A tool for determining the consistency and workability of cement, mortar, and other cementitious materials is a hand-operated flow table. It is a crucial piece of apparatus for quality control applications and laboratories evaluating building materials.

The flow table is composed of a cast bronze round table top that is stiff. The table is set on a concrete pedestal and is held up by a cast iron frame. The cementitious material is poured into a truncated conical mold that is positioned in the middle of the table to conduct the test. After that, the mold is raised vertically, enabling the material to spread out over the surface of the table.

After that, a hand crank is used to mechanically jolt the table 25 times in 15 seconds. The substance spreads out even further as a result, creating a circular patty. The flow is then calculated by averaging the diameter of the patties at various stages, and it is represented as a percentage of the mold's initial diameter.

To determine whether mortar and cement mixtures are workable, the flow test offers an easy and reliable method. It is frequently utilized in compliance with ASTM C230 and BS 4551 requirements. The hand-operated design is an affordable substitute for motorized flow tables in situations where rigorous adherence to standards is not required.