This part of BS 1881 describes basic methods for the preparation of materials and the batching, mixing and sampling of fresh concrete in the laboratory, where accurate controls of the quantities of materials and of test conditions are possible. The procedures are applicable when assessing the suitability of materials or determining suitable mix proportions for concrete for general use on site.

This part of BS 1881 is not applicable to special concrete mixes prepared for research, where the mixing procedure is determined by the properties of the constituents or of the resulting concretes that are being studied.