Standard Operating Procedures

1. Soil test

1.1: Soil Moisture Content

Procedure (ASTM D2216-19)
1): Determine and record the mass of the clean and dry specimen container and its lid, if used
along with its identification number.
2): Select representative test specimens in accordance with Section 9.
3): Place the moist test specimen in the container and, if used, set the lid securely in position.
Determine the mass of the container and moist specimen using a balance (see 8.2 and Table
1) selected on the basis of the specimen mass or required significant digits. Record this value.
NOTE 6—To assist in the oven drying of large test specimens, they should be placed in
containers having a large surface area (such as pans) and the material broken up into smaller
aggregations.
4): Remove the lid (if used) and place the container with the moist specimen in the drying
oven. Dry the specimen to a constant mass. Maintain the drying oven at 110 6 5°C unless
otherwise specified (see 1.4). The time required to obtain constant mass will vary depending
on the type of material, size of specimen, oven type and capacity, and other factors. The
influence of these factors generally can be established by good judgment and experience
with the materials being tested and the apparatus being used.
4.1 In most cases, drying a test specimen overnight (about 12 to 16 h) is sufficient, especially
when using forced draft ovens. In cases where there is doubt concerning the adequacy of
drying to a constant dry mass, see 3.3.1 and check for additional loss in mass with additional
oven drying over an adequate time period. A minimum time period of two hours should be
used, increasing the drying time with increasing specimen mass. A rapid check to see if a
relatively large specimen (> than about 100 g of material) is dry; place a small strip of torn
paper on top of the material while it is in the oven or just upon removal from the oven. If the
paper strip curls the material is not dry and requires additional drying time. Specimens of
sand may often be dried to constant mass in a period of about 4 h, when a forced-draft oven
is used.
4.2 Since some dry materials may absorb moisture from drying specimens that still retain
moisture, dried specimens shall be removed before placing moist specimens in the same oven;
unless they are being dried overnight.
5): After the specimen has dried to constant mass, remove the container from the oven (and
replace the lid if used). Allow the specimen and container to cool to room temperature or
until the container can be handled comfortably with bare hands and the operation of the
balance will not be affected by convection currents or heat transmission or both. Determine
the mass of the container and oven-dried specimen using the same type/ capacity balance
used in 10.3. Record this value. Tight fitting lids shall be used if it appears that the specimen
is absorbing moisture from the air prior to determination of its dry mass.
5.1 Cooling in a desiccator is acceptable in place of tight fit lids since it greatly reduces
absorption of moisture from the atmosphere during cooling.
6): A copy of a sample data sheet is shown in Appendix X1. Any data sheet can be used,
 Standard Operating Procedures
provided the form contains all the required data

1.2: Particle-Size Analysis of Soils

Procedure (ASTM D 422 – 63)
1): Separate the portion retained on the No. 10 (2.00-mm) sieve into a series of fractions using
the 3-in. (75-mm), 2-in. (50-mm), 11⁄2-in. (37.5-mm), 1-in. (25.0-mm), 3⁄4-in. (19.0- mm),
3⁄8-in. (9.5-mm), No. 4 (4.75-mm), and No. 10 sieves, or as many as may be needed
depending on the sample, or upon the specifications for the material under test.
2): Conduct the sieving operation by means of a lateral and vertical motion of the sieve,
accompanied by a jarring action in order to keep the sample moving continuously over the
surface of the sieve. In no case turn or manipulate fragments in the sample through the sieve
by hand. Continue sieving until not more than 1 mass % of the residue on a sieve passes that
sieve during 1 min of sieving. When mechanical sieving is used, test the thoroughness of
sieving by using the hand method of sieving as described above.
3): Determine the mass of each fraction on a balance conforming to the requirements of 3.1.
At the end of weighing, the sum of the masses retained on all the sieves used should equal
closely the original mass of the quantity sieved.

1.3: Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils

Procedure (ASTM D 4318)
1): Thoroughly remix the specimen (soil) in its mixing cup, and, if necessary, adjust its water
content until the constancy requires about 25 to 35 blows of the liquid limit device to close
the groove. Using a spatula, place a portion(s) of the prepared soil in the cup of the liquid
limit device at the point where the cup rests on the base, squeeze it down, and spread it into
the cup to a depth of about 10 mm at its deepest point, tapering to form an approximately
horizontal surface. Take care to eliminate air bubbles from the soil pat, but form the pat with
as few strokes as possible. Keep the unused soil in the mixing/storage dish. Cover the dish
with a wet towel (or use other means) to retain the moisture in the soil.
2): Form a groove in the soil pat by drawing the tool, beveled edge forward, through the soil
on a line joining the highest point to the lowest point on the rim of the cup. When cutting the
groove, hold the grooving tool against the surface of the cup and draw in an arc, maintaining
the tool perpendicular to the surface of the cup throughout its movement. See Fig. 6. In soils
where a groove cannot be made in one stroke without tearing the soil, cut the groove with
several strokes of the grooving tool. Alternatively, cut the groove to slightly less than required
dimensions with a spatula and use the grooving tool to bring the groove to final dimensions.
Exercise extreme care to prevent sliding the soil pat relative to the surface of the cup.
3): Verify that no crumbs of soil are present on the base or the underside of the cup. Lift and
drop the cup by turning the crank at a rate of 1.9 to 2.1 drops per second until the two halves
of the soil pat come in contact at the bottom of the groove along a distance of 13 mm (1⁄2
in.). See Fig. 7
4): Verify that an air bubble has not caused premature closing of the groove by observing
that both sides of the groove have flowed together with approximately the same shape. If a
 Standard Operating Procedures
bubble has caused premature closing of the groove, reform the soil in the cup, adding a small
amount of soil to make up for that lost in the grooving operation and repeat 11.1-11.3. If the
soil slides on the surface of the cup, repeat 11.1-11.3 at a higher water content. If, after several
trials at successively higher water contents, the soil pat continues to slide in the cup or if the
number of blows required to close the groove is always less than 25, record that the liquid
limit could not be determined, and report the soil as non-plastic without performing the
plastic limit test.
5): Record the number of drops, N, required to close the groove. Remove a slice of soil
approximately the width of the spatula, extending from edge to edge of the soil cake at right
angles to the groove and including that portion of the groove in which the soil flowed
together, place in a container of known mass, and cover.
6): Return the soil remaining in the cup to the dish. Wash and dry the cup and grooving tool
and reattach the cup to the carriage in preparation for the next trial.
7): Remix the entire soil specimen in the dish adding distilled water to increase the water
content of the soil and decrease the number of blows required to close the groove. Repeat
11.1-11.6 for at least two additional trials producing successively lower numbers of blows to
close the groove. One of the trials shall be for a closure requiring 25 to 35 blows, one for
closure between 20 and 30 blows, and one trial for a closure requiring 15 to 25 blows.
8): Determine the water content, Wn, of the soil specimen from each trial in accordance with
Test Method D 2216.
8.1): Determination of initial masses (container plus moist soil) should be performed
immediately after completion of the test. If the test is to be interrupted for more than about
15 minutes, determine the mass of the water content specimens already obtained at the time
of the interruption

1.4: Soil Using Modified Effort

Procedure (ASTM D 1557)
1): Soils:
1.1) Do not reuse soil that has been previously compacted in the laboratory. The reuse of
previously compacted soil yields a significantly greater maximum dry unit weight (1).
1.2) When using this test method for soils containing hydrated halloysite, or in which past
experience indicates that results will be altered by air-drying, use the moist preparation
method (see Section 2). In referee testing, each laboratory has to use the same method of
preparation, either moist (preferred) or air-dried.
1.3) Prepare the soil specimens for testing in accordance with 2 (preferred) or with 3.
2): Moist Preparation Method (preferred)-Without previously drying the sample/specimen,
process it over a No. 4(4.75-mm), %-in. (9.5-mm), or ¥4-in. (19.0-mm) sieve, depending on
the Method (A, B, or C) being used. For additional processing details, see Test Method D6913.
Determine and record the mass of both the retained and passing portions (oversize fraction
and test fraction, respectively) to the nearest g. Oven dry the oversize fraction and determine
and record its dry mass to the nearest g If it appears more than 0.5 % of the total dry mass of
the specimen is adhering to the oversize fraction, wash that fraction. Then determine and
 Standard Operating Procedures
record its oven dry mass to the nearest g. Determine and record the water content of the
processed soil (test fraction). Using that water content, determine and record the oven dry
mass of the test fraction to the nearest g. Based on these oven dry masses, the percent
oversize fraction, Pc, and test fraction, Pr, shall be determined and recorded, unless a
gradation analysis has already been performed.
2.1) From the test fraction, select and prepare at least four (preferably five) sub-specimens
having molding water contents such that they bracket the estimated optimum water content.
A sub-specimen having a molding water content close to optimum should be prepared first
by trial additions or removals of water and mixing (see Note 8). Select molding water contents
for the rest of the sub-specimens to provide at least two sub-specimens wet and two sub-
specimens dry of optimum, and molding water contents varying by about 2 %. At least two
molding water contents are necessary on the wet and dry side of optimum to define the dry-
unit-weight compaction curve (see 5). Some soils with very high optimum water content or a
relatively fat compaction curve may require larger molding water content increments to
obtain a well-defined maximum dry unit weight Molding water content increments should
not exceed about 4 %.
Note 8-With practice it is usually possible to visually judge a point near optimum water
content. Typically, cohesive soils at the optimum water content can be squeezed into a lump
that barely sticks together when hand pressure is released, but will break cleanly into two
sections when “bent.", They tend to crumble at molding water contents dry of optimum; they
tend to stick together in a sticky cohesive mass wet of optimum. For cohesive soils, the
optimum water content is typically slightly less than the plastic limit, For cohesionless soils,
the optimum water content is typically close to zero or at the point where bleeding occurs.
2.2) Thoroughly mix the test fraction, then using a scoop select representative soil for each
sub-specimen (compaction point). Select about 2.3 kg when using Method A or B, or about
5.9 kg for Method C. Test Method D6913 section on Specimen and Annex A2 give additional
details on obtaining representative soil using this procedure and the reason it is the preferred
method. To obtain the sub-specimen's molding water contents
selected in 10.2.1, add or remove the required amounts of water as follows: To add water,
spray it into the soil during mixing; to remove water, allow the soil to dry in air at ambient
temperature or in a drying apparatus such that the temperature of the sample does not
exceed 140°F(60°C). Mix the soil frequently during drying to facilitate an even water content
distribution. Thoroughly mix each sub-specimen to facilitate even distribution of water
throughout and then place in a separate covered container to stand(cure)in accordance with
Table 2 prior to compaction. For selecting a standing time, the soil may be classified using
Practice D2487, Practice D2488 or data on other samples from the same material source. For
referee testing, classification shall be by Practice D2487.
3). Dry Preparation Method-If the sample/specimen is too damp to be friable, reduce the
water content by air drying until the material is friable. Drying may be in air or by the use of
drying apparatus such that the temperature of the sample does not exceed 140F(60C).
Thorough break up the aggregations in such a manner as to avoid breaking individual
particles. Process the material over the appropriate sieve: No.4(4.75 mm), % in. (9.5 mm), or %
 Standard Operating Procedures
in. (19.0 mm). When preparing the material by passing over the ¾-in. sieve for compaction
in the 6-in. mold, break up aggregations sufficiently to at least pass the in. sieve in order to
facilitate the distribution of water throughout the soil in later mixing Determine and record
the water content of the test fraction and all masses covered in 2,as applicable to determine
the percent oversize fraction, Pc, and test fraction, Pr3.1 From the test fraction, select and
prepare at least four (preferably five)sub-specimens in accordance with 2.1 and 2.2,except for
the following: Use either a mechanical splitting or quartering process to obtain the sub-
specimens. As stated in Test Method D6913, both of these processes will yield non-uniform
sub-specimen compared to the moist procedure. Typically, only the addition of water to each
sub-specimen will be required.
4). Compaction-After standing (curing), if required, each sub-specimen (compaction point)
shall be compacted as follows:
4.1) Determine and record the mass of the mold or mold and base plate, see 4.7.
4.2) Assemble and secure the mold and collar to the base plate. Check the alignment of the
inner wall of the mold and mold extension collar, Adjust if necessary. The mold shall rest
without wobbling/rocking on a uniform rigid foundation, such as provided by a cylinder or
cube of concrete with a weight or mass of not less than 200 lb or 91 kg, respectively. Secure
the base plate to the rigid foundation. The method of attachment to the rigid foundation shall
allow easy removal of the assembled mold, collar and base plate after compaction is
completed.
4.2.1) During the compaction procedure, it is advantageous but not required to determine
the water content of each sub-specimen immediately prior to compaction. This provides a
check on the molding water content determined for each compaction point and the
magnitude of bleeding. See 4.9. However, more soil will have to be selected for each sub-
specimen than stated in 2.2.
4.3) Compact the soil in five layers. After compaction, each layer should be approximately
equal in thickness and the final layer shall extend slightly into the collar. Prior to compaction,
place the loose soil into the mold and spread into a layer of uniform thickness. Lightly tamp
the soil prior to compaction until it is not in a fluffy or loose state, using either the manual
rammer or a cylinder approximately 2 in. (50 mm in diameter. Following compaction of each
of the first four layers, any soil that has not been compacted, such as adjacent to the mold
walls, or extends above the compacted surface (up the mold walls) shall be trimmed. The
trimmed soil shall be discarded. A knife or other suitable device may be used. The total
amount of soil used shall be such that the fifth compacted layer slightly extends into the collar,
but does not extend more than approximately ½ in, (6 mm) above the top of the mold, If
the fifth layer does extend above this limit, then the compaction point shall be discarded, In
addition, the compaction point shall be discarded when the last blow on the rammer for the
fifth layer results in the bottom of the rammer extending below the top of the compaction
mold, unless the soil is pliable enough that this surface can easily be forced above the top of
the compaction mold during trimming. See Note 9.
4.4) Compact each layer with 25 blows for the 4-in. (101.6-mm) mold or with 56 blows for
the 6-in. (152.4-mm mold, The manual rammer shall be used for referee testing.
 Standard Operating Procedures
4.5) In operating the manual rammer, take care to avoid lifting the guide sleeve during the
rammer upstroke. Hold the guide sleeve steady and within 5° of vertical. Apply the blows at
a uniform rate of about 25 blows/min and in such a man net as to provide complete, uniform
coverage of the specimen surface. When using a 4-in. (10l.6-mm) mold and manual rammer,
follow the blow pattern given in Fig.3(a)and Fig3(b)while for a mechanical rammer, follow the
pattern in Fig3(b). When using a 6-in. (152.4-mm) mold and manual rammer, follow the blow
th
pattern given in Fig. 4 up to the 9 blow, then systematically around the mold (Fig. 3(b)) and
in the middle. When using a 6-in.(152.4-mm)mold and a mechanical rammer equipped with
a sector face, the mechanical rammer shall be designed to follow the compaction pattern
given in Fig.3(b).When using a 6-in.(152.4-mm) mold and a mechanical rammer equipped
with a circular face, the mechanical rammer shall be designed to distribute the blows
uniformly over the surface of the specimen. If the surface of the compacted soil becomes
highly uneven (see Note 9) then adjust the pattern to follow the logic given in Fig. 3(a) or Fig.
4. This will most likely void the use of a mechanical rammer for such compaction points.
NorE 9 When compacting specimen wetter than optimum water content, uneven compacted
surfaces can occur and operator judgment is required as to the average height of the
specimen and rammer pattern during compaction.
4.6) Following compaction of the last layer, remove the collar and base plate (except as noted
in 4.7) from the mold. A knife may be used to trim the soil adjacent to the collar to loosen the
soil from the collar before removal to avoid disrupting the soil below the top of the mold. In
addition, to prevent/reduce soil sticking to the collar or base plate, rotate them before
removal.
4.7) Carefully trim the compacted specimen even with the top of the mold by means of the
straightedge scraped across the top of the mold to form a plane surface even with the top of
the mold, Initial trimming of the specimen above the top of the mold with a knife may prevent
tearing out soil below the top of the mold. Fill any holes in either surface with unused trimmed
soil from the specimen, press in with the fingers, and again scrape the straightedge across
the top of the mold. If gravel size particles are encountered, trim around them or remove
them, whichever is the easiest and reduces the disturbance of the compacted soil. The
estimated volume of particles above the surface of the compacted soil and holes in that
surface shall be equal. Fill in remaining holes as mentioned above. Repeat the appropriate
preceding operations on the bottom of the specimen when the mold volume was determined
without the base plate. For very wet or dry soils, soil or water may be lost if the base plate is
removed. For these situations.
leave the base plate attached to the mold. When the base plate is left attached, the volume
of the mold must be calibrated with the base plate attached to the mold rather than a plastic
or glass plate as noted in Annex A1(A1.4.1).
4.8) Determine and record the mass of the specimen and mold to the nearest g. When the
base plate is left attached determine and record the mass of the specimen, mold and base
plate to the nearest g.
4.9) Remove the material from the mold. Obtain a specimen for molding water content by
using either the whole specimen (preferred method) or a representative portion. When the
 Standard Operating Procedures
entire specimen is used, break it up to facilitate drying Otherwise, obtain a representative
portion of the five layers, removing enough material from the specimen to report the water
content to 0.1 %. The mass of the representative portion
of soil shall conform to the requirements of Table 1, Method B of Test Methods D2216.
Determine the molding water content in accordance with Test Method D2216.
5): Following compaction of the last specimen, compare the wet unit weights to ensure that
a desired pattern of obtaining data on each side of the optimum water content will
be attained for the dry-unit-weight compaction curve. Plotting the wet unit weight and
molding water content of each compacted specimen can be an aid in making the above
evaluation. If the desired pattern is not obtained, additional compacted specimens will be
required, Generally, for experienced plotters of compaction curves, one compaction point wet
of the optimum water content is adequate to define the maximum wet unit weight.

1.5: CBR (California Bearing Ratio) of Laboratory-Compacted Soils

Procedure for Bearing Test (ASTM D 1883 – 99)
1): Place a surcharge of weights on the specimen sufficient to produce an intensity of loading
equal to the weight of the base material. If no pavement weight is specified, use 4.54 kg mass.
If the specimen has been soaked previously, the surcharge shall be equal to that used during
the soaking period. To prevent upheaval of soil into the hole of the surcharge weights, place
the 2.27 kg annular weight on the soil surface prior to seating the penetration piston, after
which place the remainder of the surcharge weights.
2): Seat the penetration piston with the smallest possible load, but in no case in excess of 10
lbf (44 N). Set both the stress and penetration gages to zero. This initial load is required to
ensure satisfactory seating of the piston and shall be considered as the zero load when
determining the load penetration relation. Anchor the strain gage to the load measuring
device, if possible; in no case attach it to the testing machines support bars (legs).
NOTE 5—At high loads the supports may torque and affect the reading of the penetration
gage. Checking the depth of piston penetration is one means of checking for erroneous strain
indications.
3): Apply the load on the penetration piston so that the rate of penetration is approximately
0.05 in. (1.27 mm)/min. Record the load readings at penetrations of 0.025 in. (0.64 mm), 0.050
in. (1.27 mm), 0.075 in. (1.91 mm), 0.100 in. (2.54 mm), 0.125 in. (3.18 mm), 0.150 in. (3.81
mm), 0.175 in. (4.45 mm), 0.200 in. (5.08 mm), 0.300 in. (7.62 mm), 0.400 in. (10.16 mm) and
0.500 in. (12.70 mm). Note the maximum load and penetration if it occurs for a penetration
of less than 0.500 in. (12.70 mm). With manually operated loading devices, it may be necessary
to take load readings at closer intervals to control the rate of penetration. Measure the depth
of piston penetration into the soil by putting a ruler into the indentation and measuring the
difference from the top of the soil to the bottom of the indentation. If the depth does not
closely match the depth of penetration gage, determine the cause and test a new sample.
4): Remove the soil from the mold and determine the moisture content of the top 1-in. (25.4-
mm) layer. Take a moisture content sample in accordance with Test Methods D 698 or D 1557
if the average moisture content is desired. Each moisture content sample shall weigh not less
 Standard Operating Procedures
than 100 g for fine-grained soils nor less than 500 g for granular soils.
NOTE 6—The load readings at penetrations of over 0.300 in. (7.6 mm) may be omitted if the
testing machine’s capacity has been reached.

2. Backfilling FDT by Sand Cone Method

Procedure (ASTM D 1556)
2.1 Select a location/elevation that is representative of the area to be tested, and determine
the density of the soil in-place as follows:
2.1.1 Inspect the cone apparatus for damage, free rotation of the valve, and properly
matched baseplate. Fill the cone container with conditioned sand for which the bulk-density
has been determined in accordance with Annex A2, and determine the total mass.
2.1.2 Prepare the surface of the location to be tested so that it is a level plane. The base
plate may be used as a tool for striking off the surface to a smooth level plane.
2.1.3 Seat the base plate on the plane surface, making sure there is contact with the ground
surface around the edge of the flanged center hole. Mark the outline of the base plate to
check for movement during the test, and if needed, secure the plate against movement
using nails pushed into the soil adjacent to the edge of the plate, or by other means,
without disturbing the soil to be tested.
2.1.4 In soils where leveling is not successful, or surface voids remain, the volume
horizontally bounded by the funnel, plate and ground surface must be determined by a
preliminary test. Fill the space with sand from the apparatus, determine the mass of sand
used to fill the space, refill the apparatus, and determine a new initial mass of apparatus and
sand before proceeding with the test. After this measurement is completed, carefully brush
the sand from the prepared surface
2.1.5 The test hole volume will depend on the anticipated maximum particle size in the soil
to be tested. Test hole volumes are to be as large as practical to minimize the errors and
shall not be less than the volumes indicated in Table 1. A hole depth should be selected that
will provide a representative sample of the soil. For construction control, the depth of the
hole should approximate the thickness of one, or more, compacted lift(s). The procedure for
calibrating the sand must reflect this hole depth. See Annex A2.
2.1.6 Dig the test hole through the center hole in the base plate, being careful to avoid
disturbing or deforming the soil that will bound the hole. The sides of the hole should slope
slightly inward and the bottom should be reasonably flat or concave. The hole should be kept
as free as possible of pockets, overhangs, and sharp obtrusions since these affect the accuracy
of the test. Soils that are essentially granular require extreme care and may require digging a
conical-shaped test hole. Place all excavated soil, and any soil loosened during digging, in a
moisture tight container that is marked to identify the test number. Take care to avoid losing
any materials. Protect this material from any loss of moisture until the mass has been
determined and a specimen has been obtained for a water content determination. 7.1.7 Clean
the flange of the base plate hole, invert the sand-cone apparatus and seat the sand-cone
 Standard Operating Procedures
funnel into the flanged hole at the same position as marked during calibration (see Annex
A1). Eliminate or minimize vibrations in the test area due to personnel or equipment. Open
the valve and allow the sand to fill the hole, funnel, and base plate. Take care to avoid jarring
or vibrating the apparatus while the sand is running. When the sand stops flowing, close the
valve. 7.1.8 Determine the mass of the apparatus with the remaining sand, record, and
calculate the mass of sand used. 7.1.9 Determine and record the mass of the moist material
that was removed from the test hole. When oversized material corrections are required,
determine the mass of the oversized material on the appropriate sieve and record, taking care
to avoid moisture losses. When required, make appropriate corrections for the oversized
material using Practice D 4718. 7.1.10 Mix the material thoroughly, and either obtain a
representative specimen for water content determination, or use the entire sample. 7.1.11
Determine the water content in accordance with Test Method D 2216, D 4643, D 4944, or D
4959. Correlations to Test Method D 2216 will be performed when required by other test
methods. 7.2 Water content specimens must be large enough and selected in such a way that
they represent all the material obtained from the test hole. The minimum mass of the water
content specimens is that required to provide water content values accurate to 1.0 %

3. Concrete
Procedure (ASTM C31-C31M-19)
3.1: Slump, Slump Flow, Air Content, and Temperature
1): Slump or Slump Flow—After remixing the sample in the receptacle, measure and record
the slump or slump flow in accordance with Test Method C143/C143M or Test Method
C1611/C1611M, respectively, for each sample of concrete from which specimens are made.
2): Air Content—Determine and record the air content in accordance with either Test Method
C173/C173M or Test Method C231/C231M. The concrete used in performing the air content
test shall not be used in fabricating test specimens.
3): Temperature—Determine and record the temperature in accordance with Test Method
C1064/C1064M

3.2: Molding Specimens:

1): Place of Molding—Mold specimens promptly on a level, rigid surface, free of vibration and
other disturbances, at a place as near as practicable to the location where they are to be
stored
2): Casting Cylinders—Select the proper tamping rod from 5.4 and Table 1. Determine the
method of consolidation from Table 3, unless another method
 Standard Operating Procedures

3): Casting Beams—Select the proper tamping rod from 5.4 and Table 1 or proper vibrator
from 5.5. Determine the method of consolidation from Table 3, unless another method is
specified. If the method of consolidation is rodding, determine the molding requirements
from Table 4. If the method of consolidation is vibration, determine the molding requirements
from Table 5. Determine the number of rodding per layer, one for each 14 cm2 [2 in.2] of the
top surface area of the beam. Select a placement tool as described in 5.7. Using the scoop or
shovel, place the concrete in the mold to the height required for each layer. Place the concrete
so that it is uniformly distributed within each layer with minimal segregation. Each layer shall
be consolidated as required. In placing the final layer, add an amount of concrete that will fill
the mold after consolidation
4): Consolidation—The methods of consolidation for this practice are rodding or internal
vibration.
5): Finishing—Perform all finishing with the minimum manipulation necessary to produce a
flat even surface that is level with the rim or edge of the mold and that has no depressions or
projections larger than 3.3 mm [1⁄8 in.].

3.3: Curing
1): Standard Curing—Standard curing is the curing method used when the specimens are
made and cured for the purposes stated.
2): Storage—The supporting surface on which specimens are stored shall be level to within
20 mm/m [1⁄4 in./ft]. If specimens are not molded in the location where they will receive
initial curing, ensure that the specimens have been moved to the initial curing location no
later than 15 min after molding operations have been completed. If a specimen in a single-
use mold is moved, support the bottom of the mold. If the top surface of a specimen is
disturbed during movement to the place of initial storage, refinish the surface.
3): Final Curing: Cylinders—Upon completion of initial curing and within 30 min after
removing the molds, cure specimens with free water maintained on their surfaces at all times
 Standard Operating Procedures
at a temperature of 23.0 6 2.0°C [73.5 6 3.5°F] using water storage tanks or moist rooms
complying with the requirements of Specification C511, except when capping with sulfur
mortar capping compound and immediately prior to testing. When capping with sulfur mortar
capping compound, the ends of the cylinder shall be dry enough to preclude the formation
of steam or foam pockets under or in cap larger than 6 mm [1⁄4 in.] as described in Practice
C617/C617M. For a period not to exceed 3 h immediately prior to test, standard curing
temperature is not required provided free moisture is maintained on the cylinders and
ambient temperature is between 20and 30°C [68 and 86°F ]