Concrete Strength Testing Technician

The Concrete Strength Testing Technician course covers the testing of compressive and flexural strength of hardened concrete, and follows the format of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) certification for Concrete Strength Testing Technician.

Pre-Requisite Requirements

The Basic Aggregates Testing Technician course is a required pre-requisite for the Concrete Strength Testing Technician course.  CTTP certification in Concrete Strength Testing Technician will only be granted if the Basic Aggregates pre-requisite requirement is met.  If Basic Aggregates is not completed, the technician will only receive the ACI certification.  This course is not intended to provide basic training, but rather to serve as a refresher and evaluation leading to certification.  Prior to attending the course, participants should have a working knowledge of hardened concrete testing methods, as well as the mathematical calculations associated with those methods.  Experience in physically performing these test methods is strongly recommended.

Concrete Strength Review Materials

Specifications

Specifications and methods included in the Concrete Strength Testing Technician course include:

  • ASTM C 617 (AASHTO T 231) Capping Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
  • ASTM C 1231 Use of Unbonded Caps in Determination of Compressive Strength of Hardened Concrete Cylinders
  • ASTM C 39 (AASHTO T 22) Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
  • ASTM C 78 (AASHTO T 97) Flexural Strength of Concrete 

Supplies and Equipment

All necessary equipment and supplies used in the Concrete Strength Testing Technician course will be furnished by CTTP.  A course notebook and pencil is provided to each participant.  Calculators may be borrowed from CTTP; however, students are often more comfortable bringing a calculator with which they are familiar, and routinely use.  Other items that may be useful include a straightedge or ruler, pen, pencil, and highlighter.

CTTP course participants are required to wear applicable personal protective equipment in the laboratory, including long pants, closed-toe shoes, and safety glasses.  Safety glasses, gloves, and other personal protective equipment may be borrowed from CTTP during the class.

Course Schedule

Each Concrete Strength Testing course will begin at 1:00 pm on Day 1 unless otherwise stated, with check-in and registration from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.  Classroom and laboratory instruction will be provided on Day 1 and Day 2.  Written and performance exams will be given on Day 3, with the course concluding no later than 2:00 pm on Day 3.  More information can be found in the Detailed Course Schedule.

Exams

The Concrete Strength Testing Technician certification requires each participant to pass both a written and a performance exam published by the American Concrete Institute.  The written exam is closed-book, and subject to a one-hour time limit.  In order to receive certification, 70% of all questions must be answered correctly on the entire written portion of the exam, and at least 60% of the questions must be answered correctly within each section of the written exam.  Also, a passing score must be achieved on each section of the performance exam.  Each component of the performance exam will be given at a test station, where individual course participants will be observed by test proctors.  The performance exams will be graded on a “pass / fail” basis, such that each participant will have two opportunities to achieve a passing grade.  All testing requirements are subject to the regulations of the American Concrete Institute. The Concrete Strength Testing performance exam consists of three stations, including:

  • ASTM C617: Capping Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
  • ASTM C39: Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
  • ASTM C78: Flexural Strength of Concrete

Participants who pass the performance exam but do not pass the written exam may re-take the written exam within one year of the date of the original attempt, as allowed by ACI policies.  Participants who pass the written exam but not the performance exam may re-take the entire performance exam within one year of the date of the original attempt, as allowed by ACI policies.  If the written and performance components are not successfully completed within one year of the original attempt, then both the written and performance exams must be repeated.  Note that for this certification, a student may re-test without attending the full course.  However, pass rates are higher for students who attend the entire class when re-testing.

Certification

Upon successful completion of both the written and performance exams, participants will receive a five-year certification in Concrete Strength Testing from CTTP, as well as a five-year certification from the American Concrete Institute.  Certified individuals will receive a CTTP certificate and pocket card, and will be added to the CTTP website list of Certified Technicians.  Expiration dates will be determined according to ACI policy.

CTTP will grant reciprocal certification in Concrete Strength Testing if a technician currently holds the Concrete Strength Testing Technician – Grade 1 certification from the American Concrete Institute.  However, the Basic Aggregates pre-requisite requirement must also be met.  The CTTP card and certificate will be granted only after the successful completion of the Basic Aggregates course, and proof of ACI certification is provided to CTTP. 

Recertification in Concrete Strength may be achieved by successful completion of the standard 2 ½ day Concrete Strength Testing Technician course.