How to check the quality and reliability of concrete

Concrete is a crucial component of construction tasks. It can be rightly said that construction is hardly possible without the use of concrete. Concrete is a simple mixture of ingredients but the production involves several processes. In many cases, the concrete manufacturing process impacts overall output quality. This is why it is necessary to check the quality and reliability of concrete before starting construction. 

Even when it comes to testing the quality of concrete there are many different ways to do so. Some tests can be done on the construction site itself while some need a controlled environment and third-party testing. The tests being carried out must also be accurate to serve the purpose. Reliable cement manufacturers like Wonder Cement and JK Cement depend only on quality concrete manufacturers. 

In this article, we will learn about the testing techniques used for checking the quality of concrete. 

1. Compressive strength

This is one of the most important tests used to judge the strength of concrete. This test also gives you an idea of whether the concreting process has been done correctly or not. In this test, the cubes of hardened cement-sand mortar are crushed in a compression machine. The compressive strength of the concrete is determined when it is crushed under the highest pressure. 

2. Tensile strength

The tensile strength of concrete is crucial because it has an impact on the extent and size of cracking in structures. Testing this helps to gauge the load under which the concrete might crack. The tensile strength of concrete structures gets impacted due to the dynamic loading and temperature variation. The test is carried out by applying a tension load on the moulded cement-sand mortar blocks. The time taken for the block to crack/split is then noted to measure its tensile strength. 

3. The fineness of the concrete

In the final stage of cement production, a fine powder is formed after the grinding process. The fineness is tested by measuring air permeability. The particle size distribution after the grinding process impacts the process of cement hardening and setting. This is why this test is crucial to conduct.  

4. Consistency of the concrete mix

The consistency of the concrete mix needs to be uniform. This simply means that when the mixture is poured to take a form it should set in a specific time frame. This test also tells the amount of water required to help form a paste of normal consistency! 

5. Soundness and expansion

Once the concrete is hardened it should not go through any obvious changes in its volume. This test allows us to check for the same. The soundness of the mixture is measured by several methods. 

Dependable concrete manufacturers make sure to follow a complete list of checks to test the quality of the concrete. It must be noted that the tests are as important as the concrete manufacturing process!