ISO 1920-2:2016

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 1920-2
Second edition
2016-11-01
Testing of concrete —
Part 2:
Properties of fresh concrete
Essais du béton —
Partie 2: Caractéristiques du béton frais
Reference number
ISO 1920-2:2016(E)
©
ISO 2016

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ISO 1920-2:2016(E)

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© ISO 2016, Published in Switzerland
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ISO 1920-2:2016(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Determination of consistence . 2
4.1 General . 2
4.2 Sampling . 2
4.3 Slump test . 2
4.3.1 Principle . 2
4.3.2 Apparatus . 2
4.3.3 Procedure . 3
4.3.4 Test result . . 4
4.3.5 Test report . 5
4.4 Vebe test . 5
4.4.1 Principle . 5
4.4.2 Apparatus . 5
4.4.3 Procedure . 8
4.4.4 Test result . . 8
4.4.5 Test report . 9
4.5 Degree of compactability test . 9
4.5.1 Principle . 9
4.5.2 Apparatus . 9
4.5.3 Procedure .10
4.5.4 Test results .11
4.5.5 Test report .11
4.6 Flow-table test .12
4.6.1 Principle .12
4.6.2 Apparatus .12
4.6.3 Procedure .14
4.6.4 Test results .15
4.6.5 Test report .15
4.7 Slump-flow test .16
4.7.1 General.16
4.7.2 Principle .16
4.7.3 Apparatus .16
4.7.4 Procedure .17
4.7.5 Test report .18
5 Determination of fresh density .19
5.1 Principle .19
5.2 Apparatus .19
5.3 Sampling .20
5.4 Procedure .20
5.4.1 Mass of the container .20
5.4.2 Filling the container .20
5.4.3 Compacting the concrete .20
5.4.4 Surface levelling . . .21
5.4.5 Determining the mass and volume of the container .21
5.5 Test result .21
5.6 Test report .21
6 Determination of air content .22
6.1 General .22
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ISO 1920-2:2016(E)

6.2 Sampling .22
6.3 Filling the container and compacting the concrete .22
6.3.1 Means of compaction .22
6.3.2 Filling the container .22
6.3.3 Compacting the concrete .23
6.4 Pressure-gauge method .23
6.4.1 Principle .23
6.4.2 Apparatus .23
6.4.3 Filling the container and compacting the concrete .25
6.4.4 Procedure .25
6.5 Water-column method .25
6.5.1 Principle .25
6.5.2 Apparatus .25
6.5.3 Filling the container and compacting the concrete .27
6.5.4 Procedure .27
6.6 Calculations and expression of results .28
6.6.1 Air content of the sample tested .28
6.6.2 Air content of the mortar fraction .28
6.7 Test report .28
7 Test report .29
Annex A (informative) Precision — Data for the density measurements .30
Annex B (normative) Calibration of the container for the density test .31
Annex C (informative) Additional calculations for the density test .32
Annex D (informative) Precision — Water-column method .33
Annex E (normative) Calibration of apparatus — Pressure-gauge method .34
Annex F (normative) Calibration of apparatus — Water-column method .36
Annex G (normative) Aggregate corrector factor — Pressure-gauge method .39
Annex H (normative) Aggregate correction factor — Water-column method .41
Annex I (informative) Examples of test reports and worksheets .43
Bibliography .57
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ISO 1920-2:2016(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity assessment,
as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the
Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 71, Concrete, reinforced concrete and pre-
stressed concrete, Subcommittee SC 1, Test methods for concrete.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 1920-2:2005), which has been technically
revised with the following changes:
a) 4.3.5, list a) has been updated;
b) 4.7.3.3, the required minimum dimensions 800 mm × 800 mm have been added;
a
c) Figure 11, footnote was added;
d) 6.4.4, Note was added;
e) Bibliography list has been updated.
A list of all parts in the ISO 1920 series can be found on the ISO website.
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ISO 1920-2:2016(E)

Introduction
International Standards are widely adopted at the regional or national level and applied by
manufacturers, trade organizations, purchasers, consumers, testing laboratories, authorities and other
interested parties. Since these documents generally reflect the best experience of industry, researchers,
consumers and regulators worldwide and cover common needs in a variety of countries, they constitute
one of the important bases for the removal of technical barriers to trade. However, full adoption may
not be practicable in all cases for reasons, such as regional or national security, protection of human
health or safety, or protection of the environment, or because of fundamental climatic, geographical or
technological problems. As a consequence, the corresponding technical deviations to ISO standards are
permitted where required by national or regional legislation or industry convention when adopting an
International Standard.
Where such national deviations are required, it is important that they are clearly identified and the
reasons for the deviations stated. Depending of on the method of adoption of the International Standard,
the deviations will be noted in the national introduction, in the preface or foreword (for small numbers)
or as a national annex (for large numbers). See ISO/IEC Guide 21-1 for more information.
ISO/TC 71/SC 1 has identified those items in this document that may be the subject of national or
regional deviations. The items are indicated in the text by the phrase “…except where the national
annex to this document requires…”.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 1920-2:2016(E)
Testing of concrete —
Part 2:
Properties of fresh concrete
Caution — When cement is mixed with water, alkali is released. When sampling, prevent skin
contact with wet cement or concrete by wearing suitable protective clothing (gloves, footwear,
safety glasses). If wet cement or concrete enters the eye, immediately wash it out thoroughly
with clean water and seek medical treatment without delay. Wash wet concrete off the skin
immediately.
Caution — The use of vibrating equipment, such as vibration tables, can cause damage to joints
and loss of sensation due to nerve damage. Moulds, density containers, etc. should be clamped to
the table and not held in position using one’s hands while they are being vibrated.
1 Scope
This document specifies procedures for testing fresh concrete. It specifies the following test methods:
determination of consistence (slump test, Vebe test, degree of compactability, flow-table test for
high-fluidity concrete, and the slump-flow test), determination of fresh density and determination of
air content by the pressure-gauge method and by the water-column method.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 1101, Geometrical product specifications (GPS) — Geometrical tolerancing — Tolerances of form,
orientation, location and run-out
ISO 1920-1, Testing of concrete — Part 1: Sampling of fresh concrete
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
fresh density
mass of a quantity of fully compacted fresh concrete divided by its volume
Note 1 to entry: The fresh density is expressed in kilograms per cubic metre.
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4 Determination of consistence
4.1 General
The consistence of the concrete is determined by one of the methods described below:
— slump test (see 4.3);
— Vebe test (see 4.4);
— degree of compactability (see 4.5);
— flow-table test (see 4.6);
— slump-flow test for high-fluidity concrete (see 4.7).
These methods are not applicable to foamed concrete, no-fines concrete, or where the maximum
aggregate size exceeds 40 mm.
4.2 Sampling
Samples for the tests shall be obtained in accordance with ISO 1920-1. Each sample shall be remixed
before carrying out the tests.
4.3 Slump test
4.3.1 Principle
The fresh concrete is compacted into a mould in the shape of a frustum of a cone. When the cone is
withdrawn upwards, the distance the concrete has slumped provides a measure of the consistence of
the concrete.
The slump test is applicable to a range of consistence of concrete that corresponds to slumps of between
10 mm and 210 mm. Outside this range, the measurement of slump may be unsuitable and other
methods of determining the consistence should be considered.
If the slump continues to change over a period of 1 min after remoulding, this test is not suitable.
NOTE For high-fluidity concrete, the slump-flow test described in 4.7 is a more appropriate test.
4.3.2 Apparatus
Note the calibration requirements associated with each apparatus.
4.3.2.1 Mould, suitable of forming the test specimen, made of a metal not readily attacked by cement
paste and not thinner than 1,5 mm.
The mould may be made either with or without a seam. The interior of the mould shall be smooth and
free from projections such as protruding rivets and shall be free from dents. The mould shall be in the
form of hollow frustum of a cone and shall have the following internal dimensions:
— diameter of base:   200 mm ± 2 mm;
— diameter of top:    100 mm ± 2 mm;
— height:             300 mm ± 2 mm.
The base and the top shall be open and parallel to each other and at right angles to the axis of the cone.
The mould shall be provided, on the upper portion, with two handles at two-thirds of the height, and at
the bottom with fixing clamps or foot pieces to hold it steady. A mould that can be clamped to the base
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ISO 1920-2:2016(E)

is acceptable, provided the clamping arrangement can be fully released without movement of the mould
or interference with the slumping concrete.
The mould shall be visually checked prior to each use to assure that it is clean and is not damaged or
dented. The cone shall be checked annually to ensure that its dimensions and conditions remain within
tolerances.
4.3.2.2 Tamping rod, straight, made of steel, having a circular cross-section with a diameter of
16 mm ± 1 mm, 600 mm ± 5 mm in length, and with rounded ends. The rod may be extended with a
handle of plastic conduit, provided that the overall length does not exceed 1 000 mm.
The tamping rod shall be checked annually to ensure that its dimensions and conditions remain within
tolerances.
4.3.2.3 Funnel (optional), made of a non-absorbent material not readily attacked by cement paste.
The funnel shall consist of two co-axial conical frustums having a common diameter of 100 mm, the
ends being of greater diameter, one frustum to act as a filling funnel and the other as a collar to enable
the funnel to be located on the outer surface of the mould.
The funnel shall be checked annually to ensure that its dimensions and conditions remain within
tolerances.
4.3.2.4 Rule, graduated from 0 mm to 300 mm, at intervals not exceeding 5 mm, with the zero point
being at the extreme end of the rule.
4.3.2.5 Base plate/surface, rigid, flat, non-absorbent and smooth plate or other surface on which to
place the mould.
4.3.2.6 Shovel, with a square blade.
4.3.2.7 Remixing tray, of rigid construction and made from a non-absorbent material not readily
attacked by cement paste.
It shall be of appropriate dimensions such that the concrete can be thoroughly remixed, using the
square-bladed shovel.
4.3.2.8 Scoop, with a width of approximately 100 mm.
4.3.2.9 Timer or other similar timing device, to allow time measurement to 1 s.
The watch shall be properly calibrated at the time of test.
4.3.2.10 Moist cloth.
4.3.3 Procedure
Dampen the mould and the base plate. Wipe any excessive water from the surfaces, using an absorbent
cloth. Place the mould on the horizontal base plate/surface. During filling, clamp or hold the mould
firmly in place by standing on the two foot pieces.
Immediately after obtaining the sample in accordance with 4.2, fill the mould in three layers, each
approximately one-third of the height of the mould when compacted. When adding the concrete, ensure
that it is distributed symmetrically around the mould. Tamp each layer with 25 strokes of the tamping
rod. Uniformly distribute the strokes over the cross-section of each layer. For the bottom layer, this will
necessitate inclining the rod slightly and positioning approximately half the strokes spirally toward
the centre. Tamp the second layer and the top layer each throughout its depth, so that the strokes just
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ISO 1920-2:2016(E)

penetrate into the underlying layer. In filling and tamping the top layer, heap the concrete above the
mould before tamping is started.
When the specified tamping procedure could cause segregation of the sample, the number of tamping
strokes may be reduced to an extent that segregation can be avoided.
If the tamping operation of the top layer results in subsidence of the concrete below the top edge of the
mould, add more concrete to keep an excess above the top of the mould at all times. Also ensure that the
addition of concrete to the top layer does not provide extra compaction of the concrete. After the top
layer has been tamped, scrape off the surface of the concrete level with the top of the mould by means
of a sawing and rolling motion of the tamping rod.
Remove spilled concrete from the base plate/surface. Remove the mould in 3,5 s ± 1,5 s by a steady
upward lift with no lateral or torsional motion being imparted to the concrete. The lifting time may be
shortened when required by the national annex.
The entire operation from the start of the filling to the removal of the mould shall be carried out without
interruption and shall be completed within 180 s.
Immediately after removal of the mould, determine the slump, h, by measuring the difference between
the height of the mould and that of the highest point of the slumped test sample (see Figure 1), exc
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