BRITISH STANDARD BS 1881-111:

1983
Incorporating
Amendment No. 1 and
implementing
Amendment No. 2 not
published separately
Testing concrete
Part 111: Method of normal curing of
test specimens (20 C method)
BS 1881-111:1983
This British Standard, having
been prepared under the
direction of the Cement,
Gypsum, Aggregates and
Quarry Products Standards
Committee, was published
under the authority of the
Board of BSI and comes
into effect on
29 July 1983
BSI 10-1998
ISBN 0 580 13332 X
Committees responsible for this
British Standard
This British Standard was published under the direction of the Cement,
Gypsum, Aggregates and Quarry Products Standards Committee CAB/. Its
preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee CAB/4 upon which the
following bodies were represented:
British Aggregate Construction Materials Industries
British Precast Concrete Federation Ltd.
British Ready Mixed Concrete Association
Cement Admixtures Association
Cement and Concrete Association
Cement Makers Federation
Concrete Society Limited
County Surveyors Society
Department of the Environment (Building Research Establishment)
Department of the Environment (PSA)
Department of the Environment (Transport and Road Research Laboratory)
Department of Transport
Electricity Supply Industry in England and Wales
Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors
Greater London Council
Institute of Concrete Technology
Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Highway Engineers
Institution of Municipal Engineers
Institution of Structural Engineers
Institution of Water Engineers and Scientists
National Federation of Building Trades Employers
Royal Institute of British Architects
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Sand and Gravel Association Limited
Society of Chemical Industry
The following bodies were also represented in the drafting of the standard,
through subcommittees and panels:
British Civil Engineering Test Equipment Manufacturers Association
Coopted members
Amendments issued since publication
Amd. No. Date of issue Comments
6102 July 1989
9387 May 1997 Indicated by a sideline in the margin
BS 1881-111:1983
BSI 10-1998 i
Contents
Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
Foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 Definitions 1
3 Apparatus 1
4 Procedure 1
5 Age of test specimens 2
6 Report 2
Publications referred to Inside back cover
BS 1881-111:1983
ii
BSI 10-1998
Foreword
This Part of this British Standard, prepared under the direction of the Cement,
Gypsum, Aggregates and Quarry Products Standards Committee, is a revision
of 2.5, 2.6, 4.5, 4.6, 5.6, and 5.7 of BS 1881-3:1970. Together with
Parts 108, 109, 110, 112 and 113, this Part of BS 1881 supersedes
BS 1881-3:1970, which is withdrawn.
This Part describes the method of normal curing of cubes, beams and cylinders
at 20 C. Methods for accelerated curing of cubes are given in BS 1881-112 and
the method for curing no-fines cubes is given in BS 1881-113. The distinction
between specimens cured in the laboratory and on site, included in the 1970
edition, has been removed.
For the control of temperature conditions in testing laboratories situated in
tropical climates a mid point of 27 C has been internationally recommended.
When tests specified in this standard are carried out in such climates, therefore,
it is suggested that a temperature mid point of 27 C should be adopted, subject
to the same tolerances as those laid down in the relevant clauses of the standard
for use in temperate climates, and the fact reported.
If mist curing of concrete strength test specimens is to be used as an alternative
to the method given in this Part, it is essential that the method used can be shown
to give equivalent results to those obtained from testing tank cured specimens.
The method of mist curing used should be based on curing in an atmosphere with
a relative humidity of over 95 %.
NOTE The high humidity required in moist air curing rooms is normally produced by spraying
water as a fine aerosol. The bacterium Legionella pneumophila is widespread in nature and is present
in the water systems of many buildings. Scale in pipework and chemical nutrients in the water supply
may encourage growth of this organism which multiplies between 20 C and about 45 C. Inhaling
infected aerosols is a known route for the transmission of Legionnaires disease. It is therefore
advisable to maintain cold water supplies below 20 C where possible and to store hot water
above 60 C. Cold water supplies may be disinfected by chlorination to at least 5 mg/L free chlorine.
Regular periodic checking for the presence of Legionella species in industrial water supplues is a
sensible precaution.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.
Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 and 2, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.
BS 1881-111:1983
BSI 10-1998 1
1 Scope
This Part of this British Standard describes the
method of normal curing of concrete specimens
(cubes, beams or cylinders made in accordance with
Parts 108, 109 and 110 of this British Standard)
at 20 C for strength tests at ages of 1 day and over.
NOTE This titles of the publications referred to in this standard
are listed on the inside back page.
2 Definitions
For the purposes of this Part of this British
Standard, the definitions given in BS 5328 and
BS 1881-101 apply.
3 Apparatus
3.1 Curing tank. A curing tank constructed from any
material which is of adequate strength and will
resist corrosion. The internal dimensions of the tank
shall be appropriate for the number and size of the
specimens to be accommodated, shall permit
adequate circulation of water and shall be such that
specimens can be easily removed.
Domestic supply water shall be used for filling the
tank and for occasional topping up to maintain a
reasonably constant water level. At any point in the
tank where specimens are stored the temperature
shall be 20 2 C.
NOTE 1 In order to achieve this temperature control it may be
necessary to provide the tank with a lid and/or a water cooling
system in addition to the water heating system.
NOTE 2 When handling cubes in curing tanks, protective
gloves should be worn.
3.2 Thermometer, suitable for measuring maximum
and minimum moist air and water curing
temperatures.
4 Procedure
Immediately after making specimens
(see BS 1881-108, 109 or 110 as appropriate) store
them in a place free from vibration and in conditions
which will prevent loss of moisture. If it is necessary
to move the specimens to the place of storage, move
them in their moulds ensuring no loss of concrete.
Store the specimens either:
a) in an atmosphere with a relative humidity of
not less than 90 % in a moist air curing room or a
cabinet; or
b) under damp matting or any other suitable
damp material wrapped completely with
polyethylene or other impervious sheeting.
NOTE The preferred method for storing specimens is that
described in a).
Whichever method of moist air storage is used,
maintain the temperature of the specimens
at 20 5 C if the specimens are to be tested at an
age of 7 days or more, or at 20 2 C if the specimens
are to be tested at an earlier age.
Demould specimens to be tested at 24 h just before
testing. Demould specimens to be tested at greater
ages within the period 16 h to 28 h after the addition
of water to the other constituents in the mix unless
the concrete has not achieved sufficient strength to
enable specimens to be demoulded during this
period. In such cases, delay demoulding for a
further 24 h. During this further period, continue
the storage of the specimens in the moist air
conditions.
Mark each specimen clearly and indelibly with an
identification number or code. Unless required for
test at 24 h, either submerge the specimens
immediately in the curing tank or immediately
prepare them for transporting to another location.
Keep all specimens which are immediately
transferred to the curing tank submerged and
remove them just before testing unless it is
necessary to transport them to another location for
testing.
Immediately after removal from the moulds or from
the curing tank, pack specimens to be transported in
such a way as to prevent any significant change in
moisture content.
NOTE This may be achieved by using special boxes having
compartments lined with wet felt or other suitable material.
After filling, seal each box or enclose it in
polyethylene. Alternatively, the specimens may be
packed in damp sand or in wet sacks and enclose in
a polyethylene bag. Store the transported specimens
in the curing tank for not less than 24 h before the
time of testing. This transfer of specimens may take
place at any time between demoulding of the
specimens and 24 h before the time of testing but it
shall be effected in as short a time as is practicable.
In order to provide adequate circulation of water
and to facilitate the removal of the specimens from
the curing tank ensure that there is at least 15 mm
of water horizontally between specimens and
between specimens and the sides of the tank.
Continue the curing in water as long as possible up
to the time of testing.
Record the daily maximum and minimum moist air
and water curing temperatures using either
maximum and minimum thermometers or
continuous recording instruments.
BS 1881-111:1983
2
BSI 10-1998
5 Age of test specimens
Tests shall be carried out within the following
tolerances on the ages for testing.
30 min for ages up to and including 30 h
2 h for ages above 30 h and up to and
including 100 h
8 h for ages above 100 h and up to and
including 60 days
1 day for ages above 60 days.
The ages shall be calculated from the time of adding
the water to the other materials in the concrete mix.
NOTE 1 Preferred ages for testing are 1, 2, 3, 7, 14
and 28 days, 13 and 26 weeks and 1 year.
NOTE 2 If the test results are used to compare the performance
of different testing machines closer tolerances may be
appropriate.
6 Report
6.1 General. The report shall affirm that the
specimens were cured in accordance with this Part
of this British Standard. The report shall state
whether or not a certificate of sampling and
specimen preparation is available. If available, a
copy of the certificate shall be provided.
6.2 Information to be included in the report
6.2.1 Mandatory information. The following
information shall be included in the test report:
a) identification number or codes of specimens;
b) location of moist air curing;
c) method of moist air curing;
d) period of moist air curing;
e) maximum and minimum moist air and water
curing temperatures;
f) certificate that curing has been carried out in
accordance with this Part of this standard.
6.2.2 Optional information. If requested the
following information shall be included in the test
report:
a) time of adding the water to the other materials
in the concrete mix;
b) time of making specimens;
c) time of immersion of specimens in curing
tank(s), if applicable;
d) time of removal of specimens from curing
tank(s), if applicable;
e) temperature record during moist air curing;
f) temperature record during water curing;
g) age(s) at which specimens are to be tested.
BS 1881-111:1983
BSI 10-1998 3
Publications referred to
BS 1881, Testing concrete.
BS 1881-101, Method of sampling fresh concrete on site.
BS 1881-108, Method for making test cubes out of fresh concrete.
BS 1881-109, Method for making test beams out of fresh concrete.
BS 1881-110, Method for making test cylinders out of fresh concrete.
BS 1881-112, Methods of accelerated curing of test cubes
1)
.
BS 1881-113, Method of making and curing no-fines test cubes
1)
.
BS 5328, Methods for specifying concrete, including ready-mixed concrete.
1)
Referred to in the foreword only.
BSI
389 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 4AL
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