Procedures for making and curing specimens (cubes, cylinders, and prisms) for strength tests. Key Steps:
While the standard primary focus is on "standard curing" to verify the potential strength of a mix design, it also acknowledges "site curing." Site-cured specimens are treated as closely as possible to the actual structure they represent. These are often used to determine when formwork can be safely removed or when post-tensioning can occur. However, site-cured results cannot be used for official compliance with the 28-day characteristic strength requirements unless specifically permitted. Conclusion
: Standardizing the laboratory and site conditions for specimen preparation to minimize variability in test results. Relationship to Other Standards : It is often used in conjunction with BS EN 12350-1 (sampling fresh concrete) and BS EN 12390-3 (compressive strength testing). 2. Key Procedures for Making Specimens
The standard applies to specimens formed in moulds, including: bs en 12390-2:2019
If concrete test cubes are left unprotected on a hot or freezing job site over the weekend before being taken to the lab, their 28-day strength can drop by up to 20–30%. When the lab crushes those cubes, the results will fail specification limits, triggering a costly chain reaction: halting work on-site, ordering expensive non-destructive testing (NDT) like Schmidt hammer or ultrasonic pulse velocity tests, or extracting core samples from the actual structure.
Note: Stacking specimens too tightly in water tanks can restrict water circulation, leading to localized temperature variations. The standard requires adequate spacing between specimens. 5. Testing and Documentation Report
Place the specimens in a room with a relative humidity of ≥ 95% and a temperature controlled at 20 °C ± 2 °C . However, site-cured results cannot be used for official
Without adherence to BS EN 12390-2:2019, a concrete strength test result is not legally valid under most European and UK construction contracts.
Before a single specimen is made, the laboratory or site technician must ensure that all equipment conforms to the tolerances defined in and its companion standard BS EN 12390-1 (shape and dimensions of moulds).
: Adhering to this standard—which supersedes the 2009 version —is often a contractual or legal requirement for European construction projects. SLOVENSKI STANDARD SIST EN 12390-2:2019 the results will fail specification limits
BS EN 12390-2:2019 is part of an interconnected ecosystem of concrete standards. The most notable relationships include:
BS EN 12390-2:2019 is a European Standard that outlines the procedures for making and curing specimens of hardened concrete. This standard is part of a series of standards for testing hardened concrete, and it provides guidelines for the preparation of concrete specimens for testing. This report provides an overview of the standard, its significance, and key aspects of making and curing specimens.
The primary objective of BS EN 12390-2:2019 is to standardize the preparation of concrete samples so that strength results are reliable and comparable across different laboratories and projects. It covers: . Compaction techniques (mechanical and manual). Surface leveling and marking . Curing protocols to ensure optimal hydration. Transportation requirements for specimens. 2. Standardized Apparatus and Materials
The process of casting a compliant concrete specimen requires precision. Any deviation can introduce air voids or micro-cracks that compromise the eventual test results. Step 1: Sampling and Preparation
: It ensures that a 28-day strength test in one lab is directly comparable to a test in another.