4.1 This test method is intended to provide the user with a procedure to determine slump of plastic hydraulic-cement concretes.

Note 1: This test method was originally developed to provide a technique to monitor the consistency of unhardened concrete. Under laboratory conditions, with strict control of all concrete materials, the slump is generally found to increase proportionally with the water content of a given concrete mixture, and thus to be inversely related to concrete strength. Under field conditions, however, such a strength relationship is not clearly and consistently shown. Care should therefore be taken in relating slump results obtained under field conditions to strength.

4.2 This test method is considered applicable to plastic concrete having coarse aggregate up to 1¹/₂ in. [37.5 mm] in size. If the coarse aggregate is larger than 1¹/₂ in. [37.5 mm] in size, the test method is applicable when it is performed on the fraction of concrete passing a 1¹/₂-in. [37.5-mm] sieve, with the larger aggregate being removed in accordance with the section titled “Additional Procedure for Large Maximum Size Aggregate Concrete” in Practice C172/C172M.

4.3 This test method is not considered applicable to non-plastic and non-cohesive concrete.

Note 2: Concretes having slumps less than ¹/₂ in. [15 mm] may not be adequately plastic and concretes having slumps greater than about 9 in. [230 mm] may not be adequately cohesive for this test to have significance. Caution should be exercised in interpreting such results.

1.1 This test method covers determination of slump of hydraulic-cement concrete, both in the laboratory and in the field.

1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.

1.3 The text of this standard refers to notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of this standard.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. (Warning—Fresh hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause chemical burns to skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.2)

1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.