QCS Section 5 Part 6 Property Requirements Page 1

6. PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS ......................................................................2

6.1 GENERAL ......................................................................................................2

6.1.1 Scope 2
6.1.2 References 2
6.1.3 Submittals 2
6.2 GRADES OF CONCRETE .............................................................................2
6.2.1 General 2
6.2.2 Design of Concrete Mixes 3
6.2.3 Portland Cement Concrete 3
6.2.4 White Cement Concrete 3
6.2.5 Blinding Concrete 4
6.2.6 No-Fines Concrete 4
6.3 TRIAL MIXES .................................................................................................4

6.4 QUALITY AND TESTING ...............................................................................6

6.4.1 General 6
6.4.2 Tests 6
6.5 PRELIMINARY TEST (TRIAL TESTS) ...........................................................7
6.5.1 Target Mean Strength 7
6.5.2 Change of Current Margin 8
6.6 WORKS TEST CUBES ..................................................................................8

6.7 WORKABILITY...............................................................................................8
6.7.1 General 8
6.7.2 Slump Tests 9
6.7.3 Vebe and Compaction Factor 9
6.8 PERMEABILITY .............................................................................................9
6.8.1 General 9
6.8.2 Testing 10
6.9 DRYING SHRINKAGE .................................................................................10
6.9.1 Aggregate Shrinkage 10
6.9.2 Concrete Shrinkage 10
QCS Section 5 Part 6 Property Requirements Page 2

6. PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS
6.1 GENERAL

6.1.1 Scope

1 This Part includes 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.

2 Related Sections and Parts are as follows:

This Section
Part 2, Aggregates
Part 3, Cement
Part 4, Water
Part 5, Admixtures
Part 7, Batching and Mixing
Part 8, Transportation and Placing of Concrete
Part 9, Formwork
Part 13, Inspection and Testing of Hardened Concrete
6.1.2 References

1 The following standards are referred to in this Part:

BS 812, Testing aggregates
BS 882, Aggregates from natural sources for concrete
BS 1881, Methods of testing concrete
BS 4027, Sulphate-resisting Portland cement
BS 5328, Concrete
BS 6073, Precast concrete masonry units
BS 8007, Design of concrete structures for retaining aqueous liquids
BS 8110, Structural use of concrete

Concrete Society Report No. 31

RILEM CPC 11.3 Absorption of water by immersion under vacuum
AASHTO T227-83

ASTM C150, Specification for Portland Cement

ASTM C232, Test Methods for Bleeding of Concrete

DIN 1048, Test methods for concrete.

6.1.3 Submittals

1 The Contractor shall submit details of mix designs to the Engineer for approval.

6.2 GRADES OF CONCRETE

6.2.1 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.

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.
QCS Section 5 Part 6 Property Requirements Page 3

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.

6.2.2 Design of Concrete Mixes

1 At the start of the construction period, the Contractor shall design a mix for each grade of
concrete listed in Table 6.1 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 6.1
(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 6.1.
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
Table 6.1, but the mix designs shall be revised and agreed with the Engineer.
Table 6.1

Grades of Concrete

Min. Cement Cube Crushing at 28 d

Max. Size Content kg/m3 Max. Free Trial Mix Works
Concrete Aggregate Type of Water:Cement Test Test
Grade mm Cement Ratio MPa MPa

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

6.2.3 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 Parts 7 and
8 of this Section

6.2.4 White Cement Concrete

1 White cement concrete shall use white cement produced in accordance with clause 3.4.1

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.
QCS Section 5 Part 6 Property Requirements Page 4

6.2.5 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 Clause 9.3.1 of Part
9 of this Section or as directed by the Engineer.

6.2.6 No-Fines Concrete

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
(ii) 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 by the
Contractor 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 laitance.

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.

6.3 TRIAL MIXES

1 As soon as the Engineer has approved the concrete mix design for each grade of concrete
and during or following the carrying out of the preliminary tests, the Contractor shall 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 which the Contractor proposes to use in the Works. Each trial mix
shall comprise not less than 0.5 m3 of concrete.
QCS Section 5 Part 6 Property Requirements Page 5

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

3 The proportions of cement, aggregate and water shall be carefully determined by weight in
accordance with the Contractor's 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.

4 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.

5 The Contractor shall make three separate batches for each trial mix and six 150 mm
compression test cubes shall be made from each batch in the presence of the Engineer.
Three cubes shall be tested at 7 d and 3 at 28 d, 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 6.1, 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, the Contractor shall measure the temperature, workability and density of
concrete in each batch
6 A full scale test of the workability of each trial mix of each grade of concrete shall be made
by the Contractor 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
the Contractor proposes 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 by the Contractor and a further full scale
workability test shall be undertaken for that trial mix of concrete.

7 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 6.1 and having the workability required to place it in the
Works, as demonstrated in the full scale workability test described above, have been
established.

8 The Contractor shall 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.

9 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
QCS Section 5 Part 6 Property Requirements Page 6

(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
(iii) if the values obtained are unacceptable, the mixes shall be redesigned.
10 Approval of the job-mix proportions by the Engineer or his assistance to the Contractor in
establishing those proportions, in no way relieves the Contractor of the responsibility of
producing concrete which meets the requirements of this Specification.

11 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
(c) face intended for use in the works
(e) type of form oil
(f) type of protective coatings.
12 All costs connected with the preparations of trial mixes and the design of the job mixes shall
be borne by the Contractor.

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

6.4 QUALITY AND TESTING

6.4.1 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.

6.4.2 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 Part 2 of this Section.

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
3
load, or one test per 15 m 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.
QCS Section 5 Part 6 Property Requirements Page 7

6.5 PRELIMINARY TEST (TRIAL TESTS)

6.5.1 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 The Contractor shall 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.

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 the Contractor shall 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 6.2.
Table 6.2
Chloride and Sulphate Limits

% by wt. of Cement
Chlorides Sulphates
Type of Concrete as Cl as S03

For reinforced concrete

if made with OPC/MSRPC max. 0.30 max. 3.70
if made with SRPC max. 0.15 max. 3.70

Prestressed concrete and heat-cured max. 0.10 max. 3.70

reinforced concrete

For mass concrete

if made with OPC/MSRPC max. 0.60 max. 3.70
if made with SRPC max. 0.15 max. 3.70
QCS Section 5 Part 6 Property Requirements Page 8

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.
6.5.2 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.

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

6.6 WORKS TEST CUBES

1 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.

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

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

4 The strength of cubes shall be not less than the minimum strength requirements for each
type of concrete given in Table 6.1.

5 If the average strength of the three works test cubes at 7 d indicate that the required
strength at 28 d 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 d test results.
6 If works test cubes fail at 28 days the Contractor shall suspend concreting operations and
shall not proceed further without approval. The Contractor shall 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.

6.7 WORKABILITY

6.7.1 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.
QCS Section 5 Part 6 Property Requirements Page 9

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.

6.7.2 Slump Tests

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 The Contractor shall 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.

6.7.3 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.

6.8 PERMEABILITY

6.8.1 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 and locations as
directed by the Engineer and specimens shall meet the criteria given in Table 6.3 at an age
of 28 d.
QCS Section 5 Part 6 Property Requirements Page 10

6.8.2 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.

Table 6.3
Permeability Testing

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

(a) Water Penetration to DIN 1048 Part 1 20 mm 10 mm

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

6.9 DRYING SHRINKAGE

6.9.1 Aggregate Shrinkage

1 If requested by the Engineer the Contractor shall 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.

6.9.2 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 by the Engineer the Contractor shall arrange for drying shrinkage tests to
be carried out on the proposed concrete mix design in accordance with BS 1881 Part 5
QCS Section 5 Part 6 Property Requirements Page 11

1970, test 5, Determination of changes in length on drying and wetting. Tests shall establish
the following:
(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 %.

END OF PART