1 AS 1012.

5—1999

TM
Australian Standard

Methods of testing concrete

Method 5: Determination of mass per unit volume
of freshly mixed concrete

1 SCOPE
This Standard sets out the method for determining the mass per unit volume of freshly
mixed concrete that is in the plastic state.
The Standard provides for the compacting of the sample either by rodding or by vibration.
NOTES:
1 The result obtained may be dependent on the compaction method used.
2 This Standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. The Standard
does not purport to address all of the safety problems associated with its use. The user of this
Standard should establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3 Data on the precision of the test method were not available at the time of publication. This
information will be included when available.

2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
The following documents are referred to in this Standard:
AS
1012 Methods of testing concrete
1012.1 Method 1: Sampling of fresh concrete
1012.2 Method 2: Preparation of concrete mixes in the laboratory
1012.3.1 Method 3.1: Determination of properties related to the consistence of concrete—Slump
test
1012.4.1 Method 4.1: Determination of air content of freshly mixed concrete—Measuring
reduction in air pressure in chamber above concrete
1012.8 Method 8: Method for making and curing concrete compression, indirect tensile and
flexure test specimens, in the laboratory or in the field

3 APPARATUS
3.1 Measure
3.1.1 General
The measure shall be made of metal not less than 3 mm thick, and shall be watertight and
sufficiently rigid to maintain its shape with rough usage. The inside surface shall be smooth
and free from corrosion and the rim of the measure shall be machined to a plane surface
perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder. The measure shall be provided with carrying
handles.
The diameter of the measure shall be between 0.75 and 1.25 times the height.

COPYRIGHT
AS 1012.5—1999 2

For testing concrete with aggregates of nominal size not exceeding 40 mm, the capacity of
the bowl shall be not less than 5 L.
For testing concrete with larger aggregate, a larger bowl shall be used; e.g for concrete with
maximum 75 mm nominal size aggregate, a measure of capacity not less than 10 L shall be
used.
3.1.2 Calibration
The measure shall be calibrated at a known temperature by determining the mass in
kilograms of water required to precisely fill it. Filling shall be achieved by sliding the flat
glass cover plate over the overfilled measure such that no air is trapped under the cover.
The capacity of the measure shall be obtained by dividing the mass of water so determined
by the unit mass of water at that temperature, e.g. 997.5 kg/m3 at 23°C.
3.2 Balance
A balance capable of weighing to an accuracy of 0.1% in the operating range shall be used.
3.3 Rod
The rod used for the compacting of concrete shall comply with the relevant requirements of
AS 1012.3.1.
3.4 Mallet
The mallet used in conjunction with the rod for the compacting of concrete shall comply
with the relevant requirements of AS 1012.4.1.
3.5 Scoop
A scoop of suitable size shall be used.
3.6 Glass cover plate
A flat glass cover plate shall be used.
3.7 Vibrators
Internal vibrators used for the compacting of concrete shall have a frequency of vibration of
at least 115 Hz. The outside diameter of the vibrating element inserted into the concrete
shall be not more than 20% of the least dimension of the measure, but shall be at least
15 mm.
External vibrators used for the compacting of concrete shall have a frequency of vibration
of at least 50 Hz. Provision shall be made for clamping the measure securely to the vibrator.

4 SAMPLING
4.1 Field sampling
For concrete sampled in the field, the test sample shall be obtained in accordance with the
requirements of AS 1012.1.
4.2 Laboratory sampling
For concrete made in the laboratory, the test sample shall be prepared in accordance with
AS 1012.2.

5 GENERAL PROCEDURE
The general procedure shall be carried out as follows:
(a) Take the test sample of concrete as quickly as possible to the place selected for the
test.

COPYRIGHT
 3 AS 1012.5—1999

(b) Give the test sample a minimum of mixing to offset any segregation which may have
occurred during transportation.
(c) For concrete sampled in the field, commence the test immediately following the
completion of mixing the test sample. For concrete prepared in the laboratory,
commence the test in accordance with AS 1012.2.
(d) Determine the mass of the measure with the glass cover plate.
(e) Place and fully compact the concrete in the measure by one of the methods described
in Clause 6 without causing segregation or excessive laitance. Compact no-slump
concrete only by the vibration method.
(f) Determine the mass of concrete in accordance with Clause 7.
(g) Complete the procedure with minimum delay.

6 COMPACTION PROCEDURES
6.1 Compaction by hand
Compaction by hand shall be carried out as follows:
(a) Fill the measure in three approximately equal layers with the scoop. As each scoopful
of concrete is being placed into the measure, move the scoop around the top edge of
the measure as the concrete slides out, to ensure symmetrical distribution of the
concrete within the measure.
(b) Fully compact each layer by rodding. Rod the bottom layer throughout its depth. For
each upper layer, just penetrate into the underlying layer with at least the first
20 strokes.
NOTE: The minimum number of strokes per layer required to compact average concretes with
different consistencies is set out as a guide for 250 mm diameter measures in Table 1. For
slumps of less than 40 mm, refer to AS 1012.8.

TABLE 1
MINIMUM NUMBER OF STROKES PER LAYER
FOR VARYING SLUMPS

Slump Minimum number of

mm strokes per layer
Over 75 70
55–75 85
40–50 100

More or less strokes would be required for larger or smaller diameter measures,
proportional to the area.
If the concrete contains weak lightweight aggregate particles that degrade with hand
compaction, a reduced number of tamping blows and increased tapping of the
measure may be adopted, provided that complete compaction is achieved.
(c) After each layer is rodded, tap the side of the measure sharply 10 to 15 times with the
mallet to release any large air bubbles and to close any surface voids.

COPYRIGHT
AS 1012.5—1999 4

(d) Place sufficient concrete in the last layer to slightly overfill the measure when
compacted. However, if the measure is not completely filled after compaction of the
top layer, some additional concrete may be added and worked into the surface with a
float.
(e) Strike off the surface of the concrete and then finish smoothly with a flat glass cover
plate to ensure that the concrete precisely fills the measure.
6.2 Compaction by vibration
Compaction by vibration shall be carried out as follows:
(a) Fill the measure in two approximately equal layers with the scoop. As each scoopful
of concrete is being placed in the measure, move the scoop around the top edge of the
measure as the concrete slides out, to ensure symmetrical distribution of concrete.
(b) Place all the concrete for each layer before commencing vibration.
(c) Vibrate each layer only long enough to achieve full compaction. Avoid over-
vibration.
NOTE: The duration of vibration required to compact each layer will depend upon the
workability of the concrete and the effectiveness of the vibrator. Usually the surface of the
concrete becomes relatively smooth in appearance and substantial air bubbles cease breaking
the surface when sufficient vibration has been applied. Extreme care should be taken to avoid
segregation when using vibration to compact concrete with slump greater than 100 mm.
(d) Where an internal vibrator is used, compact each layer by four insertions of the
vibrator at points symmetrically distributed over the cross-section of the measure. Do
not allow the vibrator to rest on the bottom of the measure or to touch the sides of the
measure. Take care to withdraw the vibrator in such a manner that no air pockets are
left in the specimen. After vibrating the top layer, tap the sides of the measure sharply
10 to 15 times with the mallet.
(e) Where external vibration is used, rigidly attach or securely hold the measure against
the vibrating element or vibrating surface.
(f) Add the top layer so as to avoid overfilling of the measure by more than 6 mm and
thus losing excessive mortar by overflowing during vibration. After vibrating the top
layer, some additional concrete may be added and worked into the surface with a
float.
(g) Strike off the surface of the concrete and then finish smoothly with a flat glass cover
plate to ensure that the concrete precisely fills the measure.

7 MASS OF CONCRETE
After the completion of compaction, any excess concrete on the outside surface of the
measure shall be removed. The filled measure with the glass cover plate shall be weighed
and the mass of concrete determined.

8 CALCULATION OF MASS PER UNIT VOLUME

The mass per unit volume of the concrete, expressed in kilograms per cubic metre, shall be
calculated by dividing the mass of fully compacted concrete in the measure by the capacity
of the measure determined in accordance with Clause 3.1.2.

9 RECORDS
The following information shall be recorded:
(a) Identification of the concrete.
(b) Job site or laboratory where tested.
COPYRIGHT
 5 AS 1012.5—1999

(c) Date and time of test.

(d) Whether compacted by vibration or by hand, and if by hand, the number of strokes
per layer.
(e) Mass of measure with the glass cover plate when empty and when filled with
concrete.
(f) Capacity of measure.
(g) Calculated mass per unit volume of concrete.
(h) Identification of testing operator.
(i) Reference to this Standard, i.e. AS 1012.5.

10 REPORT
In the event of a report being prepared, the following information shall be included:
(a) Identification of the concrete.
(b) Date and location of test.
(c) Whether compacted by vibration or by hand, and if by hand, the number of strokes
per layer.
(d) Mass per unit volume of concrete, calculated to the nearest 10 kg/m3.
(e) Reference to this Standard, i.e. AS 1012.5.
(f) Such other information contained in the sampling records (see AS 1012.1) as may be
requested.

COPYRIGHT
AS 1012.5—1999 6

NOTES
 7 AS 1012.5—1999

NOTES
 AS 1012.5—1999 8

This Australian Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee BD/42, Methods of Testing Concrete. It was approved on behalf
of the Council of Standards Australia on 4 June 1999 and published on 5 July 1999.

The following interests are represented on Committee BD/42:

The Association of Consulting Engineers of Australia

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Australian Pre-mixed Concrete Association
AUSTROADS
Cement and Concrete Association of Australia
Concrete Institute of Australia
CSIRO, Division of Building, Construction and Engineering
National Association of Testing Authorities Australia
University of New South Wales
University of Technology, Sydney

Review of Australian Standards. To keep abreast of progress in industry, Australian Standards are subject to periodic review and
are kept up to date by the issue of amendments or new editions as necessary. It is important therefore that Standards users ensure that
they are in possession of the latest edition, and any amendments thereto.
Full details of all Australian Standards and related publications will be found in the Standards Australia Catalogue of Publications;
this information is supplemented each month by the magazine ‘The Australian Standard’, which subscribing members receive, and
which gives details of new publications, new editions and amendments, and of withdrawn Standards. Suggestions for improvements to
Australian Standards, addressed to the head office of Standards Australia, are welcomed. Notification of any inaccuracy or ambiguity
found in an Australian Standard should be made without delay in order that the matter may be investigated and appropriate action
taken.

Originated as AS 1012.5—1971.
Second edition 1983.
Third edition 1999.

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 98189.

© Copyright – STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Users of Standards are reminded that copyright subsists in all Standards Au stralia publications and software. Except where the
Copyright Act allows and except where provided for below no publications or software produced by Standards Australia may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing from
Standards Australia. Permission may be conditional on an appropriate royalty payment. Requests for permission and information
on commercial software royalties should be directed to the head office of Standards Australia.
Standards Australia will permit up to 10 percent of the technical content pages of a Standard to be copied for use exclusively
in-house by purchasers of the Standard without payment of a royalty or advice to Standards Australia.
Standards Australia will also permit the inclusion of its copyright material in computer software programs for no royalty
payment provided such programs are used exclusively in-house by the creators of the programs.
Care should be taken to ensure that material used is from the current edition of the Standard and that it is updated whenever the
Standard is amended or revised. The number and date of the Standard should therefore be clearly identified.
The use of material in print form or in computer software programs to be used commercially, with or without payment, or in
commercial contracts is subject to the payment of a royalty. This policy may be varied by Standards Australia at any time.

ISBN 0 7337 2799 9 Printed in Australia

This page has been left intentionally blank.