--- code: "EN 196-1" title: "Methods of testing cement — Part 1: Determination of strength" institution: "ISO" category: "testing-analysis-systems" revision: "2016" scope: "Cement compressive and flexural strength on 40 × 40 × 160 mm mortar prisms per EN 196-1 — prism prep (mixer, jolting, cure) then flexure at 50 ± 10 N/s and compression at 2400 ± 200 N/s on a calibrated cement test press." testMethod: "Three-point flexure (100 mm span, wet specimen); compression on prism halves with 40 × 40 mm platens; force rates and Fmax per press method; six compressive results with ±10 % outlier rule." specimenRequirements: "Per 3-prism set: 450 ± 2 g cement, 1350 ± 5 g CEN sand, 225 ± 1 g water; mould 160.0 × 40.0 × 40.1 mm; press platens ≥600 HV, loading rates as specified." url: "https://vectorbtc.com.tr/resources/standards/en-196-1/" --- # EN 196-1: Methods of testing cement — Part 1 ## Determination of strength *National examples: BS EN 196-1, TS EN 196-1 — technical requirements align with EN 196-1:2016. The international basis is [ISO 679](/resources/standards/iso-679/) (mortar strength — same apparatus set and tolerances).* --- > **Legal notice** > > The information on this page is a summary prepared by Vector Scientific Testing Devices based on a review of the applicable standard; it does not replace the official standard. For the authoritative, complete text, obtain the standard from the relevant standards body (e.g. your national standards institute, ASTM International, CEN) through official channels. Vector accepts no liability for direct or indirect loss arising from reliance on this summary. --- ## 1. Principle and mortar proportions **Principle:** Prepare **plastic mortar** and cast **40 mm × 40 mm × 160 mm** prisms. Test **flexural strength** first, break the prism into two halves, then determine **compressive strength** on each half. **Mortar composition (by mass):** - **1 part** cement - **3 parts** standard sand (CEN reference sand) - **0.5 parts** water (**w/c = 0.50**) **Batch for one triple mould set:** | Component | Mass | |-----------|------| | Cement | **450 ± 2 g** | | Standard sand | **1350 ± 5 g** | | Water (distilled/deionized for reference tests) | **225 ± 1 g** | --- ## 2. Laboratory climate and recording Temperature and humidity strongly affect strength development — control and log them: | Zone | Temperature | Relative humidity | Recording | |------|-------------|-------------------|-----------| | **Mixing and moulding room** | **20 ± 2 °C** | **≥ 50 %** | Room T and RH **≥ once per day** | | **Mould storage (first 24 h)** | **20 ± 1 °C** | **≥ 90 %** | Cabinet T and RH **every 4 h** | | **Water curing tank** | **20 ± 1 °C** | — | Tank temperature monitored | All materials and apparatus shall be at **room temperature** before use. --- ## 3. Apparatus ### 3.1 Mortar mixer - Stainless **~5 L** bowl with **planetary** blade motion; blade and bowl are a matched set. - Blade–bowl clearance checked **monthly**: **3 ± 1 mm**. | Speed stage | Blade spin (rpm) | Planetary orbit (rpm) | |-------------|------------------|------------------------| | **Low** | **140 ± 5** | **62 ± 5** | | **High** | **285 ± 10** | **125 ± 10** | The [Vector cement mortar mixer](/products/testing-analysis-systems/mixers/cement-mortar-mixer/) (VTR-1017) supports timed **low / high** speed programmes and bowl–blade clearance checks for EN 196-1 batching. ### 3.2 Triple prism moulds - **Steel**, wall thickness **≥ 10 mm**; inner faces **≥ 200 HV** (recommended **≥ 400 HV**). - Internal dimensions: length **160.0 ± 0.8 mm**, width **40.0 ± 0.2 mm**, depth **40.1 ± 0.1 mm**. - Joints sealed; thin **mould oil** on inner faces. ### 3.3 Jolting (shock) table - Mass of table, arms, empty mould, hopper, and clamps: **20.0 ± 0.5 kg**. - Table lift by eccentric cam: **15.0 ± 0.3 mm**, then free drop. - **1 drop per second**; control unit delivers **60 jolts in one run** (per layer). The [Vector jolting table](/products/testing-analysis-systems/jolting-table/) (VTR-1024) delivers controlled stroke, **60-jolt** runs per layer, and mould clamping for prism compaction. ### 3.4 Curing cabinet (mould storage) - **20 ± 1 °C** and **≥ 90 % RH** for the first **24 h** after moulding (see §5). - Log temperature and humidity **every 4 h** during mould storage. The [Vector curing cabinet](/products/testing-analysis-systems/cement-curing-cabinet/) (VTR-1025S single-door or VTR-1025D dual-door) is factory-programmed for EN and ASTM mortar/concrete cure profiles. --- ## 4. Mixing procedure (timing ± 1 s) | Time (s) | Action | |----------|--------| | **0–30** | Pour water, add cement, start **low speed** | | **30–60** | Continue **low speed**; add all sand in **30 s** with steady flow | | **60–90** | Switch to **high speed** for **30 s** | | **90–180** | **Stop** mixer; **scrape** bowl walls to centre in first **15 s**; **rest** remaining **75 s** | | **180–240** | **High speed** again for **60 s** | --- ## 5. Moulding and curing 1. Fill the clamped mould on the jolting table in **two layers**; **60 jolts per layer** (**120 total**). 2. Strike off excess with a **metal straightedge**. 3. Store in the **≥ 90 % RH** cabinet for **24 h** (extend to **48 h** only if demoulding is impossible — **report** on the test record). 4. **Demould** carefully; cure prisms **horizontally** in the **water tank** until the test age — no contact between specimens or with the tank floor. --- ## 6. Strength tests (cement test press) A typical EN 196-1 bay runs **mixer → jolting table → curing cabinet → test press** on one climate programme. See the [EN 196-1 equipment summary](#3-apparatus) above for prep links; flexure and compression below use the press. Flexural and compressive tests are performed on a **calibrated cement compression/flexure machine** with closed-loop force control. The [Vector cement test press](/products/testing-analysis-systems/cement-test-press/) (VTR-1026S single-chamber or VTR-1026D dual-chamber) is configured for EN 196-1 prism workflows: flexure fixture with **100 mm** support span, **40 × 40 mm** compression platens, and programmed loading rates. ### 6.1 Flexural strength - Test **wet** immediately after removal from the tank. - **Three-point bending**, support span **100 mm**, load roller at mid-span. - Loading rate **50 ± 10 N/s** until break — verify on the press before each test series. ### 6.2 Compressive strength - Test both halves **without delay** after flexure. - Place each half so the **smooth top faces** from moulding contact the **40 × 40 mm** platens (mould **side faces** are the loaded surfaces). - Platen blocks: **40.0 ± 0.1 mm** square, length **≥ 10 mm**, hardness **≥ 600 HV**. - Loading rate **2400 ± 200 N/s**; record **maximum force Fmax** (digital indicator or software). ### 6.3 Press setup checklist - Annual (or accredited-interval) **force calibration** and rate verification at flexure and compression setpoints. - Confirm **flexure span** and roller alignment; platens parallel and clean. - Dual-chamber layouts (VTR-1026D) allow one chamber for flexure and one for compression when throughput is critical — still follow wet-test timing from the standard. --- ## 7. Calculation and acceptance **Compressive strength Rc (MPa):** ```text Rc = Fc / 1600 ``` (Platen area **40 mm × 40 mm = 1600 mm²**; Fc in N.) **Evaluation:** 1. Mean of **two** compressive values per prism. 2. **Six** values per set (three prisms). 3. Compute the mean of six. If any single value deviates by **more than ± 10 %** from that mean, **discard** it and average the remaining five. 4. If **more than one** value lies outside **± 10 %**, **void the entire test** and repeat from mortar preparation. Report flexural and compressive results per your specification and EN 197-1 conformity rules where applicable. --- ## 8. Practical notes 1. **Cement test press:** Most conformity decisions hinge on **flexure + compression** results — treat press calibration, fixture wear, and loading-rate checks as mandatory, not optional. 2. **Traceability:** Sand, water, mixer speed, jolt count, and cure temperature logs support the strength data; weak prep cannot be corrected at the press. 3. **Specimen prep:** [Mortar mixer](/products/testing-analysis-systems/mixers/cement-mortar-mixer/), [jolting table](/products/testing-analysis-systems/jolting-table/), and [curing cabinet](/products/testing-analysis-systems/cement-curing-cabinet/) feed the press — keep all three on the same climate programme. 4. **EN 196-3:** Vicat tests per [EN 196-3](/resources/standards/en-196-3/) share the mixing room with EN 196-1 prep. 5. **ISO 679:** Global reference for the same mixer–jolt–cure–press line — see [ISO 679 summary](/resources/standards/iso-679/) for procurement wording and the equipment-set table. --- *This document is a comprehensive summary of EN 196-1:2016 (national titles such as BS EN 196-1 or TS EN 196-1 may apply). For official use, refer to the standard issued by your national standards body.*