ACI Certification Practice Exam

Are smaller samples than 1 ft.³ allowed for routine air content, temperature, and slump tests?

1. True

2. False

3. Only for temperature tests

4. Only for slump tests

The correct answer is: True

Smaller samples than 1 cubic foot are permitted for routine air content, temperature, and slump tests in specific scenarios, particularly when adhering to certain standards set by organizations such as ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) or ACI (American Concrete Institute). The flexibility in testing allows for adjustments based on practical considerations in the field, such as managing limited quantities of material or conducting tests in situations where full standard sample sizes may not be feasible. In routine testing, while the standard may suggest a minimum volume, experienced practitioners recognize that smaller samples can still yield reliable and accurate results. Therefore, this allowance helps ensure that even when working with constrained material amounts, critical properties of concrete, such as air content, temperature, and slump, can still be assessed effectively, thereby facilitating quality control. The other options imply restrictive conditions that are not universally applicable or overlook the broader allowances provided for testing concrete under realistic field conditions. Thus, the correct answer reflects the true extent of flexibility available in concrete testing scenarios.