4. Control of concrete formulations

4.1 Study tests

The purpose of the design tests is to qualify the formulation. All specifications must be checked, starting with those for fresh concrete, density, workability, entrained air and then those for aged and hardened concrete.

Acting on a formulation parameter generally changes all the properties of fresh concrete. However, if these are not too far removed from the desired properties, it can be considered that when a formulation parameter is modified to alter one property, the others are only affected to a second order. However, some studies can be long and costly, and need to be carried out at a very early stage in the formulation process (e.g., for siliceous aggregates likely to be reactive with alkalis).

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