of data generated before any problem
is detected and corrected. Very high test rates can cause problems for conformity control
due to, for example, increased auto-correlation, see 2.4.4. Consequently, very-high test
rates should be avoided and the desired number of test results, see 2.4.3, achieved by
increasing the length of the assessment period.
Clause 9.1 of BS EN 206-1: 2001 clearly states that the producer of concrete is
responsible for verifying that all the concretes they place on the market conform to their
specifications. This is demonstrated by application of the conformity rules given in BS EN
206-1. There is also a general principle that non-conforming products should be
prevented from reaching the market. With fresh concrete this is not possible and a
compromise had to be reached. For example, the European Standardization Body (CEN)
wanted strength to be a requirement of designed concrete, but this is not a property of
concrete as it is placed on the market. Excluding this requirement from specifications was
not acceptable. The compromise was that concrete could be placed on the market with a
declared strength class and the producer is required to inform the specifier if subsequent
testing shows that this claim is not correct. To avoid unnecessary bureaucracy, it is
unnecessary for producers to issue statements saying the claims made on the delivery
tickets have been subsequently proven to be correct. This should be assumed unless told
otherwise.
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The conformity rules in BS EN 206-1 were formulated on the basis that only the producer
exercises conformity control. Any change to this approach will require a fundamental re-
appraisal of the conformity rules. In recognition that some specifiers may wish to sample
and test the delivered concrete, EN 206-1 provides for identity testing.
Clause 9.1 of BS EN 206-1: 2001 states that production control includes conformity.
However it also recognises that the producer needs a system for production control that is
independent from conformity control. To avoid confusion, this publication uses the term
“production control” where it refers to the actions taken to control the production e.g. the
Cusum system. For the purposes of this publication, the term “production control” does
not include conformity control.
2. Background to the BS EN 206-1 conformity rules

for strength
2.1 Requirement for uniform conditions of production
Clause 8.2.1.2 of BS EN 206-1: 2001 states that sampling shall be carried out “under
conditions that are deemed to be uniform”. The implication of this is that conformity only
applies to uniform conditions of production. What constitutes “uniform conditions” is not
defined nor is what to do when uniform conditions do not apply. For the reasons given in
3.10, a significant change in the standard deviation should be taken as the end of a
period of uniform production and under certain conditions, should trigger an immediate
end to the assessment period. This could be followed by another period of uniform
production with a new value for the standard deviation or by a short period where the
plant was unstable.
Whether a significant change in the mean strength should trigger the end of a period of
uniform production is an open question. In practice, once a significant change in mean
strength is detected from production control, the mix proportions are adjusted to achieve
the intended mean strength. This will leave a short period of production where a few data
sets will have a different mean strength. If this strength were to be lower than expected,
analysis of these few data sets is more likely to indicate a non-conformity than if these
data were part of a larger population. It is recommended that a change in mean strength
be not used to determine the end of a period of uniform production. However, when
analysing a potential non-conformity, part of the analysis should include checking for a
change in mean strength as this may delimit the period of non-conformity.
A further practical situation needs to be considered. If there is a problem with a plant e.g.
a non-uniform fault with the weigh gear, there may be a period where the plant is unstable
and the conditions of production are not uniform. In this case, the data obtained prior to
and after the short period of unstable conditions may be combined and assessed for
conformity in the normal way. The data obtained during the period where the plant was
unstable should be removed from the normal conformity assessment and subjected to an
in-depth analysis. This should include:
• implications for the strength and durability of the tested concretes;

• implications for the strength and durability of concretes produced during this period
but not subjected to conformity testing;
• determining appropriate actions.
2.2 Initial and continuous production

BS EN 206-1 divides conformity for strength into initial production and continuous
production. The concept being applied is that during initial production there are
insufficient data to take a statistical approach to conformity and rules using fixed margins
are applied. Initial production is defined as the period where there are less than 35 test
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results for an individual concrete or concrete family obtained over a period not exceeding
12 months. This is the minimum number of test results needed to calculate a reliable
estimate of the population standard deviation, σ. Where the production of an individual
concrete or concrete family has been suspended for more than 12 months, the producer
is required to adopt the criteria, sampling and testing plan for initial production e.g. at the
start of the production of a lightweight concrete during a period of continuous production
of normal-weight concrete.
For concrete having a specified strength requirement, every concrete family and every
individual concrete i.e. a concrete that is not a member of a family, has to be tested to
verify strength conformity. Management of technicians to obtain these data will be more
complex than at present. To reduce the amount of testing, concretes should be grouped
into families.
Some special concretes that are outside of a family may never generate sufficient test
data to take them into the conditions necessary for continuous production. These may be
assessed using the initial production criteria. An alternative approach is given in 3.11. As
shown later, such concretes may require a higher margin than that needed with
continuous production. Given the uncertainty associated with low production rates, this is
reasonable.
2.3 Initial production for compressive strength

The criteria for the initial production are:
fci ≥ fck – 4
and
fcm,3 ≥ fck + 4
where
fci compressive strength of an individual result
fck characteristic strength (This becomes the characteristic strength of the
Reference Concrete where assessing the mean strength of a concrete family)
fcm,3 mean strength of 3 results.
The mean strength of 3 results can be applied in one of two ways:
• to non-overlapping groups of 3 consecutive results;

• to every group of 3 consecutive results (overlapping groups).
In the first case, the last group should comprise the mean of test result numbers 34, 35
and 36. The use of non-overlapping results reduces the risk to the concrete producer and
has the logic that each result is only considered once in the assessment of conformity.
Also the criteria were formulated by CEN on the basis of non-overlapping groups. It is
recommended that non-overlapping groups of 3 consecutive results be used. See
Example 1.
Where the initial production relates to a concrete family, the individual criterion applies to
the original test result, fci, and fck is the specified characteristic strength. For the
assessment of the mean of 3 results, each test result, fci, is transposed to the equivalent
value of the Reference Concrete and fc k is the characteristic strength of the Reference
Concrete, see Example 2.
Example 1
Table 1 gives the cube data for initial production of an individual concrete of strength
class C25/30 (f ck,cube = 30.0 N/mm2 ). To avoid loss of sensitivity in production control, the
individual cube results and the mean values have not been rounded to the nearest 0.5
N/mm2 . Consequently, the conformity criteria should be modified to:
8
f ci ≥ f ck – 4.2 = 25.8 N/mm2

and
f cm,3 ≥ f ck + 3.8 ≥ 33.8 N/mm2
Every result, except for result number10, passed the individual criterion. For the
assessment of the mean, the individual failure has not been excluded from the initial
analysis (this can only be done where an in-depth investigation shows it to be justifiable).
The mean-of-three data are also not rounded to the nearest 0.5 N/mm2 . The figures shown
in bold are potentially non-conforming. These data require further checking and
investigation to confirm if they are non-conforming.
Table 1. Assessment of initial production for an individual concrete

Data Result Non- Overlapping Data Result Non- Overlapping
overlapping groups overlapping groups
groups groups
1 43.4 19 33.2 34.1
2 45.8 20 33.5 33.7
3 43.6 44.3 44.3 21 35.6 34.1 34.1
4 41.3 43.6 22 39.4 36.2
5 41.7 42.2 23 42.5 39.2
6 37.3 40.1 40.1 24 34.6 38.8 38.8
7 38.5 39.2 25 35.6 37.6
8 32.7 36.2 26 39.8 36.7
9 34.6 35.3 35.3 27 38.7 38.0 38.0
10 25.0 30.8 28 35.4 38.0
11 39.3 33.0 29 32.6 35.6
12 40.1 34.8 34.8 30 30.3 32.8 32.8
13 43.2 40.9 31 31.9 31.6
14 46.4 43.2 32 32.5 31.6
15 40.2 43.3 43.3 33 34.7 33.0 33.0
16 33.3 40.0 34 34.1 33.8
17 34.7 36.1 35 37.9 35.6
18 34.5 34.2 34.2 36 39.3 37.1
A complication arises in the use of concrete families where the actual strength of the
concrete is controlled by requirements for maximum w/c ratio or minimum cement
content. The effect will be that the strength of the test result will be higher than that
normally associated with the specified strength class. The way in which the individual
criterion is assessed is normal (fci ≥ specified strength class - 4).
For the check on the mean strength, the actual cement content is corrected back to those
materials and properties of the Reference Concrete and this corrected cement content
used to determine the equivalent strength, see Example 2. Adjustments using other
parameters, e.g. w/c ratio, is equally acceptable. This equivalent strength is used in the
assessment of conformity of the mean-of-three. This method of transposition is necessary
if the estimate of standard deviation is to be determined from the mean range of the
transposed results, see 3.10.
The inclusion of prescribed concrete in the family may speed the time when conditions for
continuous production have been achieved and testing such concretes for strength
provides an indirect check on the cement content, see 3.2 for further information.
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Example 2
Reference Concrete C25/30 at 50mm slump (cement content 275 kg/m 3)
For simplicity of analysis, the relationship between strength and cement content is taken to be linear at a rate of 0.2 N/mm2 per kg/m 3 up to a cement content of 325 kg/m 3. Higher cement
contents are assumed to give no increase in strength, see 3.9.
Relationships:
25mm change of slump ≅ 15 kg/m 3 change in cement content (20 kg/m 3 for pumped concretes)
To change from a concrete with a water reducing admixture (wra) to one without admixture will increase the cement content by 20 kg/m 3
Ref. Strength class Minimum Max. w/c Specified Actual Admixture Cement Equivalent Cement Actual 28 Equiv. Range Actual Mean of
fck, cube cement ratio slump, slump, and content, cement content day Strength strength three using
content mm mm additions kg/m3 content corrected strength, of Ref. ≥ fck - 4 transposed
kg/m3 without to 50mm N/mm 2 Concrete data
wra slump N/mm 2 ≥ 30 + 4
1 35 275 0.6 75 90 -- 315 315 300 39 34 Yes
2 35 275 0.6 75 85 -- 315 315 300 40 35 1 Yes
3 35 275 0.6 75 70 -- 315 315 300 38 33 2 Yes 34 √
4 35 275 0.6 75 80 -- 315 315 300 37.5 32.5 0.5 Yes
5 35 -- -- 90 115 -- 335 335 310 43 36 3.5 Yes
6 ST41) 300 -- 50 65 -- 300 300 300 46 41 5 See 1) 36.5 √
7 ST41) 300 -- 50 70 -- 300 300 300 46 41 0 See 1)
8 30 -- -- 50 65 -- 275 275 275 32 32 9 Yes
9 P3902) 390 -- 75 90 Fibres 390 390 375 47.5 37.53) 5.5 See2) 37 √
10 30 330 -- 50 65 -- 330 330 330 51 413) 3.5 Yes
11 25 300 0.55 75 80 -- 345 345 330 52 423) 1 Yes
12 30 -- -- 75 90 wra 270 290 275 35.5 35.5 6.5 Yes 39.5 √
13 ST41) 300 -- 75 80 -- 300 300 285 39 37 1.5 See 1)
14 20 -- -- 75 85 -- 250 250 235 31 39 2 Yes
15 20 -- -- 50 75 -- 235 235 235 22 30 9 Yes 35.5 √
16 20 -- -- 70 95 -- 245 245 235 28 36 6 Yes
17 20 -- -- 70 75 -- 245 245 235 28 36 0 Yes
18 20 -- -- 70 90 -- 245 245 235 28 36 0 Yes 36 √
19 GEN3 (20) 220 -- 50 75 -- 235 235 235 28 36 0 Yes
20 30 -- -- 50 60 -- 275 275 275 43.5 43.5 7.5 Yes
21 35 -- -- 50 55 wra 280 300 300 40 35 8.5 Yes 38 √
22 ST51) 340 -- 50 60 -- 340 340 340 50 403) 5 See 1)
23 40 -- -- 50 55 -- 330 330 330 43.5 33.53) 6.5 Yes
24 GEN4 (25) 250 0.7 50 55 -- 260 260 260 24 27 6.5 Yes 33.5 X4)
25 P2752) 275 -- 50 80 -- 275 275 275 34.5 34.5 7.5 See2)
Continued
10
Example 2 continued
Ref. Strength class Minimum Max. w/c Specified Actual Admixture Cement Cement Cement Actual 28 Equiv. Range Actual str. Mean of
fck, cube cement ratio slump, slump, and content, content content day Strength ≥ fck - 4 three using
content mm mm additions kg/m3 corrected corrected strength, of Ref. transposed
kg/m3 wrt wra to 50mm N/mm 2 Concrete data
slump N/mm 2 ≥ 30 + 4
26 GEN4 (25) 250 0.7 50 75 -- 260 260 260 33.5 36.5 2 Yes
27 35 -- -- 60 80 -- 315 315 310 46 39 2.5 Yes 36.5 √
28 GEN4 (25) 250 0.7 50 70 -- 260 260 260 37 40 1 Yes
29 35 (pump) 325 -- 75 100 -- 325 325 305 43 37 3 Yes
30 30 275 0.6 60 80 -- 300 300 295 39 35 2 Yes 39.5 √
31 GEN3 (20) 220 -- 50 65 -- 235 235 235 30 38 3 Yes
32 P3902) 390 -- 50 60 -- 390 390 390 47.5 37.53) 0.5 See2)
33 40 (pump) 300 0.5 75 85 -- 340 340 320 50 41 3.5 Yes 39 √
34 40 (pump) 300 0.5 75 90 -- 340 340 320 47.5 38.5 2.5 Yes
35 40 (pump) 300 0.5 75 85 -- 340 340 320 52 43 4.5 Yes
36 RC35 (35) 300 0.6 50 70 -- 300 300 300 44.5 39.5 3.5 Yes 40.5
Sum of the ranges = 125.5
Mean range = 125.5/35 3.586
Notes
1)
Standardized prescribed concrete with no strength requirement.
2)
Prescribed concrete with no strength requirement.
3)
Cement contents above 325 kg/m 3 are assumed to give no increase in strength with these constituent materials.
4)
Marginal failure in mean-of-three, see below for the further analysis.
Standard deviation of the initial production

The estimate of σ (see 3.10) = 0.886 x 3.586 = 3.18 N/mm2
Further analysis of the indicated non-conformity for results 22, 23 and 24

Three concretes were involved, a ST5, C40 and a GEN4. Consider each concrete individually:
ST5 is a standardized prescribed concrete with no requirement for strength. No other batches of ST5 were tested nor where any batches tested with a cement content of 340 kg/m 3. Reference 10
had a cement content of 330 kg/m 3 and a cube strength of 51 N/mm2. This is close to the 50 N/mm2 achieved with the ST5. Check the production records for this batch.
C40 is an individual result. The nearest equivalent adjacent results are for the C40 (pumped) results 33 and 35.
Mean of results 23, 33 and 34 = 43.5 + 50 + 47.5 = 47 ≥ 40 + 4 ∴ concrete is acceptable.
The adjacent results for the GEN4 concrete are results 26 and 28.
Mean of results 24, 26 and 28 = 24 + 33.5 + 37 = 31.5 ≥ 25 + 4 ∴ concrete is acceptable.
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If there is a mean-of-three non-conformity in the initial production of a concrete family, the

further analysis should consider the original data. Each concrete in the non-conforming
group should be identified together with other test data on the same concretes taken
during the initial production. For each concrete in the non-conforming group, apply (fcm,3 ≥
fck + 4) to the result in the non-conforming group plus the 2 adjacent results (assuming
that only 1 result was in the non-conforming group). Failure to conform to this criterion will
indicate non-conformity of that concrete for the initial period of production unless there is
evidence to delimit the period of non-conformity.
Brown and Gibb [1994] analysed the risks of non-conformity with the BS EN 206-1
requirements for initial production. These risks are given in Table 2 for non-overlapping
results and Appendix A gives the basis on which this analysis is derived.
Table 2. Probability (%) of non-conformity with the strength requirements for initial
production
Design Normal distribution Castellated distribution
2 2
margin Standard deviation, N/mm Standard deviation, N/mm
3 4 5 3 4 5
1.64σ 28.41 11.11 6.25 33.34 16.17 10.11
2.00σ 10.45 3.81 1.62 20.71 8.74 3.99
2.33σ 4.08 1.01 0.25 10.8 3.01 1.11
Data from Brown & Gibb [1994]
The castellated distribution is considered to reflect more accurately the step changes in
quality that occur with concrete production. These data show that even with a margin of
2.33σ, there is a significant risk of non-conformity if the standard deviation is low.
The producer may adopt the sampling and testing plan and the criteria for initial
production for continuous production (see 8.2.1.1 of BS EN 206-1: 2001). The analysis
given in Table 2 indicates that this approach may pose high risks to the producer of
having non-conforming concrete. These risks should be compared with those for
2
continuous production, see 2.4. Where the standard deviation is very low (≤ 3 N/mm ),
the use of the initial production criteria poses higher risks than using the continuous
production criteria. Where the standard deviation is higher, the best option depends on
the design margin adopted, the level of auto-correlation of the test data and the number
of test results. See 3.11 for the application of the initial production criteria to low-volume
production.
2.4 Continuous production for compressive strength

2.4.1 Introduction
Once continuous production is established, the conformity criteria for compressive
strength of an individual concrete or a concrete family take the form of:
fci ≥ fck – a
and
fcm ≥ fck + λσ
where
fci compressive strength of an individual result
fcm mean strength of all the test results for an individual concrete or of all
transposed results for a family in an assessment period
fck characteristic strength (This becomes the characteristic strength of the
Reference Concrete where assessing the mean strength of a concrete family)
2 2
a constant value, N/mm (BS EN 206-1: 2001 has adopted a value of 4 N/mm )
λ statistical coefficient
σ standard deviation of the population.
12
As all the concrete in the population is not tested, the true standard deviation of the
population is never known. However reliable estimates of its value can be made from a
sample of 35 or more results.
The criterion for individual results is best regarded as an engineering requirement that
puts an absolute lower limit on the strength of any batch of concrete. In the case of BS
EN 206-1, “a” has been given the value of 4 regardless of whether conformity is based on
cylinders or cubes. Consequently there are small differences in the requirements. The
actual difference varies due to rounding of the numbers in the selection of strength
classes.
Example 3
The individual criterion for a C35/45 concrete is:
35 – 4 =31 N/mm2 where based on 150mm diameter by 300mm cylinders
or
45 – 4 = 41 N/mm2 where based on cubes
A 41 N/mm2 cube strength is equivalent to 41 x 0.8 = 32.8 N/mm2 cylinder strength
A compressive strength below the characteristic but equal to or greater than (fck – 4) is an
acceptable result and a structure that incorporates such a batch will still be fit for its
intended purpose.
The individual test result criterion can influence the target mean strength. Being an
absolute criterion i.e. no value below, the target mean strength should be at least 3σ
greater than (fck – 4) to give a high probability of passing the conformity criterion.
In BS EN 206-1, the characteristic strength has been defined as the 5% fractile and
consequently the mean strength of the total population is required to be:
fcm ≥ fck + 1.65σ
In practice, however, only a sample from the total population is tested. In this case the
statistical test applied is one that gives a small risk that the producer will conclude that the
concrete is conforming with the specification when the population is non-conforming i.e.
fcm is substantially lower than (fck + 1.65σ). In the context of BS EN 206-1, the population
is all the production of a single concrete or concrete family in an assessment period.
Consequently it is possible for all the concrete in a single element or series of elements to
contain concrete with strength below the specified characteristic strength, e.g. a single
batch of concrete with strength (fck – 2) could be placed in all the columns of a building.
Such realities are not new and the former concrete conformity requirements gave the
same situation. Current design methods and safety factors result in concrete that is rarely
loaded to more than 40% of its characteristic strength and an upper limit of 0.6fck for
structural design is recommended in prE N 1992-1: Design of concrete structures – Part 1:
General rules and rules for buildings.
The statistical properties of a conformity rule are conveniently summarised by its

“operating characteristic” or “OC curve”. This shows the relationship between the quality
of the concrete and the probability that it will be accepted when it is tested and the
conformity rule is applied to the test results. A concrete producer can use the operating
characteristic to determine the level of quality that they have to supply in order to reduce,
to an acceptable level, the risks associated with failing to conform. The operating
characteristic also shows the protection provided to specifiers by the conformity rule,
should poor quality concrete be produced.
The operating characteristics in this publication have been drawn using probability scales
for both their axes. They then appear as straight lines. An example is shown in Figure 1.
13
Figure 1. The operating characteristic for the conformity rule used with
continuous production in BS EN 206-1.
The conformity rule is f cm ≥ f ck + 1.48σ . The operating characteristic shown in
the figure has been obtained by simulation, and applies when the data are auto-
correlated (according to Taerwe’s model with parameters 0.4 and 0.2), the mean is
calculated from 15 test results, and the standard deviation is established beforehand
(from 35 test results).
99.9
99.5
99.0
98.0
Probability of acceptance (Pa) %
n = 15 Unsafe region
95.0
Taerwe (1986)
90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
5.0 Uneconomic region
Taerwe (1986)
2.0
1.0
0.5
0.1
0.1 0.5 1.0 2.0 5.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0
Percentage of the test results below
the specified characteristic strength (theta) %
99.9
99.8
n = 15
99.5
99.0
98.0
95.0
90.0
0.1 0.2 0.5 1.0 2.0 5.0
14
The vertical axis in Figure 1 shows the probability of acceptance, Pa, as a percentage. If
one considers a single application of the conformity rule, i.e. one assessment period, in
which some number (15 in the case of Figure 1) of test results are obtained, then this
probability indicates the chance that the concrete produced in that period will be deemed
to be acceptable. Alternatively, this probability can be interpreted as the percentage of the
concrete that will be deemed to be acceptable if the conformity rule is applied repeatedly
over a series of assessment periods.
The horizontal axis in Figure 1 shows the quality of the concrete. Here quality is defined
as the percentage of the whole population that would give test results below the specified
characteristic strength, if the whole population were to be tested. Theta (θ ) is used to
represent this percentage. With the characteristic strength defined as a 5% fractile, the
value of 5% on this axis represents the borderline between concrete of satisfactory and
unsatisfactory quality.
A concrete producer will design the concrete using a “margin” that is the difference, in
2
N/mm , between the target mean strength and the specified characteristic strength. In
terms of the plant standard deviation, σ, the margin may be written:
margin = k × σ N/mm2
Table 3 shows how the multiplier k is related to the quantity θ %.
Table 3. Multipliers used to calculate the producer’s margin

(percentage points of the Normal distribution).
Percentage below Multiplier used to calculate

specified characteristic strength the producer’s margin
θ % k
5.00 1.645
2.50 1.960
1.00 2.326
0.50 2.576
0.25 2.807
0.10 3.090
Ideally, concrete that has a quality marginally better than the borderline value of θ = 5%
should have a high probability of acceptance (close to 100%), and if it has a quality
marginally worse than the borderline value then it should have a low probability of
acceptance (close to 0%). This ideal can be achieved only by carrying out very large
numbers of tests. In practice the cost of sampling and testing concrete is such that only
limited numbers of test results are available for conformity assessment. If 15 test results
are obtained in an assessment period, then the conformity rule
f cm ≥ f ck + 1.48σ (1)
has the operating characteristic shown in Figure 1, in the circumstances described under
the title of the figure. As noted above, a concrete producer can use such an operating
characteristic to determine the level of quality that they have to supply in order to reduce,
to an acceptable level, the risks associated with failing to conform.
For example, suppose that a concrete producer aims at the borderline level of quality
θ = 5% (i.e. the quality is such that 5% of the test results will fall below the specified
characteristic strength in the long run). From Table 3 it can be seen that the margin in this
15
case is 1.645σ. Then, according to Figure 1, they can expect the concrete to be deemed
to conform on only about 70% of occasions.
If the producer adopts a higher margin of, say, 2σ, then Table 3 shows that this is
equivalent to θ = 2.5%, and Figure 1 then shows that the probability of acceptance
increases to about 85%.
To achieve a probability of acceptance better than 98%, in the circumstances to which

Figure 1 applies, producers need to aim at a quality better than θ = 0.5%. This requires
2
margins larger than 2.576σ N/mm .
Figure 1 applies when the test results are auto-correlated and when 15 test results are
obtained in an assessment period. Where data are auto-correlated they are related to
adjacent results, see 2.4.4. Later sections of this publication explain how the population is
more likely to be correctly classified and the producer’s risks reduced if a larger number of
tests are obtained in the assessment period, or if the test results are independent (not
auto-correlated).
Specifiers can be assured that the conformity rule provides them with adequate protection
should poor-quality concrete be supplied. According to Figure 1, if a producer supplied
concrete continuously with a quality such that 10% of the test results e f ll below the
specified characteristic strength, the probability of acceptance is only 40%. Thus, in the
circumstances to which Figure 1 applies, the conformity rule provides specifiers with a
high degree of protection against poor quality. As shown later, increases in “n” or
reductions in the level of auto-correlation, increase the protection given to specifiers by
the BS EN 206-1 conformity rules for strength.
2.4.2 Historical background to the conformity rule

Comparisons of the rules for judging the quality of concrete used in different European
countries led to the formulation of boundaries for “unsafe” and “uneconomic” regions on
figures that show operating characteristics (CEB, 1975). These regions were later given a
mathematical basis and justification (Taerwe, 1986).
Taerwe’s definition of the boundary of the “unsafe” region is:
θ × Pa = 500
and of the “uneconomic” region is:
θ
= 0.05
100 − Pa
These boundaries are shown on Figure 1 as dashed lines.
If a conformity rule gives an operating characteristic that passes through the unsafe
region then the protection it gives the specifier would be too weak. If a rule gives an
operating characteristic that passes through the uneconomic region it causes producers
to use excessively large margins and, even then, accept high risks of non-conformity.
The rule
f cm ≥ f ck + 1.48 s15 (2)
gives an operating characteristic that just touches the unsafe region, when the test results
are auto-correlated according to the model discussed in 2.4.4, and where s 15 is a
standard deviation derived from the same 15 test results that are used to calculate fc m .
16
This is the reason for the use of the multiplier of 1.48 in the rule used in BS EN 206-1.
However, after it was adopted, it was decided to allow the standard deviation to be
derived from a run of at least 35 test results, obtained in advance of the assessment
period. Hence the operating characteristic for Equation (1) passes near the unsafe region,
but does not touch it.
2.4.3 Effect of increasing the number of test results above 15

Figure 2 shows operating characteristics for conformity rules in which different numbers of
test results are used to calculate the mean, fcm. Apart from the value of n, these operating
characteristics apply to the same circumstances as that shown in Figure 1, and the one
for n = 15 is the same as that shown in Figure 1. Note that they intersect at a point
corresponding to a probability of acceptance of 50%.
The figure shows that increasing the number of test results used to assess conformity:
• increases the probability of accepting a conforming population for which θ < 5%;
• increases the probability of rejecting a non-conforming population for which θ >10%.
BS 8500 clarifies that more than 15 test results may be collected during an assessment
period and used to assess conformity using the same criterion.
Tables 4 and 5 provide some detailed results to illustrate the effect of the number of test
results on conformity. Table 4 gives the producer’s margins required to achieve a 98%
probability of acceptance when differing numbers of test results are used to assess
conformity.
Table 4. The effect of the number of test results used to assess conformity on the
producer’s margin.
The conformity rule is f cm ≥ fck + 1 .48σ . The data are auto-correlated (according to
Taerwe’s model with parameters 0.4 and 0.2), the mean is calculated from 6, 15, 35 or 70 test
results, and the standard deviation is established beforehand (from 35 test results).
Number of test Probability of Percentage below Multiplier used to

results used to acceptance specified calculate the
assess conformity characteristic strength producer’s margin
n Pa % θ % k
6 98.0 0.2 2.9
15 98.0 0.5 2.5
35 98.0 1.2 2.2
70 98.0 1.8 2.1
Table 5 gives the specifier’s risks when differing numbers of test results are used to
assess conformity, and in the situation when concrete is supplied from a population for
which θ =10%. Table 5 shows that increasing the number of test results increases the
protection provided by conformity assessment even in this situation when the concrete is
only marginally non-conforming.
Appendix D gives examples of conformity based on 15 or 35 results using site data for a
family. It should be noted that these concretes were not designed for conformity to BS EN
206-1.
17
Figure 2. The effect of increasing “n” on the operating characteristic for the
conformity rule used with continuous production in BS EN 206-1.
The conformity rule is f cm ≥ f ck + 1.48σ . The operating characteristics have
been obtained by simulation and apply when the data are auto-correlated (according to
Taerwe’s model with parameters 0.4 and 0.2), the mean is calculated from 6, 15, 35 or 70
test results, and the standard deviation is established beforehand (from 35 test results).
99.9
99.5 n = 70
99.0 n = 35
98.0 n = 15
n=6 Unsafe region

95.0
Taerwe (1986)
90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
5.0 Uneconomic region
Taerwe (1986)
2.0
1.0
0.5
0.1
0.1 0.5 1.0 2.0 5.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0
99.9
99.8
n = 70
99.5
n = 35
99.0
n = 15
98.0
n=6
95.0
90.0
0.1 0.2 0.5 1.0 2.0 5.0
18
Table 5. The effect of the number of test results used to assess conformity on the
specifier’s risk.
The conformity rule is f cm ≥ fck + 1 .48σ . The data are auto-correlated (according to Taerwe’s
model with parameters 0.4 and 0.2), the mean is calculated from 6, 15, 35 or 70 test results, and the
standard deviation is established beforehand (from 35 test results).
Number of test Probability of Percentage below Multiplier used to

results used to acceptance specified characteristic calculate the
assess conformity strength producer’s margin
n Pa % θ % k
6 43.1 10.0 1.3
15 41.0 10.0 1.3
35 38.2 10.0 1.3
70 35.9 10.0 1.3
2.4.4 Effect of auto-correlation

“Auto-correlation” means that successive results in a series of test results are correlated.
For example, in the case of positive auto-correlation, which is the case of interest with
concrete, it means that if one test result is higher than the average for the series, then the
next test result is more likely to be higher than the average than lower than the average.
Appendix B contains a description of some methods that may be used to test data for
auto-correlation. It is recommended that previous production data be checked for auto-
correlation prior to establishing design margins.
Taerwe (1987) examined five series of concrete test results and concluded that the
results could be modelled by:
(X n − µ ) = 0.4( X n −1 − µ ) + 0.2( X n − 2 − µ ) + εn
Here
µ is the long-term average of the test results
X1 , X2 , X3 , ... , Xn are successive test results
εn (n = 1, 2, ...) are random deviations (normally distributed with mean zero and
constant variance)
Roberts (1988) showed that under typical United Kingdom conditions, test results are not
auto-correlated. The analysis of UK data used in the development of this publication gave
some level of auto-correlation, but less than that assumed by Taerwe.
Figure 3 illustrates the effect of auto-correlation. The two operating characteristics shown
with solid lines are for auto-correlated results that follow Taerwe’s model (and are the
same as two of the lines shown in Figure 2). The two broken lines apply to the same
circumstances as the first two, but when the test results are independent, not auto-
correlated.
The figure shows that if the test results are independent, this:
• increases the probability of accepting a conforming population for which θ < 5%;
• increases the probability of rejecting a non-conforming population for which θ >10%.
Table 6 shows the effect on the producer’s margin of auto-correlation. It is clearly

advantageous for the producer to try to ensure that the test results are not auto-
19
correlated, particularly if the number of test results available to assess conformity is only
15.
Table 6. The effect of auto-correlation on the producer’s margin.
The conformity rule is f cm ≥ f ck + 1.48σ . The data are independent, or auto-

correlated (according to Taerwe’s model with parameters 0.4 and 0.2), the mean is
calculated from 15 or 35 test results; and the standard deviation is established beforehand
(from 35 test results).
Number of test results Producer’s design Probability of non-conformity,

used to assess margin %
conformity kσ
n
6 (independent) 2.0σ 12.5
6 (auto-correlated) 2.0σ 20.4
The probability of non-conformity given in Table 6 should be compared with Table 2. For
the particular situation (number of test results and the level of auto-correlation), a decision
can be taken as to whether the use of the continuous production conformity criteria or
continued use of the initial production conformity criteria give the lower risk of non-
conformity.
2.5 Conformity of tensile splitting strength

The conformity criteria for tensile splitting strength follow the same pattern as the criteria
for compressive strength. The criteria are given in 8.2.2 of BS EN 206-1: 2001. BS EN
206-1 does not permit the concept of concrete families to be applied to the conformity of
tensile splitting test data. As it is likely that a tensile splitting strength requirement will only
be specified for relative large quantities of a single pavement concrete, the inability to use
families is not a serious problem. It is recommended that tensile splitting test data be not
used for production control. If appropriate, these concretes may be incorporated into a
family for production control purposes using their compressive strength.
With the exception of the recommendations related to families, the advice given for
conformity of compressive strength will be equally applicable to tensile splitting strength.
Where there is frequent testing of pavement concrete, the level of auto-correlation is likely
to be high. Another point to note is that the repeatability of the tensile splitting test (and
the flexural test) is relatively poor and this will increase the standard deviation of the test
data.
2.6 Conformity of flexural strength

The draft European standard prEN 13877-1 Concrete pavements – Part 1: Materials
contains classes for flexural strength and cites BS EN 206-1 for the conformity criteria.
However BS EN 206-1 does not contain conformity criteria for flexural strength. Until this
problem is resolved, the conformity criteria should be agreed on a contract-by-contract
basis.
20
Figure 3. The effect of test results being either independent or auto-correlated

on operating characteristics.
The conformity rule is f cm ≥ f ck + 1.48σ . The operating characteristics have
been obtained by simulation, and apply when the test results are either independent or
auto-correlated (according to Taerwe’s model with parameters 0.4 and 0.2), the mean is
calculated from 15 or 35 results, and the standard deviation is established beforehand
(from 35 results).
99.9
99.5
99.0 n = 35
98.0 n = 15
95.0
90.0 Unsafe region
Taerwe (1986)
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
Uneconomic region
10.0
Taerwe (1986)
5.0
2.0
1.0 Auto-correlated
0.5 Independent
0.1
0.1 0.5 1.0 2.0 5.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0
99.9
n = 35
99.8
n = 15
99.5
99.0
98.0
95.0
Auto-correlated
Independent
90.0
0.1 0.2 0.5 1.0 2.0 5.0
21
3. Guidance on the application of the conformity rules

for compressive strength
3.1 Introduction
In general, BS EN 206-1 fixes the rules for concrete conformity of strength. However in a
number of places, they do permit the producer and, in a few cases, the specifier to select
from a given number of options.
Options are given for:
• relevant test data;

• point of sampling;
• number of specimens per test result;
• age at testing;
• assessment period;
• higher sampling rates;
• overlapping or non-overlapping results;
• use of concrete families;
• estimation of the standard deviation.
In addition to providing guidance on these choices, there are a number of practical issues
where guidance may be helpful and this is provided. There is no uniquely correct answer
to these issues and therefore this publication provides guidance on the considerations
that need to be taken into account when making choices. Where possible, general
recommendations are made.
3.2 Relevant test data

The requirements of BS EN 206-1: 2001 are:
From 8.1 Where tests for production control are the same as those required for
conformity control, they shall be permitted to be taken into account for the evaluation of
conformity. The producer may also use other test data on the delivered concrete in the
conformity assessment.
It makes commercial sense to use strength test data for both production and conformity
control. The inclusion of other test data e.g. that obtained from the customer by identity
testing, is the producer’s choice. There can be differences in data produced by a different
organisation using different test machines and, possibly, different specimen shapes. The
producer has no control over how well these specimens are made, cured and tested. In
most cases, the sampling frequency for identity testing is likely to be lower than that
required for conformity testing. As a general rule, the best option is to use only the
producer’s data, but there may be exceptions to this advice. For example, when the
producer is controlling a single concrete and it is unlikely that sufficient data will be
obtained to qualify for continuous production. In this case it may be of benefit to use
identity test data.
Where concrete families are used and the strength of a concrete is controlled by
maximum w/c ratio or minimum cement content, transposing the test result on the basis of
the specified strength class will distort the production and conformity control systems by
inflating the standard deviation and mean strength. In these cases, the individual criterion
is unchanged i.e. (fci ≥ specified characteristic strength – 4). However, for the check on
the mean strength, the actual cement content should be corrected back to those materials
and properties of the Reference Concrete and this corrected cement content used to
determine the equivalent strength. Adjustments using other parameters, e.g. w/c ratio, is
equally acceptable. This equivalent strength is used in the assessment of conformity of
the mean strength.
22
Where a family containing such data indicates a potential non-conformity, further analysis
of the data should compare concretes with their specified characteristic strength.
The inclusion of data from prescribed concretes should be considered. Testing such
concretes for strength provides an indirect check on their cement content and where data
from designed concrete are scarce, these data will shorten the assessment period. If
these data are included, the individual criterion is not applicable. The actual cement
content is corrected back to those materials and properties of the Reference Concrete
and this corrected cement content used to determine the target strength. This target
strength is used in the assessment of conformity of the mean strength.
Where water is added on site under the instructions of the specifier/user and signed for,
the producer may take this as a change in specification. The producer should have
documentary evidence showing the effect on strength of these site additions of water.
This information may be used to determine the appropriate lower (specified) characteristic
strength or used to adjust the actual strength to reflect the strength without this addition of
water. This adjusted strength may be used in conformity assessment.
For production control purposes, it is normal to exclude statistical outliers. These are
normally defined as results that are greater than or equal to (± 3σ) from the target mean
strength. However, if this approach were to be applied to conformity control, the effect
would be to eliminate results that may fail the individual criterion. The conformity control
system should identify all outliers and each one should be investigated. Unless there is a
valid reason for rejecting the result, low outliers should be included in the conformity
assessment but excluded from the check on standard deviation. Producers may eliminate
high outliers from the conformity analysis, but if the high result is caused by requirements
other than the specified strength controlling the actual strength e.g. maximum w/c ratio,
these data should be included using the procedure described above.
3.3 Point of sampling and sampling rate

From 8.1 The place of sampling for conformity tests shall be chosen such that the
relevant concrete properties and concrete composition do not change significantly
between the place of sampling and the place of delivery. In the case of lightweight
concrete produced with unsaturated aggregates, the samples shall be taken at the place
of delivery.
From 8.2.1.2 The minimum rate of sampling and testing of concrete shall be in accordance
with table 13 of BS EN 206-1 : 2001 at the rate that gives the highest number of samples for
initial or continuous production, as appropriate.
Not withstanding the sampling requirements in 8.1 of BS EN 206-1: 2001, the samples
shall be taken after any water or admixtures are added to the concrete under the
responsibility of the producer, but sampling before adding placticizer or superplasticizer to
adjust the consistence (see 7.5 of BS EN 206-1: 2001) is permitted where there is proof
by initial testing that the plasticizer or superplasticizer in the quantity to be used has no
negative effect on the strength of the concrete.
From Table 13 Where the standard deviation of the last 15 test results exceeds 1,37 σ,
the sampling rate shall be increased to that required for initial production for the next 35
test results.
23
BS EN 206-1 permits, as an alternative to sampling on site, sampling at the plant

provided water is not added at site under the responsibility of the producer. The exception
to this is where lightweight concrete with unsaturated aggregates is supplied.
The attractions of sampling at the plant are:
• lower costs per test result;

• the ability to test at a higher rate;
• simpler to test the first load of air entrained concrete.
However there may be practical problems with sampling at the plant with some production
systems, particularly in respect of safety and obtaining a representative sample. Where
the concrete is centrally mixed, sampling is carried out by discharging a sample from the
truckmixer. It should be noted that in this case the sample does not fully conform to the
requirement in BS EN 12350-1 Testing fresh concrete – Part 1: Sampling for incremental
sampling. Where the concrete is truckmixed, the first part of the discharge is not
considered as being representative of the batch and should not be used for strength
testing.
Table 13 of BS EN 206-1: 2001 uses the terms “production day” and “production week”
without defining what these terms mean. Consequently, the draft BS 8500-2 includes the
following definitions:
3
production day: Day in which 20m or more of designed or designated concrete has
3
been produced or, on days where less than 20m of designed or designated concrete
3
have been produced, the day on which a cumulative 20m has been produced shall
be regarded as one production day. The sequence is restarted on a new day for each
occasion when a production day is counted.
production week: A period of 7 consecutive days comprising at least 5 production

days or alternatively, the period taken to complete 5 production days, whichever is
the longer period.
The rate of sampling is given in Table 13 of BS EN 206-1: 2001. The volume rates should
be taken as the prime sampling rate and only where this rate does not give sufficient test
results, should the time rate of sampling be applied. Where this is applied, the volume at
the end of the production week/day (as appropriate) is taken as 0. The volume rates are
3
not time dependent e.g. where there is continuous production of 410m of concrete from a
3
concrete family in 1 production week, the minimum rate of sampling is 1 and the last 10m
3
of production starts the next 400m of production.
In order to achieve a desired number of test results in an assessment period, it is better to

extend the time taken than to increase the rate of testing as an increased rate of testing
may increase auto-correlation.
The note in Table 13 of BS EN 206-1: 2001 to increase the rate of sampling only applies
where there is a step change in the standard deviation greater than 1.37σ. In 3.10, it is
recommended that more sensitive systems are used to detect changes in standard
deviation and in practice the standard deviation should be changed prior to a change of
1.37σ. With such changes in the standard deviation based on the more sensitive system,
there is no requirement to increase the rate of testing even if a series of step changes has
exceeded 1.37σ.
Example 4
Example of testing rates with continuous production and production control certification.
The minimum rates of sampling given in Table 13 of BS EN 206-1: 2001 are 1/400 m3 or
1/production week.
24
Minimum rate of sampling for a concrete family

Production Volume of Carry-over Carry-over Minimum rate Comments
week production in volume of volume of of sampling for
production week production from production plus the concrete
previous actual volume of family
production production
week
1 350 0 350 1 1/week
2 370 0 370 1 1/week
3 440 0 440 1 1/400 m3
4 565 40 605 1 1/400 m3
5 630 205 835 2 1/400 m3
6 840 35 875 2 1/400 m3
7 790 75 865 2 1/400 m3
8 375 65 440 1 1/400 m3
3.4 Number of specimens per test result

From 8.2.1.2 The test result shall be that obtained from an individual specimen or the
average of the results when two or more specimens made from one sample are tested at
the same age.
Where two or more specimens are made from one sample and the range of the test
values is more than 15 % of the mean then the results shall be disregarded unless an
investigation reveals an acceptable reason to justify disregarding an individual test value.
The number of specimens to be made from one sample is decided by the producer.
Where two or more specimens are made, it is possible to run a check on how well the
specimens were made and tested. Where there is a low-test result based on a single
specimen, it will be more difficult to justify its exclusion from the conformity control. There
may, however, be a requirement for greater carrying capacity in vans and larger curing
tanks where two specimens are taken.
3.5 Age at test

From 8.2.1.1 If the strength is specified for a different age, the conformity is assessed
on specimens tested at t he specified age.
In theory this permits the specifier to specify strength at earlier or later ages. If large
volumes of a single concrete are to be produced, it may be practical to run separate
production and conformity control systems for the specified age. In most cases this will
not be the situation and the concrete will be required to be part of a family with additional
conformity testing at the specified age. If the concrete comes from a family or individual
concrete that is in continuous production, the criteria in BS EN 206-1 for continuous
production may be applied to the strength assessment at the different age.
Where testing at later ages is specified, a better solution is to provide strength

development data for the specified concrete and to agree with the specifier a method for
calculating an equivalent concrete strength at 28 days and use this for the assessment of
conformity.
Where a strength requirement of less than 28 days is required, additional testing will be
required at the specified age. Where there is no requirement for a 28 day strength,
consideration should be given to testing at 28 days and treating the results in an identical
way to those from prescribed concrete, see 3.2.
25
Where concretes are tested at one or two days, the temperature of the constituent
materials at batching will significantly affect the strength result. It should be noted that the
2-day strength requirements in 7.2 of BS EN 206-1: 2001 are based on laboratory tests at
20°C where the constituent materials should have been stored in the laboratory for
several days prior to use. Test data from site samples cannot be used to verify conformity
with any specified fcm,2/fcm,28 strength ratio.
3.6 Assessment period

From 8.2.1.3 Conformity assessment shall be made on test results taken during an
assessment period that shall not exceed the last twelve months.
In Table 14, the criteria are only given where the number "n" of test results for compres-
sive strength in the group is 15.
An assessment period is established for every concrete family and every individual
concrete not within a family. Assessment periods may be different for each concrete
family and individual concrete. Obviously, if a particular concrete is not produced during
an assessment period, there is no requirement to verify conformity. Conversely, every
produced concrete family and every produced individual concrete not within a family is
required to be sampled and tested for conformity. There is no requirement to test every
member of a concrete family, only for tests to be taken at random from the family.
The number of test results in each assessment period required by BS EN 206-1 is not
defined. During the development of BS EN 206-1, it was understood that the continuous
criteria would apply to 15 or more results obtained in an assessment period. Early drafts
of BS EN 206-1, including the CEN Enquiry version, contained the words “not less than
15”. However in the voting version of BS EN 206-1, the words “not less than” had been
deleted. This creates uncertainty over the conformity provisions, as there is no
requirement for “n” to be 15 and no defined requirements for conformity where “n” is not
equal to 15. In the view of BSI, this change had not been agreed by the CEN committee
responsible for BS EN 206-1 and was an error. Unfortunately to correct this error will
require an amendment to BS EN 206-1 that will take some time to pass its formalities. For
the intermediate period, 8.2.1.3 of BS 8500-2 (at present at the public comment stage)
contains the words:
The criteria given in tables 14 and 16 of BS EN 206-1: 2001 for n=15 apply to higher
values of “n”.
This restores clarity to the conformity criteria when n ≥ 15. See 3.11 for guidance when n
< 15 in an assessment period.
Whenever possible, try to avoid individual concretes and link any specials to an existing
family e.g. link the sulfate-resisting Portland cement concretes to the Portland cement
family with the same aggregates.
There is no requirement for the assessment period to be defined in terms of time, only
that the assessment period shall not exceed 12 months. The assessment period may be
different for certain concretes or families. Different assessment periods may apply to
different aspects of conformity e.g. strength and cement content. The assessment periods
within a company do not have to be constant; they may vary from plant to plant. This
flexibility is essential as the assessment period for, say, a busy urban plant is likely to be
different to a rural plant producing mainly prescribed concrete.
Methods of defining the assessment period include:
• defined volume of concrete;
26
• number of test results;

deviation.
All the above methods require the proviso that the resulting period does not exceed 12
months. Composites of the above are permitted and recommended. Where practical, the
number of results from strength testing for a concrete family should be set at a value ≥ 35.
For the reasons given in 3.10, under certain conditions, a significant change in standard
deviation should trigger the end of an assessment period. With a maximum period of 12
months, these criteria are recommended as the basis for defining the assessment period
for strength.
Example 5
The period of assessment period of compressive strength for a concrete or concrete
family is the shortest of:

deviation;
• period needed to obtain 35 results;
• 12 months.
As explained in 2.1, a period of uniform production can be the sum of 2 periods separated
by a period where the plant was unstable.
See 4.2 for guidance on assessment periods for properties other than strength.
Conformity has to be declared only at the end of each defined assessment period. Prior
to this the producer should be keeping a watch on the likelihood of achieving conformity
and where this is in doubt, taking appropriate corrective measures.
The producer has no requirement to declare conformity for the period of supply for a
particular contract. As it is more common to supply a multiplicity of contracts during any
period of time, this declaration is not a practical option. It would be satisfactory for the
producer to declare any proven non-conformity within a reasonable time after the end of
each relevant assessment period.
3.7 Higher sampling rates

From 8.1 If higher sampling rates are required by the specifier, this shall be agreed in
advance.
The sampling rates given in Table 13 of BS EN 206-1: 2001 are minimum sampling rates
for conformity testing, but to ensure full production control, the producer may need to
select higher rates. Avoid very high rates of testing as this will increase auto-correlation
and the risk of non-conformity where “n” is relatively low. Where “n” is set at 35, testing at
rates of 8 to 16 per month i.e. at current QSRMC rates, would provide a reasonable
compromise between the need for control of the production and conformity assessment.
The specifiers option to increase the sampling rate is not helpful. One assumes that this
means a higher minimum sampling rate and that it only applies to the concrete production
going to that specifier. Where the concrete is produced on site with a dedicated plant, a
change in the minimum sampling rate can be accommodated. However, where the
specifiers requirements represent a small part of the output from a ready mixed concrete
plant, it is not a very easy requirement to satisfy and it could skew the random testing of
the production (a requirement of BS EN 206-1). Again there are exceptions to this general
advice. Where high strength concrete for critical elements is produced, the specifier may
27
require each load to be tested. These concretes cannot form part of a family and the
higher rate of testing may be needed to qualify for continuous production.
3.8 Non-overlapping and overlapping results

From 8.2.1.3 Conformity of concrete compressive strength is assessed on:
– groups of "n" non-overlapping or overlapping consecutive test results fcm (criterion 1);
– each individual test result fci (criterion 2).
NOTE: The conformity criteria are developed on the basis of non-overlapping test results.
Application of the criteria to overlapping test results increases the risk of rejection.
The note warns of the increased risk of non-conformity if the overlapping test results are
used. The producer, not the specifier, selects which method of analysis to apply to the
data and it does not appear very sensible to select a method of analysis that increases
the risk of non-conformity. Therefore the selection of the non-overlapping groups is
strongly recommended.
3.9 Use of concrete families

The requirements of EN 206-1: 2000 are:
From 8.2.1.1 For normal-weight and heavyweight concrete of strength classes from
C8/10 to C55/67 or lightweight concrete up to and including class LC55/60, sampling and
testing shall be performed either on individual concrete compositions or on concrete fami-
lies of established suitability as determined by the producer unless agreed otherwise. The
family concept shall not be applied to concrete with higher strength classes. Lightweight
concrete shall not be mixed into families containing normal-weight concrete. Lightweight
concrete with demonstrably similar aggregates may be grouped into its own family.
NOTE: For guidance for the selection of concrete families, see Annex K of BS EN 206-1:
2001. More detailed information for the application of the concrete family concept is given
in CEN Report (CR13901: 2000).
In the case of concrete families, the producer shall achieve control over all family
members and sampling shall be carried out across the whole range of concrete composi-
tions produced within the family.
Where conformity testing is applied to a concrete family, a reference concrete is

selected which is either that most commonly produced or one from the mid -range of
the concrete family. Relationships are established between each individual concrete
composition of the family and the reference concrete in order to be able to transpose
test results for com pressive strength from each individual concrete test result to the
reference concrete. The relationships shall be reviewed on the basis of original
compressive strength test data at every assess ment period and when there are
appreciable changes in the production conditions. In addition, when assessing
conformity for the family, it has to be conf irmed that each individual member belongs
to the family (see 8.2.1.3 of BS EN 206-1: 2001).
From 8.2.1.2 Sampling shall be carried out on each family of concrete produced under
conditions that are deemed to be uniform.
From 8.2.1.3 Where conformity is assessed on the basis of a concrete family, criterion 1
is to be applied to the reference concrete taking into account all transposed test results of
the family; criterion 2 is to be applied to the original test results.
28
To confirm that each individual member belongs to the family, the mean of all non-
transposed test results (f cm) for a single family member shall be assessed against criterion
3 as given in table 15 of BS EN 206-1: 2001. Any concrete failing this criterion shall be
removed from the family and assessed individually for conformity.
The producer is free to select the membership of the family, but they have to be able to
justify the selection and provide relationships to the Reference Concrete. For those not
experienced in the use of concrete families, Annex K of BS EN 206-1: 2001 provides
guidance on the selection of the family. It is recommended that less common concretes
e.g. 10mm maximum upper aggregate size, are included within a family.
Whilst theoretically and in the UK experience, normal-weight concrete with fck, cube > 67
2
N/mm could form part of a family. However, the pragmatic judgement was made that
these concretes would be subjected to frequent testing and therefore the UK accepted
the majority view that they should be assessed as single concretes.
It is permitted to use air entrained and non-air entrained data in a single family. For
conformity control purposes, it may be better to separate air entrained concretes from
non-air entrained concretes. Minor changes in air content will affect strength and these
concretes may have a higher standard deviation.
The relationship between strength and cement content takes an “S” shape. Modern
systems take this shape into account when transposing data. However in some cases, a
linear approximation of the strength v cement content relationship may be taken for the
central part of this relationship in the transposition of the test result to an equivalent value
of the Reference concrete, see Example 2. In this case, the upper limit of the linear
relationship should be defined. Values of cement content above this value will have a
decreasing effect on strength until the point is reached where an increase in cement
content gives no increase in strength. At very high cement contents, the effect of using a
linear relationship between strength and cement content is to over-estimate the reduction
in strength. Ideally the strength v cement content relationship should be used to make the
necessary adjustment, Figure 4, but in some cases this could be approximated to a bi-
linear equation, Figure 5.
Each member of the family is checked to confirm that it belongs to the family at each
assessment period using the confirmation criteria given in Table 15 of BS EN 206-1:
2001. Any family member failing to satisfy the confirmation criteria is removed from the
family and assessed separately. Where there is only a single result for a family member
in the assessment period, the individual criterion in BS EN 206-1 is applied. BS EN 206-1
does not give requirements for the confirmation criterion when there are more than 6 test
results for the family member. In this situation, CEN Report 13901: 2000 recommends the
following. Where the number of test results is ≥ 15, apply the criterion:
Mean of the family member ≥ fck + 1,48σ
When the number of test results is in the range 7 to 14, apply linear interpolation between
the requirement for 6 test results and (fck + 1,48σ).
Example 6
There are 9 test results for a C25/30 concrete giving a mean strength of 37 N/mm2 (cube).
The family standard deviation is 4.5 N/mm2 .
For 6 results the confirmation criterion is:
f cm ≥ f ck + 3 ≥ 33 N/mm2
For 15 results the confirmation criterion is:

f cm ≥ f ck + 1.48σ ≥ 36.7 N/mm2
29
By interpolation, the requirement for 9 results is:

f cm ≥ f ck + 3 + (6.7 – 3)(9 – 6)/(15 – 6) ≥ 34.2 N/mm2
As f cm is 37 N/mm2 , this concrete is accepted as belonging to the family.
Failure to satisfy the confirmation criteria will result in that concrete failing to satisfy the
conformity criteria when assessed as an individual concrete.
In addition to the conformity assessment, at each assessment period, the original results
of each family member shall be inspected to verify that the relationship with the
Reference Concrete and the design margin is still valid. One-way of doing this is given in
CEN Report 13901: 2000. It recommends calculation of, for each family member, the
mean strength for all the original test data taken during the assessment period and check
that it is ≥ (fck + 1,48σ). In this case fck is the specified strength except where the strength
of the concrete is controlled by requirements for maximum w/c ratio or minimum cement
content. In these cases an equivalent (higher) cf k should be used. This check is not
applied to any prescribed concretes that are within the family. If it satisfies this criterion,
no further action is needed. If it fails this criterion, a more detailed investigation of the
relationship is needed. This should involve the consideration of data from previous
assessment periods and what was happening to the general production when this
concrete was produced. This check on relationships is not part of the determination of
conformity and consequently other systems could be used e.g. for each concrete within
the family, a comparison between the design target strength and the actual mean
strength.
Where the check on relationships is combined with the conformity assessment, it may be
used as a filter for the application of the confirmation criterion. If a concrete passes the
assessment of relationships (a more severe test) then it is deemed to have satisfied the
confirmation test (criterion 3 in BS EN 206-1: 2001). Only where the data for a particular
concrete fails this assessment of relationships is the confirmation check applied.
Where an inspection or certification body is involved, it is required to check the results of

the conformity assessment by the producer. For site made concrete where there is no
third party involvement, the second party should take on this role.
It should not be assumed that the use of concrete families reduces the risk of non-
conformity. An increase in risk occurs where the number of results to detect a significant
change plus those awaiting testing represent a high proportion of the test results in the
assessment period.
30
Figure 4. Transposition of high cement content data (Cement content of the

Reference Mix is 275 kg/m 3)
Figure 5. Approximate method for transposing high cement content test data
(Cement content of the Reference Mix is 275 kg/m 3)
31
3.10 Estimation of the standard deviation

BS EN 206-1 provides no guidance on the method for determining the estimate of the
population standard deviation. The traditional way of estimating and the method
programmed into most calculators is the square root of the sum of the squared deviations
of individual results from the mean divided by the number of results less one (RMS
method). However such a method is not appropriate where the process average can
change, as is the case with concrete production. In the case of concrete production, the
estimate of the standard deviation should be based upon:
Estimated standard deviation = 0.886 x mean range of successive pairs of results.
The derivation of this equation can be found in standard statistical works on production
control such as Oakland, 1986. The mean range is widely used to provide the measure of
dispersion used in process control charts, such as the Cusum system, and so has stood
the test of widespread practical use. Oakland makes the point “the chart indicates to
operatives and first line supervisors when they should be taking action or alternatively
when they should leave the process alone”. The conventional method of deriving the
standard deviation can have a masking effect on changes.
See Example 7 for the estimate of standard deviation by this method.
Example 7
Table 7. Calculation of the standard deviation

Result Transposed Range, N/mm2 Calculation of standard deviation
cube strength,
N/mm2
1 54.5
2 52.5 2.0
3 49.5 3.0
4 47.5 2.0 Estimation of the standard deviation
5 49.0 1.5
6 43.5 5.5 = 0.886 x 51/14
7 54.5 11.0
8 46.5 8.0 = 0.886 x 3.64 = 3.0 N/mm2 (rounded to the nearest 0.5
9 50.0 3.5 N/mm2 )
10 50.5 0.5
11 47.0 3.5
12 48.5 1.5
13 53.0 4.5
14 51.5 1.5
15 48.5 3.0
Sum of ranges 51.0
Mean of ranges 3.64
The standard deviation estimated from the mean range is to be preferred over the
conventional sample standard deviation as a method of estimating the population
standard deviation where the data contain outlying results. This is because the mean
range method is less affected by such results than the sample standard deviation
method. In the calculation of the sample standard deviation, the squares of a few large
deviations will outweigh those of the other smaller deviations. The estimation of the
population standard deviation from the mean range does not involve squaring so the
effect of the outlying results is smaller.
Likewise, the use of the mean range method is to be preferred over the sample standard
deviation where the data contain changes in the process mean with time. The sample
standard deviation is calculated using the deviations of the results from the arithmetic
mean of all the results. Therefore, if the results contain a shift in the process mean at
some point in time, all these deviations will be inflated and the sample standard deviation
32
will give an inflated estimate of the dispersion of the data. Where the mean range method
is used, such a shift will affect only the one range, or ranges, that spans the shift. Hence
the population standard deviation estimated from the mean range will be less affected by
such a shift in mean strength than the standard deviation derived from the sample, see
Example 8.
Example 8
15 random data have been generated assuming a mean strength of 37.0 N/mm2 and a
standard deviation of 3.5 N/mm2 . These have been repeated to give a total of 30 data, see
Figure 6a. The standard deviation of the 30 data given in Figure 6a is:
3.6 N/mm2 when determined by the standard method;

3.7 N/mm2 when determined from 0.886 x mean range.
To illustrate the effect of a change in mean strength on the standard deviation, an extreme
reduction in mean strength of 5.0 N/mm2 is introduced at result 16 i.e. data 16 to 30 are
all 5.0 N/mm2 less than in Figure 6a. The dispersion of the data around these mean
strengths is unchanged. The standard deviation of the 30 data given in Figure 6b is:
4.4 N/mm2 when determined by the standard method;

3.8 N/mm2 when determined from 0.886 x mean range.
This shows that the standard deviation calculated from the mean range has been less
affected by the change in mean strength.
In the context of conformity assessment, both outlying results, and shifts in the process
mean during an assessment period, are to be expected.
The standard deviation to be applied to the first period of assessment of continuous

production is estimated from at least 35 results from the period exceeding 3 months that
immediately precedes the assessment period. At least every assessment period, the
standard deviation is checked to confirm that it has not changed significantly. BS EN 206-
1 permits two methods of verifying the estimate.
Method 1 calculates the standard deviation of the latest 15 results, s15, and compares this
with the current estimate of the standard deviation, σ. If the standard deviation is not
within:
0.63σ ≤ s 15 ≤ 1.37σ
a new estimate of σ is calculated using the latest 35 results. This new value of the
standard deviation is applied to the next assessment period. As shown in Table 8, this
method of detecting changes in the standard deviation is relatively crude and insensitive.
With this method where the standard deviation is high, it is very difficult to trigger a
change in the standard deviation.
With Method 1, particular care is needed when the standard deviation is reducing and a
lower value is adopted immediately for production. If the target-mean strengths are
reduced to reflect the lower margin, there could be an increase in risk of non-conformity
as the assessment is based on the previous (higher) standard deviation. With low initial
standard deviations, further reductions in the standard deviation can result in the target
mean strength being lower than the conformity limit, i.e. negative values as shown in
Table 9. A lower value of standard deviation should not be adopted until the assessment
period is closed.
33
Figure 6a. 30 random data generated assuming a mean strength of 37.0 N/mm 2
and a standard deviation of 3.5 N/mm2 (the first group of 15 results are the same as
the second group of 15 results).
45
Compressive strength - N/mm2
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Result number
Figure 6b. The same data as in Figure 6a, but with a reduction in mean strength
of 5.0 N/mm2 introduced at result 16.
45
Compressive strength - N/mm2
40
35
30
25
20
15
Reduction of 5 N/mm2
10
in the mean strength
5
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Result number
34
Table 8. Limits on s1 5 outside of which a new estimate of the standard deviation

is required.
2 2 2 2
Current σ, N/mm Lower limit, N/mm Upper limit, N/mm Range, N/mm
2 1.27 2.73 ± 0.73
3 1.90 4.10 ±1.1
4 2.53 5.47 ±1.47
5 3.16 6.84 ±1.84
6 3.79 8.21 ±2.21
7 4.42 9.58 ±2.58
Whilst Table 9 shows that it is safe to adopt increases in standard deviation immediately
for production, adoption of the new value of standard deviation increase the margin.
However, certification bodies are likely to take the view that if the producer has evidence
that the standard deviation has increased, they should immediately adopt the new value
for production.
2
Users of the Cusum technique would probably regard a 0.50 N/mm real change in
standard deviation as being significant and consequently Method 2 was introduced into
BS EN 206-1 allowing the use of continuous systems, such as Cusum R, for checking the
estimate of standard deviation. The sensitivity of such systems has to be at least as good
as that given by Method 1. Method 2 is not restricted to systems such as Cusum.
Table 9. Difference between the target mean strength and the conformity limit
where the standard deviation has changed and this new value adopted for
production, but where conformity is based on the previous value of the
standard deviation1)
2
Change in σ, Design Difference, N/mm
2 2
N/mm margin, Previous value of σ, N/mm
2
N/mm 3 4 5 6
1.64σ 2.94 3.10 3.26 3.42
+ 1.5 2.00σ 4.56 5.08 5.60 6.12
2.33σ 6.05 6.90 7.75 8.6
1.64σ 2.12 2.28 2.44 2.6
+ 1.0 2.00σ 3.56 4.08 4.6 5.12
2.33σ 4.88 5.73 6.58 7.43
1.64σ 1.30 1.46 1.62 1.78
+ 0.5 2.00σ 2.56 3.08 3.60 4.12
2.33σ 3.72 4.57 5.42 6.27
1.64σ 0.48 0.64 0.80 0.96
0 2.00σ 1.56 2.08 2.60 3.12
2.33σ 2.55 3.40 4.25 5.1
1.64σ - 0.34 - 0.18 - 0.02 0.14
- 0.5 2.00σ 0.56 1.08 1.60 2.12
2.33σ 1.39 2.24 3.09 3.94
1.64σ - 1.16 - 1.00 - 0.84 - 0.68
- 1.0 2.00σ - 0.44 - 0.08 0.60 1.12
2.33σ 0.22 1.07 1.92 2.77
1.64σ - 1.98 - 1.82 - 1.66 - 1.5
- 1.5 2.00σ - 1.44 - 0.92 - 0.40 1.12
2.33σ - 0.95 - 0.10 0.76 1.61
Notes
1)
See Appendix C for the method of calculation.
35
A further advantage of using Method 2 with a sensitivity greater than that of Method 1, is
the requirement to increase the rate of testing to that used in initial production only
applies where the change in standard deviation is > 1.37σ.
Where the Cusum technique is used for production control, there may be cut–off lower
and upper limits on standard deviation within the production control system. The system
should be modified to ensure that cut-off values are not used for conformity assessment.
A significant change in the standard deviation is an indication that the production

conditions have changed (8.2.1.2 of BS EN 206-1: 2001 requires them to be uniform).
Thus a change in the standard deviation should indicate the end of one assessment
period and the start of the next. This can create a practical problem when the start of a
new assessment period creates a period with less than the expected number of sets of
compressive strength test results e.g. there are less than 15 results from the end of the
last assessment and the time when a change in standard deviation was detected. The
following procedure is recommended where the normal number of results in an
assessment period has been set at a value ≥ 15.
There are three decisions that have to be taken:
• whether to use the new standard deviation or the old standard deviation for
production control in the rest of the assessment period;
• whether to use the new standard deviation or the old standard deviation to assess
conformity in the current assessment period;
• whether to use the “n” results to assess conformity immediately or to wait until the
normal number of results are available.
Table 10 gives recommendations on what actions should be taken and the following
comments give the basis for these recommendations. Appendix D gives an example of
the application of these recommendations.
Table 10. Recommendations on actions to be taken where a change in

standard deviation has been indicated part way through an assessment period
New σ smaller New σ larger
than old σ than old σ
Number of results obtained prior to the detection of n≤6 n>6 n≤6 n>6
a change in the standard deviation plus the number
of test results awaiting testing
Case 1 Case 2 Case 3 Case 4
Standard deviation to be used for production control New σ Old σ New σ New σ
in the rest of the assessment period
Standard deviation to be used to assess conformity New σ Old σ New σ Old σ
in the current assessment period
1)
Assess conformity using the “n” results or wait until Wait Wait Wait Use “n”
the normal number of results are available results
Notes
1)
Until at least some defined number of test results have been obtained.
Case 1: When the change in σ is signalled just a small number of results into an
assessment period, it is likely that the change actually took place before the start of the
period, so the new σ will be the correct one to use for both production control and
conformity assessment.
Case 2: When the change in σ is signalled some way into an assessment period, the
change may have actually taken place during the assessment period, and neither the old
σ nor the new σ will be the correct one to use for conformity assessment. Using the old σ
for conformity assessment gives the smaller risk to the specifier, so the producer should
retain the old σ for production control until the end of the assessment period to avoid
increasing his risk. So that benefit can be taken from the lower standard deviation, the
36
producer may opt to terminate the assessment period after some defined number of test
results.
Case 3: When an increase in σ is signalled, the new value should be adopted for
production control immediately. As in Case 1, the new σ is likely to be the correct one to
use for both production control and conformity assessment. However, using the new σ to
assess conformity will increase the producer’s risk because the “n” results will have been
obtained at a lower target average strength than that given by the new σ. In Case 3, this
increase in the producer’s risk is limited because the “n” results will be a small part of the
≥ 15 results used to assess conformity. (Note that the actions as given in Table 10 are the
same for Cases 1 and 3.)
Case 4: BS EN 206-1 embodies the philosophy that the standard deviation used to
assess conformity is known prior to production and therefore it is unreasonable to use the
new, larger, σ to assess conformity when most or all of the results in an assessment
period relate to concrete produced using a target average calculated using the old,
smaller, σ. Consequently, the old σ is used to assess conformity in Case 4. On the day
the change in σ is detected, the closure date for the assessment period is fixed as the day
the last cubes awaiting testing are tested, and conformity is assessed using the “n” results
available at that time.
In all cases, the new value of standard deviation is used in the next assessment period
for both production control and conformity.
3.11 Low volume production

BS EN 206-1 is not clear on the issue of low volume production for special individual
concretes. Whilst BS EN 206-1 permits the application of the initial production criteria to
continuous production, it has no requirement to apply these criteria to concretes that have
less than 15 results in an assessment period. Special concretes commonly use at least
some of the constituent materials used in the concrete families. In these cases, the
special concrete should be linked to the family and the confirmation criteria and the
assessment of relationships should provide adequate control. Where this is not possible
they should be treated as individual concretes.
When BS EN 206-1 was being drafted the word “and” was often used to include the
option “or” which can create confusion to English speakers. Clause 8.2.1.1 of BS EN 206-
1: 2001 contains the words “During continuous production, the producer may adopt the
sampling and testing plan and the criteria for initial production”. Does this clause mean
that if the producer opts to use the initial production conformity criteria for continuous
production, they also have to test at a higher rate? The alternative interpretation (the “or”
option) would mean that the producer could apply the initial production criteria to
continuous production at the continuous production rates of testing. This seems
reasonable, as there is no sound technical reason why the higher rate of testing should
be applied.
In the case of low-volume production, one option is to apply the initial production criteria
to this concrete, but this may require high margins and still pose a significant risk of non-
conformity. The following is an alternative procedure where the concrete families within a
plant are in continuous production. It is based on the assumption that the standard
deviation is mainly a function of the plant.
1. Apply the initial production criteria to the first assessment period.
2. For the second and subsequent assessment periods:

• where n = 1 or 2, apply the individual result criterion;
• where n is in the range 3 to 6, apply the initial production criteria to the first three
and last three results;
37
• where there are more then 6 test results, apply the criteria for continuous production
using the main family standard deviation.
Inspection of Figure 2 shows that where there are over 6 test results, the operational-
characteristic does not enter the unsafe region. However the risk to producers is
increased where there are low numbers of test results and it is recommended that the
producer apply a suitable margin with these concretes to reduce the risk of non-
conformity. It can be argued that a high margin is reasonable in these situations to cope
with uncertainty associated with a low production rate and the special nature of the
individual concrete.
Special concretes are often produced intermittently and tested frequently during these
periods of intermittent production. This may give a high level of auto-correlation of the test
results and a low standard deviation. The low standard deviation will increase the risk of
non-conformity if the initial production criteria are applied and the high level of auto-
correlation will increase the risk if the continuous production criteria are applied.
The risk of non-conformity associated with using the initial production conformity criteria
and the alternative procedure can be compared by examination of Tables 2 and 6. This
shows that there is no simple answer and the option that minimises the risk of non-
conformity depends upon the design margin, level of auto-correlation, standard deviation
and the number of test results.
4. Conformity of concrete for properties other than

strength
4.1 Basis of the method

For properties other than strength, BS EN 206-1 uses the method of attributes to assess
conformity based on the running production over the assessment period that shall not
exceed 12 months. As an alternative, BS EN 206-1 also permits a requirement based on
testing by variables in accordance with ISO 3951 where the acceptance quality limit
(AQL) is equal to 4%. There is no equivalent table in ISO 3951 for testing by variables
where the AQL is 15% and therefore it is not an option for consistence testing where the
AQL is 15%.
The method of attributes counts the number of results that are outside the specified
limiting values, class limits or tolerances on target values as appropriate and provided this
number is not greater than the acceptance number given in Table 19 of BS EN 206-1:
2001, conformity is confirmed. In addition, each individual result is compared with the
maximum allowable deviation given in Table 17 or 18 of BS EN 206-1: 2001 and if it
exceeds this value, the individual result is declared as non-conforming.
Tables 11 & 12 show that the percentage of results outside the specified limiting values,
class limits or tolerances on target values is not a constant. Higher sample sizes reduce
the risk to both the specifier and the producer. Some of the acceptance numbers in
Tables 11 & 12 agree with ISO 2859-1: 1999 and others are interpolations. In Table 11
(Table 19a of BS EN 206-1: 2001) the interpolations are acceptable. This cannot be said
for some of the interpolations in Table 12 (Table 19b of BS EN 206-1: 2001).
The term “running production” needs clarification. With continual assessment of

conformity, production can move from non-conformity to conformity and back to non-
conformity. This is clearly an unsatisfactory position for both specifiers and producers.
“Running” should be taken to mean random sampling through the assessment period and
conformity is established once at the end of the assessment period.
The minimum rates of sampling for the assessment of conformity are given in Tables 17
and 18 of BS EN 206-1: 2001.
38
Table 11. Permitted percentage of results outside of class limits/

tolerances where Table 19a of BS EN 206-1 applies
Number of results Acceptance number Percentage outside of
class limits/ tolerances
≤ 12 0 0
13 1 7.7
19 1 5.3
20 2 10.0
31 2 6.5
32 3 9.4
39 3 7.7
40 4 10.0
49 4 8.2
50 5 10.0
64 5 7.8
65 6 9.2
79 6 7.6
80 7 8.8
94 7 7.4
95 8 8.4
100 8 8.0
Notes
1. The step changes between two consecutive numbers of results are caused by
the structure of Table 19a in BS EN 206-1: 2001.
2. This Table applies to conformity of properties other than compressive strength
and consistence.
Table 12. Permitted percentage of results outside of class limits/

tolerances where Table 19b of BS EN 206-1 applies
Number of results Acceptance number Percentage outside of
class limits/ tolerances
≤2 0 0
3 1 33.3
4 1 25.0
5 2 40.0
7 2 28.6
8 3 37.5
12 3 25.0
13 5 38.5
19 5 26.3
20 7 35.0
31 7 22.6
32 10 31.6
49 10 20.4
50 14 28.0
79 14 17.7
80 21 26.3
100 21 21.0
Notes
1. The step changes between two consecutive numbers of results are caused by
the structure of Table 19b in BS EN 206-1: 2001.
2. This Table applies to conformity of consistence.
39
4.2 Assessment periods for properties other than strength

The producer is free to select assessment periods for properties other than strength and
they need not be the same for each property. As consistence is likely to be measured
each time samples are taken for strength testing, aligning the assessment periods may be
appropriate. A similar logic could be followed for density of lightweight concrete. However
other properties such as minimum cement content, maximum w/c ratio and air content,
have different frequencies of testing and other factors should influence the setting of the
acceptance period.
Table 11 shows that if the number of results is ≤ 12, no result is permitted outside of the
class limits or tolerances on target value. Consequently avoid assessment period with
less than 13 results. A reasonable assessment period would be 20 results for all these
properties except for maximum chloride content, see 4.3.6.
4.3 Conformity requirements for properties other than

strength and consistence
4.3.1 General
The conformity requirements for properties other than strength and consistence are
spread in various clauses in BS EN 206-1. Class limits are given in clause 4, tolerances
on target values in clause 5 and maximum deviations from these class limits or tolerances
given in Table 17 of BS EN 206-1: 2001. Table 13 combines these requirements and
gives the number of results that have to fall within the class limits or tolerances on target
values where the assessment period is defined as 20 consecutive non-overlapping
results. If a different assessment period is selected, the last column of Table 13 is not
applicable.
Where limits are not given in Table 17 of BS EN 206-1: 2001, the specification may
introduce limits. Only exceptional cases would warrant the introduction of additional limits.
It should be noted that this permission is to introduce limits where none are given in Table
17 of BS EN 206-1: 2001, not introduce different limits to those given.
Comment is given in the following sub-sections on some of these requirements.
4.3.2 Density of heavyweight concrete

There are no density classes for heavyweight concrete and therefore it will be specified
as a target density. BS EN 12390-7: Testing hardened concrete – Part 7: Density of
hardened concrete, permits three conditions for measuring density, as-received, water
saturated and oven-dried. The definitions of heavyweight concrete are based on the
oven-dry condition and consequently this condition should be assumed unless another
condition is specified.
There is no upper limit for individual results, but there is an upper tolerance limit of +100
3
kg/m on the target value. There is a lower tolerance limit on the target value of –100
3 3
kg/m and a lower limit for individual results of –130 kg/m .
40
Table 13. Conformity requirements for properties other than strength and
consistence
Property Individual criterion Class limits/ Minimum number of
tolerances on target results within class
value limits/ tolerances
per 20 consecutive
non-overlapping
results
Density of heavyweight ≥ target density – 130 ≥ target density – 100 18
concrete kg/m 3 kg/m 3
≤ target density +100
kg/m 3
Density of lightweight ≥ target density – 130 ≥ target density – 100 18
concrete where kg/m 3 kg/m 3
specified as a target ≤ target density + 130 ≤ target density +100
value kg/m 3 kg/m 3
Lightweight concrete classes
D1,0 ≥ 770, ≤ 1030 kg/m 3 ≥ 800, ≤ 1000 kg/m 3 18
D1,2 > 970, ≤ 1230 kg/m 3 > 1000, ≤ 1200 kg/m 3 18
D1,4 > 1170, ≤ 1430 kg/m 3 > 1200, ≤ 1400 kg/m 3 18
D1,6 > 1370, ≤ 1630 kg/m 3 > 1400, ≤ 1600 kg/m 3 18
D1,8 > 1570, ≤ 1830 kg/m 3 > 1600, ≤ 1800 kg/m 3 18
D2,0 > 1770, ≤ 2030 kg/m 3 > 1800, ≤ 2000 kg/m 3 18
W/C ratio (designed ≤ maximum w/c ratio + ≤ maximum w/c ratio 18
concrete) 0.02
W/C ratio (prescribed Specified value ± 0.04 Specified value ± 0.04 18
concrete)
Cement content ≥ minimum cement ≥ minimum cement 18
(designed concrete) content – 10 kg/m 3 content
Cement content ≥ 97% specified cement ≥ 97% specified cement 18
(prescribed concrete) content – 10 kg/m 3 content
≤ 103% specified
cement content
Air content specified as ≥ specified air content – ≥ specified air content 18
a minimum value 0.5% ≤ specified air content +
≤ specified air content + 4.0%
5.0%
Chloride content of ≤ maximum chloride ≤ maximum chloride 20 i.e. all results ≤
concrete content content maximum chloride
content1)
Notes
1)
See 4.3.6.
4.3.3 Density of lightweight concrete

This may be specified by a density class from Table 9 of BS EN 206-1: 2001 or by target
density. Density class is based on the oven-dry condition when tested in accordance with
BS EN 12390-7. Where concrete is specified by density class and the average concrete
density for the constituent materials to be used is near a class limit, it is recommended
that the producer proposes to supply to a target density.
Example 9
A density class of D2,0 has been specified and, say, the average density of a suitable
lightweight concrete is 1830 kg/m3 . The class limits are ≥ 1800 and ≤ 2000 kg/m3 with
individual results being ≥ 1770 and ≤ 2030 kg/m3 . If the specification were to be changed
to a target density of 1830 kg/m3 , the tolerances on the target value are ≥ 1730 and ≤
1930 kg/m3 with individual results being ≥ 1700 and ≤ 1960 kg/m3 .
41
The definitions of lightweight concrete are based on the oven-dry condition and
consequently where a target density is specified, the oven-dry condition should be
assumed unless another condition is specified.
4.3.4 Maximum w/c ratio and minimum cement content

Clause 5.4.2 of BS EN 206-1: 2001 gives the methods of verification of conformity to
specified maximum water/cement ratio and minimum cement content.
The reference method for the determination of cement content is by inspection of the
autographic records or, where there is no autographic recorder, by inspection of the
production records. Conformity is established using the method of attributes and the
single result criterion is that the determined cement content shall not be less than 10
3
kg/m below the specified minimum cement content. For most results, the determined
cement content has to be equal to or higher than the specified minimum cement content,
see Table 13.
With prescribed concrete, the target cement content is specified and not the minimum.
Clause 8.3 of BS EN 206-1: 2001 requires this to be batched within ± 3% and Table 17 of
BS EN 206-1: 2001 allows a small percentage of the results to be within the (target
3
cement content - 3%) and the (target cement content – 3% - 10kg/m ).
The reference method for determination of water/cement ratio is by calculation using the
determined cement content and the effective water content (see 5.4.2 of BS EN 206-1:
2001). Conformity is established using the method of attributes and the single result
criterion is that the determined water/cement ratio shall not be greater than 0.02 above
the specified maximum value.
The requirements for the w/c ratio of prescribed concrete are given in 8.3 of BS EN 206-1:
2001. The ± 0.04 of the specified value should be taken as the tolerance on the specified
value to which the maximum allowed deviation of single test results given in Table 17 of
BS EN 206-1: 2001 apply.
Clause 8.2.3.2 of BS 8500-2: 2001 provides an alternative method for demonstrating

conformity to the specified maximum water/cement ratio and minimum cement content. In
principle, the strengths associated with the maximum water/cement ratio and minimum
cement content become the required characteristic strengths associated with these
criteria. The highest characteristic strength from those needed to satisfy the strength
class, the maximum water/cement ratio and the minimum cement content becomes the
characteristic strength on which conformity of the concrete is based. This alternative
method requires the target strength to have a margin of at least 2 standard deviations.
For the following analysis, the following approximations are made:

3 2
25 kg/m change in cement content ≅ 5 N/mm change in cube strength;
2
0.05 change in water/cement ratio ≅ 5 N/mm change in cube strength.
On the basis of these relationships, the single result criteria transpose to:
Maximum w/c ratio + 0.02 ≅ fck – 2;
3
Minimum cement content – 10 kg/m ≅ fck – 2.
This is less severe than the (fck – 4) permitted for the single result criterion for strength.
2
Assuming a standard deviation of 4.0 N/mm , the required margin of 2 standard
deviations gives:
42
Target strength = fck + 8 ≅ Maximum water/cement ratio – 0.08

3
≅ Minimum cement content + 40 kg/m .
In conclusion, the alternative method of demonstrating conformity to the specified

maximum water/cement ratio and the minimum cement content is significantly more
onerous than the reference method. However, where strength is the controlling factor in
the mix design, this method may have no penalties other than the criterion for single
results.
4.3.5 Air content

The approach in BS EN 206-1 is to specify a minimum air content and not a target air
content as in BS 5328. The requirements of BS EN 206-1 are effectively the same as BS
5328 although expressed in a different way. In BS EN 206-1 the term “absolute value” is
used in context of the conformity requirements. This means that the tolerances are given
in differences in air content expressed as a percentage of the total volume.
Example 10
A minimum air content of 3.5% is specified. The tolerances on this value are – 0%
absolute and + 4% absolute i.e. ≥ 3.5% and ≤ 7.5%. Individual results are required to be
≥ 3.0% (3.5% - 0.5% absolute) and ≤ 8.5% (7.5% + 1.0% absolute).
4.3.6 Chloride content of concrete

Clause 5.2.7 of BS EN 206-1: 2001 gives the method for calculating the chloride content
of concrete. For each constituent material, either the maximum permitted or declared
chloride ion content is used in the calculation or the chloride ion content is calculated from
the last 25 monthly measurements plus 1.64 times the standard deviation of these results.
If the calculated value exceeds the maximum value, the mix proportions are adjusted or
materials from alternative sources are used. Due to the built-in margin, the fact that the
calculated value exceeds the maximum value does not give rise to non-conformity.
Conformity by the method of attributes is not applicable with this system.
Conformity by the method of attributes is only applicable to the situation where the
chloride ion content is measured on samples taken from the production.
4.4 Conformity criteria for consistence

Consistence may be specified by class or in special cases (not defined) by a target value.
Sampling may be representative or taken from the initial discharge. This gives 4 sets of
conformity criteria for each of the 4 test methods. Tables 14 to 17 give the conformity
criteria where the assessment period is 20 consecutive non-overlapping results. Where
the assessment period is defined in a different way, the last column of each table does
not apply.
Non-conformity of consistence should be obvious at delivery and consequently where

non-conformity is established, the producer needs to review the procedures/ mix designs,
but has no requirement to inform the specifier and user.
43
Table 14. Conformity requirements for slump

tolerances results within class
limits/ tolerances per
20 consecutive non-
overlapping results
Slump classes measured on representative sample
S1 ≤ 60mm ≥ 10mm, ≤ 40mm 13
S2 ≥ 40mm, ≤ 110mm ≥ 50mm, ≤ 90mm 13
S3 ≥ 90mm, ≤ 170mm ≥ 100mm, ≤ 150mm 13
S4 ≥ 150mm, ≤ 230mm ≥ 160mm, ≤ 210mm 13
S5 ≥ 210mm ≥ 220mm 13
Slump classes measured on initial discharge
S1 ≤ 70mm ≥ 10mm, ≤ 40mm 13
S2 ≥ 30mm, ≤ 120mm ≥ 50mm, ≤ 90mm 13
S3 ≥ 80mm, ≤ 180mm ≥ 100mm, ≤ 150mm 13
S4 ≥ 140mm, ≤ 240mm ≥ 160mm, ≤ 210mm 13
S5 ≥ 200mm ≥ 220mm 13
Slump specified as a target value and measured on representative sample
Target slump ≤ 40mm ≥ Target slump – 20mm Target slump ± 10mm 13
≤ Target slump + 30mm
Target slump 50 to ≥ Target slump – 30mm Target slump ± 20mm 13
90mm ≤ Target slump + 40mm
Target slump ≥ 100mm ≥ Target slump – 40mm Target slump ± 30mm 13
Slump specified as a target value and measured on initial discharge
Target slump ≤ 40mm ≥ Target slump – 30mm Target slump ± 10mm 13
Target slump 50 to ≥ Target slump – 40mm Target slump ± 20mm 13
90mm ≤ Target slump + 50mm
Target slump ≥ 100mm ≥ Target slump – 50mm Target slump ± 30mm 13
44
Table 15. Conformity requirements for Vebe

20 consecutive non-
overlapping results
Vebe classes measured on representative sample
V0 ≥ 27 ≥ 31 seconds 13
V1 ≤ 32s, ≥ 17s 30 to 21 seconds 13
V2 ≤ 22s, ≥ 7s 20 to 11 seconds 13
V3 ≤ 12s, ≥ 2s 10 to 6 seconds 13
V4 ≤ 7s, ≥ 0s 5 to 3 seconds 13
Vebe classes measured on initial discharge
V0 ≥ 25s ≥ 31 seconds 13
V1 ≤ 34s, ≥ 15s 30 to 21 seconds 13
V2 ≤ 24s, ≥ 5s 20 to 11 seconds 13
V3 ≤ 14s, ≥ 0s 10 to 6 seconds 13
V4 ≤ 9s, ≥ 0s 5 to 3 seconds 13
Vebe specified as a target value and measured on representative sample
Target value ≥ 11 ≥ Target value– 7s Target value ± 3 13
seconds ≤ Target value + 5s seconds
Target value 10 to 6 ≥ Target value – 6s Target value ± 2 13
Target value ≤ 5 ≥ Target value – 5s Target value ± 1 13
seconds ≤ Target value + 3s second
Vebe specified as a target value and measured on initial discharge
Target value ≥ 11 ≥ Target value – 9s Target value ± 3 13
Target value 10 to 6 ≥ Target value – 8s Target value ± 2 13
Target value ≤ 5 ≥ Target value – 5s Target value ± 1 13
seconds ≤ Target value + 5s second
45
Table 16. Conformity requirements for degree of compactability

20 consecutive non-
overlapping results
Degree of compactability classes measured on representative sample
C0 ≥ 1.41 ≥ 1.46 13
C1 ≤ 1.48, ≥ 1.21 1.45 to 1.26 13
C2 ≤ 1.28, ≥ 1.06 1.25 to 1.11 13
C3 ≤ 1.13, ≥ 0.99 1.10 to 1.04 13
Degree of compactability classes measured on initial discharge
C0 ≥ 1.39 ≥ 1.46 13
C1 ≤ 1.50, ≥ 1.19 1.45 to 1.26 13
C2 ≤ 1.30, ≥ 1.04 1.25 to 1.11 13
C3 ≤ 1.15, ≥ 0.97 1.10 to 1.04 13
Degree of compactability specified as a target value and measured on representative sample
Target value ≥ 1.26 ≥ Target value – 0.15 Target value ± 0.10 13
≤ Target value + 0.13
Target value 1.25 to ≥ Target value – 0.13 Target value ± 0.08 13
1.11 ≤ Target value + 0.11
Target value ≤ 1.10 ≥ Target value – 0.10 Target value ± 0.05 13
Degree of compactability specified as a target value and measured on initial discharge
Target value ≥ 1.26 ≥ Target value – 0.17 Target value ± 0.10 13
Target value 1.25 to ≥ Target value – 0.15 Target value ± 0.08 13
1.11 ≤ Target value + 0.13
Target value ≤ 1.10 ≥ Target value – 0.12 Target value ± 0.05 13
Table 17. Conformity requirements for flow

20 consecutive non-
overlapping results
Flow classes measured on representative sample
F1 ≤ 370mm ≤ 340mm 13
F2 ≥ 335mm, ≤ 440mm 350 to 410mm 13
F3 ≥ 405mm, ≤ 510mm 420 to 480mm 13
F4 ≥ 475mm, ≤ 580mm 490 to 550mm 13
F5 ≥ 545mm, ≤ 650mm 560 to 620mm 13
F6 ≥ 615mm ≥ 630mm 13
Flow classes measured on initial discharge
F1 ≤ 380mm ≤ 340mm 13
F2 ≥ 325mm, ≤ 450mm 350 to 410mm 13
F3 ≥ 395mm, ≤ 520mm 420 to 480mm 13
F4 ≥ 465mm, ≤ 590mm 490 to 550mm 13
F5 ≥ 535mm, ≤ 660mm 560 to 620mm 13
F6 ≥ 605mm ≥ 630mm 13
Flow specified as a target value and measured on representative sample
All target flow ≥ Target flow – 45mm Target flow ± 30mm 13
diameters ≤ Target flow + 60mm
Flow specified as a target value and measured on initial discharge
All target flow ≥ Target flow – 55mm Target flow ± 30mm 13
diameters ≤ Target flow + 70mm
46
5. References
BARBER, P & SYM, R, 1983. An assessment of the variability in ready mixed concrete in
the United Kingdom. ERMCO Congress, London May 1983, Session W8B, pp6.
BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION, 1989. Sampling procedures for inspection by
variables – Part 1: Specification for single sampling plans indexed by acceptable quality
level (AQL) for lot-by-lot inspection. ISO 3951: 1989.
BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION, 1999. Sampling procedures for inspection by
attributes – Part 1: Sampling schemes indexed by acceptance quality limit (AQL) for lot-
by-lot inspection. ISO 2859-1: 1999.
BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION, 1999. Design of concrete structures – Part 1:
General rules and rules for buildings. Committee draft of prEN 1992-1, December 1999.
BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION, 2000. Concrete pavements – Part 1: Materials.
Draft for public comment, prEN 13877-1: 2000.
BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION, 2001. Concrete – Part 1: specification,
performance, production and conformity. BS EN 206-1, pp70.
BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION, 2001. Concrete – complementary British Standard
to BS EN 206-1 Part 2. Complementary requirements for constituent materials, designed
and prescribed concrete, production and conformity. Draft for public comment.
BROWN, B V & GIBB, I, 1994. Appraisal of the EN 206 strength conformity proposals for
initial and acceptance testing. CEN TC 104/SC1/ TG3 paper, pp2.
CEB, 1975. Recommended principles for the control of quality and the judgement of
acceptability of concrete. Comité Européen du Béton, Bulletin D’ Information No. 110
CEN, 2000. The use of the concept of concrete families for the production and conformity
control of concrete. CEN Report 13901.
DEWAR, J D, 2001, Some options for concrete strength control and conformity with EN
206-1. Technical Note 1017, J D Dewar Consultancy.
OAKLAND, J S, 1986 Statistical process control, Heinemann, pp281.
ROBERTS, M, 1988. Autocorrelation of concrete cube results. C&G Concrete Ltd.
Technical Note 2, pp6.
TAERWE, L, 1986. A general basis for the selection of compliance criteria, IABSE
Proceedings P-102/86, p113-127.
47
Appendix A: Basis for the analysis of the risks

associated with the criteria for initial production
Computer simulation was used to estimate the risks of non-conformity. The program used
a random number generator linked to input of the required mean strength and the
standard deviation of the test results for a steady state normal distribution.
Two distributions of results were analysed:
• a steady state normal distribution;
• a random castellated distribution judged [Barber & Sym, 1983] to simulate the
typical distribution of concrete results. This is a basic normal distribution with the
2
superimposition of a random change in mean with a standard deviation of 2 N/mm
occurring with a probability of 0.15.
Assessments were carried out for groups using 10,000 individual results linked to a
2
characteristic strength of 35 N/mm . The design mean strengths were based on margins
of 1.64, 2.00 and 2.33 standard deviations. These margins would generate nominally 5,
2.3 and 1% respectively of results below the characteristic strength.
48
Appendix B. Auto-correlation in concrete test results
B.1 Interpretation of auto-correlation

“Auto-correlation” will occur in practice if there is a reason why successive test results
should be close together. For example, if several test results are obtained within a short
period of time and all on the same mix, they would be expected to be similar. If a
producer adopts a test rate such that this is a common occurrence, then his test results
are likely to be auto-correlated. (Auto-correlation could be interpreted as an indication that
the frequency of testing is unnecessarily high.)
Where production data are plotted as a time series (as in Figure B.1) it may be possible to
see that they are auto-correlated. With auto-correlated results, they tend to follow each
other, so that they give the impression that the process average is meandering up and
down.
Figure B.1 shows data (generated using Taerwe’s model) that display varying degrees of
auto-correlation. Taerwe’s model contains two parameters, a1 and a2, that control the
amount of auto-correlation in data generated by the model. Figure B.1 shows two
examples of data for each of three cases:
a1 = 0.3 and a2 = 0.1;
a1 = 0.4 and a2 = 0.2;
a1 = 0.6 and a2 = 0.2.
These represent progressively greater degrees of auto-correlation.
Auto-correlation is measured by correlation coefficients at different “lags”. Thus:

ρ 1 = correlation between test results “at lag 1”, i.e. between results one result apart;
ρ 2 = correlation between test results “at lag 2”, i.e. between results two results apart;
ρ 3 = correlation between test results “at lag 3”, i.e. between results three results
apart;
and so on.
(The relation between these correlation coefficients and the parameters in Taerwe’s
model is given in B.4.)
Correlation coefficients can take values no larger than 1.0, so a correlation coefficient of
0.0 indicates no auto-correlation (independent results), and a correlation coefficient of 1.0
indicates totally-auto-correlated results.
With simulation, it is possible to show how auto-correlation affects the producer’s margin.
Table B.1 gives results when conformity is assessed using n = 15 or 35 test results, and
the producer wishes to use a margin such that the probability of acceptance is Pa =
98.0%. (Table B.1 amplifies the results shown in Table 6.) With conformity assessed
using n = 35 test results, the effect of auto-correlation on the producer’s margin is not
very dramatic. The effect is larger if conformity is assessed using n = 15 test results.
49
Figure B.1. Auto-correlated test results generated using Taerwe’s model:
(X n − µ ) (
= a1 × X n − 1 − µ ) + (
a2 × X n − 2 − µ ) + εn
50 50
Strength MPa
Strength MPa
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 a1 = 0.3 and a2 = 0.1 10 a1 = 0.3 and a2 = 0.1
0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Test number Test number
50 50
Strength MPa
Strength MPa
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 a1 = 0.4 and a2 = 0.2 10 a1 = 0.4 and a2 = 0.2
0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
50 50
Strength MPa
Strength MPa
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 a1 = 0.6 and a2 = 0.2 10 a1 = 0.6 and a2 = 0.2
0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
50
B.2 Confidence limits for correlation coefficients

Estimates of correlation coefficients may be calculated from production data by the
method set out in B.3.
Approximate 95% confidence limits for these correlation coefficients may be calculated as
± 2.0/√n, where n is the number of test results. (Tables of factors to use to calculate exact
confidence limits exist, similar to those for the “t-distribution”, but this formula is an
adequate approximation for n > 30.)
These confidence limits may be used in two ways.
(1) They may be applied to correlation coefficients calculated from production data to show if
enough data have been used in the calculation.
For example, if a correlation coefficient of 0.35 is obtained from n = 30 test results, then
approximate 95% confidence limits are 0.35±2.0/√30 = 0.35±0.37. This is not a useful
result because the limits are larger than the estimate. This shows that more than 30
results are needed to estimate correlation coefficients.
It is suggested that at least n = 100 test results will be needed in practice to obtain useful
estimates of correlation coefficients.
(2) A correlation coefficient calculated from production data has to be larger than 2.0/√n for
one to be able to conclude that there is a statistically significant degree of auto-correlation
in the data.
For example, if a correlation coefficient is calculated from n = 100 test results, then it has
to be larger than 2.0/√100 = 0.2 before it provides convincing evidence that auto-
correlation really exists.
51
Table B.1. The effect of auto-correlation on the producer’s margin
The conformity rule is f cm ≥ fck + 1 .48σ . The data are auto-correlated (according to Taerwe’s
model with parameters a1 and a2), the mean is calculated from 15 or 35 test results; and the standard
deviation is established beforehand (from 35 test results).
Number of Probability Taerwe’s Taerwe’s Auto- Auto- Percentage Multiplier

test results of model model correlation correlation below used to
used to acceptance parameter parameter coefficient coefficient specified calculate the
assess characteristic producer’s
conformity strength margin
n Pa % a1 a2 ρ1 ρ2 θ %
k
15 98.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 1.7 2.1

15 98.0 0.1 0.0 0.10 0.01 1.5 2.2
15 98.0 0.2 0.0 0.20 0.04 1.4 2.2
15 98.0 0.2 0.1 0.22 0.14 1.2 2.3
15 98.0 0.3 0.0 0.30 0.09 1.2 2.3
15 98.0 0.3 0.1 0.33 0.20 1.0 2.3
15 98.0 0.3 0.2 0.38 0.31 0.7 2.4
15 98.0 0.4 0.0 0.40 0.16 1.0 2.3
15 98.0 0.4 0.1 0.44 0.28 0.8 2.4
15 98.0 0.4 0.2 0.50 0.40 0.5 2.5
15 98.0 0.4 0.3 0.57 0.53 0.4 2.7
35 98.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 2.4 2.0

35 98.0 0.1 0.0 0.10 0.01 2.3 2.0
35 98.0 0.2 0.0 0.20 0.04 2.1 2.0
35 98.0 0.2 0.1 0.22 0.14 2.0 2.1
35 98.0 0.3 0.0 0.30 0.09 2.0 2.1
35 98.0 0.3 0.1 0.33 0.20 1.8 2.1
35 98.0 0.3 0.2 0.38 0.31 1.5 2.2
35 98.0 0.4 0.0 0.40 0.16 1.8 2.1
35 98.0 0.4 0.1 0.44 0.28 1.5 2.2
35 98.0 0.4 0.2 0.50 0.40 1.2 2.2
35 98.0 0.4 0.3 0.57 0.53 1.0 2.3
52
B.3 Calculation of auto-correlations

Auto-correlations may be calculated using Excel by the following method.
Step 1
See Table B.2. (Note that only 10 test results are shown in Table B.2 to keep the example
simple. In practice, a series of at least 100 test results should be used to calculate auto-
correlations.)
Enter the test results and their identification into two columns of an Excel spreadsheet. In
Table B.2, the identifications are shown simply as test numbers 1, 2, 3 and so on. The
first column of test results should be headed “Lag 0” as shown in Table B.2.
Step 2
Copy the test results into the next few columns of the spreadsheet as shown in Table B.2.
Note that the test results are displaced downwards by one cell as one goes from one
column to the next.
Add headings to the columns “Lag 1”, “Lag 2”, “Lag 3”, and so on, as shown in Table B.2.
Step 3
Use the “Correlation” function in the menu “Tools/Data analysis” to calculate the auto-
correlations:
(1) Set the “Input range” to be the array of test results, including the headings “Lag 0” to
“Lag 5”. With the data as shown in Table B.2 the input range includes 6 columns (Lag 0 to
Lag 5), and 16 rows (the headings plus 15 rows of data).
(2) Select “Grouped by” to be “Columns”.
(3) Tick the “Labels in first row” box.
(4) Select a cell for the “Output range” away from the data.
(5) Press “OK”.
The auto-correlations will be calculated and presented in a table as shown in Table B.3.
Step 4
The auto-correlations may then be read from the column headed “Lag 0” in the table as:
ρ 0 = 1.00 ρ 1 = 0.05 ρ 2 = -0.21 ρ 3 = -0.07 ρ 4 = -0.42 ρ 5 = -0.33
53
Table B.2. Example of calculation of auto-correlations
Test Lag 0 Lag 1 Lag 2 Lag 3 Lag 4 Lag 5

number
1 53.0
2 47.6 53.0
3 49.2 47.6 53.0
4 48.9 49.2 47.6 53.0
5 48.5 48.9 49.2 47.6 53.0
6 44.5 48.5 48.9 49.2 47.6 53.0
7 46.6 44.5 48.5 48.9 49.2 47.6
8 41.9 46.6 44.5 48.5 48.9 49.2
9 45.6 41.9 46.6 44.5 48.5 48.9
10 55.3 45.6 41.9 46.6 44.5 48.5
11 55.3 45.6 41.9 46.6 44.5
12 55.3 45.6 41.9 46.6
13 55.3 45.6 41.9
14 55.3 45.6
15 55.3
Table B.3. Auto-correlations calculated from the data in Table B.2
Lag 0 Lag 1 Lag 2 Lag 3 Lag 4 Lag 5

Lag 0 1.00
Lag 1 0.05 1.00
Lag 2 -0.21 0.05 1.00
Lag 3 -0.07 -0.21 0.05 1.00
Lag 4 -0.42 -0.07 -0.21 0.05 1.00
Lag 5 -0.33 -0.42 -0.07 -0.21 0.05 1.00
54
B.4 Taerwe’s model

Correlation coefficients may be calculated from the parameters in Taerwe’s model as
shown in Table B.4. (It will be of interest to compare these correlation coefficients with
those calculated from production data to see if the production data behave similarly to
results generated by Taerwe’s model.)
Table B.4. Auto-correlations for Taerwe’s model
Lag Formula Correlation coefficient

when a1 = 0.4 , a2 = 0.2
0 ρ 0 = 1.00 1.00
1 ρ 1 = a1/(1.0 – a2) 0.50
2 ρ 2 = a1×ρ 1 + a2×ρ 0 0.40
3 ρ 3 = a1×ρ 2 + a2×ρ 1 0.26
4 ρ 4 = a1×ρ 3 + a2×ρ 2 0.18
5 ρ 5 = a1×ρ 4 + a2×ρ 3 0.13
>5 and so on
The parameters of Taerwe’s model may be calculated from correlation coefficients using
the following formulae, should this ever be necessary:
ρ1 × (1 − ρ 2 ) ρ 2 − ρ12
a1 = a2 =
1 − ρ12 1 − ρ12
B.5 An example
Figure B.2 shows the 127 test results obtained for a concrete family by a concrete plant
over a period of six months.
Figure B.3 shows correlation coefficients for the auto-correlation of these data, and
compares them with the correlation coefficients for data that follow Taerwe’s model (from
Table B.4). Lines representing values calculated using the approximate formula for 95%
confidence limits for correlation coefficients are shown as 0.0 ± 2.0/√n, with n = 127, so
that the coefficients that are significantly greater than zero can be identified.
For this plant, the correlation coefficients for lags 1 and 2 are statistically significant, but
smaller than those for Taerwe’s model, so that the degree of auto-correlation is not as
large as that expected from Taerwe’s model. This plant would have to:
either take account of the auto-correlation when deciding how many test results to
collect in an assessment period;
or try to reduce the auto-correlation by not collecting bunches of test results on the
same mix.
55
Figure B.2. 127 test results obtained at a concrete plant over a period of 6
months
80.0
70.0 Upper
process
60.0
limit
Strength MPa
50.0
Average
40.0
Lower
30.0
process
20.0 limit
10.0
0.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140
Test number
Figure B.3. The auto-correlation of the results in Figure B.2
1.00
0.80
Correlation coefficient
0.60
0.40
0.20
Upper confidence limit Taerwe's model
0.00
Zero line
Plant results
-0.20 Lower confidence limit
-0.40
Lag 0 Lag 1 Lag 2 Lag 3 Lag 4 Lag 5
56
Appendix C: Derivation of the difference between the

target mean strength and the limits for conformity
The target mean strength is given by:
fck + kσc
where σc is the current standard deviation.
The conformity criteria can be either:
Mean strength ≥ fck + 1.48σp Equation 1
where σp is the standard deviation calculated from the previous 35 results,
or, if the new value of the standard deviation, σc , is adopted immediately:
Mean strength ≥ fck + 1.48σc Equation 2
Case 1
The difference between the target mean strength and the conformity limit based on
equation 1 and the new value of the standard deviation being adopted for production is:
fck + kσc – (fck + 1.48σp ) Equation 3
If the change in standard deviation is ∆:
σc = σp + ∆
substituting and simplifying, Equation 3 becomes:
σp(k – 1.48) + k∆ Equation 4
Case 2
The difference between the target mean strength and the conformity limit based on
equation 2 is:
fck + kσc – (fck + 1.48σc ) = σc (k – 1.48)
57
Appendix D: Example of the application of the

recommendations where the standard deviation
changes part way through an assessment period
D.1 Key to the figures

Figures D.1 to D.3 show three sets of data where conformity is normally assessed on
groups of 15 results. Figures D.4 to D.6 show the same three sets of data but where
conformity is normally assessed on groups of 35 results.
The x-axis shows the dates when conformity is assessed, and each vertical grid line
passes through the last point used in an assessment.
The values for the standard deviation are derived from the Cusum control system.
The solid line shows the Target Mean Strength, calculated as the specified characteristic
strength for the reference concrete plus two times the standard deviation.
The dashed lines are set at +/-3.0 standard deviations above and below the Target Mean
Strength.
The standard deviation used to calculate the Target Mean Strength and the position of
the solid lines is that used for production control. Thus the steps in the dashed and solid
lines show when this standard deviation changes. According to the rules given in 3.10,
there can be occasions when the Cusum control system signals a change in the standard
deviation part way through an assessment period, but the new standard deviation is not
adopted for production control until the end of an assessment period is reached. When
this happens the steps in the solid and dashed lines coincide with the vertical grid lines.
“Fail” is shown on the Figures when a group of results fails to conform to the BS EN206-1
conformity criterion for mean strength. This has been applied by assuming that the
2
specified characteristic strength of the Reference Concrete is 35.0 N/mm .
D.2 Commentary on the Figures D.1 to D.6

Figure D.1. 26 October 1998. The Cusum control system has signalled a reduction in the
standard deviation n=12 results into the assessment period. According to the rules for
“Case 2”, the old standard deviation is ret ained for production control until the end of the
assessment period, and also used to assess conformity for the period.
Figure D.1. 10 February 1999. Similar to the 26 October 1998 event.
Figure D.1. 6 March 2000. The Cusum control system has signalled an increase in the
standard deviation just at the end of an assessment period. According to the rules for
“Case 4”, the new standard deviation is adopted immediately for production control, but
the old value is used to assess conformity for the period.
Figure D.2. 16 March 1999. The Cusum control system has signalled a reduction in the
standard deviation just one result into the assessment period. According to the rules for
“Case 1”, the new standard deviation is adopted immediately for production control and
also used to assess conformity for the period.
Figure D.2. 1 June 2000. The Cusum control system has signalled an increase in the
standard deviation n=8 results into the assessment period. According to the rules for
“Case 4”, the new standard deviation is adopted for production control immediately, but
the old standard deviation is used to assess conformity by applying the BS EN206-1
criterion to the n=8 results. A new assessment period is then started to coincide with the
adoption of the new standard deviation for production control.
58
Figures D.3, D.4 and D.5. These figures contain further examples of changes in the
standard deviation like those seen in Figures D.1 and D.2.
Figure D.6. Final assessment period. This shows an example of “Case 3”, where an
increase in the standard deviation has been signalled by the Cusum control system just
n=4 results into the assessment period. The new standard deviation is adopted for
production control immediately, and is also used to assess conformity for the period.
59
Figure D.1. Analysis of data set 1 where "n" is normally 15

Specified characteristic strength = 35 N/mm2, Producer's margin = 2*SD N/mm2
sd=6.0 sd=5.0 sd=3.5 sd=4.0

70
60
Transposed 28 day strength N/mm2
50
40
30
20
Fail Case 2 Case 2 Case 4
n=12 n=13 n=15
10
0
24-May-99
15-May-00
9-Jul-99
26-Oct-98
17-Dec-98
25-Oct-99
17-Nov-99
10-Feb-99
6-Mar-00
27-Aug-98
19-Apr-99
10-Aug-99
7-Sep-99
11-Apr-00
11-Jan-00
22-Jun-00
Dates of conformity assessment (groups of 15)
61
Figure D.2.Analysis of data set 2 where "n" is normally 15

Specified characteristic strength = 35 N/mm2 , Producer's margin = 2*SD N/mm 2
sd=5.0 sd=3.5 sd=4.5

70
60
2
Transposed 28 day strength N/mm
50
40
30
20 Fail Fail Fail

Case 4
Case 1
10 n=8
n=1
0
16-Mar-99
18-Jun-99
14-Jan-00
16-May-00
9-Mar-00
29-Jul-99
25-Jul-00
23-Nov-98
24-Aug-99
27-Sep-99
13-Oct-99
5-Nov-99
3-Dec-99
12-Apr-00
1-Jun-00
Date of conformity assessment (groups of 15)
62

Specified characteristic strength = 35 N/mm2 , Producer's margin = 2*SD N/mm2
sd=3.5 sd=4.5 sd=4.0 sd=5.5

70
60
2
50
40
30
20
Case Case Case
4 2 4
10 Fail Fail Fail n=9
n=10 n=12
0
4-Nov-98
31-May-00
7-Jul-00
27-Oct-99
6-Oct-98
18-Nov-99
13-Dec-99
2-Dec-98
15-Mar-99
7-Feb-00
8-Mar-00
6-Aug-98
7-Sep-98
21-Apr-99
2-Sep-99
28-Sep-99
27-Apr-00
6-Jan-99
29-Jan-99
1-Jun-99
16-Jun-99
22-Jul-99
63

Specified characteristic strength = 35 N/mm2 , Producer's margin = 2*SD N/mm2
sd=6.0 sd=5.0 sd=3.5 sd=4.0
70
60
2
50
40
30
Case 2
20 Case 2
n=23 Case 4
n=27
n=19
10
24-May-00
9-Jul-99
10-Nov-98
16-Dec-99
20-Mar-99
23-Feb-00
16-Sep-99
Dates of conformity assessment (groups of 35)
64

Specified characteristic strength = 35 N/mm2 , Producer's margin = 2*SD N/mm 2
sd=5.0 sd=3.5 sd=4.5

70
60
2
50
40
30
20
Case 2 Case 4
n=16 n=28
10
0
29-Mar-99
31-Mar-00
13-Oct-99
12-Aug-99
9-Dec-99
1-Jun-00
65

Specified characteristic strength = 35 N/mm 2, Producer's margin = 2*SD N/mm2
sd=3.5 sd=4.5 sd=4.0 sd=5.5

70
60
Transposed 28 day strength N/mm2
50
40
30
20
Case 4 Case 2 Case 3

10 n=20 Fail n=12 n=4
0
4-Nov-98
9-Nov-99
15-Sep-98
12-Apr-99
15-Sep-99
9-May-00
14-Jan-99
16-Jun-99
7-Feb-00
66

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What is the guidance document about?

What is the guidance document about?

What factors affect the design margin needed to achieve conformity?

What factors affect the design margin needed to achieve conformity?

Quarry Products Association

Guidance on the application of the EN 206-1

Publication prepared by a Task Group comprising:

T A Harrison (convenor) Quarry Products Association

Conformity applies to conditions of uniform production. Whilst a change in mean strength

• period of uniform conditions for production e.g. period of constant standard

Where a potential non-conformity is indicated, it is strongly recommended that the data

Non-conformity: The result of an in-depth analysis of a potential non-conformity that shows

• checking that the correct test specimens were tested;

• busy stable plant;

2. Background to the BS EN 206-1 conformity rules

• implications for the strength and durability of the tested concretes;

2.2 Initial and continuous production

2.3 Initial production for compressive strength

The mean strength of 3 results can be applied in one of two ways:

• to non-overlapping groups of 3 consecutive results;

f ci ≥ f ck – 4.2 = 25.8 N/mm2

Table 1. Assessment of initial production for an individual concrete

Standard deviation of the initial production

Further analysis of the indicated non-conformity for results 22, 23 and 24

If there is a mean-of-three non-conformity in the initial production of a concrete family, the

2.4 Continuous production for compressive strength

fcm ≥ fck + 1.65σ

The statistical properties of a conformity rule are conveniently summarised by its

Table 3 shows how the multiplier k is related to the quantity θ %.

Table 3. Multipliers used to calculate the producer’s margin

Percentage below Multiplier used to calculate

To achieve a probability of acceptance better than 98%, in the circumstances to which

2.4.2 Historical background to the conformity rule

Taerwe’s definition of the boundary of the “unsafe” region is:

and of the “uneconomic” region is:

These boundaries are shown on Figure 1 as dashed lines.

f cm ≥ f ck + 1.48 s15 (2)

2.4.3 Effect of increasing the number of test results above 15

Number of test Probability of Percentage below Multiplier used to

n=6 Unsafe region

Number of test Probability of Percentage below Multiplier used to

2.4.4 Effect of auto-correlation

X1 , X2 , X3 , ... , Xn are successive test results

Table 6 shows the effect on the producer’s margin of auto-correlation. It is clearly

Table 6. The effect of auto-correlation on the producer’s margin.

The conformity rule is f cm ≥ f ck + 1.48σ . The data are independent, or auto-

Number of test results Producer’s design Probability of non-conformity,

2.5 Conformity of tensile splitting strength

2.6 Conformity of flexural strength

Figure 3. The effect of test results being either independent or auto-correlated

3. Guidance on the application of the conformity rules

Options are given for:

• relevant test data;

3.2 Relevant test data

3.3 Point of sampling and sampling rate

BS EN 206-1 permits, as an alternative to sampling on site, sampling at the plant

The attractions of sampling at the plant are:

• lower costs per test result;

production week: A period of 7 consecutive days comprising at least 5 production