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The concrete slump test debate is getting old

I keep seeing crews skip the slump test on site, saying they trust the plant ticket. But last Tuesday, a pour for a foundation in Springfield failed spec because the mix was too wet, and we had to tear out 15 cubic yards. How do you enforce proper testing when the schedule is tight?
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3 Comments
jasond56
jasond561mo ago
That story about the foundation pour is exactly why we stopped skipping tests. We made the slump test a required step for the pour ticket to be signed off. No test, no pour, and the clock stops right there. It only took one delay for the crew to get the message.
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reese_patel
No test, no pour" is the only rule that really sticks. It turns a nice idea into something the crew has to deal with right away.
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joel_brown19
Yeah, that rule works because it's simple and stops the job cold. It takes the choice out of someone's hands in the moment. I've seen crews try to talk their way around a test when they're behind schedule, but @reese_patel is right, it makes it the crew's problem to solve right then. There's no room for debate, which is what you need sometimes. It turns a quality check from a suggestion into a real part of the job.
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