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BRITISH STANDARD |
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| 12350-6:2000
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Testing fresh concrete Ð |
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Part 6: Density |
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Licensed copy:Whitby Bird & Partners Ltd, 05/02/2006, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

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The European Standard EN 12350-6:1999 has the status of a |
British Standard |
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ICS 91.100.30 |
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NO COPYING WITHOUT BSI PERMISSION EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW
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 BS EN 12350-6:2000

National foreword
This British Standard is the English language version of EN 12350-6:1999. It will
supersede BS 1881-107:1983 which will be withdrawn in 2003 when the full package
of concrete standards is available.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted by Technical Committee
B/517, Concrete, to Subcommittee B/517/1, Concrete production and testing, which
has the responsibility to:

Ð aid enquirers to understand the text;

Ð present to the responsible European committee any enquiries on the
interpretation, or proposals for change, and keep the UK interests informed;
Ð monitor related international and European developments and promulgate
them in the UK.
Licensed copy:Whitby Bird & Partners Ltd, 05/02/2006, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

A list of organizations represented on this subcommittee can be obtained on request

to its secretary.
Cross-references
The British Standards which implement international or European publications
referred to in this document may be found in the BSI Standards Catalogue under the
section entitled ªInternational Standards Correspondence Indexº, or by using the
ªFindº facility of the BSI Standards Electronic Catalogue.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, the EN title page,
pages 2 to 5 and a back cover.
The BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the document
was last issued.

This British Standard, having Amendments issued since publication

been prepared under the
direction of the Sector Amd. No. Date Comments
Committee for Building and Civil
Engineering, was published under
the authority of the Standards 11077 September National foreword supersession details updated
Committee and comes into effect Corrigendum No.1 2000
on 15 January 2000

 BSI 09-2000

ISBN 0 580 35296 X

 EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 12350-6
NORME EUROPEÂENNE
EUROPAÈISCHE NORM October 1999

ICS 91.100.30

English version

Testing fresh concrete Ð Part 6: Density

Licensed copy:Whitby Bird & Partners Ltd, 05/02/2006, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

Essai pour beÂton frais Ð PruÈfung von Frischbeton Ð

Partie 6: Masse volumique Teil 6: Frischbetonrohdichte

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 5 September 1999.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a
national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical
references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to
the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German).
A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a
CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the
same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
United Kingdom.

CEN
European Committee for Standardization
Comite EuropeÂen de Normalisation
EuropaÈisches Komitee fuÈr Normung

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 36, B-1050 Brussels

 1999 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national
Members.
Ref. No. EN 12350-6:1999 E
 Page 2
EN 12350-6:1999

Foreword CAUTION. When cement is mixed with water, alkali is

released. Take precautions to avoid dry cement
This European Standard has been prepared by entering the eyes, mouth and nose whilst mixing
Technical Committee CEN/TC 104, Concrete concrete. Prevent skin contact with wet cement or
(performance, production, placing and compliance concrete by wearing suitable protective clothing. If
criteria), the Secretariat of which is held by DIN. cement or concrete enters the eye, immediately wash it
This European Standard shall be given the status of a out thoroughly with clean water and seek medical
national standard, either by publication of an identical treatment without delay. Wash wet concrete off the
text or by endorsement, at the latest by April 2000, and skin immediately.
conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by December 2003.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations,
Contents
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the national standards organizations of the following

Page
countries are bound to implement this European
Standard: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Foreword 2
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, 1 Scope 3
Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. 2 Normative references 3
This standard is one of a series concerned with testing 3 Principle 3
fresh concrete. 4 Apparatus 3
It is based on the International Standard ISO 6276: 5 Sampling 3
Concrete, compacted fresh Ð Determination of
density. 6 Procedure 3
The results of a recent laboratory inter-comparison, 7 Calculation of density 4
part-funded by the EC under the Measurement and 8 Test report 4
Testing programme, contract MAT1-CT94-0043mtp,
have been taken into account. The compaction of 9 Precision 4
specimens using hand tamping, vibrating table, or Annex A (normative) ± Calibration of
internal (poker) vibrator are accepted as equivalent. container 5
However, the use of an internal vibrator to compact
specimens containing entrained air should be carried
out with caution.
A procedure for calibrating the container has been
included as a normative annex A.
A draft for this standard was published in 1996 for
CEN enquiry as prEN 12383. It was one of a series of
individually numbered test methods for fresh or
hardened concrete. For convenience it has now been
decided to combine these separate draft standards into
three new standards with separate parts for each
methods, as follows:
Ð Testing fresh concrete (EN 12350:1999);
Ð Testing hardened concrete (prEN 12390:1999);
Ð Testing concrete in structures (prEN 12504:1999).
This series EN 12350 includes the following parts
where the brackets give the numbers under which
particular test methods were published for CEN
enquiry:
EN 12350: Testing fresh concrete
Part 1: Sampling (former prEN 12378:1996).
Part 2: Slump test (former prEN 12382:1996).
Part 3: Vebe test (former prEN 12350:1996).
Part 4: Degree of compactability
(former prEN 12357:1996).
Part 5: Flow table test (former prEN 12358:1996).
Part 6: Density (former prEN 12383:1996).
Part 7: Air content Ð Pressure methods
(former prEN 12395:1996).

 BSI 01-2000
 Page 3
EN 12350-6:1999

1 Scope 4.4 Balance or scales, capable of determining the

This European standard specifies a method for mass of the compacted concrete to an accuracy
determining the density of compacted fresh concrete of 0,1 % of the mass of the concrete.
both in the laboratory and in the field. 4.5 Straight-edged scraper, made of steel, not less
NOTE It may not be applicable to very stiff concrete which than 100 mm greater in length than the maximum
cannot be compacted by normal vibration. internal dimension of the top of the container.
4.6 Scoop, of approximately 100 mm width.
2 Normative References
This European Standard incorporates by dated or 4.7 Two steel trowels or floats.
undated reference, provisions from other publications. 4.8 Remixing container, flat tray of rigid construction
These normative references are cited at the and made from a non- absorbent material not readily
appropriate places in the text and the publications are attacked by cement paste. It shall be of appropriate
Licensed copy:Whitby Bird & Partners Ltd, 05/02/2006, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

listed hereafter. For dated references, subsequent dimensions such that the concrete can be thoroughly
amendments to or revisions of any of these re-mixed, using the square-mouthed shovel.
publications apply to this European Standard only
when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For 4.9 Shovel, with square mouth.
undated references the latest edition of the publication NOTE The square mouth is required to ensure proper mixing of
referred to applies. material on the remixing container.

EN 12350-1:1999, Testing fresh concrete Ð 4.10 Mallet.

Part 1: Sampling.
5 Sampling
3 Principle The sample shall be obtained in accordance with
Fresh concrete is compacted into a rigid and EN 12350-1.
watertight container of known volume and mass and is
The sample shall be re-mixed, using the remixing
then weighed.
container and square mouth shovel, before carrying out
the test.
4 Apparatus
4.1 Container, watertight, of sufficient rigidity to 6 Procedure
retain its shape, made of metal not readily attacked by
cement paste, having a smooth internal face, with the 6.1 Calibration
rim machined to a plane surface. The rim and base Calibrate the container in accordance with annex A, to
shall be parallel. The smallest dimension of the obtain the volume of the container (V ).
container shall be at least four times the maximum
nominal size of the coarse aggregate in the concrete, 6.2 Mass of container
but shall be not less than 150 mm. The volume of the Weigh the container to determine its mass (m1) and
container shall be not less than 5 l. record the value indicated.
The standard requires in 4.1, that the volume of the 6.3 Filling the container and compacting the
container shall be not less than 5 l, but a smaller concrete
volume may be suitable for production control testing.
If a filling frame is used, ensure that the amount of
4.2 Filling frame, (optional) concrete used to fill the container is such that a layer
Filling may be simplified by using a filling frame fitted of concrete remains in the filling frame after
tightly to the container. compaction, with a thickness of 10 % to 20 % of the
4.3 Means of compacting the concrete, which may be height of the container.
one of the following: Compact the concrete in a minimum of two layers.
a) internal (poker) vibrator with a minimum
6.4 Compacting the concrete
frequency of approximately 120 Hz (7 200 cycles per
minute), the diameter of the internal vibrator not 6.4.1 General
exceeding approximately one-quarter of the smallest Compact the concrete immediately after placing in the
dimension of the container; container in such a way as to produce full compaction
b) vibrating table with a minimum frequency of of the concrete, with neither excessive segregation nor
approximately 40 Hz (2 400 cycles per minute); laitance. Compact each layer by using one of the
c) compacting rod of circular cross-section, straight, methods described in 6.4.2 or 6.4.3.
made of steel, having a diameter of NOTE 1 Full compaction, is achieved using mechanical vibration,
approximately 16 mm, length of when there is no further appearance of large air bubbles on the
approximately 600 mm and with rounded ends; surface of the concrete and the surface becomes relatively smooth
with a glazed appearance, without excessive segregation.
d) compacting bar, straight, made of steel having a NOTE 2 The number of strokes per layer required to produce full
square cross-section of approximately 25 mm 3 25 mm compaction by hand, will depend upon the consistency of the
and length of approximately 380 mm. concrete.

 BSI 01-2000
 Page 4
EN 12350-6:1999

6.4.2 Mechanical vibration 8 Test report

6.4.2.1 Compacting with internal vibrator The report shall include:
Apply the vibration for the minimum duration a) precise identification of the test sample;
necessary to achieve full compaction of the concrete.
b) location of performance of test;
Avoid overvibration, which may cause loss of entrained
air. c) date of performance of test;
NOTE Care should be taken not to damage the container. The d) method of compaction;
use of a filling frame is recommended. e) calculated density of the fresh concrete;
Ensure that the vibrator is kept vertical and not f) any deviation from standard test method;
allowed to touch the bottom or sides of the container. g) a declaration by the person technically
Laboratory tests have shown that great care is needed responsible for the test that it was carried out in
if loss of entrained air is to be avoided, when using an accordance with this standard, except as noted
internal vibrator. item f).
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6.4.2.2 Compacting with vibrating table The report can include:

Apply the vibration for the minimum duration h) temperature of the concrete sample at time of
necessary to achieve full compaction of the concrete.
test;
The container should referably be attached to, or
firmly held against the table. Avoid over-vibration, i) time of performance of the test
which may cause loss of entrained air. j) workability of the concrete.
6.4.3 Hand compaction, with compacting rod or bar
Distribute the strokes of the compacting rod, or bar, in 9 Precision
a uniform manner over the cross-section of the mould.
Precision data are given in Table 1. These apply to
Ensure that the compacting rod, or bar, does not
forcibly strike the bottom of the container when density measurements made on concrete taken from
compacting the first layer, nor penetrate significantly the same sample and when each test result represents
any previous layer. Subject the concrete to at least a single density determination.
25 strokes per layer. In order to remove pockets of Table 1 Ð Precision data for density of fresh
entrapped air but not the entrained air, after concrete measurements
compaction of each layer, tap the sides of the
container smartly with the mallet until large bubbles of Range Repeatability Reproducibility
conditions conditions
air cease to appear on the surface and depressions left
by the compacting rod or bar, are removed. Sr r SR R

6.5 Surface levelling kg/m3 kg/m3 kg/m3 kg/m3 kg/m3

If a filling frame is used, remove it immediately after 2 300 to 2 400 5,5 15 10,2 29
compaction.
NOTE 1 The precision data were determined as part of an
After the top layer has been compacted, smooth it experiment in the UK in 1987 in which precision data were
level with the top of the container, using the steel float. obtained for several of the tests described in the then BS 1881.
Skim the surface and rim with the straightedge and The experiment involved 16 operators. The concretes were made
wipe the outside of the container clean. using an ordinary Portland cement, Thames Valley sand, and
Thames Valley 10 mm and 20 mm coarse aggregates. (Hand
6.6 Weighing compaction using a compacting bar was used.)
Weigh the container with its contents to determine its NOTE 2 The containers used complied with the requirements
mass (m2) and record the value indicated. of BS 1881:Part 107:
nominal capacity: 0,01 m3
7 Calculation of density inside diameter: 200 mm ± 1,5 mm
inside height: 320 mm ± 1,5 mm
The density is calculated from the formula:
minimum thickness of metal: 4 mm
m 2 m1
D= 2 radius between wall and base: 20 mm
V
NOTE 3 The difference between two test results from the same
where sample by one operator using the same apparatus within the
shortest feasible time interval will exceed the repeatability value r
D is the density of the fresh concrete, in on average not more than once in 20 cases in the normal and
kilograms per cubic metre; correct operation of the method.
m1 is the mass of the container, in kilograms; NOTE 4 Test results on the same sample obtained within the
shortest feasible time interval by two operators each using their
m2 is the mass of the container plus the mass of own apparatus will differ by the eproducibility value R on average
the concrete specimen in the container, in not more than once in 20 cases in the normal and correct
operation of the method.
kilograms;
NOTE 5 The precision data includes the procedures of sampling,
V is the volume of the container, in cubic metres. as well as the determination of density of fresh concrete.
NOTE 6 For further information on precision, and for definitions
Express the density of the fresh concrete to the of the statistical terms used in connection with precision,
nearest 10 kg/m3. see ISO 5725.

 BSI 01-2000
 Page 5
EN 12350-6:1999

Annex A (normative)
Calibration of container
A.1 Apparatus
A.1.1 Scales or balance, capable of weighing the
container empty and also full of water, to an accuracy
of 0,l %.
A.1.2 Glass plate.
A.2 Procedure
Weigh the empty container and glass plate to an
accuracy of 0,1 % and record the indicated mass.
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Place the container on a horizontal surface and fill

with water at a temperature of (20 ± 5) 8C. Fill the
container to overflowing and slide the glass plate over
it to exclude any air bubbles.
Weigh the container, glass plate and water to an
accuracy of 0,1 % and record the indicated mass.
Calculate the volume of the container by dividing the
total mass of water (in kilograms), required to fill the
container, by 998 kg/m3.
Express the volume (V ) of the container in cubic
metres to an accuracy of 0,1 %.

 BSI 01-2000
 BS EN |
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12350-6:2000 |
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