EUROLAB
bs-1881-203-testing-for-compressive-strength
Concrete and Mortar Testing AASHTO T112 Density of AggregateAASHTO T119 Compressive Strength of CylindersAASHTO T119 Compressive Strength of CylindersAASHTO T119 Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete SpecimensAASHTO T161 Length Change of Hardened ConcreteAASHTO T22 Slump Test for Fresh ConcreteAASHTO T23 Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by Pressure MethodAASHTO T24 Air Content of Hydraulic Cement Concrete by Pressure MethodAASHTO T71 Sampling and Testing of AggregateAASHTO T97 Compression Testing of ConcreteAASHTO T97 Compressive Strength of CylindersACI 209 Prediction of Creep, Shrinkage, and Temperature EffectsACI 211 Guide for Concrete Mixture ProportioningACI 214 Guide for Evaluation of Strength Test ResultsACI 234 Guide for Concrete DurabilityACI 301 Specifications for Structural ConcreteACI 318 Building Code Requirements for Structural ConcreteACI 318 Structural Concrete Code RequirementsACI 522 Guide for Fiber-Reinforced ConcreteACI 544 Fiber Reinforcement TestingASTM C1064 Temperature of Freshly Mixed Hydraulic-Cement ConcreteASTM C1074 Estimating Concrete Strength by Maturity MethodASTM C1077 Standard Practice for Laboratories Testing ConcreteASTM C109 Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement MortarsASTM C109M Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement MortarsASTM C114 Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic CementASTM C1152 Acid Soluble Chloride in Concrete and Concrete Raw MaterialsASTM C1157 Performance Specification for Hydraulic CementASTM C1202 Electrical Indication of Concrete’s Ability to Resist Chloride Ion PenetrationASTM C1231 Structural Testing of Drilled Concrete CoresASTM C1237 Flow of Mortar Using a Flow TableASTM C1240 Testing for Air-Entraining AdmixturesASTM C1260 Accelerated Mortar Bar Test for Alkali-Silica ReactionASTM C138 Unit Weight, Yield, and Air Content of ConcreteASTM C140 Density, Yield, and Air Content of MortarASTM C143 Slump of Hydraulic-Cement ConcreteASTM C143 Slump of Hydraulic-Cement ConcreteASTM C1512 Restrained Expansion of Mortar Bars Due to ASRASTM C156 Air Content in Freshly Mixed Concrete by Volumetric MethodASTM C157 Length Change of Hardened ConcreteASTM C157 Length Change of Hardened ConcreteASTM C1576 Testing Mortars for Air ContentASTM C1579 Early Age Shrinkage of Cementitious Mixtures Using Embedded Strain GaugesASTM C1585 Measurement of Rate of Absorption of Water by Hydraulic Cement ConcreteASTM C1602 Mixing Water for ConcreteASTM C1609 Flexural Performance of Fiber-Reinforced ConcreteASTM C1679 Method for Measuring Early-Age Shrinkage of Cementitious MixturesASTM C171 Sampling Fresh ConcreteASTM C185 Determination of Carbonation DepthASTM C185 Determination of Carbonation Depth in ConcreteASTM C185 Measurement of Setting Time of Hydraulic CementASTM C231 Air Content in Freshly Mixed Concrete by Pressure MethodASTM C231 Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by Pressure MethodASTM C266 Time of Setting of Concrete Mixtures by Penetration ResistanceASTM C293 Flexural Strength of ConcreteASTM C293 Flexural Strength of Concrete Using Simple Beam with Third-Point LoadingASTM C293 Flexural Strength of Concrete Using Simple Beam with Third-Point LoadingASTM C293 Testing Concrete Beam Flexural StrengthASTM C31 Making and Curing Concrete Test SpecimensASTM C349 Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement MortarsASTM C39 Compressive Strength Testing of Concrete CylindersASTM C42 Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores and Sawed BeamsASTM C469 Modulus of Elasticity and Poisson’s Ratio in ConcreteASTM C469 Static Modulus of Elasticity and Poisson’s Ratio of Concrete in CompressionASTM C494 Chemical Admixtures for ConcreteASTM C642 Density, Absorption, and Voids in Hardened ConcreteASTM C666 Resistance of Concrete to Rapid Freezing and ThawingASTM C78 Flexural Strength of ConcreteASTM C78 Flexural Strength of Concrete BeamsASTM C805 Rebound Number of Hardened ConcreteASTM C876 Half-Cell Potential of Steel in ConcreteBS 1881-121 Determination of Water Absorption of Hardened ConcreteBS 1881-208 Testing for Flexural StrengthBS 4550 Specification for Concrete TestingBS 4551 Testing of Concrete – Methods for Strength and DensityBS 812 Testing AggregatesBS 8500-1 Concrete – Part 1: Specification for Constituent MaterialsBS 8500-2 Concrete – Part 2: Specification for ConcreteBS EN 1015-11 Determination of Flexural and Compressive Strength of MortarBS EN 197-1 Cement StandardsBS EN 206 Specification for ConcreteBS EN 480-11 Admixtures for Concrete – Testing MethodsBS EN 934-2 Concrete AdmixturesEN 12390-10 Determination of Chloride Content in Hardened ConcreteEN 12390-2 Making and Curing Specimens for Strength TestsEN 12390-3 Compressive Strength of Test SpecimensEN 12390-5 Flexural Strength of Test SpecimensEN 12390-6 Tensile Splitting Strength of Test SpecimensEN 12390-7 Density of Hardened ConcreteEN 12390-8 Depth of Penetration of Water Under PressureEN 12620 Aggregates for ConcreteEN 12620 Aggregates for ConcreteEN 13039 Siliceous Sand for ConcreteEN 13055 Lightweight AggregatesEN 13286-47 Test Methods for Unbound and Hydraulically Bound MixturesEN 13670 Execution of Concrete StructuresEN 196-1 Determination of StrengthEN 196-3 Determination of Setting Times and SoundnessEN 196-6 Determination of FinenessEN 197-1 Cement Composition and SpecificationsEN 197-1 Composition, Specifications and Conformity Criteria for Common CementsEN 206-1 Concrete Specification, Performance, Production and ConformityISO 14001 Environmental Management in Concrete ProductionISO 15686-2 Service Life Planning of Concrete StructuresISO 1920-1 Sampling of Hardened ConcreteISO 1920-3 Sampling Fresh ConcreteISO 1920-4 Strength Testing of Concrete – Part 4: Strength by CompressionISO 1920-5 Determination of Tensile Splitting StrengthISO 1920-6 Flexural Strength Testing of ConcreteISO 1920-7 Determination of Density of Hardened ConcreteISO 1920-8 Determination of Water Absorption of Hardened ConcreteISO 1920-9 Determination of Freeze-Thaw ResistanceISO 21930 Sustainability in Building ConstructionISO 22112 Concrete Testing – Durability TestingISO 679 Determination of Strength of Hydraulic CementISO 679 Methods of Testing Cement – Determination of Strength

BS 1881-203 Testing for Compressive Strength: Laboratory Testing Services

BS 1881-203 is a British Standard that specifies the method for determining the compressive strength of concrete in various forms, including cubes, cylinders, and cores. This standard is widely used in the construction industry, particularly in the UK, to ensure compliance with building regulations and codes.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

The BS 1881-203 standard is part of a larger family of British Standards that govern the testing of concrete. The relevant standards include:

  • BS 812: Testing aggregates

  • BS 1377: Testing soil and rock for engineering purposes

  • BS EN 12350-1: Testing fresh concrete (cement, aggregate, water)

    • These standards are essential for ensuring compliance with building regulations, such as the Building Regulations (Amendment) Order 2008, which requires concrete to meet specific strength requirements.

    International and National Standards

    The BS 1881-203 standard is part of a broader international framework that governs concrete testing. The relevant international standards include:

  • ISO 1920: Testing concrete

  • ASTM C39/C39M: Standard test method for compressive strength of cylindrical specimens of concrete

    • National standards, such as the French standard NF EN 12390-3 and the German standard DIN EN 12350-1, also govern concrete testing.

    Standard Development Organizations

    The British Standards Institution (BSI) is responsible for developing and maintaining British Standards. The BSI works closely with other standard development organizations, including:

  • ISO

  • ASTM

  • CEN

    • These organizations collaborate to ensure that their standards are aligned and consistent.

    Evolution of Standards

    Standards evolve over time as new technologies and methods emerge. For example, the introduction of high-performance concrete has led to updates in testing procedures.

    Standard Numbers and Scope

    Some relevant standard numbers include:

  • BS 1881-203: Testing for compressive strength of concrete

  • BS EN 12350-1: Testing fresh concrete (cement, aggregate, water)

  • ISO 1920: Testing concrete

    • Each standard has a specific scope and covers different aspects of concrete testing.

    Compliance Requirements

    Companies must comply with relevant standards to ensure that their products meet regulatory requirements. Non-compliance can result in penalties, fines, or even product recall.

    Standard-Related Industries

    BS 1881-203 applies to various industries, including:

  • Construction

  • Civil engineering

  • Infrastructure development

    • These industries rely on accurate concrete testing to ensure structural integrity and safety.

    Risk Factors and Safety Implications

    Inaccurate or incomplete testing can lead to catastrophic consequences, such as structural failure, loss of life, or costly repairs. Companies must prioritize quality assurance and control to minimize these risks.

    Business and Technical Reasons for Conducting BS 1881-203 Testing

    Companies require accurate concrete testing to:

  • Ensure compliance with building regulations

  • Verify product performance

  • Prevent accidents and injuries

    • This testing is essential for maintaining customer trust, reputation, and competitiveness.

    ---

    BS 1881-203 testing is critical for ensuring the structural integrity of buildings and infrastructure. Companies must conduct this testing to:

    Why This Test Is Needed

    Concrete testing is necessary due to its high variability in strength and properties. BS 1881-203 provides a standardized method for determining compressive strength, which is essential for building design and construction.

    Business Reasons for Conducting BS 1881-203 Testing

    Companies require accurate concrete testing to:

  • Ensure compliance with building regulations

  • Verify product performance

  • Prevent accidents and injuries

    • Technical Reasons for Conducting BS 1881-203 Testing

    BS 1881-203 testing is essential for determining the compressive strength of concrete, which affects its durability, resistance to environmental factors, and overall performance.

    Consequences of Not Performing This Test

    Inaccurate or incomplete testing can lead to catastrophic consequences, such as structural failure, loss of life, or costly repairs. Companies must prioritize quality assurance and control to minimize these risks.

    Industries Requiring BS 1881-203 Testing

    Companies in the following industries require accurate concrete testing:

  • Construction

  • Civil engineering

  • Infrastructure development

    • Quality Assurance and Quality Control Aspects

    BS 1881-203 testing is subject to stringent quality assurance and control measures, including:

  • Calibration and validation of equipment

  • Training and certification of personnel

  • Documentation and record-keeping procedures

    • ---

    BS 1881-203 testing involves a series of steps that ensure accurate and reliable results. The following sections outline the test conditions, methodology, and requirements.

    Step-by-Step Explanation

    The BS 1881-203 test consists of:

    1. Sample preparation

    2. Testing equipment setup

    3. Specimen placement

    4. Testing procedure

    5. Data analysis

    Test Equipment

    The required equipment includes:

  • Compression testing machine (CTM)

  • Load cell or force gauge

  • Specimen molds and trowels

    • Specimen Preparation

    Concrete specimens are prepared according to BS 1881-203, using the following procedures:

  • Mixing concrete according to a specific mix design

  • Casting specimens into molds

  • Curing specimens under controlled conditions

    • Testing Procedure

    The testing procedure involves:

    1. Placing specimens in the CTM

    2. Applying load in increments until failure occurs

    3. Recording data during loading

    Data Analysis

    Data analysis includes:

    1. Calculating compressive strength from recorded data

    2. Reporting results according to BS 1881-203 requirements

    ---

    BS 1881-203 Testing: Laboratory Services

    BS 1881-203 testing is a critical component of building design and construction. Companies must conduct this testing to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, prevent accidents and injuries, and maintain customer trust.

    By understanding the standard-related information, standard requirements, and test conditions, companies can optimize their concrete testing procedures and ensure accurate results.

    ---

    Appendix

    Additional resources include:

  • BS 812: Testing aggregates

  • BS EN 12350-1: Testing fresh concrete (cement, aggregate, water)

  • ISO 1920: Testing concrete

    • These standards are essential for ensuring compliance with building regulations and codes.

    Need help or have a question?
    Contact us for prompt assistance and solutions.

    CONTACT US +902127020000

    Latest News

    View all

    Eurolab Successfully Renews ISO 17025 Accreditation

    Read More

    Expanded Cosmetic Safety Testing Portfolio Now Available at Eurolab

    Read More

    Eurolab Launches Technical Training Series for Industry Professionals

    Read More

    JOIN US
    Want to make a difference?

    Careers