BS 1881-108 : Part 108: Method for making test cubes from fresh concrete

Scope

This Part of this British Standard describes a
method for making test cubes of nominal
sizes 100 mm and 150 mm out of fresh concrete. The
method applies to plain and air-entrained concrete
made with lightweight, normal weight and heavy
aggregates having a nominal maximum size not
exceeding 20 mm for 100 mm cubes and 40 mm
for 150 mm cubes. 

This method does not apply to aerated concrete, very
stiff concrete, which cannot be compacted by
vibration alone, and no-fines concrete. 

NOTE The titles of the publications referred to in this standard
are listed on the inside back page

Construction and assembly :- 

The sides of the
mould shall be manufactured from ferrous metal
having a hardness value of at least 175
Brinell (300 kg 10 mm ball) when determined in
accordance with BS 240-1. The mould shall include
a removable ferrous metal base plate. 

All parts of
the mould shall be robust enough to prevent
distortion. Before assembly for use, the joints
between the sides of the mould and between the
sides and the base plate shall be thinly coated with
oil or grease to prevent loss of water. The sides of the
mould when assembled shall be positively located
and the whole assembly rigidly held together in
such a manner as to prevent leakage from the
mould. 

The internal faces of the assembled mould
shall be thinly coated with release agent to prevent
adhesion of the concrete.
The sides of the mould shall be clearly marked
before use with a reference code to enable each
mould to be correctly assembled and, where
appropriate, the cube to be marked for
identification.