Does anybody know of a company in Los Angeles or the valley that does compression testing of concrete? Since I’m mixing my own for this little footing, I thought it might be interesting to make a 6″ x 12″ cylinder and get it tested at 28 days. So I’ve spent the afternoon with Google and the Smart Yellow Pages (which really ain’t that smart), and the nearest one so far is in Long Beach.
— J.S.
Replies
John
Since this is more for you interest than a legal requirement see if you can find a universtiy with an enegineer, building, or other technical program.
The average rate for a compression test from a commercial lab is $700+ which may quell any curiosity. The college lab is your best bet....that's not a mistake, it's rustic
Thanks, Jeff -- I'm nowhere near that curious. ;-)
-- J.S.
I talked to the company in Long Beach, Twining Labs. Very nice folks. Because this is just for curiosity, and not an official test, they'll do one cylinder at 28 days, for $50. I picked up the cylinder mold this morning. Having seen the place, I know now why I didn't find any others -- this outfit is huge, they probably have the capacity to do enough testing that there's no need for any others for miles around.
The bad news is I gave my sand the water bottle test for dirt, and it's dirty. So, now I'm like a kid playing in the mud trying to find the best way to rinse it.
-- J.S.
What's your time worth? Might be cheaper to buy clean sand.
I gave that some consideration. I'd have to get the old stuff back on the truck, find a place to get rid of it, then find a source for the new stuff, and hope it's better than the old stuff. The latest variation on the washing technique will complete the 9 cubic feet that I need in about three hours. So it looks like -- um -- a wash. ;-)
-- J.S.
I, myself work for a concrete testing lab in SE USA. We charge $7 for a single break. Most of the time free. There is proberly over a 100 testing labs in LA. Look in phonebook under geotechical testing labs.
Just call a concrete producer and ask their quality control guy.