MaHmoud Khlifa Almoghazy AliraQi

2
nd
CiViL Engineering
Section 21

Properties OF Fresh Concrete
Introduction
The potential strength and durability of concrete of a given mix
proportion is very dependent on the degree of its compaction.
It is vital, therefore, that the consistency of the mix be such that the
concrete can be transported, placed, and finished sufficiently early
enough to attain the expected strength and durability.
Significance
The first 48 hours are very important for the performance of the
concrete structure.
It controls the long-term behavior, influence f'c (ultimate strength),
Ec (elastic modulus), creep, and durability.
Properties OF Fresh Concrete
Elasticity and Strength Of Concrete
The elastic properties of materials are a measure of their
resistance to deformation under an applied load (but the
elastic strain is recovered when the load is removed).
Strength usually refers to the maximum stress that a
given kind of sample can carry.
Understanding these properties and how they are
measured is essential for anyone wishing to use
materials
Main Prop. OF Fresh Concrete
Consistency
Slump Test
Flow Test
Penetration Test
Workability
Compacting
Factor Test
VeBe Time Test
Segregation
---
---
Bleeding
Bleeding
Water Test
Consistency or fluidity of concrete is an important
component of workability and refers in a way to the
wetness of the concrete.
However, it must not be assumed that the wetter the mix
the more workable it is. If a mix is too wet, segregation may
occur with resulting honeycomb, excessive bleeding, and
sand streaking on the formed surfaces
Concrete Consistency
On the other hand, if a mix is too dry it may be difficult to
place and compact, and segregation may occur because of
lack of cohesiveness and plasticity of the paste.
Concrete Consistency
3 Ways to determine Consistency of Fresh Concrete
Consistency
Tests
Slump Test
Ball penetration
test
Flow Test
1) Definition
2) Principle
3) Apparatus
4) Procedure
5) Precautions
6) Types Of Slump
7) Uses
8) Difference in Standards
Slump Test
Definition
A slump test is a method used to determine the consistency of concrete. The
consistency, or stiffness, indicates how much water has been used in the mix.
The stiffness of the concrete mix should be matched to the requirements for
the finished product quality
Slump is a measurement of concretes workability, or fluidity.
Its an indirect measurement of concrete consistency or stiffness.

Principle
The slump test result is a measure of the behavior of a compacted inverted
cone of concrete under the action of gravity. It measures the consistency or
the wetness of concrete.

Slump Test
Apparatus
Slump cone : frustum of a cone, 300 mm (12 in) of height. The
base is 200 mm (8in) in diameter and it has a smaller opening
at the top of 100 mm
Scale for measurement,
Temping rod(steel) 15mm diameter, 60cm length.


Slump Test
Procedure
The base is placed on a smooth surface and the container is
filled with concrete in three layers, whose workability is to be
tested .
Each layer is temped 25 times with a standard 16 mm (5/8 in)
diameter steel rod, rounded at the end.
When the mold is completely filled with concrete, the top
surface is struck off (leveled with mold top opening) by
means of screening and rolling motion of the temping rod.
The mold must be firmly held against its base during the
entire operation so that it could not move due to the pouring
of concrete and this can be done by means of handles or foot
rests brazed to the mold.
Slump Test
Procedure
Immediately after filling is completed and the concrete is
leveled, the cone is slowly and carefully lifted vertically, an
unsupported concrete will now slump.
The decrease in the height of the center of the slumped
concrete is called slump.
The slump is measured by placing the cone just besides the
slump concrete and the temping rod is placed over the cone
so that it should also come over the area of slumped concrete.
The decrease in height of concrete to that of mould is noted
with scale. (usually measured to the nearest 5 mm (1/4 in).

Slump Test
Precautions
In order to reduce the influence on slump of the variation in
the surface friction, the inside of the mold and its base should
be moistened at the beginning of every test, and prior to
lifting of the mold the area immediately around the base of
the cone should be cleaned from concrete which may have
dropped accidentally.

Slump Test
Types Of Slump
The slumped concrete takes various shapes, and
according to the profile of slumped concrete, the slump is
termed as;
Collapse Slump
Shear Slump
True Slump

Slump Test
Types Of Slump
Collapse Slump
In a collapse slump the concrete collapses completely.
A collapse slump will generally mean that the mix is too wet or that it
is a high workability mix, for which slump test is not appropriate.
Shear Slump
In a shear slump the top portion of the concrete shears off and slips
sideways. OR
If one-half of the cone slides down an inclined plane, the slump is said
to be a shear slump.
If a shear or collapse slump is achieved, a fresh sample should be
taken and the test is repeated.
If the shear slump persists, as may the case with harsh mixes, this is
an indication of lack of cohesion of the mix.

Slump Test
Types Of Slump
True Slump
In a true slump the concrete simply subsides, keeping more or less to
shape
This is the only slump which is used in various tests.
Mixes of stiff consistence have a Zero slump, so that in the rather dry
range no variation can be detected between mixes of different
workability.
However , in a lean mix with a tendency to harshness, a true slump can
easily change to the shear slump type or even to collapse, and widely
different values of slump can be obtained in different samples from the
same mix; thus, the slump test is unreliable for lean mixes.

Slump Test
Uses
The slump test is used to ensure uniformity for different batches
of similar concrete under field conditions and to ascertain the
effects of plasticizers on their introduction.
This test is very useful on site as a check on the day-to-day or
hour- to-hour variation in the materials being fed into the mixer.
An increase in slump may mean, for instance, that the moisture
content of aggregate has unexpectedly increases.
Other cause would be a change in the grading of the aggregate,
such as a deficiency of sand.
Too high or too low a slump gives immediate warning and
enables the mixer operator to remedy the situation.
This application of slump test as well as its simplicity, is
responsible for its widespread use.

Slump Test
Degree of
workability
Slump (mm)
Compacting
Factor
Use for which concrete
is suitable
Very low 0 - 25 0.78
Very dry mixes; used in road
making. Roads vibrated by
power operated machines
Low 25 - 50 0.85
Low workability mixes; used for
foundations with light
reinforcement. Roads vibrated
by hand operated Machines
Medium 50 - 100 0.92
Medium workability mixes;
manually compacted flat slabs
using crushed aggregates.
Normal reinforced concrete
manually compacted and
heavily reinforced sections with
vibrations
High 100 - 175 0.95
High workability concrete;
for sections with congested
reinforcement. Not normally
suitable for vibration
>Table : Workability, Slump and Compacting Factor of concrete with 19 or 38 mm (3/4 or 1
1
/
2
in) maximum size of aggregate.
Slump Test
Slump (mm) 0 - 20 20 - 40 40 - 120 120 - 200 200 - 220
Consistency Dry Stiff Plastic Wet Sloppy
>Table : Relation between Consistency and Slump values
Slump Test
Difference in Standards
The slump test is referred to in several testing and building code, with minor
differences in the details of performing the test.
United States
In the United States, engineers use the ASTM standards and AASHTO
specifications when referring to the concrete slump test. The American standards
explicitly state that the slump cone should have a height of 12-in, a bottom
diameter of 8-in and an upper diameter of 4-in. The ASTM standards also state in
the procedure that when the cone is removed, it should be lifted up vertically,
without any rotational movement at all The concrete slump test is known as
"Standard Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic-Cement Concrete" and carries the
code (ASTM C 143) or (AASHTO T 119).
United Kingdom & Europe
In the United Kingdom, the Standards specify a slump cone height of 300-mm, a
bottom diameter of 200-mm and a top diameter of 100-mm. The British Standards
do not explicitly specify that the cone should only be lifted vertically. The slump
test in the British standards was first (BS 1881102) and is now replaced by the
European Standard (BS EN 12350-2)

Definition
Equipment
Conducting
Flow Test
Definition
The flow table test or flow test is a method to determine the
consistence of fresh concrete.
Application When fresh concrete is delivered to a site by a truck
mixer it is sometimes necessary to check its consistence before
pouring it into formwork.
If the consistence is not correct, the concrete will not have the
desired qualities once it has set, particularly the desired strength. If
the concrete is too pasty, it may result in cavities within the concrete
which leads to corrosion of the rebar, eventually leading to the
formation of cracks (as the rebar expands as it corrodes) which will
accelerate the whole process, rather like insufficient concrete cover.
Cavities will also lower the stress the concrete is able to support.

Flow Test
Equipment
Flow table with a grip and a hinge, 70 cm x 70 cm.
Abrams cone, open at the top and at the bottom - 30 cm high, 17
cm top diameter, 25 cm base diameter
Water bucket and broom for wetting the flow table.
Tamping rod, 60 cm height
Scale for measurement

Flow Test
Conducting
The flow table is wetted.
The cone is placed on the flow table and filled with fresh
concrete in two layers, each layer 25 times tamp with
tamping rod.
The cone is lifted, allowing the concrete to flow.
The flow table is then lifted up several centimeters and
then dropped, causing the concrete flow a little bit further.
After this the diameter of the concrete is measured in a 6
different direction and take the average.

Flow Test
Flow Test
Percent of
Flow
0 20 % 20 60 % 60 100 % 100 120 % 120 150 %
Consistency Dry Stiff Plastic Wet Sloppy
Ball Penetration Test (Kelly Ball)
Ball Penetration Test (Kelly Ball)
Definition
Another method used in the field and laboratory to
measure the consistency of concrete is the ball
penetration test (ASTM C360) which is also known as the
Kelly ball test*.

Procedure
It is performed by measuring the penetration, in inches,
of a 6-in. diameter steel cylinder with a hemi spherically
shaped bottom , weighing 30 lbs.
Ball Penetration Test (Kelly Ball)
Advantages
One of the advantages of the ball penetration test can be
performed on the concrete in a hopper, buggy,
wheelbarrow, or other suitable container.
Another advantage of this method is its simplicity and the
rapidity with which the consistency of the concrete can be
determined.
It is also not dependent on a procedure of filling and
rodding a container like the slump test.
What Difference Between ?
What Difference Between ?
Penetration Test (Kelly Ball)
This is a simple field test consisting of the measurement of the
indentation made by15 cm diameter metal hemisphere weighing
13.6 kg. when freely placed on fresh concrete . The test has been
devised by Kelly and hence known as Kelly Ball Test. This has not
been covered by Indian Standards Specification. The advantages of
this test is that it can be performed on the concrete placed in site
and it is claimed that this test can be performed faster with a greater
precision than slump test.


What Difference Between ?
Slump Test
Slump test is the most commonly used method of measuring
consistency of concrete which can be employed either in
laboratory or at site of work. It is not a suitable method for
very wet or very dry concrete. It does not measure all factors
contributing to workability, nor is it always representative of
the placability of the concrete.
The apparatus for conducting the slump test essentially
consists of a metallic mold in the form of a frustum of a cone
having the internal dimensions as under:
Bottom diameter : 20 cm
Top diameter : 10 cm
Height : 30 cm


Concrete Workability
Definition
The property of fresh concrete which is indicated by the amount of
useful internal work required to fully compact the concrete without
bleeding or segregation in the finished product.

Workability is one of the physical parameters of concrete which
affects the strength and durability as well as the cost of labor and
appearance of the finished product

Concrete is said to be workable when it is easily placed and
compacted homogeneously i.e without bleeding or
Segregation. Unworkable concrete needs more work or effort to be
compacted in place, also honeycombs &/or pockets may also be
visible in finished concrete.
Concrete Workability
Factors affecting workability
Water content in the concrete mix
Amount of cement & its Properties
Aggregate Grading (Size Distribution)
Nature of Aggregate Particles (Shape, Surface Texture,
Porosity etc.)
Temperature of the concrete mix
Humidity of the environment
Mode of compaction
Method of placement of concrete
Method of transmission of concrete
Concrete Workability
How To improve the workability of concrete
increase water/cement ratio
increase size of aggregate
use well-rounded and smooth aggregate instead of irregular
shape
increase the mixing time
increase the mixing temperature
use non-porous and saturated aggregate
with addition of air-entraining mixtures

An on site simple test for determining workability is the SLUMP TEST.
Introduction
Procedure Apparatus
Compacting Factor Test
Introduction
These tests were developed in the UK by Glanville ( 1947 )
and it is measure the degree of compaction For the
standard amount of work and thus offer a direct and
reasonably reliable assessment of the workability Of
concrete . the test require measurement of the weight of
the partially and fully compacted concrete and the ratio
the partially compacted weight to the fully compacted
weight, which is always less than one, is known as
compacted factor .
For the normal range of concrete the compacting factor
lies between 0.8 - 0.92

Compacting Factor Test
Apparatus
Trowels
Hand Scoop (15.2 cm long)
Rod of steel or other suitable material
(1.6 cm diameter, 61 cm long rounded
at one end ).
Balance.
Compacting Factor Test
Procedure
1) Ensure the apparatus and associated equipment are clean before test
and free from hardened concrete and superfluous water .
2) Weigh the bottom cylinder to nearest 10gm , put it back on the stand
and cover it up with a pair of floats .
3) Gently fill the upper hopper with the sampled concrete to the level of
the rim with use of a scoop .
4) Immediately open the trap door of the upper hopper and allow the
sampled concrete to fall into the middle hopper .
5) Remove the floats on top of the bottom cylinder and open the trap
door of the middle hopper allowing the sampled concrete to fall into
the bottom cylinder .
6) Remove the surplus concrete above the top of the bottom cylinder by
holding a float in each hand and move towards each other to cut off
the concrete across the top of cylinder

Compacting Factor Test
7) Wipe clean the outside of cylinder of concrete and weigh to nearest
10gm .
8) Subtract the weight of empty cylinder from the weight of cylinder plus
concrete to obtain the weight of partially compacted concrete .
9) Remove the concrete from the cylinder and refill with sampled
concrete in layers .
10) Compact each layer thoroughly with the standard Compacting Bar to
achieve full compaction .
11) Float off the surplus concrete to top of cylinder and wipe it clean .
12) Weigh the cylinder to nearest 10gm and subtract the weight of empty
cylinder from the weight of cylinder plus concrete to obtain the weight
of fully compacted concrete .
Compacting Factor Test
Workability Slump (mm) C.F Uses
Very Low 0 - 25 0.78
Roads - Pavements
Low 25 - 50 0.85
Foundations Concrete
Medium 25 - 100 0.92
Reinforced Concrete
High 100 - 175 0.95
Reinforced Concrete
(High Reinforcement)
Procedure
Definition
Apparatus
VeBe Time Test
VeBe Time Test
Definition
It is based on measuring the time (Called VEBE time) needed to transfer the
shape of a concrete mix from a frustum cone to a cylinder (these shapes are
standardized by the apparatus of this test), by vibrating and compacting the
mix. The more VEBE time needed the less workable the mix is. This method
is very useful for stiff mixes.
Apparatus
Cylindrical container with diameter = 240 mm, and height = 200 mm
Mold: the same mold used in the slump test.
Disc : A transparent horizontal disc attached to a rod which slides vertically
Vibrating Table : 380*260 mm, supported by four rubber shock absorbers
Tamping Rod
Stop watch
VeBe Time Test
Procedure
1) Slump test as described earlier is performed, placing the slump
cone inside the sheet metal cylindrical pot of the consist meter.
2) The glass disc attached to the swivel arm is turn and place on the
top of the concrete in the pot.
3) The electrical vibrator is then switched on and simultaneously a
stop watch started.
4) The vibration is continued till such time as the conical shape of the
concrete disappears and the concrete assume a cylindrical shape.
5) This can be judge by observing the glass disc from the top
disappearance of transparency.
6) Immediately when the concrete fully assume a cylindrical shape,
the stop watch is switched off.
VeBe Time Test
7) The time required for the shape of concrete to change from slump
cone shape to cylindrical shape in second is known as Vibe Degree.
8) This method is very suitable for very dry concrete whose slump
value cannot be measure by slump test, but the vibration is too
vigorous for concrete with slump greater than about 50m.

The test fails if VeBe Time is less than 5 seconds .. And the test must be
created when no collapse or shears slump in concrete

Concrete Segregation
Definition
Segregation is when the coarse and fine aggregate, and cement
paste, become separated. Segregation may happen when the
concrete is mixed, transported, placed or compacted


Segregation makes the concrete
WEAKER,
LESS DURABLE,
and will leave A POOR SURFACE FINISH ^_*
Concrete Segregation
Basic types of segregation
Coarse segregation : Occurs when gradation is shifted to include too
much coarse aggregate and not enough fine aggregate. Coarse
segregation is characterized by low asphalt content, low density, high
air voids, rough surface texture, and accelerated rutting and fatigue
failure (Williams et. al., 1996b). Typically, coarse segregation is
considered the most prevalent and damaging type of segregation; thus
segregation research has typically focused on coarse segregation. The
term segregation by itself is usually taken to mean coarse
segregation.
Fine segregation : Occurs when gradation is shifted to include too
much fine aggregate and not enough course aggregate. High asphalt
content, low density, smooth surface texture, accelerated rutting, and
better fatigue performance characterize fine segregation (Williams,
Duncan and White, 1996).

Concrete Segregation
To Avoid Segregation
Check the concrete is not 'too wet' or 'too dry'.
Make sure the concrete is properly mixed. It is important that the
concrete is mixed at the correct speed in a transit mixer for at least
two minutes immediately prior to discharge.
The concrete should be placed as soon as possible.
When transporting the mix, load carefully.
Always pour new concrete into the face of concrete already in place.
When compacting with a poker vibrator be sure to use it carefully
Concrete Segregation
To Avoid Segregation
If placing concrete straight from a truck, pour vertically and never
let the concrete fall more than one-and-a-half meters.
Concrete Bleeding
Concrete Bleeding
Introduction
This refers to the appearance of water along with cement particles on the
surface of the freshly laid concrete. This happens when there is excessive
quantity of water in the mix or due to excessive compaction. Bleeding causes
the formation of pores and renders the concrete weak. Bleeding can be
avoided by suitably controlling the quantity of water in the concrete and
using finer grading of aggregates.

A thorough knowledge of why concrete bleeds and how mix proportions
affect it, is required to preventing the harmful effects of bleeding. Adoption
of right finishing methods also helps to ensure that the bleeding problems
won't ruin a slab surface.
Concrete Bleeding
Bleeding Process
Almost all freshly placed concrete bleeds. As aggregate and cement particles settle,
they force excess mixing water upward. The process continues until settlement
stops, either because of solids bridging or because the concrete has set.
The total amount of bleeding or settlement depends on mix properties, primarily
water content and amount of fines (cement, fly ash, fine sand). Increasing water
content increases bleeding, and increasing the amount of fines reduces bleeding.
Amount of bleeding is also proportional to the depth of concrete placed. More
bleed water rises in deep sections than in thin ones.
Bleeding usually occurs gradually by uniform seepage over the whole surface, but
sometimes vertical channels form. Water flows fast enough in these channels to
carry fine particles of cement and sand, leaving "wormholes" in the interior or
sand streaks at the form face. Channels are more likely to form when concrete
bleeds excessively.
Channels that reach the surface are open paths for deicing solutions to penetrate
the concrete. This leads to freezing and thawing damage and rebar corrosion.
Concrete Bleeding
Effects Of Excessive bleeding in Deep Section
Sometimes bleedwater can't entirely evaporate because it has been trapped
near the top surface by setting. This raises the water-cement ratio, increases
permeability, and lowers strength. Excessive bleeding also causes some other
problems in deep sections: heavy laitance accumulation at horizontal
construction joints; bond loss at aggregate and rebar surfaces; and unsightly
sand streaks.

Bleeding Problems in Flatwork
Never float or trowel concrete while there's bleedwater on the surface. That's
the cardinal rule of finishing. Finishing before bleedwater has evaporated can
cause dusting, craze cracking, scaling, and low wear resistance. Working
bleed-water into the surface also increases permeability.
Concrete Bleeding
How to control bleeding
Excessive bleeding can be avoided. Don't add too much water to the concrete.
Most of the water added to make placing easier bleeds out of the concrete. Any
time saved during placement will be lost while waiting for the bleedwater to
evaporate. Place concrete at the lowest possible slump. If you need a higher
slump to speed placement, consider using a super plasticizer. Add additional
concrete fines to reduce bleeding. The fines may come from a number of
sources:
Use a more finely ground cement. Concretes made with high early strength (Type III)
cement bleed less because the cement is ground finer than normal (Type I) cement.
Use more cement. At the same water content, rich mixes bleed less than lean mixes.
Use fly ash or other pozzolans in the concrete.
If concrete sands don't have much material passing the No. 50 and 100 sieves, blend
in a fine blow sand at the batch plant.
For air- entrained concrete, use the maximum allowable amount of entrained air.
Consider using an air- entraining agent whenever excessive bleeding is a problem.
Entrained air bubbles act as additional fines. Air entrainment also lowers the amount
of water needed to reach a desired slump.

Determination Of Bleeding Water For Fresh Concrete

) 8 6 (

( )

:










Determination Of Bleeding Water For Fresh Concrete

) 8 6 (





10 40 30



=
( V )
V1 ( )
A
V

( = ) W1

= W2
= W3=( )
= W4
= W5
Determination Of Bleeding Water For Fresh Concrete

) 8 6 (
:






100




Determination Of Bleeding Water For Fresh Concrete

) 8 6 (




( 3 ) ( 30 )




Secondary Prop. OF Fresh Concrete
Determination Of
Air Content
(volumetric Method)
Air Content
(Pressure Method)
Density
Setting Time
(Penetration Resistance)
Determination Of Air Content (Volumetric Method)

) 6 6 (


( ( )












- ( 25 )

( )
(
)
( )
( 1 3 )
( 0.01 ) %


= +

Determination Of Air Content (Volumetric Method)

) 6 6 (
Determination Of Air Content (Pressure Method)

) 7 6 (


( )


2

( )

-



+ 37.5

( )
1 -
2 -
3 - 30
4 -
5 - p = 1380 ** H1
6-
H2 0.00 = P
7- Aap
20 %
Determination Of Air Content (Pressure Method)

) 7 6 (

( )
1 -
2 -
3 - ( )

4 -
5 -
6 -
7 -
8 -
9 -
10 - ( A )
Cf
11 - Ac 37.5

Determination Of Air Content (Pressure Method)

) 7 6 (

V1 = 37.5
V2 =
Vg = 37.5
11 - Am

Vm =

7 % 10
6 % 15
5 % 20
4 % 40


Determination Of Air Content (Pressure Method)

) 7 6 (
Determination Of Air Content (Pressure Method)

) 7 6 (
Determination Of Density

) 9 6 (


( = / )











1-
2 -

3 -
4 - = -
5 - D
Determination Of Density

) 9 6 (
Determination Of Setting Time (Penetration Resistance)

( 6 10 )



3.50 / 2

27.6 / 2






1- ( 10 15
2 -
3 - 25 ( )
4 - ( 10 )
5 -
6 - 3
( 1 2 )
( 4 6 )
6
27.6 / 2

Determination Of Setting Time (Penetration Resistance)

( 6 10 )
6 Tests to determine SCC Properties (Self Consolidating Concrete)
SCC Tests
Slump Flow Test
J-Ring Test
L-Box Test
V-Funnel Test
Orimet Test
Penetration
test
Slump Flow Test
Definition
The slump flow test aims at investigating the filling ability of SCC. It
measures two parameters: flow spread and flow time T50 (optional). The
former indicates the free, unrestricted deformability and the latter indicates
the rate of deformation within a defined flow distance.
Apparatus
Base plate of size at least 900 900 mm
Abrams cone with the internal upper/lower diameter equal to 100/200 mm
and the height of 300 mm
Weight ring (>9 kg) for keeping Abrams cone in place during sample filling
Stopwatch
Ruler (graduated in mm)
Bucket with a capacity of larger than 6 liters
Moist sponge or towel for wetting the inner surface of the cone
Slump Flow Test
Procedure
Place the cleaned base plate in a stable and level position.
Fill the bucket with 6~7 litres of representative fresh SCC and let the
sample stand still for about 1 minute ( 10 seconds)
During the 1 minute waiting period pre-wet the inner surface of the
cone and the test surface of the base plate using the moist sponge or
towel, and place the cone in the centre on the 200 mm circle of the
base plate and put the weight ring on the top of the cone to keep it in
place. (If a heavy cone is used, or the cone is kept in position by hand
no weight ring is needed)
Fill the cone with the sample from the bucket without any external
compacting action such as rodding or vibrating. The surplus concrete
above the top of the cone should be struck off, and any concrete
remaining on the base plate should be removed
Slump Flow Test
Procedure
After a short rest (no more than 30 seconds for cleaning and checking
the moist state of the test surface), lift the cone perpendicular to the
base plate in a single movement, in such a manner that the concrete
is allowed to flow out freely without obstruction from the cone, and
start the stopwatch the moment the cone looses contact with the
base plate.
Stop the stopwatch when the front of the concrete first touches the
circle of diameter 500 mm. The stopwatch reading is recorded as the
T50 value. The test is completed when the concrete flow has ceased
Measure the largest diameter of the flow spread, dmax, and the one
perpendicular to it, dperp, using the ruler (reading to nearest 5 mm).
Care should be taken to prevent the ruler from bending.
Slump Flow Test
Expression Of Results
The slump flow spread S is the average of diameters dmax and dperp, as shown in
Equation (1). S is expressed in mm to the nearest 5 mm
The slump flow time T50 is the period between the moment the cone leaves
the base plate and SCC first touches the circle of diameter 500 mm. T50 is
expressed in seconds to the nearest 1/10 seconds
Slump Flow Test
Precision
In accordance with ISO 5725, the repeatability r is defined as the
difference between two consecutive test values by the same operator with
the same apparatus that should be exceeded only once in 20 times, and
reproducibility R is defined as the difference between two consecutive
test values by different operators with different apparatus that should be
exceeded only once in 20 times
Based on the inter-laboratory test organized in the EU-project Testing-
SCC (GRD2-2000-30024/G6RD-CT-2001-00580) with 2 replicates and 16
operators from 8 laboratories, the values of repeatability and
reproducibility of the slump flow spread and flow time T50 are listed in
Table 1
Slump Flow Test
Procedure
Definition
Apparatus
L-Box Test
Definition
The method aims at investigating the passing ability of SCC. It measures
the reached height of fresh SCC after passing through the specified gaps
of steel bars and flowing within a defined flow distance. With this
reached height, the passing or blocking behavior of SCC can be
estimated
Apparatus
Two types of gates can be used, one with 3 smooth bars and one with 2
smooth bars. The gaps are 41 and 59 mm, respectively
Suitable tool for ensuring that the box is level i.e. a spirit level
Suitable buckets for taking concrete sample
L-Box Test
L-Box Test
Procedure
Place the L-box in a stable and level position
Fill the vertical part of the L-box, with the extra adapter mounted, with
12.7 liters of representative fresh SCC
Let the concrete rest in the vertical part for one minute ( 10 seconds).
During this time the concrete will display whether it is stable or not
(segregation).
Lift the sliding gate and let the concrete flow out of the vertical part into
the horizontal part of the L-box.
When the concrete has stopped moving, measure the average distance,
noted as h, between the top edge of the box and the concrete that
reached the end of the box, at three positions, one at the centre and two at
each side
L-Box Test
Expression Of Results
The passing ratio PL or blocking ratio BL is calculated using equation (2) or
(2), and expressed in dimensionless to the nearest 0.01




Precision
The passing ratio PL or blocking ratio BL is calculated using equation (2) or
(2), and expressed in dimensionless to the nearest 0.01
Based on the inter-laboratory test organised in the EU-project Testing-
SCC (GRD2- 2000-30024/G6RD-CT-2001-00580) with 2 replicates and 22
operators from 11 laboratories, the precision of the L-box passing or
blocking ratio can be expressed by the following equations

or
where Hmax = 91 mm and H = 150 h
L-Box Test
Precision
r = 0.474 0.463PL, with R2 = 0.996, when PL 0.65; and r = 0.18 when PL < 0.65
(3)
or
r = 0.463BL 0.011, with R2 = 0.996, when BL 0.35; and r = 0.18 when BL > 0.35
(3)
and
R = 0.454 0.425PL, with R2 = 0.989, when PL 0.65; and R = 0.18 when PL < 0.65
(4)
or
R = 0.425BL 0.029, with R2 = 0.996, when BL 0.35; and R = 0.18 when BL > 0.35
(4)
where R2 is the square correlation coefficient.

Some values are listed in Table 2 for convenience of use
L-Box Test
Definition
Procedure Apparatus
J-Ring Test
Definition
The J-ring test aims at investigating both the filling ability and the passing
ability of SCC. It can also be used to investigate the resistance of SCC to
segregation by comparing test results from two different portions of sample.
The J-ring test measures three parameters: flow spread, flow time T50J
(optional) and blocking step. The J-ring flow spread indicates the restricted
deformability of SCC due to blocking effect of reinforcement bars and the
flow time T50 indicates the rate of deformation within a defined flow
distance. The blocking step quantifies the effect of blocking.
Apparatus
J-ring with the dimensions as shown in Figure 6, where the positions for the
measurement of height differences are also given
Straight rod for aligning the reference line in the measurement, with a length
of about 400 mm and at least one flat side having the flexure less than 1 mm.
J-Ring Test
J-Ring Test
Procedure
Place the cleaned base plate in a stable and level position
Fill the bucket with 6~7 litres of representative fresh SCC and let the sample
stand still for about 1 minute ( 10 seconds).
Under the 1 minute waiting period pre-wet the inner surface of the cone and
the test urface of the base plate using the moist sponge or towel, and place
the cone in the centre on the 200 mm circle of the base plate and put the
weight ring on the top of the cone to keep it in place. (If a heavy cone is used,
or the cone is kept in position by hand no weight ring is needed).
Place the J-ring on the base plate around the cone
Fill the cone with the sample from the bucket without any external
compacting action such as rodding or vibrating. The surplus concrete above
the top of the cone should be struck off, and any concrete remaining on the
base plate should be removed
J-Ring Test
Procedure
Check and make sure that the test surface is neither too wet nor too dry. No
dry area on the base plate is allowed and any surplus of the water should be
removed the moisture state of the plate shall be just wet.
After a short rest (no more than 30 seconds for cleaning and checking the
moist state of the test surface), lift the cone perpendicular to the base plate in
a single movement, in such a manner that the concrete is allowed to flow out
freely without obstruction from the cone, and start the stopwatch the
moment the cone loose the contact with the base plate
Stop the stopwatch when the front of the concrete first touches the circle of
diameter 500 mm. The stopwatch reading is recorded as the T50J value. The
test is completed when the concrete flow has ceased.
lay the straight rod with the flat side on the top side of the J-ring and
measure the relative height differences between the lower edge of the
straight rod and the concrete surface at the central position (h0) and at
the four positions outside the J-ring, two (hx1, hx2) in the x-direction
and the other two (hy1, hy2) in the y-direction (perpendicular to x)
J-Ring Test
Procedure
Measure the largest diameter of the flow spread, dmax, and the one
perpendicular to it, dperp, using the ruler (reading to nearest 5 mm). Care
should be taken to prevent the ruler from bending

NOTE For non-circular concrete spreads the x-direction is that of the largest
spread diameter

Expression Of Results
The J-ring flow spread SJ is the average of diameters dmax and dperp, as
shown in Equation (6). SJ is expressed in mm to the nearest 5 mm
J-Ring Test
Expression Of Results
The J-ring flow time T50J is the period between the moment the cone leaves
the base plate and SCC first touches the circle of diameter 500 mm. T50J is
expressed in seconds to the nearest 1/10 seconds
The J-ring blocking step BJ is calculated using equation (7) and expressed in
mm to the nearest 1 mm.

J-Ring Test
Precisions
Based on the inter-laboratory test organised in the EU-project Testing-SCC
(GRD2- 2000-30024/G6RD-CT-2001-00580) with 2 replicates and 16
operators from 8 laboratories, the values of repeatability and reproducibility
of the J-ring flow spread and flow time T50J are listed in Table 6
V-Funnel Test
Definition
The V-funnel flow time is the period a defined volume of SCC needs to pass a
narrow opening and gives an indication of the filling ability of SCC provided
that blocking and/or segregation do not take place; the flow time of the V-
funnel test is to some degree related to the plastic viscosity.
Apparatus
V-funnel, as shown in Figure 7, made of steel, with a flat, horizontal top and
placed on vertical supports, and with a momentary releasable, watertight
opening gate
Stopwatch with the accuracy of 0.1 second
for recording the flow time
Straightedge for levelling the concrete
Buckets with a capacity of 1214 litres
for taking concrete sample
Moist sponge or towel for wetting
the inner surface of the V-funnel
V-Funnel Test
Procedure
Place the cleaned V-funnel vertically on a stable and flat ground, with the top
opening horizontally positioned
Wet the interior of the funnel with the moist sponge or towel and remove the
surplus of water, e.g. through the opening. The inner side of the funnel should
be just wet.
Close the gate and place a bucket under it in order to retain the concrete to be
passed
Fill the funnel completely with a representative sample of SCC without
applying any compaction or rodding
Remove any surplus of concrete from the top of the funnel using the
straightedge.
Open the gate after a waiting period of (10 2) seconds. Start the stopwatch at
the same moment the gate opens
V-Funnel Test
Procedure
Look inside the funnel and stop the time at the moment when clear space is
visible through the opening of the funnel. The stopwatch reading is recorded
as the V-funnel flow time, noted as tV
Do not touch or move the V-funnel until it is empty
Expression Of Results
The V-funnel flow time tV is the period from releasing the gate until first light
enters the opening, expressed to the nearest 0.1 second

V-Funnel Test
Expression Of Results
Based on the inter-laboratory test organised in the EU-project Testing-SCC
(GRD2- 2000-30024/G6RD-CT-2001-00580) with 2 replicates and 20 operators
from 10 laboratories, the precision of the V-funnel flow time can be expressed
by the following equations
the precision of the V-funnel flow time can be expressed by the following
equations:
r = 0.335 tV 0.62, with R2 = 0.823, when 3 tV 15; and r = 4.4 when tV > 15 (8)
and
R = 0.502 tV 0.943, with R2 = 0.984, when 3 tV 15; and R = 6.6 when tV > 15 (9)
where R2 is the square correlation coefficient.

Some values are listed in Table 5 for convenience of use.
V-Funnel Test
Procedure
Definition
Apparatus
Orimet Test
Definition
The Orimet flow time is the period a defined volume of SCC needs to pass a
narrow opening (a tube narrowed by an orifice). The flow time of the Orimet
test is to some degree related to the plastic viscosity
Apparatus
Orimet, made of steel, with the tube of a length of 600 mm and an inner
diameter of 120 mm. The orifice, which narrows the opening of the tube and
shears SCC, is interchangeable; its diameter can be chosen according to the
mixture composition and the criteria on SCC. Figure 8 shows the filling of the
Orimet with a bucket
Stopwatch with the accuracy of 0.1 second for recording the flow time
Straightedge for levelling the concrete
Buckets with a capacity of 1012 litres for taking concrete sample
Moist sponge or towel for wetting the inner surface of the Orimet
Orimet Test
Orimet Test
Procedure
Place the cleaned Orimet vertically on a stable and flat ground, with the top
opening horizontally positioned and check whether the tripod is completely
extended
Wet the interior of the Orimet with the moist sponge or towel and remove the
surplus of water, e.g. through the opening. The inner side of the Orimet
should be just wet.
Close the gate and place a bucket under it in order to retain the concrete to be
passed
Fill the Orimet completely with a representative sample of SCC without
applying any compaction or rodding
Remove any surplus of concrete from the top of the Orimet using the
straightedge
Open the gate after a waiting period of (10 2) seconds. Start the stopwatch at
the same moment the gate opens
Orimet Test
Procedure
Look inside the Orimet and stop the time at the moment when clear space is
visible through the opening of the Orimet. The stopwatch reading is recorded
as the Orimet flow time, noted as tO
Expression Of Results
The Orimet flow time tO is the period from releasing the gate until first light
enters the opening, expressed to the nearest 0.1 second
Based on the inter-laboratory test organised in the EU-project Testing-SCC
(GRD2- 2000-30024/G6RD-CT-2001-00580) with 2 replicates and 20 operators
from 10 laboratories, the precision of the Orimet flow time (with the orifice 70
mm) can be expressed by the following equations
Orimet Test
Expression Of Results
r = 0.433 tO 0.594, with R2 = 0.996, when 3 tO 15; and r = 6.6 when tO > 15
(10)
and
R = 0.472 tO 0.28, with R2 = 0.947, when 3 tO 15; and R = 6.8 when tO > 15 (11)
where R2 is the square correlation coefficient.

Some values are listed in Table 6 for convenience of use.
Definition
Procedure Apparatus
Penetration Test
Definition
The test aims at investigating the resistance of SCC to segregation by
penetrating a cylinder with a given weight into the fresh SCC sample. If
the SCC has poor resistance to segregation, the cylinder will penetrate
deeper due to the less amount of aggregate in the upper layer of the
sample. Therefore the penetration depth indicates whether the SCC is
stable or not
Apparatus
Penetration apparatus, as illustrated in Figure 9, consisting of a frame, slot
and screw, reading scale and penetration head. The penetration head is
assembled with an aluminium cylinder and rod. The rod should be able to
move inside slot, as freely as possible. The inner diameter, height and
thickness of the cylinder are 75 mm, 50 mm and 1 mm, respectively. The
total weight of the penetration head is 54 g.
Penetration Test
Apparatus
Bucket with a capacity of 10~12 litres
Penetration Test
Procedure
Place the bucket in a stable and level position
Fill the bucket with (10 0.5) litres of representative fresh SCC and let the
sample stand still for 2 minutes 10 seconds
NOTE Care must be taken to avoid segregation caused by external impacts
2 minutes after filling of the bucket, locate the penetration apparatus on the
top of the bucket, adjust the penetration cylinder until it just touches the
upper surface of the concrete, and then let the cylinder penetrate freely into
concrete
After the stabilisation of the cylinder (generally < 15~20 sec), the penetration
depth of the cylinder head is recorded from the scale. Measure the penetration
depths at the centre (noted as P1) and two sides (noted as P2 and P3) of the
width of the bucket
NOTE The duration of the three measurements should be less than 3 minutes
Penetration Test
Expression Of Results
The penetration depth P is the average value of the three measurements,
rounded to 1 mm.
Precisions
Based on the inter-laboratory test organised in the EU-project Testing-SCC
(GRD2- 2000-30024/G6RD-CT-2001-00580) with 2 replicates and 22 operators
from 11 laboratories, the precision of the penetration depth can be expressed
by the following equation
r = R = 0.59 P + 1.7, with R2 = 1, when P 17; and r = R = 12 when tO > 17 (12)
where R2 is the square correlation coefficient.

Some values are listed in Table 7 for convenience of use.
Penetration Test
MaHmoud Khlifa AliraQi
2
nd
CiVil Engineering
Section 21