SABS.

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ISBN 978-0-626-27472-6

SANS 5862-2:2006
Edition 2.1
Any reference to SABS SM 862-2 is deemed
to be a reference to this standard
(Government Notice No. 1373 of 8 November 2002)

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

Concrete tests Consistence of freshly

mixed concrete Flow test

Published by SABS Standards Division

1 Dr Lategan Road Groenkloof Private Bag X191 Pretoria 0001
Tel: +27 12 428 7911 Fax: +27 12 344 1568
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 SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to subscribers to the SABS Complete Collection
of Standards and Related Documents in accordance with a formal copyright exploitation agreement to be renewed annually. Only staff members
employed by the Subscriber may make paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 5862-2:2006
Edition 2.1
Table of changes
Change No.

Date

Scope

Amdt 1

2006

Amended to change the designation of SABS standards to SANS

standards, with no technical changes.

Acknowledgement
The SABS Standards Division wishes to acknowledge the valuable assistance derived from
publications of the following organizations:
The British Standards Institution
The International Organization for Standardization

Foreword
This South African standard was approved by National Committee SABS SC 59A, Construction
standards Cement, lime and concrete, in accordance with procedures of the SABS Standards
Division, in compliance with annex 3 of the WTO/TBT agreement.
This edition is technically identical to the first revision (SABS SM 862-2:1994).
SANS 5862 consists of the following parts under the general title Concrete tests Consistence of
freshly mixed concrete:
Part 1: Slump test.
Part 2: Flow test.
Part 3: Vebe test.
Part 4: Compacting factor and compaction index.

Reaffirmed and reprinted in July 2012.

This standard will be reviewed every five years
and be reaffirmed, amended, revised or withdrawn.

SABS. This standard may only be used and printed by subscribers to the SABS Complete Collection of Standards and Related Documents.

 SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to subscribers to the SABS Complete Collection
of Standards and Related Documents in accordance with a formal copyright exploitation agreement to be renewed annually. Only staff members
employed by the Subscriber may make paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 5862-2:2006
Edition 2.1

Concrete tests Consistence of freshly mixed concrete Flow test

1 Scope
This part of SANS 5862 specifies a method of determining the flow of freshly mixed concrete, mixed
either in the laboratory (see SANS 5861-1), or on site.
NOTES
1 The test method applies to concrete of high to very high workability, that has a slump value of more than
150 mm, determined in accordance with SANS 5862-1, and a flow diameter of 500 mm to 650 mm, when
tested in accordance with this part of SANS 5862.
2 The test method applies to plain and air-entrained concrete, made with aggregates of low, normal or high
density and of maximum nominal size 19 mm or less.
3 The test method is not applicable to aerated concrete and no-fines concrete.

2 Normative references
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute
provisions of this part of SANS 5862. All standards are subject to revision and, since any reference
to a standard is deemed to be a reference to the latest edition of that standard, parties to
agreements based on this part of SANS 5862 are encouraged to take steps to ensure the use of the
most recent editions of the standards indicated below. Information on currently valid national and
international standards can be obtained from the SABS Standards Division.
SANS 5861-1, Concrete tests Part 1: Mixing fresh concrete in the laboratory.
SANS 5861-2, Concrete tests Part 2: Sampling of freshly mixed concrete.
SANS 5862-1, Concrete tests Consistence of freshly mixed concrete Slump test.

3 Definitions
For the purposes of this part of SANS 5862, the definitions given in SANS 5862-1 apply.

4 Apparatus
4.1 Flow table, that consists of a flat metal plate that is hinged along one edge to a rigid horizontal
base onto which it can be dropped repeatedly from a fixed height after the shaped concrete sample
has been placed on the flow table. The essential dimensions of the flow table and a suitable form of
construction are shown in figure 1.
1

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SANS 5862-2:2006
Edition 2.1
4.1.1 The top of the flow table is constructed from a flat plate of minimum thickness 1,5 mm, made
of a metal that is not readily attacked by cement paste or liable to rust. The top has a plane area of
side 700 mm 3 mm and is level to within 1,5 mm/m. The centre of the table is the centre of an
inscribed cross (the lines of which run parallel to and out to the edges of the table top) and of a
circle of diameter 200 mm. The bottom surface of the metal plate (see 4.1) is reinforced to prevent
distortion of the level top. The front of the table top has a lifting handle, as shown in figure 1. The
total mass of the metal plate is 16 kg 1 kg.

4.1.2 The top of the flow table is so hinged to the base frame by means of externally mounted
hinges that no aggregate can become trapped easily between the hinges or hinged surfaces. The
front of the base frame extends a minimum of 120 mm beyond the top of the flow table, in order to
provide a toe board. An upper stop, similar to that shown in figure 1, is provided on each side of the
table such that the lower front edge of the table can only be lifted 40 mm 1 mm.

4.1.3 The lower front edge of the top of the flow table is provided with two hard rigid stops that
transfer the load to the base frame. The base frame is so constructed that this load is then
transferred direct to the base frame on which the flow table is placed, and that there is minimal
tendency for the top of the flow table to bounce when it is dropped.

4.2 Mould, that is made of a metal that is not readily attacked by cement paste, is of thickness at
least 1,6 mm, and has a smooth internal surface. The mould (see figure 2) is in the form of a
frustum of a cone, with the following nominal internal dimensions:
a) diameter of base: 200 mm 2 mm;
b) diameter of top : 130 mm 2 mm; and
c) height: 300 mm 2 mm.
The base and the top are open and parallel to each other and at right angles to the axis of the cone.
The mould has two suitable hold-down footpieces at the bottom, to permit it to be held steady, and
handles at two-thirds of its height, to facilitate lifting it up vertically from the test specimen.

4.3 Tamping bar, that is made of suitable hardwood, and that has a square section of side 40 mm
and of minimum length 200 mm. A further 120 mm to 150 mm should be turned to a circular section,
to form a handle to the bar (see figure 3).

5 Sampling
Obtain a representative composite sample of the freshly mixed concrete to be tested, in accordance
with SANS 5861-2. Determine the flow as soon as possible after sampling and re-mixing.

6 Procedure
6.1 Place the base frame of the flow table on a flat, horizontal and massive surface that is free
from external vibration or shock. Ensure that the hinged table top can be lifted to its maximum limit
of travel and that it is free to fall to the lower stop, and that the table is so supported that, when the
table top is dropped, there is minimal tendency for it to bounce.
6.2 Before starting the test, ensure that the internal surface of the mould is clean and damp but
free from superfluous moisture. Place the mould centrally on the table top and hold it in position by
standing on the two footpieces.

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employed by the Subscriber may make paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 5862-2:2006
Edition 2.1
6.3 Fill the mould with the composite sample (see clause 5) in two layers, each approximately onehalf of the height of the mould. Tamp each layer with 10 strokes of the tamping bar, distributing the
strokes uniformly over the cross-section of the layer. Maintain excess concrete above the top of the
mould during the final tamping operation. Strike off the excess concrete level with the upper edge of
the mould and clean the free area of the table top of any excess concrete.

6.4 Approximately 30 s after striking off the excess concrete, carefully raise the mould vertically by
means of the handles, over a period of 5 s to 6 s. While holding the table steady by standing on the
toe board, slowly raise the table top by its handle until it reaches the upper stop without impact.
Then allow the table top to drop freely to the lower stop. Repeat this cycle for a total of 15 drops,
each cycle taking not less than 5 s nor more than 6 s.
6.5 Measure the total diameter of the concrete spread in two directions, parallel to the edges of the
table top. Calculate the mean value of both diameters as the measurement of flow, in millimetres.
NOTE If, during or after raising the mould, the concrete falls apart or segregates distinctly, repeat the test on
another portion of the sample. If two consecutive tests fail to provide a proper spread, the concrete lacks the
necessary cohesiveness and workability for the flow test to be applicable.

7 Test report
Refer to this test method in the report and include the following information:
a) identification of the sample;
b) date of the test;
c) the mean flow of the test specimen, to the nearest 5 mm.

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 SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to subscribers to the SABS Complete Collection
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employed by the Subscriber may make paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 5862-2:2006
Edition 2.1
Dimensions in millimetres

Figure 1 Typical flow table

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employed by the Subscriber may make paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 5862-2:2006
Edition 2.1
Dimensions in millimetres

Figure 2 Concrete mould

Figure 3 Tamping bar

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