Title

AS 1012.3.1-1998 Methods of testing concrete - Determination of properties related

to the consistency of concrete - Slump test

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 1 AS 1012.3.1 1998

Australian Standard
Methods of testing concrete

Method 3.1: Determination of properties

related to the consistency of concreteSlump
test
PREFACE

This Standard was prepared by Standards Australia Committee BD/42, Methods of Testing
Concrete, to supersede, in part, AS 1012.3 1983. This Method is one of a series
applying to the sampling and testing of concrete. This version includes provisions which
allow the use of a modified slump test apparatus.
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METHOD

1 SCOPE This Standard sets out the method for determining the slump of concrete,
when the nominal size of aggregate does not exceed 40 mm.
NOTE: This Standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This
Standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems 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.

2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS The following documents are referred to in this

Standard:
AS
1012 Methods of testing concrete
1012.1 Method 1: Sampling of fresh concrete
1012.2 Method 2: Preparation of concrete mixes in the laboratory

3 PRINCIPLE This Method describes the procedure of filling a slump cone with fresh
concrete in layers, rodding each layer 25 times and then removing the support given to the
concrete by the slump cone by raising the slump cone vertically upwards away from the
concrete.
The vertical subsidence of the concrete that occurs, when the slump cone is raised, is
termed the slump of the concrete.
It is considered that the slump of fresh concrete will not vary between individual batches
of concrete, if the characteristics and proportions of the ingredients used to make the
concrete do not vary from batch to batch of the concrete made.

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 AS 1012.3.1 1998 2

4 APPARATUS
4.1 Mould The mould shall be a hollow frustum of a cone manufactured from
galvanized steel sheet of thickness of between 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm (i.e. wall thickness of
the finished product shall be not less than 1.5 mm thick), the bottom and the top of the
mould being open and at right-angles to the axis of the cone. The mould shall be provided
with suitable footpieces and handles or other means of holding in place during filling and
its internal surface shall be smooth. The internal dimensions of the mould shall be as
follows:
(a) Bottom diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 5 mm.
(b) Top diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 5 mm.
(c) Vertical height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 5 mm.
NOTES:
1 A suitable mould is illustrated in Figure 1.
2 A typical modified slump cone is illustrated in Figure 2.
3 Attachments to the mould preferably should be welded. If rivets are used in the construction
of the mould, they have to be countersunk flush on the inside of the cone.
4 To facilitate holding of the mould in place and its lifting in a vertical direction, a suitable
steel base plate with a quick release locking mechanism and guide attachments may be
provided. The locking mechanism should allow the maintenance of a firm downward
pressure until the mould is raised. Size of the base plate should be such as not to interfere
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with the spread of the concrete being tested.

5 The surface of the slump cone may have a finish other than a galvanized one as long as
slump tests performed with such a cone give the same slump value as that for a galvanized
slump cone.
4.2 Rod The rod used for compacting concrete in the mould shall be a metal rod of
16 1 mm in diameter, approximately 600 mm long and having at least one end tapered
for a distance of approximately 25 mm to a spherical shape having a radius of
approximately 5 mm.
NOTE: The rod may be extended with a handle of plastics conduit, provided that the overall
length does not exceed 1000 mm.
4.3 Scoop The scoop shall be made from non-absorbent material not readily attacked
by cement paste and suitable for taking increments of concrete.
NOTE: The scoop should be large enough to accommodate the maximum size of aggregate in
the concrete, of sufficient size to obtain a representative sample but small enough to restrict
mass of scoopful of concrete to a size that is able to be handled.
4.4 Base plate The base plate shall be of smooth, rigid, non-absorbent material, e.g.
metal plate of a minimum 3.0 mm thickness.
4.5 Ruler An appropriate steel ruler is required.

5 SAMPLING
5.1 Field sampling For concrete sampled in the field, the test sample shall be obtained
in accordance with the requirements of AS 1012.1.
5.2 Laboratory sampling For concrete made in the laboratory, the test sample shall be
prepared in accordance with AS 1012.2.

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 3 AS 1012.3.1 1998

6 PROCEDURE The procedure shall be as follows:

(a) For concrete sampled in the field commence the test immediately following the
completion of mixing the test sample. For concrete prepared in the laboratory
commence the test in accordance with AS 1012.2.
(b) Ensure that the internal surface of the mould is clean and free from set concrete.
(c) Moisten the internal surface of the mould by wiping with a damp cloth immediately
before commencing each test.
(d) Place the mould on a smooth, horizontal surface such as a carefully levelled base
plate, which is free from vibration or shock. Hold the mould firmly in place by
standing on the footpieces or by locking the mould against the base plate while the
mould is being filled.
(e) Ensure that the procedure from the start of filling to the removal of the mould
(Steps (f) to (j)) is carried out without interruption and is completed within an
elapsed time of 3 min.
(f) Fill the mould in three layers each approximately one-third of the height of the
mould, taking care that the volume of the top layer is sufficient to more than fill the
mould after rodding. As each scoopful of concrete is being placed, move the scoop
around the top edge of the mould as the concrete slides from it, to ensure
symmetrical distribution of the concrete within the mould. The addition of the
concrete for the top layer shall be carried out so as not to compact the concrete of
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the top layer.

NOTE: A detachable conical collar may be used to facilitate filling the mould. The collar
should not penetrate the mould by more than 5 mm.
(g) Rod each layer with 25 strokes of the rounded end of the rod. Distribute the strokes
in a uniform manner over the cross-section of the mould. For the bottom layer this
will necessitate inclining the rod slightly and placing half the strokes near the
perimeter. Rod the bottom layer throughout its depth. Rod the second layer and the
top layer throughout their depth, so that the strokes just penetrate into the
underlying layer.
NOTE: Avoid excessive contact with the plate when rodding.
(h) During the filling and rodding operation for the top layer, heap the concrete above
the mould before the rodding is started. If the rodding operation results in
subsidence of the concrete below the top edge of the mould, add more concrete to
keep an excess of concrete above the top of the mould.
(i) After the top layer has been rodded, strike off the surface of the concrete by using a
screeding and rolling motion of the rod so that the mould is filled exactly. Quickly
remove surplus material from around the base of the mould, avoiding any movement
or vibration of the mould. Maintain a firm downward pressure at all times until the
mould is removed. Immediately remove the mould from the concrete by raising it
slowly and carefully in a vertical direction, allowing the concrete to subside.
Complete the operation of raising the mould through its own height in 3 1 s
without causing any lateral or torsional displacement of the concrete.
(j) Immediately measure the slump by determining the difference between the height of
the mould (300 mm) and the average height of the top surface of the concrete.

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 AS 1012.3.1 1998 4

7 MEASUREMENT OF SLUMP The slump shall be measured

(a) to the nearest 5 mm for slumps of 100 mm and less; and
(b) to the nearest 10 mm for slumps greater than 100 mm.
If a test specimen collapses laterally or shears, the test shall be repeated with another part
of the sample. If in the repeat test the test specimen collapses laterally or shears, the
slump shall not be measured. The lateral collapse or shear of any specimen shall be
recorded. See Figure 3 for examples of collapse and shear slumps.
NOTE: Some indication of the cohesiveness and workability of the concrete can be obtained if,
after the slump measurement has been completed, the side of the test specimen is tapped gently
with the tamping rod. A well proportioned concrete which has an appreciable slump will
gradually slump further. Badly proportioned concrete is likely to fall apart.

8 RECORDS The following information shall be recorded:

(a) Identification of the concrete.
(b) Job site or laboratory where tested.
(c) Date and time of test.
(d) Slump.
(e) Lateral collapse or shear, if any.
(f) Identification of testing operator.
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(g) Reference to this Standard, i.e. AS 1012.3.1.

9 REPORT In the event of a report being prepared, the following information shall be
included:
(a) Identification of the concrete.
(b) Date and location of test.
(c) Slump.
(d) Lateral collapse or shear, if any.
(e) Reference to this Standard, i.e. AS 1012.3.1.
(f) Such other information contained in the sampling records (see AS 1012.1) as may
be requested.

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FIGURE 1
5

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DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES

TYPICAL MOULD FOR SLUMP TEST

AS 1012.3.1 1998
 Licensed to E.S.SURESH on 04 Jun 2002. Single user licence only. Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited.

AS 1012.3.1 1998

FIGURE 2
6

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(b) Illustration

EXAMPLE OF A TYPICAL MODIFIED SLUMP CONE

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FIGURE 3
7

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EXAMPLES OF SLUMP
AS 1012.3.1 1998
 AS 1012.3.1 1998 8

This Australian Standard was prepared by Committee BD/42, Methods of Testing Concrete. It was approved on behalf of
the Council of Standards Australia on 10 July 1998 and published on 5 September 1998.

The following interests are represented on Committee BD/42:

Association of Consulting Engineers, Australia
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Australian Pre-mixed Concrete Association
AUSTROADS
Cement and Concrete Association of Australia
Concrete Institute of Australia
CSIRO, Division of Building, Construction and Engineering
National Association of Testing Authorities Australia
University of New South Wales
University of Technology, Sydney
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matter may be investigated and appropriate action taken.

Originated as AS A8 1935.
Previous edition part of AS 1012.3 1983.
Revised and redesignated in part as AS 1012.3.1 1998.

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 97435.

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