ANZ Royal Bank (Cambodia) LTD.

Mao Tse Tung Blvd Branch

Construction New Building June 2008

SECTION 03060

CONCRETE PROPERTIES

PART 1 GENERAL

1.01 SECTION INCLUDES

A. Grades 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 of concrete to be used in the Works, and the
requirements for workability, permeability, and drying shrinkage.

1.02 RELATED SECTIONS

A. Section 03051 – Aggregates

B. Section 03052 – Cement

C. Section 03053 – Water

D. Section 03054 – Concrete

E. Section 03070 – Concrete Curing

F. Section 03080 – Concrete Transportation and Placing

G. Section 03090 – Inspection and Testing of Hardened Concrete

H. Section 03100 – Formwork and Finishes

1.03. REFERENCES

A. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

1. AASHTO T227 - 83
B. American Society for Testing and Materials
ASTM C150 – Specification for Portland Cement
ASTM C232 – Test Methods for Bleeding of Concrete

C. British Standards Institution

1. BS 812 - Testing aggregates
2. BS 882 - Aggregates from natural sources for concrete
3. BS 1881 - Methods of testing concrete
4. BS 4027 - Sulphate-resisting Portland cement
5. BS 5328 - Concrete
6. BS 6073 - Precast concrete masonry units
7. BS 8007 - Design of concrete structures for retaining aqueous liquids
8. BS 8110 - Structural use of concrete

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D. Concrete Society
1. Concrete Society Report No. 31

E. Deutsche Institute for Normung e.v.

1. DIN 1048 – Test Methods for Concrete

F. The International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Sys-

tem and Structures.
1. RILEM CPC 11.3 - Absorption of water by immersion under vacuum

1.04 SUBMITTALS

A. Mix designs shall be submitted for approval.

1.05 TRIAL MIXES

A. As soon as the concrete mix design for each grade of concrete has been approved and
during or following the carrying out of the preliminary tests, prepare a trial mix of
each grade in the presence of the Engineer at least 35 days before commencement of
concreting. Trial mixes shall be mixed for the same time and handled by means of the
same plant proposed to use in the Works. Each trial mix shall comprise not less than
0.5 m3 of concrete.

B. Where ready mix concrete is being used, the above requirement may be waived at the
discretion of the Engineer if documentation on previous experience of a particular mix
design with test results available.

C. The proportions of cement, aggregate and water shall be carefully determined by

weight in accordance with the approved mix design (or modified mix design after
preliminary tests), and sieve analyses shall be made, by the method described in BS
812, of the fine aggregate and of each nominal size of coarse aggregate used.

D. The compacting factor of each batch of each trial mix shall be measured immediately
after mixing by the method described in BS 1881 and shall not be less than 0.85 nor
greater than 0.92. Slump test measurements shall also be taken immediately after
mixing.

E. Three separate batches for each trial mix and six 150 mm compression test cubes from
each batch in the presence of the Engineer. Three cubes shall be tested at 7 d and 3 at
28 days after manufacture in accordance with the method described in BS 1881. If
either or both the average value of the strength of the nine cubes tested at 28 d is less
than the trial mix strength given in Table 03060 - 1, or the difference between the
greatest and the least strengths is more than 20 % of the average strengths, the
Contractor shall:
(a) remove from site materials from which the trial mix was prepared
(b) provide new materials and prepare and test further trial mixes until specified
requirements are achieved.

Additionally, measure the temperature, workability and density of concrete in each

batch

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F. A full scale test of the workability of each trial mix of each grade of concrete shall be
made in the presence of the Engineer. The trial mix of each grade of concrete shall be
batched, mixed and then transported a representative distance in the manner that to
batch, mix and transport the concrete to be placed in the Works. After discarding the
first batch so made, the concrete from later batches shall be placed and compacted in
trial moulds both for reinforced and mass concrete with dimensions typical of the
Works. The sides of the moulds shall be capable of being stripped without undue
disturbance of the concrete placed therein. The sides of the moulds shall be stripped
after the concrete has set and the workability judged on the compaction obtained. If the
workability test shows that the workability required is not attained for any trial mix for
any class of concrete, the trial mix shall be redesigned and a further full scale
workability test shall be undertaken for that trial mix of concrete.

G. Redesign of the concrete mixes and the making and testing of preliminary and trial
mixes of concrete shall be repeated for each grade of concrete until trial mixes of
concrete meeting the requirements of the Table 03060 - 2 and having the workability
required to place it in the Works, as demonstrated in the full scale workability test
described above, have been established.

H. Use only the approved mix of each grade of concrete in the Works. If at any time
during the construction of the Works the source of cement or aggregate is changed or
the grading of the aggregate alters to such an extent that the fraction of aggregate
retained on any sieve cannot be maintained within two percent of the total quantity of
fine and coarse aggregate when adjusted in accordance with this Clause, then further
trial mixes of concrete shall be made, tested and approved for use.

I. Preliminary laboratory tests shall be carried out to determine the mixes to satisfy the
specification with the approved materials. Trial mixes shall be tested to determine the
following properties of mixes proposed for initial field tests:
(a) bleeding in accordance with ASTM C232 (non-vibrating) shall not exceed 0.5 %
(b) drying shrinkage in accordance with BS 1881 Part 5 or BS 6073 Part 1, Appendix
D
(c) air content to BS 1881 Part 106
(d) free water cement ratio
(e) workability to BS 1881 Part 102
(f) fresh and hardened concrete densities to BS 1881 Parts 107 and 114, respectively
(g) compressive strength to BS 1881 Part 116
(h) water permeability for concrete of Grade 30 and over to DIN 1048 for constant
pressure for 3 d
(i) maximum 10 mm at 7 d
(ii) maximum 15 mm at 28 d
(ii) if the values obtained are unacceptable, the mixes shall be redesigned.

J. Approval of the job-mix proportions in establishing those proportions, in no way

relieves the Contractor of the responsibility of producing concrete which meets the
requirements of this Specification.

K. The Engineer may also require practical tests to be made on the Site by filling trial
moulds to confirm the suitability of:
(a) mix for the works
(b) type of plant used for mixing
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(c) face intended for use in the works

(e) type of form oil
(f) type of protective coatings.

L. All costs connected with the preparations of trial mixes and the design of the job mixes
shall be borne by the Contractor.

M. Whenever a change of brand or source for any of the concrete ingredients occurs,
additional “preliminary tests” will be required.

1.06 QUALITY AND TESTING

A. General

1. In order to ensure that the quality of materials and mix proportions are maintained
throughout concreting operations, sampling and testing shall be carried out using
the
relevant procedures set out in BS 812, BS 882 and BS 1881 and all other relevant
codes quoted in this specification in accordance with a routine testing program
that shall be agreed with the Engineer before the start of concrete work.

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B. Tests

1. Unless the Engineer directs otherwise, the program shall include at least the tests
specified below.
2. Tests on aggregates shall be as described in Section 03051
3. Slump tests shall be carried out at the rate of one test per load of concrete
delivered to the site, or one test per 10 m3 whichever is the lesser. The maximum
slump, measured at the point of placing the concrete shall not be less than 75±25
mm for general concrete work and not less than 100 mm -20/+40 mm for pumped
concrete. The use of either or both admixtures or additives to meet these
requirements will not be permitted unless approved by the Engineer. Any
variations from these slumps necessitated by the use of super plactisers or other
admixtures or additives shall be approved by the Engineer.

4. Samples for works cubes tests shall be taken at the average rate of one sample
every other load, or one test per 15 m3 whichever is less, of concrete of a
particular grade placed, with a minimum of one sample taken every day that the
mix is used. A sample consists of nine cubes, three to be tested at 7 d, three at 28
d and three to be tested at the discretion of the Engineer. Additional cubes may be
taken as directed by the Engineer.

1.07 PRELIMINARY TEST (TRIAL TESTS)

A. Target Mean Strength

1. The concrete mix shall have at least the required minimum cement content and
mean
strength greater than the required characteristic strength by at least the current
margin.

2. The current margin shall be taken as the lesser of:

(a) 1.64 times the standard deviation of cube tests on at least 100 separate
batches of concrete of nominally similar proportions of similar materials
and produced over a period not exceeding 12 months by the same plant and
under similar supervision, but not less than one-sixth of the characteristic
strength for concrete of Grade 15 or not less than 3.75 MPa for concrete of
Grade 20 or above
(b) 1.64 times the standard deviation of cube tests on at least 40 separate
batches of concrete of nominally similar proportions of similar materials and
produced over a period exceeding 5 days but not exceeding 6 months by the
same plant under similar supervision, but not less than one-third of the
characteristic strength for concrete of Grade 15 or not less than 7.5 MPa for
concrete of Grade 20 or above.
(c) if enough data is not available to satisfy the requirements of either (a) or (b)
above, the margin shall be taken as two-thirds of the characteristic strength
for concrete of grade 15 or 10 MPa for concrete of grade 20 or above.

3. Declare any change in source of material and any change in cement content,
nature and source of each material, full details of tests on trial mixes, proposed
quantities of each ingredient per cubic metre of fully compacted concrete.

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4. To establish the suitability of any material used in the concrete work, unless
specified otherwise, the Contractor shall make preliminary tests and prepare
design mixes, in accordance with BS 5328, in a design laboratory acceptable to
the Engineer.

5. As part of the routine testing program verify that the total chloride ion (Cl)
content and the total sulphate (SO3) content of each mix is within the specified
limits.
(a) The Contractor shall perform Chloride tests in accordance with BS 812 Part
117
(b) The Contractor shall perform sulphate (SO3) tests in accordance with BS
812
Part 118.

6. Chloride and sulphate levels in the concrete mix shall comply with the
requirements of Table 03060 - 1.

Table 03060 - 1
Chloride and Sulphate Limits

% by wt. of Cement
Chlorides Sulphates
Type of Concrete as CI as SO3

For reinforced concrete

If made with OPC/MSRPC Max. 0.30 Max. 3.70
If made with MSRPC Max. 0.15 Max. 3.70

Prestressed concrete and heat-

cured
Reinforced concrete Max. 0.15 Max. 3.70

For mass concrete

If made with OPC/MSRPC Max. 0.60 Max. 3.70
If made with MSRPC Max. 0.15 Max. 3.70

Notes:
(a) OPC and MSRPC cements can also contain chlorides, the relevant standard BS
12
allows up to 0.1 % of chloride ion
(b) any chloride content present in the cement has to be taken into account while
computing total chloride ion in the mix.

B. Change of Current Margin

1. When the results of a sufficiently large number of tests show that the previously
established margin is significantly too large or too small, a change in the current
margin used for judging compliance with the specified characteristic strength may
be appropriate.
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2. Recalculation of the margin shall be carried out as before, but the adoption of
recalculated value will not generally be justified if the two values differ by less
than:
(a) 18 %, when based on tests on 40 separate batches
(b) 11 %, when based on tests on 100 separate batches
(c) 5 %, when based on tests on 500 separate batches.

2. This recalculated margin, if adopted, becomes the current margin for the
judgement of compliance with the specified characteristic strength of concrete.

1.08 WORKS TEST CUBES

A. Test cubes shall be taken as specified from fresh mixed concrete which is being used
in the Works and which has been prepared in the normal way.

B. Cubes shall be numbered consequently and marked with the date, section of work
from
which they are taken and any other relevant information.

C. A minimum of six cubes for each sampling shall be made, testing three cubes at 7 d
and
three cubes at 28 days.

D. The strength of cubes shall be not less than the minimum strength requirements for
each
type of concrete given in Table 6.1.
E. If the average strength of the three works test cubes at 7 d indicate that the required
strength at 28 days will not be achieved the Contractor shall immediately:
(a) stop all concreting until checks are made on material and equipment
(b) rectify any defect which has become apparent as the result of checking.

At Contractor’s option, defective concrete may be removed and replaced without

awaiting the 28 days test results.

A. If works test cubes fail at 28 days suspend concreting operations and do not proceed
further without approval. Carry out in situ testing of the suspect concrete in
accordance with Part 13 of this Section, in the presence of the Engineer. All defective
work shall be replaced and retested to the satisfaction of the Engineer.

PART 2 PRODUCTS

2.01 GRADES OF CONCRETE

B. General

1. Grades of concrete to be used in the Works shall in general be as shown in Table

6.1.
Where different grades of concrete are required the design of the mix shall follow
the requirements of this specification.

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2. Where adequate workability is difficult to obtain at the maximum water : cement

ratio allowed, the use of plasticisers or water reducing admixtures may be
considered. Alternatively an increase in cement content may be considered at the
discretion of the Engineer where this will not adversely affect the durability of the
concrete.

3. Cement contents in excess of 400 kg/m3 shall not be used unless special
consideration has been given to reduce thermal stress in the concrete, and approval
has been obtained from the Engineer.

C. Design of Concrete Mixes

1. At the start of the construction period, design a mix for each grade of concrete
listed in Table 03060 – 2 that is required to be built into the Works.

2. Each mix design shall be such that:

(a) the aggregate shall comprise fine aggregate and coarse aggregate no greater
than the maximum size specified in Table 03060 – 2
(b) the combined aggregate grading shall be continuous
(c) the aggregate quantity shall be calculated by weight
(d) the mixes shall be designed to produce a concrete cube strength at twenty-
eight days after manufacture of not less than the cube strength specified in
Table 03060 – 2
3 For concrete using other than moderately sulphate resisting Portland cement
(ASTM Type II) or incorporating admixtures, the strengths shall not be less than
those specified in 03060 – 2, but the mix designs shall be revised and agreed with
the Engineer.

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Table 03060 – 2
Grades of Concrete

Min. Cement Cube Crushing at 28

days
Max. Content Max. Free Trial Mix Works
Concrete Size kg/m3 Water:Cemen Test Test
Grade Aggregat Type of t MPa MPa
e Cement Ratio
Mm

40 20 370/MARPC 0.4-0.45 50 40
35 20 350/MARPC 0.4-0.45 45 35
30 20 330/MARPC 0.4-0.45 40 30
25 20 320/MARPC 0.45-0.50 35 25
20 20 310/MARPC 0.55 30 20
15 20 280/MARPC 0.55 25 15

D. Portland Cement Concrete

1. Portland cement concrete shall consist of a mixture of Portland cement, fine

aggregate, coarse aggregate, water, and additives (when required).

2. The proportioning, mixing and placing of the mixture shall be in accordance with
Section 03070 and 03080

E. White Cement Concrete

1. White cement concrete shall use white cement produced in accordance with
Section 03070 2.01D

2. The maximum water/cement ratio shall not exceed 0.4

3. Limestone shall be used for fine aggregate, and where the surface is to be treated,
the coarse aggregate shall also be limestone.

F. Blinding Concrete

1. Blinding concrete shall be to be Grade 20 made with sulphate resisting cement

unless otherwise specified.

2. The thickness of the blinding concrete shall be as shown on the Drawings, but
shall in no instance be less than 75 mm.

3. The surface finish to blinding concrete shall be Class U2 as specified in Section

03100 of this Section or as directed by the Engineer.

G. No-Fines Concrete

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1. No-fines concrete shall be made using a coarse natural aggregate conforming to

BS 882 and moderately sulphate resisting Portland cement (ASTM Type II) to
ASTM C150 subject to the following requirements:
(a) no-fine aggregate shall be used in the mix
(b) grading of the coarse aggregate
(i) not less than 95 % by weight passing a 20 mm BS sieve
(iii) not more than 5 % by weight passing a 10 mm BS sieve.
2. Proportion of aggregate, cement and water shall be determined by trial mixes
starting with a cement :aggregate ratio of one to eight by volume.

3. All the aggregate particles are to be coated with a film of cement grout.

4. The water content shall be just adequate to ensure that the cement paste
completely coats the aggregate.

5. No-fines concrete when placed shall contain no layers of Latinate.

6. No-fines concrete shall not be mixed by hand.

7. Vibration shall not be used to compact no-fines concrete.

8. Three test cubes of no-fines concrete shall be made of each preliminary mix.

9. Minimum crushing strength of the chosen mix shall be 15 MPa at 28 days.

10. The porosity of no-fines concrete shall be such that water will pass through a slab
300 mm thick at the rate of not less than 7 l/m2 • s of slab with a constant 100 mm
depth of water on the slab.

11. Where a slab incorporating vertical weep holes or drain holes is cast above a layer
of no-fines concrete any polyethylene sheeting shall be pierced below the pipes
forming such drain holes and the edges of the sheeting sealed to the lower end of
the pipe to prevent the ingress of grout and fine particles from the slab concrete
into the no-fines concrete.

2.02 WORKABILITY

A. General

1. The workability of fresh concrete shall be suitable for the conditions of handling
and placing so that after compaction concrete surrounds all the reinforcement,
tendons, ducts and completely fills the formwork without voids or honeycombing.
The design slump range of the concrete shall be the minimum necessary to ensure
the correct placement and compaction of the mix.

2. For each concrete mix design prepared, the Contractor shall state the nominal
design workability value expressed as the 'slump' in accordance with the BS 1881
Part 102.

B. Slump Tests

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1. The design slump range shall be between 50 mm and 100 mm. For intricate
difficult
placements with congested reinforcement the Engineer may permit the
formulation of a mix design with a design slump up to 150 mm. Such permission
shall be in writing and shall identify the specific placing conditions.

2. The slump test shall be carried out in accordance with BS 1881 Part 102.
Sampling of concrete for the slump test shall be carried out in accordance with
clause 4.2 of BS 1881 Part 102 when sampling from a mixer truck.

3. The limits of acceptance on the slump shall include a tolerance on the design
value of -10/+35 mm for a design slump of 50 mm and -15/+35 mm for design
slumps of 75 mm and over.

4. For each trial mix, a plant production trial shall be carried out and the slump of
the concrete checked immediately after discharge from the mixer and thereafter at
15 min intervals up to the maximum time period envisaged for delivery and
standing on site. Based on this trial the mix design shall identify any adjustments
to the range of plasticiser for acceptable workability for different times after
batching.

5. The slump of the concrete shall be checked from each mixer truck produced.
Slump values shall be written on the delivery ticket with the time taken.

6. Arrange for the concrete to be tested for slump just prior to placing at the site. The
first truck of the pour shall be tested to verify the workability and thereafter for
every hour of production or every 30 m3. Slump values shall be written on the
delivery ticket with the time taken.

7. In the event of high variability of slump values, the Engineer may instruct that
each truck of concrete is checked for slump at the plant. The Contractor shall
carry out an investigation to establish the cause of the high variation in slump and
shall take any necessary corrective action.

C. Vebe and Compaction Factor

1. For very wet mix designs or very dry stiff mix designs the Engineer may permit
the use of the flow table with vebe time or the compaction factor test. These tests
shall be carried out in accordance with:
(a) BS 1881 Part 103, method for determination of compacting factor
(b) BS 1881 Part 104, method for determination of vebe time.

2.03 PERMEABILITY

A. General

1. All concrete shall be designed to be dense, durable and have a high

impermeability to water.

2. Where mix design suffixes I (impermeable) and HI (highly impermeable) are

specified then the concrete shall be tested for permeability to water at frequencies
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and locations as directed by the Engineer and specimens shall meet the criteria
given in Table 6.3 at an age of 28 days.

B. Testing

1. The tests listed in Table 6.3 shall be carried out on a trial mix of the proposed mix
design using all the envisaged constituent materials and aggregates. The Engineer
shall be given the opportunity to witness all the stages of the trial mixes. All
testing shall be carried out by an approved laboratory. In all cases more than one
specimen shall be prepared and tested to provide an indication of the precision of
the test method. The testing laboratory shall prepare a full report detailing the
procedures used in the test. The Engineer may require concrete to be tested in
accordance with other test procedures which shall include, but shall not be limited
to:
(a) porosity as per RILEM CPC 11.3
(b) initial surface absorption of concrete (ISAT) to BS 1881 Part 5, Max. flow at
times of 10, 30, 60 & 120 minutes
(c) BS 1881 Part 122 method of determination for water absorption.

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Table 03060 - 3
Permeability Testing

HI (Highly)
I (Impermeable) Impermeable
Test Method Maximum Maximum

1. Water Penetration to DIN 1048 Part 1 20 mm 10 mm

2. Rapid determination of the chloride 1000 C 500 C
permeability of concrete as per AASHTO
T277-83
3. Capillary Rise to Concrete Soiety Report 10 mm 5 mm
No. 31 1987 Section 4.2.2 (Taywood
Sorption Test) – Max. rise in 4 h

2.04 DRYING SHRINKAGE

A. Aggregate Shrinkage

1. If requested carry out tests on the proposed aggregate combination in accordance

with. BS 812 Part 120, Method for testing and classifying drying shrinkage of
aggregates in concrete.

2. Aggregate combinations with a drying shrinkage up to and including 0.05 % are

suitable for all concreting purposes subject to the confirmation of the particular
design in accordance with section 7 of BS 8110 Part 2. Where the aggregate
drying shrinkage is greater than 0.05 % the aggregates shall be deemed suitable
for:
(a) locations where complete drying out never occurs
(b) mass concrete surface with air entrained concrete
(c) members symmetrically and heavily reinforced not exposed to the weather.

3. For aggregates sources where the drying shrinkage is greater than 0.05 % the test
shall be performed annually , where the drying shrinkage is less than 0.05 % the
test shall be carried out once every five years provided the essential character of
the material as determined by the Engineer does not change.

B. Concrete Shrinkage

1. The proposed aggregate sources and rock types shall be checked to identify if the
particular rock types have a history of shrinkage.

2. Where instructed, arrange for drying shrinkage tests to be carried out on the
proposed concrete mix design in accordance with BS 1881 Part 5 1970, test 5,
Determination of changes in length on drying and wetting. Tests shall establish
the following:

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(a) initial drying shrinkage: the difference between the length and the prism
moulded and cured and its length when subsequently dried as specified in the
test standard
(b) drying shrinkage: the difference between the length of the prism of matured
concrete after immersion in water and its length when subsequently dried or
under specified conditions.
(c) wetting expansion: the difference between the length of the prism when dry
and its length when subsequently immersed in water all under specified
conditions.

3. The initial drying shrinkage shall not exceed 0.05 %.

PART 3 EXECUTION

NOT APPLIED

END OF PART

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