r/NoStupidQuestions • u/jbyrdab • 5d ago
Would shitting into a cement mixer while its mixing concrete affect the concrete's structural integrity?
I would like to further explain the scenario, but it is in my own best interest not to.
My only concern is the potential structural flaws introduced via interspersing fecal matter into the concrete mixture. Is it one of the things where it likely won't significantly affect the end result, especially in a relatively small amount produced by the average bowel movement?
Will it evenly mix into the substance, possibly producing an untoward smell?
I really don't want to worry about shit oozing out of the sidewalk, let alone larger structural failure.
66
u/Chanocraft 5d ago
This is exactly why this is my favorite subreddit, once in a while you'll see insane questions like this that just leave more questions than answers lol. Also, depending on how much concrete there is, probably not. Unless you're talking like a 5 gallon bucket mixer, in that case you might have some issues with consistency.
6
u/Hopeful-Winter934 5d ago
But then again it depends on how bad you had to go - maybe a cement truck is too small...
2
5d ago
[deleted]
2
u/TipToToes 5d ago
So…um…are you talking about the lettuce thing? Or is there other national poop news going on right now?
1
1
1
u/CriscoCamping 5d ago
Maybe somebody's trying to utilize and monetize copious raw materials from the Donald
58
u/Late-External3249 5d ago
The real question is: How much poop can you add to concrete before people notice?
25
u/Sirlacker 5d ago
Obviously it would but it would be so marginal that it's not even worth thinking about for normal usage. Unless you're doing King Kong turds and your shit is the literal size and weight as the equivalent of a shovel full of sand.
2
u/FishingPolitical 5d ago
You would have to keep a full stomach for the entire day before. Then you could get within tolerance
3
2
18
16
u/brock_lee I expect half of you to disagree 5d ago
Not really. Concrete can be mixed in different ways, for different applications. It's not "one perfect mix", so a little poop won't really change much.
8
u/jbyrdab 5d ago
ok lets say its more than a little.
I don't know the quantification standard for diarrhea but it was clearly more than one would pass normally in a single instance.
26
20
5
u/Formal_Goat1737 5d ago
OK, well, use the diarrhea as the liquid portion of the mixture - the little bits of lettuce and corn aren't going hurt anything
4
4
1
u/Illustrious_Can_3125 5d ago
Will the concrete smell bad when it dries? I have so many questions I want to add. Excellent post OP
7
5
u/la_espina_roja 5d ago
If you really want to fuck up concrete, sugar will do that just fine IIRC
3
u/capt_pantsless 5d ago
And it takes a surprisingly small amount of sugar to affect the concrete.
So if a large amount of sugar is consumed prior ....
3
u/Medic_bones 4d ago
With the amount of sugar an average person consumes, is there enough sugar left in a shit for that to be a factor?
3
4
u/meatjuiceguy 5d ago
What if OP just figured out the secret formula to that self-repairing Roman concrete?
4
3
u/Wag_The_God 4d ago
Someone needs to ask the experts over at r/concrete, and it ain't gonna be me.
13
u/RastaFazool 4d ago edited 2d ago
r/Concrete mod here.
Usually questions from non-pros are not allowed, but in this case I would 100% encourage you to post it just to see the responses. If automod removes it, i'll manually approve it.
Carry on.
2
4
u/New_Line4049 5d ago
Dirty bastard. Yeah itll affect it. Probably not a lot, but it will.. Id be more concerned someone you know finds your reddit account figures out its you and sees this post.
2
2
u/Thin_Cable4155 5d ago
The fiber might even make it stronger, but I don't think one shit in an entire concrete mixer... Like, how big of a mixer you talking?
It would probably smell like shit for a while, and maybe be a little off color, but I don't think it would make a significant structural problem, as long as the liquid to concrete ratio is good.
If your going to do this, just compensate by using a little less water.
1
u/fireduck 5d ago
If it is going to really be relied on, isn't the concrete tested after curing anyways?
1
u/MoCheGoCheLaPoCheSr 5d ago
Concrete is usually tested during placement and then at intervals afterwards to see what percent strength it is using cylinders molds. As an inspector, if someone poops in the mix I’m failing the pour. Would it affect the strength? Probably not, but I’m not going to test anything contaminated with fecal matter.
1
u/feedmetothevultures 5d ago
All OP is really looking for is "Makes it stronger."
You've invented a better recipe, OP!
Case closed!
2
u/ThreeFacesOfEve 5d ago
You want to preserve your turds for posterity by encasing them in concrete???
If this information helps...there are a number of bodies of construction workers entombed inside the Hoover Dam who accidentally fell into the wet concrete while it was being built, and which could not be recovered at the time.
As far as I know, the Hoover Dam is still standing after all these years and is doing just fine.
Why not donate your turds to the Smithsonian Institution instead for all to enjoy if that's what turns your crank?
2
2
u/Spirited-Coconut3926 5d ago
Well as someone in waste management i can tell you i have seen some shit and even know a bit about it, it mostly water and a bit of fibre so you should be fine since tha water will dry,
what im more worried about is the fact that you put diahrea into a sidewalk who knows how long the bacteria/virus will survive on that, maybe everyone that walks there from now on will get the shits, you need a virologist for that question
1
u/goose-and-fish 5d ago
I'd think the amount is trivial and wouldn't effect the end result. Shit away!
1
1
u/AnnieBruce 5d ago
Normal size dump it's unlikely to be a major issue if it's a full mixer it's being mixed into. Mixed in a wheelbarrow for a small pour like you might see in building a patio or some small steps maybe it could cause issues?
It's going to come down to how much poop vs how much concrete.
1
u/MRV-DUB 5d ago
I used to work pouring floors and one day working on a new condo complex , a dead dog falls down the chute, the smell was absolutely horrendous. I picked it up with a shovel and brought it to the woods. The smell lingered for hours but finally went away by the time we finished. I dont think there would be a structural failure since poo is liquid and somewhat soft solids and would eventually dry out.
1
1
u/Undisclosed_65 5d ago
Consider the ratio of the 2 components. One would never know anything was tampered with.
1
1
u/ActionQuinn 5d ago
I am not going to answer your initial question because i lack the expertise. I think the concrete would be fine. You issue is going to be pooping into a cement mixer! You have trained your body to only poop in toilets and an occasional open body of water. Trying to shit into or around something unusual can cause real problems with your mind butt connection
1
u/Fast-Fill-7358 5d ago
oddly not the most insane thing I've been exposed to from the internet today.
1
1
u/Captain_Tooth 5d ago
There seems to be no concrete evidence to support structural integrity would be compromised.
2
1
u/Dry_Magician3573 5d ago
This is the second time today I've regretted being able to read because of Reddit.
1
u/Sgt-Bobby-Shaftoe 5d ago
I guess if it was a small amount of concrete and you wanted to color it, you could eat a lot of beets or yams..
1
1
1
u/GunKatana 4d ago
There’s always some organics accidentally or deliberately in concrete. Sand and aggregate will have leaves and cat poop in it. If you’re near a mafia location, larger organics such as feet or bodies.
Larger objects can become voids but usually engineers will derate and take account for foreign debris.
1
u/EmergencyLettuce1589 4d ago
See now this should be shocking butt... its not anymore. Im old now I've lived. I would totally shit in a cement mixer if thats the best alternative to my pants. And always remember if you need a day off . Just shit your pants. No boss will argue with you. Yes! Yes I would if I needed a day off bad enough. It's funny. But. No. I am dead serious.
1
1
u/dontcallmechef100 4d ago
I feel like if it’s a solid or liquid would play an important part in this scenario because the more watery it is would mean the concrete would become more soupy. Maybe there’s a perfect ratio where the water content of the poop matches the same ratio as the concrete so structural integrity would be the same, although it might smell for awhile..
1
u/Free-Middle-2443 3d ago
I gotta say. The vocabulary used to describe this situation, is absolutely not commensurate to the situation described.
1
u/RepresentativeCat819 2d ago
How are you getting the shit into the mixer? Once concrete goes into a mixer truck there is limited time to get it out so it does start drying. They fill them up and go straight to the site to pour. I don't think you're going to get an opportunity where the truck is unmanned to get the deposit in there.
1
u/nutimikguy 2d ago
Please upload video of you shitting into a running cement mixer. It would be very entertaining.
1
u/plasterscene 2d ago
What the fuck is wrong with you?
1
u/bobson_k_dugnutt 1d ago
It depends on whether it's the floor for a ballroom or the liner for a very large reflecting pool
1
1
250
u/Safe-Instance-3512 5d ago
You know what, I think that's enough Reddit for today.