BS EN 12390‑7:2019

BSI Standards Publication

Testing hardened concrete

Part 7: Density of hardened concrete
BS EN 12390‑7:2019 BRITISH STANDARD

National foreword
This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN 12390‑7:2019. It
supersedes BS EN 12390‑7:2009, which is withdrawn.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical
Committee B/517/1, Concrete production and testing.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on
request to its secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions
of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
© The British Standards Institution 2019
Published by BSI Standards Limited 2019
ISBN 978 0 580 98438 9
ICS 91.100.30
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from
legal obligations.
This British Standard was published under the authority of the
Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 31 July 2019.

Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication

Date Text affected
 BS EN 12390‑7:2019

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 12390-7

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM June 2019

ICS 91.100.30 Supersedes EN 12390-7:2009

English Version

Testing hardened concrete - Part 7: Density of hardened

concrete
Essais pour béton durci - Partie 7 : Masse volumique du Prüfung von Festbeton - Teil 7: Dichte von Festbeton
béton durci

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 29 April 2019.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

C O M I TÉ E URO PÉ E N D E N O RM ALI S ATI O N
E URO PÄI SC H E S KO M I T E E FÜR N O RM UN G

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels

© 2019 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 12390-7:2019 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
BS EN 12390‑7:2019
EN 12390-7:2019 (E)

Contents Page
European foreword ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
1 Scope .................................................................................................................................................................... 5
2 Normative references .................................................................................................................................... 5
3 Terms and definitions ................................................................................................................................... 5
4 Apparatus ........................................................................................................................................................... 5
5 Test specimens ................................................................................................................................................. 6
6 Procedures......................................................................................................................................................... 7
6.1 General ................................................................................................................................................................ 7
6.1.1 Determination of mass .................................................................................................................................. 7
6.1.2 Determination of volume ............................................................................................................................. 7
6.2 Mass of as-received specimen..................................................................................................................... 7
6.3 Mass of water saturated specimen ........................................................................................................... 7
6.4 Mass of oven-dried specimen ..................................................................................................................... 7
6.5 Volume obtained by water displacement............................................................................................... 7
6.5.1 General ................................................................................................................................................................ 7
6.5.2 Mass in water .................................................................................................................................................... 8
6.5.3 Mass in air .......................................................................................................................................................... 8
6.5.4 Calculate the volume of the specimen ..................................................................................................... 8
6.6 Volume obtained by measurement........................................................................................................... 8
6.7 Volume obtained by using designated dimensions (cubes only) .................................................. 8
7 Test result .......................................................................................................................................................... 9
8 Test report ......................................................................................................................................................... 9
9 Precision .......................................................................................................................................................... 10
Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................................. 11

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 BS EN 12390‑7:2019
EN 12390-7:2019 (E)

European foreword
This document (EN 12390-7:2019) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 104 “Concrete
and related products”, the secretariat of which is held by SN.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by December 2019, and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by December 2019.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

This document supersedes EN 12390-7:2009.

This standard is one of a series on testing concrete.

EN 12390, Testing hardened concrete, consists of the following parts:

— Part 1: Shape, dimensions and other requirements of specimens and moulds;

— Part 2: Making and curing specimens for strength tests;

— Part 3: Compressive strength of test specimens;

— Part 4: Compressive strength – Specification for testing machines;

— Part 5: Flexural strength of test specimens;

— Part 6: Tensile splitting strength of test specimens;

— Part 7: Density of hardened concrete;

— Part 8: Depth of penetration of water under pressure;

— Part 11: Determination of the chloride resistance of concrete, unidirectional diffusion;

— Part 12: Determination of the potential carbonation resistance of concrete: Accelerated carbonation
method (in preparation);
— Part 13: Determination of secant modulus of elasticity in compression;

— Part 14: Semi-adiabatic method for the determination of heat released by concrete during its
hardening process;
— Part 15: Adiabatic method for the determination of heat released by concrete during its hardening
process;
— Part 16: Determination of the shrinkage of concrete (in preparation);
— Part 17: Determination of creep of concrete in compression (in preparation);
— Part 18: Determination of the chloride migration coefficient (in preparation).

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BS EN 12390‑7:2019
EN 12390-7:2019 (E)

This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 12390-7:2009:

— editorial revision;

— technical corrections.

According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.

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 BS EN 12390‑7:2019
EN 12390-7:2019 (E)

1 Scope
This document specifies a method for determining the density of hardened concrete. It is applicable to
lightweight, normal-weight and heavy-weight concrete.
It differentiates between hardened concrete in the following states:
1) as-received;

2) water saturated;

3) oven-dried.

The mass and volume of the specimen of hardened concrete are determined and the density calculated.

2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 12390-1, Testing hardened concrete — Part 1: Shape, dimensions and other requirements for
specimens and moulds
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/

— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp

4 Apparatus
4.1 Callipers and rules , with a maximum permissible error of 0,5 % of the dimension, for measuring
the dimensions of the specimens.

4.2 Balance , equipped with a stirrup for weighing the specimen in both air and water with a
maximum permissible error of 0,1 g of the mass.

4.3 Water tank, fitted with a device to maintain the water at a constant level and of sufficient size to
allow the specimen on the stirrup to be fully immersed to a constant depth (see Figure 1).

If the reading of the balance is affected to within the accuracy required due to the displacement of water
when immersing the specimen, then the tank should be fitted with a device to maintain the water at a
constant level. The tank should be of sufficient size to allow the specimen to be fully immersed.
4.4 Ventilated oven, in which the temperature is capable of being controlled at (105 ± 5) °C.

NOTE The apparatus required depends upon the method selected for determining the volume of the
specimen.

4.5 Moist cloth .

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BS EN 12390‑7:2019
EN 12390-7:2019 (E)

a) Stirrup suspended beneath balance mechanism b) Alternative form of stirrup suspended

beneath balance machanism
Key
1 balance
2 stirrup
3 concrete specimen
4 guide
5 water tank is moved vertically
6 side view of stirrup

Figure 1 — Typical stirrup arrangement for the determination of the volume of concrete
specimens by water displacement

5 Test specimens
The minimum volume of a specimen shall be 0,785 l. If the declared value of D of the coarsest fraction of
aggregates actually used in the concrete (Dmax) exceeds 25 mm, the minimum volume (in mm 3 ) shall be
not less than 50 D3 , where D is the declared coarsest fraction of the aggregate in mm.
Normally, the entire specimen as received shall be used for the determination. If the shape or size of a
specimen is such that it is not possible to use all of it, a smaller specimen may be broken or sawn from
the original.
Capped specimens shall not be used.

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 BS EN 12390‑7:2019
EN 12390-7:2019 (E)

6 Procedures
6.1 General
6.1.1 Determination of mass

This European Standard recognizes three conditions under which the mass of a specimen can be
determined:
a) as-received;

b) water saturated;

c) oven-dried.
6.1.2 Determination of volume

This European Standard recognizes three methods for determining the volume of the specimen:
a) by water displacement (reference method);

b) by calculation using actual measurements;

c) for cubes, by calculation, using checked, designated dimensions.

NOTE 1 The precision of the method depends on the method selected for measuring the volume of the
specimen. Measurement of volume by the water-displacement method is the most precise, followed by calculation
using measurement of actual dimensions and lastly calculation using checked, designated dimensions.

NOTE 2 The limitation to cubes in 6.1.2 c) of using designated dimensions in calculation of volume is due to the
greater tolerance on length, according to EN 12390–1, of other specimen shapes.

6.2 Mass of as-received specimen

Weigh the as-received specimen m r, to a maximum permissible error of 1 g of the mass of the specimen.
Record the value indicated in kg.
6.3 Mass of water saturated specimen
Immerse the specimen in water at (20 ± 2) °C until the mass changes by less than 0,2 % in 24 h, wiping
the surplus water from the surface before each weighing. Record the value of the saturated mass m s , in
kg.
Specimens of concrete cured in water for at least 72 h prior to testing, may be assumed to be saturated
to a constant mass.
6.4 Mass of oven-dried specimen
Dry the specimen in a ventilated oven at (105 ± 5) °C until the mass changes by less than 0,2 % in 24 h.
Before each weighing, cool the specimen to near room temperature in a dry airtight vessel or
desiccator. Record the value of the oven-dried mass m o as indicated, in kg.
6.5 Volume obtained by water displacement
6.5.1 General

Ensure that the specimen is a saturated condition.

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BS EN 12390‑7:2019
EN 12390-7:2019 (E)

This method is suitable for specimens of all shapes and is the only method suitable for specimens of
irregular shape.
This method is normally unsuitable for specimens of no-fines concrete, lightweight aggregate concrete
with large pores, or specimens whose moisture content must not be altered. However, the application of
a thin water impermeable layer can make this method practicable.
6.5.2 Mass in water

Determine the mass of the specimen in water according to the following procedure:
Raise the water tank until the stirrup, without a specimen, is immersed in the water tank and does not
touch the bottom of the tank. Record the apparent mass of the stirrup m st, in kg.
The apparent mass of the stirrup may alternatively be allowed for using a zero setting facility on the
balance (tareing).
Place the specimen in the stirrup and raise the water tank until the specimen is submerged and the
water level on the stirrup is the same as it was without the specimen.
Trapping of air bubbles on the sides of the specimen and on the stirrup should be avoided.
Record the apparent mass (m st + m w), in kg, of the immersed specimen and stirrup.
6.5.3 Mass in air

Determine the mass of the specimen in air according to the following procedure:
Remove the specimen from the stirrup and wipe the surplus water from the surfaces, using a damp
cloth. Place the specimen on the balance and record the mass of the specimen in air m a in kg.
6.5.4 Calculate the volume of the specimen

Calculate the volume of the specimen, using Formula (1):

ma −  ( m st + m w ) − m st 
V= 
(1)
ρ
w

where
V is the volume of the specimen, in m 3 ;
ma is the mass of the specimen in air, in kg;
m st is the apparent mass of the immersed stirrup, in kg;
mw is the apparent mass of the immersed specimen, in kg;
ρw is the density of water, at 20 °C, taken as 998 kg/m 3 .

6.6 Volume obtained by measurement

Calculate the volume of the specimen from measurements made on the specimen in accordance with
EN 12390-1, in m 3 , rounded to four significant figures.
6.7 Volume obtained by using designated dimensions (cubes only)
Confirm that the cube has been made in a calibrated mould, conforming to EN 12390-1. Check the
dimensions in accordance with EN 12390-1.

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 BS EN 12390‑7:2019
EN 12390-7:2019 (E)

Calculate the volume of the cube in m 3 , expressed to 3 significant figures.

7 Test result
Calculate the density using the values determined for the mass of specimen and its volume, using
Formula (2):

D=m (2)
V
where
D is the density related to the condition of the specimen and the method of determining the
volume, in kg/m 3 ;
m is the mass of the specimen as determined in 6.2, 6.3 or 6.4 at the time of test, in kg;
V is the volume determined by the particular method, in m 3 .
Report the condition of the specimen at the time of test and the method used for determining the
volume of the specimen as part of the test result.
Express the result of the density determination to the nearest 10 kg/m 3 .

8 Test report
The report shall include:
a) reference to this standard;

b) identification of the test specimen;

c) location of performance of test;

d) description of the specimen (e.g. 100 mm cube, 150 mm diameter core);

e) details of specimen preparation (if any);

f) condition of specimen at time of test; (as-received, or water saturated, or oven-dried);

g) method of determination of volume; (water displacement, or measured size, or checked, designated

size);

h) date of test;

i) calculated density of specimen, in kg/m 3 ;

j) any deviation from the standard test method;

k) a declaration by the person technically responsible for the test that it was carried out in accordance
with this document, except as noted in item j).

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BS EN 12390‑7:2019
EN 12390-7:2019 (E)

9 Precision
Precision data are given in Table 1. These apply to density measurements in the range 2 300 kg/m 3 to
2 400 kg/m 3 on cubes made from the same sample of concrete and when each test result is obtained
from a single determination of the saturated density of a single cube. They indicate the variability that
occurs when sampling, making and curing the cubes.
Table 1 — Precision data for measurements of the saturated density of hardened concrete
Repeatability conditions Reproducibility conditions
Test method sr r sR R
kg/m 3 kg/m 3 kg/m 3 kg/m 3
By calculation using measured
dimensions:
100 mm cubes 13,9 39 20,5 57
150 mm cubes 9,9 28 20,5 57
By water displacement:
100 mm cubes 6,5 18 12,8 36
150 mm cubes 6,4 18 10,6 30
NOTE 1 The precision data were determined as part of an experiment carried out in 1987 in which precision
data were obtained for several of the tests described in BS 1881 [2]. The experiment involved 16 operators. The
concretes were made using an ordinary Portland cement, Thames Valley sand, and Thames Valley 10 mm and
20 mm coarse aggregates.
NOTE 2 The difference between two test results from the same sample by one operator using the same
apparatus within the shortest feasible time interval will exceed the repeatability value r on average not more
than once in 20 cases in the normal and correct operation of the method.
NOTE 3 Test results on the same sample obtained within the shortest feasible time interval by two operators
each using their own apparatus will differ by the reproducibility value R on average not more than once in 20
cases in the normal and correct operation of the method.
NOTE 4 For further information on precision, and for definitions of the statistical terms used in connection
with precision, see ISO 5725-1 [1].

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 BS EN 12390‑7:2019
EN 12390-7:2019 (E)

Bibliography

[1 ] Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results — Part 1:

ISO 5 725 -1,

General principles and definitions

[2 ] S eries B S 1 8 8 1 , Testing concrete

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