What is the inspector’s role regarding temperature limits for concrete in transit?

• A. Verify that the delivered concrete temperature and its time in transit meet project specs, and record readings as part of the field test data.
• B. Adjust the temperature on-site to match spec
• C. Only check the batch ticket temperature
• D. Ignore temperature

Answer: (A)

Temperature control of concrete in transit is a key quality-control issue because the concrete’s temperature, along with how long it has been in transit, directly affects setting, early strength gain, and the risk of thermal cracking. The inspector's role is to verify that the delivered concrete’s temperature and its time in transit meet project specifications and to record those readings as part of the field test data. This creates a documented check that the concrete arrives within allowable limits and within the time window for placement, enabling proper scheduling and any needed corrective actions.

Why this choice fits best: verifying actual delivered temperature and transit time ensures the concrete can perform as designed and helps prevent issues caused by overheating or prolonged travel. Recording the readings provides traceability for quality control and contract compliance, and it supports decisions about placement or cooling measures if limits are approached or exceeded.

Why the other options don’t fit: adjusting the temperature on-site is not done by the inspector; temperature control and adjustment are responsibilities of the supplier or batch plant and field supervisors. Merely checking the batch ticket temperature misses the crucial step of confirming the actual delivered concrete’s temperature and transit time, which can differ from what’s on the ticket. Ignoring temperature altogether would ignore a critical factor that affects strength, workability, and durability.