🏗️ Determination of the consistence of fresh concrete by measuring the spread on a flat plate subjected to jolting — flow table with a moving top of (700 ± 2) × (700 ± 2) mm and a mass of (16 ± 0,5) kg falling from a height of (40 ± 1) mm, hollow cone with diameters of 200 and 130 mm and a height of 200 mm, tamping bar 40 × 40 mm; the method is sensitive in the flow range 340–620 mm, not for self-compacting, foamed or no-fines concrete or Dmax above 63 mm, PN-EN 12350-5

Construction PN-EN 12350-5

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. Scope from the PKN catalogue card of PN-EN 12350-5:2019-08 (Polish version), in full (our translation of the Polish card text): “This document specifies a method for determining the flow of fresh concrete. The method is not used for self-compacting, cellular or no-fines concrete or for fresh concrete with aggregate of a declared maximum particle size (Dmax) exceeding 63 mm. The flow test method is sensitive to changes in the consistence of fresh concrete corresponding to flow values between 340 mm and 620 mm. Outside this range the flow table test may be unreliable, and other methods of determining consistence should then be considered.” We read the text of the standard in the preview of SIST EN 12350-5:2019 (text of EN 12350-5:2019) from the cover to clause 5.1.7 (page 7); we do not have the rest of the apparatus, the test procedure, calculation of the flow or the test report.

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT OF EN 12350-5:2019 (foreword, Clauses 1–5.1.7). The standard was prepared by CEN/TC 104 “Concrete and related products” (secretariat SN); CEN approved it on 29 April 2019; it supersedes EN 12350-5:2009. The EN 12350 series has 12 parts: sampling and common apparatus, slump test, Vebe test, degree of compactability, flow table, density, air content, and for self-compacting concrete — slump-flow, V-funnel, L-box, sieve segregation and J-ring. Changes from 2009: a) editorial; b) reference to common apparatus and its specification in EN 12350-1; c) reference to flow retention testing; d) option to include the specified flow class or target value in the report. Scope (Clause 1): method for determining the flow of fresh concrete; not applicable to self-compacting, foamed or no-fines concrete or to concrete with a declared D of the coarsest aggregate fraction (Dmax) greater than 63 mm; the test is sensitive to changes in consistence corresponding to flow values from 340 mm to 620 mm; beyond these limits it may be unsuitable and other methods should be considered. Reference: EN 12350-1. Clause 3: no terms. Principle (Clause 4): the consistence of fresh concrete is determined by measuring the spread of concrete on a flat plate subjected to jolting (dropping). Apparatus (5.1): according to the specification of EN 12350-1 and as below. Flow table (5.1.1, Figure 1): moving top of a flat plate with an area of (700 ± 2) mm × (700 ± 2) mm hinged to a rigid base onto which it falls from a fixed height; flat metal surface at least 2 mm thick, not readily attacked by cement paste and not liable to rusting; mass of the top (16 ± 0,5) kg (the top may be detachable on a pin hinge for weighing); construction preventing distortion of the upper surface; hinge such that no aggregate can become trapped between the surfaces; in the centre of the top a cross parallel to the edges and a circle of (210 ± 1) mm diameter; under the front corners two hard, rigid, non-absorbent blocks that do not deform when wet, transferring the load of the top to the base without distorting it, and the base frame transfers it directly to the surface beneath — this minimizes bouncing of the top when it falls freely; foot rests stabilizing the table; fall height measured at the centre line of the front edge limited by stops to (40 ± 1) mm; a handle or lifting mechanism ensures lifting without jerking and free falling over the whole height. Cone (5.1.2, Figure 2): as the cone of EN 12350-1 but with internal dimensions: base diameter (200 ± 2) mm, top diameter (130 ± 2) mm, height (200 ± 2) mm; note: magnets can be used to position the cone. Tamping bar (5.1.3, Figure 3): of hard material, square cross-section of side (40 ± 1) mm, length about 200 mm, and a further 120–150 mm may be turned to a circular section as a handle. Further: measuring tape, remixing container or tray, shovel, moist cloth; this is where the part we read ends.

STATUS (cards as of 02.10.2026). The card of PN-EN 12350-5:2019-08 (Polish version, published 25-08-2022, 14 pages, price group G) has no “Withdrawn” header: Construction and Building Structures Sector, KT 274 Concrete, ICS 91.100.30, “Introduces: EN 12350-5:2019 [IDT]”, “Replaces: PN-EN 12350-5:2011 – Polish version”. PN-EN 12350-5:2011 (Polish version, published 14-09-2011, 12 pages; introduced EN 12350-5:2009) — “Withdrawal date: 02-08-2019”, replaced by PN-EN 12350-5:2019-08 in the English and Polish versions; its scope gave the sensitivity of the method for flow values from 340 mm to 600 mm (2019 edition — up to 620 mm). The PKN search for “PN-EN 12350-5” (02.10.2026) also shows PN-EN 12350-5:2001 (Polish), 2009 (English) and 2019-08 (English).

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database, data up to 17.09.2026, read on 02.10.2026). The number 12350-5 appears in 8 records at 7 laboratories: AB 023, AB 054, AB 535, AB 1354, AB 1414, AB 1641, AB 1689. In the current scopes on the PCA website (read on 02.10.2026, issues from 16.07.2025 to 18.08.2026) the number appears at all 7: “PN-EN 12350-5:2019-08” at AB 1354, AB 1414 (together with DIN EN 12350-5:2019-09), AB 1641 and AB 1689; AB 535 lists the withdrawn “2011” next to “2019-08”; without the year AB 023 (four places in the scope, admixtures for concrete with the mark “E”) and AB 054. Declared flow ranges: 340–620 mm (AB 023), 340–630 mm (AB 1689), 200–700 mm (AB 054), 20–70 cm (AB 535). No row with this number is set in bold italics (at AB 054 the suspension at the request of the body from 25.06.2026 concerns another part of the scope). The “Laboratories” tab searches for entries BEGINNING WITH “PN-EN 12350-5” and shows all 7 laboratories — checked with a query of the tab on the production server labcoda.pl on 02.10.2026.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (items in the PCA scopes). Fresh concrete — “consistence, flow table method” (AB 535, AB 1354, AB 1414, AB 1641, AB 1689, AB 054 — “flow table”); admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout — “consistence of control concrete and concrete with admixture” and “reduction of mixing water, flow table method” (AB 023); always next to the slump test (PN-EN 12350-2), usually also air content (PN-EN 12350-7) and sampling (PN-EN 12350-1).

WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. Range: the method is sensitive only for flow values of 340–620 mm — results outside this interval may be unreliable (the ranges declared by AB 054 and AB 535 reach 200 mm and 700 mm, and AB 1689 — 630 mm). Type of concrete: self-compacting concrete is not tested on the flow table (that is EN 12350-8, slump-flow), nor foamed, no-fines and Dmax above 63 mm. Table: the mass of the top (16 ± 0,5) kg and the fall height (40 ± 1) mm are narrowly toleranced, and the blocks under the front corners and the frame are meant to limit bouncing of the top — a table not meeting these requirements does not give jolting according to the standard. Cone: the cone for the flow table has its own internal dimensions (200/130/200 mm), different from the cone of EN 12350-1. Lifting: the top is lifted without jerking and released to fall freely over the whole height. Edition: the sensitivity range in the 2011 edition ended at 600 mm, in 2019 — at 620 mm; the 2019 edition added a reference to flow retention testing and the option of giving the flow class in the report.

WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. We do not have the rest of the apparatus, the test procedure (filling the cone, number of layers and tamping strokes, number of drops of the top, time), the method of measuring and calculating the flow or the test report — so we do not give the number of jolts or the way the result is calculated.

Method principle

Fresh concrete is formed in a hollow cone on the top of the flow table, and the top is jolted by falling freely from a height of 40 mm; the spread of concrete on the plate, measured with a tape, is a measure of consistence, reliable for values of 340–620 mm.

Applications

• Fresh concrete — determination of consistence, with the option of giving the flow class in the report — 7 laboratories in the PCA scopes
• Testing of admixtures for concrete: consistence of control concrete and concrete with admixture, reduction of mixing water (AB 023)
• Concrete with flow in the sensitivity range of the method (340–620 mm)

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN 12350-5:2019-08 (wersje polska i angielska; EN 12350-5:2019 IDT)

Title (PL)

Badania mieszanki betonowej — Część 5: Badanie konsystencji metodą stolika rozpływowego

Title (EN)

Testing fresh concrete — Part 5: Flow table test

Step-by-step procedure

1. Sample

   Concrete sampled according to EN 12350-1, remixed on the tray; check that the concrete is not self-compacting and Dmax ≤ 63 mm. PN-EN 12350-5:2019-08 current (cards as of 02.10.2026).

2. Table

   Table level and stable (foot rests); top and cone wetted; fall height (40 ± 1) mm.

3. Forming

   Cone in the centre of the top (210 mm circle), filling with concrete and tamping with the 40 × 40 mm bar according to the standard.

4. Jolting

   After removing the cone the top is lifted without jerking and released to fall freely from a height of 40 mm according to the procedure of the standard.

5. Measurement

   Flow of the concrete measured with a tape; result reliable for 340–620 mm; possibly the flow class or target value in the report.

Required equipment and apparatus

Reagents, media and consumables

Health and safety (OHS)

• The part of the standard we read contains no safety warnings; fresh concrete is alkaline and irritating to skin and eyes — gloves, goggles; falling 16 kg top — mind fingers at the hinge
• TECHNICAL NOTE: the method is sensitive only for flow values of 340–620 mm and does not apply to self-compacting concrete (EN 12350-8)

Frequently asked questions