SIST-TP CEN/TR 15678:2008

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2008
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Concrete - Release of regulated dangerous substances into soil, groundwater and
surface water - Test method for new or unapproved constituents of concrete and for
production concretes
Beton - Freisetzung regulierter gefährlicher Stoffe in den Boden, das Grundwasser und
das Oberflächenwasser - Testmethode für neue oder noch nicht zugelassene
Bestandteile von Beton und für Betone
Béton - Relargage de substances dangereuses réglementées dans les sols, les eaux
souterraines et les eaux de surface - Méthode d'essai des constituants du béton,
nouveaux ou non-approuvés, et des formules de béton
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TR 15678:2008
ICS:
91.100.30 Beton in betonski izdelki Concrete and concrete
products
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

TECHNICAL REPORT
CEN/TR 15678
RAPPORT TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHER BERICHT
April 2008
ICS 91.100.30
English Version
Concrete - Release of regulated dangerous substances into soil,
groundwater and surface water - Test method for new or
unapproved constituents of concrete and for production
concretes
Béton - Relargage de substances dangereuses Beton - Freisetzung regulierter gefährlicher Stoffe in den
réglementées dans les sols, les eaux souterraines et les Boden, das Grundwasser und das Oberflächenwasser -
eaux de surface - Méthode d'essai des constituants du Testmethode für neue oder noch nicht zugelassene
béton, nouveaux ou non-approuvés, et des formules de Bestandteile von Beton und für Betone
béton
This Technical Report was approved by CEN on 1 October 2007. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 51.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2008 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TR 15678:2008: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword.3
Introduction .4
1 Scope .10
2 Normative references .10
3 Terms and definitions .11
4 Principle.12
5 Reagents.13
6 Apparatus .13
7 Reference concrete.13
8 Sampling of constituents.14
9 Control mix, test mixes and test pieces .15
10 Preparation of concrete test pieces.17
11 Extraction procedure.18
12 Assessment of unapproved constituents .18
13 Analysis .19
14 Calculation of results .19
15 Expression of results .20
16 Test report .20
17 Test performance (precision estimates and uncertainty) .23
Annex A (normative) Testing for release of (regulated) dangerous substances from pre-hardened
concrete products formed in the factory .24
Annex B (informative) Testing for release of (regulated) dangerous substances from hardened test
pieces representative of fresh wet concretes or pre-packaged concretes .27
Annex C (informative) Principles of laboratory concrete mix design to be applied for the
assessment of new/unapproved constituents of concrete .30
Bibliography .35

Foreword
This document (CEN/TR 15678:2008) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 51 “Cement and
buliding limes”, the secretariat of which is held by NBN.
It describes test methods, that when completed, will produce eluates for the assessment of inorganic and
organic substances potentially released from either the constituents of concretes (tested within hardened
reference concretes) or from production concretes (or test pieces representative of production concretes)
whether presented in the pre-hardened/precast state, fresh wet state or pre-packaged.
This document is currently incomplete. This document does not include the extraction procedure necessary to
produce the eluates because extraction procedures will be developed within a programme of horizontal test
method standardisation under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the European Free
Trade Association in order to support essential requirements of EU Directives. The necessary programme of
work is being undertaken in CEN/TC 351 Construction products – Assessment of release of dangerous
substances.
Annex A, which is normative, describes the testing for release of (regulated) dangerous substances from pre-
hardened concrete products formed in the factory.
Annex B, which is informative, describes the testing for release of (regulated) dangerous substances from
hardened test pieces representative of fresh wet concretes or pre-packaged concretes.
Annex C, which is informative, describes the principles of laboratory concrete mix design to be applied for the
assessment of new/unapproved constituents of concrete.

Introduction
Regulatory background
In March 2005 the Commission Services of the European Union published mandate M/366 “Development of
horizontal standardised assessment methods for harmonised approaches relating to (regulated) dangerous
substances under the Construction Products Directive (CPD)”. M/366 deals with the subject of emissions or
release of (regulated) dangerous substances from construction products, as defined in the CPD, which may
have harmful impacts on human health and the environment in relation to essential requirement No. 3 (ER 3),
Health, hygiene and the environment, of the CPD. The mandate is intended to provide harmonised European
measurement/test method standards that are needed in order to remove technical barriers to trade and bring
about the “approximation” of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States. The
measurement/test standards should provide results that can be expressed in performance terms and be
suitable for addressing the emission or release of (regulated) dangerous substances within provisions in
harmonised European Technical Specifications (ETS).
For ease of assigning the appropriate environments or exposure scenarios to individual products, the
environment is notionally divided into two distinct environmental compartments: indoor air and soil,
groundwater and surface water. In this context, it is important to recognize that essential requirement No. 3
only covers the potential effects of construction on the health of occupants and neighbours of construction
works and the environment immediately surrounding the works. In life-cycle terms, it covers only the service
life of a product and, therefore, does not cover the construction phase or end-of-use/disposal.
These distinct environmental compartments are necessarily associated with exposure-specific test
methodologies, the emission of volatile, semi-volatile or other substances into indoor air being physico-
chemically, kinetically and thermodynamically distinct from release into aqueous environments. The test
methods described herein address only the potential release of substances into soil, groundwater and surface
water, forms of aqueous exposure which, given the focus on service-life, could be described as the natural
environment. Assessment of emission of substances into indoor air may or may not be relevant for the
cementitious products identified in this CEN TR. However, if it emerges that the regulatory regime requires
that this aspect of performance be addressed, then the European cement and concrete sector, via its
standardization committees, will involve itself in appropriate work items.
At the time of drafting this CEN TR, spring 2007, there are a number of uncertainties about the regulatory
regime that will eventually govern the assessment of emission/release of dangerous substances from
construction products within Europe. In particular, it is unclear which products and/or materials will be subject
to any part of the emerging regulatory regime. In the case of cement-containing products or materials such as
concrete there is additional uncertainty because, with the exception of mixing water, all the constituents of
concrete are construction products mandated in their own right under the Construction Products Directive
(CPD). However, the constituents of concrete do not come into direct contact with either soil, groundwater or
surface water and this could be taken to infer that they should not be subject to any regulatory provisions
except that some (i.e. those not already standardised under national standards or European Technical
Specifications) are subject to assessment within some Member States' existing environmental regulations.
Furthermore, some types of concrete, for example fresh wet concretes, have not been mandated as
construction products under the CPD and therefore might be considered to be outside any European
regulatory regime based upon it. The complicating factor for these materials, though, is that they are subject
to some EU Member States' existing regulations and may, in consequence, need to be assessed under a
European regulatory regime.
It is also unclear whether the assessment and classification framework under development for use in the
European regulatory regime will eventually be adopted. Currently, however, there are indications that the
framework will include three distinct elements:
a 'deemed to satisfy' classification scheme for assessing some products on the basis of existing, generally
accepted knowledge, currently known as 'without testing (WT)';
a classification scheme known as 'without further testing (WFT)' but based on initial testing using agreed
European test methods may also form part of the regime;
and for use in those cases where the above classifications are either inapplicable or where products cannot
achieve either classification because they can emit or release substances in amounts in excess of the
classification criteria, there would be a need to carry out 'further testing (FT)' in the form of routine or
conformity testing, again using agreed European test methods called up from appropriate provisions placed in
harmonised European Technical Specifications (e.g. harmonised European product standards and European
Technical Approvals). However, it is clear that the eventual European regulatory regime will neither establish
nor include any pan-European assessment criteria for assessing emission or release under conditions of
'further testing (FT)'. Assessment under FT conditions will be a matter of comparing results obtained using
European test methods with the appropriate, and possibly appropriately modified, limiting criteria in EU
Member States' existing national regulations.
Given the regulatory uncertainties outlined above, this CEN TR has taken the position that its scope must
initially include:
all types of concrete [pre-hardened/precast, fresh wet (ready-mixed and site-mixed) and pre-packaged);
and all the constituents of concrete, with the exception of mixing water;
so as to cover the eventuality that any of these, whether mandated construction products or not, may need to
be assessed for the purposes of conformity with Essential Requirement 3 of the Construction Products
Directive because any can come into either direct or indirect (constituents of concrete) contact with soil,
groundwater or surface water. However, those products that have been mandated as construction products in
their own right under the CPD are dealt with in normative provisions in this CEN TR whereas those that have
not been mandated are dealt with in informative provisions.
Overall scope of products and test methods
This CEN TR describes three distinct test methods but all use the same extraction procedure. The first will
permit the constituents (e.g. cement, additions, aggregates, admixtures, fibres etc) of concrete that have not
been officially classified as WT products (i.e. without testing to a European standard test method being
required) to be assessed against any European or national requirements for release of (regulated) dangerous
substances from hardened test pieces of concrete into soil, groundwater or surface water.
The second method, in normative Annex A, is designed to permit factory made pre-hardened concretes, or
test pieces representative of factory made concretes, which have not been officially classified as WT products,
to be assessed against any European or national requirements for release of (regulated) dangerous
substances into soil, groundwater or surface water.
The third method, in informative Annex B, is designed to permit concretes sampled in the fresh wet state or
pre-packaged (and also not officially classified as WT products) to be assessed in the hardened state, against
any European or national requirements for release of (regulated) dangerous substances into soil, groundwater
or surface water.
Construction products, whether constituents of concrete or concrete itself, that have been officially classified
as WT products by way of authorised procedures will not require to be tested by the methods described herein.
In consequence, the overall scope is directed to the testing of new or previously unapproved constituents of
concretes, or to production concretes where a requirement to test the end-use product has arisen.

Constituents - general description of the method of test
The first method describes how to determine the release of (regulated) dangerous substances from a
new/unapproved constituent of concrete. The method is comparative in that results obtained from a
laboratory prepared reference concrete which does not include the constituent under test (control mix) are
subtracted from the results obtained from a reference concrete that incorporates the test constituent by either
substitution or addition (test mix).
A new/unapproved constituent for use in concrete can be incorporated into a reference concrete in three
different ways, either by:
• substitution (partial or full) for a reference constituent of the same type and which reference
constituent has either been classified as WT or has otherwise demonstrated its fitness for intended
use, as in the case of: factory-made cements, aggregates, type I additions;
• substitution (partial) for a reference constituent of a different type and which reference constituent
has either been classified as WT or has otherwise demonstrated its fitness for intended use, as in the
case of: type I or type II additions;
• or by addition to the reference concrete, as in the case of: admixtures, polymer modifiers and fibres.
As a principle, the method seeks to isolate, as far as is practicable, the contribution to the release of
substances from the unapproved constituent i.e. the constituent under test, from the contributions from the
other constituents that make up the reference concrete. However, complete isolation of contributions to
release, one constituent from another, is not possible for all types of constituents. For example, if substitution
by a type II addition or addition by a chemical admixture leads via a synergistic effect (e.g. by a micro-
structural modification) to a reduction in permeability of a test mix in comparison with its companion control
mix, then complete isolation will not have been achieved. Such synergies, however, occur in concretes as
used in the field, therefore, the overall effects on release from the relevant hardened test mixes will also tend
to reflect reality.
In general, in the case where an unapproved constituent replaces a reference constituent by substitution, the
assessment is made by subtracting, in whole or in part (depending on the type of constituent and the level of
substitution), the results for release of substances obtained for the reference concrete (i.e. the control mix)
from those obtained for the test mix in which the unapproved constituent is present. The exception to this rule
occurs in the specific case where the unapproved constituent is a factory made cement. In this particular case
the design of the method is such that there will be no contributions from other constituents to be subtracted.
Similarly, in the case where an unapproved constituent is added to a reference concrete, the assessment is
made after subtracting any contributions to release of substances from the reference concrete in which the
constituent under test is absent (i.e. the control mix) from any contributions from the test mix to which the
constituent has been added.
Production concretes - general description of the method of test
The second and third methods, in normative Annex A and informative Annex B, respectively, utilise the same
test conditions for assessing release of (regulated) dangerous substances but start from the sampling of
production concretes. In cases where products are supplied to the market as formed in the factory, they may
be sampled as either finished items (monoliths) or as proxy samples of the fresh wet material used in their
production. Where materials are supplied in a formless state, samples are taken from the fresh wet materials.
Where products are supplied pre-packaged, each sample is a representative whole bag of product.
In the case of products sampled in the fully formed (monolithic) state, test pieces are prepared by either
sawing or coring regular shaped test pieces of appropriate dimensions from the factory-made item. Whereas,
in the case of samples of fresh wet material and pre-packaged products, test pieces are prepared as
standard-sized moulded test pieces.
Moulded test pieces are cured under different conditions depending on the product type from which they are
taken. In the case of proxy samples taken from fresh wet material used in the production of factory made
items, these are cured under conditions that are representative of those used in the manufacture of the item.
In the case of test pieces prepared from pre-packaged products and fresh wet materials as supplied to the
market, these are cured for periods specified in specifications or regulations appropriate to the material type.
Subsequent to curing, test pieces, representing production of concrete, are subject to the same extraction
conditions as those used for testing individual constituents in reference mixes of concrete.
However, in the case of production materials, there is no place for a reference concrete in the test method
because it is the overall release of substances from the sample taken from production that is to be assessed
against either generic limit (e.g. threshold) values or classes of performance appropriate to concrete, rather
than, as in the first method, limit values or performance classes appropriate to individual constituents.
Extraction conditions
The extraction procedure to be adopted by the methods described herein will be the horizontal monolithic bulk
diffusion method developed by CEN/TC 351 Construction products – Assessment of release of dangerous
substances, established in 2005.
However, a preliminary comparison has been carried out by CEN/TC 51 of the main features of the bulk
diffusion tests that are, or could be, relevant to concrete and its constituents that are either already published
or are currently under development. The extraction conditions employed by the different methods, and that
may have relevance to the bulk diffusion extraction procedure likely to be developed by CEN/TC 351, are
summarised in Table 1 below.
Table 1 — Test methods
Test method
Main feature of CEN CR 351XX Draft procedure in Dutch NEN CEN/TC 292 draft
method support of German 7345 [5] compliance test for
[3]
DIBt regulations[4] leaching from
(unpublished)
monolithic waste (2003)
[6]
Scope Natural Natural environment Natural Natural environment
environment (groundwater & soil) environment
Test pieces
100 mm 100 mm concrete Minimum Minimum dimension 40
concrete cubes cubes dimension 40 mm
made in mm
accordance with
EN 12390-2
Moulding
Thorough Shale oil must not be Method is May be prepared by
requirements washing, no used generic and moulding, cutting or
release oil. does not deal coring
with concrete
specifically
Reference
Test samples Cement content 280 Method is Method is generic and
concrete are production kg/m generic and does not deal with
composition
concretes does not deal concrete specifically
w/c 0.60 (or highest
with concrete
anticipated for use)
specifically
Aggregate to DIN
Curing Demoulded at Demoulded at 24 h Method is Not specified but age
conditions
24 h generic and must be recorded
Up to 56 days in
does not deal
6 days in sealed sealed plastics at (20 Test pieces to be stored
with concrete
°
polythene bag at ± 2) C. in sealed containers at
specifically
° °
(20 ± 2) C (20 ± 5) C.
Storage up to 91 days
may be agreed
Minimum of 21
days at 65 %
RH
Number of test 1 1 Minimum of 2 1 (but several can be in
pieces the one tank)
Age of test Greater than 91 Normally 56 days Method is Not specified but should
piece at test days generic and be adequate to enable
does not deal structure to have
Weight at test to
with concrete stabilised
be within 1 % of
specifically
demould weight
Test pieces No No No No. Dust removed with
rinsed before compressed air.
testing
Tank details Unplasticized PE, PTFE or glass Unplasticised Glass or plastics. Must
plastics, plastics be capable of containing
sealable sealable applied vacuum
Washing of 1M HNO then Not specified Not specified Not specified but blank
equipment demineralised required
water
Leachant Demineralised Demineralised water Demineralised Demineralised water with
water with pH water with pH pH between 5 and 7,5
between 4 and 7 of (4 ±) 0.1
° ° ° °
Leaching (20 ± 2) C (20 ± 3) C (20 ± 2) C (20 ± 5) C
temperature
Stirring No Yes No Yes
Initial vacuum No No No Yes
for saturation
Liquid volume : (In range 67:1 to 80:1 Not specified 6
test piece 100:1)
surface ratio
-2)
(lm )
Liquid volume : >4 < 6 Not specified >4 <6 Not specified
test piece
volume ratio
Leaching 6h 1d 6h 6h
periods
24h 2d 1d 1d
78h 4d 2,25d 2d
7d 9d 4d
14d 16d 9d
24d 16d
36d
64d
Tests on pH, conductivity, pH, conductivity, Not specified pH, conductivity (redox
leachate inorganic inorganic analysis, potential may be
analysis TOC measured)
Storage of Minimise Not specified Not specified Not specified
leachate headspace, for
most cations
acidify with
HNO
Blank No No No Max. of 20 %
correction contamination by any
component
No correction for blank
values
Limiting No Yes No No
criteria
Expression of Area related Area related release Area related Concentration in (mg/l)
2 2 2
results release (mg/m ) (mg/m ) at 56 days release (mg/m ) for the specified contact
times
Calculation of
effective diffusion Area-related release
coefficient (mg/m )
Prediction of Leached quantity (mg/kg)
substance
concentrations in
contact with
groundwater
Assessment of results
The assessment of the results produced by the test methods in relation to the potential impact on soil,
groundwater or surface water is a regulatory matter. Assessment of the release scenarios in combination with
current transfer models applied at national level in some EU Member States allows the calculation of
concentrations of relevant (regulated) dangerous substances to be predicted at, either:
any distance from the point of contact between the construction product and the soil or groundwater, or;
for any period of time during which the construction product could be in contact with soil or groundwater.
In the former case, where the distance from the construction product (point of compliance) has been fixed by
the competent authorities at a national level, the calculated concentrations can be compared with the
respective limit values. Alternatively, the transfer modelling can be used to derive limit values to be applied at
the laboratory level for those substances which have regulatory limits established at the national level.
1 Scope
This document outlines three test methods. The first is designed to test the constituents of concrete, not
designated as WT products, using reference concrete matrices (control mixes and test mixes) wherein the
release of (regulated) dangerous substances from the constituent under test, into soil, groundwater or surface
water, can be determined. The types of constituent which can be tested using this method are as follows:
a) factory-made cements;
b) aggregates;
c) additions type I;
d) additions type II;
e) admixtures;
f) polymer modifiers;
g) fibres.
The second method, in normative Annex A, is designed to test factory made concrete products, not
designated as WT products, as either test pieces sawn or cored from pre-hardened monoliths or as standard-
sized moulded test pieces formed from proxy samples of fresh wet material taken from concrete used in the
production of factory made items.
The third method, in informative Annex B, is designed to test concretes sampled in the fresh wet state or pre-
packaged state, not officially classified as WT products, as standard-sized moulded test pieces.
All three methods produce eluates that may be used for the purposes of characterisation testing, initial type
testing (ITT) or further testing (FT) of either the constituents of concrete identified in this Scope or of
production concretes.
2 Normative references
The following documents are indispensable for the application 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.
EN 197-1, Cement – Part 1: Composition, specifications and conformity criteria for common cements
EN 206-1:2000, Concrete – Part 1: Specification, performance, production and conformity
EN 480-1, Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout – Test methods – Part 1: Reference concrete and
reference mortar for testing
EN 1015-2, Method of test for mortar for masonry – Part 2: Bulk sampling of mortars and preparation of test
mortars
EN 12350-1, Testing fresh concrete – Part 1: Sampling
EN 12350-2, Testing fresh concrete – Part 2: Slump test
EN 12350-6, Testing fresh concrete – Part 6: Density
EN 12390-1, Testing hardened concrete – Part 1: Shape, dimensions and other requirements for specimens
and moulds
EN 12390-2, Testing hardened concrete – Part 2: Making and curing specimens for strength tests
EN 12390-7:2000, Testing hardened concrete – Part 7: Density of hardened concrete
EN 12620, Aggregates for concrete
EN 13639, Determination of total organic carbon in limestone
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
appropriate body
certification body, inspection body or test laboratory, as relevant to a particular requirement
3.2
cementitious product
factory made product containing a cementitious material supplied in the hardened state with a formed surface
prior to its incorporation into the construction works
3.3
cementitious material
material that contains a hydraulic cement in sufficient proportion to act as the main binder by forming a
hydrate structure which governs the performance of the material after hardening
3.4
fresh concrete
concrete that is fully mixed and still in a condition capable of being compacted by the chosen method
3.5
test
technical operation that consists of the determination of one or more characteristics of a given product
3.6
test procedure
specified technical method for performing a test
3.7
sample
one or more units, or a specified quantity, drawn from a batch or lot for inspection, e.g. at the factory or in a
laboratory
3.8
reference concrete
generic concrete mix (see clause 7) made from reference cement (7.3), reference aggregates (7.2) and
specified mixing water (7.4), proportioned to a reference cementitious content (7.5) and specified slump class
(7.5), which is used to provide a (specific) control mix (see 3.10) and a standardised matrix from which to
derive a (specific) text mix (see 3.11)
3.9
reference constituent
generic reference cement (7.3) and generic reference aggregates (7.2) used within a reference concrete
3.10
control mix
specific reference concrete mix made from a particular reference cement and particular reference aggregates
used to form a blank (i.e. a control) in which the constituent under test is absent
3.11
test mix
specific reference concrete mix into which the constituent (new/unapproved) under test has been incorporated
either by addition or substitution of a particular reference cement or particular reference aggregates, in the
fresh wet state
3.12
test piece
either a standard sized hardened concrete specimen formed from a test mix, a control mix or a production
concrete sampled in the formless (i.e. fresh wet) state which, after curing, provides contact surfaces
representative of the intended service condition for concrete or, alternatively, an irregular sized concrete
specimen sawn/cored from a production concrete sampled in the pre-hardened/precast state
3.13
test water
water used for testing purposes
3.14
eluate
test water which has been in contact with a test piece under specified conditions
3.15
blank water
test water which has been kept at the same specified conditions as eluate water but without contact with the
test piece
3.16
mixing water
tap water
3.17
tap water
drinking water distributed by a public supplier
4 Principle
The constituent under test is incorporated in a test mix of concrete obtained by either substituting or adding
the constituent to a reference concrete mix based on controlled quantities of cementitious material and slump
class. The test mix is moulded in the form of a standard sized cube and cured under specified conditions prior
to being brought into contact with a temperature controlled test water of controlled/uncontrolled pH, under
static/dynamic conditions.
In general, except where an unapproved factory made cement is the constituent under test, a control mix is
also prepared using the reference concrete. The control mix is moulded in the form of a standard sized cube,
cured and subjected to the same extraction procedure as the test mix. A control mix is not required where an
unapproved factory made cement is under test because the reference aggregates, meeting the requirements,
of 7.2 have been specified to make a negligible contribution to release of substances.
Appropriate corrections are made to the determined contents of substances in the eluates obtained from most
test mixes by either subtracting appropriate contributions from the control mix in which the constituent under
test is absent, or where appropriate, by subtracting contributions from a procedural blank prior to calculation of
concentrations for each of a number of contact periods with test water.
It is assumed that for final assessment of release, each constituent is either subject to constituent-specific limit
values (expressed as either µg/l in the eluate and/or as mg/dm of surface) for specified substances or that
appropriate classes of performance exist.
5 Reagents
5.1 General requirements
The apparatus list from the horizontal bulk diffusion test method to be developed by CEN/TC 351 will be
reproduced here.
Use only reagents of analytical quality unless otherwise stated.
6 Apparatus
6.1 General
The apparatus list from the horizontal bulk diffusion test method to be developed by CEN/TC 351 will be
reproduced here.
6.2 Method-specific apparatus
6.2.1 Balance, capable of weighing to an accuracy of ± 1 g.
6.2.2 Laboratory oven(s), capable of being set at (105 ± 5) °C.
6.2.3 Concrete mixer, laboratory size, capable of mixing a homogeneous concrete from its constituents.
6.2.4 Moulds, shall be made from alkali-resistant material that will not interfere with the chemical analysis of
eluates. A mould shall give a test piece with total surface area of (6,0 ± 0,6) dm .
Where steel moulds conforming to the requirements of EN 12390-1 are used, the joints shall not be coated
with any wax, oil or grease to achieve water tightness. The use of release agents is not permitted.
NOTE Square 100 mm high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers, cut down to the height of 100 mm, have been
found to be satisfactory for this purpose.
6.2.5 Constant temperature/constant humidity cabinet, capable of maintaining temperature at
(20 ± 2) °C and relative humidity at both (65 ± 5) % and greater than 90 %. At the higher relative humidity, an
incubator containing a tray of water may be used to cure test pieces.
7 Reference concrete
7.1 General
The reference concrete, specified herein, provides both a control mix (3.10) and the concrete matrix for test
mixes (3.11).
Concrete mix design, concrete mixing and testing shall only be carried out under the supervision of an
experienced concrete technologist. Test mixes containing the maximum dose of some additions, admixtures
and polymers may be very difficult to control under the specified test requirements and it is recommended that
a concrete technologist with specific experience in these types of constituent is involved in such tests.
It is recommended that the laboratory should be a participant in a certified laboratory management scheme.
7.2 Reference aggregate
The reference aggregate, which may comprise a mixture of different coarse and fine fractions, in the control
mix shall be a natural normal-weight aggregate conforming to EN 12620 with a water absorption less than 2 %
by mass, a total organic carbon content (TOC) less than 0,1 % by mass and an aggregate grading that meets
the requirements of EN 480-1. It shall be in an oven-dry condition achieved by drying at (105 ± 5) °C until
constant mass is obtained.
The TOC content of the aggregate shall be determined in accordance with EN 13639. In the case of separate
determinations for the coarse and fine fractions the TOC content of the aggregate (combined fractions) shall
be calculated in accordance with the proportions by mass of the coarse and fine fractions in the aggregate.
7.3 Reference cement
The cement in the control mix shall meet the requirements of EN 197-1 for a CEM I cement.
7.4 Mixing water
Water, suitable for drinking, shall be used in the control and in the test concrete mixes.
7.5 Reference concrete mix proportions
The reference concrete control mix shall be proportioned to a cement content of (300 ± 20) kg/m and slump
of 50 mm to 90 mm, (slump class S2 in EN 206-1), determined in accordance with the method described in
EN 12350-2.
NOTE Concrete placed in contact with either soil, groundwater or surface water will experience an environmental
exposure that can be described as wet, rarely dry. This exposure condition is classified as XC 2 in EN 206-1, a
classification that includes the following informative example: Concrete surfaces subject to long-term water contact. Many
foundations. Consequently, a concrete conforming to the XC 2 classification in EN 206-1 is likely to be the minimum
quality to be placed in contact with soil, groundwater or surface water. In addition, a recommended minimum CEM I
cement content of 280 kg/m is given in EN 206-1 for the XC 2 classification and this recommended minimum has been
taken into account in setting the target CEM I cement content for use in the reference (control) mix, and most test mixes,
at (300 ± 20) kg/m .
Prepare the control and test mixes (see Clause 9) observing the mix design principles in informative Annex C
of this CEN TR.
8 Sampling of constituents
Sample constituents at the point of release of the factory or production facility in accordance with the relevant
product standard, system standard or European or national regulations, whichever is appropriate.
Take care that the transport conditions do not influence the test results.
If it is necessary to store samples or test pieces before testing, ensure that they are protected from
contamination taking into account any documented instructions that are provided.
Where appropriate, clean storage containers using the same procedures as are used for the test containers.
9 Control mix, test mixes and test pieces
9.1 General
Test pieces are of two types, those formed from the control mix and those formed from the test mix
incorporating the constituent under test.
9.2 Test piece preparation
9.2.1 Test pieces made from control mix
Control test pieces are formed from (hardened and cured) control mixes using the reference constituents
(Clause 7) in the proportions specified in 7.5. Under some circumstances, see 9.2.2.5 and 9.2.2.8, the use a
particular constituent (e.g. some type II additions or some fibres) may require the use of a separate
plasticizing or superplasticizing admixture (e.g. for efficient dispersal), in these cases the admixture is added
to the control mix at the same dosage as that added to the test mix.
9.2.2 Test pieces made by incorporating an unapproved constituent in the reference concrete
9.2.2.1 General
Constituents to be assessed for approval are incorporated into the reference concrete either by substitution
(wholly or in part) or by addition (as appropriate to the type of constituent) in order to produce a test mix which
when hardened and cured forms a test piece.
Only one constituent may be added or substituted in any individual test mix.
In all cases, demoulding of test pieces should only be undertaken when the mix has hardened sufficiently so
that demoulding can be carried out without causing damage to the surface of the test piece.
9.2.2.2 Test mix for factory-made cements
Replace, on a mass basis, all the reference CEM I cement in the reference concrete mix by the factory-made
cement under test.
Maintain slump in the range 50 mm to 90 mm, determined in accordance with EN 12350-2, observing the mix
design principles in informative Annex C of this CEN TR.
9.2.2.3 Test mix for aggregates
Replace some or all of the reference aggregate, on a volume basis, by the aggregate under test, prepared to
meet the grading requirements of EN 480-1.
Maintain slump in the range 50 mm to 90 mm, determined in accordance with EN 12350-2, observing the mix
design principles in informative Annex C of this CEN TR.
It may be necessary to make provision for the aggregate grading to be adjusted by the addition of fines which
meet the physical and chemical requirements of clause 7.2. It is important that the test aggregate is prepared
in such a way that the material used is representative of the bulk composition and that, for example, fines are
not discarded.
9.2.2.4 Test mix for type I additions
Replace, on a mass basis, the fine fraction of the reference aggregate by the type I addition under test, at the
maximum proportion (as a percentage of the total aggregate) specified for use of the type I addition.
Maintain slump in the range 50 mm to 90 mm, determined in accordance with EN 12350-2, observing the mix
design principles in informative Annex C of this CEN TR.
9.2.2.5 Test mix for type II additions
Replace the reference cement with the maximum proportion of the type II addition calculated in accordance
with the relevant k-value concept in 5.2.5 of EN 206-1:2000 used to establish suitability for use in concrete.
Where the type II addition requires the use (e.g. for efficient dispersal) of a separate plasticizing or super
plasticizing admixture, incorporate the admixture in both the control mix and the test mix using the minimum
dosage required to achieve the target slump level.
NOTE In the case of type II additions and the use of 5.2.5 of EN 206-1:2000, the minimum content of cementitious
material in a test mix, i.e. CEM I reference cement plus an equivalent quantity of type II addition, will vary from the target
value set at 300 kg/m for the control mix.
The introduction of a type II addition, with or without a plasticizing admixture, may result in extended setting
times for test mixes.
9.2.2.6 Test mix for admixtures
Add the admixture under test to the reference concrete at the maximum dosage recommended by the
manufacturer.
In general, maintain slump in the range 50 mm to 90 mm, determined in accordance with EN 12350-2,
observing the mix design principles in informative Annex C of this CEN TR.
Where a high dosage of some admixture
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