🏗️ Vee-Bee Consistometer Test of Concrete

Workability Test for Stiff & Low Slump Concrete

As per IS 1199 : 1959

Workability means how easily concrete can be mixed, placed, compacted, and finished.
When concrete is very dry / stiff, Slump Test fails, so we use the Vee-Bee Consistometer Test.

This test measures time required (in seconds) for concrete to transform from slump shape to fully compacted cylindrical shape under vibration.

⌛ Result = Vee-Bee Time (sec)
👉 Less time → More workable
👉 More time → Stiffer concrete

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📗 Indian Standard Reference (Clauses)

Standard	Clause	Description
IS 1199 : 1959	Clause 6.3	Vee-Bee Consistometer Test – Apparatus
IS 1199 : 1959	Clause 6.4	Test Procedure
IS 1199 : 1959	Clause 6.5	Calculation & Reporting
IS 1199 : 1959	Clause 5	Slump Test (for comparison)
IS 456 : 2000	Workability Guidance	General Workability Requirements

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🖼️ Images (Visual Guide)

📌 Image 1 – Vee Bee Consistometer Apparatus

• Transparent cylindrical container
• Slump cone inside
• Vibrating table
• Stopwatch

📌 Image 2 – Before Vibration Concrete stands in slump shape after removal of cone.

📌 Image 3 – During Vibration Shape transforming gradually while vibrating.

📌 Image 4 – Final Compact Shape Concrete becomes cylindrical and uniformly levels — time recorded = Vee Bee Time

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🎯 Where Vee-Bee Test is Used?

✔ Low workability concrete
✔ Pavements
✔ Dam & Mass Concrete
✔ Dry RCC
✔ Roller Compacted Concrete
✔ Precast yards
✔ Zero to Low Slump Concrete
❌ Not suitable for highly workable concrete

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🧰 Apparatus Required (IS 1199 Clause 6.3)

• Vee-Bee Consistometer
• Slump Cone
• Cylindrical transparent container
• Vibrating table
• Stopwatch
• Steel tamping rod
• Trowel

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🧪 Step-by-Step Procedure (IS 1199 Clause 6.4)

1️⃣ Place slump cone inside cylindrical container
2️⃣ Fill concrete in 3 layers
✔ Each layer compacted with 25 blows
3️⃣ Strike off concrete surface
4️⃣ Lift slump cone vertically
5️⃣ Start vibrating table + Start stopwatch
6️⃣ Concrete starts changing shape
7️⃣ When concrete becomes fully cylindrical and levelled → Stop stopwatch

⌛ Time (seconds) = Vee-Bee Time

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📊 Interpretation of Results (IS 1199 Clause 6.5)

Vee-Bee Time (sec)	Workability
0 – 5 sec	Very High Workability
5 – 10 sec	Medium Workability
10 – 20 sec	Low Workability
> 20 sec	Very Stiff Concrete

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🔥 Slump Test vs Vee-Bee Test

Point	Slump Test	Vee-Bee Test
IS Standard	IS 1199 – Clause 5	IS 1199 – Clause 6
Purpose	Workability check	Workability of stiff mixes
Range Suitable	Medium–High Workability	Low–Very Low Workability
Result	Slump (mm)	Time (sec)
Equipment	Simple & cheap	Costly + vibrator
Accuracy	Poor for stiff mixes	Best for stiff mixes
Used In	Normal RCC	Pavements, dams, RCC dry mix

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✅ Advantages

✔ Best for stiff concrete
✔ Accurate results
✔ Quick and reliable
✔ Useful where slump test fails

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❌ Limitations

✘ Not suitable for high workability concrete
✘ Requires vibration source

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🏁 Conclusion

The Vee-Bee Consistometer Test is extremely important where concrete is stiff and requires vibration.
It ensures that the concrete can be properly compacted and placed on site as per Indian Standards.

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