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Concrete Test Cylinders

Concrete Test Cylinders

When it comes to concrete testing equipment for ASTM C470 requirements, you can count on Certified MTP for high quality concrete test cylinder molds at affordable prices. Among the many other important concrete curing and fresh concrete field tests, like concrete slump testing and concrete cure testing, concrete cylinder testing is a must have for any construction project, especially those building a foundation. Check out our test cylinder molds. Each of our test cylinder molds are non-absorbent, climate resistant, and no expiration date. As for the quality of each concrete cylinder molds, the testing products and solutions we sell are made of high quality material, weather resistant, dimensional tolerance, injected plastic unit, and carefully crafted to have consistent shape and dimensional integrity.

Need custom printing for your concrete test? Contact us for help for your concrete test cylinders.

Looking for Plastic 4x8 Concrete Test Cylinder Molds (36 per case or 96 per case), Metal 6x12 Concrete Testing Cylinders or Concrete Testing Accessories and Concrete Curing supplies? You will find the cylinder mold you need for your concrete test here.

Our cylinder mold for sale:

Plastic molds size 2x4in (80 per case) to 6x12in (20 per case or 36 per case) cylinder molds and lids

What are Cylinder Molds For?

Concrete cylinders test the compressive strength of hardened concrete. This is one of the most common tests used by engineers when designing buildings and other structures that have a concrete foundation. Concrete samples or specimens are taken from the mixer truck and should be taken according to ASTM C 172 to ensure the specimens are representative of the concrete delivery units.

How many cylinder molds for concrete testing for each

The number of  cylinder molds tests required for a project or application can vary. Typically three concrete specimens of the same size are cast in concrete cylinders for testing. However two to six concrete cylinders are cast at a minimum for every 150 cubic yards of concrete placed. Consult ASTM for the specific concrete cylinder tests required to ensure the quality and safety of the foundations and structures.

What Plastic Cylinder Molds Size For Concrete Testing Do I Need

ASTM C 31 and ASTM C 39 allows the use of 4x8 in cylinder molds or 6x12 in cylinder molds as long as your project meets certain requirements. The concrete cylinder testing diameter must be at least three times the nominal maximum size of the coarse aggregate. The nominal maximum size of an aggregate is the smallest sieve opening through which the entire amount of aggregate is permitted to pass. So 4x8 test cylinders can be specified if no aggregate used for making the concrete cylinder is retained on a 1¼ in. (31.5 mm) sieve. If retained, 6x12 concrete cylinders or another testing solution.

Also consult ASTM C470, ASTM C 31 and C 39 and your local state and county requirements for the concrete cylinder size for your project. Whether you are in general construction, highway maintenance or building new streets and bridges, Certified MTP has test cylinders for your application. Our concrete cylinder sizes:

4x8 Concrete Cylinder Molds
6x12 Concrete Cylinder Molds
3x6 Concrete Cylinder Molds
2x4 Concrete Cylinder Molds

When in doubt, read concrete cylinder molds regulations.

Before you test concrete cylinders, read the official concrete cylinder testing regulations and procedures from ASTM. This is not all the rules and regulations for concrete cylinder testing but it covers most construction projects and applications:

ASTM C 31 Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field

ASTM C 39 Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens

ASTM C 172 Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete

ASTM C 617 Capping Cylindrical Concrete Specimens

ASTM C 470 Molds for Forming Concrete Test Cylinders

Looking to Buy Plastic Concrete Cylinder Molds for Concrete Testing? Trust Certified MTP

Our concrete testing cylinder molds are part of our wide range of concrete testing equipment. We keep our plastic and metal concrete cylinder molds in stock. You will also need a stripping tool to remove the single piece test cylinder molds from the test cylinder. The stripping tool has a T-Handle or a screw-driver handle.

Need custom printing for your cylinder molds? The cylinder molds is made of harden plastic and is perfect for business logos. Try these cylinders.

Concrete Test Cylinders ASTM C 31

Concrete test cylinders are used to determine the strength and durability of concrete in construction projects. These cylinders are used in various concrete strength tests, such as those in ASTM C31 which covers the procedures for making and curing concrete test cylinders in the field and laboratory. These tests are very important as it is crucial that the concrete mix used in construction meets the specifications for strength development and durability.

This will cover the purpose of test cylinder molds, different concrete curing methods and how acceptance testing and quality control is managed using concrete cylinders according to ASTM C31.

Why Concrete Test Cylinder Molds

Concrete test cylinder molds are used to create standardized specimens that represent the concrete strength of the composite sample taken from the construction site. These molds are made of plastic, steel or other rigid materials and are used to hold fresh concrete while it cures. The molding of concrete cylinders must be done carefully to avoid air pockets or inconsistencies which will affect

Test cylinder molds are 4 inches in diameter by 8 inches in height or 6 inches by 12 inches depending on the specific requirements of ASTM C 31 and project specifications. The size and type of the mold is determined by the structural work and the concrete mix used.

Curing in Concrete Testing

Curing of test cylinders is one of the most important part of ASTM C 31. Curing is necessary to maintain the moisture and temperature conditions required for the concrete strength to develop as designed. Improper curing can cause moisture loss which can weaken the concrete strength and cause durability issues.

There are two types of curing for concrete cylinders as specified by ASTM C 31:

  1. Initial Curing: After the test cylinder molds are filled with fresh concrete, they must undergo initial curing. During this stage, the cylinders are stored at the construction site and protected from freezing, excessive heat and moisture loss. The goal is to create a stable environment for the test cylinders before they are transported to the lab for further testing.

Initial curing usually takes 24 to 48 hours during which the test cylinders are kept in conditions that minimize moisture loss and temperature fluctuations. They may be covered with wet burlap, plastic sheeting or even submerged in water depending on the site conditions. ASTM C 31 requires that the temperature for initial curing be maintained between 60°F to 80°F (16°C to 27°C).

  1. Final Curing: After initial curing, the test cylinders are transported to a laboratory or water storage tanks for final curing. During this stage, the cylinders are kept in conditions that simulates the standard curing environment as specified by ASTM C 31. This means the cylinders are submerged in water or stored in a controlled environment where the temperature is maintained at 73.5°F ± 3.5°F (23°C ± 2°C) to promote concrete hydration. Final curing is done until the cylinders are ready to be tested which is usually at 7, 28 or 56 days depending on the project's specifications.

Field Cured Cylinders vs Standard Cured Cylinders

ASTM C 31 distinguishes field cured cylinders from standard cured cylinders, each serves a purpose in the quality process.

Field cured cylinders are used to monitor the strength development of structural concrete under the actual conditions of the construction process. These cylinders are stored at the job site, usually in the same environment as the structure itself, to represent the in-place concrete as closely as possible. This will determine if the concrete can support loads, formwork removal or other construction activities.

Standard cured cylinders are stored and cured in a laboratory under controlled conditions. These cylinders serve as a benchmark for concrete strength and for acceptance testing of the concrete mix used in the project. The results from standard cured cylinders will ensure that the ready mixed concrete meets the required strength as specified by the project.

Composite Sample and Molding of Test Cylinders

Before making a concrete test cylinder, a sample of fresh concrete is taken at the job site. This sample must be representative of the entire batch so the test cylinders will reflect the quality of the concrete used in the structure. The sampling process follows the guidelines of ASTM C172 to ensure the sample is taken in a way that does not segregate the materials and represents the concrete cylinder testing.

After the sample is taken, the concrete is poured into the test cylinder molds in layers, each layer is rodded or vibrated to remove any air pockets and to fully compact the concrete. Proper molding is critical to ensure the test cylinder represents the actual performance of the concrete and will give accurate test results.

Acceptance Testing and Quality Control

test cylinders are used for testing to verify the concrete mix meets the strength requirements of the project specifications. Test cylinders are tested at specified intervals, usually at 7 days, 28 days and sometimes beyond depending on the project requirements. The test cylinder is placed in a compression testing machine and the concrete strength is measured by applying pressure until the sample breaks.

The results of these tests will determine if the structural concrete meets the design strength for the specific structural work being done. If the test results show the concrete does not meet the required strength, it may be rejected or the mix adjusted to improve performance. These tests provide essential information to contractors, engineers, and ready-mixed concrete suppliers, ensuring that the concrete used in the structure can endure the loads and stresses it will face. Both temperature and moisture are important factors in test cylinders. During both initial and final curing, the test cylinders must be protected from extreme temperatures and moisture loss to get accurate strength development.

For standard curing, the cylinders must be kept at a constant temperature of around 73°F (23°C) with high humidity or direct water immersion to fully hydrate the cement. Any deviation from these temperature conditions will lead to inaccurate test results, as temperature variations can either speed up or slow down strength development.

The durability of the test cylinder molds and the easy handling of the cylinders themselves are critical to get accurate results. Molds must be made of materials that can withstand the construction process and transportation to the laboratory. Common materials are steel, plastic and other rigid products all of which must conform to the specifications of ASTM C31.

Once test cylinders are molded, they must be handled with care to avoid damage or jarring that can compromise the samples. Careful transport from the job site to the lab is essential to avoid any jarring or cracking of the cylinders, which can lead to inaccurate or unreliable results.

Conclusion

Test cylinders made according to ASTM C 31 are important tools for quality control and acceptance testing of structural concrete. They will ensure the concrete mix used in structural work meets the project specifications for strength and durability. By following the guidelines for curing, molding and testing in ASTM C31, construction professionals can be assured the concrete used in their projects will perform as expected.

This standard test method has been a trusted approach for decades, ensuring the strength, safety, and longevity of concrete structures. Whether using field-cured or standard-cured cylinders, it is essential to handle, cure, and test them properly to obtain meaningful data that guides construction decisions and ensures compliance with safety standards for concrete structures.

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