oc 675.7.08 : 693,547:52.001.4 aI BS 3963: January 1974 ES Method for Testing the mixing performance of concrete mixers Amendments issued since publication ‘Amd. No. Date of issue | Text affected British Standards Institution - 2 Park Street - London W1A 2BS Telephone 01-629 9000 TTolox 266933,BS 3963: 1974 | Contents Page Page | Co-operating organizations Inside front cover 9. Reporting 6 Foreword 2 Appendices Method ‘A. Materials and concrete mixes 6 ees 3B. Recommendations regarding the choice 2. Materials and mixes 3 of sampling method 7 3, Production of test batches 3 C. Worked example of treatment of results for 4. Sampling 3 cement content 8 5. Testing of samples 4 6. Calculations: 5 Tables 7. Assesment of sampling accuracy $1. Concrete mixes for mixing performance tess 7 8. Assessment of mixing performance s 2. Mixes to be used to check different mixers 7 ‘This British Standard, frst published in 1965, has been prepared under the authority of the Road Engineering Industry Standards Committee using metric units as part of the national policy to change over to the metric system. It provides a means of assessing the mixing performance of concrete mixers. “The basis of the standard is the determination of the uniformity of the concrete, particularly as regards the even distribution of the constituents throughout the batch. ‘The method of testing specified is principally for use by the manufacturer in order to provide evidence that the mixer meets the performance requirements specified in the appropriate standard. It is not considered suitable as a routine site test. ‘The committee responsible for this standard has been conscious that, if the testis to be used as widely as possible, the cost of the apparatus and the quantity of concrete required must both be kept at a minimum. The wet analysis method, described in BS 1881 ‘Methods of testing concrete’, has been selected as the analysis method to_be used for checking the composition of the concrete. In due course it may be possible to employ newer ‘techniques when these have been shown to give reliable results, Provisions regarding continuous type mixers are included for the first time. e ForewordBS 3963 :1974 —_— British Standard Method for Testing the mixing performance of concrete mixers ner enero 1. Scope This British Standard specifies a method for testing concrete mixers, and gives a guide to the assessment of theit performance but does not define what constitutes satisfactory performance. NOTE 1, Satisfactory mixing perfocmance is specified in BS 1305 for batch type concrete mixers and in BS 4251 for tuck type onerete mixers. I is recommended thatthe mixing performance requtements for continuous mixers should be the same as for the other types of concrete mixers using mixes 3 and 4 of this standard NOTE 2. The titles ofthe British Standards referred to inthis standard are listed on te inside back cover 2, Materials and mixes ‘The materials and concrete mixes used for the test shall be those specified in Appendix A. The materials and proportions have been chosen so that the mixing performance of the mixer is critically examined. When specific conditions dictate the use of other materials and mixes these shall be agreed between the interested pasties Special precautions may be needed if highly absorptive or porous aggregates are used. 3. Production of test batches 3.1 Batch type mixers 3.1.1 General. The mixer shall be set up on level surface, The method of charging the mixer, the drum mixing speed (in revolutions per minute), and the mixing time shall be as recommended by the manufacturer of the mixer, For forced action mixers, pan or trough, the recommended pan or paddle speeds shall be used, For the purposes of this test, but not for site mixing, the mixing time shall be measured from the instant when. all materials including water are in the drum to the commencement of discharge. Using each of the appropriate mixes, four batches of conerete (one priming and three test) shall be prepared. When testing truck type mixers, the priming batch shall be omitted. Each batch shall be prepared using the full ‘nominal batch capacity of the mixer: the total mass of concrete to be used shall be determined by converting, where necessary, the batch capacity in litres to the capacity in cubic metres, by dividing by 10°, and multiplying this capacity by the mass pervubic metre of the fresh concrete used for the test. The mass per cubic metre shall be determined in accordance with the appropriate parts of BS 1881 using a batch of conerete of suitable size prepared for the purpose by hand mixing or otherwise. 3.1.2 All batch type mixers except truck type mixers. The first batch shall be regarded as a priming batch and shall be discarded after discharge. The mixing drum, pan or trough shall not be washed or cleaned in any way after discharging the priming batch or between the three test batches of each of the mixes required to be examined. Not ‘more than 30 minutes shall elapse between the discharging of one batch and the beginning of the mixing of the following batch. The drum, pan or trough shall be thoroughly cleaned before changing from one to another of the test mixes, 3.1.3 Truck type mixers. The mixing drum shall be washed before each batch. 3.2 Continuous type mixers. The plant shall be operated under the conditions recommended by the plant ‘manufacturer for normal use. Using each of the appropriate mixes, three batches of conerete shall be prepared. ‘A test batch shell be considered as two cubic metres of the concrete being discharged from the mixer after at least ‘one cubie metre of concrete has been produced. 4. Sampling 4.1 Object of sampling procedure. The object of the sampling procedute is to obtain two independent and representative samples of the material from each of the frst, second, third and fourth quarters of the batch as ischarged from the mixer of, in some cases, other portions of the batch as described in 4.3.3.3, A representative sample isa sample of concrete which has, as near as possible, the same composition as the 31 | | BS 3963 :1974 whole portion being sampled. Independent samples are samples each of which is as far as possible uninfluenced by the procedure of taking the other sample, The differences between the two samples obtained from each portion of the batch are used asa measure of the accuracy with which the samples represent the portions. The method for checking whether sufficient accuracy is being achieved is given in Clause 7. 4.2. Selection of method of sampling. The method of obtaining the samples will depend very much on the type and size of the mixer, and the extent to which itis an integral part of a plant which incorporates equipment for hhandling the concrete after mixing. Recommendations regarding the method(s) applicable to the most common types of equipment are given in Appendix B. 4.3 Methods of sampling 43.1 General procedure. Two independent samples shall be obtained from each of the four portions of the three test batches using one of the methods given below. The eight samples from each test batch shall be placed in separate containers. Each of the samples shall consist of a number of subsamples or increments obtained with a hand scoop or other suitable device. The sampling procedure shall be carried out using the principles laid down in BS 1881: Part 1 Unless two persons are obtaining the two independent samples, the two samples shall be obtained by placing alternate increments, alternate either in time or position, in two containers until the two required samples have been built up, 4.3.2 Method 1, During discharge from the mixer or from a conveyor from the mixer. Increments shall be obtained by thrusting a hand scoop directly into the stream of concrete as it leaves the mixer or as it passes along the ‘conveyor from the mixer. The procedure shall be timed so that the two independent samples are obtained from each quarter of the batch, The number of increments per sample which can be obtained by this method is limited by the time available before the discharge is complete. 43.3 Method 2. By dividing the discharge 433.1 General Each of the test batches shall be discharged or formed into @ windrow or strip, one end of which shall consist ofthe first material to leave the mixer and the other end the last material to leave. This may be accomplished by: (1) moving the mixer bodily during discharge; or (2) _ by means of swivelling chute discharging the batch in the form of an are; or (3) by drawing a platform, trough or a long wheel-base lorry past the discharge chute; ot (4) by any other appropriate means. 43.3.2 Dividing the windrow or strip into four portions. The discharged batch shall be divided into four approx- imately equal parts and from each of these the two independent samples shall be taken by means of a scoop using an appropriate number of increments, 4.3.33 Dividing the windrow or strip into nine portions, This method shall be used when difficulty is encountered in obtaining accurate samples of a quarter of a large batch. In this case the batch shall be divided as described {in 4.3.3.2 but into nine portions. Two independent samples shall be taken from each of the second, fourth, sixth and eighth portions. 43.4 Method 3. By dividing the discharge and remixing. This method shall be used when segregation occurs during discharge ofthe batch. The methods of discharge and division of the batch shall be as described in 4.3.3 and, in order to reduce the effect of segregation, the portions shall be separated and remixed before being sampled. The remixing shall be done by hand or by means of a mixer of suitable size. The two independent samples shall be {aken from each portion as described before. 4.3.5 Method 4, By selecting portions. The complete batch shall be discharged in a single heap onto a level surface, eg. a lorry platform, which shall be arranged so that the discharge height is that recommended by the manufacturer. The discharged batch shall be divided by vertical cuts into four approximately equal portions, eg. by dropping the batch over «rigid, centrally mounted cross prepared from suitable materials. If necessary remixing shall be carried out as described in 4.3.4. The two independent samples shall be taken from each portion using the principles outlined in 43.1, 4.3.6 Other methods. In some cases the sbove methods will not prove practical and if this situation arises the sampling method adopted shall be reported in ful. ‘ 5. Testing of samples Each of the 24 samples, obtained as described in Clause 4, shall be quartered to give a quantity of material between 4 kg and 5 kg and each of these shall be analysed in accordance with the method given in BS 1881 : Part 2. ©BS 3963 :1974 e 6. Calculations 6.1 Proportions. For each of the samples the following quantities shall be caleulated: the percentage of water content, [My / (M, +M, + M,) | X 100, to the nearest 0.1 9% the percentage of fine aggregate, [Mf (My +,)] X 100, to the nearest 0.5 %;, the percentage of cement content, [Me J (M, +M,)] X 100, to the nearest 0.01 9%; and the ratio of the mass of water to the mass of cement, My / Mz, to the nearest 0.01 where My is the mass of water in the sample, MM, is the mass of coarse aggregate in the sample, MM, isthe mass of fine aggregate in the sample, Af, isthe mass of cement in the sample 6.2. Treatment of results* 6.241 General The test results for water content, fine aggregate content and cement content shal ll be treated separately but by the same general procedure. e For each ofthe three test batches the results shall be examined in pairs representing the two independent duplicate samples from the same portion. 6.22 Accuracy of reconding for calculations. In the following calculations the individual value ofa, ¢, d, Cand D shall be recorded to one more decimal place than the original figures, except in the case of fine aggregate when they shall be recorded to the nearest 0.1 %. This increased order of recording shall be retained for all subsequent calculations. 6.23 Ranges of pairs 6.23.1 General For each pair of duplicate samples the range, b, ie. the arithmetic difference between the two values, shall be calculated. The average range, D, for the 12 paits of test results shall then be calculated 6.2.3.2 ‘Rogue’ result. The range for each corresponding par of results shall be compared with the value obtained by multiplying dhe average range, forthe 12 pair of results, by 3.5. Should any range exceed this value that pair of results shall be discarded. 6.233 Accidental loss ofa result. Should any singe test result be lost through accident, eg. known loss of ‘matevial from test sample, the results of the corresponding paired sample shall be discarded, 6.234 Limit t0 the number of ‘rogue’ or ‘ost’ test results, Should more than one test result for a single constituent of the mix be ‘rogue’ or ‘lost’ the whole of the assessment shall be repeated. 6.2.3. Limit to the average range, D. Before any of the subsequent calculations are made the assessment of the sampling accuracy shall be carried out as described in Clause 7. 6.2.4 Averages of pairs. For each pair of acceptable duplicate samples the average value, a, shall be calculated. For each batch the difference, c, between the highest and the lowest averages, a, shall be noted and also the average, C, of the three batch differences, 7. Assessment of sampling accuracy ‘The accuracy of sampling shall be checked by comparing the quantity 0.89 X D with the maximum permitted variability , given in the table of mixing performance in the appropriate mixer standard (BS 1305 ot BS 4251). If the quantity 0.89 X D is greater than 5 the requirements for the accuracy of sampling have not been met and the test shall be repeated using an improved sampling technique or with a larger number of increments. If 0.89 X Dis less than s the sampling may be considered satisfactory. 8, Assessment of mixing performance Ifthe accuracy of sampling is found to be satisfactory, the performance of the mixer shall be assessed on the basis of the uniformity of any or all of the following: water content, fine aggregate content, or ‘cement content. + A worked example i given in Appendix C:BS 3963: 1974 170.49 X Cis ess than the appropriate value for the maximum permitted variability, s, the requirement as regards mixing efficiency is deemed to be met. 1f0.49 X Cis greater than s the requirement as regards mixing efficiency is deemed not to be met. 9, Reporting The report shall include the following detail (1) Name of maker. (2) Type of mixerand maker's designation 2) a, Nominal batch capacity in litres or cuie metres, a appropriate, for batch or truck type mixers, or b, Nominal output in cubie metres per minute for continuous mixers. (4) Method of loading used in the test (5) a Mixing time and drum, pan or paddle speed in reymin used in the tes for batch or truck type mixers, oF » Details of any adjustable settings that may affect the mixing performance of continuous mixes. (61 Details of materials and mixes used in the tests including the grading ofthe aggregate (7 Method of sampling. (#) The values of 0.89 X D and 0.49 X C for each of the mixes and quantities determined in accordance with ‘ause 6, (9) Astatement about the accuracy of sampling (10) A statement about the assessment of the mixing performance. (11) Any other relevant information. Appendix A Materials and concrete mixes ‘AL Cement, The cement hall be ordinary Portland cement complying with the requirements of BS 12 ‘A2 Coarse aggregate ‘A2AL Type. The coarse aggregate shall belong to one or more of the following groups as described under the ‘r0up classification of aggregates in BS 812: flint, granite, limestone, porphyry, quartzite or basalt If granite is used the felspar contained in it shall be fresh and shall show no appreciable decomposition ox kaolinization A.2.2 Properties of the coarse aggregate (1) The coarse aggregate shall comply with the requirements of BS 882 except for the quantity of fine ‘material which i refered to in (2) (2) The grading of the coarse aggregate shall comply with the limits given in Table 1 of BS 882 for graded aggregate of 40 mm to 5 mm size or 20 mm to $ mm size, as appropriate. The proportion passing a 150 pm BS test sieve (see BS 410), tested in accordance with BS 812, shall not exceed 3 % by mass of the coarse aggregate. (3) The flakiness index, determined by the method described in BS 812, shall not exceed 40 for 40 mm to 25 mm and 25 mm to 20 mm fractions of aggregate and 35 for the 20 mm to 14 mm, 14 mm to 10mm and 10 mm to 6.35 mm fractions of aggregate. A3 Fine aggregate [ABA Type, The fine aggregate shall be a siliceous sand complying with the requirements of BS 882 ‘A3.2 Grading. The grading ofthe fine aggregate shall comply with the limits for Zone 1,2, 3 or 4 in Table 2 of BS 882 and, in addition, the proportion passing a 75 jm sieve, determined in accordance with the decantation ‘method given in BS 812, shall not exceed 3 % by mass ofthe fine aggregate. AA Mixes. The proportions of cement, coarse and fine aggregate and water shall comply with Table 1. No admixture shall be used. The quantities of cement and coarse and fine aggregate used shall be determined on euler Gat is EOS OTE of the mass indicated and errors onthe part of the operator shall not exceed 3 the mass ofeach material separately. Water measuring equipment shall be accurate tofwihin #3 % of the indicated quantity [AS Mixes to be used to check different mixers. The mixes to be used to check the performance of different types and sizes of mixer shall be as specified in Table 2BS 3963 :1974 Table 1. Concrete mixes for mixing performance tests 1 2 Ie “ 5 6 Mix No, | Concetelagggate| Workabilty Water? [Maximum sizeof | Nominal percentage by mass of ratio by mass | slump agrezate combined sprepatepasing $ min BS test sive Fine agregate zone in BS 882 i Pp pb i om % mm 1 16204 |7528 - 20 4s 40 [3s |30 2 1:8406 — |3st# - 40 45 fo 3s |30 3 [isawsoa [ast - 20 as [40 [35 [30 4 120220 0 | eos10 |40 45 [40 [3s |30 The Figures in Columns 2, 3 and 4 are target figures with appropriate working tolerances within which the test mixes shal fall 4 The quantity of water in the mbs in excess of that contained by the aggregate in saturated surface dry condition, this condition being determined in accordance with BS 812. Table 2. Mixes to be used to check different mixers ‘Typeotmixer | Nominal capacity Mix No. Free-fal ‘Up to and including 100 litres 1 ‘More than 100 fires but less than $00 litres | 2 and 3 500 litres and larger 2,3-and 4 Forced action Band 4 Truck 2and 3 Continuous 3and 4 Appendix B Recommendations regarding the choice of sampling method B.L Mixers with a slow, or controlled, and unobstructed discharge where direct access can be obtained to the batch discharging from the mixer. For these conditions Method | willbe generally satisfactory for mixers of up to 1750 litres capacity but, for larger mixers or in cases where the sampling is not sufficiently accurate, Method 2 is likely to be adequate. Should segregation occur after discharge Method 3 may have to be used, B.2 Mixers with a fast unobstructed discharge, which normally discharge directly into a vehicle. For these conditions Method 4 should be used where possible. B3 Mixers discharging into a receiving hopper where free access is not available to the batch discharging from the mixer. For these conditions the gate of the receiving hopper should be kept open while each test batch is discharged, 40 that the material passes straight through without being held up in the hopper. Method 2 may then be found satisfactory but as the passing of the material through the hopper may increase segregation it may be necessary to resort to Method 3.BS 3963: 1974 BA Mixers which discharge directly on to a conveyor, Where a mixer discharges directly on to a belt or slat conveyor, the output from the conveyor may be treated as the output of the mixer since the first material to leave the mixer will generally be the first to leave the conveyor and similarly for subsequent portions. Under these conditions Method 1 may be satisfactory. Otherwise Method 2 will generally be adequate. B.S Travelling mixers provided with a boom and bucket equipment. Where 2 travelling mixers fitted with a boom and bucket this equipment may be used to discharge the batch in the form of « strip on to a clean, non-absorbent, smooth surface. Under these conditions Method 2 or, if necessary because of segregation, Method 3 may be used. Appendix C Worked example of treatment of results for cement content tnipndensanps [Avge [ane Teed gai 3 1 [2 ep Test batch | st quarter Tosao [2250 [22950 Jose 2rd quarter aso |r220 [21900 [060 | 3rd quarter 292 23.06 0.14 aah guar, 2200. [23% loan e Highest minus lowest average, cy | 1.090 Avene ane, o.sea Test batch? | istqurer nase [242s [sao | 166 2nd quater nao [aes [23300 lace ded quae aia [aiar [are ose thawte, pase | 2234 | 22880. |122 Highest minus lowest average, cy | | 1.940 Avenged L010 7 Test batch3 | 1st quarter aa |2iso | 22085 |230 2nd quer no 2iss |msio |i ded gure nav [ase [33228 fous thauater nas [m3 [nas [oor ° | ret minus toes average, o.800 Averaged, 093 C, average value of cy, and cs | 1277 D, average value of d,,d2 and dy 0817 049 x 6049 x 1277 =0.626 089 x D=089 x 0817-0227 Average cement content = 22.0% Cement Sepgente = 1242 This complies wth th reguemens gen a Appendix A, Table I From BS 1305 the maximum pemited Imubliy b17andes059XD1cOPT, tienen iT tesinplagscmseyamicwn exe, @ 12-026 es tha 17 te reguement or ming effclenry deed ee ge, 8BSI publications referred to in this standard This standard makes eference tothe following British Standards BS 12 Portland cement (ordinary and raphrdening) S410. ‘Test sieves BS 812 Methods forthe sampling and testing of mines aggregates, sands and filers BS 882__ Coarse and fine aggrezates from natural sources for concrete BS 1305 Batch type concrete mixers BS 1881 Methods of testing concrete Part I Methods of sampling fesh concrete Part 2 Methods of testing fesh concrete BS 4251. 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