Concrete Field T-23

January 2009

Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimen in the Field AASHTO T-23-08 (Modified)
This method covers procedures for making, curing, protecting, and transporting concrete test cylinders under field conditions. Consolidation can be done by rodding or vibration as described by this test procedure (1.1). Proper moisture conditions and proper temperature control is vital in order to achieve the best concrete strength. Concrete is specified primarily on the basis compressive strength. The concrete used to make the cylinders shall be sampled after all on-site adjustments have been made to the mixture proportions (1.2). Modifications: 1. Only vibrate Class E and F concrete. 2. Re-mix the material prior to making the cylinders. 3. Protective equipment such as rubber gloves and eye protection shall be used. 4. Making concrete beams will not be part of certification. 5. Initial curing of cylinders by burying in earth is not acceptable. 6. Initial curing of cylinders will be accomplished by placing cylinders under water at a temperature of 16 to 27 C (60 to 80 F). Key Elements: 1. Clean and inspect equipment. Cylinder molds: Use 100 mm x 200 mm (4 x 8 in.) cylinder molds unless 1 aggregate is used. If 1 or larger aggregate is used, use 150 mm x 300 mm (6 x 12 in.) cylinder molds. The cylinder mold size is dependent on the concrete being tested. Tamping rods: The tamping rod used for 100 mm x 200 mm (4 x 8 in) cylinders is 10 mm (3/8 in.) in diameter and approximately 300 mm (12 in.) long, the tamping rod used for 150 mm x 300 mm (6 x 12 in) cylinders is 16 mm (5/8 in.) in diameter and approximately 600 mm (24 in.) long, the tamping rod used must have a hemispherical tip (the tip has to be rounded like half of a ball). Vibration device: That operates at 7000 vibrations per minute, the diameter of the vibration device used shall be no more than one forth the diameter of the cylinder mold. The combined length of the vibrator shaft and vibrating element shall exceed the depth of the section being vibrated by at least 75 mm (3 in). Use with low slump concrete (in New Mexico only vibrate class E and F concrete). Mallet: A rubber or rawhide head having a mass of 570 227g (1.25 0.50 lb.). Miscellaneous: Scoop, protective gloves, and eye protection. 2. Obtain sample. Dampen the container; obtain the sample as per T-141, Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete. Note: Testing shall begin within fifteen minutes of obtaining the sample.

New Mexico Technician Training and Certification Program

Concrete Field T-23

January 2009

3. Transport sample and remix-sample. Transport to a stable, level and vibration free test area. Sample container shall be covered during transportation. Re-mix sample prior to running test. 4. Dampen all equipment. Dampen all equipment, and place the mold on a rigid surface that is level and stable. Mold specimen close to the initial storage location. 5. Place the lower lift of material into the mold. Fill the mold approximately 1/2 full. Move the scoop or trowel around the perimeter of the mold to evenly distribute the concrete while it is being placed into the mold. 6. Consolidate lower lift of material. Rod this layer with 25 strokes of the tamping rod, using the rounded end. Distribute the strokes evenly over the entire cross section of the concrete. Make approximately half the strokes near the perimeter, and then progress with vertical strokes, spiraling toward the center. Rod the bottom layer throughout its entire depth without forcibly striking the bottom of the cylinder mold. After the rodding, tap the sides of the mold smartly 10 to 15 times with the open hand. 7. Place the top lift of material into the mold. In filling the top layer place the concrete into the mold by moving the scoop or trowel around the perimeter of the mold to evenly distribute the concrete while it is being placed into the mold. Rod this layer with 25 strokes of the tamping rod, using the rounded end. Distribute the strokes evenly over the entire cross section of the concrete. Make approximately half the strokes near the perimeter, and then progress with vertical strokes, spiraling toward the center. After the rodding, tap the sides of the mold smartly 10 to 15 times with the open hand. 8. Strike off the surface. After the top layer has been consolidated, strike off the surface of the concrete and finish it smoothly with sawing and rolling action of the tamping rod using great care to leave the mold just full. The surface shall be flat with no projections or depressions greater than 3 mm (1/8 in.). Note: A strike off bar, float, or trowel is permitted to be used. Use as few strokes as possible when finishing the cylinders. 9. Clean excess material from the top of the mold and cap. Clean the top of the mold. Place a cap on the mold, when the cap is all the way on, a proper seal will be achieved. 10. Initially cure molded specimens under water at a temperature of 16 to 27 C (60 to 80 F) (10.1.2). The molded specimens shall be undisturbed within twenty-five minutes of obtaining the sample. Initially cure the molded specimens for 24 to 48 hours. If specimens cannot get transported to the final cure location within forty-eight hours, strip the cylinder mold at 24 8 hours, then place it back into a proper lime-saturated curing water bath at a temperature of 23 2C (73 3F) according to AASHTO M-201, Water Storage Tanks Used in the Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes, section 6.1.

New Mexico Technician Training and Certification Program

Concrete Field T-23

January 2009

If specimens can get transported to the final cure location within forty-eight hours leave the cylinder molds in place during transportation, then strip the molds when cylinders get to the final cure location. Cylinders will be marked with the date and time the cylinders were cast. 11. Transport cylinders. After the 24 to 48 hour initial cure, the cylinders will be transported to the laboratory to be stored under standard conditions. While in transport, cylinders shall be protected from freezing or moisture loss. Cylinders shall also be secured so that that the axis is vertical (held straight, up and down).

Internal Vibration:
1. Fill the mold about half full. 2. Insert the vibrator. Insert at three different points in each layer. Do not let the vibrator touch the bottom or sides of the mold. Note: Continue vibration only long enough to achieve proper consolidation of the concrete. Over vibration may cause segregation and loss of appreciable quantities of intentionally entrained air. 3. Fill the mold a bit over full. Add the second half of material. 4. Consolidate this layer. Insert at three different points in each layer. Penetrate the previous lift by approximately 25 mm (1 in.). Do not let the vibrator touch the bottom or sides of the mold. 5. Initially cure molded specimens under water at a temperature of 16 to 27 C (60 to 80 F) (10.1.2). The molded specimens shall be undisturbed within twenty-five minutes of obtaining the sample. Initially cure the molded specimens for 24 to 48 hours. If specimens cannot get transported to the final cure location within forty-eight hours, strip the cylinder mold at 24 8 hours, then place it back into a proper lime-saturated curing water bath at a temperature of 23 2C (73 3F), according to AASHTO M-201, Water Storage Tanks Used in the Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes, section 6.1. If specimens can get transported to the final cure location within forty-eight hours leave the cylinder molds in place during transportation, then strip the molds when cylinders get to the final cure location. Cylinders will be marked with the date and time the cylinders were cast. 6. Transport cylinders. After the 24 to 48 hour initial cure, the cylinders will be transported to the laboratory to be stored under standard conditions. While in transport, cylinders shall be protected from freezing or moisture loss. Cylinders shall also be secured so that that the axis is vertical (held straight, up and down).

New Mexico Technician Training and Certification Program

Concrete Field T-23

January 2009

AASHTO T-23 (2008 edition)

New Mexico Technician Training and Certification Program