You are on page 1of 3

Test Method

August 2014

SikaGrout Test Method


QA testing procedure to determine the Compressive Strength
of SikaGrout cementitious grouts.

Description Recommended testing required to determine compressive strengths of


SikaGrouts.

Quality Assurance All Sika products are tested under strict quality guidelines and specific
Construction

Australian Standards tests prior to despatch. (See PDS)


Sika is an ISO9001 accredited company with a NATA accredited
Laboratory. In order to achieve the same test information published on
Sika PDS’s the product must be tested equally as Sika in their QA process.
All conditions and standards must be strictly replicated or a different result
may occur.
Any external testing carried out that does not strictly adhere to the Aust.
Standard or Sika test procedure as nominated in our PDS or by Sika may
produce results that are inferior to our published data (See under
Important information Below)

Testing on site requires a controlled environment with repeatable testing


procedures, maintenance of correct mix ratio’s, mixing speed and
placement.

Pre-commencement trials, including mixing, testing and placement of


material, prior to commencement of the works is recommended to
determine site specific results that will be achieved by the contractors
conducting the installation.

Testing Equipment The following certification and calibrated test equipment is the minimum
Required equipment required for testing depending of material being used:
 Nata accreditation to test in accordance with AS1478.2
 Fresh wet density cup
 50mm x 50mm steel or brass cube mould + cover plates. Use of
plastic moulds are not suitable for this application.
 Calibrated Compressive Strength Equipment
 Festo Mixer or other mixing equipment
 Humidity Cabinet/ Temperature conditioned LAB +23° C, 95% RH
Temperature controlled lime saturated water bath for curing the
Testing Equipment samples
Cont.  Flow table and Flow cone, Flow Trough
 Sampling method and curing bath / Chamber as per the Australian
Standard or Sika procedure.

1 SikaGrout Test Method 1/3


Material All testing and materials must be conditioned to 23oC for 24hours prior to
mixing and placing into moulds. Refer to individual Product datasheet for
specific testing required on each material.

Mixing

Mix using an appropriate mixer, depending on product, maximum


speed to mix not to exceed 250rpm for epoxy grouts & 500rpm for
cementitious grouts. Ensure mixing blade is clean and free of
cured product. Cured material can cause inefficient mixing of
Grout Test Method

product. Mix time is typically 3 mins. Care must be taken not to


pump mixer during mixing as this will push air into the product.
Allow to stand for 2-3 minutes after mixing to release entrained air.
Please note various paddles for festo’s are available, too large a
mixer could mix air into the product. If this occurs a smaller paddle
should be considered.

Compressive
Strength

AS1478.2

Sika compressive strengths are obtained in 50mm x 50mm steel mould


with heavy lids or screw down lid for restrained grout. Grout cube must
poured in 2 stages and tamped at the mid point and at completion of filling.
Once cast, cubes must not be transported and must be cured at
recommended temperature before crushing. Once demoulded the cubes
are to be cured in a suitable temperature controlled lime-saturated water
bath until the crushing date.
Prior to crushing, weight of cubes must be taken to determine density and
adequate compaction in cubes.
Crushing of samples must be carried out in a timely manner in order to
gather accurate results as per standard. Below tolerances from casting
must be followed. A minimum of 2 samples should be taken for each day to
establish an average result.
1 day ± 30 mins from initial casting
3 days ± 60 mins from initial casting
7 days ± as close to the designated time as possible.

Fresh Wet Density

Density of Mixed product can be determined at two stages


in the wet state and cured state prior to crushing. It is recommended to test
at both stages. Too low a result indicates air entrained during mixing or
casting and may reduce MPa strength in testing.

2 SikaGrout Test Method 2/3


Flow Testing

Calibrated Flow test equipment must be used. Type of test equipment required
may vary depending on product being used.

SikaGrout products are tested in accordance to various Australian and


IMPORTANT International Standards where possible. The published performance data
INFORMATION* is achieved by testing strictly in accordance to the procedures of these
standards. Any test procedures performed by others on our products that
are not in strict accordance with the standard in every facet will likely
produce results different from the published above. On site testing by
others can be affected by external factors such as incorrect mixing
methods, poor sampling techniques, varying temperatures, curing and
crushing procedures.
Sika can provide certificates of Compliance of all products delivered to site
prior to installation if required. If site or testing facility tests by others
results vary from the Sika published data we recommend the following
items be reviewed before contacting the manufacturer as one or all of
these items could be influencing the results attained on site. These
include but are not limited to the following: site conditions, ambient,
substrate and product temperature, mixing equipment, mixer speed, pump
equipment, contractor experience, substrate temperature, incorrect test
methods. Sika Aust. do not take responsibility nor have to make a case for
any such tests where results of testing by others do not achieve the
published data.

The information, and, in particular, the recommendations relating to the


Important application and end-use of Sika’s products, are given in good faith based
Notification on Sika’s current knowledge and experience of the products when
properly stored, handled and applied under normal conditions. In practice,
the differences in materials, substrates and actual site conditions are such
that no warranty in respect of merchantability or of fitness for a particular
purpose, nor any liability arising out of any legal relationship whatsoever,
can be inferred either from this information, or from any written
recommendations, or from any other advice offered. The proprietary
rights of third parties must be observed. All orders are accepted subject
of our terms and conditions of sale. Users should always refer to the most
recent issue of the Australian version of the Technical Data Sheet for the
product concerned, copies of which will be supplied on request.

PLEASE CONSULT OUR TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER


INFORMATION.

Sika Australia Pty ABN: 12 001 342 329


Limited Tel:1300 22 33 48
aus.sika.com

3 SikaGrout Test Method 3/3

You might also like