Testing hardened and fresh concrete is important since the properties of concrete depend on the quantities and qualities of its components.
Testing hardened concrete can tell its fundamental physical behavior such as strength characteristics through coring, resistance to water permeability, other durability measures, etc.
TQP can also provide other important physical testing and inspections such as:
- Evaluating the existing structures (load test, etc).
- Non-destructive evaluation of strength
- Pull-off tests - assessing bond strength of coatings or screed.
- Abrasion resistance of industrial flooring.
- Drying shrinkage, etc.
Common physical characteristics of concrete like strength and durability is not the whole story; chemical testing is also critical for concrete for at least the following:
- • Detecting the proper mixing/proportioning.
- • Predicting the long term performance and the possible causes of deterioration.
- • Calculating the cement type and content per cubic meter for both the hardened and fresh concrete.
- • Identifying the characteristics of concrete ingredients and quantifying the presence of hamrful chemicals like chlorides and sulfates.
- • Evaluating the steel environment and its protection against corrosion.
In addition to the above, a wide range of standard laboratory tests (ASTM, EN, etc) can be conducted at TQP, including tests tailored to fit project specifications or client requirements.
Concrete Testing
| Concrete | Test Method | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ball Drop test of foam concrete | ASTM D 6024 | This test method explains the determination of the ability of Controlled Low Strength Material (CLSM), like foam concrete, to withstand loading by repeatedly dropping a metal weight onto the in-place material. |
| Bleeding of Concrete (including trial mix) | ASTM C232 | This test method covers the determination of the relative quantity of mixing water that will bleed from a sample of freshly mixed concrete. |
| Bond strength by pull off | BS EN 1542 | It measures the tensile bond strength of grouts, mortars, concretes and surface protection systems (SPS) used for the protection and repair of concrete. |
| Compressive strength of concrete cubes | BS 1881-p116 | The compressive strength of concrete cubes or cylinders is usually tested at 3, 7 and 28 days. For specific reasons, or when the cement chemical composition is altered, strength at higher ages like 56, and 90days is usually required. |
| Compressive strength of concrete cylinders | ASTM C39 | The compressive strength of concrete cubes or cylinders is usually tested at 3, 7 and 28 days. For specific reasons, or when the cement chemical composition is altered, strength at higher ages like 56, and 90days is usually required. ASTM C39 is limited to concrete having a density in excess of 800 kg/m3. |
| Compressive strength of concrete pavement blocks t | BS 6717 Part-1 Annex B | Used to determine the strength for precast concrete paving blocks intended for the construction of low speed roads and industrial and other paved surfaces subjected to all categories of static and vehicular loading and pedestrian traffic. |
| Compressive strength of cubes (Light weight concrete) | ASTM C495 | This test method covers the preparation of specimens and the determination of the compressive strength of lightweight insulating concrete having an oven-dry density not exceeding 800 kg/m3 as determined by the procedures described herein. This test method covers the preparation and testing of molded 75 by 150-mm cylinders. |
| Compressive Strength of foam concrete | ASTM C796, C495 | This test method covers the preparation of specimens and the determination of the compressive strength of lightweight insulating concrete having an oven-dry density not exceeding 800 kg/m3 as determined by the procedures described herein. This test method covers the preparation and testing of molded 75 by 150-mm cylinders. |
| Compressive strength of masonry block | ASTM C140 | This test method cover the sampling and testing of concrete masonry units for compressive strength to check its compliance with ASTM C90 for load bearing blocks and ASTM C129 for non-load bearing blocks. |
| Compressive strength of masonry prism | ASTM C1314 | This test method covers procedures for masonry prism construction and testing, and procedures for determining the compressive strength of masonry, fmt, used to determine compliance with the specified compressive strength of masonry, f ‘m. |
| Compressive strength of mortars | ASTM C109 | This test method covers determination of the compressive strength of hydraulic cement mortars, using 50-mm cube specimens. |
| Concrete Mix Design | ACI Method | This Standard Practice describes methods for selecting proportions for hydraulic cement concrete made with and without other Cementitious materials and chemical admixtures. This concrete consists of normal and/or high density aggregates (as distinguished from lightweight aggregates) with workability suitable for usual cast-in-place construction (as distinguished from special mixtures for concrete products manufacture). Hydraulic cements referred to in this Standard Practice are Portland cement (ASTM C 150) and blended cement (ASTM C 595). |
| Concrete setting time . | ASTM C403 | This test method covers the determination of the time of setting of concrete, with slump greater than zero, by means of penetration resistance measurements on mortar sieved from the concrete mixture. |
| Coring and testing of concrete cores | ASTM C42 | This test method covers obtaining, preparing, and testing cores drilled from concrete for compressive strength. |
| Density of Concrete | ASTM C39 | This test method covers the determination of density of concrete either by direct measurement volume or by immersed weight. |
| Density of lightweight concrete | ASTM C495 | This test method covers the preparation of specimens and the determination of the compressive strength of lightweight insulating concrete having an oven-dry density not exceeding 50 lb/ft3 (800 kg/m3) as determined by the procedures described herein. This test method covers the preparation and testing of molded 3 by 6-in. (75 by 150-mm) cylinders. |
| Depth of carbonation of concrete | TQP | Carbonation is the formation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) by a chemical reaction in the concrete. The creation of calcium carbonate requires three equally important substances: carbon dioxide (CO2), calcium phases (Ca), and water (H2O). Carbon dioxide (CO2) is present in the surrounding air, calcium phases (mainly Ca(OH)2 and CSH) are present in the concrete, and water (H2O) is present in the pores of the concrete. Once the Ca(OH)2 has converted and is missing from the cement paste, hydrated CSH (Calcium Silicate Hydrate - CaO.SiO2.H2O) will liberate CaO which will then be transformed to carbonate: H2CO3 + CaO -> CaCO3 + H2O When these reactions take place the pH value will start falling. The normal pH-value of concrete is above 13 and the pH-value of fully carbonated concrete is below 9. Once the carbonation process reaches the reinforcement, and the pH-value drops beneath 13 the passive “film” on the re-bars will deteriorate and corrosion will initiate. |
| Dimensions of curbstones | TQP | TQP uses chemical and physical testing, either destructive or non-destructive, to verify the quality of your product. |
| Electrical indication of concrete's ability to resist chloride penetration (RCP) | ASTM C1202 | This test method covers the determination of the electrical conductance of concrete to provide a rapid indication of its resistance to the penetration of chloride ions. This test is one of the basic tests usually required to evaluate the durability of concrete. |
| Flexural strength of concrete (using sample beam with third-point loading) | ASTM C 78 | This test method covers the determination of the flexural strength of concrete by the use of a simple beam with third-point loading. |
| Initial Surface Absorption test-ISAT | BS 1881-P208 | Initial surface absorption is the rate of flow of water into concrete per unit area at a stated intend from the start of the test and at a constant applied head. This test is one of the basic tests usually required to evaluate the durability of concrete. |
| Length change of concrete due to alkali-carbonate rock reaction/month | ASTM C1105 | This test method covers the determination, by measurement of length change of concrete prisms, the susceptibility of cement-aggregate combinations to expansive alkali-carbonate reaction involving hydroxide ions associated with alkalies (sodium and potassium) and certain calcitic dolomites and dolomitic limestones. |
| Length Change of foam concrete up to 28 days | ASTM C157 | This test method covers the determination of the length changes that are produced by causes other than externally applied forces and temperature changes in hardened hydraulic cement mortar and concrete specimens made in the laboratory and exposed to controlled conditions of temperature and moisture. |
| Load test-Strength evaluation of existing structure | ACI 318 | If there is doubt that a part or all of a structure meets the safety requirements of the ACI 318, a strength evaluation shall be carried out as required by the engineer or building official. ACI 318 Chapter 20 does not cover load testing for the approval of new design or construction methods. The suspect part of the structure is exposed to the maximum possible load (dead plus live) over four equal increments. The structure is considered failed when it does not satisfy the criteria specified in ACI 318; such as sign of crack, exceeding maximum allowable deflection, etc. |
| Loss of air during pumping of foam concrete | ASTM C796 | Determination of the air content of the freshly prepared cellular concrete and of the hardened concrete after handling in conventional machinery. |
| Modulus of elasticity | ASTM C469 | This test method covers determination of chord modulus of elasticity (Young’s) and Poisson’s ratio of molded concrete cylinders and diamond-drilled concrete cores when under longitudinal compressive stress. |
| Moisture content of concrete | TQP | The measurements of the moisture of substrates prior to coating applications could be performed in different ways at TQP. The most easy and quick method for non-destructive measurement of moisture is by using Construction Moisture Testers. Such electrical resistance-type meters detect moisture levels in concrete, masonry, wood, plaster, gypsum, roofing, and insulation, or virtually any hygroscopic material. |
| Open porosity and apparent density of concrete | ASTM C1754 | This test method is for determining the density and void content of hardened pervious concrete specimens |
| Oven dry density of foam concrete | ASTM C796, C495 | This test method furnishes a way of measuring, in the laboratory, the performance of a foaming chemical to be used in producing foam (air cells) for making cellular concrete. This test method includes the determination of the oven dry density of Foam Concrete. |
| Petrographic determination of parameters of the air-void system in hardened concrete | ASTM C 457 | "This test method uses microscopic analysis of hardened concrete to determine the air content, void frequency, spacing factor, and paste-air ratio. Please note: “This test is not priced, please contact us for more details” |
| Petrographic examination and sampling of hardened concrete in constructions | ASTM C 823 | "This practice outlines procedures for visual examination and sampling of hardened concrete in constructions for Petrographic examination as per ASTM C856. Please note: “This test is not priced, please contact us for more details”" |
| Petrographic examination of aggregates for concrete | ASTM C 295 | "This guide outlines procedures for the petrographic examination of samples representative of materials proposed for use as aggregates in cementitiousmixtures or as rawmaterials for use in production of such aggregates. Please note: “This test is not priced, please contact us for more details” |
| Petrographic examination of hardened concrete | ASTM C856 | "This practice outlines procedures for the petrographic examination of samples of hardened concrete. The purpose of this test is to:
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| Petrographic examination of hardened masonry mortar | ASTM C 1324 | "This test method covers procedures for petrographic examination and chemical analysis of samples of masonry mortars. Based upon such examination and analysis, proportions of components in masonry mortars can be determined. Please note: “This test is not priced, please contact us for more details” |
| Pull Out of concrete (up to 400Bar) | ASTM C900 | This test method covers determination of the pullout strength of hardened concrete by measuring the force required to pull an embedded metal insert and the attached concrete fragment from a concrete test specimen or structure. The insertis either cast into the fresh concrete or installed in hardened concrete. |
| Rebound Hammer | ASTM C805 | This test method covers the determination of a rebound number of hardened concrete using a spring-driven steel hammer. This test method is applicable to assess the in-place uniformity of concrete, to delineate regions in a structure of poor quality or deteriorated concrete, and to estimate in-place strength development. |
| Tensile splitting strength of foam concrete | ASTM C796, C496 | This test method furnishes a way of measuring, in the laboratory, the performance of a foaming chemical to be used in producing foam (air cells) for making cellular concrete. This test method includes the determination of Tensile Splitting Strength of Foam Concrete. |
| Water absorption of concrete(30 minutes) | BS 1881p122 | Measuring Water absorption of concrete (30min) is one of the basic tests usually required to evaluate the durability of concrete. |
| Water absorption of concrete, density & voids | ASTM C642 | This test method covers the determinations of density, percent absorption, and percent voids in hardened concrete. This test method is useful in developing the data required for conversions between mass and volume for concrete. It can be used to determine conformance with specifications for concrete and to show differences from place to place within a mass of concrete. |
| Water absorption of concrete, including coring | BS 1881-p122 | This test method is for the determination of water absorption of concrete specimens cored from a structure or precast component. |
| Water Absorption of foam concrete | ASTM C796 | This test method furnishes a way of measuring, in the laboratory, the performance of a foaming chemical to be used in producing foam (air cells) for making cellular concrete. This test method includes the determination of water absorption of Foam Concrete. |
| Water absorption of curbstone | BS 7263 | TQP uses chemical and physical testing, either destructive or non-destructive, to verify the quality of your product. |
| Water absorption of masonry block | ASTM C140 | This test method is for the determination of water absorption of concrete masonry units CMU to check its compliance with ASTM C90 for load bearing CMU. |
| Water permeability of concrete cylinders/cubes | BS EN12390-8 | This test is one of the basic tests usually required to evaluate the durability of concrete. It includes measuring the amount of water penetration after exposing the sample to 5 bars water pressure for 3 days. |
| Water retention by concrete curing materials | ASTM C156 | This test method covers laboratory determination of the efficiency of liquid membrane-forming compounds for curing concrete, as measured by their ability to reduce moisture loss during the early hardening period. |
| Alkali-Silica Reactivity Identification (ASR) | AASHTO T299 | "This test covers the rapid visual detection of the products of alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in Portland cement concrete. Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) can cause serious expansion and cracking in concrete, resulting in major structural problems and sometimes necessitating demolition. ASR is caused by a reaction between the hydroxyl ions in the alkaline cement pore solution in the concrete and reactive forms of silica in the aggregate (eg: chert, quartzite, opal, strained quartz crystals). A gel is produced, which increases in volume by taking up water and so exerts an expansive pressure, resulting in failure of the concrete. In unrestrained concrete (that is, without any reinforcement), ASR causes characteristic 'map cracking' or 'Isle of Man cracking'. The best technique for the identification of ASR is the examination of concrete in thin section, using a petrographic microscope. Alternatively, polished sections of concrete can be examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM); this has the advantage that the gel can be analyzed using X-ray microanalysis in order to confirm the identification beyond any doubt. Please note: “This test is not priced, please contact us for more details” |
| Cement content of concrete | ASTM C1084, BS 1881-p124 | This test covers the determination of Portland-cement content of a sample of hardened hydraulic-cement concrete. The test involves grinding a representative sample of the concrete usually a core, down to a fine powder and chemically analyzing for insoluble residue, soluble silica and lime content. The cement content of concrete is important from the aspect of durability, impermeability and strength. Concrete with too low cement content may cause inadequate structural capability or more frequently may not provide a durable protective environment for the steel reinforcement, permitting rapid carbonation and subsequent loss of the protective alkaline environment for the steel, while a concrete with too high cement content may cause excessive shrinkage, particularly if inadequately cured, thermal cracking from the heat of hydration if large pouring are involved, or the risk of alkali silica reaction if a susceptible aggregate has been used and the cement is not a low alkali type. |
| Cement content of fresh concrete | ASTM D5982 | This test covers the determination of the cement content of fresh concrete. The cement content of concrete is important from the aspect of durability, impermeability and strength. Concrete with too low cement content may cause inadequate structural capability or more frequently may not provide a durable protective environment for the steel reinforcement, permitting rapid carbonation and subsequent loss of the protective alkaline environment for the steel, while a concrete with too high cement content may cause excessive shrinkage, particularly if inadequately cured, thermal cracking from the heat of hydration if large pouring are involved, or the risk of alkali silica reaction if a susceptible aggregate has been used and the cement is not a low alkali type. |
| Chloride content of concrete | BS 1881-p124 | This method covers the determination of the chloride content of hardened concrete (chloride % by weight of concrete or cement). Chloride in concrete can originate from two main sources:
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| Chloride content of fresh concrete | BS DD 216 | The method of analysis is based on the Mohr titration in which a neutral solution of the water extracted chloride is titrated with standard silver nitrate solution using potassium chromate as indicator. In this method the chloride ion content is expressed in terms of, and reported as, a percentage by mass of concrete or as a percentage by mass of cement. |
| Electrical conductivity of concrete | TQP | This test allows determining the electrical conductivity/resistivity of concrete. |
| Evaluation of Thaumasite sulfate attack | TQP | "Durability is one of the most important considerations regarding the design of new concrete structures in aggressive environments. Thaumasite sulfate attack (TSA) is one durability consideration. TSA can completely destroy the Cementitious binding ability of concrete by transforming it into a mush. Many factors affect Thaumasite formation and TSA. The four primary factors affecting TSA on Portland cement-based materials are low temperatures (below 15°C) and the presence of sulfates, carbonates, and moisture. Apparently, the dissolution–precipitation mechanism can be used to explain most phenomena during TSA. Both material compositions and surrounding environments should be considered for the prevention of TSA in concrete structures. Please note: “This test is not priced, please contact us for more details” |
| Mix design for concrete acid stain | TQP | "Acid stain technology is at least 120 years old, exceeded only by integral color as a concrete coloring medium. They were formulated originally by architectural precast companies who submerged their precast items in stain for as long as two weeks. The desirability of acid stains stems from the infinite variability of color possibilities and the fact that results are unpredictable. The chemistry of concrete and the conditions surrounding its placement have much to do with the outcome. Acid stains are only one way to color hardened concrete, but it is the most permanent coloring system, surviving abrasive wear and resisting UV light damage. Other coloring methods include water-based stains, which leave mineral oxide color deposits in the pores of a slab without chemical reactions, and staining with dyes that penetrate the surface, yielding translucent colored finishes. Please note: “This test is not priced, please contact us for more details” |
| pH of concrete | TQP | This test covers the determination of the pH of concrete. Non-deteriorated concrete shall have pH values above 13. |
| Sulfate content of concrete | BS 1881-p124 | This method covers the determination of the sulfate content of hardened concrete (Sulfate % by weight of concrete or cement). |
| Water content of fresh concrete | ASTM C1079 | This method covers the determination the Water Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by rapid chemical method. |
