LimsPulse
Construction materials testing

Slump Cone (Abrams Cone)

A hollow metal frustum used on site and in the lab to measure the workability of fresh concrete by how much it slumps when the cone is lifted.

  • Construction sites
  • Ready-mix concrete plants
  • Precast concrete
  • Construction materials testing
  • Academic labs
Photo of a Slump Cone (Abrams Cone)
Photo: Habib M’henni, CC BY 4.0 (cropped), via Wikimedia Commons
Follow your site SOP
This is a typical operating sequence for learning. Your instrument model and approved SOP take precedence.
STAGE 1

Before you start

  1. 1Check the cone is clean, undented and its dimension check is in date.
  2. 2Dampen the inside of the cone and the base plate; remove free water.
  3. 3Place the base plate on firm, level ground free from vibration.
  4. 4Take a representative sample of concrete and remix it on a non-absorbent surface.
  • A dented or rusty cone changes the volume and friction; do not use it.
STAGE 2

Filling

  1. 1Stand on the foot pieces and fill the cone in three roughly equal layers.
  2. 2Rod each layer 25 times, spreading the strokes over the cross-section; for the second and third layers, just penetrate the layer below.
  3. 3Heap the concrete above the top before rodding the last layer, then strike off level with the rod.
  4. 4Clean spilled concrete from around the base.
  • Do not let the cone move while filling.
STAGE 3

Lifting and measuring

  1. 1Lift the cone vertically and steadily in about 5 to 10 seconds without lateral or twisting movement.
  2. 2Place the cone upside down next to the concrete and lay the rod across it.
  3. 3Measure from the underside of the rod to the highest point of the concrete.
  4. 4Record the slump and the type of slump (true, shear or collapse).
  • Complete the test, from start of filling to lifting, within about 2.5 minutes.
  • If a shear slump occurs, repeat with a fresh portion.
STAGE 4

After testing

  1. 1Discard the tested concrete; do not return it to the batch for casting cubes.
  2. 2Wash the cone, rod and base plate immediately.
  3. 3Record batch ID, time, slump and type in the site register.
In LimsPulse · Calibration Management

Keep every Slump cone in control: usage logs, calibration and maintenance schedules, and automatic blocking of overdue instruments.

See how