Experiment No.

3
Making and Curing of Concrete Test Specimen
Discussion:
This method covers procedures for making and curing cylindrical specimens from
representative samples of fresh concrete for a construction project.
The concrete used to make the molded specimens shall be sampled after all onsite
adjustments have been made to the mixture proportions, including the addition of mix water and
admixtures. This project is not satisfactory for making specimens from concrete not having
measureable slump or requiring other sizes or shapes of specimen.
This practice provides standardized requirement for making, curing, protecting and
transporting concrete test specimens under field condition.
If specimens are made and standard cured, as stipulate herein, the resulting strength test
data when the specimens are tested are able to be used for the following purposes:

Acceptance testing for specified strength.

Checking the adequacy of mixture proportions for strength.
Quality control
If the specimens are made and field cured, as stipulates herein the resulting strength test
data when the specimens are tested are able to be used for the following purposes:

Determination of whether a structure is capable of being put in service

Comparison with test results of standard cured specimens or with test results from
various in-place test methods
Adequacy of curing and protection of concrete in the structure
Form of shoring removal time requirements
Objective:
To produce and cure concrete test specimens in the laboratory under accurate control and
test condition using concrete that can be consolidated by rodding of vibration.
Referenced Documents:
AASHTO Standards (T 23, M 201, M 205, R 39, T 231)
ASTM Standards (C 125)
ACI Standards ( 309 R)
Procedure:
Molding Specimens

Specimens molded of a level, rigid, horizontal surface, free from vibration and other
disturbances and near as practicable to storage location.
Concrete placed in molds with scoop, blunted trowel, or shovel.
Concrete remixed in mixing pan with shovel or trowel to prevent segregation during
molding.
Scoop, trowel, or shovel moved around the perimeter of mold opening when adding
concrete to ensure even distribution of concrete.
Specimens made in layers of approximately equal volumes and rode as follows:

Specimen Type and Size Number of Layers of Number of Roddings Per

Approximately Equal Depth Layer
Cylinders Diameter
4 in. 2 25
6 in. 3 25
9 in. 4 50
Beams Width
6 to 8 in. 2 1 per 2 m top surface area
> 8 in. 3 or more equal depths, each 1 per 2 m top surface area
not exceeding 6 in.

Final layer placed in an amount that will fill mold after compaction.
Under filled molds adjusted with representative concrete during consolidation of top
layer.
CONSOLIDATION RODDING

Each layer rodded with rounded end of tamping rod in accordance with Table 2
Rodding distributed uniformly over cross section of mold
Bottom layer rodded throughout its dept
After each layer is rodded, mold is lightly tapped 10 to 15 times with an open hand or
mallet
After tapping, beam mold is spaded along the sides and ends with a trowel or other
suitable tool for each layer
FINISHING CYLINDERS

Excess concrete snuck off from surface.

Top surface finished by striking off with tamping rod where consistency of the concrete
permits or with wood float or trowel.
Finishing performed with minimum manipulation that produces a flat even surface level
with rim or mold
Surface or concrete has no depressions or projections of larger than 1/8 in.
FINISHING BEAMS

After consolidation, excess concrete snuck off from surface.

Finishing performed with minimum manipulation that produces a flat even surface level
with mold (wood float may be used).
Curing

Covering After Finishing to prevent evaporation of water from the unhardened

concrete, the specimens shall be covered immediately after finishing, preferably with
non-absorptive, non- reactive plate or sheet or bag of tough, durable, impervious plastic.
Wet burlap may be used for covering, but care must be exercised to keep the burlap wet
until the specimens are removed from the molds. Placing a sheet of plastic over the
burlap will aid in keeping the specimen wet.
Initial Curing During the first 24 to 48 hours after molding, all test specimens shall be
stored under conditions representative of the concrete in the structure or pavement.
Following the period of initial cure, the specimens may be transported to the laboratory
for subsequently curing and testing. Laboratory curing shall consist of a minimum of
95% humidity and a temperature of 73.4 3 (23 0.94 ).
Shipping specimens to the laboratory

Specimens shipped from field to the laboratory shall be carefully loaded transported and
unloaded to minimize effects of handling.
Upon receipt by the laboratory, they shall be placed immediately in the required curing
facility.
Computation:
For slump test
Slump = 12 height of slumped specimen
Slump = 12
Slump =

Weight of Container Weight of Sample (g) Weight of container Weight of Residue

(g) + Residue (g) (g)

For Fineness Test

weight of residue
% Fineness = 100
original weight of sample

% Fineness =
% Fineness =
Conclusion: