Sans 5862-3

© SABS.
This non-printable standard is exclusively for approved users of the SABS’ Complete Collection of Standards and Related Documents.
The standard must reside on an internal network or intranet and may only be used for reference purposes in compliance with SABS
copyright rules. The standard or parts thereof may not be distributed in any form without permission from the SABS.
ISBN 978-0-626-27473-3
SANS 5862-3:2006
Edition 2.1
Any reference to SABS SM 862-3 is deemed

to be a reference to this standard
(Government Notice No. 1373 of 8 November 2002)
SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL STANDARD
Concrete tests — Consistence of freshly

mixed concrete — Vebe test
Published by SABS Standards Division

1 Dr Lategan Road Groenkloof Private Bag X191 Pretoria 0001
Tel: +27 12 428 7911 Fax: +27 12 344 1568
www.sabs.co.za
© SABS
© SABS. This non-printable standard is exclusively for approved users of the SABS’ Complete Collection of Standards and Related Documents.
SANS 5862-3:2006
Edition 2.1
Table of changes
Change No. Date Scope
Amdt 1 2006 Amended to change the designation of SABS standards to SANS
standards, with no technical changes.
Acknowledgement
The SABS Standards Division wishes to acknowledge the valuable assistance derived from
publications of the following organizations:
The British Standards Institution
The International Organization for Standardization
Foreword
This South African standard was approved by National Committee SABS SC 59A, Construction
standards – Cement, lime and concrete, in accordance with procedures of the SABS Standards
Division, in compliance with annex 3 of the WTO/TBT agreement.
This edition is technically identical to the first revision (SABS SM 862-3:1994).
SANS 5862 consists of the following parts under the general title Concrete tests – Consistence of
freshly mixed concrete:
Part 1: Slump test.
Part 2: Flow test.
Part 3: Vebe test.
Part 4: Compacting factor and compaction index.
Reaffirmed and reprinted in July 2012.

This standard will be reviewed every five years
and be reaffirmed, amended, revised or withdrawn.
SANS 5862-3:2006
Edition 2.1
Concrete tests — Consistence of freshly mixed concrete — Vebe test
1 Scope
This part of SANS 5862 specifies a method of measuring the consistence of freshly mixed concrete
by means of the Vebe test for concrete of very low to low workability. The Vebe test measures the
time, in seconds, for concrete in the shape of a frustum of a cone (see SANS 5862-1) to settle in a
container by standard vibration.
NOTES
1 The test method applies to plain and air-entrained concrete made with aggregates of low, normal or high
density of nominal maximum size 40 mm or less and that has a slump value of less than 10 mm.
2 The test method does not apply to aerated concrete, no-fines concrete and concrete that cannot be
compacted by vibration or tamping alone.
3 If the Vebe time is less than 5 s or more than 30 s, the concrete has a consistence outside that for which the
test is suitable.
2 Normative references
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute
provisions of this part of SANS 5862. All standards are subject to revision and, since any reference
to a standard is deemed to be a reference to the latest edition of that standard, parties to
agreements based on this part of SANS 5862 are encouraged to take steps to ensure the use of the
most recent editions of the standards indicated below. Information on currently valid national and
international standards can be obtained from the SABS Standards Division.
SANS 5861-2, Concrete tests – Part 2: Sampling of freshly mixed concrete.
SANS 5862-1, Concrete tests – Consistence of freshly mixed concrete – Slump test.
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this part of SANS 5862, the definitions given in SANS 5862-1 apply.
4 Apparatus
4.1 Consistometer, that consists of a container, a mould, a transparent disc and a vibrating table;
the consistometer and its essential dimensions are shown in figure 1.
SANS 5862-3:2006
Edition 2.1
4.1.1 The container (A) is made of a metal that is not readily attacked by cement paste, is of
cylindrical shape with an internal diameter of 240 mm ± 5 mm and a height of 200 mm. The
thickness of the wall is 3 mm and that of the base is 7,5 mm. The container should be watertight
and of sufficient rigidity to retain its shape under rough usage. It is fitted with handles and with
brackets, the latter enabling it to be clamped to the top of the vibrating table (G) by wing nuts (H).
4.1.2 The mould (B) is made of a metal that is not readily attacked by cement paste, is of thickness
at least 1,6 mm, and has a smooth internal surface. The mould (see figure 1) is in the form of a
frustum of a cone, with the following nominal internal dimensions:
a) diameter of base: 200 mm ± 2 mm;
b) diameter of top : 100 mm ± 2 mm; and
c) height: 300 mm ± 2 mm.
The base and the top are open and parallel to each other and at right angles to the axis of the cone.
The mould has handles at approximately two-thirds of its height, to facilitate lifting it up vertically
from the test specimens.
4.1.3 The transparent disc (C) is of diameter 230 mm ± 2 mm and of thickness 10 mm ± 2 mm and
is attached horizontally to the end of a rod (J) that fits vertically into a guide sleeve (E) that is
mounted on a swivel arm (N). The guide sleeve (E) is fitted with a screw (Q) to permit the rod (J) to
be fixed in position. The swivel arm (N) also carries the funnel (D), the bottom of which is located on
the top of the mould (B) when the mould is positioned concentrically on the container (A). The
swivel arm (N) rotates in a holder (M) and can be fixed in position by a set screw (F). When in the
appropriate positions, the axes of the rod (J) or of the funnel (D) can be brought to coincide with the
axis of the container. A mass (P) is located direct above the disc such that the moving assembly,
comprising rod, disc and mass, has a total mass of 2 750 g ± 50 g. The rod is provided with a scale
to permit the slump of the concrete to be recorded.
4.1.4 The vibrating table (G), is of length 380 mm and of width 260 mm and is supported on four
rubber shock absorbers. A vibration unit (L), carried on a base (K) that rests on three rubber feet, is
securely fixed beneath it. The vibrator operates at an approximate frequency of 50 Hz
(3 000 vibrations per minute) and the vertical amplitude of the table, with the empty container
clamped to it, is approximately 0,35 mm about the mean position.
4.2 Tamping rod, that is made of straight steel, is of nominal diameter of 16 mm and of length
600 mm ± 2 mm, and that has at least one hemispherical end.
4.3 Stopwatch or stopclock, accurate to 0,5 s for the anticipated duration of the test (max. 30 s).
5 Sampling
Obtain a representative composite sample of the freshly mixed concrete in accordance with
SANS 5861-2. Determine the Vebe time as soon as possible after sampling and re-mixing.
6 Procedure
6.1 Place the vibrating table (G) on a rigid, horizontal surface that is free from external vibration or
shock. Clamp the container (A), which must be clean, to the table (G) by means of the two wing
nuts (H). Place the mould (B), the inner surface of which must be clean and damp, concentrically in
the container (A) and lower the funnel (D) onto the mould. So tighten the screw (F) that the
mould (B) is held in contact with the base of the container (A).
SANS 5862-3:2006
Edition 2.1
6.2 Fill the mould (B) with concrete (see clause 5) and compact the concrete as described in 6.2 of
SANS 5862-1. Loosen the screw (F), raise and swing the funnel (D) through 90° and tighten the
screw (F). Strike off the concrete level with the rim of the mould, using a sawing and rolling motion
of the tamping rod. When striking off the concrete, do not allow the mould (B) to rise or any concrete
to fall into the container (A).
6.3 Remove the mould (B) from the concrete by raising the mould vertically, slowly and carefully,
in 5 s to 10 s, in such a manner as to impart minimum lateral or torsional movement to the concrete.
Having removed the mould (B), loosen screw (F), swing the disc (C) over the container, tighten
screw (F) and lower the disc to touch the highest point of the slumped concrete. Tighten screw (Q).
Using the graduated scale on the rod (J), read off the slump of the concrete, in millimetres, provided
that the slumped concrete does not come into contact with the container wall.
6.4 Loosen screw (Q), at the same time checking that screw (F) is so tightened that the disc (C)
rests on the concrete and can easily slide down into the container. Simultaneously start the vibrator
and the stopwatch or stopclock. Observe the remoulding of the concrete through the transparent
disc (C). Stop the watch or clock immediately when the lower surface of the disc (C) is completely
coated with cement grout, and record the time taken. Complete the procedure within a period of
5 min from the start of filling the mould (B).
7 Expression and recording of results

Record the Vebe time, indicated by the stopwatch or stopclock, to the nearest second. If the time is
less than 5 s or more than 30 s, the concrete has a consistence outside that for which the Vebe test
is suitable.
8 Test report
Refer to this test method in the report and include the following information:
a) identification of the sample;
b) the date of the test;
c) the form of slump, if not true , i.e. shear or collapse, or in contact with the container;
d) the slump of the test specimen (if appropriate), to the nearest 5 mm; and
e) the Vebe time, in seconds.
SANS 5862-3:2006
Edition 2.1
Figure 1 — Vebe apparatus
© SABS
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© SABS.

Any reference to SABS SM 862-3 is deemed

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

Concrete tests — Consistence of freshly

Published by SABS Standards Division

The British Standards Institution

The International Organization for Standardization

This edition is technically identical to the first revision (SABS SM 862-3:1994).

Part 1: Slump test.

Part 2: Flow test.

Part 3: Vebe test.

Part 4: Compacting factor and compaction index.

Reaffirmed and reprinted in July 2012.

Concrete tests — Consistence of freshly mixed concrete — Vebe test

SANS 5861-2, Concrete tests – Part 2: Sampling of freshly mixed concrete.

a) diameter of base: 200 mm ± 2 mm;

b) diameter of top : 100 mm ± 2 mm; and

c) height: 300 mm ± 2 mm.

7 Expression and recording of results

a) identification of the sample;

b) the date of the test;

e) the Vebe time, in seconds.

Figure 1 — Vebe apparatus

SABS – Standards Division

Amendments and Revisions

Details and advice can be obtained from the Senior Manager.

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