ISO 1920-3:2019

Testing of concrete — Part 3: Making and curing test specimens

This document specifies the shape and dimensions of concrete test specimens for strength tests and the methods of making and curing these test specimens.

Essais du béton — Partie 3: Confection et prise des éprouvettes

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 19-Nov-2019
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 71/SC 1 - Test methods for concrete
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 71/SC 1 - Test methods for concrete
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 20-Nov-2019
• Due Date: 24-Aug-2019
• Completion Date: 20-Nov-2019

Relations

• Revises: ISO 1920-3:2004 - Testing of concrete — Part 3: Making and curing test specimens
• Effective Date: 03-Sep-2016
• Consolidated By: ISO 4307:2021 - Molecular in vitro diagnostic examinations — Specifications for pre-examination processes for saliva — Isolated human DNA
• Effective Date: 06-Jun-2022

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 1920-3
Second edition
2019-11
Testing of concrete —
Part 3:
Making and curing test specimens
Essais du béton —
Partie 3: Confection et prise des éprouvettes
Reference number
ISO 1920-3:2019(E)
©
ISO 2019

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ISO 1920-3:2019(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2019
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
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ISO 1920-3:2019(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Shape, dimensions and tolerances of specimens and moulds . 2
4.1 General . 2
4.2 Cubes . 2
4.2.1 Nominal sizes . 2
4.2.2 Designated sizes . 2
4.2.3 Tolerances . 2
4.3 Cylinders . 3
4.3.1 Nominal sizes . 3
4.3.2 Designated sizes . 3
4.3.3 Tolerances . 3
4.4 Prisms . 4
4.4.1 Nominal sizes . 4
4.4.2 Designated sizes . 4
4.4.3 Tolerances . 4
5 Apparatus . 4
5.1 Apparatus for measuring the test specimens. . 4
5.2 Apparatus for making test specimens. 5
6 Preparation of test specimens . 6
6.1 Sampling . 6
6.2 Preparation and filling of the mould . 6
6.3 Compaction of the concrete . 6
6.4 Surface levelling . 6
6.5 Marking . 6
6.6 Capping specimens . 7
7 Curing of test specimens. 7
8 Measurement of dimensions and shape . 7
8.1 Specimens made in calibrated moulds . 7
8.2 Specimens made in uncalibrated moulds . 7
9 Report . 7
Annex A (informative) Wet-sieving of concrete . 9
Annex B (informative) Application of ISO 1101 to concrete test specimens and moulds .11
Annex C (normative) Lightweight cylindrical moulds .13
Annex D (normative) Methods of compaction .19
Annex E (informative) Example of specimen preparation test report .20
Bibliography .21
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ISO 1920-3:2019(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see www .iso .org/
iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 71, Concrete, reinforced concrete and
prestressed concrete, Subcommittee SC 1, Test methods for concrete.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 1920-3:2004), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— tolerances of specimens and moulds have been redefined;
— the concept of preparation and filling has been is redrafted;
— preferred methods of compaction on the basis of slump value have been included and defined;
— the capping of cylindrical specimens for compressive strength has been included and defined;
— the curing of test specimens under hot climate has been defined.
A list of all parts in the ISO 1920 series can be found on the ISO website.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 1920-3:2019(E)
Testing of concrete —
Part 3:
Making and curing test specimens
WARNING — Some concrete specimens can be too heavy for one person to carry and it is
necessary that appropriate means be arranged to carry them. The use of vibrating equipment,
such as vibration tables, can cause damage to joints and loss of sensation due to nerve damage.
It is necessary that moulds, density containers, etc., be clamped to the table and not held in
position using one's hands while they are being vibrated.
1 Scope
This document specifies the shape and dimensions of concrete test specimens for strength tests and
the methods of making and curing these test specimens.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 1920-1, Testing of concrete — Part 1: Sampling of fresh concrete
ISO 1101, Geometrical product specifications (GPS) — Geometrical tolerancing — Tolerances of form,
orientation, location and run-out
3 Terms and definitions
For the purpose of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 1101 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
nominal size
range of commonly used specimen sizes among which a preferred size is specified in this
document
3.2
designated size
specimen size selected and declared by the user of this document from among the
permitted range of nominal sizes (3.1)
Note 1 to entry: The size of specimens is expressed in millimetres.
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ISO 1920-3:2019(E)

4 Shape, dimensions and tolerances of specimens and moulds
4.1 General
For each shape of test specimen, e.g. cube, cylinder, and prism, the basic dimensions, l or d (Figures 1,
2 and 3), should be chosen to be at least four times the maximum size of the aggregate in the concrete.
NOTE A procedure for wet screening as described in Annex A can be used when the maximum size of the
aggregate is larger than ¼ of the basic dimension, l or d.
4.2 Cubes
4.2.1 Nominal sizes
The nominal sizes are as shown in Figure 1, where l is 100 mm, 120 mm, 150 mm, 200 mm, 250 mm,
225 mm or 300 mm.
Figure 1 — Nominal sizes of a cube
The preferred sizes are 100 mm and 150 mm.
4.2.2 Designated sizes
The designated size shall be selected from one of the nominal sizes given in 4.2.1.
4.2.3 Tolerances
The following tolerances apply.
a) The tolerance on the designated size shall be ±0,5 %;
b) The tolerance on the flatness of the load-bearing surfaces shall be:
i) for new moulds: 0,03 mm;
ii) for moulds in use: 0,05 mm;
c) The load-bearing surfaces shall be parallel to a tolerance of not greater than 0,5 mm;
d) The tolerance on the perpendicularity of the sides of the cube with reference to the base shall be
±0,5 mm.
For the definitions of flatness, parallelism, perpendicularity and straightness, see Annex B.
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ISO 1920-3:2019(E)

4.3 Cylinders
4.3.1 Nominal sizes
The nominal sizes are as shown in Figure 2, where the diameter, d, equal 100 mm, 113 mm, 125 mm,
150 mm, 200 mm, 250 mm or 300 mm.
Figure 2 — Nominal sizes of a cylinder
2
NOTE The diameter of 113 mm corresponds to a load-bearing area of 10 000 mm .
The preferred sizes are 100 mm × 200 mm, 125 mm × 250 mm and 150 mm × 300 mm.
The height, h, of the cylinder shall be 2d except for specimens used for the tensile splitting test. In the
latter case, the height of the specimen shall be between d and 2d.
4.3.2 Designated sizes
Designated sizes may be selected within ±10 % of a nominal size.
4.3.3 Tolerances
The following tolerances apply:
a) the tolerance on the designated diameter, d, shall be ±0,5 %;
b) the tolerance on the flatness of the load-bearing surfaces shall be ±0,000 5 d, expressed in
millimetres, except for cylinders tested by unbonded capping methods;
c) the tolerance on the flatness of the load-bearing surfaces of cylinders tested by unbonded capping
methods, such as sand box or elastomeric pads, shall be ±0,02 d, expressed in millimetres;
d) the load-bearing surfaces shall be parallel to a tolerance of not greater than 0,5 millimetres;
e) the tolerance on the perpendicularity of the sides of the cylinder with reference to the end faces
shall be ±0,5 mm;
f) the tolerance on the height, h, of the cylinders shall be ±0,5 %;
g) the straightness tolerance on any surface parallel to the centre line of the cylinders to be used in
compression tests shall be ±0,5 mm;
h) the straightness tolerance of any surface parallel to the centre line of the cylinders to be used in
tensile splitting tests shall be ±0,2 mm.
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ISO 1920-3:2019(E)

4.4 Prisms
4.4.1 Nominal sizes
The nominal sizes are as shown in Figure 3, where l equal 100 mm, 150 mm, 200 mm, 250 mm or
300 mm, and length, L, is L ≥ 3,5 l.
Figure 3 — Nominal sizes of prisms
The preferred sizes are:
— l = 100 mm and L = 400 mm; or
— l = 150 mm and L = 600 mm.
4.4.2 Designated sizes
The designated size, l, of prisms shall be selected from one of the nominal sizes given in 4.4.1.
The designated length, L, of prisms shall be not less than 3,5 l.
4.4.3 Tolerances
The following tolerances apply:
a) the tolerance on the designated size l, shall be ±0,5 %;
b) the tolerance on the designated length, l, shall be ±0,5 %;
c) the load-bearing surfaces shall be parallel to a tolerance not greater than 0,5 mm;
d) the tolerance on the perpendicularity of the sides of the prism with reference to the base shall
be ±0,5 mm;
e) the tolerance on the straightness of the load-bearing area for specimens to be used for bending
(flexural) tests shall be ±0,2 mm.
5 Apparatus
5.1 Apparatus for measuring the test specimens.
5.1.1 Callipers and/or rules, capable of establishing that the relevant dimensions of specimens or
moulds are within ±0,5 % of the dimension.
5.1.2 Gauge, capable of establishing that the relevant flatness of specimens or moulds is within
±0,000 5 l or d.
5.1.3 Squares and gauges (or other similar means), capable of establishing the perpendicularity and
parallelism of specimens and moulds within ±0,5 mm.
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ISO 1920-3:2019(E)

5.2 Apparatus for making test specimens
5.2.1 Moulds, capable of providing test specimens with the dimensions and tolerances that conform to
this document.
The moulds shall be made of steel or cast-iron, which shall be the reference materials. If moulds are
manufactured from other materials, performance test data shall be available that demonstrate
equivalence with the steel or cast-iron moulds. Lightweight cylindrical moulds shall conform to the
requirements in Annex C.
Moulds shall be watertight and shall be non-absorbent.
Moulds shall be checked at intervals of not more than 1 year. If the mould is in calibration at time of
use, the checking of parallelism, verticality and flatness of specimens is not required, provided the size
measurements are within tolerance.
Individual moulds shall be identifiable. The designation should be an identification number either
welded on the mould body or securely tagged to the moulds.
5.2.2 Filling frame, fitted tightly to the mould and used to simplify the filling of the moulds.
The use of a filling frame is optional, but if used, this shall be stated in the test report (see Clause 9).
5.2.3 Means of compacting the concrete in the mould, which shall be one of the following:
5.2.3.1 Internal vibrator, with a minimum frequency of 120 Hz (7 200 cycles per minutes). The
diameter of the tube shall not exceed one-quarter of the smallest dimension of the test specimen;
5.2.3.2 Vibrating table, with a minimum frequency of 40 Hz (2 400 cycles per minute);
5.2.3.3 Compacting rod, of circular cross-section, straight, made of steel, having a diameter of
16 mm ± 1 mm and a length of 600 mm ± 5 mm, and with rounded, roughly hemispherical, ends;
5.2.3.4 Compacting bar, 380 mm long steel bar, weighs 1,8 kg and has a square end of 25 mm × 25 mm
or circular cross-section of 25 mm diameter for ramming.
5.2.4 General tools, including the following:
5.2.4.1 Scoop, approximately 100 mm wide;
5.2.4.2 Steel floats, two;
5.2.4.3 Sampling tray, with minimum dimensions of 900 mm × 900 mm × 50 mm deep, of rigid
construction and made from a non-absorbent material not readily attacked by cement paste;
5.2.4.4 Shovel, square-bladed;
5.2.4.5 Release material, non-reactive;
5.2.4.6 Mallet;
5.2.4.7 Timer, having an accuracy of ±1 s.
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ISO 1920-3:2019(E)

6 Preparation of test specimens
6.1 Sampling
The samples shall be taken in accordance with ISO 1920-1.
The samples shall be remixed before filling the mould. Concrete mixed in a laboratory need not be
remixed.
6.2 Preparation and filling of the mould
Before filling, cover the inner surface of the mould with a thin film of mineral oil or any other material
to prevent the concrete from adhering to the mould.
Place the mould on a firm and level area.
If a filling frame is used, the amount of concrete
...