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IS 5512:1983 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for flow table for use in tests of hydraulic cement and pozzolanic materials. This standard specifies the requirements for the flow table apparatus and its accessories (mould and tamper). It is used for determining the consistency (flow) of hydraulic cements, pozzolanic materials, and masonry cement mortars. The specification covers the material, construction, dimensional tolerances, and mass to ensure uniformity and repeatability of test results across different laboratories.
Specification for flow table for use in tests of hydraulic cement and pozzolanic materials
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Cement, Concrete, Aggregates and RCC
! The flow table must be installed on a heavy, rigid, and level concrete base to prevent any movement or vibration during operation.
! Regularly verify the height of drop (12.5 mm) and ensure the cam and shaft are clean to allow a free, unobstructed fall.
! The specified rate of 1 drop per second is critical for test consistency and should be maintained accurately, whether using a manual handle or a motorized unit.
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
cementpozzolanamortarconcrete mix
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
ASTM C230 / C230M-20ASTM International, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Flow Table for Use in Tests of Hydraulic Cement
Directly specifies the apparatus (flow table and mould) for cement testing, with very similar dimensions and mass.
EN 1015-3:2023CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
MediumCurrent
Methods of test for mortar for masonry - Part 3: Determination of consistence of fresh mortar (by flow table)
Specifies a flow table apparatus within a test method, but with notable differences in key dimensions like table diameter and drop height.
BS 4551-1:1984BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
MediumWithdrawn
Methods of testing mortars, screeds and plasters - Part 1: Physical testing
Included specification for a flow table for mortars, which was the historical UK equivalent before adoption of European standards.
Key Differences
≠The specified drop height of the table in IS 5512 is 12.5 mm, which is nearly identical to ASTM C230 (12.7 mm), but significantly different from EN 1015-3 which specifies a drop of 10 mm.
≠The diameter of the tabletop is 250 mm in IS 5512, very close to ASTM C230 (255 mm), whereas the EN 1015-3 standard requires a larger tabletop with a 300 mm diameter.
≠The mould height is 50 mm in IS 5512 and 50.8 mm (2 in) in ASTM C230, but the EN 1015-3 standard specifies a taller mould of 60 mm.
≠IS 5512 requires the mass of the plate, shaft, and mould to be 4.2 ± 0.2 kg, while ASTM C230 specifies the mass of the flow table and movable pedestal portion as 4.1 ± 0.5 kg. The components included in the mass measurement differ slightly.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental operating principle is identical across all standards: a sample in a conical mould is placed on a table, which is then lifted and dropped by a cam-driven mechanism to measure flow.
≈The shape of the mould is a frustum of a cone in all compared standards. The top and bottom diameters are very similar, particularly between IS 5512 (70/100 mm) and ASTM C230 (~70/~102 mm).
≈The intended purpose of the apparatus is the same: to determine the consistency or workability of cementitious materials like cement paste and mortar.
≈The general construction, involving a rigid frame, a driveshaft with a hand crank, a cam, and a polished tabletop, is conceptually the same across the standards.
What is the specified height of drop for the flow table?+
The table must have a free fall (drop) of 12.5 ± 0.5 mm as per Clause 3.1.
What is the total mass of the dropping parts of the apparatus?+
The combined mass of the table top and the shaft must be 4.1 ± 0.05 kg according to Clause 3.1.
What are the internal dimensions of the conical mould?+
The mould has a top internal diameter of 70 mm, a bottom internal diameter of 100 mm, and a height of 50 mm, with a tolerance of ±0.5 mm for each (Clause 4.1).
In which other test method standards is the flow table from IS 5512 used?+
It is primarily used in tests described in IS 4031 (Part 7) for masonry cement and IS 1727 for pozzolanic materials.