Standard Method of Test for

Visual Stability Index (VSI) of

Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC)

AASHTO Designation: TP 80-10 1

1. SCOPE
1.1. This test method covers determination of the visual stability index of self-consolidating concrete
(SCC), both in the laboratory and in the field. SCC is defined as a highly workable concrete that
can flow through densely reinforced or complex structural elements under its own weight without
vibration and adequately fill voids without experiencing segregation or excessive bleeding.

1.2. The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard.
Within the text, the inch-pound units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are
not exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.

1.3. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns associated with its use. It is
the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices
and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
2.1. AASHTO Standards:
 R 60, Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete
 T 119M/T 119, Slump of Hydraulic Cement Concrete
 T 347, Slump Flow of Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC)

3. SUMMARY OF TEST METHOD

3.1. The Visual Stability Index (VSI) is a visual rating of the resistance to segregation of an SCC
mixture and may be determined when performing the Slump Flow Method of Test in T 347. A
sample of freshly mixed self-consolidating concrete is placed in a mold shaped as the inverted
frustum of a cone. The mold is raised, allowing the SCC to spread radially. The stability of the
mixture is then rated visually and assigned a Visual Stability Index based on the criteria in this
document.

4. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE

4.1. This test method is applicable to SCC, defined in Section 1.1.

4.2. This test method is intended to provide the user with a procedure to assess the stability of SCC.
The stability (or segregation resistance) of an SCC mixture is the ability of the mixture to remain
homogeneous in composition during transport, during placement, and subsequent to placement.

TS-3b TP 80-1 AASHTO

© 2013 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
All rights reserved. Duplication is a violation of applicable law.
 The VSI does not quantify a property of the concrete mixture, but is useful for quality
control/consistency testing.

4.3. This test method is applicable to SCC having coarse aggregate up to 25 mm [1 in.].

5. APPARATUS
5.1. Mold—The SCC shall be placed in an inverted slump cone mold conforming to the applicable
requirements of T 119M/T 119.

5.2. Base Plate—The base plate shall be made of a stiff nonabsorbing material, at least 820 mm
[32 in.] square, marked with a circle indicating the central location for the slump cone, and a
concentric circle with a diameter of 500 mm [20 in.].

5.3. Scoop—A scoop of a size large enough so each amount of concrete obtained from the sampling
receptacle is representative and small enough so it is not spilled during placement in the mold.

5.4. Strike-Off Bar—A flat straight bar of steel or other suitable metal at least 3 mm [1/8 in.] thick and
20 mm [3/4 in.] wide by 300 mm [12 in.] long.

5.5. Tape measure containing increments of 5 mm [0.25 in.] or less.

6. SAMPLE
6.1. Approximately 6 L [0.2 ft3] of SCC is needed to perform the slump flow and VSI tests, sampled
normally.

6.2. The sample of concrete shall be obtained in accordance with R 60.

7. PROCEDURE
7.1. Moisten the base plate and inside of the slump cone.

7.2. Place the base plate on a level stable surface and the inverted slump cone centrally on the base
plate and hold down firmly (Figure 1).

Inverted Slump Cone

Base Plate

Minimum 820 mm [32 in.]

Figure 1—Mold and Base Plate for Slump Flow Test (Inverted Cone Orientation)

TS-3b TP 80-2 AASHTO

© 2013 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
All rights reserved. Duplication is a violation of applicable law.
7.3. From the sample of concrete obtained in accordance with Section 6, fill the entire mold
continuously. The mold shall be held firmly in place during filling.

7.4. Do not rod or tamp the SCC. Do not tap the sides of the cone or vibrate.

7.5. Use the strike-off bar to strike off the SCC level with the top of the cone.

7.6. Remove any spilled or struck off SCC from around the base of the cone to preclude interference
with movement of the flowing SCC.

7.7. Immediately raise the cone vertically 230 ± 75 mm [9 ± 3 in.] above the base plate with no lateral
or torsional motion within a time period of 3 ± 1 s, and allow the SCC to flow out freely from
within. Complete the steps described in Sections 7.3 through 7.7 within 21/2 min.

7.8. If the Slump Flow Test of T 347 is being performed, diameters of the patty may be measured at
this point.

7.9. Using the guidelines in Section 8, rate the stability of the mixture in 1.0 increments by visual
examination of the SCC on the base plate and in the wheelbarrow or mixer.

8. INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
8.1. In the case of severe segregation, most of the coarse aggregate may remain in the center of the
slump flow patty of SCC. A border of mortar without coarse aggregate or a bleed water “halo”
may occur at the edge of the slump flow patty of SCC.

8.2. Refer to Table 1 and Figures 2 through 8 for assignment of Visual Stability Index.

TS-3b TP 80-3 AASHTO

© 2013 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
All rights reserved. Duplication is a violation of applicable law.
Table 1—Criteria for Visual Stability Index (VSI) of SCC
Rating Criteria
0 No evidence of segregation in slump flow patty or in mixer drum or wheelbarrow.
1 No border of mortar without coarse aggregate in the slump flow patty, but some slight
bleed or air popping on the surface of the concrete in the mixer drum or wheelbarrow.
2 A slight border of mortar without coarse aggregate (<10 mm [3/8 in.]) and/or aggregate
pile in the slump flow patty and highly noticeable bleeding in the mixer drum or
wheelbarrow.
3 Clearly segregating by evidence of a large border of mortar without coarse aggregate
(>10 mm [3/8 in.]) and/or large aggregate pile in the center of the slump flow patty and
a thick layer of paste on the surface of the resting concrete in the mixer drum or
wheelbarrow.

Figure 2—Visual Stability Index = 0

Figure 3—Visual Stability Index = 1

TS-3b TP 80-4 AASHTO

© 2013 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
All rights reserved. Duplication is a violation of applicable law.
Figure 4—Visual Stability Index = 1

Figure 5—Visual Stability Index = 2

Figure 6—Visual Stability Index = 2

TS-3b TP 80-5 AASHTO

© 2013 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
All rights reserved. Duplication is a violation of applicable law.
Figure 7—Visual Stability Index = 3

Figure 8—Visual Stability Index = 3

9. REPORT
9.1. Record the Visual Stability Index of the mixture.

10. PRECISION AND BIAS

10.1. No precision and bias statements are available at this time.

11. KEYWORDS
11.1. Halo; SCC; segregation; self-consolidating concrete; slump flow; stability; Visual Stability Index;
VSI; workability.

1
This test method was adopted and first printed in 2009. Revised in 2010.

TS-3b TP 80-6 AASHTO

© 2013 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
All rights reserved. Duplication is a violation of applicable law.