SCI P308: Specifiers' Guide to Steel Piling

This document offers advice to the specifier on the following technical aspects of piling selection and explains how steel piling can comply with requirements and legislation in those respects:

AS 1012.21-1999 Methods of testing concrete - Determination of water absorption and apparent volume of permeable voids in hardened concrete

This Standard sets out the procedure for determining the immersed absorption (Ai) and, if required, boiled absorption (Ab) and apparent volume of permeable voids (AVPV) in hardened concrete. The drying operation in this test may withdraw the free water that is mechanically held in concrete, and some of the water from the colloidal cementitious gel. The absorptions indicated by the test are larger than those associated with the normal temperature and humidity environment of concrete in service. This method is not intended for use as an absolute measure of durability.
NOTES:
1 Test results obtained by this procedure will be affected by a number of factors including compaction, curing, absorption, age, air entrainment, absorption and vesicular nature of the aggregate and whether the specimen is moulded, is cut from an existing structure or is a piece of irregularly shaped concrete. Test results may also be affected if concrete specimens are carbonated.
2 This Standard may involve the use of hazardous materials and equipment, and engagement in hazardous operations. This Standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this Standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

AS 1012.20-1992 Methods of testing concrete - Determination of chloride and sulfate in hardened concrete and concrete aggregates

This Standard sets out a method for the determination of chloride content and sulfate content (including easily oxidizable sulfide content) of concrete and concrete aggregates. The solutions obtained from the sample may also be used to determine the acidsoluble calcium oxide content of these materials. The method of solution will react with and dissolve any easily oxidizable sulfides which are present and these will be reported as sulfate. Such sulfides have been shown to be deleterious to concrete and the method provides an approach to limiting their inclusion in concrete and concrete aggregates. For compliance with the relevant requirements specified in AS 3600, additional tests and calculations may be required.
NOTES:
Separate test methods are available for the analysis of the other concretemaking materials, e.g. cementious materials, admixtures, water.
Gross variations in the chloride and sulfate contents of concrete and concretemaking materials can occur over distances of even a few millimetres. This can be caused, for example, by leaching with rainwater, surface evaporation and crusting and penetration of salt and ground waters. Sampling technique is of prime importance. As the effect of the use of water during coring, especially small diameter cores, can be significant, the amount of water used should be restricted.

AS 1012.19.1-2000 Methods of testing concrete - Accelerated curing of concrete compression test specimens - Hot water method

This Standard sets out the hot water (82C) method for the accelerated curing of compression test specimens of concrete, made in the laboratory or in the field, and prepared in accordance with AS 1012.8.1. The method allows for the transportation of test specimens from the field to a curing tank in a laboratory. Specimens are tested between 23 h and 27 h from the time of batching.

This Standard sets out the warm water (55C) method for the accelerated curing of compression test specimens of concrete, made in the laboratory, and moulded in accordance with AS 1012.8.1. Specimens are tested between 26 h and 28 h from time of batching.
The method requires that the specimens be prepared adjacent to the curing tank.

AS 1012.18-1996 Methods of testing concrete - Determination of setting time of fresh concrete, mortar and grout by penetration resistance

This Standard describes the procedures for determining the initial and final setting times of mortar sieved from fresh concrete mix, the slump of which is greater than zero, using penetration resistance needles. This method is also applicable to fresh mortar and grout.
NOTES:
1 As the hardening of concrete is a gradual process, any definition of setting time must necessarily be arbitrary.
2 This method is primarily intended to be used as a means for comparing setting times under the same conditions in the laboratory.
3 This method may be used to determine the setting characteristics at a standard temperature (23 2C), at some other specified temperature or alternatively to determine the setting time-temperature relationship.
4 This method may be used to estimate setting times of specific concretes, mortars or grouts in the field.

AS 1012.17-1997 Methods of testing concrete - Determination of the static chord modulus of elasticity and Poisson's ratio of concrete specimens

This Standard sets out methods for the determination of static chord modulus of elasticity and a method for the determination of Poisson's ratio.