🛣️ Determination of consistence of fresh mortar by flow table — the mortar (at least 1,5 l) is placed in two layers in a truncated conical mould (height 60 mm, internal diameter 100 mm at the bottom and 70 mm at the top) on the flow table disc, each layer is compacted by at least 10 strokes of a 0,250 kg tamper, after approximately 15 s the mould is raised and the mortar spread by 15 jolts (approximately one per second); flow value = mean of two perpendicular diameters in mm, two test samples, ±10 % rule, PN-EN 1015-3

Construction PN-EN 1015-3

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. We read the text of the standard in the iTeh sample of SIST EN 1015-3:2001 (text of EN 1015-3:1999, English, a scan read from page images): from the title page through the contents, foreword, introduction and Clauses 1–8 to the end of page 7. Outside the sample remain Annex A (details of the flow table) and the bibliography. We read the amendments in the samples SIST EN 1015-3:2001/A1:2004 (text of EN 1015-3:1999/A1:2004 in full) and SIST EN 1015-3:2001/A2:2007 (text of EN 1015-3:1999/A2:2006 up to page 3).

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT OF EN 1015-3:1999 AND AMENDMENTS A1:2004 AND A2:2006. The standard was prepared by CEN/TC 125 “Masonry” (secretariat BSI); CEN approved it on 04.09.1998. Introduction: consistence is a measure of the fluidity or wetness of fresh mortar and its deformability under a certain type of stress, and is not directly associated with how the mortar handles for a craftsman; normally there is a linear correlation between the flow value and the plunger penetration value according to EN 1015-4 for the same type of mortar with increasing water content, but the slope differs with the type of mortar. Scope (1): consistence of freshly mixed mortars, including those with mineral binders and with normal weight and lightweight aggregates, by means of the flow value. References (2): prEN 998-1, prEN 998-2, EN 1015-2. Principle (3): the flow value is the mean diameter of a test sample of fresh mortar placed with a defined mould on the flow table disc and given vertical impacts by raising the table and letting it fall freely through a given height. Apparatus (4): flow table according to Annex A (stand, rigid table plate with disc, horizontal shaft with lifting cam, lifting spindle); truncated conical mould of stainless steel or brass, height (60 ± 0,5) mm, internal diameter (100 ± 0,5) mm at the bottom and (70 ± 0,5) mm at the top, wall at least 2,0 mm; tamper — rigid, non-absorptive rod of circular cross-section, diameter approximately 40 mm, length approximately 200 mm, flat tamping face, mass (0,250 ± 0,015) kg; calipers up to 300 mm with an accuracy of 1 mm; trowel; palette knife. Amendment A1 (March 2004): total mass of the movable parts of the table (lifting spindle, rigid table, disc) 4,2 ≤ M ≤ 4,5 kg (8th paragraph of Annex A). Samples (5): at least 1,5 l of mortar reduced from the bulk test sample (EN 1015-2) with a sample divider or by quartering; ready-to-use mortars (factory-made retarded wet mortars) and pre-batched air-lime/sand wet mortars without hydraulic binders are tested within their specified workable life; mortars made from dry constituents and water are mixed according to EN 1015-2, and the mixing time is counted from the introduction of all constituents; before testing, gently stir the batch by hand with a trowel or palette knife for 5–10 s without additional mixing; deviations from the mixing procedure are noted; two test samples are tested. Procedure (6): before each test wipe the disc and mould with a damp cloth and — after amendment A2 (December 2006) — let them dry (A2 removed lubrication of the surfaces with mineral oil); if the table has not been used within 24 h, operate it for 10 revolutions before use; place the mould centrally, introduce the mortar in two layers, each compacted by at least 10 short strokes of the tamper, holding the mould by hand; skim off the excess with the palette knife, wipe the free area of the disc dry (especially water around the bottom edge of the mould); after approximately 15 s slowly raise the mould vertically and spread the mortar by 15 jolts at a constant frequency of approximately one per second; measure the diameter in two perpendicular directions with calipers, result in mm to the nearest 1 mm. Results (7): the mean of the two measurements is the flow value of the test sample; if the values of the two test samples deviate from their mean by less than 10 %, the mean is the flow value of the mortar; with a deviation of more than 10 % the test is repeated with further mortar from the reduced sample and — if the deviation is now less than 10 % — the mean of the repeat is used; if it again exceeds 10 %, the measurements are considered unsatisfactory and fresh samples are taken. Test report (8): among others the place, date and time of taking the bulk test sample, the type of mortar according to prEN 998, the preparation conditions, the date and time of testing, the individual measurements and flow values of each test sample in mm. Amendment A2 also replaces the explanatory text in Clause 2 with the standard wording for references and deletes “pr” before EN numbers.

STATUS (as of 03.10.2026). The PKN search (term “PN-EN 1015-3”, 03.10.2026) shows 4 items: PN-EN 1015-3:2000 (Polish version, “Introduces: EN 1015-3:1999 [IDT]”) without a withdrawal note, the additional elements PN-EN 1015-3:2000/A2:2007 (English version, “Introduces: EN 1015-3:1999/A2:2006 [IDT]”) and PN-EN 1015-3:2000/A1:2005 (Polish version) without a withdrawal note, and the withdrawn English version of PN-EN 1015-3:2000/A1:2005. In the iTeh catalogue (read on 03.10.2026) EN 1015-3:1999 has the status “Published” and stage 90.93 “Decision to confirm — Review Enquiry” (start date 05.12.2025), with a reference to Regulation (EU) No 305/2011. The strength of hardened mortar is described in a separate entry on PN-EN 1015-11, and fly ash for concrete in the entry on PN-EN 450-1.

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database, load up to 17.09.2026, read on 03.10.2026). The number 1015-3 appears in 7 records at 6 laboratories: AB 023 (2 records), AB 054, AB 535, AB 556, AB 829, AB 1703. In the current PCA documents (read on 03.10.2026, issues from 03.10.2023 to 25.06.2026) the number appears in 8 rows of the same 6 laboratories — AB 023 has 3 rows, one of which (cement, gypsum, lime and other mortars, range (100–280) mm) is not in the database copy; the others 1 each. The form “PN-EN 1015-3” without year (AB 023, AB 054), “PN-EN 1015-3:2000+A1:2005+A2:2007” (AB 535, AB 556, AB 1703), “PN-EN 1015-3:2000” alongside PN-EN 450-1:2012 annex B (AB 829). None of these items is suspended (AB 054 has a suspension in another part of its scope). The “Laboratories” tab (“PN-EN 1015-3”) shows the same 6 laboratories — checked with the tab query on the production server labcoda.pl on 03.10.2026.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (items in PCA). Masonry mortars (AB 054, AB 556, AB 1703), mortars (AB 535), building mortars, renders and mortars, and cement, gypsum, lime, cement-lime, gypsum-lime and masonry mortars and thin-coat plaster compounds (AB 023, flexible scope “E”) — consistence of fresh mortar by the flow table method, range (100–300) mm (AB 054, AB 535, AB 556, AB 1703) or (100–280) mm (AB 023, one row). Fly ash — water requirement (calculated) according to PN-EN 450-1:2012 annex B with PN-EN 1015-3:2000 (AB 829).

WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. With the mould and disc: wiping with a damp cloth and drying; lubrication with mineral oil from the 1999 text was removed by amendment A2; three laboratories cite the standard with amendments A1 and A2, two without year, and AB 829 — the 2000 edition alone (6, A2). With the table: 10 revolutions if it has not been used for 24 h (6); mass of the movable parts 4,2–4,5 kg according to A1. With filling: two layers, each at least 10 strokes, mould held; water at the bottom edge of the mould wiped off (6). With jolting: wait approximately 15 s, 15 jolts at approximately one per second (6). With the result: two test samples, deviation from the mean below 10 %, otherwise a repeat and then fresh samples (7). With ready-to-use mortars: testing within the specified workable life (5).

WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. We did not read the details of the table construction from Annex A (drop height, disc dimensions, cam) beyond the mass change from A1, nor the further pages of amendment A2. Nor do we give consistence requirements from product standards (EN 998-1, EN 998-2) or the method of calculating the water requirement of fly ash from PN-EN 450-1.

Method principle

Fresh mortar is compacted in two layers in a truncated conical mould (60 mm, Ø 100/70 mm) on the flow table disc; after approximately 15 s the mould is removed and the table is raised and allowed to fall freely from a given height 15 times. The flow value is the mean of two perpendicular diameters of the spread mortar in mm; from two test samples, with a deviation from the mean below 10 %.

Applications

• Fresh mortars, including those with mineral binders and normal weight or lightweight aggregates — masonry, rendering and ready-to-use mortars (1, 5)
• Bringing the mortar to a defined consistence before testing other properties (introduction)
• Masonry mortars, renders and building mortars, fly ash (water requirement) — items in the accreditation scopes of 6 laboratories in PCA

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN 1015-3:2000

Title (PL)

Metody badań zapraw do murów — Określenie konsystencji świeżej zaprawy (za pomocą stolika rozpływu)

Title (EN)

Methods of test for mortar for masonry — Part 3: Determination of consistence of fresh mortar (by flow table)

Step-by-step procedure

1. Sample

   At least 1,5 l of mortar from the bulk test sample; stirring for 5–10 s; two test samples. PN-EN 1015-3:2000 without a withdrawal note (03.10.2026).

2. Preparing the table

   Wipe the disc and mould with a damp cloth and let them dry (A2); after a 24 h break 10 revolutions of the table.

3. Filling the mould

   Two layers, each at least 10 strokes of the tamper; skim off the excess, wipe the disc around the mould.

4. Spreading

   After approximately 15 s raise the mould vertically; 15 jolts of the table, approximately one per second.

5. Measurement

   Two perpendicular diameters with calipers, to 1 mm; mean = flow value; ±10 % rule for two test samples.

Required equipment and apparatus

Health and safety (OHS)

• Cement and lime mortars are alkaline — skin and eye protection
• Table mechanism (cam, falling plate) — keep hands away from under the plate during jolting

Frequently asked questions