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Concrete Specifications – Why Water Cement Ratio: Why Not

The water-cement ratio (more correctly water-cementitious ratio) is a criterion for concrete that is very important and governs many of its desirable properties to include porosity, permeability, freezing/thawing resistance, and strength, just to name a few. So...

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Jobsite Additions of Water: A Quick Review

Adding water to ready mixed concrete is like breathing; it’s something that happens all the time almost without any thought. If we do invest any brain power, here are some thoughts that come to mind: What are the effects on the concrete properties? Are we...

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Determining Chloride Content of Concrete

The water-soluble chloride ion content is limited by specifications in order to provide corrosion protection of the reinforcing steel. Limits for the chloride ion content are predicated upon the exposure conditions of the concrete element to water and/or external...

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Welcome to Larry Lundy!

If you’ve attended a recent ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician Certification class, you’re likely aware that the class is being led by a new instructor. George Boykin – who has been coordinating and leading the VRMCA/ACI classes for the past 11...

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Technical Q&A: Low Break Results

Question: I recently had a customer contact me regarding a low cylinder break result from his job. What does a low break mean and how should I respond? Answer: Frequently, break results are assumed to represent the in-place strength of the concrete that was placed. A...

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