We have looked at the EN206:1 specification to control density analysis and arrived at the conclusions that the parameters may be too wide to base a detailed trend analysis upon. Our EN206 database uses more stringent control parameters than are required by EN206-1:2000.

This has been brought into line with the QPA recommendations including reference to BS EN 12390-7 :Testing Hardened Concrete Part 7 - Density of hardened concrete shall be to "Water Saturated" condition. It should be noted that Sol22 does not consider current density analysis requirements will be accurate enough to gain any valuable information from. The overall report average density has been tailored to suit a more meaningful range of +/- 40 kg. This does not constitute EN206-1:2000 density compliance rather a parameter that would warrant further investigation into the overall concrete mix design for yield maybe?

In our opinion and experience concrete producers may need to monitor density more closely than recommended. Concrete density trends may indicate possible problems with constituent material property changes or problems with concrete plant weigh gear, which may in turn affect the delivered volume to Customers, albeit minor. If the volumetric properties of the concretes change it will have a small effect on designed cement content per volumetric cubic metre, which in turn may affect the strength control system. This may only represent 0.5 to 1.0 MPa but when related to between 5 to 7 kg of cement per 1MPa a quick cost analysis can be derived.

A concrete producer should also keep regular checks on bulk density of aggregates and the results analysis used to monitor any volumetric property deviation.

EN206 appears to be aimed at individual density variation with no provision for trend conformity. In our considered opinion the EN206-1:2000 Concrete Conformity database adds value to concrete density analysis both for the producer and the end user.