ACI Concrete Strength Testing Technician Practice Test

What should be maintained between the storage and testing of test specimens?

1. Kept dry

2. Kept warm

3. Kept moist

4. Kept cool

The correct answer is: Kept moist

Maintaining moisture between the storage and testing of concrete test specimens is crucial for ensuring accurate strength measurements. Concrete continues to hydrate after it is cast, and maintaining a moist environment helps facilitate this hydration process. If the specimens dry out, it can lead to incomplete hydration, which negatively affects the strength and durability of the concrete. This incomplete curing could result in test results that do not accurately reflect the concrete's potential performance in its intended application. While it is essential to prevent the specimens from being excessively wet, a controlled moist environment is necessary to promote the curing process. Drying out can lead to surface cracking and other issues that compromise the integrity of the test results. Therefore, keeping the specimens moist is the best practice to ensure that they truly represent the strength of the concrete mix being tested.