Technical Content
Testing programme for the PACE-PTS proficiency testing scheme.
During the kick-off workshop the testing programme was discussed and developed among the participants. The decision was made to have a mandatory and an optional testing programme. All laboratories were equipped with a set of standard sand according to EN 196-1 as well as homogenised cement the origin of which was unknown to the laboratories. In addition a set of readily cured mortar prisms produced and cured under identical conditions in the laboratories of BAM. In the proficiency testing scheme on 2014/2015 each laboratory was also equipped with sand and aggregates in order to look at the measurement of the aggregate grading.
Mandatory test programme
| Test item | Specification | 2012/2013 | Specification | 2014/2015 | Specification | 2014/2015 |
| Loss on Ignition | EN 196-2:2005 | X | EN 196-2:2013 | X | EN 196-2:2013 | X |
| Insoluble residue | EN 196-2:2005 | X | EN 196-2:2013 | X | EN 196-2:2013 | X |
| Chloride content | EN 196-2:2005 | X | EN 196-2:2013 | X | EN 196-2:2013 | X |
| Sulfate content | EN 196-2:2005 | X | EN 196-2:2013 | X | EN 196-2:2013 | X |
| Specific surface (Blaine) | EN 196-6:2010 | X | EN 196-6:2010 | X | EN 196-6:2010 | X |
| Standard consistence | EN 196-3:2005 | X | EN 196-3:2005 | X | EN 196-3:2005 | X |
| Initial setting time | EN 196-3:2005 | X | EN 196-3:2005 | X | EN 196-3:2005 | X |
| Final setting time | EN 196-3:2005 | X | EN 196-3:2005 | X | EN 196-3:2005 | X |
| 2 + 28 days flex. strength | EN 196-1:2010 | X | EN 196-1:2010 | X | EN 196-1:2010 | X |
| 2 + 28 days compr. strength | EN 196-1:2010 | X | EN 196-1:2010 | X | EN 196-1:2010 | X |
| Workability test | – | – | – | – | To be defined | X |
Optional testing programme
| Test item | Specification | 2012/2013 | Specification | 2014/2015 | Specification | 2014/2015 |
| Soundness | EN 196-3:2005 | X | EN 196-2:2013 | X | EN 196-2:2013 | X |
| 7 days flexural strength | EN 196-1:2010 | X | EN 196-2:2013 | X | EN 196-2:2013 | X |
| 7 days compressive strength | EN 196-1:2010 | X | EN 196-2:2013 | X | EN 196-2:2013 | X |
| Sand + aggregate sieving | EN 933-1:2012 | – | EN 196-2:2013 | X | EN 196-2:2013 | X |
| Flexural strength of supplementary specimens | EN 196-6:2010 | X | EN 196-6:2010 | X | EN 196-6:2010 | X |
| Compressive strength of supplementary specimens | EN 196-3:2005 | X | EN 196-3:2005 | X | EN 196-3:2005 | X |