Standard Method of Test for

Slump of Hydraulic
Cement Concrete

AASHTO Designation: T 119M/T 119-18

Technically Revised: 2018 Editorially Revised: 2021

Technical Subcommittee: 3b, Fresh Concrete

ASTM Designation: C143/C143M-15a

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

555 12th Street NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20004

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 Standard Method of Test for

Slump of Hydraulic Cement Concrete

AASHTO Designation: T 119M/T 119-18
Technically Revised: 2018 Editorially Revised: 2021

Technical Subcommittee: 3b, Fresh Concrete

ASTM Designation: C143/C143M-15a

1. SCOPE
1.1. This test method covers determination of slump of concrete, both in the laboratory and in the field.

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. The text of the standard reference notes and footnotes provide explanatory material. These notes
and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the
standard.

1.4. 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.
Warning—Fresh hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause chemical burns to
skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.

1.5. The quality of the results produced by this standard are dependent on the competence of the
personnel performing the procedure and the capability, calibration, and maintenance of the
equipment used. Agencies that meet the criteria of R 18 are generally considered capable of
competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that
compliance with R 18 alone does not completely assure reliable results. Reliable results depend
on many factors; following the suggestions of R 18 or some similar acceptable guideline provides
a means of evaluating and controlling some of those factors.

2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
2.1. AASHTO Standards:
 R 18, Establishing and Implementing a Quality Management System for Construction
Materials Testing Laboratories
 R 60, Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete
 R 100, Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field
 T 121M/T 121, Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
 T 152, Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure Method
 T 196M/T 196, Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method

TS-3b T 119M/T 119-1 AASHTO

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 2.2. ASTM Standards:
 C150/C150M, Standard Specification for Portland Cement
 C670, Standard Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for
Construction Materials

3. SUMMARY OF TEST METHOD

3.1. A sample of freshly mixed concrete is placed and compacted by rodding in a mold shaped as the
frustum of a cone. The mold is raised and the concrete allowed to subside. The vertical distance
between the original and the displaced position of the center of the top surface of the concrete is
measured and reported as the slump of the concrete.

4. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE

4.1. This test method is intended to provide the user with a procedure to determine the slump of plastic
hydraulic cement concretes.
Note 1—This test method was originally developed to provide a technique to monitor the
consistency of unhardened concrete. Under laboratory conditions, with strict control of all
concrete materials, the slump is generally found to increase proportionally with the water content
of a given concrete mixture and thus to be inversely related to concrete strength. Under field
conditions, however, such a strength relationship is not clearly and consistently shown. Care
should therefore be taken in relating slump results obtained under field conditions to strength.

4.2. This test method is considered applicable to plastic concrete having coarse aggregate passing the
37.5-mm [1.5-in.] sieve. If the plastic concrete includes coarse aggregate particles sized larger
than 37.5 mm [1.5 in.], the larger aggregate particles are to be removed according to Section 6 of
R 60 before testing.

4.3. This test method is not considered applicable to nonplastic and noncohesive concrete.
Note 2—Concretes having slumps less than 15 mm [0.5 in.] may not be adequately plastic and
concretes having slumps greater than about 230 mm [9 in.] may not be adequately cohesive for
this test to have significance. Caution should be exercised in interpreting such results.

5. APPARATUS
5.1. Mold—The test specimen shall be formed in a mold made of metal not readily attacked by the
cement paste. The metal shall not be thinner than 1.5 mm [0.060 in.] and, if formed by the
spinning process, there shall be no point on the mold at which the thickness is less than 1.15 mm
[0.045 in.]. The mold shall be in the form of the lateral surface of the frustum of a cone with the
base 203 mm [8 in.] in diameter, the top 102 mm [4 in.] in diameter, and the height 305 mm
[12 in.]. Individual diameters and heights shall be within ±3.2 mm [0.125 in.] of the prescribed
dimensions. The base and the top shall be open and parallel to each other and at right angles to the
axis of the cone. The mold shall be provided with foot pieces and handles similar to those shown
in Figure 1. The mold shall be constructed without a seam. The interior of the mold shall be
relatively smooth and free from projections. A mold that clamps to a nonabsorbent base plate is
acceptable instead of the one illustrated, provided the clamping arrangement is such that it can be
fully released without movement of the mold and the base is large enough to contain all of the
slumped concrete in an acceptable test.

5.1.1. Check and record conformance to the mold’s specified dimensions when it is purchased or first
placed in service and at least annually thereafter.

TS-3b T 119M/T 119-2 AASHTO

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 5.1.2. Mold with Alternative Materials:

5.1.2.1. Molds other than metal are permitted if the following requirements are met: The mold shall meet
the shape, height, and internal dimensional requirements of Section 5.1. The mold shall be
sufficiently rigid to maintain the specified dimensions and tolerances during use, resistant to
impact forces, and shall be nonabsorbent. The mold shall be demonstrated to provide test results
comparable to those obtained when using a metal mold meeting the requirements of Section 5.1.
Comparability shall be demonstrated on behalf of the manufacturer by an independent testing
laboratory. Test for comparability shall consist of not less than 10 consecutive pairs of
comparisons performed at each of three different slumps ranging from 50 to 200 mm [2 to 8 in.].
No individual test results shall vary by more than 15 mm [0.50 in.] from that obtained using the
metal mold. The average test results of each slump range obtained using the mold constructed of
alternative material shall not vary by more than 6 mm [0.25 in.] from the average of test results
obtained using the metal mold. Manufacturer comparability test data shall be available to users
and laboratory inspection authorities (see Note 4). If any changes in material or method of
manufacture are made, tests for comparability shall be repeated.
Note 3—The phrase “consecutive pairs of comparisons” does not mean without interruption or all
in 1 day. At a schedule selected by the testing entity, the pairs of tests leading to 10 consecutive
pairs may be accomplished in small groups. The word consecutive prevents ignoring pairs of tests
that may not meet criteria.
Note 4—Because the slump of concrete decreases with time and higher temperatures, it will be
advantageous for the comparability tests to be performed by alternating the use of metal cones and
alternative material cones, to utilize several technicians, and to minimize the time between test
procedures.

5.1.2.2. If the condition of any individual mold is suspected of being out of tolerance from the as
manufactured condition, a single comparative test shall be performed. If the test results differ by
more than 15 mm [0.50 in.] from that obtained using the metal mold, the mold shall be removed
from service.

5.2. Tamping Rod—A round, straight, steel rod, with a 16 ± 2-mm [5⁄8 ± 1⁄16-in.] diameter. The length
of the tamping rod shall be at least 100 mm [4 in.] greater than the depth of the measure in which
rodding is being performed but not greater than 600 mm [24 in.] in overall length (see Note 5).
The length tolerance for the tamping rod shall be ±4 mm [±1⁄8 in.]. The rod shall have the tamping
end or both ends rounded to a hemispherical tip of the same diameter as the rod.
Note 5—A rod length of 400 mm [16 in.] to 600 mm [24 in.] meets the requirements of the
following AASHTO Test Methods: R 100, T 119M/T 119, T 121M/T 121, T 152, and
T 196M/T 196.

5.3. Measuring Device—A ruler, metal roll-up measuring tape, or similar rigid or semirigid length
measuring instrument marked in increments of 5 mm [0.25 in.] or smaller. The instrument length
shall be at least 300 mm [12 in.].

5.4. 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.

TS-3b T 119M/T 119-3 AASHTO

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 3.125″
3″
5″

Plan
4 ± 0.125″ ID
4″

Handle

12″ ± 0.125″
0.0625″
0.5″

Thickness
0.5″

0.5″

Foot Piece
0.0625″ 8 ± 0.125″ ID
Thickness

Dimensional Units
mm 2 3 15 25 75 80 100 200 300
in. [0.0625] [0.125] [0.5] [1] [3] [3.128] [4] [8] [12]

Figure 1—Mold for Slump Test

6. SAMPLE
6.1. Obtain a representative sample of cement concrete according to R 60. If the plastic concrete
includes coarse aggregate particle sized larger than 37.5 mm [1.5 in.], remove the larger sized
aggregate particles according to Section 6 of R 60.
Note 6—Slump testing shall begin within 5 min of obtaining the sample.

7. PROCEDURE
7.1. Dampen the inside of the mold and place it on a dampened, rigid, nonabsorbent surface that is
level and firm.

TS-3b T 119M/T 119-4 AASHTO

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 7.2. Hold the mold firmly in place during filling and perimeter cleaning by standing on the two foot
pieces or by clamping the foot pieces to a base plate.

7.3. Use the scoop to fill the mold one-third full by volume, to a depth of approximately 70 mm
[2.75 in.].

7.4. Consolidate the layer with 25 strokes of the tamping rod, using the rounded end. Distribute the
strokes evenly over the entire cross section of the concrete. For the bottom layer, incline the rod
slightly and make approximately half the strokes near the perimeter, then progress with vertical
strokes, spiraling toward the center.

7.5. Use the scoop to fill the mold two-thirds full by volume, to a depth of approximately 160 mm
[6.5 in.]. Consolidate this layer with 25 strokes of the tamping rod; penetrate approximately
25 mm [1.0 in.] into the bottom layer. Distribute the strokes evenly.

7.6. Use the scoop to fill the mold to overflowing. Consolidate this layer with 25 strokes of the
tamping rod; penetrate approximately 25 mm [1.0 in.] into the second layer. Distribute the strokes
evenly. If the concrete falls below the top of the mold, stop, add more concrete, and continue
rodding for a total of 25 strokes. Keep an excess of concrete above the top of the mold at all times.
Distribute strokes evenly as before.

7.7. Strike off the top surface of concrete with a screeding and rolling motion of the tamping rod.

7.8. Clean overflow concrete away from the base of the mold.

7.9. Carefully raise the mold vertically 300 mm [12 in.] in 5 ± 2 s by a steady upward lift with no
lateral or torsional (twisting) motion imparted to the concrete.

7.10. Complete the entire operation, from the start of the filling through removal of the mold, within
21/2 min.

7.11. Immediately measure the slump.

7.11.1. Invert the slump mold and set it next to the specimen.

7.11.2. Lay the tamping rod across the mold so that it is over the test specimen.

7.11.3. Measure the distance between the bottom of the rod and the displaced original center of the top of
the specimen to the nearest 5 mm [0.25 in.].

7.12. Do not reuse the tested specimen.

Note 7—It is recommended not to reuse the tested concrete slump specimen for project-related
materials. However, for lab testing, the specimen may be reused if thoroughly remixed with
remaining representative sample.
Note 8—If a decided falling away or shearing off of concrete from one side or a portion of the
mass occurs, disregard the test and make a new test on another portion of the sample. If two
consecutive tests on a sample of concrete show a falling away or shearing off of a portion of the
concrete from the mass of the specimen, the concrete probably lacks the plasticity and
cohesiveness necessary for the slump test to be applicable.

8. REPORT
8.1. Record the slump to the nearest 5 mm [0.25 in.].

TS-3b T 119M/T 119-5 AASHTO

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 9. PRECISION AND BIAS
9.1. Precision—The estimates of precision for this test method are based on results from tests
conducted in Fayetteville, Arkansas, by 15 technicians from 14 laboratories representing three
states. All tests at three different slump ranges, from 25 mm [1.0 in.] to 160 mm [6.5 in.], were
performed using one load of truck-mixed concrete. The concrete was delivered and tested at a low
slump, with water then being added and mixed into the remaining concrete to independently
produce moderate and finally high-slump concrete. The concrete mixture that used a No. 67
crushed limestone aggregate and a washed river sand contained 297 kg of cementitious material
per cubic meter [500 lb of cementitious materials per cubic yard]. The 297 kg of cementitious
material [500 lb] were equally divided between an ASTM C150/C150M, Type I/II cement and a
Class C fly ash. A double dosage of a chemical retarder was used in an attempt to minimize slump
losses and maintain workability of the concrete. Concrete temperatures ranged from 30 to 34°C
[86 to 93°F]. Slump losses averaged 17 mm [0.68 in.] during the 20 min required to perform a
series of six tests at one slump range. Testing was performed alternately using metal and plastic
molds, which were determined to produce comparable results. Precision data thus applies to both
metal and plastic molds. A total of 270 slump tests were performed.

9.1.1. SI [Inch-Pound]—The data used to develop the precision statement were obtained using metric
units (millimeters). The precision values shown in inch-pound units are conversions from the
millimeter measurements, which were recorded to the nearest 1 mm.

9.1.2. Measure of Variability—The standard deviation was determined to be the most consistent measure
of variability and was found to vary with the slump value.

9.1.3. Single-Operator Precision—The single-operator standard deviation represented by (1s) is shown

in Table 1 by average slump values. The reported results for the replicate readings apply to tests
conducted by the same operator performing successive tests, one immediately following the other.
Acceptable results of two properly conducted tests by the same operator on the same material
(Note 8) will not differ from each other by more than the (d2s) value of the last column of Table 1
for the appropriate slump value and single-operator precision.

Table 1—Precision
Standard Acceptable Range of
Deviation (1s)a Two Results (d2s)a
Slump and Type Index mm [in.] Mm [in.]
Single-operator precision:
Slump 30 mm [1.2 in.] 6 [0.23] 17 [0.65]
Slump 85 mm [3.4 in.] 9 [0.38] 25 [1.07]
Slump 160 mm [6.5 in.] 10 [0.39] 28 [1.10]

Multilaboratory precision:
Slump 30 mm [1.2 in.] 7 [0.29] 20 [0.82]
Slump 85 mm [3.4 in.] 10 [0.39] 28 [1.10]
Slump 160 mm [6.5 in.] 13 [0.53] 37 [1.50]
a
These numbers represent, respectively, the (1s) and (d2s) limits as described in ASTM C670.

9.1.4. Multilaboratory Precision—The multilaboratory standard deviation represented by (1s) is shown

in Table 1 by average slump values. The reported results for the replicate readings apply to tests
conducted by different operators from different laboratories performing tests less than 4 min apart.
Therefore, acceptable results of two properly conducted slump tests on the same material (Note 8)
by two different laboratories will not differ from each other by more than the (d2s) value of the
last column of Table 1 for the appropriate slump value and multilaboratory precision.

TS-3b T 119M/T 119-6 AASHTO

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 Note 9—“Same materials” is used to mean freshly mixed concrete from one batch.

9.2. Bias—This test method has no bias because slump is defined in terms of this test method.

10. KEYWORDS
10.1. Concrete; cone; consistency; plasticity; slump; workability.

TS-3b T 119M/T 119-7 AASHTO

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