A thin coating applied to the inner surface of moulds to prevent concrete from sticking. Identification Marking:
Curing is arguably the most critical phase of the process. Cement hydration requires constant moisture and controlled temperatures. Deviating from standard curing conditions can lead to artificial strength drops of 10% to 30%. BS EN 12390-2:2019 divides curing into two distinct phases: Phase 1: Initial Curing (In the Mould)
Compressive strength results (e.g., at 7, 28, or 90 days) are reliable. Compliance: Structures meet structural design requirements.
| Aspect | BS EN 12390-2:2009 | BS EN 12390-2:2019 | |--------|--------------------|--------------------| | | Specified materials (metal, rigid plastic) | More detailed requirements for mould rigidity, dimensional tolerance, and re-use limits. | | Compaction methods | Vague guidance on rodding, vibration, etc. | Clarified compaction energy and process, especially for different consistence classes (slump classes S1 to S5). | | Surface finish | Minimal guidance. | Added requirement to record surface flatness deviation. | | Curing temperature | 20°C ± 2°C for water tanks. | Tightened to 20°C ± 1°C for sensitive applications (e.g., high-strength concrete >80 MPa). | | Transport of fresh specimens | Not detailed. | New clause on minimizing disturbance, vibration, and temperature change during transport from batching to lab. | | Demoulding time | 24 hours ± 4 hours typical. | More prescriptive: 24 hours ± 2 hours unless otherwise agreed, with justification for early demoulding. | | Curing records | Basic temperature checks. | Mandatory logging of temperature and relative humidity at defined intervals (every 4 hours if automated, or at least twice daily if manual). | bs en 12390-2:2019
Adhering to these steps is critical, as minor deviations can lead to significant variations in reported strength. Compaction
Enhanced clauses regarding the safe transport of specimens from the construction site to the laboratory during the initial curing phase, emphasizing the need to prevent moisture loss and physical jarring.
If "solid paper" refers to a specific academic paper or technical document investigating this standard, several studies use it as a reference for their methodology, such as those exploring bauxite tailing admixtures pozzolanic performance in structural concrete Quick questions if you have time: Was this "solid paper" a product? Need help finding the standard? BS EN 12390-2:2019 - TC | 31 Jul 2019 | BSI Knowledge 31 July 2019 — A thin coating applied to the inner surface
BS EN 12390-2:2019 includes specific requirements for marking test specimens. Each specimen must be clearly and permanently marked for traceability – typically with the . This might include information such as casting location, batch number, and the intended test age (e.g., 7 days, 28 days).
C or in a humidity-controlled chamber with relative humidity
From the proper cleaning and oiling of moulds to the precise layering and compaction of fresh concrete, from controlled curing environments to systematic specimen handling and transport, the standard leaves nothing to chance. Its 12 pages distil decades of concrete technology experience into clear, actionable guidance that protects both the quality of our built environment and the safety of those who inhabit it. Deviating from standard curing conditions can lead to
This is used to assess whether the concrete delivered to site meets the specified strength requirements. The specimens are cured under idealized, standardized conditions (temperature and humidity) to eliminate external variables. The goal is to test the potential quality of the concrete mix, not the actual in-situ strength.
: Concrete is placed into moulds in layers and compacted using methods such as a vibrating table