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harles Hanskats article on Shotcrete but is seldom measured in the United States. In
TestingWho, Why, When, and How1 in addition, the QCS 2010 requires a test for dura-
the Summer 2011 issue of Shotcrete bility that is actually four separate tests: water
magazine provided us with an excellent overview penetration, water absorption, rapid chloride
of shotcrete testing in the United States. As penetration, and absorption.
Charles pointed out, the purpose of testing is Testing around the world is really no different
project quality assurance (QA), which should than testing in the United States. Project needs
verify the designers intent, and quality control and often governing codes are what determine
(QC), which should confirm the contractors which tests are needed or required on a project,
performance. This article is meant to give the reader whether the project is in Atlanta, GA, or
an introduction into the world of testing of concrete Shanghai, China. Engineers design structures to
used for shotcrete outside the United States. carry design loads and endure environmental
Fifty years ago, concrete was just tested for conditions. So project requirements dictate what
compressive strength. No thought was given to tests are required. Mining and tunneling shotcrete
durability other than the concept that the stronger projects, whether in Canada or Latin America,
the concrete, the longer it will last, and to a are concerned about rapid strength gain, so early-
degree, compressive strength of concrete is a good strength tests are conducted, and because most
rough indicator of durability. Today, however, we tunnel and mining shotcrete is fiber reinforced,
have a better understanding of concrete properties it is appropriate that tests for flexural toughness
affecting durability. To properly evaluate concretes are typically specified.
longevity, specific durability tests are needed to What makes testing around the world different
give us a better indication of a concrete structures is standards and which standard developing orga-
longevity for a particular service or environment nization (SDO) develops those standards. There
than just testing for compressive strength alone. are many different standards throughout the world
Durability requirements not only give us a to test for basically the same thing. Also, the test
better understanding of the service life of a structure results can vary significantly depending on what
but can vary depending on location. In Canada, standards are specified. For example, testing
durability requirements are different than in the results for water-soluble chloride using the ASTM
Middle East. Due to an extended exposure to standards can vary substantially from results using
freezing conditions, concrete durability in Canada British standards due to far different procedures
focuses on tests that measure concretes ability to used in the testing, even though both are supposed
resist freezing-and-thawing cycles and resistance to result in determining the percentage of chloride
to deicer salt scaling. In the Middle East, older in a material.
concrete structures are crumbling from within due Every country wants to control commerce
to corroding internal reinforcement. The corrosion within its borders, so every country specifies its
is caused by salts and sulfates included in the own standards. Fortunately, most countries
original concrete mixtures. Local cement, aggre- adopt common national standards developed by
gates, and even water contain chlorides. To prevent independent SDOs that are developed using a
internal corrosion, the Qatar Construction consensus process involving owners, suppliers,
Standard (QCS) 2010 specifies frequent testing engineers, and contractors. The most prominent
for chlorides per ASTM C1218, Standard Test international standards are:
Method for Water-Soluble Chloride in Mortar and American Society Testing Materials (ASTM);
Concrete. This is the same test that ACI 318 British Standards Institute (BSI);
specifies for measuring chlorides in concrete, Deutsches Institut fur Normung (DIN);