B8-l

BS 1881: Part 105: 1984

UDC 666.972.017 : 691.32: 620.1

© British Standards Institution. No part

of this publication may be photocopied
or otherwise reproduced without the
prior permission in writing of BSI.

British Standard

Testing concrete
Part 105. Method for determination of flow

Essais du béton
Pat-tie 105. Méthode de détermination de l'étalement

Prüfverfahren von Beton

Teil 105. Verfahren zur Bestimmung des Fließverhaltens

British Standards Institution

Contents Page Page
F oreward Inside front cover 7. Expression of results 3
Committeesresponsible .Back cover 8. Report 3
Table
Method
1. scope 1. Precision data for flow measurements 2
.A
2. Definitions Figures
3. Apparatus
4. Sampling 1. Typical flow table 2
5. Preparing the sample for test 2. Concrete mould 3
6. Procedure 3. Tamping bar 3
4. Typical concrete spread 4
6. Examples of good quality and segregated
concrete mixes 4

Foreword
This Part of this British Standard. prepared under the
direction of the Cement, Gypsum, Aggregates and Quarry
Products Standards Committee describes a new test method
for workability additional to those familiar from BS 1881 : There are no unique relationships between the values
Part 2 : 1970 (superseded by BS 1881 : Parts 102,103 and yielded by the four tests. Relatlonships depend upon such
104 published in 1983). The use of superplasticizing factors as the shape of the aggregate, the sand fraction and
admixtures to produce flowing concrete of very hlgh the presence of entrained air. i
workability has led to a requirement for such a test. No estimate of repeatability or reproducibility is given in
Four methods of determining workability of concrete are this Part of this British Standard Reference should be made
given in BS 1981, these being the slump, compacting factor, to BS 5497 : Part 1 for further information on the
Vebe and flow, The methods are appropriate to concrete determination of repeatability and reproducibility.
mixes of different workabilities as follows:
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself
Workability Method confer immunity from legal obligations.
Very low
Vebe time
Low
vebe time, compacting factor
Medium
Compacting factor, stump
High Compacting factor, stump, flow
-Very high
Flow

British Standard
Testing concrete
Part 105. Method for detcrmlnatlon of flow
1. Scope
This Part of BS 1881 specifies the method for determination
of the flow of concrete of high to very high workability. .
The method applies to plain and air-entrained concrete,
having a flaw diameter of 600 mm to 660 ‘mm when tested
by the method in this Part of BS 1881, made with light-
weight, normal weight or heavy aggregates having a nominal
maximum size of 20 mm or less. It does not apply to
aerated concrete or no lines concrete.
NOTE. The titles of the publications referred to in this standard
are listed on the Inside back cover.
2. Definitions
For the purposes of this Part of this British Standard the
definitions in BS 5328 and BS1861 : Part 101 apply.
3. Apparatus
3.1 Flow table, consisting of a flat plate, on which concrete
can be placed, hinged to a rigid base on to which it can fall
from a fixed height. The essential dimensions of the flow
table and a suitable form of constructton are shown in
figure 1.
The flow table top shall be constructed from a flat metal
plate* of minimum thickness 1.5mm, not readily attacked
by cement paste or liable to rust. The top shall have a plan
area of 20O mm X 700 mm and a flatness of within 1.5mm,
as defined in BS 308 : Part 3. Thecentre of the table shall
be scribed with a cross, the lines of which run parallel to
end out to the edges of the plate, and with a central circle
200 mm in diemeter. The under s&ace of the platr shah be
reinforced (n order tv prevent distortion of the flat surface.
The frcmt of the flow teble top ihall be provided with a
liftblg handle as shown in figure 1. The total mass of the
flowtebletapsheUbelS*l k g .
The flow table top shall be hingeci to a bare frame using
externeliy mounted hinges In such ei way that no aggregate
can become trapped ecily between the hinges 01 hinged
surfacer, The front of the bwe frame shall extend a
minlmurn of 120 mm beyond the flow teble top in order to
provide a toe board. An upper stop slmller to that shown In
f@re 1 shall be prodded on esch side of the table so that
ttm lower front edgo of the table can oyly be lifted
4O*?mm.
The lower Cant edge of the fiow table top shall be provided
wfth two hard rigid W~awhlh transfer the load to the beta
frame. The base frame shalf be so constructed thatthk load
’ Gakmnkod steel is suitable.
- -7
1
A
BS 1881 : Part 105 : 1984
is then transferred cfirectly to the surface on which the flow
.table Is placed so that there is minimal tendency for the
flow table top ta bounce when affotied to fail.
3.2 rWouldmadcofametal’notreadiIyattackcd bycement
paste or Iiabfe to NSI and of minimum thickness 15 mm.
The interior ofthe mould shall be smooth and free from .
projectIons, such as protruding rivets, and shell be free from
&nts.The mould shall be in the farm‘of a hollow frurrrum
of a cone havtng the following internal dlmendonr:
diameter of base: 260 4 2 mm
diameter of top: 130 * 2 tnnt
heigfw 260~2rTnn
The base and the top shalt be open and parallel to aech
other and at right angles to the rutis of the oon8. The mould
shall ba provided with two metal foot piecesat the holtom
and two honcliys above them (see figure 2).
3.3 Ta~Mgbar, Aode of a uritabte hard\*food, having a . 1
SJUWC s~ccion of side 46 f 1 mm and at least 206 mm long. a
A lurtho~ 120 mm IO 150 mm shall be turned to a cirarlar
section to farm a hendle to rhe hr (see figure 3).
3.4 &vqp, about 100 mm wide. ..
3.5 Samplins rfay. minimum dimensions 900 mm x
900 mm s 50 nun deep. oi rigid construction and made i
from a non-absorbent materizl not readily attacked by
cement
.-- . . pang.]
3.6 Square mouthed&&/. &a 2, COmpiYiw with ~
8s3388.
3.7 ~u/a, of minimum length 706 mm and having 5 mm
sub.divisiam along its entire length.
4 . S a m p l i n g
Obtain the sample of fresh concrete by the procedure.given
in 6s 1881 : Part 101 : 1983, far sampling on site, or
BS 1881 : Part 125 for Jampling in the laboratory.
Commence the determination of ftow as soan es possible
after sm7plirq.
5. Preparing the sample for test
Empty the semple from the containcrts) on to the sampling
tray. Ensure tflat no more than a light covering of slurry is
left adhering to the containerfr).
Thoraughly r&c the sample by using the shovel to turn the
concrete over from the outside of the tray towards the
centre, working progrerslvely once round all four tides of
the trsy.
Caution, When cement is mixed with Cater, alkali is released.
Teke preartions to avdd drv cement entering the ayes, mouth
end nose v&ret1 mixing concrete. prevent skin contacl with jet
cement or t~~icret0 by wetring 5uiWble protective clothing. I!
cement 01 concrete enters the eye, ‘hnmadtazaly wash it w:
thorougilly with clean weI9 and seek medicat Watmaalt
without d&q. Wash wet concre~c elf tha skin immediatdv.
- -
 B S I BSul,&bl, PAR’lx3OS 84 ~-bb29bb9 000’4llW T - - -
BS 1881 : Part 105 : I!384

hinges

Dimrmlar Is in mMlmetrOr

Figure 1. Typiaal flow table

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Copyright bg tla BRITISH SI#wuIDs IttSTIIUIIfM

tue Jun 13 07:09:34 1995
 851 BSX388L PART*LOS tt~-~abi$+lib;i -00011443
_ aoz2,
1
! 20022 _
All dimandona are In millhwtrer.
Fbura 2. Concrete mould
6. Procedure
Place the fbw table on a flat, horizontal and solid surface
free from axternal vibration or shock. Ensure that the
hingA top of the table can be lifted to the correct limit of
Ita travel and Is then free to fall to the lovrer stop. Check
that the table is so supported that, when the top of the
table falls to tfic lenrer stop, there is minimal tendency for
the top to bounce.
The table and the mould shall be dean snd danp
immediately prior to testing but free from supetfluous
moisture. Place the m&&l centrally on the table top and
hold It in position by standing on the two foot pieces.
Fill the mould with concrete in two equal layers using the’
scoop, tamping each layer Ilghtly 10 times with the wooden a single flow determination.
tamping bar. If necessary, add further concrete to maintain
an excass above the top of the mould during the final
tamping operatlan. Strike off the concrete flush with the
upper edye of the mould and dean the free, area of the tsble
top of any excess concrete.
At 30 safter *iking off the concrete, slowly raise the
cj mwkl verGcalh/ by the handles over a period of 3 s to 6 P.
While the opsrator stabillzes the f&w table by standing on
the toe board at the front of the teblc, SlcMy raise the table
top b the handle till it reaches the upper stop In such a
manner that the table top doer not hnprct hard against the
upper stop. Then allow the table top to fall freely to the
lower stop. Repeat this cycle to give a total of 15 drops,
each cvcfe takipn not less than 3 s nor more than 5 S. 1 n this inwfvad 16 oparetws. The concretes were made using an ordirwy
way tli concrete spreads across the table top (seefigure 4).
Mea~ra with the ale the total diamotcr of the concrete
spread In two dlrcctiofis, parallel to the table edges.
Calculate the arithmetic mean of both diameters as the
measurement of flow in millimetres.
NOTE 1 s The concren tweedmay ebo be checked for sagmgatial.
llis cement p8st0 4nav scgrcgate from the coarse aggcqare to glu* a
ring al paste axaending s@vud milhretres hqond the coarse
eggmgsle (see flgure 5).
/ 3
Copyright 4 thn BRITISH ST- INSTITUlIOH
Tua Jun 13 07:09:34 199s
I
1 I
Bs 1881 : Part 105 : 1984
AU dlmcnslons e+-x in millimetnn
F(gara 3. Tampiw bar
NOTE 2. Tfw workability of o concrete mix changes with rfme due
to hydration of tba cement and. possibly. lose of moisture. Tests on
d\lferent rxrrpfestfmukl, therefore, be curried out at I constant time
interval dtsr mixing if strictly cornparabie nrults are to be obtained.
7. Expression of results
.- - - --_ - - - - -
‘7.1 General -.. .___ ;
------__.. __ L
Inert after the text of 7.1 the following -+
‘7.2 Precision. Precision data are given in table 1. These
apply to flow measurements made on concrete taken from
the sane sample and when each test result is obtained from
T&la 1. Precision data for flow measure-
iTl8nts
NOTE 1. fht precision data were detarminad ~1 part of rn
wiment carried out in 1987 in which prlcicion data were
obtained for several tesu described In BS 1881. The sxvorimcnr
Portfad tM>IBnt, Thames Valley rwld, awl Themes Valrcy 10 mm
and 20 mm coarse aggreqsrec.
NOTE 2. lfw diffarencc between two test results from the same
tart& by one ofwabx wing [he gme sppatatur within the
shorterr feasfbfe time intewaf will exwed the repeatability value r
on werage not more thrn onea in 20 ceset in the normal and
correct q-waticm of the method.
NOTE 3. Test netults on tie same tatnpre obuined within the
shoctert feosble time interval bv two operalorr eocI1 u&g their
own apmmtus wiff differ by tha reproc*lcibilify vairrr? R on avcragc
not more then onca in 20 cases In tfw normal al* correct
opemtlon of tfta method.
NOTE 4. Fwfurfhcr information on precision. and for rdefinitimn
of the rr\lriniral ~lrms used in wwwction with precnrrn, see
6s 6497 : ParI 1:
_-. - .-.
Record the mean of the IWO flow diameters in mill~atr~~
to the nearest 5 mm. --
 BS 1881 : Part 105 : 1984

(b) Msewremsrt of the flow dramear

Plgure 4. Typical cxmwete sprmi

(8) Good SveW fkfing crkr*teth~ing no segregation kd bck Of ~hasbon in the cotuxtn has resultad in grout
at the p%rkn~~r of the gargle =cm@on round the perimotu of the ssmplo

Figure 5. Examples of good quality ml segremd

cmcmte mixer

C
.
,

“‘1 4 “k 1.
. . .._A-_- i .- /

Copyright b!~ the BRITISH WNUlKDS INSIITUTION

Tue .iull 13 07:09:34 19%
 .-
BSI
B S I BS+l,8&?,
BS*l,8~~PART*l,OS I Lb24bb9
PART*kLOS8 8 4 I4 Lb24bb9 0 0 0 4 4 4iXlO’-t44~
5 5 I 5 I

Publications referred to
BS 308 E~leearfng dwvhg practfce
Englaeorfng fxactfce
Part 3 Geonefrbal iotcrrncing
iotcr:ncing
BS 1881 Testhg cowrats
Part 1 Methods
Methods ofof mlxfng
mlxfng and
and sampling
sampling fresh
fresh cowmt8
cowmt8 h h Ihe
Ihe f&oratory
f&oratory
Part l@l Method of SDmpliig fre& cowate oa dte
Part 102’ Matfmd for dctwlns~ioa of tiumr,
Method for
Pat 100. Ycthod for dctemrlwtion
detemrlwtion of corqxacdng factor
Part 104. Methodto? dewrmiptioe of Vabe tlma
11
n
n
Pavt 126 Method,
Hethodc of m&fog
BS 3388 Forks, show& and spadas
mbting jnd wmpflng
sampflng fresh coftaratc
coftaratc to
ta the taboratory

BS
Bs 6328 Methods
Methods for
faspecifying
rpecilyfng connete.?ncludiny
connete.?ncludiny readymixed
readymixed comwte
EtS 6497 Prrcblon of test metbads
Part 1 Guldo
Guld for fha determination
dstermination of
of ~catabflity
~catabflity and
and reproducibilty
reproducibilty forfor aa standard test method
standard terc

c
c

’ Retwad ta in ti foreword only.

1
A

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Copgright bg the BRITISH STRHDRRIls INSTITUTION

Iw Jun 13 07:09:34 199!i
 BSI BS*1883.1 PART*105 &‘I m lb24bb9 OOO’t’IYb 7
This Brllisb Standard, havio@ ban pmparecfundsx the dlraction oI
the Centant, Gyprum, AggaSatrs ad Dwrry Proticts Standards
Comodttaa. u’as publlshad under the authoriry d the Borrd of BSI
ard comes into effcot on 29 Fabrurry 1984.
Q B~IWI Standards hstitudah. 19W ‘.
EIIN D 580 13678 0
: R6vkioll orltmrb stand6rds
Eridsh stsndarda Ifls~rlon
ImorpamWd by Royal Charter, BSI is the lndepandeot nrtioml
body for the praparadon 01 British S&mdur&. It is the UK number
of the Intenmtkaal Orgsn’zstbnfor Standardlzrtbn and uf(
spooeuc oi the British Notbnol Committee of the International
El8atrot6ahniul Cumniiian.
cwwm
Lkora of Brltlsh Standardrare &in&d that oopyfi@ht subsists in
all BSI ptMi8otlans. ffo part of this publication may be reproduced
in say form without the picn parmission in writing oi BSl. This
doas llot preclude ths fma usa, in thecwrseol implanantlng the
nandard, d nm=ss~ y clet6lls cud, 68 rymbalr and size. type w
Qrada daslgrmatans. EnquMa8should headdressad to the
‘FabWatio~~bAa~Qar. British Standards (astitutlon, Linford Wtid,
Committees responsible for this British Standard .
Thepraparatbaof thberithhsrnrbrdwatanmntedbythe
Camant, Gypsun, AgDregrtor and Quarry PraducaStandards
Committee (CAB/-) to Technical Committee CABM upon which
tlm followine bodias wwe reprrsrntadz
Assocbtkm of l&htwaight AggragatsManufacturars
BtNsh AgsraQate Comrucrbn Materirk lndunrios
BMsh Pracast Contrace Fedwtlon
Emah Reedy Mixed cawwsce Assacktloa
Cement AdmixWas Aa~clelkm
Cement and Con- Awocirtlon
Comant Mrkard Fadafetkm
conw6t8 saclaw
caunly sav6yafs 9aclaq
Daparimnt of tlse &~koarnem (9uUdtng Rasasrdr Establishment)
Dapartmartt of tha Envitoament IPrcparty Sarvicos Agancyl
Dspartmant of the Envkanmant ITransport srd Road Rcscerch
bb-tOW)
Drparunaoa of tmnrport
Amendments issued since publimtion
ArfKL Na Oate 01 issue Te’xt affected
British Standards Institution . 2 Park Street Londoc~ WlA 2BS . Telephone 01-629 9000 . Tclcx 266933
BfiDB-3 -0.5k--8
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- .
BS 1881 :Patt105: 1984
HiIton Keynes MK14 6LE. The numbar for talephma anquiries ii
0908320033radfor tolcnB2S177.
cmtracr r6quir6mants
A 8&M, Standard ckxs not Purport to hdude all cba nacarrary
provisions of a contract. Users of Bri tirh Skmdords an? rosponsibla
loc the saraat appllution.
British Standards ara ravfsad.whan nscossary. by the ksuo &her
of amondmentsor ol r&s& Cditans. It is important that users of
0ritith Stsnduds should ascavtain that thay BI in Possession of
lhs latwt snandmaata or aditloor. lnlorinatbn on all BSI
publications is in the BSI Caralegvr, rupplrmantad ewh month by
BSI Nawa which is available to ubscribing members d ths
lnslilution and piWas details of new publkatlons, ravidolI.s,
mnundmsnts and withdrawn standards. Any person who, whan
makin@ use of a British Standartl, emountcrson inaccuracy or
ambiity. is requested to nati(y BSI without delay in rder thst
fhe matter may be invesdgated a0d appropriors action raken
The foNcrffbg BSI references rclalo to the Work on this strndarrf:
Cmilt68 rdorance CAB14 Draft fOt’WM”W”t B1/1?319 DC
Ehctrklty Supp(y Industry in England and Wnbs
Fadaration of Civil Engineering Contrtcuxs
Greeter LondonCouncIl
lmtilute of Coocrete Technology
InstitutIonof Ctvtl En(inaws
lnstitutlon of Highway Ensinews
lnstfturiar of fvlunidpal Ecgineerr
Institutionof SmxturaiEnyionn
lnstituthof User Enplm6n and Sc~rulsta
N6Om6l Pcdemt’bn ot Buflclktg Tdca Empb~ers
f?oyal Institute of Brltiah Archiiaccr
Roy61 Institution of Cbarered SWWyon
Sand and Grevel Association
sacloty d chomkal lndusvy
Tha follaving 6odles wore also ropresenfed In the drafting of the
standard,tbraugh~ubeommitteassndpanats:
Brklrh G’~tl Englwing Test Equlpmont Manu~aetursrd Association
Cooptim-
I
.

B S I BS*LBB2 PART%105 BY m lbZ’lbb9 OOO’Wi’=l m

AMD 6087
Amendment No. ?
pubkhed and effective from 31 July 1989
to E3s 1681 : Ptirt 105 : 1984
Testing yncrete
Part 105. Method for determination of flow

Revised text

Clause 33 Tamping bar

Delete this clause and substitute the foflowing.
3.3 Twlplngbar, made of a suitable hardwood, having e
square section of side 40 * I mm and et keast 200 mm long.
A further 120 mm to 150 mm shall ba turned to a circular
section to form a handle to the btr (see flguura 31.’

Clause 35 Sampling tray

Delete this daore sncl substitute the following.
3.5 Sarnplhg tray, minimum dlmansl~s 900 mm x
900 mm X 50 mm deep, of rigid wnstructlon and me&
from a nonabsorbent mate&l not readily atlaclced by
cement pasta.’
---- -c-----------------I----------------------------

AMD9087 Ciause 4. Sampling *

Julyllm in line 3 delete ‘6s 1981 : Part 1 : 1970f’ and substitute ‘8s 1881 : Part 126’.
D&k the arsoc&ted footnote.

--------------------______________L_____------------

AMD Bolcl Clause 5. Prepzring the sample for test

Jubf Is93 At the end of this clause lneort the fallowing.
Caution.When cement is mixad with water. alkali is released.
d Take precautions t6 avdd dry cement entering the eyes, mouth and nose
and nose when mixing concrete. Prevent skin contact with wet
cement or concrete bywe8ring suitable protective clothing. If
cement or concrete anters the eye, immediately wash it out
thoroughly wi@ clean water and seek medical treatment
without delay. Wash wet concrete off the skin imrmzdistely.
d---d----_---- ---e-.------------------------ -----------

AM0 6081 Publications referred to

July lea9 Under 8s 1991 delete ‘t’ after

r’,
--\
8Do7-o-t Sk-8 cm/4
‘\
‘_c - 1

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TIIR Jen 13 M:09:34 1995
 1 B S I BSxlb63: P A R T*BCl5 3bGIbb=l 0 2 3 0 7 7 0 b-

AMD 6724
Amendment No. 2
published and effective from 31 Jufy 1991 I
toBs1661:PIrt106:1964
Testing concrete
Part 105. Method br determination of flow

Rerisecl
--------------_ .-- ---- ----------- _----_

AMD @XM Contents

July 19Bl In the list of contents insert before the Rgurer a new entry as fnllows.
‘Table
1. Precision data for flow measurements’

--we----. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

PMD 6724 Clause 7. Expression of results

July tmlt
Insert after the title of this dausa the fdlming..
7.1 Genaral’
Insert after the text of 7.1 the following
‘72 Recirian. Precision data are given in taMe 1. These .
apply to flow measurements made on concrete taken from
the SWIM samph and when each test result is obtained from
a single flow determination.
Table 1. Precision date far flow measure-
ments

NOTE 1. The pro&ion dcts urn detemSned cc pert of sn

experlrnent can&l out In 1867 In which precision dete me
obteined for tevrrd tostsdaroribad In BS 1881 .TLeexperiment
InMluad 111 opmatorr. The cmcmla were mdr ucie9an ordinely
Portland cen~~~t, Thmtes Vclky cami, and 7hemm Velfey 10 mm
end 29 mm cocrte oggrs&s.
NOTE 2. The Mferencc berrvaw tvy, test mwltr from the urna
Elmphs by on0 opwaior using tlm samu appantur witin the
Ioturt feasible time intervel till exoeed the repasteMily value I
on waraqe not mom than once h 20 cusua h the nanal and
cormct operetion of Ihe method.
NOTE 3. Twt reautts on the same cemple ubteieed within lhe
chortatt fesslMe time Interval bv two oprratarsa&h using their
onm zppamur will differ by the repraduciblllty valee R on avere9e
not mom then ones Ie 2Oacsc In ths normel and correot
opwalkn of the metbad.
NOTE 4. For further information on pro&Ion. and for defitirions
of the sleatLrtkcl terms uFesl fn COIXWSW with pradsion, um
BS MB1 : Pert I.’

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9107-0-0.9k-B CABH

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