Concrete Testing & Inspection Method

In this article, you will be familiar with inspection and test method for concrete.

Concrete should be accomplished with reference to job site specifications, methods and drawings. Concrete inspection and testing should be done by experienced professionals to ensure that the specifications, methods and drawings are fulfilled. Tests of concrete necessary to ascertain the compliance to specifications should be performed by a certified Concrete Field.

Testing Technician: If not mentioned anywhere in the specifications and/or drawings, a least of six concrete cubes should be formed and taken as a set. If not mentioned anywhere, the cubes will be examined as follows: 2 cubes at 7 days, 2 at 28 days and 2 held in reserve. The outcomes of the test should be noted on a spreadsheet and in such a way that conforms to QC method: Statistical Techniques.

If not recorded otherwise in plan specifications or drawings, one set of cube should be formed for each 150 cubic yards of concrete that is arranged as outlined in building codes. Minimum one set of cubes should be formed on daily basis the concrete is arranged devoid of the quantity of concrete.

With QC procedures: Process Control as a guide, Contractor must fix a meeting with the subcontractor before pouring the first concrete to facilitate the subcontractor to explain his plans for the concrete pour along with all the areas noted in this section of the procedure.

Batch Plant Inspection: Contractor has the authority to examine any and all concrete batch plants which will deliver concrete to the construction site. A “walk through” inspection should be done before the formation of concrete.

Also Read: Some useful concrete tests for checking the quality of concrete

If it is essential, inspections should be done all through the concrete production. Given below, the major inspection items for each type of batch plant inspection:

Preliminary Inspection:

1. Ensure that aggregates are loaded in exact bins.
2. Ensure that aggregates are not impure.
3. Ensure that scales and measuring devices contain current calibration stickers and seem to function perfectly.
4. Ensure that the plant contains a current local authority approval certification

5. Ensure that concrete trucks remain proper working state.
6. Ensure that entire operation of the plant seem to professional, orderly, practically clean and well maintained, etc.
7. Ensure that batch plant operators are experienced (search for genuine certificates or certifications)
8. Ensure that batch tickets will provide essential information (amount of hold back water, list of ingredients, batch times, size of load, indication of mix ordered, etc.)
9. Ensure that the plant and delivery equipment can form consistent concrete as per the needs of ASTM C-94
10. Ensure that the plant and delivery equipment can satisfy the capacity requirements of the job.

To get more information on inspection process throughout concrete production (if necessary), go through the following link theconstructionpoint.com