Comparative Experimental Study of Three Concrete Workability Tests

Concrete is one of the most widely used materials in construction around the world and the importance of monitoring the workability of concrete is well-known. Many attempts have been made to develop an acceptable and accurate test that can measure concrete workability and represent wet concrete mixture characteristics. However, with the exception of the classic Slump test, only a few tests have gained acceptance. Furthermore, newer concrete mixtures, such as high-performance concrete mixtures, are subject to significant changes, even with slight modifications in the proportions of the materials of the mix. This has made the monitoring of workability more critical. This study examines and compares three workability tests that have been used in the concrete industry: ASTM Slump, K-Slump, and Kelly Ball workability tests. These tests were used to measure the workability of 34 different concrete mixtures obtained based on a statistically based mixture-process experimental design. The tests’ results are compared and suggestions for future concrete workability testing are made.