Materials System Specification

09-SAMSS-097 16 September 2015

Ready-Mixed Concrete
Document Responsibility: Civil Standards Committee

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

I Scope............................................................. 2
II Conflicts and Deviations................................. 2
III References..................................................... 2
IV Modifications to ASTM C94-14....................... 3

Previous Issue: 30 June 2014 Next Planned Update: 16 September 2018

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Primary contact: Al-Ghamdi, Sami Ali (ghamsa39) on +966-13-8809520

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2015. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Civil Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-097
Issue Date: 16 September 2015
Next Planned Update: 16 September 2018 Ready-Mixed Concrete

I Scope

This Specification covers ready-mixed concrete manufactured and delivered to Purchaser

in a freshly mixed and unhardened state from Saudi Aramco approved manufacturers.
Requirements for quality of concrete shall be either as hereinafter specified or as specified
in the Purchase Order. This Specification does not cover the placement, consolidation,
curing or protection of the concrete after delivery to the Purchaser.

II Conflicts and Deviations

A. Any conflicts between this specification and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs), Engineering Standards (SAESs),
Standard Drawings (SASDs), or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be
resolved in writing by the Company or Buyer Representative through the
Manager, Consulting Services Department of Saudi Aramco, and Dhahran.

B. Direct all requests to deviate from this specification in writing to the Company or
Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Consulting Services Department of
Saudi Aramco, and Dhahran.

III References

The selection of material and equipment, and the design, construction, maintenance, and
repair of equipment and facilities covered by this specification shall comply with the
latest edition of the references listed below, unless otherwise noted.
A. Saudi Aramco References
Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures
SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory
Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement
SAEP-1152 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix
Design

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specification

09-SAMSS-088 Aggregates for Concrete

B. Industry Codes and Standards

American Concrete Institute
ACI 207.3R Practices for Evaluation of Concrete in Existing
Massive Structures for Service Conditions

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Document Responsibility: Civil Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-097
Issue Date: 16 September 2015
Next Planned Update: 16 September 2018 Ready-Mixed Concrete

ACI 211.1 Standard Practice for Selecting Proportions for

Normal, Heavy weight, and Mass Concrete
ACI 318M Building Code Requirements for Structural
Concrete and Commentary

American Society for Testing and Materials

ASTM C39/C39M Test Method for Compressive Strength of
Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
ASTM C94/C94M - 14 Specification for Ready-Mixed Concrete
ASTM C150/C150M Specification for Portland Cement
ASTM C494/C494M Specification for Chemical Admixtures for Concrete
ASTM C1218/C1218M Test Method Water-Soluble Chloride in Mortar and
Concrete
ASTM C1240 Specification for Silica Fume Used in Cementitious
Mixtures

British Standard
BS 1881 - 124 Methods for Analysis of Hardened Concrete
BS EN 450 - 1 Fly Ash for Concrete

C. Saudi Arabian Standards Organization

SASO SSA 143 Portland Cement, Ordinary and Rapid-Hardening

IV Modifications to ASTM C94/C94M - 14

The following paragraph numbers refer to ASTM C94/C94 - 14, which is part of this
specification. The text in each paragraph below is an addition, exception, modification,
or deletion to ASTM C94/C94 - 14 as noted. Paragraph numbers not appearing in
ASTM C94/C94 - 14 are new paragraphs to be inserted in numerical order.

5 (Addition) Purchaser reserves the right to obtain samples of the delivered

product and its constituent components, which Purchaser deems necessary to
verify full compliance with the quality requirements stated in this
Specification.

5.2.1 (Modification) The type of cement used shall be specified in the Purchase
Order and shall be a Purchaser-approved brand.

Ordinary Portland Cement (Type I) shall be in accordance with SASO SSA

143 and the optional chemical requirements of ASTM C150/C150M, Table 2.

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Document Responsibility: Civil Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-097
Issue Date: 16 September 2015
Next Planned Update: 16 September 2018 Ready-Mixed Concrete

Type V sulfate resistant Portland cement shall be in accordance with

ASTM C150/C150M, including the optional chemical requirements
of Table 2 and the optional physical requirements of Table 4.

5.2.2 (Addition) Silica fume, when used as replacement for cement in concrete, it
shall not be less than 7% and shall not exceed 10% by weight of cement.
Commentary Note:

When silica fume is used in combination with other mineral admixtures,

minimum value of silica fume can be 5%.

Natural Pozzolans can be used as partial replacement of cement. The amount

of the Natural Pozzolan used as cement replacement shall be established based
on the durability and compressive strength requirements.

Mill test certificates shall be provided for each shipment of cement or

cementitious material. Under no circumstances shall the source of cement
be changed without prior written approval of Purchaser.

5.3 (Modification) Delete this paragraph in its entirety and substitute the
following:

Aggregate shall conform to 09-SAMSS-088 “Aggregates for Concrete.”

5.4 (Modification) Delete this paragraph in its entirety and substitute the
following:

Mixing water shall be free from oils, acids, organic matter or other
deleterious substances and shall satisfy the requirements listed in
Table B of this standard. No changes in water source shall be permitted
without prior approval by Purchaser.

Table B – Acceptance Criteria for Mixing Water

Test Frequency of Test Max. Min.

TDS Weekly 500 ppm N/A
pH Weekly 8.0 6.0

5.6 (Addition) High range water reducers (Superplasticizers) type F or G only,

conforming to ASTM C494/C494M, can be used, when necessary to achieve
and maintain the desired workability.

Calcium chloride or admixtures containing chloride salts are not permitted

and shall not be used.

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Document Responsibility: Civil Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-097
Issue Date: 16 September 2015
Next Planned Update: 16 September 2018 Ready-Mixed Concrete

Admixture manufacturer’s technical data sheet, including dosage range for

slump/temperature range, and storage requirements shall be submitted to the
Purchaser with proposed mix designs.

6.1 (Addition) The maximum water soluble chloride ions in concrete shall not
exceed 0.15% for reinforced concrete and 0.06% for prestressed concrete by
weight of cement. The maximum Sulfate ions as SO3 shall not exceed 4%.
Tests shall be in accordance with ASTM C1218/C1218M, BS 1881 – 124 or
equivalent.

6.1.5 (Exception) Option C shall be used as a basis for determining the

proportions of the concrete to produce the required quality.

6.1.8 (Modification) Delete this section in its entirety and substitute with
“Concrete shall be discharged before the drum has revolved 300 revolutions”

6.5.1 (Addition) The proportions of ingredients shall be selected in accordance

with provisions of ACI 211.1. The cement content and the water cement
ratio (W/C) for structural & non-structural concrete shall be as indicated in
Table A of this standard, except as otherwise accepted by the Chairman,
Civil Standards Committee.

Table A – Cement Content and W/C Ratio for Concrete

Item Structural Concrete Non-structural Concrete

Cement Content
Max. Min. Max. Min.
Kilogram/Cubic Meter
370 350 - 250
(Kg/M3)
W/C Ratio 0.4 - 0.6 -
28-Days Design
4000 psi 2000 psi
Compressive Strength - -
(28 MPA) (14 MPA)
(ASTM C39/C39M)
Precast & Prestressed
Concrete & Water
Retaining Structures
Cement Content
Min.
Kilogram/Cubic Meter No Max.
370
(Kg/M3)
W/C Ratio 0.4 -
28-Days Design
5000 psi
Compressive Strength -
(35 MPa)
(ASTM C39/C39M)

Silica Fume shall be tested prior to use and on monthly basis or when changing the
source of the materials to confirm its compliance to ASTM C1240.

Ultra-fine fly ash (type S in accordance with BS EN 450 - 1) can be used in lieu of Silica

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Document Responsibility: Civil Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-097
Issue Date: 16 September 2015
Next Planned Update: 16 September 2018 Ready-Mixed Concrete

Fume provided that:

 The minimum cement replacement is 10% and the maximum is 15% (in lieu of 7
and 10% for silica fume)
 The maximum water /cement ratio is 0.35 in lieu of 0.4
 Amount retained when wet-sieved on sieve no. 325 (0.045 micron meter) is less
than 3.5%. Maximum particle size is less than 5 microns
 Ultra-fine fly ash shall be tested prior to use and on monthly basis or when changing
the source of the materials to confirm its compliance to BS EN 450 - 1.

Commentary Note:

This table covers cast in place and prestressed/precast concrete.

However, for water retaining structure, precast/prestressed concrete, cement
content more than 370 Kg/M3 of concrete can be used in the mix, and the
minimum 28-Days Design Compressive Strength shall be 5000 psi (35 MPa).

6.5.2 (Addition) Complete concrete mix design data shall be submitted to the
Purchaser for approval at least 30 days prior to proposed use. Concrete mix
design shall be reviewed and approved by each project Inspection Section as
per the procedures specified in SAEP-1152.

7.1 (Addition) Concrete slump shall be as follows:

Concrete with high-range water reducing or plasticizing admixtures shall

have a target or nominal slump of 150 mm,(±40 mm) at the point of
discharge at the job site or otherwise specified.

7.2 (Addition) When concrete pumps are used, the slump shall be determined at
the discharge point of the concrete placement hose.

9 (Exception) Volume batching shall not be allowed.

9.3 (Exception) Wash water shall not be used as mixing water.

10.3 (Addition) Plant scales shall be calibrated no less than three times a year and
shall be certified as conforming to ASTM C94/C94M - 14 by Saudi Aramco
approved calibration agency.
Commentary Note:

Any testing or calibration agency that is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited, as shown

in their accreditation scope with calibration included, shall be accepted.

11.1.2 (Addition) Concrete delivered in trucks not having operable revolution

counters shall be rejected.

12 (Addition) No aluminum parts shall be placed in contact with concrete

during mixing or delivery.

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Document Responsibility: Civil Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-097
Issue Date: 16 September 2015
Next Planned Update: 16 September 2018 Ready-Mixed Concrete

12 (Addition) In remote areas, where, it is proven and verified by SAPMT and

Inspection Department the absence of a batch plant that is in full
compliance with this standard, existing batch plant will be allowed with the
following conditions:
a) The final product shall satisfy the requirements of this standard.
b) Quality control shall be maintained at the batch plant and the
construction site. Saudi Aramco Approved Independent laboratory
shall be utilized to perform the required tests when there are no
laboratory facilities at the batch plant.
c) The batch plant shall be in full compliance with Section 9 of this
standard.

12 (Exception) Addition of water (re-tempering) shall not be allowed.

12.1.2 (Deletion) Delete this paragraph in its entirety.

12.4 (Deletion) Delete this paragraph in its entirety.

12.5 (Addition) Truck-Mixing with operable revolution counters will be allowed

for dry batching (where cement and aggregates are pre batched in a batch
plant, water and liquid admixtures shall be added at site).

Truck mixing is allowed if the discharge of the concrete cannot be achieved

within 90 minutes after introduction of the mixing water to the cement and
aggregates or before the drum of the truck has revolved 300 revolutions,
provided that:
a) The discharge of the concrete shall be completed within three hours or
before the drum of the truck has revolved 600 revolutions, whichever
comes first after introduction of the cement to the aggregates.
b) Each truck delivering concrete shall have an operable water system
with an accurate water measuring device of one of the following types:
 Automatic cut off siphon type.
 Water meter of the automatic shut off type.
 Sight gage.
c) The final concrete shall satisfy the requirements of this standard.
d) Consistency and uniformity tests are performed as per the requirements
of ASTM C94/C94M - 14. Tests shall be witnessed by representative
from Inspection Department.

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Document Responsibility: Civil Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-097
Issue Date: 16 September 2015
Next Planned Update: 16 September 2018 Ready-Mixed Concrete

e) Quality control is maintained at both batch plant and at project site.

f) Inspection Department shall approve mixing procedure to ensure
compliance with Saudi Aramco applicable standard.

12.11 (Modification) Delete this paragraph in its entirety and substitute the
following:

Concrete delivered at a temperature in excess of 35°C or that fails to

maintain a temperature of 35°C until used, shall be rejected and replaced at
the expense of the Manufacturer.
Commentary Note:

Non-structural concrete with compressive strength of 2000 psi is exempted

from the above requirement. The reason for this exemption is due to the fact
that non-structural concrete is unreinforced and thus cracking is not critical.

14.1 (Addition)
a) Location of Batch Plant
b) Job Order (JO) Number for Project
c) Time Leaving Batch Plant

14.1.10 (Deletion) Delete this paragraph in its entirety.

18.2 (Addition) The required compressive strength tests in accordance with

ASTM C39/C39M shall be as follows:
a) Test one set of laboratory-cured specimens at 7 days and one set of
specimens at 28 days.
b) Test one set of field-cured specimens at 7 days and one set of specimens
at 28 days.
c) Revise age at testing in first subparagraph below or delete if not
required. Limit field testing to concrete in designated structural
elements if not required throughout Project.

A compressive-strength test shall be the average compressive strength

from a set of at least two specimens obtained from same composite
sample and tested at age indicated.

When strength of field-cured cylinders is less than 85% of companion

laboratory-cured cylinders, contractor shall evaluate operations and
provide corrective procedures for protecting and curing in-place
concrete.

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Document Responsibility: Civil Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-097
Issue Date: 16 September 2015
Next Planned Update: 16 September 2018 Ready-Mixed Concrete

18.3 (Addition) The test report shall include the following data for each test
sample of concrete taken at the placement site:
 Name of Project and Job Order (JO) for the Project
 Slump in millimeters
 Ambient air temperature in ºC
 Concrete temperature in ºC
 % Air, when air entrainment is used.

19.1 (Modification) Delete this paragraph in its entirety and substitute the following:

In the event that concrete fails to meet the strength requirements of this
Specification, in-place testing for concrete strength will be conducted by
Purchaser. In-situ testing will be conducted in accordance with ACI 318M,
and ACI 207.3R, at the sole option of the Purchaser.

Concrete in the area represented by the in-place tests shall be considered

structurally adequate provided such results conform to the provisions of
ACI 318M.

The results of all in-situ testing, as described above, conducted by the

Purchaser and observed by the Manufacturer, shall be considered binding
and final.

Tests for Saudi Aramco acceptance purposes shall be performed by a Saudi

Aramco-approved independent laboratory.

Concrete judged structurally inadequate after in-place testing described

above, shall be removed and replaced at the expense of the Manufacturer.

Revision Summary
16 September 2015 Major revision to align with the new revision of ASTM C94 (2014).

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