For Internal circulation only

Bulletin No. - 8

Larsen & Toubro Limited

ECCD, MBRO
SLUMP TEST ON CONCRETE
1) What is the significance of slump test?
Slump is a relative measurement in concrete
consistency, or relative ability of the concrete to
flow. It is not an indicator of quality of the material.
The slump of a mix with the same aggregate,
cement & water can vary significantly by adding an
admixture.

2) How is the slump test made?

A mould in the form of a frustum of a cone is filled
with the freshly mixed concrete in three layers, each
layer being rodded 25 times with a standard 16mm
diameter bullet pointed rod. After the mould has
been filled, the concrete is struck off & the mould
lifted vertically & slowly. Amount by which the
mass settles is termed the Slump & is measured to
the nearest 5mm. To reduce the influence of surface
friction on the slump, the inside of the mould & the
base should be moistened at the beginning of every
test. A low slump indicates a dry consistency & a
high slump, a wet consistency

3) What are the benefits of slump test on

fresh concrete?
1) If grading of aggregates is uniform, it will
indicate variations of water content or water
/ cement ratio.
2) If amount of water added to the mix is
accurate & surface moisture of fine
aggregates is constant, then it will indicate
variations in grading or variations in
batching of cement or aggregates.
3) When the aggregates & cement content
remain unchanged, the slump test gives a
good measure of changes in the consistency
4) If the cohesiveness of the mix for a
particular workability is not adequate due to
inadequate concrete mix design & batching,
the concrete cone will collapse or shear off.

4) What is the procedure adopted for

sampling of fresh concrete as per IS 1199
1959 (Methods of sampling & analysis of
concrete)?
Prepared by: QMCC, MBRO

October 2004
The representative sample of fresh concrete can be
obtained directly from the mixer or from concrete at
the time & place of deposition.
Procedure for collection from Mixers: Collect a
minimum three approximately equal samples from a
batch during its discharge. Samples can be taken at
about the time when , & quarters of the
concrete have been discharged from the mixer. If
more than three samples are taken, then it shall be
at equally spaced intervals.
Procedure for collection from concrete at the
time & place of deposition: Collection of sample
can be from not less than five well-distributed
portions, avoiding the edge of the mass where
segregation may have occurred.
Mixing of composite sample: The composite
sample obtained by either of the methods shall be
mixed in such a manner as to ensure uniformity.
The sample thus obtained shall be used immediately
for the purpose of carrying out the tests. Care shall
be taken to protect the sample from weather

5) What are the various types of slumps?

a) True slump: when the concrete just
subsides retaining its shape.
b) Shear slump: When the top half of the
concrete cone shears off & slides down on
one side in an inclined plane.
c) Collapse slump: When the concrete does
not subside but collapses completely losing
its shape.

True Slump

Shear

Collapse

If shear slump is obtained, one more test should be

taken. If this also shears & does not come true, then
it is due to non-cohesiveness of the mix. Such
concrete will segregate very fast while transporting,
placing & compacting & is likely to cause porosity
& durability problems.
If the concrete can't flow because the consistency or
slump is too low, there are potential problems with
proper consolidation. If the concrete won't stop
Issued by: MBRO

flowing because the slump is too high, there are

potential problems with mortar loss through the
formwork, excessive formwork pressures, finishing
delays and segregation.

6) What are merits & demerits of slump

test?
1) Slump reflects yield of the concrete.
2) As slump occurs under the self weight of the
test concrete only, it does not reflect behavior
under dynamic conditions such as vibration,
pumping or moving though a tremie.

7) What are the factors that affect slump test

results?
1) Proper rodding - A lack of rodding may
cause poor compaction & over rodding
could bring about segregation. Both lead to
invalid results.
2) Cone removal - Removing the cone is very
critical & a sudden twist or jerk can greatly
reduce the accuracy of the results.
3) Ensure that the base on which slump test is
being taken is level & free from even the
slightest vibration. Movement will very
likely to indicate a greater slump than is
actually being used.
4) Do not use a piece of rebar or any steel rod
with a square end to tamp the sample. This
may force large aggregates to the bottom of
the cone & cause the test to be invalid.
5) Competency level of workmen who
perform the slump test.

CONCRETE CUBE TEST

beams for modulus of rupture at 72 + 2 hrs. or at 7

days, or compressive strength at 7 days may be
carried out in addition to the 28 days compressive
strength.
Note: In all cases, the 28 days compressive strength
specified shall alone be criterion for acceptance or
rejection of the concrete.
The minimum frequency of sampling of each grade:
Quantity of concrete
Number of samples
in the Work
15
6 15

1
2

16 30

31 50

51 & above

4 plus one additional sample

for each additional 50 m3 or
part there of

Note: - 1) Minimum one sample from each shift.

2) For the concrete from RMC, frequency of
sampling may be agreed upon mutually by suppliers
& purchasers
Test specimen:
1) Three test specimens for each sample for
testing at 28 days.
2) Additional samples if required for 7 days or
for at the time of striking of formwork, or
to determine the duration of curing or to
check the testing error.
3) Additional samples may require for testing
samples cured by accelerated methods.

3) What is the method of sampling for cube

casting?

2) What is the frequency of sampling as per

IS 456 - 2000?

1) Collect the first portion of the sample from

middle portion of the load.
2) After discharging concrete for a short
period, collect the final portion.
3) Remix the sample thoroughly with a shovel
before casting.
Note: 1) Before taking the sample, rotate the
drum of mixer for about one minute.
2) Ensure that trained workers only do sampling
& casting of cubes.
3) Adopt random sampling procedure in order
to ensure that each concrete batch shall have a
reasonable chance of being tested, i.e. the
sampling should be spread over the entire
period of concreting & cover all mixing units.

Samples collected & cubes shall be made, cured &

tested at 28 days. In order to get a relatively quicker
idea of the quality of concrete, optional tests on

4) How to check the accuracy of the cube

moulds?

1) What is the significance of testing of

concrete cubes?
1) To ensure that the concrete is batched
properly.
2) Gives the indication of potential strength of
the concrete mix from which it is sampled.
3) To provide a measure of the statistical
variability in the concrete, high variability
might indicate poor quality control.
4) Test results are needed for the construction
work to continue. (Deshuttering) or for
taking the structure into service.

Prepared by: QMCC, MBRO

Issued by: MBRO

1) The linear dimensions can be checked with

a vernier.
2) Checking the diagonals gives the idea
whether the cube moulds are at right angles.
This is the basic check & if any error is
observed, scrap the cube mould.
3) Inner surfaces of the mould shall be free of
depressions, pitting, etc.
Note: Above points are very important, since if
present, these will reflect on the molded concrete
cubes resulting in lower cube strengths due to non
uniform load concentration on the formed surface
during testing in the cube testing machine.

5) What is the tolerance limits for the

dimensions of cube moulds as per IS 516
1959 (Methods of tests for strength of
concrete)?
The height of the mould & the distance between the
opposite faces shall be of the specified size +
0.2mm. The angle between adjacent internal faces
& between internal faces & top & bottom planes of
the mould shall be 900+0.50. The interior faces of
the mould shall be plane surfaces with a permissible
variation of 0.03mm. The base plate shall be of
such dimensions as to support the mould during
filling without leakage. The parts of the mould
when assembled shall be positively & rigidly held
together.
In assembling the mould for use, the joints between
the sections of the mould shall be thinly coated with
mould oil in order to ensure that no water escapes
during the filling. The interior surfaces of the
assembled mould shall be thinly coated with mould
oil to prevent adhesion of the concrete.

6) What is the method adopted for casting of

cubes?
1) Make sure that cube moulds are cleaned,
assembled & coated on the inner side with a
thin coat of oil.
2) Fill the concrete in three layers in the 15cm
X 15cm X 15cm mould. Compact each
layer for 35 times by tamping rod. Allow
some concrete to remain on the top.
3) Do the final finishing at the top with a
trowel after the bleed water has stopped
coming out of concrete.
4) Do the markings on the finished surface.
5) Cover the top of concrete with a wet gunny
bag or Hessian cloth.
6) Demould the cubes after 24 hours &
submerge the cube specimens in the curing
pond containing clean water till such time it
Prepared by: QMCC, MBRO

is due for testing. The temperature of the

curing pond shall be 27 + 20C.
Note: Ensure that the cubes are completely
immersed & not disturbed till they are taken out for
testing on the required date. Do not allow cubes to
dry out either partially or fully.

7) What is the acceptance criterion as per IS

456 2000 for the compressive strength?
-

The result is for average of strength of three

specimens.
- The individual variation should not be more
than + 15 percent of the average. If more the
test results of the sample are invalid.
- The mean strength determined from any group
of four consecutive test results & any individual
sample test result complies with appropriate
results as given in the table below.
Specified Mean of the group of Individual
Grade
4 non over lapping test sample
consecutive test
in N/mm2
2
results in N/mm
> fck + 0.825 X
> fck 3
established standard
deviation (rounded off to N/mm2
nearest 0.5 N/mm2)
or fck + 3 N/mm2
whichever is greater.
> fck + 0.825 X
M 20 or
established standard
above
deviation (rounded off to > fck 4
nearest 0.5 N/mm2)
N/mm2
2
or fck + 4 N/mm
whichever is greater
Note: Attempts should be made to obtain results of 30
samples as early as possible to establish the value of
standard deviation.
M 15

8) What are the precautions to be taken

during testing?
1) The permissible error in the machine shall
not be greater than + 2% of the maximum
load.
2) The specimens shall be tested just after
removal from water. In case of dry
specimens, immerse them in water for 24
hours prior to test.
3) Check the dimensions & weight of the
specimen.
4) The bearing surfaces shall be clean & no
loose particles is left in between.
5) The cubes shall be placed in such a manner
that the load is applied on the opposite sides
of the cubes as cast & not to top & bottom.
6) Any unusual failure may be noted.
Issued by: MBRO

9) What are the usual modes of failure?

1) Usual failures:
Equal cracking of all
four exposed faces
with little or no
damage to the faces in
contact
with
the
platens. Cracking is
usually of vertical zigzag pattern.
At times four vertical faces break away leaving two
truncated pyramids one inverted over the other.
This is some times accompanied by an explosive
sound.
2) Unusual mode:

Concrete cubes may get crushed on one side or will

develop tensile crack on one or more faces & fail.
These types of failures will give lower indication of
compressive strength of concrete.

10) List the various reasons due to which

cubes can fail?
1) Cube moulds with dimensional errors.
2) Malfunctioning of cube testing machine.
3) Low cement strength
4) Poor cement storage at site.
5) Silty sand
6) Grit & stone dust in the coarse aggregates
7) Batching error of cement & / or aggregates
8) Higher slump than specified.
9) Addition of water at site
10) Improper sampling
11) Improper casting of cubes

Prepared by: QMCC, MBRO

11) What are the factors that affect the

strength of concrete?
1) Water/Cement ratio: Lower the water cement
ratio, higher the compressive strength & vice
versa. A change of every 0.01 in water cement
ratio affects the strength by 1 to 1.5 N/mm2.
2) Quality & chemical composition of cement:
Finer the cement, greater is the high early
strength developed. Cement, which is not
stored, transported & handled properly, will
lose its strength & in turn influence the strength
of concrete in which it is used.
3) Aggregates: Concrete produced using fine
aggregates having lesser finer fines, Coarse
aggregates having maximum aggregate size,
aggregates having rounded shape and / or
aggregates having less porosity / high density
shows higher strengths.
4) Slump: A variation in the slump by 25mm will
be caused by a 3% change in the water content
& this would generally affect the concrete
strength by 2 N/mm2.
5) Degree of compaction: If 1% of voids remain
in the concrete, it would reduce the strength of
concrete by 5 percent.
6) Curing efficiency: Concrete kept continuously
wet for 28 days develops full strength (100%).
Drying of concrete at some intermediate stage
can give erroneous results.
7) Moisture content: Concrete cubes have to be
tested in moist condition as soon as possible
after removal from the curing tank.
8) Direction of loading: Cubes are generally
tested at right angles to the direction in which
they are filled, failing which there may be a
10% decrease in strength.
9) Compression machine & operating factors:
Due to continuous operation, the gauges may
falter & needs regular monitoring & calibration.
Errors may be introduced while centering the
cubes or due to wear of compression plates.
Mere friction of the spherical seat can affect the
strength by nearly 20 percent. A 0.75mm
misalignment in the machine may reduce the
strength of concrete by 9 percent.
10) Platens and cube contact area could be
checked by placing carbon paper and a white
paper in between cube surface and platens (Top
and bottom). Once the cube has been loaded,
the contact area will make impression on white
paper via carbon paper giving indication
whether load is acting on total 225mm2 area.

Issued by: MBRO