Title

AS 1379 Supp 1-1997/Amdt 1-2000 Specification and supply of concrete -

Commentary

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 AS 1379 Supp1/Amdt 1/2000-02-01

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Amendment No. 1
to
AS 1379 Supp1 1997
Specification and supply of concrete Commentary

REVISED TEXT

The 1997 edition of AS 1379.1 is amended as follows; the amendments should be inserted in the appropriate
places.

SUMMARY : This Amendment applies to Paragraphs C1.6.3.2, C1.6.4, C1.7(b)(i)(I), C4.2.1.2(a), C4.2.1.2
and C6.3.5.2.

Published on 1 February 2000.

AMDT Page 7 Paragraph C1.6.3.2

No. 1
FEB. Delete Paragraph C1.6.3.2 and replace with the following:
2000
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C1.6.3.2 Basic parameters The six (6) basic parameters that need to be specified
when ordering normal-class concrete are as follows:
(a) Standard strength grades. The significance of standard strength grades is discussed
in Paragraph C1.6.2 above.
(b) Slump.
(c) Maximum aggregate size.
(d) Method of placement.
(e) Any requirement for project testing.
(f) Level of air entrainment if required.
In the absence of specific advice, default values of maximum aggregate size and project
testing have to be established.
When a customer orders a specific value of slump, that slump becomes the suppliers
target. The tolerances in Table 6 are to provide for the operators inability to precisely
assess slump in the production process.
The specification of slump of normal-class concrete is commonly established by the
designer in contractual documents, often without discussion with those responsible for
placing the concrete or certain knowledge of the details of the method of placement.
There is merit in the alternative of allowing the customer to specify the slump to the
supplier, after considering the alternative methods of placement and finishing. The
customer may need to strike a balance between the higher cost of purchasing concrete
with a higher slump and the considerable cost associated with the difficulties of placing
concrete at lower slump. For example, it is usually more expensive to pump concrete at
an 80 mm slump than a 100 mm slump.
Due to local aggregate characteristics, suppliers in some areas may not be able to meet
the shrinkage requirements of this Standard at a specified slump of >80 mm. In this case
the supplier cannot offer normal-class concrete of >80 mm slump, but only lower slump.
It is the responsibility of the supplier to decide if a >80 mm slump normal-class concrete
can be supplied.

ISBN 0 7337 2937 1

 AMDT Page 8 Paragraph C1.6.4
No. 1
FEB.
2000 Delete Paragraph C1.6.4 and replace with the following:
C1.6.4 Special-class concrete
Shrinkage strain Special-class concrete may be specified as having maximum values of
basic shrinkage strain below or, indeed, above 1000 106.
The specification of maximum basic shrinkage strains less than 1000 106 may carry
with it some disadvantages. Depending on the material resources available in the region,
it may be
(a) necessary to import distant materials, thus increasing the cost of concrete; and/or
(b) unnecessarily deplete scarce resources.
Consultation with experienced suppliers in the region is advisable to determine what
shrinkage may be expected with normally used materials, and the cost, if any, associated
with specifying a limit less than 1000 106.
In the event that more restrictive values for basic shrinkage strain are specified, the
specification of a median value is recommended. A limit on the median is more capable
of rational assessment than a limit on the maximum. In view of the inherent variability
of the sampling and testing procedures, unusually high values may randomly occur.
Where maximum value is specified, irrational assessment may occur.
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Proposed conventions for use in deciding prefixes to succinctly identify

mixes Identifying prefixes for special-class concrete should follow the following
conventions:
(i) Mix codes such as S25 may be used to identify a 25 MPa strength grade special-
class concrete, distinguishing it from N25, being a 25MPa strength grade normal-
class concrete.
(ii) Codes SF x and ST y may be used to identify special-class concrete with a
design characteristic strength in flexure of x MPa and indirect tension y MPa,
respectively.
(iii) Appropriate alphanumerical codes agreed between the supplier and the user may be
used to identify concrete specified by properties other than strength; for example,
KC280 may be used to identify a kerb and channel mix with 280 kg cement/m3.
High strength/performance concrete Where concrete strength grades greater than
50 MPa, or other high performance parameters, are proposed, it is recommended that the
specification require the supplier to submit for approval to the customer or his agent a
quality plan specific to the project. The plan should confirm the suppliers ability to
supply and deliver concrete conforming to the requirements of the specification. The plan
should also be implemented for the duration of the project.
Specifications of slump as a maximum value in lieu of the default mean value The
practice of specifying slump in accordance with the normal-class provisions is
encouraged. The specification of maximum slump or any non-standard method of slump
specification is discouraged to avoid confusion.

AMDT Page 11 Clause C1.7(b)(i)(I)

No. 1
FEB.
2000 Delete the word ration paragraph C1.7(b)(i)(I) line 4 and replace with the word
ratio.
 AMDT Page 18 Clause C4.2.1.2(a)
No. 1
FEB.
2000 Add the following at the end of Clause C4.2.1.2(a):
The tolerances specified in Clause 5.2.3 are intended to allow for human error in the
assessment of slump. The supplier should aim to achieve a mean slump that is close to
the specified slump. The supplier should not aim to achieve slump results higher than the
specified slump.

AMDT Page 19 Clause C4.2.1.2

No. 1
FEB.
2000 Delete the tabulated information and replace with the following:

Specified value of w/c

Tolerance
ratio
0.60 0.06
0.35 0.035

AMDT Page 30 Clause C6.3.5.2

No. 1
FEB.
2000 Delete the 4th paragraph and formula and replace with the following:
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The sample standard deviation (sc), is determined from the statistical expression with
n 1 as the denominator. This is of course only an estimate of the true standard
deviation . The difference is significant when compliance is being considered. The
formula is as follows:

(x x )2
sc =
n 1
where
sc = standard deviation of a controlled grade
x = sample strength
x = mean strength
n = number of samples