new concrete piers loading schedule

[mark espinosa]

Hello
I just poured a few concrete reinforced piers. They are 31x31x31 approx. the question I had is how long should I wait to let the framer's place a load on these piers. I understand as builders time is money and if it cracks well who will know. I have also heard before that it will take 28 days to cure but that seems a bit extreme to keep the framer at bay that long but it certainly wouldn't be the next day. I have taken off forms the next day on some small footings and it seems quite soft or not hardened and not ready for any compression. thanks for your help.

[Curt Fuller]

Although there are a lot of variables, most concrete reaches 50% of its maximum strength in 3 days, 70% in 7 days as a general rule. If it were mine I would be confident to begin framing after 3 days.

[Chris Damm]

I was always taught that concrete reaches 95% of it's strenght in 28 days and takes 28 years to reach 100%. 2 or 3 days are enough before removing the forms.

[Kevin Bourque]

I'm a contractor and we do this sort of thing all the time. I would wait at least 3-4 days until I put weight on those piers.

[Ole Anderson]

I agree with the other folks. And if you are in a real hurry next time, have them toss another sack of cement into every cubic yard of concrete to speed up the cure.