AASHTO T231
Full Name
AASHTO T231 – Standard Method of Test for Capping Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
Scope
AASHTO T231 is a standard test method that outlines the procedures and requirements for capping cylindrical concrete specimens. Capping is the process of creating a smooth, flat, and parallel surface on the ends of concrete cylinders to ensure accurate and reliable compressive strength testing. Proper capping is crucial for obtaining valid test results and ensuring the quality control of concrete in construction projects.
Key aspects of AASHTO T231:
- Purpose: the primary objective of capping is to create a uniform bearing surface on the ends of concrete cylinders, ensuring that the applied load during compressive strength testing is evenly distributed across the specimen. This minimizes the risk of premature failure or inaccurate results due to uneven loading or stress concentrations.
- Capping materials: AASHTO T231 specifies two types of capping materials:
- Neat cement paste: a mixture of Portland cement and water, typically used for capping freshly molded concrete cylinders.
- High-strength gypsum plaster: a fast-setting gypsum-based material used for capping hardened concrete cylinders and drilled cores.
- Capping procedures: the standard provides detailed instructions for capping both freshly molded and hardened concrete cylinders, including surface preparation, application of capping compound, and curing. It also specifies the allowable tolerances for planeness and perpendicularity of the capped surfaces.
- Significance: proper capping of concrete cylinders is essential for obtaining accurate and reliable compressive strength test results. These results are used for quality control in concrete production, acceptance testing of concrete deliveries, and assessment of the in-situ strength of concrete structures.
AASHTO T231 Accredited Laboratory
Applied Testing & Geosciences, LLC is accredited for performing tests using the AASHTO T231 standard.
Our laboratory offers comprehensive concrete testing services, including the capping of cylindrical concrete specimens according to AASHTO T231. Our experienced technicians utilize high-quality capping materials and follow standardized procedures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of your compressive strength test results.
Contact us for more information.
Resources
Keywords
capping; concrete cylinder; compressive strength; capping compound; neat cement paste; high-strength gypsum plaster; sulfur mortar; planeness; perpendicularity