Title

AS 1012.3.4-1998 Methods of testing concrete - Determination of properties related

to the consistency of concrete - Compactibility index

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 1 AS 1012.3.4 1998

Australian Standard
Methods of testing concrete

Method 3.4: Determination of properties

related to the consistency of
concreteCompactibility index

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.
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METHOD

1 SCOPE This Standard sets out the method for determining the compactibility index,
for concrete, where the expected slump is less than 10 mm and 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
1012.8 Method 8: Method for making and curing concrete compression, indirect
tensile and flexure test specimens in the laboratory or in the field.
1289 Methods of testing soils for engineering purposes
1289.5.1 1 Method 5.1.1: Soil compaction and density tests Determination of the dry
density/moisture content relation of a soil using standard compactive effort

3 PRINCIPLE Concrete is placed into a mould and compacted by a rammer. The

amount of consolidation is expressed as a compactibility index.

4 APPARATUS
4.1 Mould A standard cylinder mould (300 mm high 150 mm dia.) complying with
AS 1012.8, with a removable collar 150 mm high mounted above it, which shall have the
same internal diameter as the cylinder.

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 AS 1012.3.4 1998 2

4.2 Rammer A steel rammer with a 50 mm diameter face and a drop mass of 2.7 kg,
equipped with a suitable device to control the height of drop to a free fall of 300 mm.
One suitable design of hand apparatus is shown in Figure 1 and Table 1, and is identical
to the standard rammer specified in AS 1289.5.1.1.
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 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.

6 PROCEDURE The test shall be carried out 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 test in accordance with AS 1012.2.
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(b) Ensure that the internal surface of the standard cylinder mould is clean and free
from set concrete.
(c) Moisten the internal surface of the cylinder by wiping with a damp cloth
immediately before commencing each test.
(d) Firmly fix the 150 mm extension to the top of the cylinder mould, and place the
entire apparatus on a level rigid surface free from vibration or shock.
(e) Place the concrete to be tested gently into the mould and overfill the standard
cylinder mould. As each scoopful of concrete is being placed, move the scoop in
contact with and around the rim of the collar. This is to assist symmetrical
distribution of the concrete within the mould.
(f) Remove the collar then strike off the excess concrete remaining above the top of the
cylinder by moving a trowel, with blade horizontal, across the top of the mould.
(g) Replace the collar and compact the concrete remaining in the standard cylinder
mould with 100 blows of the rammer, working to a regular repetitive pattern to
ensure uniform compaction.
(h) Remove the collar and determine the mean drop in surface level from not less than
three evenly spaced measurements.
(i) Complete the overall procedure within 30 min. from time of sampling.

7 COMPACTIBILITY INDEX The compactibility index expressed to the nearest

whole number, shall be calculated from the following equation:
300 x
Compactibility index = ...7
3
where
x = mean drop in surface level due to compaction, in millimetres.

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 3 AS 1012.3.4 1998

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) Compactibility index.
(e) Mean drop in surface level due to compaction, in millimetres.
(f) Identification of testing operator.
(g) Reference to this Standard, i.e. AS 1012.3.4.

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) Compactibility index.
(d) Reference to this Standard, i.e. AS 1012.3.4.
(e) Such other information contained in the sampling records (see AS 1012.1) as may
be requested.
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 AS 1012.3.4 1998 4
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PARTS LIST AND TYPICAL DIMENSIONS

1 Handle 30 3 thick, black low-carbon steel tube
90 long
2 Rod 19 bright low-carbon steel rod
3 Guide washer 5 low-carbon steel flat 40
4 Tube 26 3.2 thick, black low-carbon steel tube 90
long
5 Frame washer 5 low-carbon steel flat 75
6 Guides 8 low-carbon steel rods 3 no.
7 Full ring 25 3 low-carbon steel flat
8 Washer pad 45 leather
9 Rammer 50 bright low-carbon steel bar
10 Part ring 25 3 low-carbon steel flat
NOTES:
1 This design has been found satisfactory, but alternative designs and materials can be
employed provided that the essential requirements in Table 1 are met. The design of
the hammer should permit the hammer to fall freely through the specified drop height.
The design of the hammer should ensure that there is a clearance not greater than
6 mm between the wall of the mould and the hammer during use.
2 The thickness of the leather washer (Part 8) may be adjusted to give the specified
height of fall for the rammer.
3 The head of the rammer (Part 9) may be drilled and tapped to fit Part 2.
4 The mass of the moving parts may be adjusted by drilling deeper into Part 9.
5 Tolerances indicated are for manufacturing purposes.
DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES

FIGURE 1 2.7 KG RAMMER

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 5 AS 1012.3.4 1998

TABLE 1
DIMENSIONS AND TOLERANCES FOR SUITABLE RAMMER

Apparatus Dimension Tolerance

Diameter (round foot), mm 50 0.4

Radius (sector foot), mm 74 0.5
Arc of segment (sector foot), degrees 41 0.5
2
Area of rammer, mm 1 964 31
Drop, mm 300 2.0
Mass, kg 2.7 0.01
Energy delivered per blow, J 7.94 0.08
3
Energy input, kJ/m 596 14
Either but not both of the tolerances may be exceeded provided that the
tolerance of area is not exceeded. Diameter and radius of arc of segment are
measured 3 mm behind the face of the rammer.
Either but not both of the tolerances may be exceeded provided that the
appropriate tolerance of energy delivered per blow is not exceeded.
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AS 1012.3.4 1998
6

NOTES
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NOTES
AS 1012.3.4 1998
 AS 1012.3.4 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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Originated as part of AS 1012.3 1983.

Revised and redesignated in part as AS 1012.3.4 1998.

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 97438.

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