SPECIFICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.0 CONCRETE AND CONCRETING

General
This Specification for concrete used in the Works is based upon the following British Standards
with the latest amendments:B.S. 12 : 1971

Portland Cement (Ordinary and Rapid Hardening)

B.S. 410 : 1969

Test Sieves

B.S. 812 : 1967

Methods for the Sampling and Testing of Mineral Aggregates, Sands and
Fillers

B.S. 882 : 1965

Aggregates from Natural Sources for Concrete (including granolithic)

B.S. 1881 : 1970

Methods of Testing Concrete

B.S. 3148 : 1959

Tests for Water for Making Concrete

This Specification shall be interpreted, and all sampling and testing shall be carried out, in
accordance with the relevant clauses in these Standards.
Cement
All cement used in the Works shall be Ordinary Portland Cement of approved manufacture and
complying with the requirements of B.S. 12 and shall be supplied in 50 kilograms paper bags.
Unless permission in writing is obtained from the Engineer, cement may be supplied in bulk.
The Sub-Contractor shall submit to the Engineer for approval the name and address of the
supplier and the brand of cement which he proposes to use in the Works at least two weeks before
the delivery of cement to the site is allowed. Normally the manufacturers test certificates will be
accepted as proof of the quality of the cement; but the Engineer may at his discretion carry out
further tests on the cement stored at the site. In the event of any sample being found to be not in
accordance with B.S. 12 the whole consignment from which the sample comes shall be rejected
and removed from the site immediately by the Sub-Contractor at his own expense
notwithstanding any previous acceptance on the strength of the manufacturers certificate.
The Sub-Contractor shall not be allowed to change the approved source of supply or brand of
cement at any time or for whatever reason without the permission in writing of the Engineer.
Notwithstanding any previous acceptance any bag of cement containing material, which has
hardened or otherwise deteriorated shall be rejected and removed from the site by the SubContractor forthwith and at his own expense. Any cement on transit or temporarily placed near
the mixer or elsewhere, after removal from the store, shall be adequately protected from moisture
and damage by approved means.

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SPECIFICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Storage of Cement
The Sub-Contractor shall provide at his own expense on the site a dry, well-ventilated and
weathered-proof cement store to the approval of the Engineer for the proper storage of cement.
The floor of such store shall be raised at least 300mm above ground level or above maximum
flood level at the site whichever is the higher. Cement supplied in bulk shall be stored in silo or
other containers, which are of a design approved by the Engineer.
Batches of cement shall be used for the Works in the order in which they are delivered to the site
and the method of storage shall be arranged so that this may be done.
Fine Aggregate
Fine aggregate for concrete work shall be hard, clean, wellgraded natural sand free from harmful
quantities of clay and silt, saline and vegetable impurities, and other deleterious matter. It shall be
within the following grading limits:B.S. Sieve
% Passing

5mm
95-100

No. 7
70-95

No. 14
45-85

No. 25
25-60

No. 52
5-30

No. 100
0-10

Field tests shall be carried out on samples to be taken from each and every batch of sand supplied
and delivered to the site. Sand shall not contain more than 6% by volume of clay and/or fine silt;
neither shall it contain organic impurities in sufficient quantity to show a darker colour than the
standard depth of colour No. 3 when tested according to the standard methods given in B.S. 812 :
1967.
Sand which does not comply with these requirements shall be rejected and removed from the site
forthwith at the Sub-Contractors own expense.
Coarse Aggregate
Coarse aggregate for concrete work shall be sound, hard, clean, roughly cubical shaped crushed
granite particles free from harmful quantities of clay, crusher dust, organic impurities or other
deleterious matter.
Coarse aggregate containing an excessive proportion of flat particles, splinters or flakes, will not
be accepted. The judgement of the Engineer in this matter shall be final and binding on the
Contractor.
Limestone shall not be used as coarse aggregate without the permission in writing of the
Engineer. Under no circumstance shall limestone be used as aggregate in water retaining
structures.

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SPECIFICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The grading of coarse aggregate shall be within the following limits:B.S. Sieve
% Passing

20mm
100%

10mm
25-55

5mm
Not more than 10

Sampling and Testing of Aggregates

The Sub-Contractor shall submit to the Engineer for approval the sources of supply and samples
of fine and coarse aggregates that he proposes to use in the Works before the delivery of
aggregates to the site is permitted. Samples of the fine and coarse aggregates approved by the
Engineer shall be kept on the site; and the Sub-Contractor shall secure his entire supply of each
material from the same source and ensures that all aggregates delivered to the site throughout the
coarse of the Works are of the same quality and grading as the approved samples.
Should it become necessary to change the sources or characteristics of any aggregate this shall
only be done after new samples have been tested and approved by the Engineer and subject to
such safeguards as the Engineer may impose for the maintenance of the quality of the aggregate
specified.
The method of sampling and amount of aggregate to be provided shall, be in accordance with
B.S. 812 : 1967. The tests shall be those as laid down in B.S. 812 : 1967 unless otherwise directed
by the Engineer. The tests shall be carried out by the Engineer and if a sample should fail in any
of the tests the Engineer may at his discretion, either reject the batch from which the sample was
taken or order it to be washed and/or screened at the Sub-Contractors expenses. Any batch of the
aggregate rejected by the Engineer shall be removed from the site forthwith at the SubContractors expense.
Storage of Aggregates
The Sub-Contractor shall at his own expense provide proper and adequate storage of the fine and
coarse aggregates on the site to the satisfaction of Engineer.
The fine and coarse aggregate shall be handled and stored separately and in such a manner that
segregation of the various seized particles does not occur. There shall be a physical partition
between the heaps of sand and the heaps of coarse aggregate to prevent intermixing of the
aggregates. The stockpiles shall be formed on a platform of weak concrete, timber or similar
approved hard standing and aggregates shall be kept clean and free from earth and foreign matter.
Aggregates that in the opinion of the Engineer are not clean or have become intermixed due to
improper storage shall be removed from the site at the Sub-Contractors expense.
Water
Water used for making and curing concrete and for testing the watertightness of structures shall
be fresh, clean and not contain organic matter, sulphates or other impurities in sufficient
quantities likely to reduce the strength of the concrete or attack the concrete or the reinforcement.
The Engineers decision on the suitability or unsuitability of a source of water for his purpose
shall be final.

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SPECIFICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Where possible, all water shall be obtained from the public supply mains. When such a supply is
not available the Sub-Contractor shall make arrangements for obtaining water from a source
approved by the Engineer.
In any case the Sub-Contractor shall provide sufficient storage tanks at the site to store enough
water for 1-1/2 days use in the Works.
Steel Reinforcement
Bar reinforcement shall be rolled steel bars of a manufacture approved by the Engineer and shall
comply with B.S. 4449.
Steel fabric reinforcement shall comply with B.S. 4483.
The manufacturers certificates of test will be accepted as proof of the quality of the steel
reinforcement but the Engineer may, at his discretion, require additional tests to be made on
samples of steel reinforcement stored at the site. In the event of any reinforcement being found to
be not in accordance with the relevant Standard under these tests or in the course of being
worked, the Engineer not withstanding any previous acceptance on the strength of the
manufacturers certificate may reject the whole batch of reinforcement from which the faulty
reinforcement comes. Any reinforcement rejected by the Engineer shall be cleaned from loose
millscales, loose rust, oil, grease, earth and other harmful matter before being placed in the forms
and shall be free from these at the time the concrete is placed.
Bending, Placing and Fixing Reinforcement
All reinforcement shall be bent cold using bar bending machines and appliances approved by the
Engineer. Unless otherwise specified in the Drawings the bending dimensions and tolerances and
the dimensions of end anchorage, hooks, binders, stirrups and the like, shall be in accordance
with B.S. 4466, Bending Dimensions and Scheduling of Bars for the Reinforcement of
Concrete.
The reinforcement shall be accurately assembled firmly secured by wire ties made from No. 16
S.W.G. soft annealed wire so that the whole assembly is rigid and will not be displaced while
concrete is being compacted around it. The ends of the wire ties shall be turned inward away from
the face of the forms and shall not be left projecting beyond the reinforcing bars.
Temporary bracing shall be provided to prevent movement of all steel projecting from the
concrete during the course of construction.
The cover shown on the Drawings shall be maintained by precast spacing blocks securely wired
to the bars or by other means approved by the Engineer. Spacing Blocks for the various cover
dimensions shall be cast from cement mortar made from 1 part of cement and 2 parts of sand. The
blocks shall be well compacted and shall receive full curing treatment before being used.
Where it is necessary to maintain two layers of reinforcement at the correct distance apart (e.g. to
maintain the correct position of the top layer of reinforcement in the floor slab) steel riders bent
from 13 mm diameter mild steel bars shall be used. The use of wooden batterns for this purpose is
prohibited.

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SPECIFICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Welding of Reinforcement
Welding of reinforcement will be permitted only under suitable conditions and with suitable
safeguards. The welding shall be by electric arc and shall be performed by a skilled operator
approved by the Engineer. No welding shall be performed except under the supervision of the
Engineers representative. The surface of the bars must be thoroughly cleaned and scrubbed with
a wire brush immediately before welding, and the weld must be deposited evenly and all slag
shall be removed. The finished surfaced the weld shall be of even contour without cavities and
undercutting.
Welding shall be carried out in accordance with B.S. 1856 : 1964 General requirements for the
metal-arc welding of mild steel and B.S. 2642 : 1965 General requirements for the arc welding
of carbon manganese steel. Butt welds shall be of the double V-type and two butt weld bend
tests shall be carried out on a specimen prepared to represent each form of butt-welded joint. The
method of making weld tests shall be that laid down in B.S. 709 : 1964.
Formwork
The formwork shall be constructed with any of the following materials:i.

Should softwood tongued and grooved boards not less than 20mm finished thickness,
wrought on one side and two edges, accurately formed and secured fixed to softwood frames.
The surfaces of the formwork shall be worked to a smooth finish after fabrication.

ii. Sound softwood timber boards not less than 20 mm thick lined with galvanized metal sheet
not less than 18 S.W.G. The boards supporting the metal lining shall be of uniform thickness
and the formwork panels shall be made so that they butt closely together, and grout cannot
leak from the joints between adjacent panels.
iii. Waterproofed plywood of approved manufacture not less than 10 mm thick, securely fixed to
timber frames.
iv. An approved metal formwork system.
All formwork shall be erected true to line and level and shall be adequately secured and braced to
prevent deflection or movement during the placing, tamping or vibrating of the concrete, and
shall be sufficiently tight to prevent loss of liquid.
Column formwork shall be arranged so that the concrete being placed does not have a free fall of
more than 1.50m and suitable openings shall be provided in the column forms to allow concrete
to be deposited in stages not more than 1.5m high.
The use of wires passing through the concrete for the purpose of securing the formwork in
position shall not be passing through the concrete may be used, but their number must be kept to
the minimum required to secure the formwork rigidly. The bolts shall be not less than 13 mm in
diameter and of a type with detachable heads can be removed with ease. The barrels of every bolt
used in water retaining, water conveying or water excluding structures shall have a waterstop in
the form of a 100 mm x 100 mm x 3.5 mm steel washer on at the mid-length of the bolt. The weld
shall be continuous round the barrel and on both sides of the washer.

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SPECIFICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Before any concrete is placed all rubbish shall be removed from the interior of the forms. Suitable
opening shall be provided for this purpose and the openings shall be effectively plugged before
concrete is placed. The forms and all concrete joint surfaces within the forms shall be thoroughly
flushed with water. The forms may with the approval of the Engineer be treated with an approved
composition. Care should be taken to ensure that such composition is kept out of contact with the
reinforcement and concrete joint surfaces, and that there is no excess of such composition
remaining on the forms prior to concreting.
Within four weeks of the acceptance of his tender the Sub-Contractor shall submit for the
approval of the Engineer drawings and descriptions showing the methods he proposes to use for
the erection and support of the formwork.
Concrete Proportions
i.

Concrete for the several parts of the works shall be proportioned as indicated in Table A
(except as provided under the sub-clause (iii) below). Cement, fine aggregate and coarse
aggregate shall be measured by weight; and by volume. The fine and coarse aggregate
shall be measured separately. A weight batcher shall be used for the purpose of weighing
cement, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate. The accuracy of the weights indicated by
the weigh batcher shall be regularly checked and shall be maintained within +-4.5 kg of
the actual total weight of all aggregates and cement in one batch.

ii.

The weights of the fine and coarse aggregate specified in Table A refer to the materials
in the dry state. Tests shall be carried out twice daily or more frequently if considered
necessary by the Engineer to determine the moisture content of the fine aggregate.
Allowance shall be made for the water contained in the aggregate when calculating the
water to be added to the mix.

iii.

While the proportions of the mixes are to be generally as specified in Table A, the
Engineer shall have the right to order variations in these proportions without extra cost to
the Employer should tests show such variations to be necessary to produce a dense
watertight concrete of the specified strength and of a consistency that will permit of its
being worked into position and compacted satisfactorily into the different parts of the
works. The proportions of the mixes specified in Table A, are expected to produce
works cube strengths in excess of those specified in Table A and a workability sufficient
to ensure that the concrete can be worked and fully compacted using the methods of
vibration hereinafter specified in this Specification. If, however, it is shown during the
coarse of the work that the concrete mix is stiffer than can be placed satisfactorily and
adjustment of up to 5% may be made by increasing the proportions of both the water and
cement without increasing the water / cement ratio. If the works cube strengths fall below
those specified, the cement proportions shall be increased.

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SPECIFICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Designed Concrete Mixes

Design concrete mixes may be used and shall comply with the recommendations of Clause 6.5 of
CP 110. However, the grades of concrete to be used shall be as below, which supersede Table 4.5
of CP 110:
Nominal Mix
Equivalent
(1:1:2)
(1:1:5:3)
(1:2:4)

Minimum Crushing Maximum aggregate Minimum

Cement
Resistance in 2N/mm size
content per cu.m of
within 28 days after
finished concrete
mixing
30
20mm
360kg
25.5
20mm
360kg
21
20mm
290kg

Cement, coarse and fine aggregates and water shall comply with the foregoing clauses of this
specification.
If the Sub-Contractor choose to use designed concrete mixes, he shall employ a competent and
suitably qualified person to design the mix, to supervise and direct all stages in the preparation
and placing of the concrete. The sampling, making, curing and testing of the works cubes shall
still be carried out by the MAIN CONTRACTOR or his representatives, the Sub-Contractor
affording all facilities. The Sub-Contractor or his representatives may, if they so wish, were
present while the cubes are being made and tested.
Preliminary Test Mixes
As soon as possible after possession of site, and before concrete is placed, the Sub-Contractor
shall prepare under the direction of the Engineer a series of trial mixes totaling not more than 3
cubic meter of concrete. Test cubes will be made from samples of these trial mixes, cured and
tested in accordance with the standard methods laid down in B.S. 1881, 1970 to determine the
cube strengths at 7 days and 28 days after casting. The cube strengths obtained shall be at least
50% greater than those specified in Table A for work cubes.
The Engineer on the basis of these tests will adjust the mix proportions specified in Table A as
necessary without extra cost to the Employer.
Sampling and Testing Concrete and Concrete Materials
All sampling and testing will be carried out in accordance with the standard methods laid down in
B.S. 1881, 1970 unless otherwise specified in the following clauses.
The Sub-Contractor shall attend upon and provide all assistance to the Engineer when such
sampling and tests are carried out, and shall supply all concrete samples and other materials
required.

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SPECIFICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Frequency of Sampling and Testing

i.

Compacting Factor
a. daily while concrete is being placed
b. Whenever samples for test cubes are taken
c. Whenever, in the opinion of the Engineer, the grading or condition of any of the
aggregates has changed since the last test was made

ii.

Test Cubes
A set of 6 concrete test cubes, 3 for testing at 7 days and 3 for testing at 28 days after
casting, will be made.
a. every day while concrete is being placed
b. every 150 m of concrete or part thereof
c. whenever the mix or any of its constituents are changed either in quantity or quality

iii.

Aggregate Grading and Purity

The grading of the aggregates and their freedom from organic matter will be tested.
a. when the first deliveries of these materials arrive on the site
b. whenever, in the opinion of the Engineer, the grading or condition of these materials
differs from that originally accepted for use in the work.

Rejection of Concrete
If any of the test cubes tested at 7 days show a comprehensive strength less than that specified,
the Engineer shall, at his discretion, order all concreting work to stop until adequate measures
have been taken to produce concrete which complies with this Specification.
If the cube strengths at 28 days are less than those specified, the work from which the concrete
for the test cubes was taken will be rejected by the Engineer, and will be broken out and rebuilt or
otherwise made good as directed by him at the Sub-Contractors own expense.
Supervision
The Sub-Contractor shall keep constantly at the site while concrete is being mixed and placed a
competent Malay / English speaking assistant for the purpose of supervising the batching of the
concrete ingredients and the mixing, placing and compacting of the concrete. This assistant shall
be employed solely for this purpose and the right is reserved to the Engineer or his representative
at the site to order work on working or placing of concrete to cease if this assistant is not present.

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SPECIFICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mixing Concrete
All concrete shall be mixed in an approved batch mixer of at least 14/10 capacity, fitting with a
power driven loading skip. The mixer shall be equipped with an automatic water measuring tank
fitted with a device for locking the discharge setting so that the volume of water used in each
batch of concrete is accurately measured and cannot be varied by the mixer operator after the
device is set and checked by the Engineers representative on the site. The mixer drum and the
loading skip shall be kept clean at all times.
Each batch of concrete shall contain one or more whole bags of cement. The materials for each
mix shall be placed in the loading skip in the following order: coarse aggregate, cement, and fine
aggregate. The water shall be added to the dry materials in the mixer drum. The quantity of water
specified in Table A may be varied up to 5% in order to maintain a constant workability; but
this tolerance shall not be exceeded without prior approval of the Engineer. Each batch of
concrete shall be mixed until there is a uniform distribution of the materials and the mass is
uniform in colour and consistency. In no case shall the time of mixing be less than two minutes or
more than five minutes after the water has been added to the batch. Any concrete surplus to
requirements shall be thrown away. In no circumstances may surplus concrete be remixed for use
later.
Placing of Concrete Generally
No concrete shall be placed until the formwork and reinforcement have been approved by the
Engineer.
The concrete shall be transported from the mixer to the position in which it is to be placed
without delay, and by means, which will prevent loss of grout and / or segregation of the mix.
Concrete may be conveyed by chute only with the permission of the Engineer. Any concrete,
which has attained its initial set before being placed shall be discarded. Placing concrete shall be
suspended during rain.
Concreting shall be carried out continuously between and up to the predetermined days work or
construction joints in one sequence of operation.
All concrete shall be placed in the position in which it is to be compacted and the material shall
not be allowed to flow while it is being placed and compacted. Vibrators shall be used solely for
compacting the concrete and not for distributing it into place. The concrete shall be prevented
from flowing laterally by the use of vertical stopping off boards, or other vertical faces, and the
surface of the concrete shall be maintained reasonably level during placing. Concrete shall be
placed in the formwork in layers not exceeding 450 mm thick. If the event of unavoidable
stoppage in positions not predetermined, the concrete shall be terminated on horizontal planes
and against vertical surfaces and an additional days work joint formed. A record shall be kept on
the works site of the time and date of placing the concrete in each position of the structure.

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SPECIFICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Compaction of Concrete
Concrete after placing shall be thoroughly compacted by both hand tamping and mechanical
vibration. Concrete maintained between two walls of formwork shall be compacted by power
driven vibrators of the immersion type and concrete in slabs with no formworks on the upper
surface shall be compacted by power driven vibrators of the pan type or by vibrating screeds. The
vibrators shall be of ample power operating at not less than 4,000 R.P.M. and of a kind approved
by the Engineer. Workmen skilled in their use who shall be additional to the labourers employed
on placing and tamping the concrete shall operate them.
No concreting of water retaining, water conveying or water excluding structures shall begin until
the required number of vibrators and also a spare vibrator are all available and have all been
tested and found to be in good working condition at the works site.
Immersion vibrators shall be inserted and withdrawn slowly at a uniform rate of approximately
100mm per second. Compacting shall be deemed to be completed when cement mortar appears in
a circle round the vibrator.
Immersion vibrators shall be inserted at points judged by the area of mortar shown after
compaction, with a certain allowance made for overlapping. The immersion vibrators shall not be
allowed to come into contact with the formwork or the reinforcement.
Pan vibrators shall be placed on the surface or the concrete, which shall have previously been
tamped and leveled leaving an allowance in height for compaction, until cement mortar appears
under the pan. The vibrators shall then be lifted and placed on the adjoining area and the
operation shall be repeated until the whole surface has been compacted. Alternatively a vibrator
spanning the full width of the panel shall be used.
In all cases the placing of concrete shall be sufficiently ahead of the vibrators so that the mass of
concrete beyond the vibrators is sufficient to stand without flowing while vibration is in progress.
On the other hand, the concrete shall be fully compacted before initial set is attained.
Construction of Concrete Screed
As soon as the Engineer the concrete screed has approved the excavation wherever shown on the
Drawings shall be laid in bays not exceeding 7.5m square with open joints 25mm wide in
between the bays. The joints shall be well rammed and worked to a dense smooth finish, and
cured by being kept damp under wet gunny bags for not less than 7 days. After the screed has
been cured, the 25mm wide joints shall be cleaned and filled with 1:3 cement sand mortar and the
whole surface allowed drying out.
Should the surfaces of the formation be cut up through excessive traffic or softened by the action
of water due to delay on the part of the Sub-Contractor to lay the concrete screed he shall
excavate such ground as may be affected and replace it by Mass Concrete all at his own expense
and to the satisfaction of the Engineer before the screed is laid.

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SPECIFICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Construction of Floors of Water Retaining, Water Conveying, or Water Excluding Structures and
Flat Roofs
The floors or roofs are divided into segments bounded by joints shown on the Drawings. The
concrete in each segment shall be placed and compacted in regular strips across the full
width of the segment. Each strip shall be placed against the previous strip before the
concrete in the latter has attained initial set. Each segment shall be concreted in one
continuous operation, and the Sub-Contractor shall so arrange his concreting programme
that not less than 7 days shall elapse between the placing of concrete in any two adjacent
segments.
The concrete shall be compacted first with immersion type vibrators and then/or with pan type
vibrators. Concrete shall be placed and uniformly distributed to such a depth that after
complete compaction the concrete surface is at the finished required level. Any areas,
which are below the finished level or where segregation has taken place, shall be dug out
and immediately made good with fresh concrete.
After the concrete has been thoroughly compacted, the surface shall be thoroughly worked to a
dense true finish with a wooden float. Under no circumstances shall that neat cement be sprinkled
on the surface of the concrete.
Where reinforcement is continuous across the joints, notched vertical stopping off boards shall be
used for the reinforcement to pass through.
The joints shall each have a U-groove formed at the top to receive sealing compound.
The walls are divided into segments by vertical joints, which are continuous with the floor joints
and extend the full height of the walls in unbroken alignment. Each segment between the height
of 50mm above the top of the haunch and the underside of the wall / ring beam shall be cast in a
series of lifts not exceeding 1.35m high each. Alternative segments in a lift shall be concreted,
and an interval of 7 days shall have elapsed before the intervening segments in the same lift are
concreted. One lift of the wall all round shall be completed before the next higher lift is
concreted.
Each panels defined by the vertical joints and the height of a lift shall be concreted in one
continuous operation. The concrete shall be placed and compacted in layers not exceeding
450mm in depth. The placing of concrete shall be kept 1.5m ahead of the vibrators so that the
mass of concrete beyond the vibrators is sufficient to stand without flowing while the vibration is
in progress. Each layer shall be placed and compacted before the concrete in the lower layer has
attained its initial set.
Each joint shall have a U-groove formed on the water retaining face as well as on the water
excluding face to receive sealing compound.
Each segment of the wall footing and haunch defined by the floor and wall joints and a horizontal
plane 50mm above the top of the haunch shall be concreted in one continuous operation. The
concrete shall be placed and compacted in the manner hereinbefore specified in this Specification.
Great care shall be exercised to ensure that the concrete in and around the haunch is thoroughly
compacted.

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SPECIFICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Alternate segments of the footing and haunch shall be concreted and an interval of 7 days shall
elapse before the intervening segments are concreted.
Joints
The Sub-Contractor shall make the joints in the floors, walls and roofs strictly in accordance with
the Drawings. Particular care shall be taken to ensure that the waterstops wherever shown on the
Drawings are adequately secured so that they will not be displaced while concrete is being
placed. Under no circumstance shall waterstops be nailed through. Any water stop, which has
been perforated, shall be rejected and replaced at the Sub-Contractors expense.
As soon as possible after the removal of the shuttering in vertical joints or after the concrete has
set in horizontal joints the surface laitance of the concrete shall be remove in order to expose the
large aggregate and leave a solid surface. If the concrete has not hardened this may be achieved
by brushing with a wire brush or pressure spraying with water but if this is not possible due to the
hardening of the concrete it will be necessary to remove the laitance by using a scaling hammer
or other mechanical device. Care shall be taken to avoid the use of excessively powerful
hammers, as these are likely to damage the concrete by dislodging or fracturing the aggregates.
Before concreting is resumed, care shall be taken to ensure that there is no loose matter on the
concrete surface. The surface shall be thoroughly wetted and covered with a layer of 1:1-1/2
cement and sand mortar not less than 40 mm thick. The mortar shall have the consistency of
condensed milk.
Days Work Joints
Days work joints in floors, roofs and slabs shall be formed against vertical boards and the
concrete shall be well compacted against the boards.
No fresh concrete shall be placed against any concrete, which has attained its initial set. Concrete
is deemed to have attained its initial set 30 minutes after water has been added to the mix.
Provided that the set concrete has been properly placed and compacted and is acceptable to the
Engineer, it shall not be disturbed and shall be allowed to attain its final set and to harden
sufficiently to enable a days work joint surface on it to be prepared by thorough hacking without
damage. Concrete may be deemed to have hardened sufficiently for this purpose 72 hours after
placing.
Any concrete, which has been disturbed after it has attained its initial set, shall be rejected and
subsequently removed and replaced by the Sub-Contractor at his own expense.
When concreting must be suspended at any point because of inclement weather, or for any
unforeseen cause, a days work joint shall be made.
When concrete at a days work joint shall be allowed to harden for 72 hours. Before fresh
concrete is placed against the days work joint, all loose and imperfect materials cement scums or
laitance shall be removed from the joint surface, which shall be thoroughly hacked until a
completely hacked, roughened fresh surface is obtained. The fresh surface shall then be brushed
clean, and immediately before fresh surface concrete is placed against it, it shall be thoroughly
wetted and covered with a layer of 1:1/2 cement and sand mortar not less than 40mm thick. The
mortar shall have the consistency of condensed milk.

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SPECIFICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sealing Compounds
Only non-hardening sealing compounds approved by the Engineer shall be used for sealing the
grooves provided at joints.
All sealing compounds shall be applied in strict accordance with the manufacturers instructions.
The grooves for receiving the sealing compounds shall be thoroughly brushed to remove grit, soil
and other loose particles. The grooves and the surrounding concrete shall be thoroughly dried by
such means as the Engineer shall direct, and the sealing compounds or primers shall be applied
before dampness returns to the surface of the concrete.
Waterstops
Only waterstops approved by the Engineer shall be used.
The Sub-Contractor shall carefully read the waterstop manufacturers instructions before
commencing any work involving the incorporation of waterstops and shall carry out all work in
this connection as recommended by the manufacturer and to the approval of the Engineer.
Waterstops shall be fully continuous when laid and site joints shall be limited to simple butt joints
which are to be made with the manufacturers fusing jig. A careful check shall be made on all
joints after completion to ensure that no imperfections exist.
Waterstops shall be securely held in position by the formwork or by means to be approved by the
Engineer and the concrete shall be carefully worked around the waterstops to ensure that it is
completely embedded and that air packets will not exist.
Pipes, Specials, Fittings, etc Cast into Concrete
Where shown in the Drawings the Sub-Contractor shall build pipes, specials, fittings, plates,
anchor hooks, brackets, bolts and nuts, etc. into the concrete as the work progresses. The external
coating of the pipes and specials shall be removed to the extent directed by the Engineer so that a
proper bond may be obtained with the concrete. These pipes, specials, fittings, etc. shall
accurately set and rigidly supported and their lines and levels be passed by the Engineer before
concreting is commenced. No reinforcement shall be cut to allow such pipes, specials, fittings,
etc. to be cast into the work without the approval of the Engineer. Concrete shall be thoroughly
worked around the pipes, specials, fittings, etc. to ensure a complete bond so that no leakage will
result from the presence of the pipes, specials, fittings, etc.
If the pipes, specials, fittings, etc. to be built into the work are not available when concrete is to
be placed, openings shall be left in the concrete and the pipes, specials, fittings, etc. shall be
concreted in as a separate operation.

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SPECIFICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The openings left shall be of ample size to allow the concrete to be thoroughly compacted around
the pipes, specials, fittings, etc. and shall be provided with waterstops if the Engineer do directs.
Before concrete is placed in such openings, all loose or imperfect material, cement scum or
laitance shall be removed and the joint surfaces shall be thoroughly hacked until a completely
hacked roughened fresh surface is obtained. The fresh surfaces shall then be crushed clean and
immediately before concrete is placed, these surfaces shall then be thoroughly wetted and
covered with a layer of 40mm thickness of 1:1-1/2 cement sand mortar of the consistency of
condensed milk.
Curing Concrete
As soon as the freshly placed concrete has hardened sufficiently to withstand such treatment
without damage, the exposed surfaces of roofs, floors, walls and columns shall be completely
covered with wet gunny bags, which shall be kept thoroughly wet continuously by generous
application of water every two hours for a period of 8 days. The water shall be allowed to run
down between the forms and the formed concrete surfaces. Flat slabs shall have water impounded
on them for a period of at least 10 days after placing.
When all the concrete in the floor and the haunch of any water retaining, water conveying or
water excluding structure have been placed and the concrete attained the final set, the whole of
the floor shall be flooded with water to a depth of not less than 75mm. This depth of water shall
be maintained throughout the rest of the construction period.
The Sub-Contractor shall make provisions for distributing and adequate quantity of water to all
parts of the work for this purpose.
Striking Formwork
No formwork shall be struck without the prior approval of the Engineer. Formwork shall be
removed in accordance with a programme agreed to by the Engineer without such shock or
vibration as would damage the concrete and without interruption to the curing of the concrete as
hereinbefore specified in this Specification. Normally formwork shall be struck after the
following periods have elapsed.
From sides of beams, walls and columns
(unloaded)

3 days

From bottom of slabs (props left under)

7 days

From soffit of beams (props left under)

7 days

Removal of props under slabs (unloaded)

14 days

Removal of props under beams (unloaded)

14 days

Concrete exposed by the removal of formwork shall be left untouched pending inspection by the
Engineer.

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SPECIFICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Surface Treatment to Concrete

After the Engineer has inspected the concrete surface the surface shall be treated as described
below.
All areas where the concrete has not been properly consolidated to a dense uniform surface shall
be cut out, and made good to the satisfaction of the Engineer. All bolt holes left by the formwork
bolts shall be plugged as described herein. The sides of the holes shall be reamed with a hacksaw
blade until the cement scum is removed. The holes shall then be flushed with a strong jet of water
to remove all loose materials. While the holes are still wet, the sides of the holes shall be dusted
with neat cement using a suitable brush for this purpose. Immediately following this the holes
shall be plugged with a dry pack consisting of one part of cement and two parts of fine sand. The
mixture of cement and sand shall be made only sufficiently damp with water to allow it to be
rammed solid without excluding any liquid, and after thorough mixing shall be placed in the
holes in thin layers and solidly compacted over the entire surface with a hardwood stick and a
hammer, and finally struck off to a true surface.
Exposed concrete surfaces and surfaces to be in contact with water shall be treated as follows:a. All projecting imperfections shall be carefully chipped off and rubbed down with
carborundum blocks to a true surface, and the grit or dirt resulting therefrom thoroughly
washed off with clean water.
b. Wherever necessary, the surface shall be made thoroughly wet, and a cement grout composed
of 1 part of cement and 2 parts of fine sand by volume shall be worked into the pores and
holes over the surface with a fine carborundum float so that a uniform smooth and dense
surface throughout is finally presented.
All defects on concrete surfaces which will be permanently concealed in the finished
structure shall be repaired and made good as directed.
Testing for Watertightness
The Sub-Contractor shall, at his own expense, conduct the tests for watertightness of all water
retaining, water conveying, and water excluding structures and shall provide all the water
required for this purpose.
The first test on a structure shall not be carried out until four weeks have elapsed after the placing
of the last batch of concrete in the structure is completed.

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SPECIFICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The structure shall be filled with water to the top water level shown on the Drawings and
maintained at that level for three days. Should any obvious signs of leakage be observed during
this period, or any subsequent test period, the positions of all such signs of leakage shall be
marked and the test shall be stopped; and the Sub-Contractor shall at his own expense carry out
such remedial measures as the Engineer shall direct including the complete emptying of the
structure if necessary. Should the leakage be general the remedial measures may include the
complete treatment of the inside surface of the structure by rendering or by the application of
some other approved waterproof coating. When all obvious signs of leakage have been stopped
and made good in accordance with the Engineers instructions, the structure shall be refilled to
top water level, and so maintained for three days, At the end of the third day, provided no further
signs of leakage are observed the exact water level shall again be marked, and after a further
seventy-two hour period, the water level shall again be marked and the difference recorded.
During this seventy-two hour period an evaporation test shall be carried out in the manner
described hereunder. The structure shall be deemed watertight and shall be so accepted in this
respect only by the Engineer if the recorded difference minus the loss of water by evaporation
gives a figure, which does not exceed 1/2000 of the depth of the water originally in the structure.
Should, however, the above recorded difference minus the loss of water by evaporation give a
figure which exceeds 1/2000 of the depth of the water originally in the structure, the SubContractor shall, at his own expense, carry out the complete treatment of the inside of the
structure by rendering or such other remedial measures as the Engineer may direct. On
completion of such treatment, the Sub-Contractor shall at his own expense retest the structure and
repeat these remedial measures, if found necessary, until watertightness is obtained.
During the test, the loss of water by evaporation shall be determined by measurement of the loss
of water from a shallow watertight tray 0.35 m2 in area containing not less than 75mm of water
and floating on the surface of the water in the structure.
Should any leakage and / or prelocation develop during the defects liability period specified in the
Contract, remedial measures similar to those specified above, followed by test for watertightness,
shall be carried out by the Sub-Contractor at his own expense.
Precast Concrete Units
All precast concrete shall be grade 25 as specified in Table A.
Precast concrete pipes shall be manufactured by the centrifugal spinning process, and all other
precast concrete units shall be manufactured in mechanically vibrated moulds.
If any of the precast concrete units is manufactured away from the site of the work, the SubContractor shall satisfy the Engineer that the concrete proportions, reinforcement, etc. are in
accordance with the drawings and this specification, and if required, he shall produce samples for
testing.
All precast units be handled and stocked so as to avoid damage and ensure that no undue stress is
imposed on them. The Sub-Contractor shall remove from the site and replace at his own expense
any precast units which are damaged due to his own negligence or which are rejected by the
Engineer.

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SPECIFICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Surface Water Drains and Aprons

Precast concrete surface waterdrains shall be cast in 600 mm lengths with dimensions as shown
on the Drawings. The drains shall be properly bedded and jointed with 1:3 cement sand mortar
and laid to falls as directed by the Engineer.
Precast Concrete Drain Covers
Precast reinforced concrete slabs over drains shall be 50mm thick, unless otherwise described,
and reinforced with B.R.C. No. 10. Slabs shall have recesses in their end faces to facilitate
removal.
Concrete Pipes
Plain or reinforced concrete pipes shall comply with the requirements of Australian Standards
A.S. 1342 and CA 33, and shall be manufactured by the centrifugal spinning process. The
manufacturers certificates of test will be accepted as proof of the quality of the concrete pipes
but the Engineer may, at his discretion, require for additional testing to be made on samples of
concrete pipes stored at the site. In the event of any concrete pipe being found to be not in
accordance with the relevant Standard under the additional tests or in the course of being worked,
the whole batch of pipes from which the faulty pipe comes may be rejected by the Engineer
notwithstanding any previous acceptance on the strength of the manufacturers certificate. Any
pipe rejected by the Engineer shall be removed from the site at the Sub-Contractors expense.
The pipe section shall not be cut off without the approval of the Engineer. The joints of the pipes
shall be ordinary ogee or rebated joint, sealed with cement mortar.
Ready-Mixed Concrete
Ready-mixed concrete may be used subject to the Engineers prior approval. The Engineer will
require to inspect the plant from which the said concrete is to be supplied.
The supply and delivery of ready-mixed concrete to comply with the recommendations of B.S.
1926.
The ready-mixed concrete will comply with all the requirements of this Specification.
The Sub-Contractor to maintain records of all supplies of ready-mixed concrete placed on the
Works, including
i.

Delivery notes giving details of quality and mix proportions.

ii.

The time at which each batch of concrete was mixed and details of any additives used.

iii.

Positions in the Works where concrete is placed.

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SPECIFICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The concrete to be agitated continuously by rotation of the mixer drum during transport to the
Site and while awaiting discharge.
In the case of truck mixed concrete, the water may be added either at the concrete suppliers
plant, or under the Sub-Contractors supervision after arrival at Site, but not during transit.
The concrete to be compacted in its final position in as short a time as possible after mixing, and
not later than 1-1/2 hours after the specific time when the cement comes in contact with the
aggregate.
Works test cubes to be made on Site by the Sub-Contractor in accordance with the provision of
this Specification, irrespective of any sampling and/or testing which may be carried out by the
supplier.
Tolerances and Defects
The permissible surfaces tolerances shall not exceed the limits shown on the following table.
If, in the opinion of the Engineer, the formwork is cut, drilled, bent, buckled, repair or generally
damaged in a way detrimental to the appearance of the concrete or to the tightness or straightness
if the forms it will be rejected.
Examples of Permissible Tolerance
Condition

Final Surface
Tolerance

Variation in cross sectional dimensions

of structural members

-5mm
+10mm

Departure from straightness (cumulative

Departure not permitted)

+/- 10mm

Displacement of shuttering boards at joints

5mm

Offset or fins caused by defective

Formwork or otherwise

5mm

Page 29