Concrete: Practices to Avoid on Construction Sites

Part 1

Adding water can damage the concrete mix, compromising its quality in terms of both strength and durability because the water/cement ratio is changed.

Part 2

Care and attention must be paid to the packaging of the concrete cubic samples, which are essential for both the customer and the supplier since they are the tool that allows testing the quality and resistance of the product.

Part 3

The maturation of concrete is a fundamental step for the quality of the material since it is the phase in which the product acquires its definitive characteristics of resistance and durability, therefore obtaining the expected result.

Part 4

When concrete arrives at the construction site, it is essential to comply with the acceptance procedures established by the Technical Construction Standards (NTC). These rules ensure that the material used has the strength and durability required for the safety of the project.

However, on many construction sites, inspection procedures are performed incorrectly or even ignored. Among the riskiest practices are:
❌ Samples taken irregularly or by unqualified personnel
❌ Unsuitable equipment that compromises the representativeness of the sample
❌ Tampering with the concrete by adding water, before or after sampling
❌ Using a single sample for multiple days of pouring without adequate checks

Errors of this type can alter the quality of the concrete in place, generate disputes between the contractor and the manufacturer, and, above all, compromise structural safety.

👉 How to perform sampling correctly?
Atecap created this video to clearly explain the incorrect practices to avoid on construction sites and how to perform acceptance checks in accordance with current regulations.