Abstract: A container assembly comprises a container having a peripheral side wall defining a rectangular interior space and having top flap and bottom flaps folded inwardly to selectively enclose the interior space. The bottom flaps include notched edges for interlocking to maintain corners of the peripheral side wall square. An insert is removably receivable in the rectangular interior space. The insert comprises first and second panels of sheet material selectively folded to define a plurality of rectangular mold cavities in the interior space. Distal edges of the panels are notched wherein the notched edges interlock at the corners of the peripheral side wall to maintain the mold cavities square.

Abstract: A perpendicularity verification device is provided for verifying perpendicularity of a concrete test specimen in a testing machine. The device comprises a unitary planar sheet. The sheet has an elongate vertical straight side edge and a horizontal straight bottom edge. The side and bottom edges are perpendicular to one another. A corner notch is provided between the side and bottom edges. In use, the bottom edge rests on a platen of the testing machine so that the notch circumvents a retaining cup of the testing machine and the vertical edge rests against the test specimen.

Abstract: A perpendicularity verification device is provided for verifying perpendicularity of a concrete test specimen in a testing machine. The device comprises a unitary planar sheet. The sheet has an elongate vertical straight side edge and a horizontal straight bottom edge. The side and bottom edges are perpendicular to one another. A corner notch is provided between the side and bottom edges. In use, the bottom edge rests on a platen of the testing machine so that the notch circumvents a retaining cup of the testing machine and the vertical edge rests against the test specimen.

Abstract: A grout capping system is disclosed for capping a grout specimen in the form of a rectangular prism. The system comprises an alignment fixture having a base, an alignment plate and a spacer securing the alignment plate to the base. The alignment plate is vertically spaced from the base and has a notch forming a right angle inside corner adapted to receive a corner of a grout specimen. A capping plate comprises a body having a square recess of a size to receive the grout specimen. The capping plate is receivable on the base with a corner of the recess aligned with the alignment plate notch so that a grout specimen received in the recess maintains perpendicularity with the capping plate.

Abstract: A container assembly comprises a container having a peripheral side wall defining a rectangular interior space and having top flap and bottom flaps folded inwardly to selectively enclose the interior space. The bottom flaps include notched edges for interlocking to maintain corners of the peripheral side wall square. An insert is removably receivable in the rectangular interior space. The insert comprises first and second panels of sheet material selectively folded to define a plurality of rectangular mold cavities in the interior space. Distal edges of the panels are notched wherein the notched edges interlock at the corners of the peripheral side wall to maintain the mold cavities square.

Abstract: A concrete accessory for use with a ready mix chute comprises a funnel shaped hopper. The hopper has a wide upper opening of a size corresponding to that of a ready mix chute and tapering to a narrow lower opening. The hopper has a seamless inner surface and a pair of hollow aligned receptacles on opposite sides of the hopper and extending outwardly therefrom proximate the upper opening. An elongate rod has a length greater than the spacing between the aligned hollow receptacles to be received therein. A hanger assembly removably attaches the rod to a ready mix chute, in use, to support the hopper below the chute.

Abstract: A concrete accessory for use with a ready mix chute comprises a funnel shaped hopper. The hopper has a wide upper opening of a size corresponding to that of a ready mix chute and tapering to a narrow lower opening. The hopper has a seamless inner surface and a pair of hollow aligned receptacles on opposite sides of the hopper and extending outwardly therefrom proximate the upper opening. An elongate rod has a length greater than the spacing between the aligned hollow receptacles to be received therein. A hanger assembly removably attaches the rod to a ready mix chute, in use, to support the hopper below the chute.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic hand held scoop comprises a receptacle formed by an elongate peripheral wall closed at a rear end by a rear wall and open at a front end to define a product holding space. A first handle is connected to and extends transverse to the elongate peripheral wall proximate the front end. A second handle is connected to the elongate peripheral wall rearward of the first handle and extends longitudinally relative to the elongate peripheral wall.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic hand held scoop comprises a receptacle formed by an elongate peripheral wall closed at a rear end by a rear wall and open at a front end to define a product holding space. The front end defines a rounded opening. A first handle is connected to the elongate peripheral wall proximate the front end. A second handle is connected to the elongate peripheral wall proximate the rear end.

Abstract: A biodegradable test cylinder mold is used for testing concrete specimens. The mold comprises a cylindrical wall connected to a bottom wall to define a hollow, unitary cylindrical container for receiving concrete to form a test specimen. The cylindrical container is formed of a biodegradable material comprising corn starch or a blend of corn starch and plastic.

Abstract: A biodegradable test cylinder mold is used for testing concrete specimens. The mold comprises a cylindrical wall connected to a bottom wall to define a hollow, unitary cylindrical container for receiving concrete to form a test specimen. The cylindrical container is formed of a biodegradable material comprising corn starch or a blend of corn starch and plastic.

Abstract: An unbonded capping system for strength testing of concrete masonry units (CMUs) comprises a rigid, rectangular foam board of a size to be received on a face of a CMU. A plastic sheet is laminated to the rigid foam board and is engagable by a test apparatus, in use, with the rigid foam board engaging the face of the CMU to provide even load distribution during testing.

Abstract: A shim assembly is adapted to fit in a space between articles to be separated and the space filled with grout. The shim assembly comprises a plurality of elongate one piece bodies of a plurality of different thicknesses. Each one piece body is of a uniform thickness. The bodies have a plurality of bores extending therethrough. Spacing between the bores is uniform.

Abstract: An unbonded capping system for compression testing of concrete cylinders comprises first and second retaining cups comprising metal blocks each having opposite parallel planar surfaces. A first of the planar surfaces is engageable by a test apparatus, in use. A second of the planar surfaces has a cylindrical cavity of a first select diameter for receiving one end of the concrete cylinder. First and second cylindrical compression pads are each to be received in one of the retaining cup cavities to abut an end of the concrete cylinder, in use. The compression pads are of a second select diameter smaller than the first select diameter of the cavity to define a circumferential space therebetween. Nubs are provided for gripping the cavity to prevent the compression pads from falling out of the cavities.

Abstract: An unbonded capping system for strength testing of concrete masonry units (CMUs) comprises a rigid, rectangular foam board of a size to be received on a face of a CMU. A plastic sheet is laminated to the rigid foam board and is engagable by a test apparatus, in use, with the rigid foam board engaging the face of the CMU to provide even load distribution during testing.

Abstract: An unbonded capping system for compression testing of concrete cylinders comprises first and second retaining cups comprising metal blocks each having opposite parallel planar surfaces. A first of the planar surfaces is engageable by a test apparatus, in use. A second of the planar surfaces has a cylindrical cavity of a first select diameter for receiving one end of the concrete cylinder. First and second cylindrical compression pads are each to be received in one of the retaining cup cavities to abut an end of the concrete cylinder, in use. The compression pads are of a second select diameter smaller than the first select diameter of the cavity to define a circumferential space therebetween. Nubs are provided for gripping the cavity to prevent the compression pads from falling out of the cavities.

Abstract: An unbonded capping system is provided for compression testing of grout samples in the form of rectangular prisms. The capping system comprises first and second retaining cups comprising metal blocks each having opposite parallel planar surfaces. A first of the planar surfaces is engagable by a test platen, in use. A second of the planar surfaces has a rectangular cavity for receiving one end of the grout sample. First and second rectangular compression pads each have a hardness in the range of about 50-70 durometer. The compression pads are of a size slightly smaller than a size of the rectangular cavities to be received therein to distribute a test load from the test platens to the grout sample.

Abstract: An unbonded capping system is provided for compression testing of grout samples in the form of rectangular prisms. The capping system comprises first and second retaining cups comprising metal blocks each having opposite parallel planar surfaces. A first of the planar surfaces is engagable by a test platen, in use. A second of the planar surfaces has a rectangular cavity for receiving one end of the grout sample. First and second rectangular compression pads each have a hardness in the range of about 50-70 durometer. The compression pads are of a size slightly smaller than a size of the rectangular cavities to be received therein to distribute a test load from the test platens to the grout sample.

Abstract: Broadly, there is disclosed herein in accordance with a first aspect of the invention a safety system for use with linearly arranged reinforcement bars. The safety system includes a plurality of safety covers and a plurality of adapters. Each safety cover includes a cover plate and a collar operatively associated with and extending downwardly from the cover plate for mounting to an upper end of a reinforcement bar. Each adapter has a center section and opposite upwardly turned side sections defining a channel. The center section is adapted to removably receive one of the safety covers to secure the adapter to the reinforcement bar. The channel receives an elongate body extending between two or more of the adapters on linearly arranged reinforcement bars.

Abstract: A concrete test specimen apparatus includes a test cylinder having a cylindrical side wall closed by a bottom wall to define an interior space accessible through a top opening. A rectangular liner in the interior space covers an inside of the cylindrical side wall. When the interior space is filled with a specimen of concrete, the liner is disposed between the specimen and the side wall to enable sliding of the specimen out of the interior space.