More stories about Testing

  • When Bad Testing Happens to Good People

    Apparently the topic of cylinder testing gone wrong struck a chord with TCP readers, who wrote back to share stories similar to the one in last month’s blog. Following are just two humorous examples.

  • Preventing Slump Loss

    Many things can cause rapid slump loss. Aggregate, cement chemistry, fly ash sources, and admixtures are culprits.

  • Profiting from Quality Concrete

    There is a widely held and incorrect belief in the concrete industry that a producer's quality control (QC) department takes away from and does not add to the bottom line.

  • Bubble Trouble

    Everyone in the concrete industry has received the dreaded call about low strength on a job. Typically, high water content, high air content, or low standards from the testing company is the primary cause of the problem.

  • Quality's Costs

    Q: I'm a quality control manager for a mid-size ready-mix producer and am dealing with several quality issues which need resolution. I am having difficulties convincing the owner that he needs to increase funding for the quality system in order to produce more consistent concrete. How can I...

  • ASTM International Launches Supplier's Declaration of Conformity

    Program Houses Registry of Product Conformity to Standard Test Methods

  • Working With Your Lab

    Q: We are experiencing low compressive strength test results on some concrete we supplied to a job. We know it is due to poor testing of the cylinders. How do we convince the contractor and engineer where the issue is?

  • Roller-compacted concrete testing method

    We are seeing more news surrounding one of the more exciting innovations in the concrete industry: roller-compacted concrete (RCC).

  • Making a Quality Hire

    Q: We are a small but growing ready-mix producer. We have just decided to open a portable plant to service a multiyear project. We are considering hiring a full-time quality control manager. At what annual production volume does it make sense to make this hire?

  • Data Capture

    Producers strive to collect standard data from different batching systems.