Title

AS 1012.18-1996 Methods of testing concrete - Determination of setting time of fresh

concrete, mortar and grout by penetration resistance

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 1 AS 1012.181996

Australian Standard
Methods of testing concrete

Method 18: Determination of setting time of

fresh concrete, mortar and grout by
penetration resistance

PREFACE

This Standard was prepared by the Standards Australia Committee BD/42 on Methods of
Testing Concrete to supersede AS 1012.18 1975. This method is one of a series in
metric units applying to the sampling and testing of concrete. This series is being revised
and extended with the objective of bringing it into line with current practice.
In the course of preparing this Standard, the Committee has taken into account Australias
experience in using existing methods, and has given consideration to the method set out in
ASTM C40395, Test Method for Time of Setting of Concrete Mixtures by Penetration
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Resistance . Acknowledgment is made of the assistance received from this source.

METHOD

1 SCOPE This Standard describes the procedures for determining the initial and final
setting times of mortar sieved from fresh concrete mix, the slump of which is greater than
zero, using penetration resistance needles. This method is also applicable to fresh mortar
and grout.
NOTES:
1 As the hardening of concrete is a gradual process, any definition of setting time must
necessarily be arbitrary.
2 This method is primarily intended to be used as a means for comparing setting times under
the same conditions in the laboratory.
3 This method may be used to determine the setting characteristics at a standard temperature
(23 2C), at some other specified temperature or alternatively to determine the setting
time-temperature relationship.
4 This method may be used to estimate setting times of specific concretes, mortars or grouts
in the field.

2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS The following documents are referred to in this

Standard:
AS
1012 Methods of testing concrete
1012.1 Part 1: Sampling of fresh concrete
1012.2 Part 2: Preparation of concrete mixes in the laboratory
1012.3 Part 3: Methods for the determination of properties related to the consistence
of concrete

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 AS 1012.18 1996 2

3 DEFINITIONS For the purposes of this Standard the definitions below apply.
3.1 Initial setting timethe elapsed time, after initial contact of cement and water,
required for the mortar sieved from the concrete to reach a penetration resistance of
3.5 MPa using the apparatus described in Clause 4.2.
3.2 Final setting timethe elapsed time, after initial contact of cement and water,
required for the mortar sieved from the concrete to reach a penetration resistance of
28 MPa using the apparatus described in Clause 4.2.

4 APPARATUS
4.1 Containers for mortar specimens The container for mortar specimens shall be
rigid, watertight and non-absorptive, and either cylindrical or rectangular in cross-section.
The internal dimensions shall not be less than 150 mm and the height shall not be less
than 150 mm.
All containers in any one series of tests shall be similar.
Each container shall have sufficient surface area for 10 undisturbed readings of
penetration resistance. (See Clause 9 for clear distance requirements for needle
impression.)
4.2 Penetration resistance apparatus The apparatus shall be a spring reaction-type
apparatus graduated within the range of 45 N to 580 N in increments of not greater than
25 N; or hydraulic reaction-type with pressure gauge of 650 N to 900 N capacity
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graduated in increments of not greater than 25 N. Indications of actual needle loads shall
be accurate to 10 N. Removable circular needles with a flat point of the following
nominal bearing diameters shall be provided:
28 mm, 20 mm, 14 mm, 9 mm, 6.5 mm, 4.5 mm.
Each needle shank shall be provided with a depth gauge device or shall be scribed
peripherally at a distance of 25 mm above the bearing face. The 4.5 mm diameter needle
shall not be more than 90 mm in length and shall be of uniform diameter throughout.
The diameter shall be measured to the nearest 0.1 mm.
NOTE: To reduce wear, it is desirable that the needles be hardened.
4.3 Tamping rod and bar for compaction The rod used for compacting mortar into
moulds shall comply with AS 1012.3.

5 SAMPLING
5.1 Sampling of concrete
5.1.1 Sampling Sampling of the concrete shall be completed within 30 min of the
following:
(a) Field sampling completion of mixing the composite sample (see AS 1012.1).
(b) Laboratory sampling completion of mixing (see AS 1012.2).
5.1.2 Time of sampling The time at which the composite sample is taken shall be
recorded.
5.2 Sampling of mortar and grout The composite sample of mortar or grout shall be
representative of the batch and shall comprise portions taken from different points in the
batch using incremental procedure.
5.3 Transport of composite sample The composite sample shall be taken as quickly
as possible to the place selected for the test.

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 3 AS 1012.18 1996

6 EXTRACTION OF MORTAR FROM CONCRETE From the concrete mix under

test, a representative sample of sufficient volume shall be selected to provide enough
mortar to fill each test container to a depth of at least 140 mm.
As much of the mortar as practicable shall be removed from the sample of concrete by
sieving through a 4.75 mm aperture sieve on to a non-absorptive surface.
To constitute a composite sample the mortar obtained shall be thoroughly mixed on the
non-absorptive surface.
At least two specimens shall be prepared from each sample.

7 PREPARATION OF SPECIMENS FOR TEST If the containers used for holding

the mortar are oiled, the minimum of oil shall be used. If disposable containers are used,
no oil shall be used.
Placing of mortar in the container shall commence on completion of mixing the mortar
and be completed within 30 min of completing the mixing of the composite sample in
field sampling or the completion of mixing for a laboratory sample (see AS 1012.1 and
AS 1012.2).
The mortar shall be placed in the containers in two layers, each fully compacted by means
of a tamping rod. The strokes shall be distributed uniformly over the cross-section of the
specimen. For 150 mm diameter containers the minimum number of strokes per layer shall
be 25. For other sized containers the minimum number of strokes per layer shall be
increased in proportion to the cross-sectional area.
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After rodding has been completed, the sides of the containers shall be lightly tapped to
close the voids left by the rodding and to level the surface of the specimen.
At the completion of the specimen preparation, the mortar surface shall be about 10 mm
below the top edge of the container to provide space for the collection and removal of
bleeding water and to avoid contact between the mortar surface and the protective
covering (see Clause 9).
The ambient temperature and the temperature of the mortar shall be recorded at the
commencement of the test.

8 STORAGE OF MORTAR SPECIMENS For tests carried out in the laboratory, the
specimens shall be stored undisturbed in containers and maintained and stored at a
temperature of 23 2C or at any other specified temperature. The specimens shall be kept
covered for the duration of the test to prevent excessive evaporation of moisture except
when bleeding water is being removed or penetration tests are being made.
For tests conducted in the field to ascertain the field behaviour, the specimen shall be
shielded from the sun and kept covered for the duration of the test to prevent the
excessive evaporation of moisture except when bleeding water is being removed or
penetration tests are being made.

9 PROCEDURE
9.1 Removal of bleeding water Prior to making a penetration test, the bleeding water
shall be removed from the surface of the mortar specimens by means of a pipette, or
similar instrument. To facilitate collection of bleeding water, the specimen shall be tilted
carefully to an angle of about 10 degrees from the horizontal by placing a block under
one side 2 min prior to removal of the bleeding water. The specimen shall then be
returned to the horizontal without shock or jarring.

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 AS 1012.18 1996 4

9.2 Tests Tests shall be performed as follows:

(a) Depending upon the state of hardening of the mortar, a needle of appropriate size
shall be inserted in the penetration resistance apparatus and the bearing surface of
the needle brought into contact with the mortar surface.
(b) The apparatus shall be forced vertically downwards, gradually, until the needle
penetrates the mortar to a depth of 25 mm. The time required to penetrate the
25 mm depth shall be approximately 10 s.
(c) The force required, the measured needle diameter and the elapsed time from initial
addition of water shall be recorded. The ambient temperature and the temperature of
the mortar shall be recorded at each penetration reading.
(d) In subsequent penetration tests, care shall be taken to avoid areas where the mortar
has been disturbed by previous tests. The clear distance between the needle
impressions shall be at least two diameters of the needle being used, but not less
than 15 mm. The clear distance between any needle impression and the side of the
container shall be not less than 25 mm.
(e) A penetration test shall be made in each of the two cast specimens concurrently at
suitable intervals. For normal cases, hourly intervals will be appropriate.
(f) The time interval between consecutive penetration resistance determinations shall be
such that when calculated and plotted graphically, a satisfactory rate of hardening
curve is obtained. At least six determinations shall be made in every specimen.
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(g) The test shall be continued until a calculated penetration resistance of at least
28 MPa is obtained.
NOTES:
1 The time for the initial test will be dependent upon the mortar being tested and is judged
from the appearance of the mortar.
2 When a short setting time is anticipated or when the ambient temperature is higher than
normal, it is advisable to make the initial test after an elapsed time of 1 to 2 h and
subsequent tests at suitable intervals not greater than 30 min.
3 When a longer setting time is anticipated or when the ambient temperature is low, the initial
test may be deferred for an elapsed time of 4 to 6 h or longer. Subsequent tests may be at
intervals of 1 h, unless the rate of increase in penetration resistance indicates that the
shorter intervals are necessary.

10 CALCULATION The penetration resistance shall be calculated as the pressure in

megapascals required to cause a 25 mm depth of penetration of the needle, by dividing the
force required by the area of the bearing face of the needle, calculated from the measured
diameter.
The average results from each test series shall be plotted showing penetration resistance in
megapascals as the ordinate and elapsed times in minutes as the abscissa.
NOTE: As a guide, it is convenient to plot the logarithm of penetration resistance against
time. This graph will generally be a straight line (see Figure 1). When three points are plotted
on the graph, it is possible to anticipate the setting times of the mortar by extrapolation of the
line of best fit.
The initial and final setting time (defined in Clauses 3.1 and 3.2) shall be determined
from the curves plotted in accordance with this Clause 10, as the times at which
penetration resistances of 3.5 MPa and 28 MPa respectively are reached.
The setting times shall be reported in hours and minutes to the nearest 10 min.

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 5 AS 1012.18 1996

11 RECORDS The following information shall be recorded:

(a) Batching time of concrete (where appropriate).
(b) Identification of the sample.
(c) Date of test.
(d) Job site or laboratory where the test is carried out.
(e) Name of the operator carrying out the test.
(f) Type of mould.
(g) Initial temperature of the mortar and ambient temperatures at the beginning and end
of the test.
(h) For each specimen, time of measurement of penetration resistance, the mortar
temperature at this time, the needle diameter (in millimetres), the load required to
effect a penetration of 25 mm, and the calculated penetration resistance in
megapascals to the nearest 0.1 MPa.
(i) A graphical plot of average penetration resistance versus time for each sample.
(j) The initial and final setting times of the specimen expressed to the nearest 10 min.

12 REPORT In the event of a report being prepared, the following information shall
be included:
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(a) Batching time of concrete (where appropriate).

(b) Identification of the sample.
(c) Date of test.
(d) Initial and final setting times of the sample expressed to the nearest 10 min.
(e) Such other information in the records as may be requested.
(f) Reference to this Australian Standard, i.e. AS 1012.18.

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 AS 1012.18 1996 6
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FIGURE 1 A TYPICAL PLOT OF PENETRATION RESISTANCE AGAINST TIME

(PAGE 7 IN THE HARD COPY IS BLANK)

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 AS 1012.18 1996 8

This Austr alian Standard was prepared by Commit tee BD/42, Methods of Testi ng Concrete. It was approved on behalf of
the Council of Standards Australi a on 17 May 1996 and publi shed on 5 September 1996.
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Review of Australi an Standards. To keep abreast of progress in industry, Australian Standards are subject to periodic
review and are kept up to date by the issue of amendments or new editi ons as necessary. It is important therefore that
Standards users ensure that they are in possession of the latest edit ion, and any amendments thereto.
Full details of all Australi an Standards and related publications wil l be found in the Standards Australia Catalogue of
Publications; this informati on is supplemented each month by the magazine The Australi an Standard, which subscribing
members receive, and which gives detail s of new publications, new editi ons and amendments, and of wit hdrawn Standards.
Suggestions for improvements to Australian Standards, addressed to the head offi ce of Standards Australia, are welcomed.
Notific ation of any inaccuracy or ambiguity found in an Australian Standard should be made without delay in order that the
matter may be investigated and appropriate action taken.

Originated as AS 1012.18 1975.

Second edit ion 1996.

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 93301.

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ISBN 0 7337 0638 X