SLUMP TEST

Slump test
on concrete::

The Slump Test
Materials and tools

• A sample of freshly mixed concrete (about half a wheelbarrow full)

• A wheelbarrow and shovel

• A flat steel plate about 600 x 600 mm by 3 mm thick

• A metric rule or tape measure

• A scoop

• A steel tamping rod, 16 mm in diameter by 600 mm long that has at least one end        rounded

• A standard slump mould (see Figure 1). The footplates should be positioned 5 mm above the base of the cone.

How to measure the slump

1. Mix the concrete in the wheelbarrow.

2. Wipe all the tools including the mould and base plate with

a damp cloth.

3. Put the steel plate down on a level place so that it is firm,

and then put the slump mould on it with the narrow end at

the top. Stand on the footpieces.

4. Fill the slump mould in three layers of about equal depth.

Tamp through each layer 25 times with the rounded end of

the tamping rod.

5. The last layer should more than fill the mould. After tamping

the last layer, strike off the excess concrete, using a sawing

and rolling motion of the tamping rod, so that the mould is

completely filled and level.

6. Hold the mould by the handles to keep it steady while you step off the footpieces.

7. Slowly lift the slump mould straight up and off .

8. Turn the slump mould upside down and place it on the plate, next to the concrete.

9. Rest the tamping rod on top of the slump mould so that one end is above the concrete.

10. Carefully measure the distance between the bottom of the tamping rod and the highest point of the concrete to the nearest 5 mm.

11. If you don’t get a true slump , repeat the test. If the slump is still not normal, ask for advice.