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Concrete Corner: Test Concrete Properties On Every Project!

Testing concrete properties during placement is important to ensure quality and avoid costly repairs later. Tests for slump and air content check that each load meets specifications, as deviations can significantly decrease strength and increase shrinkage. Cylinders cast for strength testing at 7 and 28 days confirm that the mix meets strength requirements and was cured correctly. Concrete testing should always be specified and enforced on projects to guarantee the structure performs as intended.

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70 views1 page

Concrete Corner: Test Concrete Properties On Every Project!

Testing concrete properties during placement is important to ensure quality and avoid costly repairs later. Tests for slump and air content check that each load meets specifications, as deviations can significantly decrease strength and increase shrinkage. Cylinders cast for strength testing at 7 and 28 days confirm that the mix meets strength requirements and was cured correctly. Concrete testing should always be specified and enforced on projects to guarantee the structure performs as intended.

Uploaded by

James
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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November 2007

MATERIALS ENGINEERING AND


RESEARCH LABORATORY
www.usbr.gov/pmts/materials_lab

Concrete Corner
Test Concrete Properties on Every Project!
Today’s the day of the big pour. It’s up to us to ensure we are get-
You call the batch plant and order ting a quality product. Testing
7 trucks of 4000 psi concrete with during placement is much less
a 4-inch slump, (air-entrained be- expensive than repairing it later.
cause your concrete will be out-
side and exposed to freezing and Testing for slump and air content
thawing, right). You watch the assures consistency between
placement from the trailer. It loads. If a mix is designed to
looks to have gone OK. reach 4000 psi at a given slump,
an increase of slump can indicate
But why, 5 years later, is one sec- an increase in water, and water
tion falling apart? Did you get reduces strength. A one inch in-
what you asked for? How will you crease in slump can cause
know? Who is responsible for the about a 200 to 300 psi decrease
quality of the concrete in our in compressive strength, and
Air Test—ASTM C 231
structures? increase shrinkage potential
about 10%. environment at 60-80oF). Cylin-
ders should not be cured with the
Air content should also be tested. placement unless they are to judge
A 1% increase in air content strength for form removal, and
can decreases the compressive then precautions should be made
strength about 5%. to prevent the cylinders from
freezing or overheating.
Cast cylinders for compressive
strength testing at 7 and 28 days In short, concrete testing should
to assure the mix is meeting always be specified and enforced
strength requirements. Cylinders on projects. Read more in the
must be cured correctly (a moist Concrete Manual 8th edition.
Slump Test—ASTM C 143

Tim Dolen receives Superior Service Award


Tim Dolen of the Materials Engi- RCC and Mass Concrete. He has
neering and Research Laboratory shaped the way concrete is taught
(MERL) in Denver received a and specified internationally.
Superior Service Award this Thank You Tim!
month. Tim has been involved
with many of Reclamations’ con- YOUR CONCRETE STORY
crete projects over the last 29 We want to highlight your project
years, and is a national expert on here. Send us pictures and a de-
scription of your concrete pro-
jects, successes, lessons learned,
U.S. Department of the Interior etc. Send information to:
Bureau of Reclamation kbartojay@do.usbr.gov or call
303-445-2374

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