Which test is used to determine the workability of fresh concrete?

Which test is used to determine the workability of fresh concrete?

• A. Compression
• B. Slump
• C. Air
• D. Sand Cone

Answer: (B)

Fresh concrete workability is about how easy the mix is to handle, place, and finish while it remains cohesive. The slump test directly gauges this by measuring how far the fresh concrete subsides after removing a vertical mold. A larger slump means the mix is more workable and flowable, while a smaller slump indicates a stiffer mix that’s harder to work with. This test is standardized (ASTM C143) to quantify workability so you can adjust the mix design as needed. The other tests don’t measure workability: compression tests assess the strength of hardened concrete; air content tests check the amount of air voids in fresh concrete; and the sand cone method is used to determine in-place density in soils, not the workability of concrete.

Fresh concrete workability is about how easy the mix is to handle, place, and finish while it remains cohesive. The slump test directly gauges this by measuring how far the fresh concrete subsides after removing a vertical mold. A larger slump means the mix is more workable and flowable, while a smaller slump indicates a stiffer mix that’s harder to work with. This test is standardized (ASTM C143) to quantify workability so you can adjust the mix design as needed.

The other tests don’t measure workability: compression tests assess the strength of hardened concrete; air content tests check the amount of air voids in fresh concrete; and the sand cone method is used to determine in-place density in soils, not the workability of concrete.