Please choose a FATQ category from the drop-down menu. FATQ Category Construction Design General Materials Repair Techniques Specifications Tech Tips What are the tests that can be performed on fresh concrete specimens? Introduction | Slump Test | Temperature Measurement | Unit Weight and Yield | Air Content | Strength Tests | Cement and Water Content (Water/Cement Ratio) | Time of Setting| Accelerated Curing | Chloride Content | Bleeding of Concrete Introduction In general, the testing of freshly mixed (as opposed to hardened) concrete should be representative. This means that the sampling should follow ASTM C172 specification. Examples of tests that follow representative sampling include slump testing, temperature measurement, unit weight and yield, air content tests, strength tests, and water/cement ratio. Additional tests that can be performed on fresh concrete include time of setting, accelerated curing, chloride content, and bleeding of concrete. Slump Test ASTM C143 (tests the consistency of the concrete mixture; is also a measure of the stiffness of the mix) For more information, see FATQ "What does the slump test tell me about modern concrete?" Temperature Measurement ASTM C1064 (should be completed within 5 minutes after obtaining the sample) Unit Weight and Yield ASTM C138 Air Content Test ASTM C173, C231, or C138 Strength Tests ASTM C31 (field specimens) or ASTM C192 (lab specimens). Molding of specimens should occur within 15 minutes after specimen is obtained. Strength tests can be flexural (beam), compressive (cylinder or core), or splitting tensile (cylinder or core). For more information, see FATQ "What are the strength tests that can be performed on concrete specimens, and how do they relate to one another?" Cement and Water Content (Water/Cement Ratio) ASTM C1078 and C1079 Time of Setting ASTM C403 Accelerated Curing ASTM C684 Chloride Content NRMCA method (see NRMCA Technical Information Letter No. 437) Bleeding of Concrete ASTM C232 For more information, consult the following resources: Portland Cement Association's Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures (EB001.03T) NRMCA's Test Methods for Aggregates and Concrete Guidelines