Bs En 12390-2:2019 May 2026

| Aspect | BS EN 12390-2:2009 | BS EN 12390-2:2019 | |--------|--------------------|--------------------| | | Specified materials (metal, rigid plastic) | More detailed requirements for mould rigidity, dimensional tolerance, and re-use limits. | | Compaction methods | Vague guidance on rodding, vibration, etc. | Clarified compaction energy and process, especially for different consistence classes (slump classes S1 to S5). | | Surface finish | Minimal guidance. | Added requirement to record surface flatness deviation. | | Curing temperature | 20°C ± 2°C for water tanks. | Tightened to 20°C ± 1°C for sensitive applications (e.g., high-strength concrete >80 MPa). | | Transport of fresh specimens | Not detailed. | New clause on minimizing disturbance, vibration, and temperature change during transport from batching to lab. | | Demoulding time | 24 hours ± 4 hours typical. | More prescriptive: 24 hours ± 2 hours unless otherwise agreed, with justification for early demoulding. | | Curing records | Basic temperature checks. | Mandatory logging of temperature and relative humidity at defined intervals (every 4 hours if automated, or at least twice daily if manual). |

| Mistake | Consequence | How to Avoid | |---------|-------------|---------------| | Using moulds out of tolerance (worn, warped) | Resulting cubes can be oversized (lower strength) or undersized (higher false strength). | Annual mould measurement log. | | Not covering specimens for first 24 hours | Surface drying → lower strength, cracking. | Use rigid plastic lids or cling film immediately. | | Incorrect rodding – too few strokes or bar of wrong diameter | Incomplete compaction → voids and low density. | Use rodding templates and trained operators. | | Water tank temperature not monitored or out of range (e.g., 23°C) | Faster strength gain – false pass for early age, but may also cause weaker late strength. | Continuous temperature logger with alarm. | | Tap water without lime | Surface softening → lower crush results by 5-15%. | Add calcium hydroxide powder to tank water. | | Testing specimens not demoulded flat – rocking on platens | Eccentric loading → variable results. | Check flatness before testing; cap or grind if necessary (per BS EN 12390-3). | BS EN 12390-2:2019 does not work in isolation. It is part of a family: bs en 12390-2:2019

is the British adopted European standard titled: "Testing hardened concrete – Part 2: Making and curing specimens for strength tests." This standard superseded the previous 2009 version and provides the mandatory, legally referenced procedures for producing representative concrete test specimens (cubes, cylinders, and prisms) and curing them under controlled conditions before they are crushed or tested. | Aspect | BS EN 12390-2:2009 | BS