!

Safety on site
Many construction activities are 9 CONCRETE
ON SITE
potentially dangerous so care is needed
at all times. Current legislation requires
all persons to consider the effects of
their actions, or lack of action, on the
health and safety of themselves and
others. Advice on safety legislation can
be obtained from any of the area offices
of the Health & Safety Executive.
Uncontrolled copy, ©Concrete Society Ltd. 4 April 2019 Not for circulation.

Sampling & testing

fresh concrete
The downloadable booklets in the Concrete CONTENTS
on site series are a continuation of a series
originally issued in 1951 and have become Health awareness
standard guides to site personnel. Making sure it’s the right concrete
Taking a sample
© The Concrete Society 2015. Copyright The slump test
laws apply. You may not rent, lend, modify The flow test
or duplicate without the copyright owners The degree of compactibility test
permission. Self-compacting concrete
The slump-flow test and T500 time
The air content test
Tables
Further reading

Concrete on site 9 - Sampling

OS009

© The Concrete Society

09/16
1
 Sampling & testing fresh concrete ! WHAT TYPE OF SAMPLE?

HEALTH AWARENESS Note that with alkali burns, pain is Whenever there is persistent or ƒƒ Spot sample
not immediate. severe irritation or pain a doctor ƒƒ Continuous sample
should be consulted.

!
Dry cement powders in normal use
Handling precautions
Uncontrolled copy, ©Concrete Society Ltd. 4 April 2019 Not for circulation.

have no harmful effect on dry skin.

As with any dusty material there Protection for the eyes, mouth and WHICH TEST?
may be ill effects from the inhala- nose should be worn in circum-
tion or ingestion of cement dust stances when dry cement may MAKING SURE IT’S THE RIGHT ƒƒ Slump
and suitable precautions should be
taken.
become airborne. CONCRETE ƒƒ Flow
ƒƒ Degree of compactability
When working with wet concrete or To get the best out of concrete, in
When cement is mixed with water, ƒƒ Air content
mortar, suitable protective clothing any type of construction work, you
alkali is released. Precautions should
therefore be taken to prevent dry should be worn, such as long- must ensure that the concrete is
sleeved shirts, full-length trousers, These are covered in BS EN 12350
cement entering the eyes, mouth or correct and that each batch is of the
waterproof gloves with cotton liners Testing fresh concrete.
nose, and to avoid skin contact with same consistence. In other words
wet concrete and mortar. and site safety compliant wellington that batches that appear to be the
boots. Clothing contaminated with same are in fact the same.
Repeated skin contact with wet wet cement, mortar or concrete
cement over a period of time may should be removed and washed be- This means that the constituents
cause irritant contact dermatitis. fore further use. Should concrete or must be selected correctly and
The abrasiveness of the concrete or mortar get into boots, remove them weighed out in the right propor-
mortar constituents can aggravate IMMEDIATELY and thoroughly wash tions. It also means that the correct
the effect. the skin and the inside of the boots amount of water must be added. A
before proceeding with the job. concrete that is too stiff cannot be
Some skins are sensitive to the small
compacted properly and one that
amount of chromate that may be
If cement enters the eye it should be is too wet may be too weak for its
present in cements and can develop
washed immediately and thorough- purpose.
allergic contact dermatitis, but this
is rare. ly with clean water and medical
advice sought. A good batcher will get the consist-
Continued contact with the skin can ence right and deliver uniform
result in cement burns with ulceration. Concrete or mortar elsewhere on concrete from batch to batch.
the skin should also be washed off
immediately.

2
 Sampling & testing fresh concrete
It is important to check the consist- The slump test is the simplest and
most commonly used, but the
TAKING A SAMPLE
ence regularly as this gives a good
indication about the variability degree of compactability test is
or the concrete being delivered. more suitable for low consistence Equipment
Uncontrolled copy, ©Concrete Society Ltd. 4 April 2019 Not for circulation.

Variations between loads can easily concrete, whilst the flow test is To take a representative sample of
happen when one load of aggregate more suitable for high consistence fresh concrete the following are
is wetter than the last and is not concrete. The working of the test for needed.
measuring the air content of fresh Fig 1. Equipment for sampling
adjusted for during batching. ƒƒ A large scoop capable of holding should be of good quality and clean.
concrete is also covered. about 5kg of concrete
How do you make checks for ƒƒ A clean bucket
The methods and apparatus are
concrete consistence? There are four ƒƒ A sampling tray.
specified in the National Standard
simple tests.
BS EN 12350 Testing fresh concrete.
ƒƒ slump
In carrying out the tests it is vital
ƒƒ flow that the batches of concrete are Composite sample
ƒƒ slump-flow sampled correctly and that the When taking a sample for a slump
ƒƒ degree of compactability. Standard test method is followed or flow test, use the scoop to collect
meticulously. at least 20kg of concrete made up
These are defined by classes i.e. S1 from at least four roughly equal
to S5 for slump, F1 to F6 for flow, No test is valid unless it is carried out scoopfuls. These should be taken as
SF1 to SF3 for slump-flow and C0 to correctly and the concrete sampled concrete is being discharged from
C3 for compactability. Alternatively is representative of the supply. the mixer or ready-mixed truck. Fig 2. Sampling throughout the
target values can be set. No con- discharge and across the stream of
After each test is finished the equip-
crete will achieve an exact value for ment must be thoroughly cleaned Whilst 20kg is sufficient for the concrete.
each batch, so there are tolerances and stored carefully. slump, flow and slump-flow tests,
associated with the consistence the degree of compactability test
requirements. This is covered under Most sites enforce a Personnel Pro- requires at least 40kg of concrete,
each test description in this booklet. tective Equipment [PPE] policy, but at least 8 scoopfuls. The air test
if one is not in force then for reasons requires about 30kg of concrete, at
There are specialist tests for self- of safety you must wear appropriate least 6 scoopfuls.
compacting concrete, but these are protective clothing, hard hat, safety
not covered in this booklet. goggles, waterproof gloves and To make sure that the sample is
safety boots. representative the scoopfuls should

3
 Sampling & testing fresh concrete
be collected at regular intervals. If just after the initial discharge . This is be made generally at random, but
you are collecting four scoopfuls, used when the concrete is delivered always test any batch when there
take the first one after roughly one in a truck mixer and the consistence is doubt about the concrete being
fifth of the load has been discharged value is required before the whole supplied.
Uncontrolled copy, ©Concrete Society Ltd. 4 April 2019 Not for circulation.

then one from each remaining fifth load is discharged. Fig 3. Standard slump test apparatus.
of the load. Try to allow the same interval to
Wait until about 0.3 of a cubic metre elapse between batching and test-
With continuous mixers a batch has been discharged, then collect ing in every case.
should be regarded as the discharge the appropriate number of scoop-
during one minute, and the fuls in quick succession. The sample
scoopfuls taken at, say, 12 second must then be thoroughly re-mixed
Records
You may be required to complete
intervals. by hand on a non-absorbent mixing
records. Even when a record is not
tray to ensure it is uniform.
called for, it is important that any de-
Pass the scoop through and across
tails that relate to the batch or load
the stream of concrete flowing A spot sample should only be used
of concrete supplied are recorded.
down the chute, and transfer the for the determination of consist-
concrete to the bucket (or barrow). ence! Fig 4. The cone is filled in three layers
Do not be tempted to use a shovel of equal depth.
for taking the sample as large pieces
of aggregate tend to roll off a shovel
Frequency of sampling THE SLUMP TEST
How often should a sample be
and the sample becomes unrepre-
taken? This is usually specified by The slump test is the simplest way
sentative.
the Engineer or as often as is neces- there is of checking the consistence
sary to ensure that the concrete of concrete and of checking that it
The sample must then be thor-
supply is correct. remains consistent from one batch
oughly re-mixed by hand on a non-
to the next.
absorbent mixing tray to ensure it is
A concrete should be tested soon
uniform.
after work has started for the day To carry out the test a slump cone
to set the standard. Further tests is filled in a standardized way with
Spot sample should follow at regular intervals. concrete, the cone is removed and
An alternative to the composite Always test the consistence when a a measurement of how much the
sampling method, called a spot set of test cubes or test for air con- concrete has slumped is recorded.
sample, is to take the whole sample tent is made. Additional tests should This test can tell you two things:

4
 Sampling & testing fresh concrete
1. It indicates if the water content Test method Use a damp rag to wipe the base
of the concrete is consistent Position the base plate, which plate and the outside of the cone
between batches. So long as the should be clean and damp (but not clean, keeping your feet firmly on
materials and the grading of the wet), on firm level ground. Centrally the footrests. (This is much easier
Uncontrolled copy, ©Concrete Society Ltd. 4 April 2019 Not for circulation.

aggregates are reasonably uniform, place the cone, which should also be if someone provides assistance Fig 5. Striking-off with a sawing an
the test will reveal any variation of clean and damp. Stand on the foot- while the cone is held down by the rolling action.
the water content from batch to rests and use the scoop to transfer handles.)
batch. the sample into the cone.
Take hold of the cone’s handles and
2. It can check on the constituents in The concrete should be placed push downwards. Remove your
the concrete. If the amount of water in the cone in three equal layers. feet from the foot rests (taking care
used and the moisture content of Begin by filling the cone to a third not to move the cone) then, having
the aggregate are constant, the test of its depth, about 100mm, then checked that all the spillage has
will show whether the grading of compacting the concrete exactly been cleaned away, very carefully lift
the aggregate has changed. 25 times using the tamping rod. For the cone straight upwards, aiming
the first layer the rod should not to complete the movement in 2 to
5 seconds. As the cone comes clear
Equipment be allowed to strike the base plate
the concrete will slump.
To test for slump, the following are too hard. For the second and third
needed: layers, the rod should just penetrate
into the layer below.
ƒƒ Slump cone 300mm high, 200mm
Types of slump
After the third layer has been The slump takes two forms:
diameter tapering to 100mm
ƒƒ Steel tamping rod, 16mm diam- tamped, the concrete should be
slightly proud of the top of the cone. ƒƒ True slump. The term used when
eter, 600mm long and rounded at the concrete simply subsides,
both ends During tamping of the third layer Fig 6. Measuring the slump.
it is normal to stop about halfway keeping more or less to shape.
ƒƒ Non-absorbent rigid base plate, ƒƒ Shear slump. So-called because
through to add more concrete but
about 450mm square the top portion of the concrete
the total number of tamps for the
ƒƒ Small scoop third layer must remain at exactly shears off and slips sideways.
ƒƒ Rule 25. Strike off the surplus with a saw-
ƒƒ Water, cleaning rags and/or a ing and rolling motion of the rod.
hand brush

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 Sampling & testing fresh concrete
Measuring slump THE FLOW TEST ƒƒ Spirit level
Assuming a true slump, turn the ƒƒ Water and cleaning rags a)
cone upside down and place it This test is used mainly for very high
gently on the base plate next to workability concrete with a slump of b)
Uncontrolled copy, ©Concrete Society Ltd. 4 April 2019 Not for circulation.

the slumped concrete. Place the more than 175mm — a ‘collapse’ in Test method
tamping rod on top of the cone, the slump test. The flow table needs to be used
projecting over the highest point on a level base. It is a good idea to c)
of the concrete. Measure, to the prepare a suitable area by laying a
nearest 10mm, the distance from Equipment small slab of concrete about 1 metre Fig 7. Types of slump
the highest point of the slumped To test for flow, the following are square, a day or two in advance. a) True slump
concrete to the underside of the rod needed. b) Shear slump
e.g. if the measurement is 48mm, When you have positioned the table c) Collapse slump.
then you record 50mm slump. This ƒƒ Standard 700mm square flow on the base, check it with the spirit
is the consistence of the concrete as table. This is fitted with a handle level. The table must also be clean,
determined by the slump test. on one side and hinged on the damp (but not too wet) and free
opposite to a rigid base that has a from hardened concrete.
toe board and a stop allowing the
Acceptability top to rise 40mm Place the cone, which should be
To be acceptable the measured ƒƒ Standard 200mm high cone, clean and damp, on the centre of
slump should be within the toler- narrowing from a diameter of 200 the table and stand on the footrests.
ances given in Tables 1 & 2, adapted to 130mm
from BS 8500-1 and BS EN 206. The cone should be filled with two
ƒƒ Standard wooden tamping bar
between 320 and 350mm long, equal layers of the remixed concrete
of which 200mm is 40mm square sample. Using the scoop place a
Records in section 100mm layer of the concrete in the
You may be required to complete cone. Moisten the wooden bar and Fig 8. Standard flow test apparatus.
ƒƒ A rule (or tape) at least 700mm lightly tamp the surface of the con-
records. Even when a record is not
long, with 5mm subdivisions crete exactly 10 times. The object is
called for, it is important that any de-
along its entire length to level and fluidise the concrete but
tails that relate to the batch or load
of concrete supplied are recorded. ƒƒ Small scoop for filling the cone. not compact it.
The scoop used in the slump test
is suitable

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 Sampling & testing fresh concrete
Add the final layer and tamp it the hinged table top gently until Acceptability
exactly 10 times in the same way. it meets the 40mm stop, then let To be acceptable the measured flow
The concrete should then be slightly go and allow the table top to drop
should be within the tolerances
proud of the top of the cone. Strike freely. Do this exactly 15 times al-
given in the Tables 3 & 4, adapted
Uncontrolled copy, ©Concrete Society Ltd. 4 April 2019 Not for circulation.

of the surplus using the side of the lowing a drop to occur every 2 and
wooden tamping bar. from BS 8500-1 and BS EN 206.
5 seconds. Note: For an extremely Fig 9. Tamping concrete in flow test.
mobile concrete fewer than 15
Use a damp rag to wipe the base drops may be acceptable. If such
plate and the outside of the cone decision is taken, it must be clearly
Judging cohesion
clean, keeping your feet firmly on As well as getting an accurate
understood and documented by
the footrests. (This is much easier measurement of the consistence of
those specifying and undertaking concrete with the flow test, you can
if someone provides assistance
the test. also tell a lot about the cohesion of
while the cone is held down by the
handles.) the concrete merely by looking at it.

Take hold of the cone’s handles and Measuring the flow diameter The flow of a well-designed con-
crete with good cohesion will stay
push downwards. Remove your The concrete will have spread in a
feet from the foot rests (taking care roughly circular throughout the test.
roughly circular shape across the
not to move the cone) then, having One that is prone to segregation will
top of the table (which is why the be less symmetrical.
checked that all the spillage has Fig 10. Flow table in use.
table must be level).
been cleaned away, very carefully
lift the cone straight upwards. You If cement paste is separating from
should aim to start the lifting 30 Take the rule, hold it parallel to one the aggregate to form a ring round
seconds after the concrete has been side of the table and move it across the edge of the spread concrete, or
struck level and finish it within 3- 6 the top until it is over the widest pieces of aggregate are loose, these
seconds. part of the concrete. Note the meas- are further signs of segregation.
urement of the diameter.
As the cone comes clear, the con- A concrete that is subject to bleed-
crete will flow out and spread out a Repeat this process in a direction at ing might produce a ring of clear
little on the flow table. right angles to the first, measure this bleed water round the perimeter of
maximum diameter. Take an average the concrete if it is left to stand for a
Stand on the table’s toe board of these two diameters to give the few minutes.
and take hold of the handle. Raise result known as the flow diameter. Fig 11. Measuring the flow diameter.

7
 Sampling & testing fresh concrete
Records ƒƒ Part 11: Sieve segregation test the absence of obstructions. It will
You may be required to complete ƒƒ Part 12: J-ring test often be specified as a compliance
records. Even when a record is not test for fresh concrete consistence.
called for, it is important that any de- The T500 time is a measure of the
Uncontrolled copy, ©Concrete Society Ltd. 4 April 2019 Not for circulation.

The tests measure different aspects speed of flow and hence the viscos-
tails that relate to the batch or load of SCC:
of concrete supplied are recorded. ity of the concrete. Visual observa- Fig 12. SCC Slump-flow test.
tions during the test can give ad-
ƒƒ Flowability to be determined ditional information on the stability
choose Slump-flow test and uniformity of each delivery.
THE DEGREE OF ƒƒ Viscosity to be determined
choose T500 test and/or V-funnel The test is not considered suitable
COMPACTABILITY TEST test when the maximum size of the ag-
ƒƒ Passing ability to be determined gregate exceeds 40mm.
This test is used mainly in highway
or airfield construction for monitor- choose L-box test and/or J-ring
ing concrete for pavements. It is test
more suitable than the slump test ƒƒ Resistance to segregation to be Principle
for low consistence concrete, i.e. determined choose Sieve segre- The fresh concrete is poured into a
with a slump less than 10mm. It is gation resistance test cone (as used for the BS EN 12350-2
rarely used in the UK. The slump-flow test tends to be slump test) that sits on a 900mm x
used as an on-site identity test, 900mm baseplate made from a flat
whereas the other SCC tests tend plate (see Figure A1.1a). The centre
to be used in the laboratory when of the plate is scribed with a cross,
SELF-COMPACTING CONCRETE developing an SCC concrete. the lines of which run parallel to the
edges of the plate and with circles of
Tests for fresh Self Compacting 200mm diameter and 500mm diam-
Concrete (SCC) are covered by BS EN eter having their centres coincident
with the centre point of the plate.
12350 Parts 8-12: THE SLUMP-FLOW TEST AND It is essential that the baseplate
ƒƒ Part 8: Slump-flow test T500 TIME is horizontal. When the cone is
withdrawn upwards the time from
ƒƒ Part 9: V-funnel test
The slump-flow value describes the commencing upward movement of
ƒƒ Part 10: L box test flowing and filling ability of SCC in the cone to when the concrete has

8
 Sampling & testing fresh concrete
flowed to a diameter of 500mm is THE AIR CONTENT TEST used for making cube samples, or
measured; this is the T500 time. slump rod, or vibrating table. The
When the concrete has stopped standard also permits the use of
flowing, the largest diameter of the When air-entrained concrete is an internal poker but laboratory
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flow spread of the concrete dm and specified its air content must be tests have shown that great care
the diameter of the spread at right checked. The European Standard is needed to prevent the loss of
contains two pressure methods, the
angles to it dr are then measured entrained air during compaction
water column method and the pres-
and the mean is the slump-flow of the sample so this method is
sure gauge method. Fig 13. Standard air meter apparatus.
value. not recommended.
The following is a description of the ƒƒ Water container, (e.g. watering can)
The slump-flow is the mean of dm water column method although the
and dr expressed to the nearest ƒƒ Small soft-faced mallet
pressure gauge method is a similar
10mm. The T500 time is reported to process. ƒƒ Water and cleaning rags.
the nearest 0.1 s.

The concrete spread can also be Equipment How the test works
checked visually for segregation. The Before starting, find out the correct A sample of the concrete is placed
cement paste/mortar may segregate operating pressure for the appara- in the cylinder of the air meter. Air
from the coarse aggregate to give a tus. Ideally this is clearly marked on is pumped in and its pressure is
ring of paste/mortar extending sev- each air meter. Also, as part of the transmitted to the contents through
eral millimetres beyond the coarse calibration process, your company’s a column of water.
aggregate. Segregated coarse ag- central laboratory should give you
gregate may also be observed in the the aggregate correction factor. The concrete becomes compressed
central area. and its volume reduces, lowering
For the air content test the following
the level of water against a scale
are needed:
calibrated in percentage air.
Acceptability ƒƒ Water column type air meter
To be acceptable the measured
slump-flow should be within the ƒƒ Scoop Test method
tolerances given in Tables 5 & 6, ƒƒ Air pump, such as a foot pump or Fill the air meter container with fresh
adapted from BS 8500-1 and BS EN cycle pump concrete in three layers, each being
206. fully compacted before the next one
ƒƒ Either a square compacting bar as
is placed.

9
 Sampling & testing fresh concrete
Hand tamping calls for at least 25 Filling with water be lower than at the start. The final
tamps per layer using the compact- Fill the cover assembly with water, water level is termed h2.
ing bar or rod. Vibration may be
keeping the bleed valve open to
used but care should be exercise so Provided that this is not greater than
allow air to escape. Close the bleed
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as not to over vibrate the concrete 0.2%, the apparent air content is the
with a resultant loss of entrained air. valve when the water reaches the
level of the valve and tap the ap- difference between the two water
paratus to remove any air trapped in levels, i.e. h1- h2.
Take care not to over-fill the con-
tainer. Record the number of strokes the water. Adjust the water level to Fig 14. Apparent air content.
zero by opening the bleed valve to If h2 is greater than 0.2%, reapply
needed to achieve full compaction.
If you are compacting the concrete drain off excess liquid. the operating pressure and carry out
by vibration, record the length of the test again. Note the level (h3) to
time the vibration lasted. Cavities which the water drops and then the
and depressions may form in the Taking the readings level to which it returns (h4) after
concrete as you work, and these are Use the air pump to bring the ap- the air pressure is released. Provided
filled in by tapping the side of the paratus up to the correct operating the difference between h2 and h4 is
container with the soft-faced mallet. pressure. not more than 0.1% then the appar-
ent air content is h3 – h4.
As the pressure rises, the concrete
Surface preparation becomes compressed and the water
Compaction should continue until level in the apparatus drops. Aggregate correction factor
the surface of the concrete is level So far we have used the term ‘appar-
with the top of the container. Wipe When the pressure gauge shows ent air content’. The results of the air
any concrete or paste off the flange the correct operating pressure, take content test are affected by the type
as this will need to be clean to cre- a reading of the water level. This is of aggregate and an adjustment -
ate an effective seal. known as h1. the aggregate correction factor - has
to be applied to the readings to give
Carefully put the deflector plate in Release the air pressure and the the true result for air content.
the centre of the top of the concrete water will rise. Any air still trapped in
and clamp the cover assembly firmly the water will come up as the pres- Thus the true air content equals
in place. sure is released and therefore the apparent air content minus the ag-
level to which the water returns may gregate correction factor.

10
 Sampling & testing fresh concrete
After the test TABLES
The concrete should not be used
for other tests because it has been
in contact with water. So if test Slump class Slump range (mm) Maximum allowable range including tolerance (mm)
Uncontrolled copy, ©Concrete Society Ltd. 4 April 2019 Not for circulation.

cubes, for instance, are required the

original sample must be sufficient Spot sample Composite sample
for both tasks. S1(a) 10–40 0 – 60 0 – 50

Note: Remember not to lose the S2 50–90 30 –110 40 – 100

deflector plate when you dispose of S3 100–150 80 –170 90 –160
the concrete.
S4 160–210 140 – 230 150 – 220
S5 (a) ≥220 ≥ 200 ≥ 210
Acceptance
To be acceptable the measured air Due to lack of sensitivity of slump test values <10mm and >210mm, it is recommended to
(a)

content should be within the toler- only use the test for slump ≥10mm and that S5 is not used.
ances given in the Table 7, adapted Table 1. Criteria for slump class.
from BS 8500-1and BS EN 206.

Records Target slump (mm) Maximum allowable deviation on target value (mm)
You may be required to complete
records. Even when a record is not Spot sample Composite sample
called for, it is important that any
≤ 40 (a)
± 30 ± 20
details that relate to the batch
or load of concrete supplied are 50 - 90 ± 40 ± 30
recorded.
≥ 100 (a)
± 50 ± 40
Due to lack of sensitivity of slump test values <10mm and >210mm, it is recommended to
(a)

only use the test for slump ≥10mm and ≤210mm.

Table 2. Criteria for target slump.

11
 Sampling & testing fresh concrete
Flow class Flow diameter Maximum allowable range Target flow diameter Maximum allowable deviation on
range (mm) including tolerance (mm) (mm) target value (mm)
Uncontrolled copy, ©Concrete Society Ltd. 4 April 2019 Not for circulation.

Spot sample Composite sample Spot sample Composite sample

F1 (a)
≤ 340 ≤ 360 ≤ 360 ALL VALUES ± 60 ± 50

F2 350 – 410 330 – 430 340 – 420 Table 4. Criteria for target flow.
F3 420 – 480 400 – 500 410 – 490

F4 490 – 550 470 – 570 480 – 560

F5 560 – 620 540 – 640 550 – 630

F6 (a) ≥ 630 ≥ 610 ≥ 620

(a)
Due to lack of sensitivity of flow test diameters ≤340mm and >620mm,
it is recommended to only use the test for flow >340mm and ≤620mm.

Table 3. Criteria for flow class.

Slump-flow class Slump-flow Maximum allowable range Target slump-flow Maximum allowable deviation on
range (mm) including tolerance (mm) (mm) range limit (mm)
Spot sample Composite sample Spot sample Composite sample
SF1 550 – 650 540 – 660 550 – 650 ALL VALUES ± 60 ± 50
SF2 660 – 750 650 – 760 660 – 750 Table 6. Criteria for target slump-flow .
SF3 760 – 850 750 – 860 760 – 850
Table 5. Criteria for slump-flow class.

12
 Sampling & testing fresh concrete ! USEFUL CONTACTS
British Precast Concrete Federation
www.britishprecast.org
Max aggregate Minimum specified air Maximum allowable deviation (%) BSI Quality Assurance
size (mm) content (mm) www.bsi-global.com
Uncontrolled copy, ©Concrete Society Ltd. 4 April 2019 Not for circulation.

Cement Admixture Association

XF1 to XF4, PAV1 & PAV2 Spot sample Composite sample www.admixtures.org.uk

40 4.0 not applicable -0.5, +5.0 Cementitious Slag Makers Association

www.ukcsma.co.uk
20 4.5 not applicable -0.5, +5.0 Construction Plant Association
www.cpa.uk.net
14 5.5 not applicable -0.5, +5.0
Meteorological office
10 6.5 not applicable -0.5, +5.0 www.metoffice.gov.uk.

Table 7. Criteria for air content. Mineral Products Association

www.mineralproducts.org
Quality Scheme for Ready Mixed Concrete
www.qsrmc.co.uk
Sprayed Concrete Association
www.sca.org.uk
The Concrete Centre
www.concretecentre.com
The Concrete Society
www.concrete.org.uk
UK Cares (reinforcement)
www.ukcares.co.uk

UK Quality Ash Association

www.ukqaa .org.uk

13
 Sampling & testing fresh concrete
FURTHER READING BS EN 206: Concrete - Specification, performance, production and conformity.
BS EN 12350: Testing fresh concrete.
For information on Standards and other publications, refer to the Concrete Part 1: Sampling.
Uncontrolled copy, ©Concrete Society Ltd. 4 April 2019 Not for circulation.

Book Shop, www.concretebookshop.com Part 2: Slump test .

Part 4: Degree of compactability.
British Standards Part 5: Flow table test.
BS 1881: Testing Concrete. Part 7: Air content. Pressure methods.
Part 113: Method for making and curing no-fines test cubes. Part 8: Slump-flow test.
Part 130: Method for temperature-matched curing of concrete specimens. Part 9: V-funnel test.
BS 4449: Steel for the reinforcement of concrete. Weldable reinforcing steel. Bar, Part 10: L-box test.
coil and decoiled product. Specification. Part 11: Seive segregation test.
BS 4482: Steel wire for the reinforcement of concrete products. Specification. Part 12: J-ring test.
BS 4483: Steel fabric for the reinforcement of concrete. Specification. BS EN 12390: Testing hardened concrete.
BS 5975: Code of practice for temporary works procedures and the permissible Part 2: Making and curing specimens for strength tests.
stress design of falsework. Part 3: Compressive strength of test specimens.
BS 7542: Method of test for curing compounds for concrete. BS EN 13670: Execution of concrete structures.
BS 7973: Spacers and chairs for steel reinforcement and their specification. BS EN 13286-41 Unbound and hydraulically bound mixtures: Part 41: Test
BS 8443: Specification for establishing the suitability of special purpose concrete method for determination of the compressive strength of hydraulically bound
admixtures. mixtures.
BS 8500: Concrete – complementary British Standard to BS EN 206, BS EN 14227-1 Unbound and Hydraulically bound mixtures – Specifications –
Part 1: Method of specifying and guidance for the specifier. Part 1 Cement bound granular mixtures.
Part 2: Specification for constituent materials and concrete.
BS 8666: Scheduling, dimensioning, bending and cutting of steel reinforcement
for concrete. Specification.

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 Sampling & testing fresh concrete
FURTHER READING CONTINUED. Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA)
Concrete pressure on formwork, Report 108, 1985
Building Research Establishment Formwork striking times – criteria, prediction and methods of assessment,
Uncontrolled copy, ©Concrete Society Ltd. 4 April 2019 Not for circulation.

Report 136, 1995

Design of normal concrete mixes, 2nd ed, 1997
Action in the case of non-conformity of concrete structures, Report C519, 1999
Formwork for modern, efficient concrete construction, BR495, 2007

Construct
The Concrete Society
Guide to flat slab formwork and falsework, 2003
Technical Report 52, Plain formed concrete finishes, 2015
A guide to the safe transportation of formwork and falsework equipment, 2005
Technical Report 62, Self-compacting concrete, 2005
A guide to the safe use of formwork and falsework, 2008
Formwork – a guide to good practice, 3rd edition, 2012
Good Concrete Guide 2: Pumping concrete, 2005
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Good Concrete Guide 6: Slipforming of vertical structures, 2008
Hand-vibration – The control of vibration at work regulations, 2005
Good Concrete Guide 7: Foamed concrete, application and specification, 2009
The work at height regulations, 2005
Good Concrete Guide 8: Concrete practice, Guidance on the practical aspects of
concreting, 2008 The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, 2002
Checklist for erecting and dismantling falsework, 2014 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, 1999
Checklist for assembly, use and striking of formwork, 2014 Managing Health and Safety in Construction, 2007
Concrete Advice no 16, Assessing as struck in situ concrete surfaces, The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations, 1992
Concrete Advice no 20, Curing concrete, The Manual Handling Operations Regulations, 1992
Concrete Advice no 30, Identity testing for strength in accordance with
BS EN 206 and BS 8500-1 Highways England, Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (HMSO)
Concrete Advice no 31, Identity testing of fresh concrete for properties other Manual of contract documents for highway works, vol 1, Specification for High-
than strength, way Works
Concrete Advice no 37, Mould release agents

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 Sampling & testing
fresh concrete
Uncontrolled copy, ©Concrete Society Ltd. 4 April 2019 Not for circulation.

Other titles in the Concrete on site series

1. Ready-mixed concrete
2. Reinforcement
3. Formwork
4. Moving fresh concrete
Published by The Concrete Society 5. Placing and compacting
OS009
6. Curing
Published May 2010
Revised September 2016
7. Construction joints
© The Concrete Society 8. Making-good and finishing
The Concrete Society 9. Sampling & testing fresh concrete
Riverside House, 4 Meadows Business Park
Station Approach, Blackwater, Camberley
10. Making test cubes
Surrey GU17 9AB 11. Winter working
Tel: +44(0)1276 607140 FAX: +44(0)1276 607140
www.concrete.org.uk

Other publications in this series are available from the

Concrete Bookshop at www.concretebookshop.com
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