Bs En 12390-2:2019 (2027)

This standard applies to concrete tested under laboratory conditions, specifically for:

It covers the entire lifecycle of the specimen in the lab:

BS EN 12390-2:2019 is more than a procedural document – it is the legal and technical foundation for trust in concrete testing. Whether you are a technician, engineer, laboratory manager, or quality auditor, strict adherence to this standard eliminates variables that could otherwise obscure the true quality of the concrete.

In the construction and civil engineering industries, concrete is the most widely used man-made material on the planet. However, the quality of concrete can vary significantly depending on its constituent materials, mixing, placement, and curing conditions. To ensure that a structure is safe, durable, and fit for purpose, engineers rely on standardized tests—most notably compressive strength tests. But a test result is only as reliable as the specimen that was tested. This is where BS EN 12390-2:2019 becomes indispensable. bs en 12390-2:2019

BS EN 12390-2:2019 is the British adopted European standard titled: "Testing hardened concrete – Part 2: Making and curing specimens for strength tests." This standard superseded the previous 2009 version and provides the mandatory, legally referenced procedures for producing representative concrete test specimens (cubes, cylinders, and prisms) and curing them under controlled conditions before they are crushed or tested.

This article provides an in-depth analysis of BS EN 12390-2:2019, including its scope, key changes from the previous version, equipment requirements, step-by-step procedures, curing regimes, and its critical importance in quality assurance and legal compliance.

The period immediately after casting is when concrete is most vulnerable to temperature fluctuations and moisture loss. This standard applies to concrete tested under laboratory

Title: Understanding BS EN 12390-2:2019: The Standard for Concrete Specimen Curing

Introduction

In the construction industry, the compressive strength of concrete is the primary metric for structural quality. However, the accuracy of this metric relies heavily on consistency. How a concrete sample is treated between the time it is cast and the time it is tested can drastically alter the results. It covers the entire lifecycle of the specimen

BS EN 12390-2:2019 (Testing hardened concrete – Part 2: Making and curing specimens for strength tests) is the European standard that governs this critical preparatory phase. It ensures that when concrete is tested in a laboratory, the results reflect the material's true potential, free from variables caused by poor handling.

This article provides an informative overview of the standard, its scope, and the key technical requirements for industry professionals.