Mould for casting of thin samples made of cement-based materials, for a maximum of 10 small samples (10×10×2 mm or ⅜×⅜× 1/16 inch), consists of a solid stainless steel base plate, stainless steel upper frame-plates and thin plastic foil. The stainless steel frame plates of various lengths are assembled on the base plate and fastened with screws to form a frame with 10 free spaces (‘cells’) into which the concrete/cementitious material is poured. The thickness (2 mm or 1/16 inch) of the thin frame plates determines the thickness of the cast samples. Plastic transparent foil is placed over the surface of the base plate for easier sample removal. The advantages of the mould are: possibility of assembling and disassembling of all mould parts and hence safe sample removal after 24 hours, multiple usage as well as easy maintenance and cleaning.

Systems and methods related to preparing foamed cement for laboratory analysis are provided. A prepared cement slurry is placed in a cement reservoir cell configured to pressurize the cement slurry contained within the cement reservoir cell to a capture pressure. After pressurization, the cement slurry and a compressed gas are introduced into a foam generator. Foamed cement generated in the foam generator is introduced from the tee into a foam capture cell where it can cure prior to analysis.

A method and device for removal of a molded sample from a mold with minimal or no damage to the molded sample. The device includes a drill configured for perforating a wall of the mold with the formation of a through aperture, a shroud passageway through or adjacent the drill, and a passageway from a source for pressurized fluid leading to the shroud passageway. The shroud passageway is configured whereby fluid such as air is applied therethrough simultaneously with perforation operation of the drill. Air directed through the aperture is pressurized and comes into effective contact with the molded sample whereby the molded sample is prevented from being more than minimally contacted with the drill and caused to be removed from the mold.

Systems and methods related to preparing foamed cement for laboratory analysis are provided. A prepared cement slurry is placed in a cement reservoir cell configured to pressurize the cement slurry contained within the cement reservoir cell to a capture pressure. After pressurization, the cement slurry and a compressed gas are introduced into a foam generator. Foamed cement generated in the foam generator is introduced from the tee into a foam capture cell where it can cure prior to analysis.

Systems and methods related to preparing foamed cement for laboratory analysis are provided. A prepared cement slurry is placed in a cement reservoir cell configured to pressurize the cement slurry contained within the cement reservoir cell to a capture pressure. After pressurization, the cement slurry and a compressed gas are introduced into a foam generator. Foamed cement generated in the foam generator is introduced from the tee into a foam capture cell where it can cure prior to analysis.

A method and device for removal of a molded sample from a mold with minimal or no damage to the molded sample. The device includes a drill configured for perforating a wall of the mold with the formation of a through aperture, a shroud passageway through or adjacent the drill, and a passageway from a source for pressurized fluid leading to the shroud passageway. The shroud passageway is configured whereby fluid such as air is applied therethrough simultaneously with perforation operation of the drill. Air directed through the aperture is pressurized and comes into effective contact with the molded sample whereby the molded sample is prevented from being more than minimally contacted with the drill and caused to be removed from the mold.

This system includes a concrete identification technology that is used in taking, testing, monitoring, and labeling concrete samples or members using custom labels called a tag. This tag comprises a series of corresponding labels, one for the outside of the form, and on for the inside of the form that becomes part of the concrete sample. These tags are physically bonded to the concrete specimen with only minimal impact on its shape and properties. In some embodiments the tags will contain a hook-and-loop or fiber type surface texture (protrusions) which is placed in the form with the protrusions facing the fresh concrete. The tag can also contain electronic circuitry to gather and track information about the concrete and the surrounding environment. This will eliminate the need to relabel the samples after demolding while also measuring a number of other parameters about the concrete and its performance.

Systems and methods related to preparing foamed cement for laboratory analysis are provided. A prepared cement slurry is placed in a cement reservoir cell configured to pressurize the cement slurry contained within the cement reservoir cell to a capture pressure. After pressurization, the cement slurry and a compressed gas are introduced into a foam generator. Foamed cement generated in the foam generator is introduced from the tee into a foam capture cell where it can cure prior to analysis.

Mould for casting of thin samples made of cement-based materials, for a maximum of 10 small samples (10102 mm or 1/16 inch), consists of a solid stainless steel base plate, stainless steel upper frame-plates and thin plastic foil. The stainless steel frame plates of various lengths are assembled on the base plate and fastened with screws to form a frame with 10 free spaces (cells) into which the concrete/cementitious material is poured. The thickness (2 mm or 1/16 inch) of the thin frame plates determines the thickness of the cast samples. Plastic transparent foil is placed over the surface of the base plate for easier sample removal. The advantages of the mould are: possibility of assembling and disassembling of all mould parts and hence safe sample removal after 24 hours, multiple usage as well as easy maintenance and cleaning.

A concrete test cylinder mold formed of expandable polystyrene and which is used to form geometrically uniform concrete test cylinders that accurately reflect the structural properties of the concrete mix used to form the test cylinders despite fluctuations in temperature to which the test cylinder may be exposed during formation within the mold. The mold is constructed and configured such that compression testing of the concrete test cylinder may be conducted while the cylinder is still in the mold. A specially designed heat shield may be used in unison with the concrete test mold to form, at least in part, a system by which heat further may be retained within the system during formation of the concrete test cylinder.