Tests of Fresh Concrete

Tests of Fresh Concrete

Visual, Hand Touching and Temperature Tests
 Test of fresh concrete is the major step for the quality management of fresh concrete to assure that the mixed concrete cab
easily be handled, transported, placed and compacted properly to give the designed strength and durability in its hardened
state.
 Any tests should not be carried out immediately after the concrete mixed and discharged. It should be waited until the
temperature of concrete is dropped to the same of ambient temperature. In stead, visual and hand touching checks can be
carried out to confirm that:
 The concrete properly mixed and ingredients are uniformly distributed.
 Confirm by hand touching that the mortar has required level of viscosity to hold the coarse aggregates.
 Confirm that the mixed concrete has no any problems of segregation and bleeding.
 Engineering experts should develop their capacity to estimate the workability of concrete with visual and hand
touching tests
 Before proceeding the other tests, check the temperature of concrete and ambient to confirm that the difference is not large.
It means the temperature of concrete should be dropped to the level of ambient temperature. The major tests to be carried
out in fresh state are:
 Workability Test
 Air Content Test
 Chloride Content Test
 Bleeding Test
 Ingredients (Mix) Proportion Test: Washing Test
 Workability Test of Fresh Concrete

Definition
Workability of concrete is defined in various ways as follows:

 ASTM C 125 defines workability as the property determining the effort required to manipulate a freshly mixed quantity of
concrete with minimum loss of homogeneity. The term “manipulate” includes the early-age operations of placing,
compacting, and finishing

 The workability is also defined as the ease with which a freshly mixed concrete can be properly compacted and also that it
can be transported, placed, and finished
 The strict definition of workability is the amount of useful internal work, against the internal friction between the
individual particles in the concrete, necessary to produce full compaction

Workability of a concrete is a composite property with at least two main components, as follows:
“Consistency”- indicates the mobility or flowability of freshly mixed concrete
“Cohesiveness”- indicates the water-holding capacity (the opposite of bleeding) and the coarse aggregate-holding capacity
(the opposite of segregation)
 Significance of Workability
 A workable concrete allows full compaction using a reasonable amount of work. This helps in achieving maximum
possible density (i.e. minimum possible voids) of concrete, which results in more strength and durability of concrete.

 The strength of concrete depends mainly of the volume of voids in the compacted mass, therefore it's important to achieve
the maximum density possible; this requires sufficient workability to virtually full compaction could be possible.

 Voids in hardened concrete are either entrapped air (depends on the grading of fine particles) or spaces left by excess water,
which depends on the w/c ratio. The fact that the air bubbles are much easier to remove in the fresh state of concrete but
the water bubbles are not easy to remove, therefore, there must be an optimum water content for the mix at which sum of
volumes of air volumes and water space will be a minimum and the density will be a maximum.

 The most important factor affecting the workability is the amount of the water in the mix that exceeds what is needed for
hydration. The best way to describe the water content in the concrete is the water to cement ratio (w/c) expressed as the
weight of free water divided by the weight of cement where free water is the water available for reaction including the
moisture on the aggregates and excluding the water absorbed by the aggregates.

 Workability depends of many factors: water content, aggregate type and grading, aggregate/cement ratio, presence of
admixtures, and the fineness of cement.
 Affecting Factors for the Workability of Fresh Concrete

Water content of the mix: This is the single most important fact or governing workability of concrete. A group of particles
requires a certain amount of water. Water is absorbed on the particle surface, in the volumes between particles, and provides
"lubrication" to help the particles move past one another more easily. Therefore, finer particles, necessary for plastic behavior,
require more water. Some side effects of increased water are loss of strength and possible segregation.

Aggregates mix proportions: Increasing the proportion of aggregates relative to the cement will decrease the workability of the
concrete. Also, any additional fines will require more cement in the mix. An "over sanded" mix will be permeable and less
economical. A concrete deficient of fines will be difficult to finish and prone to segregation.

Aggregate properties: The ratio of coarse/fine aggregate is not the only factor affecting workability. The gradation and particle
size of sands are important. Shape and texture of aggregate will also affect workability. Spherical shaped particles will not have
the interaction problems associated with more angular particles. Also, spherical shapes have a low surface/volume ratio,
therefore, less cement will be required to coat each particle and more will be available to contribute to the workability of the
concrete. Aggregate which is porous will absorb more water leaving less to provide workability. It is important to distinguish
between total water content, which includes absorbed water, and free water which is available for improving workability.
 Affecting Factors for the Workability of Fresh Concrete

Time and temperature: In general, increasing temperature will cause an increase in the rate of hydration and evaporation. Both
of these effects lead to a loss of workability.

Loss of Workability: Workability will decrease with time due to several factors; continued slow hydration of C3S and C3A
during dormant period, loss of water through evaporation and absorption, increased particle interaction due to the formation of
hydration products on the particle surface. Loss of workability is measured as "slump loss" with time.

Cement characteristics: Cement characteristics are less important than aggregate properties in determining workability.
However, the increased fineness of rapid-hardening cements will result in rapid hydration and increased water requirements, both
of which reduce workability.

Admixtures: In general, air-entraining, water-reducing, and set-retarding admixtures will all improve workability. However,
some chemical admixtures will react differently with cements and aggregates and may result in reduced workability.
Workability Test (IS : 1199 -1959 (Reaffirmed 2004)
Slump Test (BS 1881: 102, ASTM C143)
Three different kinds of possible slumps exist, true slump, shear
slump, and collapse slump. Conventionally, when shear or collapse
slump occur, the test is considered invalid. However, due to recent
development of self compact concrete, the term of collapse slump
has to be used with caution.

Apparatus: i) Slump cone as shown above.

ii) Tamping rod 16mm dia x 600mm length.
Clean the internal surface of apparatus.
Place the mould in uniform horizontal
surface. Then fill the cone with 3 layers (1/3
each layer). Tamp the each layer @25 times
by tamping rod uniformly. Level the upper
surface with trowel & remove cone slowly
& vertically. The vertical settlement from
its initial position gives the Slump value.
 Workability Test (IS : 1199 -1959 (Reaffirmed 2004))
Compaction Factor Test (BS 1881: Part 103)
Apparatus and test method is given in the following figure.
As shown in the figure, the upper hopper is completely filled
with concrete, which is then successively dropped into the lower
hopper and then into the cylindrical mould. The excess of
concrete is struck off, and the compacting factor is defined as
the weight ratio of the concrete in the cylinder, mp, to the same
concrete fully compacted in the cylinder (filled in four layers
and tamped or vibrated), mf (i.e., compacting factor = mp/mf).
For the normal range of concrete the compacting factor lies
between 0.8 to 0.92 (values less than 0.7 or higher than 0.98 is
regarded as unsuitable). This test is good for very dry mixes.
Three limitations: (i) not suitable for field application; (ii) not
consistent; (iii) mixes can stick to the sides of the hoppers.
 Workability Test (IS : 1199 -1959 (Reaffirmed 2004))
Relation Between Compaction Factor and Slump Value
 Workability Test (IS : 1199 -1959 (Reaffirmed 2004))
VeBe Time Test (BS 1881: Part 103)

Then it is vibrated at a controlled frequency and amplitude until the lower surface of the
disk is completely covered with grout. The time in seconds for this to occur is the Vebe
time. The test is probably most suitable for concrete with Vebe times of 5 to 30s. The only
difficulty is that mortar may not wet the disc in a uniform manner, and it may be difficult to
pick out the end point of the test.
 Workability Test (IS : 1199 -1959 (Reaffirmed 2004))
Table Flow Test (Paste and Mortar)
Immediately preceding the test, the table top, and inside of the motild shall be
wetted and cleaned of all gritty material and the excess water removed with a
rubber squeezer. The mould, centred on the table, shall be firmly held in place
and filled in two layers, each approximately one-half the volume of the mould.
Each layer shall be rodded with 25 strokes of a straight round metal rod 1.6 cm
in diameter and 61 cm long, rounded at the lower tamping end. The strokes
shall be distributed in a uniform manner over, the cross-section of the mould
and shall penetrate into the underlying layer. The bottom layer shall be rodded
throughout its depth. After the top layer has been rodded, the surface of the
concrete shall be struck off with a trowel so that the mould is exactly filled.

The excess concrete which has overflowed the mould shall be removed and the area of the table outside the mould again
cleaned. The mould shall be immediately removed from the concrete by a steady upward pull. The table shall then be raised
and dropped 12.5 mm, 15 times in about 15 seconds. The diameter of the spread concrete shall be the average of six
symmetrically distributed caliper measurements read to the nearest 5 mm.
he flow of the concrete shall be recorded as the percentage increase in diameter of the spread concrete over the base
diameter of the moulded concrete, calculated from the following formula: spread diameter in cm - 25 2.5 x 100
spread diameter in cm − 25
𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤, 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 = × 100(%)
25
 Workability Test (IS : 1199 -1959 (Reaffirmed 2004))
Relation Between VeBe Time and Slump Value

The test is probably most suitable for concrete with

Vebe times of 5 to 30s. The only difficulty is that
mortar may not wet the disc in a uniform manner, and
it may be difficult to pick out the end point of the test.
 Workability Test (IS : 1199 -1959 (Reaffirmed 2004))
Slump Flow Test (Paste and Mortar)
 Test for Bleeding of concrete
• A cylindrical container of approximately 0.01 m3 capacity, having an inside
diameter of 250 mm and inside height of 280 mm is used.
• A pepette for drawing off free water from the surface, a graduated jar of 100
cm3 capacity is required for test.
• A sample of freshly mixed concrete is obtained. The concrete is filled in 50 mm
layer for a depth of 250 ± 3 mm (5 layers) and each layer is tamped by giving
strokes, and the top surface is made smooth by trowelling.
• The cylindrical container is kept in a level surface free from vibration at a
temperature of 27°C ± 2°C. it is covered with a lid. Water accumulated at the
top is drawn by means of pipette at 10 minutes interval for the first 40 minutes
and at 30 minutes interval subsequently till bleeding ceases.
 Kelly ball test
Kelly ball test is a simple field test which is very useful in determining workability of concrete in real-time. It is
justified that Kelly ball test performed faster and provided accurate results with great precision than the slump test.
But the only disadvantage with the Kelly ball test that it requires a large amount of concrete when compared with
the slump test of concrete.
The Kelly ball test was earlier standardized as ASTM C360-92: “Standard Test Method for Ball Penetration in
Freshly Mixed Hydraulic Cement Concrete.” The ASTM standard was suspended in 1999 due to lack of use. The
test has never been used widely outside the United States (Bartos 1992). Indian Standards have not covered this
test.
Apparatus of Kelly ball test:
Kelly ball test apparatus consists of a cylinder with one end having a hemispherical shape
of 15cm weighing 13.6kg, and the other end is attached to a graduated scale and handle. The whole arrangement
is secured on a fixed stand.
The results have been specified by measuring the penetration made by the hemisphere when freely placed on
fresh concrete. The impression is measured by a graduated scale immediately.
Procedure for Kelly ball test:
1. Freshly mixed concrete (test sample) is poured into a
container up to a depth of 20cm. Once the container is filled
with the concrete, the top surface is leveled and struck off.
2. The Kelly ball setup is kept on concrete as shown below by
holding the handle of hemisphere such that the frame touches
the surface of the concrete.
3. Ensure that the setup is kept at minimum 23cm away from the
container ends. (Place at the middle portion of the container)
4. Now release the handle and allow the ball to penetrate through
the concrete. Once the ball is released, the depth of penetration
is immediately shown in the graduate scale to the nearest 6mm.
5. Note down the depth of penetration from the attached
graduated scale.
6. Repeat the same experiment for three times at different
portions in the container and average the value.

The results of the Kelly ball test is correlated with the Slump
test
Advantages of Kelly ball test:
1. The test results are more accurate when compared with the slump test.
2. This test is a simple and instant which can perform on site.
3. It doesn’t require lengthy calculation to find the workability of concrete.

Disadvantages of Kelly ball test:

1. Kelly ball test is not suitable for larger size aggregates.
2. The surface of the concrete should be leveled to test the concrete.
3. This test is not recognized and used by Indian standards.
4. Large aggregate can influence the results.
 K-slump Tester
• Simple and economical to use.
• Reduces testing time.
• No special calibration required.
• Plated for rust resistance and long life.

The K-Slump Tester was developed to determine the slump and workability
of fresh concrete. The device can be used for in-place measurements and
for measurements inside test moulds and forms. The device is used as an
indicator to correlate to the standard slump test. In operation, the K-Slump
Tester is made wet and inserted into the concrete for 40 seconds. The K-
Slump reading is then taken on the scale to the height that the concrete has
penetrated the tester. The tester is then removed from the concrete
vertically and the workability reading is taken on the scale at the height of
concrete retained in the tester. After the readings, the unit is easily cleaned
with water.
Developed to determine the workability of fresh concrete and the degree of
concrete compaction placed in formwork. The apparatus can be used for in-
place measurements of concrete in test moulds and forms and may be
correlated to the standard slump test. It is simple, economical to use and
reduces testing time. No special calibration is required.
 Air Content Test (IS : 1199 -1959 (Reaffirmed 2004))
Air-entrained concrete is typically specified in areas of the country where frost-related
damage can occur. The measurement of air content in fresh concrete of normal density is
typically performed using the pressure method (ASTM C 231). Another useful test
is ASTM C 173. However, the pressure method is frequently preferred because it is
relatively fast.
You should begin the test within 15 minutes after obtaining the composite sample. Start by
filling the 0.25 ft3 base of the air-content test device in three equal layers, and rod each
layer 25 times. After rodding, strike the outside of the base with a mallet 12 to 15 times to
close any air voids. After completing the three equal layers, strike off the bowl flush at the
top to completely fill the 0.25 ft3 volume. At this point, it can be weighed as part of the
calculation to determine the fresh concrete unit weight.
Next, latch the top of the air-content test device over the base and fill the air gap between
the top of the struck-off concrete and the underside of the top of air meter with water. The
meter top is then pressurized with the built-in hand pump until zeroed out (or as calibrated).
After a stabilization period, release the pressure in the top and read the air-void content on
the dial on the top of the meter. Subtract the aggregate correction factor from the dial
reading and report the final value.
Testing tip: A typical air content for concrete with a ¾-inch maximum-size aggregate is
about 6%, and specified ranges in air content are typically minus 1 ½% and plus 1 ½% of
the target value.
 Chlorides in Concrete
As a general rule, the total amount of chloride ions contained in concrete when it is mixed should not exceed 0.30 kg/m3.

Concrete has the function of protecting the steel in the concrete from external corrosion factors and heat from fires and
other heat sources. Many of the concrete structures have reinforcing bars and other reinforcing steel in the concrete. If
the reinforcing steel corrodes, therefore, the durability of those concrete structures decreases considerably. The reason
why the protective function of concrete is lost is the protective passive film on the steel surface is destroyed. The
destruction of the protective passive film is caused mainly by a decrease in alkalinity due to carbonation and the
presence of chloride ions in the concrete. If, therefore, the protective function of concrete is to be performed
effectively, the depth of carbonation of concrete shall not reach the critical depth for steel corrosion, which is the level
at which steel corrosion occurs, during the service period, and the chloride ion content of the concrete at the steel
location shall not exceed the level at which the protective passive film on the steel is destroyed. Thus, from the
viewpoint of the protection of steel, it is necessary to select materials and mix proportions so that concrete is provided
with appropriate mass transfer resistance according to the concrete cover determined at the design stage. The
water/cement ratio is determined at the design stage along with the concrete cover, and whether the required durability
is achieved is verified. It is a general rule, therefore, to use a water/cement ratio not greater than the value used for the
purpose of verification.
 (2): If chlorides exist in concrete in a quantity exceeding a certain limit, the corrosion of the steel in the concrete is
accelerated so that early deterioration of the structure results. Such chlorides may enter the concrete from an external
environment such as a marine environment or be supplied to the concrete from materials such as cement, aggregate,
chemical admixtures and mixing water. In order to achieve the steel protection performance of the concrete, therefore,
it is very important to control and keep the total quantity of chloride ions supplied to the concrete from those
materials within the range that does not cause steel corrosion. The Construction: Construction Standards of this
Specification requires, therefore, that the total quantity of chloride ions be controlled in terms of the total chloride
ion content of concrete during mixing. The total chloride ion content of concrete during mixing is the total of the
quantities of chloride ions that are thought to be supplied from the materials used to the concrete calculated on the
basis of mix proportions. When mixing concrete, therefore, it is necessary to know in advance the chloride ion
content of each material. If tap water is used as mixing water and the chloride ion content of that water is not known,
the quantity of chloride ions supplied from the mixing water to the concrete may be assumed to be 0.04 kg/m3.
If the total quantity of chloride ions calculated on the basis of mix proportions is greater than the allowable limit,
part or all of the materials to be used shall be changed. As a result of the recent JIS revision, the allowable upper limit
of the chloride ion content of normal Portland cement has been increased from 0.02% to 0.035%, the amount of
increase in the chloride content of concrete is not large enough to cause a serious problem unless the cement content
is extremely high.
 The limit value stipulated in this section, namely, the chloride ion content of 0.30 kg/m3, is not intended to guarantee
that steel corrosion will never occur. Instead, the value has been determined, on the basis of research and study results,
as a feasible value that can keep the deterioration of a structure due to steel corrosion at or below an acceptable degree.
Therefore, in the case of, for example, prestressed concrete subject to stress corrosion or reinforced concrete that is
used in an environment with chloride attack due to chloride ion intrusion or electrolytic corrosion and that is required
to be highly durable, the quantity of chlorides in the concrete should be made as small as possible in comparison with
the specified value.
In the case of reinforced concrete or plain concrete with nonstructural reinforcement to be used under normal
conditions, if materials with a low chloride content are very difficult to obtain, the allowable upper limit of the total
chloride ion content of concrete may be raised to 0.60 kg/m3. In this case, however, it is necessary to carefully carry
out construction, taking particular care, among other things, to make the water/cement content or the water content as
small as possible and place concrete properly.
The provision of this section does not apply to a structure built with plain concrete without nonstructural
reinforcement. It has been pointed out, however, that even in the case of concrete used for structures of this type, there
may be adverse effects such as poor strength development over a long period of time and increased proneness to
efflorescence deposition as the chloride ion content increases. The total quantity of chloride ions, therefore, should be
minimized.
Thank You !