high-strength structural lightweight concrete specified density concrete
WOC 2010 Low Strength Concrete
Transcript of WOC 2010 Low Strength Concrete
Troubleshooting Low Compressive
Strength Test Results by
Jeffrey L. Groom, P.E.
WOC Seminar
TU-139
AIA Credits
This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing or dealing in any material or product.
Questions related to specific materials, methods and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.
Hanley Wood is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for non-AIA members available on request.
Copyright Materials
This presentation is protected by US and International copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, display and use of the presentation without permission of the speaker is prohibited.
© (San Juan Construction, Inc.) 2010
Learning Objectives
Define what is a low strength test result
Understand the potential causes of low strength
test results
Learn how to evaluate low strength test results
Know what to do if low strength tests are
confirmed
Learn how to establish in-place strengths
Strength Test for Acceptance
Strength test – average of two cylinders made from the same concrete (3 cyls if using 4x8’s)
Made according to ASTM C 31 – Practice for making & curing concrete test specimens
Tested (28 days) according to ASTM C 39 – Test method for compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimens
This assumes standard or laboratory cured cylinders, not field cured.
Should We Expect Some Low Strength Tests?
Answer: YES
Low strength tests will occur about
once in 100 testsdue to normal variability
Concrete Acceptance according to ACI 318 – Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete
ACI 318 5.6.3.3 – Strength level of an individual class of concrete shall be considered satisfactory if both of the following requirements are met:
(a) Every arithmetic average of any three consecutive strength tests equals or exceeds f’c;
(b) No individual strength test (average of two cylinders) falls below f’c by more than 500 psi when f’c < 5000 psi; or by more than 0.10f’c when f’c > 5000 psi.
Acceptable Strength Example for f’c = 4,000 psi
Test
No.
Individual Cyl. Strength
Test(Avg of Cyl 1 & 2)
Avg. of 3 Strength
TestsNo. 1 No.2
1 4,110 4,260 4,190 __
2 3,840 4,080 3,960 __
3 4,420 4,450 4,440 4,200
4 3,670 3,820 3,750 4,050
5 4,600 4,570 4,590 4,260
Acceptable Strength Example for f’c = 4,000 psi
Test
No.
Individual Cyl. Strength
Test(Avg of Cyl 1 & 2)
Avg. of 3 Strength
TestsNo. 1 No.2
1 4,110 4,260 4,190 __
2 3,840 4,080 3,960 __
3 4,420 4,450 4,440 4,200
4 3,670 3,820 3,750 4,050
5 4,600 4,570 4,590 4,260
Acceptable Strength Example for f’c = 4,000 psi
Test
No.
Individual Cyl. Strength
Test(Avg of Cyl 1 & 2)
Avg. of 3 Strength
TestsNo. 1 No.2
1 4,110 4,260 4,190 __
2 3,840 4,080 3,960 __
3 4,420 4,450 4,440 4,200
4 3,670 3,820 3,750 4,050
5 4,600 4,570 4,590 4,260
Acceptable Strength Example for f’c = 4,000 psi
Test
No.
Individual Cyl. Strength
Test(Avg of Cyl 1 & 2)
Avg. of 3 Strength
TestsNo. 1 No.2
1 4,110 4,260 4,190 __
2 3,840 4,080 3,960 __
3 4,420 4,450 4,440 4,200
4 3,670 3,820 3,750 4,050
5 4,600 4,570 4,590 4,260
Low Strength Example f’c = 4,000 psi
Test
No.
Individual Cyl. Strength
Test(Avg of Cyl 1 & 2)
Avg. of 3 Strength
TestsNo. 1 No.2
1 3,620 3,550 3,590 __
2 4,240 4,560 4,400 __
3 4,080 4,120 4,100 4,030
4 4,100 4200 4,150 4,220
5 3,390 3,110 3,250 3,830
Things to consider when experiencing low compressive strength:
Increase the cementitious materials content (determine psi/lb of cementitious materials)Change mix proportionsReductions in, or better control of fresh physical propertiesReduction in delivery timeImprove the quality of testing
Determine strength per pound of cementitious materials
Cement = 564 lbs/CY
Average compressive strength = 3800 psi
Strength per pound (psi/lb) = 3800/564 = 6.7 psi/lb of
cement
Date: October 29, 2002 Report: H5966 - CT - XXXX
Report of Concrete Compressive Strength Tests Project: Supplier: Location: Garage level 3 and 4 slabs at Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 on Line A; and also Lines 1 and 2 on Line
Cast: 7/12/2002 Ticket: 329294 Batch: 13:30 Concrete Mix: Specimens Made: TW Truck: 306 Test Time: 14:45 136168
Physical Properties of Concrete (ASTM C143, C231, C138, C1064) Specified Strength (f'c) Slump Air Content Density Temperature 4500 psi @ 28 days 6.5 in. 9.0 % 132.4 pcf. 85 deg. F
Compressive Strengths (ASTM C 39)
Specimen Age in Diameter Area Load Comp. Percent Type of Number Days (inches) (inches * 2) (lbs.) Strength, psi of f'c Fracture
1 7 6.00 28.27 77,500 2740 Average: 2740 69
2 28 6.00 28.27 98,000 3470 3 28 6.00 28.27 101,500 3590 Average: 3530 88
4 56 6.00 28.27 105,750 3740 Average: 3740 94
Comments: Held one 28 day cylinder for a 56 day break.
Slump + Air < 10
Investigate Quality Control Testing
Testing Factors
Field Procedures Sampling Casting of Specimens Initial Storage Transportation Specimen Size Mold Type
Laboratory Procedures
Field Procedures
Sampling Sample based on type of transportation
vehicle. Combine sub-samples to make
composite sample. Representative Sample (middle third of
load)
Which is Better?
Influence of Slump & Air Content
1” increase in slump = 150 psi loss
1% increase in air content = 4% loss of compressive strength
Consolidation
Insufficient consolidation can lead to 60% reduction in strength.
End Planeness (75% strength reduction)
Initial Cylinder Storage
Initial Storage Requirements
ACI 301 states storage is contractors responsibility
Winter Curing
Summer Curing
Hot cylinders cause high early strength but low ultimate strength.
The ultimate!
Transporting Cylinders
Transport 8 hours after final set
Protect from jarring
Prevent from freezing
Transport time must be less than 4 hours.
The wrong way! (7% strength reduction)
The right way!
Cylinder Size
Mold Material (Reused plastic molds 22% reduction?)
Laboratory Practices
Cylinder Storage
Laboratory Practices
Cylinder Storage
Testing Techniques
Troubleshooting Low Strength Concrete
Inspect tested cylinders (if possible)
Troubleshooting Low Strength Concrete
Inspect tested cylinders (if possible)
Perform ACI Analysis Calculate running average of 3 tests
Calculate Running Average of 3 Consecutive Tests (f’c=4000)
Test
No.
Individual Cyl. Strength
Test(Avg of Cyl 1 & 2)
Avg. of 3 Strength
TestsNo. 1 No.2
1 4,100 3,900 4,000 __
2 3,840 4,080 3,960 __
3 3,980 3,850 3,920 3,960
4 3,670 3,820 3,750 3,880
5 4,000 4,200 4,100 3,920
If test results are within 500 psi of f’c and the running average is below f’c:
Adjust plant procedures (QC) Following in-house batch procedures Moisture contents of aggregate
Adjust mix Calculate psi / lb of cement and adjust if
necessary
Troubleshooting Low Strength Concrete
Inspect tested cylindersPerform ACI Analysis Calculate running average of 3 tests Each test must be within 500 psi of f’c
Structural engineer review and acceptance
Troubleshooting Low Strength Concrete
Inspect tested cylindersPerform ACI Analysis Calculate running average of 3 tests Each test must be within 500 psi of f’c
Structural engineer review and acceptanceACI 318 5.6.5.2 – If the likelihood of low-strength concrete is confirmed and calculations indicate that load-carrying capacity is significantly reduced, tests of cores drilled from the area in question…shall be permitted…….
If some results are more than 500 psi below f’c:
Engineer Review Accept Reject
In-place testing
Low Strength Example for 4,000 psi specified strength
Test
No.
Individual Cyl. Strength
Test(Avg of Cyl 1 & 2)
Avg. of 3 Strength
TestsNo. 1 No.2
1 3,620 3,550 3,590 __
2 4,240 4,560 4,400 __
3 4,080 4,120 4,100 4,030
4 4,100 4200 4,150 4,220
5 3,390 3,110 3,250 3,830
Methods To Determine In-place Concrete Strength
Nondestructive
Probe penetration
Ultrasonic pulse
velocity
Impact hammer
Used only to locate
questionable concrete,
not for acceptance
Destructive
Cores
Cores – Destructive Testing
Three Cores Required for Strength Acceptance
1. Average of three cores is equal to at least 85% of specified strength
2. No single core is less than 75% of specified strength
X average ≥ 0.85 f’c
X i ≥ 0.75 f’c where i = 1, 3
Core Requirements
Diameter > 3.7 inches for load bearing structures
Length:Diameter ratio 1:1 or greater
Cap in accordance with ASTM C 617 (No unbonded caps)
0.85 Factor Accounts for …
Difference in size of cylinder vs. core
Drilling operation
Different placement & consolidation
Different curing conditions
(temperature & moisture differences)
Example:Specified Strength = 3,000 psi
Individual core values1. 2,950 psi2. 3,100 psi3. 2,500 psi Avg. = 2,850 psi
ACI 318 requirements for strength acceptance
1. 2,850 psi greater than 2,550 psi (0.85 x 3,000)
2. 2,500 psi greater than 2,250 psi (0.75 x 3,000)
YES and YES ** ACCEPTED **
Summary
Keep and maintain compressive strength records Calculate running average of three Note fresh physical properties of failing tests
Adjust mix proportions if necessary
Adjust fresh physical properties if necessary
Ask structural engineer to accept
Summary (continued)
Check Testing Laboratory (Field) Obtaining sample (truck or point of placement) Make cylinders correctly Initial curing most important factor Contractor responsible for curing facility Transport Cylinders Correctly
Check Testing Laboratory (Lab) Centering specimen etc Laboratory Accreditation
Summary (continued)
Determine in-place strength
Always discuss acceptance in preconstruction meeting.
Thank You!This concludes the American Institute of Architects
Continuing Education Systems Program
Any Questions?
Jeffrey L. Groom, P.E.
San Juan Construction, Inc.
970-497-8224