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en-12390-3-compressive-strength-of-test-specimens
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 1881-203 Testing for Compressive StrengthBS 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 12390-5 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

Comprehensive Guide to EN 12390-3 Compressive Strength of Test Specimens Laboratory Testing Service Provided by Eurolab

EN 12390-3 is a European standard that outlines the requirements for determining the compressive strength of test specimens made from concrete. The standard is part of a larger series of standards, EN 12390, which covers various aspects of concrete testing.

The standard is published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and is widely recognized across Europe as the reference document for this type of testing. EN 12390-3 is based on ISO 6784:2019 and ASTM C39/C39M-19, which are international standards that govern compressive strength testing.

In addition to EN 12390-3, other relevant standards include:

  • EN 206:2016A1:2020 - Concrete - Specification, performance, production, and conformity

  • EN 197-1:2018 A1:2020 - Cement. Composition, specifications and conformity criteria for common cements

  • EN 13396:2004A2:2019 - Test method for determining the compressive strength of concrete in place

    • The standard is developed by a committee comprising experts from various countries who participate in regular meetings to review and update the document as needed.

    Standard Development Organizations and their Role

    Standards development organizations (SDOs) play a crucial role in creating, reviewing, and updating standards. In this case, CEN is responsible for publishing EN 12390-3, while other SDOs like ISO and ASTM contribute to the standards development through their respective committees.

    International and National Standards that Apply

    EN 12390-3 is an international standard, but it also has national equivalents in various countries. For example:

  • In the UK, BS EN 12390-3:2018A1:2020 is the national implementation of EN 12390-3.

  • In the US, ASTM C39/C39M-19 is equivalent to EN 12390-3.

    • Standard Compliance Requirements for Different Industries

    Compliance with EN 12390-3 is essential for various industries that involve concrete testing, including:

  • Construction and building materials

  • Civil engineering

  • Geotechnical engineering

  • Material science

    • Companies must ensure they comply with relevant standards to maintain their reputation and avoid potential penalties.

    Standard Evolution and Updates

    Standards evolve as new research emerges or existing requirements change. SDOs regularly review and update standards to reflect the latest advancements in technology, regulations, and testing methods.

    For instance, EN 12390-3 was updated in 2020 to include additional guidance on sample preparation, measurement, and analysis.

    Specific Standard Numbers and Their Scope

    EN 12390-3 covers:

  • Definition of compressive strength

  • Test specimen preparation

  • Testing equipment and environment requirements

  • Measurement and calculation procedures

    • The standard also specifies the required documentation, including sample certificates and testing reports.

    Quality Assurance and Quality Control Aspects

    EN 12390-3 emphasizes the importance of quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) throughout the testing process. Laboratories must adhere to strict guidelines for:

  • Sample preparation

  • Testing equipment calibration

  • Data analysis and reporting

    • This ensures that results are accurate, reliable, and compliant with international standards.

    Why This Test is Needed and Required

    Conducting EN 12390-3 testing provides valuable insights into concrete properties, enabling engineers and architects to make informed decisions about material selection, construction planning, and structural design.

    Non-compliance with EN 12390-3 can lead to:

  • Reduced product quality

  • Increased costs due to rework or repairs

  • Potential safety risks

    • Business and Technical Reasons for Conducting EN 12390-3 Testing

    EN 12390-3 testing is essential for various reasons, including:

  • Ensuring concrete meets specific strength requirements

  • Verifying compliance with international standards

  • Optimizing construction planning and materials selection

  • Enhancing product quality and reliability

    • Risk Factors and Safety Implications

    Poorly constructed or substandard concrete can pose significant risks to human life, property, and the environment.

    EN 12390-3 testing helps mitigate these risks by ensuring that materials meet strict strength requirements, reducing the likelihood of accidents, and minimizing potential damage to buildings and infrastructure.

    The EN 12390-3 testing process involves several stages:

    1. Sample Preparation: Concrete specimens are prepared according to specific dimensions and tolerances.

    2. Testing Equipment: High-pressure compressive testing machines, typically with a capacity of up to 3000 kN, are used to apply loads to the specimen.

    3. Measurement and Analysis: Compressive strength is determined using various methods, including direct measurement or calculation based on standard formulas.

    Measuring and Calculating Compressive Strength

    EN 12390-3 specifies that compressive strength shall be calculated using the formula:

    textCompressive strength fractextMaximum loadtextSpecimen area

    Laboratories must use calibrated equipment to ensure accurate measurements.

    Why Testing is Essential for Compressive Strength Determination

    Accurate compressive strength determination is crucial in various industries, including construction and civil engineering.

    EN 12390-3 testing helps:

  • Ensure concrete meets specific strength requirements

  • Optimize material selection and structural design

  • Verify compliance with international standards

    • Data Analysis and Reporting

    Test results must be documented according to EN 12390-3 guidelines. Laboratories provide a comprehensive report, including:

  • Test specimen details

  • Equipment calibration records

  • Measurement and calculation procedures

  • Results, including compressive strength values

    • This documentation ensures transparency and facilitates verification of testing results.

    Quality Control Aspects

    EN 12390-3 emphasizes the importance of quality control throughout the testing process. Laboratories must adhere to strict guidelines for:

  • Sample preparation

  • Equipment calibration

  • Data analysis and reporting

    • Why EN 12390-3 is Essential for Materials Testing

    EN 12390-3 provides a comprehensive framework for determining compressive strength, ensuring that results are accurate, reliable, and compliant with international standards.

    This testing standard helps industries achieve:

  • High-quality materials

  • Improved construction planning

  • Enhanced safety

    • Conclusion

    Compressive strength determination using EN 12390-3 is essential for various industries involving concrete. Laboratories must adhere to strict guidelines for sample preparation, equipment calibration, data analysis, and reporting to ensure accurate results.

    EN 12390-3 provides a comprehensive framework for compressive strength testing, ensuring that materials meet specific requirements, comply with international standards, and contribute to improved construction planning and structural design.

    Test Report and Certificate

    After completing the EN 12390-3 test, Eurolab provides a detailed report containing:

  • Test specimen details

  • Equipment calibration records

  • Measurement and calculation procedures

  • Results, including compressive strength values

    • The report includes a certificate stating that the testing was performed according to EN 12390-3.

    Conclusion

    Eurolab is committed to providing accurate and reliable results for compressive strength determination using EN 12390-3. Our team of experienced technicians ensures that all tests are performed according to strict guidelines, providing our clients with comprehensive documentation and supporting data analysis.

    Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or require further information on our testing services.

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

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