Compaction Factor Test for Concrete Workability

BS 1881-103: 1993
OBJECT: TO DETERMINE WORKABILITY OF CONCRETE BY COMPACTION FACTOR
TEST METHOD

Introduction:

Compaction factor test is the workability test for concrete conducted in laboratory. It was developed by
Road Research Laboratory in United Kingdom and is used to determine the workability of concrete. The
compaction factor is the ratio of weights of partially compacted to fully compacted concrete the compaction
factor test is used for concrete which have low workability for which slump test is not suitable. The
compacting factor test is designed primarily for use in the laboratory but it can also be used in the field. It
is more precise and sensitive than the slump test and is particularly useful for concrete mixes of very low
workability and normally used when concrete is to be compacted by vibration. The method applies to plain
and air-entrained concrete, made with lightweight, normal weight or heavy aggregates having a nominal
maximum size of 38 mm or less but not to accreted concrete or no- fines concrete

Why Compaction Factor Test if More Important than Slump Test for Workability of Concrete
Generally, the Slump Test is used to determine workability on the field, but it is not effective when the
value of slump is lower than 50mm. Low workability concrete is used in mass concreting of foundations
and light reinforced structures. In such a situation the compaction factor test is more suitable. Moreover,
the compaction test gives more accurate results as compared to the slump test.

Four methods of determining the workability of concrete are given

Workability Method
Very low Vebe time
Low Vebe time, compacting factor
Medium Compacting factor, slump
High Compacting factor, slump, flow
Very high Flow

Workability Compaction Factor Slump (mm)

Very low 0.82 0 – 25
Low 0.85 25 – 50
Medium 0.92 50 – 100
High 0.95 100 – 175
Apparatus:-
i) Compacting factor apparatus, which consists of a holder fixing two conical hoppers and a cylinder at
the base.
ii) Trowels, Graduated cylinder of 100ml capacity, electronic weighing balance and tamping rod.
iii) Tools and containers for carrying and mixing the materials.

Detail Dimension mm
Upper hopper
Top internal diameter 260
Top internal diameter 130
Internal height, 280
Lower hopper
Top internal diameter 240
Bottom internal diameter 130
Internal height 240
Distance between bottom of upper hopper and top of lower hopper 200
Distance between bottom of lower hopper and top of cylinder 200
Cylinder
Internal diameter 150
Internal height 285
Radius between wall and base, 20
Procedure

 Prepare a concrete mix for testing workability. Consider a W/C ratio of 0.5 to 0.6 and design mix of
proportion about 1:2:4 (it is presumed that a mix is designed already for the test). Weigh the quantity
of cement, sand, aggregate and water correctly. Mix thoroughly. Use this freshly prepared concrete for
the test.
 The sample of concrete to be tested shall be placed gently in the upper hopper using the hand scoop
until the hopper shall be filled level with its brim and Open the upper trap door so that the concrete falls
into the lower hopper.
 Certain mixes have a tendency to stick in one or both of the hoppers. If this occurs, help the concrete
through by pushing the tamping rod gently into the concrete from the top. During this process, the
cylinder shall be covered by the trowels.
 Immediately after the concrete has come to rest, the cylinder shall be uncovered, the trap- door of the
lower hopper opened, and the concrete allowed to fall into the cylinder. The excess of concrete
remaining above the level of the top of the cylinder shall then be cut off by holding a trowel in each
hand, with the plane of the blades horizontal, and moving them simultaneously one from each side
across the top of the cylinder, at the same time keeping them pressed on the top edge of the cylinder.
 The outside of the cylinder shall then be wiped clean. The above operation shall be carried out at a
place free from vibration or shock. The weight of the concrete in the cylinder shall then be determined
to the nearest 10 g. This weight is known as the weight of partially compacted concrete (WI).
 Empty the cylinder and then refill it with the same concrete mix in 6 equal layers approximately (5 cm
depth), and compact each layer by using either the tamping bar or the vibrator in the manner described
in Note. After the top layer has been compacted, smooth it level with the top of the cylinder, and wipe
clean the outside of the cylinder. Weigh the cylinder and its contents to the nearest 10 g, and by
subtracting the mass of the empty cylinder, calculate and record the mass of the fully-compacted
concrete to the nearest 10 g.
 Level the top surface
 Weigh the cylinder with fully compacted. This weight is known as the weight of fully Compacted
concrete (W2).
 Find the weight of empty cylinder (W).
Note:
Compacting with compacting bar
When compacting each layer with the compacting bar distribute the strokes of the compacting bar in a uniform
manner over the cross section of the cylinder, and ensure that the compacting bar does not penetrate previous layer
nor forcibly strike the bottom of the cylinder when compacting the first layer. The number of strokes per layer
required to produce full compaction will depend upon the consistence of the concrete but in no case more than 30
strokes per layer.

Compacting with vibrator

When compacting each layer by means of the vibrating use applied vibration of the minimum duration necessary to
achieve full compaction of the concrete. Over-vibration may cause excessive segregation. The required duration of
vibration will depend upon the workability of the concrete and the effectiveness of the vibrator. Vibration shall cease
as soon as the surface of the concrete becomes relatively smooth and has a glazed appearance.

Calculation of Compaction Factor Value:

The compaction factor is defined as the ratio of the weight of partially compacted concrete to the weight
of fully compacted concrete. It shall normally to be stated to the nearest second decimal place

Compaction Factor Value- (W1-W) / (W2-W)

Compaction factor of the concrete Sample 1 -
Compaction factor of the concrete Sample 2 -
Compaction factor of the concrete Sample 3 -
Avg Result of Compaction Factor:-
The Compaction factor values ranges from 0.82 to 0.95