Concrete Work Ability Tests At Site & Recommended Values

What is workability of concrete? Which test is generally performed at site for its determination? And what are its recommended values for different purposes?

Workability of concrete describes the ease or difficulty with which the concrete is handled, transported and placed between the forms with minimum loss of homogeneity.

Workability is important because, if

• The concrete mixture is too wet, coarse aggregates settle at the bottom of concrete mass and as a result concrete becomes non-uniform composition,
• the concrete mixture is too dry, it will be difficult to handle and place it in position

Workability of concrete mixture is measured by:

• Vee-bee consistometer test
• Compaction factor test
• Slump test

The first two tests are laboratory tests while the third test is the field test.

Slump Test

This test is carried out with a mould called slump cone whose top diameter is 10cm, bottom diameter is 20 cm and height is 30 cm. the test may be performed in the following steps:

1.  Place the slump mould on a smooth flat and non-absorbent surface.
2.  Mix the dry ingredients of the concrete thoroughly till a uniform colour is obtained and then add the required quantity of water.
3.  Place the mixed concrete in the mould to about one-fourth of its height.
4. Compact the concrete 25 times with the help of a tamping rod uniformly all over the area.
5.  Place the concrete in the mould about half of its height and compact it again.
6. Place the concrete upto its three fourth height and then upto its top. Compact each layer 25 times with the help of tamping rod uniformly. For the second subsequent layers, the tamping rod should penetrate into underlying layers.
7. Strike off the top surface of mould with a trowel or tamping rod so that the mould is filled to its top.
8.  Remove the mould immediately, ensuring its movement in vertical direction.
9. When the settlement of concrete stops, measure the subsidence of the concrete in millimeters which is the required slump of the concrete.

Figure: Measurement of slump

SL NO	TYPES OF CONCRETE	SLUMP
1	Concrete for road construction	20 to 40 mm
2	Concrete for tops of curbs, parapets, piers, slabs and wall	40 to 50 mm
3	Concrete for canal lining	70 to 80 mm
4	Normal RCC work	80 to 150 mm
5	Mass concrete	20 to 50 mm
6	Concrete to be vibrated	10 to 25 mm