A practical guide for site personnel

Site sampling and testing of concrete

Cubes have a vital role to test that the concrete strength meets the specification requirement. However, the cube results will be meaningless unless the sampling and testing procedures given here are followed.

Sampling
The standard composite sample
BS EN 12350-1
To ensure it is representative of the whole truck load a standard sample consists of scoopfuls taken from four different parts of the load and collected in buckets. Scoopfuls must be taken through the moving stream, as the load is discharged, sampling the whole width and

depth not just the top part. The size of sample taken should be 11/2 times the estimated volume required for testing.

Complete a sampling certificate and record which sampling method was used.

will be applicable for concrete sampled by this method. Scoopfuls must be taken through the moving stream sampling the whole width and depth.

Let very first concrete go Take a scoopful from part 1 Take a scoopful from part 2 Take a scoopful from part 3 Take a scoopful from part 4 Let the last concrete go
BS EN 12350-2

The alternative spot sample

BS EN 206-1:2000, clause 5.4.1
Do not use this method to make cubes
For an early check on the consistence of concrete delivered in a truck mixer, this alternative method of spot sampling from the initial discharge may be used. Additional tolerances

Let very first concrete go Take six scoopfuls from the next 0.3 m Take six scoopfuls after the first 0.3 m has been discharged
3 3

The slump test Step 1

Empty the sampling buckets onto the mixing tray Scrape each bucket clean
Step 2

Step 4

Step 6

Step 9

There are three kinds of slump

Thoroughly remix the

Ensure the slump cone and base plate are clean and damp Place the metal plate on solid level base away from vibration or other disturbance the cone on the plate and stand on Place the foot-pieces
Step 5

Top up if necessary Use the rod with a

sawing and rolling motion to strike the concrete level with the top of the cone

Lay the rod across the upturned slump cone Measure the distance between the

sample, shovelling into a heap Turn the heap over to form another Do this three times

Step 7

Step 3

Flatten the final heap by repeatedly digging-in the shovel vertically Lift the shovel clear each time

Carefully clean off spillage from sides and Fill the cone in three equal baseplate whilst maintaining foot pressure depth layers Use the standard slump rod Step 8 25 times each layer Rod Carefully lift the cone evenly Spread the blows straight up and clear, to a count of between Heap the concrete above the top of the cone 5 and 10 seconds before rodding the third layer over the area Make sure the rod just penetrates the
layer below

underside of the rod and the highest point of the concrete the true slump Record the distance to the nearest 10 mm Check and record the kind of slump If the slump isnt true, take a new sample and repeat the test If the second slump isnt true, get advice Complete the sampling and testing certificates

True

Shear

Collapse

You will need this equipment

(always clean and dry the equipment after use)  Small scoop  Slump rod  Square-mouthed shovel  Mixing tray  Buckets or wheelbarrow  Sampling and testing certificates  Steel rule  Damp cloth  Sampling scoop  Slump cone and rigid metal plate

The flow test

First find a suitable location for the flow table. It must be placed on a firm, flat and level surface. It may be necessary to prepare an area for the table.

BS EN 12350-5

Step 3

Step 4

Step 7

Step 1

Ensure the mould and table are clean and damp Place the mould on the

Carefully clean off spillage from around the

mould and table top

Slowly lift the table

the sampling buckets onto the Empty mixing tray Scrape each bucket clean

Step 2

Thoroughly remix the sample as described

for the slump test

centre of the table and stand on the foot-pieces Fill the mould in two layers, tamping each layer ten times with the tamping bar If necessary add more concrete to fill the top layer Use the tamping bar to strike the top layer level with the top of the mould

Step 5

top by the handle until it reaches the upper stop

Wait 30 seconds from striking off Carefully lift the mould

Step 6

straight up and clear to a count of between 3 and 6 seconds Stabilise the flow table by standing on the toe board at the front of the table

Allow the table to fall freely Repeat this cycle to give a total of 15 drops Each cycle should take about 4 seconds
Step 8
the largest Measure dimension of concrete spread in two directions, parallel to the table edges

Record the flow value as d1 + d2 divided by 2 Report any segregation which may have occurred around the sample edge Complete the sampling and testing certificates
You will need this equipment
(always clean and dry the equipment after use)  Sampling scoop  Small scoop  Damp cloth and plastic sheeting  Buckets or wheelbarrow  Tamping bar  Brush and mould oil  Curing tank  Hide hammer  Mixing tray

BS EN 12390-2 Making cubes Step 2

Collect a composite sample to the standard method described above. Concrete sampled using the alternative spot method must not be used to make cubes. with Fill the mould in 50 mm layers concrete using the tamping bar, compact the concrete with no fewer than 25 tamps for each of the two layers in a 100 mm mould and no fewer than 35 tamps for each of the three layers in a 150 mm mould For very high workability concrete you may not need the minimum number of tamps

Step 3
tamping of each layer, tap the sides After of the mould with the hide hammer until large bubbles of air cease to appear on the surface and the holes left by the tamping bar are closed the moulds for identification and Number details record

You will need this equipment

(always clean and dry the equipment after use)  Maximum/minimum  Sampling scoop thermometer  Small scoop  Damp cloth and  Square-mouthed shovel  Felt tip pen or crayon plastic sheeting  Cube moulds  Buckets or wheelbarrow  Spanner  Tamping bar  Mixing tray  Brush and mould oil  Damp cloth  Curing tank  Sampling. cube making and storage certificates  Hide hammer

Step 5

Step 1

Check that the moulds are clean and lightly

oiled with all bolts tightened so that there will be no leakage Ensure that the correct halves of the moulds are used and that the corner lifting pins are correctly located Thoroughly remix the sample as described for the slump test

Step 4
surplus concrete Remove and smooth over with a float Wipe clean the mould edges

Cover each mould with a damp cloth and plastic sheet inside at room temperature Store (15 25 C) e.g. on top of the curing tank moulds at all times from Protect the cube temperature (especially
_ 0

high and low sub-zero temperatures) and drying winds Complete the sampling and cube making certificates

Storing cubes
The cubes should be removed from the moulds at between 16 and 72 hours after casting.

BS EN 12390-2

Step 1

Lift off carefully new cubes Remember easily damaged

Step 3

Step 4

Record the maximum/minimum overnight

storage temperatures on the certificate

are unless handled carefully

Place the cubes in the curing tank Clean and reassemble the moulds
Step 5
temperature is Check that the water 200C
0C

Check the temperature range daily using the maximum/minimum thermometer Keep a record of the readings
Step 6
despatch to test laboratory, wrap the For wet cubes in damp cloths, and then plastic bags and pack in trays Attach the certificates for sampling, testing, cube making and storage to the package along with the order for testing

Step 2

Mark each cube with its

Slacken all nuts Part the sides of the mould, tapping gently with the hide hammer

identification number on two of its cast sides

controlled at 2 and the cubes are covered by water Make sure the power supply is not switched off day or night

SAFETY
The first rule of working with concrete is to be protected. Ensure that the personnel are wearing adequate safety equipment.

If fresh concrete touches the skin, it can cause

alkali burns some of which, dont cause pain immediately or dermatitis. The longer the skin is in contact with the concrete, the worse the injury will be. So, protect yourself by wearing safety goggles, waterproof gloves, a sturdy jacket, waterproof trousers and long boots.

If concrete does contact your skin, wash

immediately and thoroughly with clean water. If your eyes are affected, seek medical help immediately. The water in the curing tank is highly alkaline so ensure that gloves are used when handling cubes in the tank.

Fresh concrete is heavy, with a Lifting barrow load weighing over 100 kg. So carrying just a small volume may cause physical injury. Follow Health & Safety regulations so that you can place, compact and finish the work before it sets without straining yourself. www.concretecentre.com
All advice or information from The Concrete Centre is intended for use in the UK only by those who will evaluate the significance and limitations of its contents and take responsibility for its use and application. No liability (including that for negligence) for any loss resulting from such advice or information is accepted by The Concrete Centre or its subcontractors, suppliers or advisors. Readers should note that the publications from The Concrete Centre are subject to revision from time to time and should therefore ensure that they are in possession of the latest version. TCC/03/39 May 2008

British Ready Mixed Concrete Association and published by The Conrete Centre on behalf of BRMCA. Produced and printed by The Book on the Wall Company, Kent

Edited by A F G Lewis