Sampling amended booklet amended:Layout 1 4/8/09 14:14 Page 1

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 in this
booklet are followed
carefully.

PART OF THE MINERAL PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION

Sampling amended booklet amended:Layout 1 4/8/09 14:14 Page 2

This practical guide for site personnel covers:

Sampling,
The slump test
The flow test
Making cubes
Storing cubes
it also gives guidance to Safety

This practical guide for site personnel is

intended to be used in conjunction with
the poster ‘Site sampling and testing
concrete
Sampling amended booklet amended:Layout 1
Sampling
The standard composite
sample
BS EN 12350-1
To ensure it is representative of the
whole 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.
Slump test - 6 litres
Flow test - 41/2 litres
Cube test - 1 litre for each cube
Let very first concrete go
Take a scoopful from part 1
Take a scoopful from part 2
Take a scoopful from part 3
Take a scoopful from part 4
Let the last concrete go
Complete a sampling certificate and
record which sampling method was
used.
4/8/09 14:14 Page 3
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 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 six scoopfuls from the next
0.3m3
Take six scoopfuls after the first
0.3m3 has been discharged.
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The slump test BS EN 12350-2

Step 1 Step 5
• Empty the sampling buckets onto • Fill the cone in three equal depth
the mixing tray layers
• Scrape each bucket clean • Use the standard
slump rod
Step 2 • Rod each layer
• Thoroughly remix the sample, 25 times
shovelling into a heap • Spread the blows
• Turn the heap over to form evenly
another • Heap the
• Do this three times concrete above the
top of the cone before rodding the
Step 3 third layer over the area
• Flatten the final • Make sure the rod just penetrates
heap by repeated- the layer below
ly digging-in the
shovel vertically Step 6
• Lift the shovel • Top up if necessary
clear each time
• Use the rod
Step 4 with a sawing
and rolling
• Ensure the slump cone and base
motion to strike
plate are clean and damp
the concrete
• Place the metal plate on solid level with the
level base away from vibration or top of the cone
other disturbance
• Place the cone on the plate and Step 7
stand on the foot-pieces • Carefully clean off spillage
from sides and base plate whilst
maintaining foot pressure

2
Sampling amended booklet amended:Layout 1 4/8/09 14:15 Page 5

Step 8 There are three kinds of slump

• Carefully lift
the cone straight
up and clear, to a
count of between
2 and 5 seconds
True
Step 9 Shear

• Lay the rod

across the Collapse
upturned slump
cone
• Measure
You will need this equipment
the distance (always clean and dry the equipment
between the after use)

 Small scoop
underside of
the rod and the highest point of the
concrete – the true slump  Slump rod
 Square-mouthed shovel
• Record the distance to the
nearest 10mm  Mixing tray
• Check and record the kind of  Buckets or wheelbarrow
 Sampling and testing certificates
slump
•  Steel rule
If the slump isn’t true, take a
 Damp cloth
new sample and repeat the test
• If the second slump isn’t true,
 Sampling scoop
get advice
 Slump cone and rigid metal plate
• Complete the sampling and
testing certificates

3
Sampling amended booklet amended:Layout 1 4/8/09 14:15 Page 6

The flow test BS EN 12350-5

First find a suitable location for a Step 4

flow table. It must be placed on a
firm, flat and level surface. It may be • Carefully clean off spillage from
necessary to prepare an area for the around the mould and table top
table.
Step 5
Step 1 • Wait 30 seconds from striking off
• Empty the sampling buckets onto • Carefully lift the
the mixing tray mould straight up
• Scrape each bucket clean and clear to a
count of between
Step 2 3 and 6 seconds
• Thoroughly remix the sample as
described for the slump test Step 6
Step 3 • Stabilise the flow table by
standing on the toe board at the
• Ensure the front of the table
mould and table
are clean and Step 7
damp
• Place the • Slowly lift the table top by the
mould on the handle until it reaches the upper
centre of the stop
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 • Allow the table to fall freely
fill the top layer • Repeat this cycle to give a total of
• Use the tamping bar to strike the 15 drops
top layer level with the top of the • Each cycle should take about
mould 4 seconds
4
Sampling amended booklet amended:Layout 1 4/8/09 14:15 Page 7

Step 8 You will need this equipment

(always clean and dry the equipment
• Measure the largest dimension of after use)
concrete spread in two directions,
parallel to the table edges  Sampling scoop
 Small scoop
 Damp cloth
 Buckets or wheelbarrow
 Hardwood tamping bar
 Square mouth shovel
 Mixing tray
 Flow table
 700mm rule
• Record the flow value as d1 + d2  Sampling and testing
divided by 2
certificates
• Report any segregation which may
have occurred around the sample
edge
• Complete the sampling and
testing certificates

5
Sampling amended booklet amended:Layout 1 4/8/09 14:15 Page 8

Making cubes BS EN 12390-2

Collect a composite sample to the no fewer than 35 tamps for for each
standard method described above. of the three layers in a 150mm
Concrete sampled using the mould
alternative spot method must not be • For very high workability concrete
used to make cubes. you may not need the minimum
number of tamps
Step 1
• Check that Step 3
the moulds • After tamping
are clean and of each layer, tap
lightly oiled the sides of the
with all bolts mould with the
tightened so hide hammer until
that there large bubbles of
will be no leakage air cease to
• Ensure that the correct halves of appear on the surface and the holes
the moulds are used and that the left by the tamping bar are closed
corner lifting pins are correctly
located Step 4
• Thoroughly remix the sample as
• Remove surplus concrete and
described for the
smooth over with a float
slump test
• Wipe clean the
Step 2 mould edges

• Fill the mould • Number the

moulds for
with concrete
identification and
in 50mm layers
record details and
using the tamping
immediately place
bar, compact the
where they are to
concrete with no
be stored
fewer than 25 tamps for each of the
overnight
two layers in a 100mm mould and
6
Sampling amended booklet amended:Layout 1 4/8/09 14:15 Page 9

Step 5 You will need this equipment

• Cover each mould with a damp (always clean and dry the equipment
after use)
cloth and plastic sheet
 Sampling scoop
 Small scoop
 Damp cloth and plastic sheeting
 Buckets or wheelbarrow
 Tamping bar
 Brush and mould oil
 Curing tank
• Store inside at room temperature  Hide hammer
-
(15 250C) e.g. on top of the curing
tank  Maximum/minimum thermometer
 Square-mouthed shovel
• Protect the cube moulds at all  Felt tip pen or crayon
times from high and low
temperature (especially sub-zero  Cube moulds
temperatures) and drying winds  Spanner
• Complete the sampling and cube  Mixing tray
 Damp cloth
making certificates
 Sampling. cube making and storage
certificates

7
Sampling amended booklet amended:Layout 1 4/8/09 14:15 Page 10

Storing cubes BS EN 12390-2

Having stored the moulds at Step 4

between 15_250C the cubes should
be removed from the moulds no • Place the
cubes in the
earlier than 16 hours and no later curing tank
than 72 hours after casting. with the water
temperature
Step 1 controlled at
• Record the maximum/minimum 200C ± 20C and
overnight storage temperatures on the cubes covered by water
the certificate
Step 5
Step 2 • Clean and reassemble the moulds
• Slacken all nuts • Make sure the power supply is not
switched off day or night
• Part the sides of the mould,
tapping gently • Check the temperature range daily
with the hide using the maximum/minimum
hammer thermometer
• Lift off • Keep a record of the readings
carefully
Please note
• Remember
• If you have no curing tank,
new cubes are
transport the cubes to the testing
easily damaged
laboratory within the 72 hour period
unless handled carefully
• For despatch to the test
Step 3 laboratory, wrap the wet cubes in
damp cloths, and then plastic bags
• Mark each cube with its and pack in trays
identification number on two of its
cast sides • Attach the certificates for
sampling, testing, cube making and
storage to the package – along with
the order for testing

8
Sampling amended booklet amended:Layout 1 4/8/09 14:15 Page 11

Safety
The first rule of working with
concrete is to be protected.
• The water in the curing tank is
highly alkaline so ensure that
gloves are used when handling
Ensure that the personnel are
wearing adequate safety cubes in the tank.
equipment.
•barrow
Fresh concrete is heavy, with a
load weighing over 100kg.
•theIf skin,
fresh, wet concrete touches
it can cause cement So carrying just a small volume
burns - some of which don’t may cause physical injury.
cause pain or dermatitis.
Therefore organise enough help so
•with
The longer the skin is in contact
the concrete, the worse the
that you can place, compact and
finish the work before it sets
injury will be. So it makes sense without straining yourself.
to protect yourself by wearing
safety goggles, waterproof
gloves, a sturdy jacket, Safety spectacles
or goggles
waterproof trousers and long
boots.
Protect your hands
at all times with
• If wet concrete does contact waterproof gloves
your skin, wash immediately and
Always wear
thoroughly with clean water.
And if your eyes are affected, seek long trousers

medical help immediately. If you canʼt avoid kneeling

in concrete, mortar or
screed, wear knee pads or
use an impervious mat
• Remove and wash any
protective clothes or boots that
Wellington boots
become impregnated with fresh
concrete, but making sure you
wash yourself first.
9
Sampling amended booklet amended:Layout 1
Ref: TCC/03/40
ISBN 978-1-904818-74-8
Published May 2009
©Mineral Products Association
Produced and printed by
The Book on the Wall Company.
4/8/09 14:15 Page 12
The other practical guide for site personnel in
this series is:
‘Placing, compacting and curing concrete’.
TCC/03/42
There are also A2 size posters of each of these
publications.
‘Placing, compacting and curing concrete’.
TCC/03/41
‘Site sampling and testing of concrete’.
TCC/03/39
Published by
Mineral Products Association
Gillingham House,
38-44 Gillingham Street,
London SW1V 1HU
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7963 8000
www.mineralproducts.org
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