Capping Cylindrical Concrete Specimens with Sulfur or Capping Compound

ASTM Designation: ASTM C617

Purpose:
To cap hardened Portland cement concrete cylinders and drilled concrete
cores with sulfur mortar or other capping compounds to prepare the specimen for
compressive strength testing
Significance and Use:
this procedure provides plane surfaces perpendicular to the
specimen axis on the ends of concrete cylinders before performing the compression test.
Equipment:
1.
Alignment device consisting of a frame with guide bars and a cup. The size of the
alignment device should match the specimen size.
2.
Melting pot, used for melting sulfur mortars or capping compound, equipped with
automatic temperature control. The melting pot should be used either outdoors or
under an exhaust hood. Heating over an open flame is dangerous, because the
mixture may ignite if overheated.
Capping Procedure
1.
Prepare the sulfur mortar or capping compound by heating to about 130 oC. Use a
metal thermometer to check the temperature. Make sure to empty any old mortar
and to use fresh mortar to avoid the loss of strength due to successive heating. The
fresh sulfur mortar must be dry when it is placed in the pot, because dampness
may cause foaming.
2.
Warm the capping cup or device slightly before use to slow the rate of hardening
and to permit the production of thin caps.
3.
Oil the capping cup lightly and stir the molten sulfur mortar or the capping
compound immediately prior to pouring into the cup. Make sure the ends of
moist-cured specimens are dry enough at the time of capping, so there will be no
steam or foam pockets.
4.
Hold the concrete cylinder with two hands and push it against the guide bars of
the capping device. Carefully lower the specimen until it rests in the cup. this
step must be completed quickly before the sulfur or capping compound solidifies.
The thickness of the cap should be about 3-mm (1/8 inch) and not more than 8mm (5/16 inch) in any part.
5.
Before the cylinder is tested for compressive strength, the cap should be cured in
order to have strength comparable to that of the concrete.