EN 480-15:2023

Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout - Test methods - Part 15: Reference concrete and method for testing viscosity modifying admixtures

This document specifies the constituent materials, the composition and the mix procedure to produce a reference concrete with a prescribed consistency and segregated portion for testing viscosity modifying admixtures as defined in EN 934-2. It also describes how to determine the requirements for the test mix in comparison with the control mix.

Zusatzmittel für Beton, Mörtel und Einpressmörtel - Prüfverfahren - Teil 15: Referenzbeton und Prüfverfahren zur Prüfung von viskositätsmodifizierenden Zusatzmitteln

Dieses Dokument legt die Ausgangsstoffe, die Zusammensetzung und das Mischverfahren zur Herstellung von Referenzbeton von vorgeschriebener Konsistenz und Entmischung für die Prüfung von viskositätsmodifizierenden Zusatzmitteln nach der Definition in EN 934 2 fest. Es beschreibt auch, wie die Anforderungen an die Prüfmischung im Gegensatz zur Vergleichsmischung zu bestimmen sind.

Adjuvants pour béton, mortier et coulis - Méthodes d’essai - Partie 15 : Béton de référence et méthode d’essai des adjuvants modificateurs de viscosité

Le présent document spécifie les constituants, la composition et la méthode de malaxage utilisés pour produire un béton de référence ayant une consistance prescrite et un pourcentage de laitance destiné à la réalisation d’essais sur les adjuvants modificateurs de viscosité tels que décrits dans l’EN 934 2. Il décrit également la méthode de détermination des exigences relatives au béton adjuvanté par rapport au béton témoin.

Kemijski dodatki za beton, malto in injekcijsko maso - Metode preskušanja - 15. del: Referenčni beton in metode za preskušanje spreminjanja viskoznosti dodatkov

Ta dokument določa sestavne materiale, sestavo in postopek mešanja, da nastane navedeni beton s predpisano gostoto in ločenim delom za preskušanje dodatkov za spreminjanje viskoznosti, kot je določeno v standardu EN 934 2. Prav tako opisuje, kako določiti zahteve za preskusno zmes v primerjavi s kontrolno zmesjo.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 04-Jul-2023
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 104 - Concrete ( performance, production, placing and compliance criteria )
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 104/SC 3 - Admixtures for concrete
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 05-Jul-2023
• Due Date: 03-May-2023
• Completion Date: 05-Jul-2023
• Ref Project: SIST EN 480-15:2023 - Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout - Test methods - Part 15: Reference concrete and method for testing viscosity modifying admixtures

Relations

• Replaces: EN 480-15:2013 - Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout - Test methods - Part 15: Reference concrete and method for testing viscosity modifying admixtures
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2023

Overview

EN 480-15:2023 - "Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout - Test methods - Part 15" specifies a calibrated reference concrete and a repeatable method for testing viscosity modifying admixtures (VMAs) as defined in EN 934-2. The standard defines constituent materials, mix proportions and a controlled mixing/testing procedure to produce a reference mix with prescribed consistency and a segregated portion. Test performance is established by comparing a control mix (no VMA) with a test mix containing the VMA.

Key topics and requirements

• Reference materials
  • Cement: CEM I (strength class 42,5 or 52,5) with specified chemical and fineness limits (C A content 7–11 % by mass; specific surface 3 200–4 600 cm2/g).
  • Aggregate: natural normal-weight aggregate to EN 12620 with low water absorption (≤2 %) and defined grading.
  • Mixing water: EN 1008 quality (or distilled/de‑ionized); no wash water.
• Reference mix composition
  • Cement: 400 ± 10 kg/m3; water ≤ 230 kg/m3; aggregate:cement ratio recorded.
  • Superplasticizer/plasticizer: within manufacturer’s normal range.
• Performance limits for control mix
  • Slump flow (EN 12350-8): 660–750 mm.
  • Sieve segregation (EN 12350-11): 15–30 %.
  • Air content (EN 12350-7): ≤ 2 %.
  • Fresh density (EN 12350-6): recorded and used to verify cement content.
• Mixing & testing procedure
  • Condition constituents to (20 ± 2) °C; use forced-action pan mixer (50–90 % capacity).
  • Defined mix and rest cycles, timed addition of water, cement and admixtures.
  • Measure slump flow and start segregation test within 10 minutes; density/air within 30 minutes.
  • Prepare specimens for compressive strength (EN 12390-1/2) with specific remixing rules for control vs test mixes.
• Reporting
  • Detailed test report requirements including aggregate/cement sources, grading, admixture dosages, consistency results, segregation, air content, fresh density, and compressive strength.

Applications and users

• Quality control and performance testing of viscosity modifying admixtures (VMAs) used in concrete and self‑compacting concrete.
• Product development and type‑testing by admixture manufacturers.
• Laboratory testing and certification bodies performing comparative VMA evaluations for compliance with EN 934-2.
• Contractors, specifiers and procurement teams requiring objective VMA performance data for mix design or acceptance.
• Research institutions studying rheology, segregation resistance and fresh concrete behaviour.

Related standards

• EN 934-2 (definitions and requirements for concrete admixtures)
• EN 480 series (other test methods for admixtures)
• EN 196-2, EN 196-6, EN 197-1 (cement testing/specification)
• EN 1008, EN 12350-6/7/8/11, EN 12390-1/2, EN 12620 (water, fresh/hardened concrete and aggregate tests)

EN 480-15:2023 provides a standardized, reproducible framework to evaluate VMAs under controlled reference conditions - essential for reliable product comparison, compliance testing and optimization of concrete rheology.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2023
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 480-15:2013
Kemijski dodatki za beton, malto in injekcijsko maso - Metode preskušanja - 15.
del: Referenčni beton in metode za preskušanje spreminjanja viskoznosti
dodatkov
Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout - Test methods - Part 15: Reference concrete
and method for testing viscosity modifying admixtures
Zusatzmittel für Beton, Mörtel und Einpressmörtel - Prüfverfahren - Teil 15:
Referenzbeton und Prüfverfahren zur Prüfung von viskositätsmodifizierenden
Zusatzmitteln
Adjuvants pour béton, mortier et coulis - Méthodes d’essai - Partie 15 : Béton de
référence et méthode d’essai des adjuvants modificateurs de viscosité
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 480-15:2023
ICS:
91.100.30 Beton in betonski izdelki Concrete and concrete
products
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 480-15
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
July 2023
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 91.100.30 Supersedes EN 480-15:2013
English Version
Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout - Test methods
- Part 15: Reference concrete and method for testing
viscosity modifying admixtures
Adjuvants pour béton, mortier et coulis - Méthodes Zusatzmittel für Beton, Mörtel und Einpressmörtel -
d'essai - Partie 15 : Béton de référence et méthode Prüfverfahren - Teil 15: Referenzbeton und
d'essai des adjuvants modificateurs de viscosité Prüfverfahren zur Prüfung von
viskositätsmodifizierenden Zusatzmitteln
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 28 May 2023.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2023 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 480-15:2023 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Constituent materials . 6
4.1 Cement . 6
4.2 Aggregate . 6
4.3 Mixing water . 6
5 Reference concrete . 6
6 Preparation of reference concrete . 7
6.1 Mix proportions . 7
6.2 Mixing and testing . 7
7 Test report . 8

European foreword
This document (EN 480-15:2023) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 104 “Concrete
and related products”, the secretariat of which is held by SN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by January 2024, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by January 2024.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 480-15:2013.
This document has been drafted by Subcommittee 3 (SC 3) of CEN/TC 104 “Admixtures for concrete,
mortar and grout”.
This document is part of the EN 480 series, with the title Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout —
Test methods, which comprises the following parts:
— Part 1: Reference concrete and reference mortar for testing
— Part 2: Determination of setting time
— Part 4: Determination of bleeding of concrete
— Part 5: Determination of capillary absorption
— Part 6: Infrared analysis
— Part 8: Determination of the conventional dry material content
— Part 10: Determination of water soluble chloride content
— Part 11: Determination of air void characteristics in hardened concrete
— Part 12: Determination of the alkali content of admixtures
— Part 13: Reference masonry mortar for testing mortar admixtures
— Part 14: Determination of the effect on corrosion susceptibility of reinforcing steel by potentiostatic
electro-chemical test
— Part 15: Reference concrete and method for testing viscosity modifying admixtures (the present
document)
This document is intended to be used together with the other standards of the EN 480 series and for
testing admixtures in accordance with the EN 934 series of standards.
The main changes compared with the previous edition are listed below:
a) identification of the relevant test method standard for the determination of the density of fresh
concrete in Table 2;
b) editorial changes.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
1 Scope
This document specifies the constituent materials, the composition and the mix procedure to produce a
r
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