How should you handle nonconforming concrete on site?

• A. Continue the pour, documenting later.
• B. Stop the pour, tag area with red tag, document, inform engineer, and implement corrective action per FDOT procedures.
• C. Remove area from the pour but resume immediately.
• D. Inform the crew only and proceed.

Answer: (B)

When nonconforming concrete is found, the priority is to stop the work and control the material right away. This means halting the pour and isolating the area so the defect cannot be continued or hidden in the structure. A red tag should be placed on the area to clearly indicate nonconformity and prevent any further placement there.

Next, you document everything—exact location, what is deficient, the measurements or observations, who saw it, and the time. This record creates a traceable history and supports proper decision-making. After documenting, inform the engineer so they can require disposition and approve any required corrective action.

The corrective action must follow the FDOT procedures and the project’s specifications. That could involve removing and replacing the defective concrete, performing required testing, or applying other approved corrective steps as directed by the engineer. Following these steps ensures the quality of the structure and protects safety and compliance.

Continuing to pour without addressing the nonconformity would risk incorporating defective material into the work, which is unacceptable. Simply removing the area and resuming immediately or only informing the crew does not provide the necessary documentation, engineer involvement, or mandated actions to properly address the issue.