Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing

Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing1
INTRODUCTION
This manual is intended to supplement, not in any way to supersede, the various ASTM test methods
for sampling and testing aggregate and freshly mixed and hardened portland-cement concrete. The
manual was prepared by Committee C-9 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and has been accepted
by the Society for publication as information only. The manual is not a part of the ASTM methods.
Comments and suggestions on the manual will be welcomed by Committee C-9.
Many specifications for aggregates and concrete are based on the results of ASTM methods of
testing and therefore strict adherence to the requirements of the test methods is important. Improper
use of test procedures can result in inaccurate data and mistaken conclusions about aggregate and
concrete quality. Accordingly, this manual directs attention to many of the factors that might affect the
results of the tests.
This manual does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use.
It is the responsibility of the user of these standards to establish appropriate safety and health
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
The subjects covered in the manual appear in the following order:
Sections
Availability of Standards 1
Qualification of Personnel and Laboratory Evaluation 2
Samples 3
Terminology 4
Testing Apparatus 5
Safety Precautions 6
Inspection of Laboratory 7
Unit Weight and Voids in Aggregate (C 29/C 29M) 8
Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field 9
(C 31)
Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens 10
(C 39)
Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete 11
(C 42)
Surface Moisture in Fine Aggregate (C 70) 12
Flexural Strength of Concrete (Using Simple Beam with 13
Third-Point Loading (C 78)
Compressive Strength of Concrete Using Portions of Beams 14
Broken in Flexure (C 116)
Materials Finer than 75 µm (No. 200) Sieve in Mineral 15
Aggregates by Washing (C 117)
Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate (C 127) 16
Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate (C 128) 17
Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates (C 136) 18
Unit Weight, Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Con- 19
crete (C 138)
Slump of Hydraulic Cement Concrete (C 143) 20
Length Change of Hardened Hydraulic-Cement Mortar and 21
Concrete (C 157)
Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete (C 172) 22
Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric 23
Method (C 173)
Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Labora- 24
tory (C 192)
Fundamental Transverse, Longitudinal, and Torsional Fre- 25
quencies of Concrete Specimens (C 215)
Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure 26
Method (C 231)
Bleeding of Concrete (C 232) 27
Flexural Strength of Concrete (Using Simple Beam with 28
Center-Point Loading) (C 293)
Ball Penetration in Fresh Portland Cement Concrete (C 360) 29
1
Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing
Time of Setting of Concrete Mixtures by Penetration Resis- 30

tance (C 403)
Molds for Forming Concrete Test Cylinders Vertically (C 470) 31
Splitting Tensile Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens 32
(C 496)
Moist Cabinets, Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used 33
in the Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes (C 511)
Total Evaporable Moisture Content of Aggregate by Drying 34
(C 566)
Capping Cylindrical Concrete Specimens (C 617) 35
Resistance of Concrete to Rapid Freezing and Thawing (C 666) 36
Making, Accelerated Curing, and Testing Concrete Compres- 37
sion Test Specimens (C 684)
Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size (C 702) 38
Measuring Early Age Compressive Strength and Projecting 39
Later Age Strength (C 918)
Use of Unbonded Caps in Determination of Compressive 40
Strength of Hardened Concrete Cylinders (C 1231)
Sampling Aggregates (D 75) 41
Force Verification of Testing Machines (E 4) 42
1. AVAILABILITY OF STANDARDS Testing and Inspection Agencies as Used in Construction,2 and

Copies of the current Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol Practice C 1077, for Testing Concrete and Concrete Aggregate
04.02—Concrete and Mineral Aggregates, should be readily for Use in Construction and Criteria for Laboratory Evalua-
available to all laboratory workers and inspectors in the field. tion,2 identify and define the duties, responsibilities and re-
Vol 04.01—Cement; Lime; Gypsum contains the Manual on quirements for personnel and equipment used in the testing and
Cement Testing which includes valuable information on pro- inspection of concrete and related materials.
cedures and apparatus. New editions of ASTM standards 2.2 The Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory
should be reviewed promptly for changes so that procedures (CCRL),3 under the sponsorship of ASTM Committees C-1
can be kept current.1 and C-9, and administered by ASTM and National Institute of
1.1 Construction specifications may refer to ASTM stan- Standards and Technology (NIST), formerly the National
dards either with or without the year designation. If the year Bureau of Standards, has a laboratory inspection service (for
designation is given, the standard bearing that designation details of this service see Section 7) for concrete and concrete
should be used. If the year designation is not given, normally aggregates. CCRL also has a proficiency sample program for
the standard in effect at the time the bidding documents are concrete, cement and pozzolans. Identical samples of material
issued is the one which is used unless the job specifications are issued to participating laboratories who test the material
state otherwise. Sometimes the job specifications might state and report the results to CCRL. These results are statistically
that the standard in effect at the time bids are received, or the analyzed and a final report issued to the participating labora-
contract is awarded, or the current standard should be used. Job tories including a rating of their results as compared to all other
specifications should be checked to determine that the correct laboratories returning data. A similar reference sample program
standard is used, should there be differences. Unfortunately, exists for aggregates. This program, conducted by an organi-
sometimes job specifications refer to ASTM standards that are zation jointly administered by the Highway Subcommittee on
obsolete and several years out of date. It is possible in some materials of the American Association of State Highway and
such cases that the specification writer might wish to use an Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and NIST, is called the
older standard because of some provision it contains that does AASHTO Materials Reference Laboratory (AMRL).4
not appear in later editions. 2.3 A number of accreditation programs for concrete testing
laboratories exist. The AASHTO Accreditation Program
2. QUALIFICATION OF PERSONNEL AND (AAP),5 which uses the CCRL concrete and concrete aggregate
LABORATORY EVALUATION inspection for the onsite review of equipment and personnel,
the National Voluntary Accreditation Program (NVLAP),6 the
There is increasing emphasis and a requirement in many Concrete Materials Engineering Council (CMEC),7 and Ameri-
cases by building codes, political jurisdictions and job speci- can Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA)8 all offer
fications that personnel, laboratories, and plants which test, accreditation for concrete and concrete aggregate testing labo-
inspect, or produce materials or do construction work be ratories.
approved, registered, licensed, inspected, certified, or accred-
ited in various ways. 2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
2.1 ASTM Practice E 329, for Use in the Evaluation of 3
CCRL, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Bldg 226, Rm A365,
Gaithersburg, MD 20899.
4
AMRL, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Bldg 226, Rm A365,
Gaithersburg, MD 20899.
1 5
This manual is under the jurisdiction of the ASTM Committee C-9 on Concrete AAP, 444 North Capitol Street, N.W. Suite 225, Washington, DC 20001.
6
and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.97on NVLAP, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Bldg 101, Rm A531,
Manual of Concrete Testing. Gaithersburg, MD 20899.
7
Published as information, October 1965; revised 1967, 1969, 1977, 1978, 1983, CMEC, 649 Vassar Street, Orlando, FL 32804.
8
1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000. A2LA, 656 Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878.
2
2.4 A number of technician certification programs also unless or until excessive variation develops. Inspectors must
exist. These include the following: National Institute for take samples in the manner, at the time, and from the location
Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET),9 American specified in the sampling plan if conclusions based on the data
Concrete Institute (ACI),10 National Ready Mixed Concrete are to be of value. The purpose of statistical sampling is to
Association (NRMCA), 11 Portland Cement Association obtain results typical of the lot. Samples should not be biased
(PCA),12 and the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute by procedures that intentionally select either the best or poorest
(PCI).13 materials. Representative samples upon which the acceptance
2.5 Other programs include an inspection and certification or rejection of a material is based should be taken by the
program of concrete plants by NRMCA, a certification pro- purchaser’s authorized agent.
gram for special inspector—Reinforced Concrete offered by 3.1 The fundamentals of probability sampling have been set
the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO),14 forth by ASTM Committee E-11. The coal and ore industries,
and a plant certification program for manufacturers of precast/ who have many problems similar to those found in the
prestressed concrete offered by PCI. aggregate field, have developed practical approaches that can
be adapted to the concrete field. The following references are
3. SAMPLES useful:
Although this manual is primarily concerned with testing, (1) ASTM Practice E 105, for Probability Sampling of
some brief remarks about sampling are necessary. Sampling is Materials15
discussed in more detail in later Sections and in ASTM STP 169 (2) ASTM Practice E 122, for Choice of Sample Size to
B, Significance of Tests and Properties of Concrete and Estimate the Average Quality of a Lot or Process16
Concrete Making Materials. No amount of testing will yield (3) ASTM Practice E 141, for Acceptance of Evidence
correct answers if the samples are carelessly taken and do not Based on the Results of Probability Sampling16
represent the material sampled. It is better not to test a material (4) Bicking, C. A.“ Bibliography on Sampling of Raw
improperly sampled because erroneous conclusions can be Materials and Products in Bulk,” Technical Association of the
drawn from the test results. In any sampling system there are Pulp and Paper Industry, Vol 47, No. 5, May 1964
perhaps four stages, each of which requires careful attention (5) Symposium on Bulk Sampling, ASTM STP 242, Am. Soc.
and planning: (1) selection of a sampling plan which will Testing Mats., ASTTA, 1958
provide the greatest amount of information at the least cost; (2) (6) Symposium on Coal Sampling, ASTM STP 162, Am. Soc.
physical selection or gathering of samples in accordance with Testing Mats., ASTTA, March 1955
predetermined procedures for the preselected locations; (3) (7) Symposium on Bulk Sampling, ASTM STP 114, Am. Soc.
testing; and (4) analysis of the data obtained. The first and last Testing Mats., ASTTA, 1951
of these four items are those that are most often neglected. (8) Tanner, L., and Deming, E., “Some Problems in the
ASTM Practice D 75, Sampling Aggregates,2 and Practice Sampling of Bulk Material,” Proceedings, Am. Soc. Testing
C 172, Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete,2 provide informa- Mats., ASTEA, Vol 49, 1949, pp. 1181–1188
tion needed to obtain the samples, but do not discuss the (9) Symposium on Usefulness and Limitations of Samples,”
problem of developing a specific sampling plan. Strictly Proceedings, Am. Soc. Testing Mats., ASTEA, Vol 48, 1948,
speaking, there is no such thing as a representative sample. All pp. 857–895
materials are subject to periodic variation. Different shipments, (10) Shook, J. F., “Significance of Test Results Obtained
lots, truck loads, car loads, or batches from a given supply will from Random Samples, ASTM STP 362, 1964, p. 13
vary to some extent. In addition, the material comprising any of (11) Duncan, A. J., “An Introduction to Acceptance Sam-
the specific units will seldom be precisely homogeneous. pling Plans,” ASTM Standardization News, Vol 3, No. 9,
However, a successful sampling plan can establish the average September 1975, p. 10
characteristic of the material and determine the nature and (12) Duncan, A. J., “What Sampling Plan to Use,” ASTM
extent of variability. As data become available it is possible to Standardization News, Vol 3, No. 9, Sept., 1975, pp. 15–19
detect trends and decide if changes in production procedures or (13) Hahn, G. J. and Schilling, E. G., “An Introduction to the
processes are required to deliver materials of acceptable quality MIL-STD-105D Acceptance Sampling Scheme,” ASTM Stan-
with reasonably low percentages of defective or substandard dardization News, Vol 3, No. 9, Sept., 1975, pp. 20–30
material. Prior to starting of construction, a statistical or (14) Abdun-Nur, E. A., “Significance of Tests and Properties
probability sampling plan should be developed and instructions of Concrete and Concrete-Making Materials,” ASTM STP
furnished to inspectors. Since the amount and nature of the 169B, pp. 5–23
variations may be unknown, it will be necessary to take Additional information is given in ASTM methods and
samples more frequently at the start. Later, after patterns are specifications, and in publications of the Federal Government,
revealed, it should be possible to decrease sampling frequency Corps of Engineers, and Bureau of Reclamation.
3.2 Samples must be adequately identified and shipped in
clean, strong containers. Samples of cement should be shipped
9
NICET, 2029 K Street, N.W., Washington DC 20006. in moisture-proof containers, packed in a suitable shipping
10
ACI, 22400 West Seven Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48219.
11
NRMCA, 900 Spring Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
12
PCA, 5420 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077.
13 15
PCI, 175 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vols 07.02, and 14.02.
14 16
ICBO, 5360 South Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 90601. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
3
box. For coarse aggregate samples, heavy cloth bags, such as applicable sections of ASTM standards and publications of the
duck of about 9-oz (300 g/m2) weight, is suitable, but in any National Institute of Standards and Technology relative to
case the instructions of the supervising official should be weights, weighing devices, measurements of volumetric glass-
followed. Bags or boxes for samples containing fine materials ware, and pertinent standard tables. Existing equipment should
must be tight enough to prevent the loss of the “fines.” If the be checked to see that it meets requirements of newly revised
moisture content of a sample is important, the container must specifications.
be moisture tight. Containers must be clean. Samples must not 5.1 Proper maintenance of testing apparatus should be
be placed in “used” sacks that contain residues of undesirable emphasized not only for the sake of appearance but because
or injurious material, such as sugar, flour, or certain sack good housekeeping in a laboratory promotes care and interest
preservatives. The sizing in some new sacks can contaminate in the work. Operators should be instructed and trained so that
damp sand samples and entrain small percentages of air if the the proper use and maintenance of apparatus becomes a habit,
sand is used in concrete. not an occasional observance.
3.3 The sample container should be labeled or tagged to 5.2 Because weighing equipment is so widely used in the
convey the necessary information. A duplicate label that will concrete and concrete-aggregate tests, some general remarks
not rot or mildew should be placed in the container. A about such apparatus are presented here. Scales and balances
transmitting letter should be sent to the laboratory with a copy should have appropriate capacities, and should also possess the
of the letter inside the sample container if possible. Tags and sensitivity and accuracy required by the particular test method
letters should contain all the data requested or deemed perti- being used. Sensitivity and accuracy should not be confused as
nent. If the sample container has a removable top, the identi- they are not the same. Noncompensating spring scales should
fying marking must be placed on, or connected to, the body of not be used. The operator is cautioned against small weighings
the container, not on the top. (Tops may become interchanged.) on scales of large capacity. Weighing apparatus should be
If certain samples are later transferred to laboratory storage periodically checked to ensure that it is in good condition and
containers, the numbers should be affixed to the containers, not meets the requirements of the aggregate and concrete tests
to removable lids. involved. The accuracy of scales should be checked: at least
3.4 When samples are received at the laboratory, pertinent every 6 months; when there is some doubt about their
identifying information should be recorded in a permanent accuracy; or after they have been transported or mistreated.
book or log. The assignment of consecutive numbers to The accuracy can be verified with test weights kept for this
samples as received is a common practice, but numbers should purpose alone or by utilizing the services of others such as
not be repeated, as starting anew each year, unless the numbers state, county, or city weights and measures departments or the
contain additional identification such as using the year desig- service department of scale manufacturers. Information about
nation in the number code. Repetition of numbers has caused requirements and definitions for weighing apparatus, as well as
serious confusion in studying the results of old tests. Among the methods of testing such equipment are found in the
suggested data to be recorded in a sample book are: kind of appropriate federal publications. One reference that should be
material, source, date of sampling, name of the person who on file in every concrete laboratory is a recent edition of the
sampled the material, date of receipt of the sample at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 44,
laboratory, project, reference to related correspondence, tests to Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements
be made, person assigned the tests, and date of completion of for Weighing and Measuring Devices.17
the report of tests. Many laboratories use specially printed 5.2.1 All parts of balances and scales should be kept free
forms or books for properly associating results of tests with the from sand and dirt. Overloading must be avoided. Balances
samples they represent. should be located on a substantial, stable base, and should not
3.5 Samples that have been tested should be retained until rest on easily removable shims. Zero settings are readily
questions regarding them or the tests are not likely to arise. disturbed if the balances rest on uneven, slippery slabs. The
weighing of relatively small quantities of some materials, such
4. TERMINOLOGY as an admixture, will usually require weighing equipment other
Definitions of terms relating to concrete and concrete aggre- than that used for the aggregates and cement. Balances must be
gates are to be found in ASTM Terminology C 125, Relating to glass-enclosed if weighings are to be made to fractions of a
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates,2 and related methods and gram. All weights used with the laboratory scales and balances
specifications. should be plainly marked; their magnitude and units should not
be a matter of memory or guess. The weights should be kept in
5. TESTING APPARATUS suitable protective containers, and they should be periodically
Testing equipment should be purchased subject to compli- checked for accuracy. Care should be taken not to intermix the
ance with ASTM specifications. In any event, the apparatus weights from a number of platform scales that may have
should be tested for dimensions, weight, volume, material, different lever ratios; such intermingling of weights has oc-
performance, and any other pertinent requirements. The opera- curred and has caused large errors in the weighings of the
tor should not assume that new equipment meets ASTM component parts of laboratory concrete mixes. Care should be
specifications. The operator should be satisfied that the equip-
ment meets all requirements. With equipment use, wear does
occur and the original calibrations may no longer be valid. 17
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Before making calibrations, reference should be made to Office, Washington, DC 20402.
4
taken to avoid the loss of set screws or other parts of rider have persistent or severe discomfort. In case of eye contact,
weights on balances and platform scales. flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Consult a
5.3 It is sometimes helpful to make one member of the physician immediately.
laboratory staff responsible for periodic maintenance and 6.4 When mixing or testing fresh concrete, wear safety
calibration of equipment. A schedule for this should be glasses, goggles, or face shields to keep concrete from splash-
established. The dates and results of calibrations should be ing into the eyes. When working around noisy equipment such
recorded. as crushers or screening plants, use ear plugs. Use dust masks
5.4 Apparatus for measuring and controlling temperature, in dusty areas. Safety shoes are always advised.
relative humidity, or both, should be frequently checked to 6.5 A protective screen or curved shield of perforated metal
determine whether the specified conditions are being main- should be used to surround concrete test specimens that are
tained. Recording instruments must be checked frequently, expected to shatter at high load. Such a shield can rest loosely
particularly as to whether the proper charts are being used. upon the machine platen a small distance from the specimen.
5.5 Parts of apparatus that come into contact with concrete The operator should wear goggles, safety glasses, or a face
and mortar should not be made of material that will react with shield if the material scatters enough to warrant such precau-
the concrete or mortar under the conditions of the test. tion. The clutch on the gears of the screw-loaded testing
5.6 Information that relates to the care and use of apparatus machine should be kept in proper adjustment so that it will not
in specific methods of test is usually included in the related test fall into gear unexpectedly while preparations are being made
sections of the manual. for test of a specimen.
6.6 Keep from under suspended loads. Use a distinctive
6. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS color of paint for the moving parts of laboratory machinery.
Safety precautions are essential, and one person should be Provide elevators and freight lifts with automatic gates. Use
authorized to see that the required safety precautions are goggles, safety glasses, face shields, hard hats, safety shoes,
observed. First aid training not only provides instruction on gloves, and respirators whenever they are needed. Do not use
procedures to be followed in an emergency but also points up chisels with broomed ends. Be cautious about flying fragments.
the importance of safety measures. Emergency instructions on Remember that dry cement splashes like water and that eye
proper storage of combustible or explosive materials as well as protection is necessary, particularly if the cement is hot.
telephone numbers of fire department, doctors, ambulance and Provide collectors for such dust as may be produced in dry
police should be conspicuously posted. grinding, sawing, or otherwise finishing or cutting concrete
6.1 Among some of the more commonly mentioned precau- specimens.
tions are: proper grounds on electric equipment, proper fusing, 6.7 Some materials now in use in the concrete laboratory
suitable extension cords where their use is necessary, and warrant special precautions, for example, sulfur, sodium hy-
adequate lighting. droxide, mercury, sulfur cements, benzol, alcohol, and carbon
6.2 Provide suitable enclosures for moving parts of ma- tetrachloride. An emergency eye wash station is advisable.
chines, particularly belts and gears. Laboratory personnel have 6.8 Some special lamps must be properly shielded to protect
been badly injured by contact with exposed gears or by being the eyesight of workers. Proper ventilation should be provided,
caught in a machine while testing specimens while alone in a particularly in closed air-conditioned laboratories. Hoods
laboratory. In a latter case, the operator managed to kick the should be provided with suitable fire extinguishing equipment
switch off with his foot; this he could not have done if the when warranted. Safety showers and eye wash fountains
switch had been located at a distance. Keep hands out of should be at hand for operators in some lines of work, and
moving machinery, and do not touch revolving shafts or rolls, these should be in working order. Their water supply line must
or even the ends of the moving shafts, even though the parts not be controlled by any valve or valves that can be turned off
may be polished and smooth. It is particularly dangerous to by unauthorized personnel.
touch such moving parts with rags or gloves. One experienced 6.9 Doors to all rooms and special chambers, particularly
laboratory man lost part of a hand when he touched a moving fog rooms and freezing-and-thawing spaces, should be fitted
roll with his rubber-gloved hand while cleaning the apparatus with latches that can be readily operated from the inside as well
in the process of grinding some material. Moving parts will as from the outside.
quickly seize cloth, rubber, etc., and may draw the operator’s 6.10 A telephone should always be available, particularly
hand or arm into the machinery. when an operator is working in the laboratory alone or at night.
6.3 Contact with cement powder or fresh (unhardened) 6.11 Capping room, when sulfur is used, should be properly
cementitious mixtures can cause skin irritation, severe chemi- ventilated with an exhaust fan or hood. A fire extinguisher
cal burns, or serious eye damage. Avoid contact with eyes and should also be located in the room.
skin. Wear waterproof gloves, a fully buttoned long sleeve 6.12 Most of these safety admonitions have been prompted
shirt, full-length trousers, and tight fitting eye protection when by recollections of actual happenings and they should not be
working with these materials. Wash cement powder or fresh treated lightly. Most of all, use common sense.
(unhardened) cementitious mixtures from your skin with fresh,
clean water immediately after contact. Indirect contact through 7. INSPECTION OF LABORATORY
clothing can be as serious as direct contact, so promptly rinse An occasional inspection of a concrete laboratory by appro-
out cement powder or fresh (unhardened) cementitious mix- priate members of that laboratory’s staff is suggested to learn
tures from clothing. Seek immediate medical attention if you if the laboratory has proper equipment, employs standard test
5
procedures, practices good housekeeping, and observes safety layer of aggregate in the measure; it is not practicable to attain
precautions. This inspection should indicate management’s this much penetration with many graded coarse aggregates.
interest in the maintenance and improvement of the laboratory During rodding, the measure should rest firmly on a rigid base,
as a whole. and there should be no shaking or jolting of the measure.
7.1 Since 1929, there has been maintained at the National Jigging, vibration, or jolting may give appreciably different
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) a Research results from those obtained by rodding, particularly in the case
Associate Program presently known as the “Cement and of the finer materials. Reports should state clearly how the
Concrete Reference Laboratory.” This program is a cooperative measure was filled. When this method is used for lightweight
project of NIST and the American Society for Testing and aggregate, ASTM Specifications C 330, C 331, or C 332,2 the
Materials, under the sponsorship of ASTM Committees C-1 on shoveling procedure is used.
Cement and C-9 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates. The 8.3 It is difficult to strike off the aggregate at the top of the
most important function of the CCRL is to promote uniformity measure when large pieces of aggregate protrude above the
and improvement in testing through the field inspection of level of the rim. It may be necessary to remove a few pieces of
cement, concrete, concrete aggregate, steel reinforcing bar, and the aggregate by hand in order to secure an average filled
pozzolan testing laboratories. Using load cells, micrometers, condition but no finer aggregate should be added to fill the
balances, testing weights, and thermometers, which are trace- voids in the surface. Overmanipulation during strike off will
able to the NIST, the CCRL inspectors evaluate equipment and introduce additional compaction. Strike-off procedures are
procedures to the requirements listed in the relevant test particularly important in loose weight determinations made by
methods. In the concrete and concrete aggregate areas, the the shoveling procedure. Uniform procedures must be followed
inspection work is based on ASTM C 1077, Practice for if different laboratories, different operators, or duplicate tests
Laboratories Testing Concrete and Concrete Aggregates for by the same operator are to check within the precision
Use in Construction and Criteria for Laboratory Evaluation.2 requirements of the method.
These services are advisory in nature, utilization is on a 8.4 The method provides the formula for calculating the
voluntary basis, and there is no direct regulatory action voids in aggregates after compacting in a standard size measure
involved. A second important function is the distribution of in accordance with C 29/C 29M procedures; the term “voids”
proficiency samples of construction materials such as hydraulic applies to the space between the aggregate particles under test
cements, pozzolan, and concrete. Laboratories participating in and is expressed as a percentage of total volume.
these cooperative testing programs find them to be of great 8.5 Determinations of voids in aggregate also can be per-
assistance in evaluating the quality of their work. Charges are formed on material compacted on a damp-loose or an inun-
made for both the inspection and proficiency sample services. dated basis for special reasons. In addition, flow methods of
Inquiries should be addressed to the Cement and Concrete loose consolidation as proposed by Rex and Peck (Public
Reference Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Roads) and M. H. Wills (ASTM) are sometimes used to
Technology, 100 Bureau Drive Stop 8622, Gaithersburg, MD determine void content which provides an index of particle
20899-8622. shape which can be used to estimate mixing water required in
concrete proportioning.
8. UNIT WEIGHT AND VOIDS IN AGGREGATE 8.6 The percentage of voids has an effect on the concrete
(See Test Method C 29/C 29M)2 proportions determined by ACI 211 procedures. The shape and
Samples for test must be carefully selected. Before use, the grading of particles affects the voids and, generally, smooth,
sample should be thoroughly mixed and spread to a uniform rounded particles will show less voids contained than crushed,
depth on a flat surface. The use of a flat rectangular scoop with angular particles.
sides approximately the same depth as the pile of aggregate to
be tested will tend to reduce segregation when filling the 9. MAKING AND CURING CONCRETE TEST
measure. SPECIMENS IN
8.1 Measures, particularly the larger ones, should be pro- THE FIELD
vided with suitable handles for the safety and convenience of (See Practice C 31)2
personnel. Attention must be given to the requirements of the The sampling of concrete is discussed in Sections 3 and 22
method regarding relation between size of measure and size of of this manual. Improper sampling may be costly to a concrete
largest particles of aggregate. The measures should be cali- supplier by negatively influencing the compressive strength,
brated as described in the test method. A glass plate is used and it may affect the slump, unit weight, and air content.
during the calibration to make sure that the water completely 9.1 For compressive strength specimens made in the field in
fills the vessel. A film of water pump grease or chasis grease accordance with Practice C 31 the specified mold size is 6 by
placed on the rim of the container will help prevent leaking. 12 in. (152 by 305 mm). The use of smaller sizes is permitted
Occasionally the rims of new containers are not plane, and only when required by project specification. If smaller sizes are
calibration is impossible unless high spots are removed. The required, the minimum size of the mold depends upon the
rim can be made plane by inverting the measure and grinding maximum size aggregate used. The diameter of the mold must
it on a steel or glass plate using emery cloth, carborundum, or be at least three times the maximum size aggregate in the
valve grinding compound as an abrasive. concrete. In cases where the maximum aggregate is larger than
8.2 The rodding method requires that for the second and 2 in. (50 mm), a mold larger than 6 by 12 in. (152 by 305 mm)
final layers, the tamping rod shall penetrate the last preceding will be required or the concrete sample can be wet sieved as
6
described in Practice C 172 to remove aggregate larger than 2 crayons, because in moist air their markings will quickly
in. (50 mm). vanish. If identification marks are placed on the top of a
9.1.1 The concrete cylinders should be molded where the cylinder, they should also be placed on the sides to prevent loss
cylinders will be stored for the first 24 6 8 h. Cylinders should of identification after capping.
not be moved even a few feet if there is any way to avoid it. If 9.1.5 Molded cylinders shall be stored at an initial curing
cylinders must be moved they should be supported by the base temperature of 60 to 80°F (16 to 27°C) for 48 6 8 h. Storage
of the mold and moved within 15 min of molding. The molds conditions are very important because of the effect on strength
should stand on a level and firm surface that is free from development. Research has indicated that concrete subjected to
vibration. If the axis of the cylinder is not vertical, the ends high temperature (above 90°F (32°C)) during the first 24 h and
may not be parallel and will need to be sawed or ground to thereafter cured at 73.4 6 3°F (23 6 1.7°C) may have lower
prevent thick wedge-shaped caps. This condition may ad- strength at 28 days than similar concrete cured at 73.4 6 3°F
versely affect compressive strength results. (23 6 1.7°C) throughout the entire 28 days. Any non-standard
9.1.2 Cylinders should be properly filled and consolidated curing conditions should be noted in the final report. For
by rodding or vibration, as required. Lack of attention to these security reasons, curing boxes or buildings in the field should
details can result in segregation and honeycombing. Excessive be provided with a lock and key.
over-filling of the last mold layer can cause a concentration of 9.1.6 Care should be taken to ensure that the moisture
large aggregate at the top, with accompanying overflow of condition of field cured cylinders at the time of removal from
mortar. When rodding the second and third layers, the rod the site is maintained throughout the period of transportation
should just penetrate the preceding layer of the earlier placed from the job, storage in the laboratory, and during capping and
material. Ideally, only enough concrete should be added as the testing. If cylinders are not transported to the laboratory within
top layer so that it can be finished without addition or removal 48 h, then moist curing at the site should begin within 24 6 8
of concrete. When rodding each layer, tap the outside of the h of molding.
mold lightly 10 to 15 times with a mallet to close any holes left 9.1.7 Three major problems in transporting cylinders from
by rodding and to release any large air bubbles that may have the field to the laboratory are moisture loss, damage from
been trapped. If consolidation is by vibration, care should be jarring, and temperatures outside the curing range. Moisture
taken not to overvibrate. Usually sufficient vibration has been loss can be prevented by wrapping demolded cylinders in
applied as soon as the surface of the concrete has become plastic or by surrounding the molded specimens in wet sand or
relatively smooth. Continue vibration only long enough to wet sawdust. Damage due to jarring can be prevented by
achieve proper consolidation of the concrete. Over-vibration placing the cylinders in padded containers that prevent move-
may cause segregation. Removal of the vibrating element too ment. In extreme weather conditions cylinders should be
quickly may result in the creation of a mortar pocket. Unusual placed in the driving compartment of the vehicle. Practice C 31
care must be used in molding concrete of dry consistency in requires that transportation not exceed 4 h.
single use molds to prevent damage to the bottom of the mold. 9.2 Practice C 31 also covers the making and curing of
The mold should stand on a solid, level surface. When the flexural test specimens or beams in the field. The earlier
single use mold rests on a soft or uneven surface, the bottom of discussion of selecting a site to mold the cylindrical test
the specimen may be uneven and difficult to prepare for the specimens and the curing after molding apply to the flexural
compression test. In fabricating more than one specimen at a specimens as well.
time, the preferred method is to fill and consolidate the same 9.2.1 Practice C 31 requires that molds shall be watertight
layer of all specimens before continuing with the next layer. as judged by their ability to hold water poured into them. Most
This will increase the uniformity of the cylinders. Place beam molds require the use of a sealant to meet this require-
identifying marks on the outside of the molds, in case the ment. In addition to the grease, modeling clay, or molten
specimen molds are disarranged in handling or transfer. microcrystalline wax mentioned in the practice, the laboratory
9.1.3 Practice C 31 specifies that the molded cylinder be may wish to consider the use of silicon, latex or acrylic
protected against moisture loss. The top of the cylinder should caulking as possible sealants. Their ease in application, quick
be covered by a plastic or metal lid, a metal or glass plate, or setting time, continued flexibility and availability make any
a plastic bag. When using a cover made from a flexible one of the three a good choice. Care should be taken in
material, do not allow the cover to contact the concrete. A applying the sealant to the joints to avoid excess sealing
plastic bag placed over the top of the cylinder with a rubber material in the interior of the mold. This could result in
band near the top of the mold does an excellent job. When irregularities along the edges of the beam. A smooth bead of
using cardboard molds, the rubber band should be placed close sealant approximately 1⁄16 in. fillet on the interior corners is
to the top of the mold to avoid wetting the outside of the paper recommended.
mold from condensation inside the plastic bag. Burlap or wood 9.2.2 Many beam molds are of the reusable type and, as
should not be in contact with the fresh concrete. such, should be maintained in good condition. The inside
9.1.4 When hardened specimens are removed from the surfaces should be smooth and free from a build-up of
molds, they should be marked to retain their identity during hardened concrete. The use of mineral oil or a non-reactive
curing. Black graphite crayon is good for marking a concrete form release agent is required on the inner surfaces of the
surface that has been in contact with an oily mold. Felt tip mold. Unless required by project specification the minimum
marking pens are generally satisfactory. Avoid ordinary colored size of beams made in the field shall have a depth and width of
7
at least 6 in. The length of the mold shall be at least three times Prior to testing, cylinder ends should be capped or ground in
larger than the depth plus two inches. For 6 in. deep beams the accordance with the requirements of Practice C 617.2 An
minimum is 20 in. The sides and bottom of the mold shall be alternative to C 6172 is the unbonded cap system described in
free of warpage and be within 1⁄8 in. of the nominal 6 in. width Practice C 1231.2 The remainder of section 10 assumes that
or depth. Molds not conforming to the requirements of the C 6172 is used for end treatment of cylinders. For information
practice can adversely affect test results. on the unbonded capping system refer to section 40 of this
9.2.3 In molding the beam, consolidation is accomplished manual. However, when using the unbonded capping system,
by rodding or vibration. If rodding is used the number of section 10 should be read for a complete understanding of
strokes per layer is dependent on the top surface area. Use one making and curing concrete test specimens.
stroke for every 2 in.2 of top surface area of the specimen. If 10.1 In order to report the compressive strength, the cross-
consolidation is by vibration, care should be taken not to sectional area of the cylinder must be calculated prior to test.
over-vibrate. Usually, sufficient vibration has been applied as To determine the cross-sectional area the diameter of the
soon as the surface of the concrete has become relatively cylinder must be calculated. The calipers and scale shown in
smooth. Continue vibration only long enough to achieve proper Fig. 1 can be used to measure the diameter of the cylinder
consolidation of the concrete. Over-vibration can result in provided the scale is accurate to 0.01 in. (0.25 mm). Another
segregation of the concrete. Removal of the vibrating element option for this measurement is micrometer calipers. Two
too quickly may result in the creation of a mortar pocket. measurements at right angles at a midpoint on the cylinder
9.2.4 If consolidation has been accomplished with rodding, should be made. The diameter used to calculate the cross-
after closing the voids of each layer by tapping the outside of sectional area is the average of these two measurements. If
the mold, spade the concrete along the sides and ends of the cylinders are molded with molds that consistently produce a
mold with a trowel. Do not spade a beam that has been cylinder diameter within a range of 0.02 in. (0.51 mm),
consolidated by vibration. measurement of cylinders can be reduced to three a day or one
9.2.5 When demolding the beam, the mold should be
completely disassembled and the beam carefully removed to
avoid damage to the young concrete. Do not attempt to remove
the beam by force. Tools such as hammers, screwdrivers,
mallets, or tamping rods can damage both the molds and the
concrete and should not be used.
9.2.6 An important factor in developing the ultimate
strength of the test specimen is the curing. If the beams are
allowed to dry out during any part of the curing period the
shrinkage cracks may form in the specimen lowering the
flexural strength. It is especially important that beams be
protected from moisture loss during the initial period of curing
in the mold. This may be accomplished by covering the
specimen with a plastic sheet. Additional protection can be
provided by placing a layer of damp burlap on top of the plastic
sheet. A good way to avoid the shrinkage cracks is to store the
beams in saturated lime water for the entire curing period after
demolding. Curing requirements of beams are the same as for
cylinders except that for a minimum of 20 h prior to testing, the
beams must be immersed in saturated lime water.
9.2.7 A major problem can be the transportation of beams
from the job site to the curing environment. In addition to the
problems of moisture loss already discussed, other concerns
are the weight of the beam and the need to continually support
the beam over its entire length. If at all possible, beams should
be made at the location of the final curing. If beams must be
transported, a bed of damp sand and wet burlap covers are
recommended. The beams should not be transported on end.
10. COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CYLINDRICAL
CONCRETE SPECIMENS (See Test Method C 39)2
Test Method C 39 describes the testing of concrete cylindri-
cal test specimens for compressive strength. Molded cylinders
NOTE 1—The outside caliper and the scale are used to measure the
are prepared based on Practice C 312 which describes field
diameter of the cylinder for computing the area.
preparation or Practice C 1922 for laboratory preparation. FIG. 1 Checking Planeness of the Capped End of a Concrete
Drilled concrete cores which are also cylindrical test specimens Cylinder Prior to Testing Using a 6-in. (152-mm) Machinists’s
are obtained by following procedures in Test Method C 42.2 Parallel and a 0.002-in. (0.05-mm) Feeler Gage
8
in every ten, whichever number of measurements is greater. fail. The actual observed maximum or breaking load should be
The measurement of the height is only necessary if the length recorded, as well as the computed compressive strength.
to diameter ratio exceeds 2.2 or is less than 1.8. If the L/D ratio 10.5 The cylinder must be tested to failure in order to
is less than 1.8, refer to the calculation section in Test Method determine the type of fracture. The type of fracture should be
C 39. If the L/D ratio is greater than 2.2, the end of the cylinder reported along with the compressive strength. If the compres-
could be saw cut to the proper length. sive strength of a tested cylinder is less than anticipated the
10.2 After capping the cylinders with sulfur mortar, a 2 h type of fracture may be of assistance in determining the cause.
waiting period is required. During this period considerable Fig. 2 shows a typical conical fracture of a concrete cylinder in
moisture may be lost from the sides of the cylinder unless the compression. Conical fractures are typically better defined than
cylinders are stored in moist air, under water, or wrapped in is shown in this figure. Fig. 3 shows a cylinder which does not
wet burlap until time of test. Cylinders should never be allowed have the typical conical fracture expected. This type of failure
to dry for long periods before or after capping. was noted in a large number of tested cylinders in a discarded
10.3 Test Method C 39 requires that the cylinder be centered cylinder pile at a laboratory and was brought to the attention of
with relation to the upper spherically seated bearing block. the supervisor. It was found that non-standard testing proce-
This phase of the testing operation often does not receive dures caused this type of failure. Correction of the testing
adequate attention. If a skewed cylinder is centered on the procedure resulted in conical fractures and an increase in
lower bearing block, the requirement that the axis of the
compressive strength of about 40 %.
cylinder be aligned with the center of thrust of the spherically
seated block cannot be met. Suitable jigs have been used to 10.6 The following are numerous comments on testing
conveniently locate the specimen with respect to the bearing machines, their use, and maintenance. Some of the remarks are
blocks, but it is necessary that the blocks themselves be well general, while others refer to only one type of machine.
centered if they are to be the basis for measurements. Lower 10.6.1 Testing machines should be inspected and calibrated
blocks may not always be in proper position. The upper bearing every twelve months and there should be some fixed respon-
block assembly in some types of machines may sometimes be sibility for maintenance. They should be kept clean with no
out of position with respect to center of the crosshead, accumulation of debris or dust between platens and crosshead
generally because of improper positioning when the assembly screws and around the base of the loading ram. Use of
was last replaced in the machine. In these cases, reposition the protective shields on rams, exposed screws, and test specimens
upper head prior to testing. The upper bearing block should be may prove helpful in this respect. Machines should be lubri-
rotated as it is brought to bear on the specimen to obtain cated according to an appropriate schedule. Smooth operation
uniform seating. of loading and crosshead screws may be facilitated by applying
10.4 Test Method C 39 specifies a rate of loading of 20 to 50 a mixture of heavy lubricating oil and flake graphite, worked
psi/s. For a 6 in. diameter cylinder the increase in load in a 30 well into the threads by a brush and by running the crosshead
s interval should be 17 000 to 42 000 lbf. The specified rate of up and down a few times. Fuses, travel limit switches, safety
loading must be observed, but the rate cannot be increased in cutouts on gages, and safety by-pass valves on loading lines
an attempt to maintain the rate when the specimen begins to should be checked occasionally. The main switches of the
NOTE 1—Cones are usually better defined. The upper cap on this cylinder is too thick.
FIG. 2 Typical Conical Fracture Expected in the Compressive-Strength Test
9
accommodate the lower block. Concrete specimens should be

set in place, not pushed across the platen, and the surface of the
platen should not be used to grind or rub cylinders. If the
machine is a universal type and is also used to test specimens
in tension, the platen should be properly protected from
damage during the tension operation. Under no circumstances
should the testing machine be used as a press, as in forcing
shafts out of assemblies. Such misuse has been known to
necessitate expensive refinishing of the faces of the large
spherical block assembly. To prevent unauthorized use of the
testing machine for this purpose it may be advisable to keep a
lock on the switch box.
10.6.5 Drainage is recommended for all machine pits to
guard against flooding and consequent damage to motors,
bearings, screws, pumps, weighing systems, etc. This is very
important in the case of the larger machines. If dust is to be
blown out of machines and motors, an electrically driven
portable hand blower or a commercial size vacuum cleaner
with rubber or plastic nozzle should be used in order to avoid
the occasional moisture and scale from ordinary compressed
air lines.
10.6.6 The hydraulic testing machines vary in design and
operation. The instructions of the manufacturer should be
followed strictly to avoid damage to the machine and to secure
the best operation. The motor of the hydraulic pump should not
be stopped before releasing the load on the weighing system.
Control and release valves should be used properly so as to
avoid shocks to the weighing system. Oil in the pump reservoir
should be maintained at the proper level. If loads cannot be
obtained or maintained satisfactorily, check the reservoir,
NOTE 1—Correction of testing procedures resulted in increase of pressure relief valves, and also the voltage on the line to the
compressive strength of about 40 % in similar concrete. loading pump. The crosshead should not be jammed nor should
FIG. 3 Atypical Failure of a Concrete Cylinder Due to Incorrect the ram be used at its lowest point of travel.
Testing Procedures
10.6.6.1 The load indicating gage should be tapped lightly
when setting the hand at zero load. Maximum hands should be
machine should be relocated if not within immediate reach of
checked for satisfactory free movement. Be sure that dials,
the operator.
particularly the smallest of a number of ranges, are not being
10.6.2 Each operator should be adequately instructed in the
overloaded. If the machine is equipped with more than one
operation of his machine. Instructions for the use and mainte-
dial, occasionally note the nature of the agreement of different
nance of the machine should be available to the operator; too
dials at the same load. Remove the load gradually, and have
often such papers have been found filed with the purchase
gage control valves set so as to avoid excessive backlash in the
papers.
dial mechanism when a specimen breaks.
10.6.3 The moving head of a machine should not be allowed
to come in contact with the upper frame or the lower platen. If 10.6.6.2 Capsule clearances, if a feature of the machine,
contact must be made, as in changing heavy bearing blocks or should be frequently checked to determine whether the correct
imposing a load for some adjusting purposes, an intervening amount of oil is in the weighing system. Capsule clearances are
wooden block should be in position between the metal faces. measured by inserting a feeler gage into the multiple openings
Should the cross-head become accidentally jammed against the below the ram. The average of these readings should be
lower block or face of the weighing table, it would be well to compared to the clearance stamped on the capsule. When the
try to remove the load by hand operation of the gears instead average of capsule clearance varies from the assigned clear-
of using the motor. Under no circumstances should a testing ance by more than 0.003 in. adjustments to the capsule should
machine be left unattended while running, even for a short be made. Add oil when capsule clearances are greater than the
time. Damage to the machine may result. maximum allowed. When oil is added, precautions should be
10.6.4 The surface of the platen or table of the machine taken to avoid the introduction of air into the system.
should be carefully maintained. The use of a supplemental 10.6.6.3 The specified air pressure should be maintained for
lower bearing block will be helpful. In cases where a supple- the null type weighing systems. Compressed air used in such
mental bottom bearing block is used and the platen is large, a systems should be filtered and dehydrated to remove oil, rust,
piece of plywood has been used to protect the platen surface. dirt, and water. This filter should be checked periodically.
The plywood is cut to the shape of the platen with a cut-out to 10.6.6.4 Use proper wrenches on oil valves on hydraulic
10
weighing systems to avoid defacing or damaging the special 0.001 in. feeler stock. A block should be refinished when the
valve assemblies. If trapped air in a hydraulic line is bled from planeness requirement is not met. Fig. 4 shows the planeness of
the weighing system, tighten the plug in the Bourdon tube upper and lower bearing blocks being checked with a 6 in. (152
before releasing the load. If oil is being lost rapidly from the mm) machinist’s parallel and a feeler stock of the required
weighing system, check for loose joints on lines and loose thickness. Scribed concentric circles on the bearing face of the
packings on valves. Use the oil recommended by the manu- upper block are required when the diameter of the block
facturer for replacement. exceeds the diameter of the specimen by 1⁄2 in. Concentric rings
10.6.6.5 Portable cylinder testers of the hydraulic type are on the upper spherically seated bearing blocks are necessary to
frequently used in the field and in field offices. There are a secure the specified end-loading conditions. Lower bearing
number of makes, and their details vary. Regardless of design, blocks are important in providing the necessary loading con-
machines should conform to all requirements of Test Method ditions, protecting the lower platen of the machine against wear
C 39. Any testing machine used for testing concrete cylinders and concentration of high loads, and facilitating the placing of
must be power operated and continuous loading within certain the test specimens. Concentric rings for the lower block are
rates of loading. In addition, the section in Test Method C 39 optional.
entitled Load Indications should be reviewed thoroughly to 10.7.1 The upper spherically seated block should comply
ensure the dials of the machine are of proper design. The with all the requirements of the applicable test method. The
machine must be calibrated annually or after each time the center of the sphere must coincide with the center of the
machine is moved, and an appropriate certificate posted or bearing face. Ease of movement is important in securing the
readily available for inspection (see Section 41 on Load proper seating of the block when subjecting the test specimen
Verification of Testing Machines). to load. To maintain this ease of movement, the spherical
10.6.6.6 The latest type of indication for compression ma- portion and the socket should be cleaned and oiled periodically.
chines is the liquid crystal display (LCD) or light emitting Do not use pressure type grease. The spherical portion and the
diode (LED) read-out. Generally speaking, they employ a socket should be held in close contact with each other.
hydraulic ram to exert pressure on the test specimen. This 10.7.2 Avoid heavy concentration of load, such as encoun-
hydraulic pressure is converted to an electrical signal by means tered with proving rings, without appropriate intervening
of a transducer. Some machines have multiple ranges on the special bearing blocks or plates. Avoid use of cast iron bearing
same read-out. Some difficulty with the single read-out may be blocks, particularly with concentrated loads, even though the
encountered in the area of increment of load change where a block has a hardened center insert.
smaller transducer stops and one with a larger capacity takes 10.7.3 When verifying the compression machine with prov-
over. ing rings, the combination of the spherically seated bearing
10.7 It is important that proper bearing blocks be used and block, the small diameter of the proving ring at the contact
be kept in good condition. The faces of the upper and lower surfaces, the rounded boss at the top of the proving ring, and a
bearing blocks should be checked for planeness and hardness. poorly centered proving ring may result in eccentric loading of
The check on planeness can be made with a straightedge and the ring. When this occurs, the machine is no longer applying
FIG. 4 Checking Planeness of Upper and Lower Bearing Blocks for a Testing Machine Using a Machinist’s Parallel and a Feeler Gage of
the Required Thickness
11
pressure directly to the top and bottom of the ring but rather to 11.3 Test Method C 42 requires that the temperature of the
a corner of the top and the opposite corner of the bottom. water in which the specimens are stored shall be 73.4 6 3.0°F
Caution: The condition described above can cause inaccurate (23 6 1.7°C).
verification results and is extremely dangerous. In one case, the
ring was thrown from the machine resulting in serious injury to 12. SURFACE MOISTURE IN FINE AGGREGATE
the operator. During verification, remove the spherical bearing (See Test Method C 70)2
block and replace it with a solid bearing block, or if a In Test Method C 70 the weight and volume of a sample of
replacement block is not available lock or shim the spherical damp sand are determined. With an accurate knowledge of the
block into a position parallel to the lower block or platen. The saturated surface dry specific gravity of the sand, the free
use of load cells to verify compression machines varies moisture content can then be computed. If the saturated surface
appreciably from the procedures used with the proving rings, dry specific gravity of the sand does not change and the same
but the same precautions and care should be followed to ensure weight of sample is always used, the rather involved formulas
safe and accurate verification results. can be simplified, or graphs prepared for their simple, rapid
10.7.4 Provide a suitable ratio for length of overhang and solution.
thickness of any extra bearing plates used between the bearing 12.1 The calcium carbide gas pressure method, although not
blocks proper and large test specimens. Check for loose an ASTM test method, is frequently used in the laboratory. In
hardened inserts in bearing blocks. this method, a small sample of damp sand is placed in a closed
10.8 Keep any centering pinholes clean; debris from test container with calcium carbide. The free water reacts with the
specimens sometimes becomes packed so tightly in these holes calcium carbide, producing acetylene gas and, therefore, a gas
that it interferes with the proper seating of the lower block. pressure. The pressure gage is calibrated in percentage of free
moisture in the sand. Because of the small quantity of sand
11. OBTAINING AND TESTING DRILLED CORES used, sampling technique is particularly critical.
AND SAWED BEAMS OF CONCRETE 12.2 Electrical and nuclear moisture meters are widely used
(See Test Method C 42)2 in the field, but they are not well adapted to laboratory work.
Test Method C 42 applies to securing test specimens from 12.3 In concrete technology, the total moisture content is the
hardened concrete. When samples are taken from hardened sum of the amounts of water absorbed on the interior of the
concrete, the safety or adequacy of the structure is often under particles and the free water on the surface of the particles. Hot
question. Under these conditions the locations from which plate and oven drying methods dry samples to constant weight
samples are to be taken must be selected with care in order to and therefore measure total moisture content. Displacement
obtain the desired information. The selection of sampling and calcium carbide gas pressure methods measure free or
locations may be aided by applying non-destructive test surface moisture. Electrical and nuclear methods do not mea-
methods such as Test Method C 803, Penetration Resistance of sure moisture per se. Their indication will depend upon the
Hardened Concrete2 or C 805, Rebound Number of Hardened method used to calibrate the meter.
Concrete2 which, when used by qualified personnel, can be 12.3.1 The method used to compute moisture content is
helpful in assessing the uniformity of concrete in situ, or to important and will determine the calculation procedures used
delineate zones or regions (areas) of poor quality or deterio- to adjust batch weights.
rated concrete in structures. The selection of sampling loca-
tions must not be left to personnel who are unfamiliar with the 13. FLEXURAL STRENGTH OF CONCRETE (USING
structural requirements. Specifications for pavements usually SIMPLE BEAM WITH THIRD–POINT LOADING)
specify the number and location of drilled cores. Test Method (See Test Method C 78)2
C 42 covers quite well the details of securing the samples, but The dimensional tolerances for beam molds are less exacting
the following comments should be considered. than those for cylinder molds. Tolerances of 6 1⁄8in. (3.2 mm)
11.1 Large strains in the core can occur during drilling if the are permitted for cross-sectional dimensions, but since the
vertical shaft wobbles. This condition is usually caused by beams are measured to 0.1 in. (3 mm) at the section of failure,
worn or loose drill bearings, or by lack of rigidity of the frame a variation of more than 1⁄8in. is not considered to be objec-
of the core drill. Cores obtained under such conditions often tionable. It is desirable that the inside vertical and bottom
will not meet the requirements for dimensions specified in the surfaces of the mold be smooth and plane so that contacts
test method. between the bearing surfaces of the beam molded therein and
11.2 It is particularly important that the ends of the cores be the metal bearing blocks will require little or no correction to
properly prepared for testing. The ends of cores that are not meet the requirements of Test Method C 78 for testing of
drilled perpendicular to the surface of a slab should be sawed beams.
to produce square ends in order to avoid the use of thick 13.1 The curing of concrete beams and their moisture
wedge-shaped caps. The bottom end of cores should be content at the time of flexure strength tests are much more
prepared in strict accordance with the requirements of the test important than in comparative strength tests of concrete
method, wherein are prescribed the tolerances in projections in cylinders. Beams that are to be cured in accordance with the
end surfaces, variations in diameter, and departures from requirements of the section on curing in Practice C 31 should
perpendicularity between the end surfaces and the axis of the never be cured with liquid membrane-forming compounds
core. Core ends that do not come within the tolerances should instead of wet burlap, and should never be allowed to lose
be finished by sawing or tooling until they conform. moisture before testing. All beams and cylinders tested in
12
accordance with Practice C 31 should have free moisture on Washing with plain water shall be used unless otherwise
their surfaces up to the time the specimens are placed in the specified by the specification with which the test results are to
testing machine. be compared, or when directed by the agency for which the
13.2 Check the flexural testing apparatus for conformance work is being performed. A wetting agent will weaken the bond
with dimensional requirements and operating characteristics. holding clay particles to larger aggregate particles, and is
13.3 There are several types of portable devices for flexural necessary to cut the oily film which occurs on aggregate
testing of beams in the field. In one type, the ultimate load is particles which have been through a dryer for use in bitumi-
measured by a proving ring; in another, by a pair of calibrated nous mixtures and for aggregates extracted from bituminous
beams; and in a third, a hydraulic machine, by a Bourdon tube. mixtures. For other aggregates, using a wetting agent will
If removable, these load-indicating devices should be cali- frequently reduce the number of washings required to remove
brated in a precision testing machine; if not removable, the the fine material and may increase the amount of material
whole machine should be calibrated with load indicators in detected. With many aggregates, using a wetting agent or plain
place. water will cause very little difference in the result. As with all
13.4 Test Method C 78 does not specify the moisture test procedures, the sampling procedure, sample size, and
condition for beams at the time of test. Practices C 31 and accuracy of weighing are important to obtaining proper results.
C 192 describe the curing conditions for beams made in the 15.2 The 75-µm (No. 200) sieve used for this test should be
field and those made in the laboratory, respectively. Both reserved for this test only and not used for dry sieving.
practices require that beams be tested after storage in moist air
or in limewater. Since the amount and location of the water in 16. SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND ABSORPTION OF
a beam at the time of testing in flexure affects the strength, no COARSE AGGREGATE (See Test Method C 127)2
moist-cured beam should be permitted to lose water at any The test method is not considered applicable to highly
time, and there must be free moisture on all surfaces at the time porous lightweight aggregates because of difficulties involved
of testing. Concrete beams sawed from pavements or structures in properly drying the very irregular, rough surfaces of these
are required by Test Method C 42 to be completely submerged particles. Surface drying of normal weight aggregates having
in water at room temperature for at least 40 h immediately prior rough, vesicular surfaces is also difficult and must be carefully
to the flexure test. Loss of moisture from any surface should be done if consistent results are to be obtained.
prevented by covering with wet burlap or wet blankets during 16.1 The balance should be suited to weighing the amount
the time between removal from water storage and testing. It is of material required. The container for holding the immersed
required that the specimens be tested in a moist condition, sample should be immersed to a depth sufficient to cover the
unless the agency for whom the testing is being done specifies container at all times. The wire bails supporting the container
otherwise. should be of the smallest practical size to minimize the effects
of a variable immersed length of wire bail. Entrapped air
14. COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE should be freed from the sample prior to determining the
USING PORTIONS OF BEAMS BROKEN IN weight of the immersed sample by shaking the container while
FLEXURE (See Test Method C 116)2 immersed.
This test method was known formerly as the 8Modified Cube 16.2 Because of the difficulty of surface drying small
Test’. The compressive strengths obtained by its use are not aggregate particles within the coarse aggregate test sample, the
necessarily the same as those from tests of 6 by 12 in. (152 by material smaller than the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve is generally
305-mm) cylinders. It is not intended that the cross-sectional discarded. Test Method C 127 provides for separating material
dimensions and the height of the specimen be necessarily at the 2.36-mm (No. 8) sieve for very fine coarse aggregate.
equal. If capping of beam portions is required, capping 16.3 When the results of the test are to be used for
procedures should be in accordance with applicable provisions proportioning concrete mixtures with aggregates used in a
of Practice C 617 for Capping Cylindrical Concrete Speci- moist condition, drying to a constant weight at the start of the
mens.2 test may be eliminated. The oven-dry weight is not needed if
bulk specific gravity (SSD) will provide sufficient information.
15. MATERIALS FINER THAN 75-µm (NO. 200) The oven-dry weight will be needed to determine the absorp-
SIEVE IN MINERAL AGGREGATES BY tion of aggregate. Using aggregate without drying prior to
WASHING (See Test Method C 117)2 soaking may be preferable when testing certain aggregates of
When accurate determination of the total amount passing the relatively high absorption, since preliminary oven drying prior
75-µm (No. 200) sieve is desired as stated in Method C 136, for to test may remove moisture that cannot be regained in 24 h of
Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregate2, both washing soaking.
and subsequent dry sieving on the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve may
be required. It is essential to refer to the applicable aggregate 17. SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND ABSORPTION OF FINE
specifications to determine if both washing and dry sieving are AGGREGATE (See Test Method C 128)2
required to establish compliance with the required specifica- In performing the determinations described in this test
tions. method, probably the most important step is that of bringing
15.1 Certain agencies require the use of a wetting agent the sample to the saturated surface dry condition. The drying
(household detergent) in wash water, although the historical procedure specified does not involve the use of heat other than
procedure used by ASTM has been without a wetting agent. a gentle current of warm air, since the application of heat may
13
remove moisture from within the particle. The intent is to suspect the condition of the sieves in use.
remove water from between the particles and from the surfaces 18.2 Sieves suspected of wear and damage should be
of the particles. Care must be exercised to prevent the loss of checked in comparison with good sieves. Periodically, sieves in
fines when free water is drained from the sample in the initial daily use, particularly those with smaller mesh, should be
drying procedure. In addition, the sample should be stirred or examined for holes and breaks around the edges. Observation
raked rather frequently during the drying to avoid undue drying of the particles on each sieve for uniformity of size can help
of particles at the edge of the pile. The cone procedure detect defective sieves. Noncorrosive flux, such as rosin core,
employed in this test method accurately defines the saturated- should be used in making repairs to cloth or refastening to the
surface-dry condition for the vast majority of sands; however, frames. Whenever heating fine mesh sieves for drying the
for a few angular sands and sands containing small quantities temperature must be less than the melting point of solder,
of certain highly plastic clays, the sample will not slump until approximately 375°F (191°C).
after the average surface-dry condition has been passed. In
18.3 Jolting sieve cloths by impact to dislodge aggregate
these instances the technician may have to exercise some
particles caught in the openings can result in damage to the
judgment in determining the end point by observing the typical
wire mesh or the frame. Sieve frames may be tapped sharply on
color change that takes place as the sample reaches the
a hard, durable table top to accomplish removal of such
saturated-surface-dry condition. Another procedure involves
wedged particles. Avoid striking sieves on another object, such
placing a pat of sand on a dull or dark surface for 1 min; if the
as the edge of metal trash cans, to protect them from cuts and
surface appears damp after removal of the sand it is not yet
indentations. Damaged frames make it unlikely that the sieves
SSD and additional drying is required.
will nest properly. Sieves of finer mesh size require delicate
17.1 Additional precautions should be taken to ensure that
handling and striking on a firm pad to prevent damage to the
the material used for the mold is sufficiently rigid to prevent
sensitive wire cloth.
deformation with continued use. A minimum thickness of
0.032 in. (0.8 mm) is required. 18.4 The importance of sample preparation cannot be over-
17.2 When filling the volumetric flask, the operator must be emphasized. Loss of dust and fine particles must be avoided in
sure that all air bubbles which may be trapped between the quartering, splitting, and otherwise handling samples for sieve
sand grains are eliminated by inverting and agitating the flask. analysis. When sand is quartered it should contain sufficient
Air remaining with the sample will result in erroneous specific moisture to avoid the free-flowing condition characteristics of
gravity values. The final temperature of the flask, water and dry sands. Excessive moisture content will make the recovery
sand is important and must not change. of fines difficult and should also be avoided. To avoid loss of
17.3 During removal of the aggregate from the pycnometer, fines, coarse aggregate should possess moisture content
care should be exercised to avoid the loss of fine material, since slightly above the saturated surface dry condition for quarter-
after drying, this weight will be compared to the original ing or splitting. The sample should be dried to constant weight
weight to determine the absorption. using a convection oven for the sieve analysis test. For control
testing where rapid results are desirable, samples may be dried
18. SIEVE ANALYSIS OF FINE AND COARSE in a microwave oven or hotplate, or it may be possible to use
AGGREGATES (See Test Method C 136)2 samples of coarse aggregate in a damp condition. The provi-
Careful maintenance of sieves will make them last longer sions relating to the size of the sample required for coarse
and preserve the efficiency. The fine aggregate sieves, usually aggregates of different maximum sizes should be carefully
8 in. (203 mm) in diameter, should be brushed clean to reduce observed. Such provisions in ASTM Specifications C 330, for
blinding of the mesh openings to a practical minimum. It is Lightweight Aggregates for Structural Concrete;2 C 331, for
unnecessary to remove all particles lodged in the sieve after Lightweight Aggregates for Concrete Masonry Units;2 and
each use. For sieves 300-µm (No. 50) and coarser, use a stiff C 332, for Lightweight Aggregates for Insulating Concrete,2
bristle brush (soft brass bristles and stencil brushes are satis- are discussed in 18.9. A sample that is smaller than specified
factory) to the underside of the sieve, but avoiding a harsh may be nonrepresentative. The maximum amount retained on
raking action. For sieves 150-µm (No. 100) and finer, use a soft any sieve is limited to 0.62 g/cm2(.009 lbs/in.2) of sieving
bristle brush to the underside after each test, taking care not to surface (200 g for the usual 8 in. (203-mm) diameter sieve) for
damage the wire cloth by too much pressure or by scraping. fine aggregate as stated in Method C 136. This requirement is
18.1 The laboratory should have two complete sets of fine intended to prevent overloading the individual sieve, and in
aggregate sieves that are reserved for more important routine many cases will determine the maximum amount of material to
work. When duplicate tests are made, one test should be made be sieved at one time. When the sample size required for the
in each set. A third set of fine aggregate sieves should be aggregate exceeds the allowable amount of material to be
reserved for referee and reference tests. This set can be used for sieved at one time, then additional intermediate size sieves can
tests made in the Aggregate Reference Sample Program of the be inserted between the critical sieve and the next larger sieve.
AMRL and to check the operating sets of sieves or any new Alternately the sample can be reduced to several smaller
sieves before they are put in service. Older or suspect sieves subsamples through the use of quartering or splitting and the
should be used for rough work, scalping and other nonsensitive results from these subsample portions can then be combined
work. The sieves in routine work should be checked by sieving after sieving. Weighing out an exact predetermined weight is
a prepared sample alternately in the reference set. This should not permitted.
be done about once a year or whenever there is reason to 18.5 The need for using the hand sieving method to test the
14
thoroughness of sieving by mechanical devices is particularly should be made following the special provisions of Specifica-
important in the case of very fine or angular materials or when tions C 330, C 331, and C 332, for lightweight aggregates. The
an 8-in. (203-mm) diameter sieve retains more than about 150 specifications require that the weight of the fine aggregate sieve
g of material. The material on each sieve should be observed to sample shall be in accordance with the tables given. The coarse
see that it consists of discrete or separate particles and not aggregate sieve sample shall be 2830 cm3(0.1 ft.3) or more of
agglomerations of particles. Agglomerations may occur with the material used for the unit weight test. To minimize
dirty aggregate. degradation, do not mechanically sieve lightweight aggregates
18.6 Only sieves of the U.S. Standard Series and conform- for more than 5 min. Hand sieving may be preferable for these
ing to ASTM Specification E 11 are to be used with this test materials.
procedure. Specification E 11, Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing
Purposes,2 contains sieve numbers, dimensions of openings 19. UNIT WEIGHT, YIELD, AND AIR CONTENT
and wires, and tolerances in those dimensions for the U.S. (GRAVIMETRIC) OF CONCRETE
Standard Series sieves. Other sieve series should not be (See Test Method C 138)2
confused with the U.S. Standard Series. Other series sieves
having the same number may not have the same opening as the Data obtained in the determination of the weight per cubic
Standard Series and would give different results. Old and worn foot of the freshly mixed concrete by ASTM Test Method
sieves that do not have the specified openings should not be C 138 is used to compute the yield or volume of a batch of
used. Care should be taken to avoid confusing sieve numbers concrete, cement content, and air content (gravimetric). Test
and number of meshes per inch. Note that Specification E 11 Method C 138 gives detailed instructions for calculating these
specifies wire diameter. Since the weave prevents the wires parameters from the batch weights of materials used and from
from lying in precisely the same plane, the wire diameter used results of the unit weight test. Since the air content is computed
affects the size of the separated particles. For this reason the from the difference between the theoretical and actual unit
use of larger than standard wires in order to increase screen life weights of the concrete, small errors in the unit weight test or
will produce nonstandard test results. In addition, larger than in the theoretical unit weight caused by errors in the specific
standard wire diameters will reduce the percentage of open gravity of the materials can result in relatively large errors in
screen area and may increase required sieving time. the air content as computed in this test method.
18.7 The oven dry weight of the sample before the test and 19.1 The test method provides for a range of container sizes
of each fraction of the separated material should be determined from 0.2 to 3.5 ft3(6 to 99 dm3) for concrete having a range of
and recorded, thus securing a check on the work. It is advisable maximum nominal aggregate sizes of 1 in. (25 mm) to 6 in.
to retain each separate fraction until the original sample weight (152 mm). The larger size containers when filled with concrete
can be compared with the sum of the weights of the individual are too large to be lifted by hand. Mechanical means, such as
fractions. hoists and trolleys are necessary to move them onto scales and
18.8 The computation of the fineness modulus (FM) of an to empty them. It is, however, advisable to use the largest
aggregate is described in the calculations section of Method convenient measure to improve accuracy of test.
C 136. The FM of an aggregate, determined in accordance with 19.2 When calibrating the measure with water and a glass
Method C 136, is the empirical number obtained by adding the plate, it is necessary that the open upper end of the measure be
total percentages retained on each of a specified series of plane. By inverting the measure on a glass plate that has been
sieves, and dividing the sum by 100. The percentage retained coated with a light coat of machinist’s blue, it is easy to detect
on a given sieve is cumulative in the sense that any material any high spots that require work to provide the planeness
retained on a sieve with a larger opening would also be retained required.
on that given sieve and, therefore, regarded as retained
material. The U.S. Standard sieve sizes used for the fineness 19.3 In the final filling of the measure, if it is necessary to
modulus calculation are 150 µm (No. 100), 300 µm (No. 50), add or remove concrete, it should be done by adding or
600 µm (No. 30), 1.18 mm (No. 16), 2.36 mm (No. 8), 4.75 removing concrete, not mortar, so that the concrete proportions
mm (No. 4), and sizes 9.5 mm (3⁄8in.), 19.0 mm (3⁄4 in.), 37.5 remain the same. The optimum amount of concrete is such that
mm (11⁄2 in.), and larger, increasing in sieve openings in the after the rodding and tapping operation no concrete will have
ratio of 2 to 1. Use values for all sieves in this series, but no to be added or removed. This ideal situation is rarely achieved
other sieves. Intermediate sieves such as the 12.5 mm (1⁄2 in.) so the usual practice is to have a very slight excess to be
or 25.0 mm (1 in.) which are not in the fineness modulus series removed by a strike off-plate. A flat plate of glass, acrylic or
will frequently be employed when the aggregate has a narrow metal is required for striking off and finishing the surface of the
range of sizes or to determine compliance with some specifi- concrete. The plates should be at least 1⁄4 in. (6 mm) thick for
cations, but are not used in calculating the FM. In general, a steel and 1⁄2 in. (12 mm) for acrylic or glass. The edges of the
small value for fineness modulus indicates a fine material, glass plates should be ground. Erroneously, a tamping rod,
while a large value indicates a coarse material. However, the trowel, wood float or straightedge is sometimes used instead of
same FM may be obtained from a number of different the specified plate to strike off the concrete. The tendency when
gradations. Fineness moduli of concrete sands will range from using these instead of the plate is to leave the concrete high
about 2.30 for fine sands to 3.10 for coarse sands. resulting in a higher indicated unit weight which affects the
18.9 When testing lightweight aggregates, the sieve analysis computations which depend upon the unit weight.
15
20. SLUMP OF HYDRAULIC CEMENT CONCRETE concrete, the surface of the last layer of rodded concrete should
(See Test Method C 143)2 be only slightly above the top of the mold before striking off
the surface of the concrete with the tamping rod as specified in
Test Method C 143 describes the slump mold and Fig. 1 in
the method. If the mold is obviously underfilled, pause after 10
this test method shows a slump mold having a riveted vertical
or 15 strokes and add an additional representative sample of
strip and riveted foot pieces and handles. A spun metal mold
concrete.
with welded handles and footpieces is preferable. When riveted
20.3 The time element must not be overlooked when mak-
molds are used, the interior surface of the rivets and the joint
ing the slump test since concrete may lose slump rapidly with
should be smoothed. The interior surface of the mold should be
time. The time requirements of the test should be adhered to
smoothed and be free of dents, paint, oil, hardened concrete,
closely. Screed the top of the mold and remove any concrete
cement paste, and hardened mortar. The periphery of the 8 in.
that has collected around the outside of the base of the mold.
(203 mm) base should be plane. If not, the slump cone should
The mold must then be removed immediately in a vertical
be placed on a plane glass or steel plate, and filed or ground to
direction at a rate of 12 in. (300 mm) in 5 6 2 s. Completion
make uniform contact upon the plate, retaining perpendicular-
of the entire test must be accomplished within an elapsed time
ity thereto. Slump cones may become out-of-round for various
of 21⁄2 min. from the start of molding the slump. Although
reasons during shipment, transportation, or use and thus may
some technicians may rotate the cone before lifting to free the
be outside allowable specification tolerances. When this oc-
surface of the concrete from the mold, such practice is not
curs, they can sometimes be carefully bent to proper shape
permissible and should not be allowed. The mold should be
within tolerances. The interior of the cone should be wetted just
removed carefully and uniformly, in a vertical direction. Slump
prior to the test. This test method may not be applicable for
measurements should be made immediately. An inverted slump
concrete with a slump less than 1⁄2in. (13 mm) and for concrete
cone provides improved support for the rod in measuring the
with slump higher than 9 in. (230 mm). Due to the natural
slump.
angle of repose of the coarse aggregate in a sample of “flowing
concrete”, this test method may not be applicable for slumps 21. LENGTH CHANGE OF HARDENED
higher than about 71⁄2 in. (190 mm). HYDRAULIC-CEMENT MORTAR AND
20.1 The use of a flat, moist, nonabsorbent (rigid) base CONCRETE (See Test Method C 157)2
under the mold is mentioned, but no specific materials or Length change as determined by this test method is the
dimensions are stated. A metal plate is preferable, but a metal increase or decrease in a linear dimension of the test specimen.
sheet (16 to 20 gage (1.5 to 0.9 mm)) or a nonabsorbent coating The test method covers numerous details of the required
on a wooden base can be used satisfactorily. One man apparatus and procedure. Attention is directed to the required
operation is facilitated if devices which clamp the foot pieces control of temperature, relative humidity, and rate of evapora-
firmly to the base plate are used. The devices must be capable tion.
of releasing without moving the mold. A concrete floor is 21.1 The molds required are those specified in Practice
satisfactory provided it has a steel trowel finish, is kept damp, C 490, Apparatus for Use in Measurement of Length Change of
and is squeegeed surface dry immediately prior to making the Hardened Cement Paste, Mortar, and Concrete.2 That practice
slump test. For laboratory use, a heavy cast or steel plate with requires a thin coating of mineral oil on the interior surfaces of
machined top surface will be very satisfactory and can be the mold. Do not use lard, animal, or vegetable oils since these
quickly cleaned between tests. A wooden base is not satisfac- may soften the surfaces of specimens. Molds should be
tory, since its surface rapidly becomes rough and uneven. The pre-oiled before the gage studs are mounted, to prevent the
slump cone should have sufficient contact with the base to deposit of oil on the gage stud through contact with oily
prevent the loss of water, paste, or mortar from the concrete in fingers, oily rag, or lubricating brush.
the mold. When the test is made in the field, a small level will 21.2 Micrometer dials generally used on a comparator as
aid in leveling the base plate, which should be free from described in Practice C 490 frequently have a contact end
movement and vibration during a test. (anvil) that screws into the stem of the dial. This insert should
20.2 The mold is filled in three layers, each layer approxi- not be permitted to become loose. The proper use of a
mately one third the volume, not the height, of the mold. Some micrometer comparator requires that a check reading be made
like to paint two stripes around the outside of the mold, one 25⁄8 on a standard reference bar before and after making readings
in. (67 mm) from the bottom, the second 61⁄8 in. (155 mm) from on specimens, more frequently if a large number of measure-
the bottom as an aid in determining the approximate depths for ments are to be taken at a given time. The reference bar is
the equal volume points. In rodding the middle and top layers described in Practice C 490. The length of the reference bar
of concrete the rod should penetrate only slightly into the layer should be known, so that a replacement bar of the same length
below. Excessive penetration of the rod into the lower layers can be obtained should it be damaged or lost. The procurement
must be avoided. The required “heaping” of the concrete above of a second reference bar, tied in by comparative measurements
the mold rim before rodding the final layer can be facilitated if with the currently used bar might be considered. The hardened,
an extension is used at the top of the cone. Such extension can polished ends of the reference bar should be kept clean, but
be made from a discarded cone by cutting off the upper 6 in. caution is urged not to decrease the overall length by improper
(150 mm), attaching lugs around the 4 in. (102 mm) diameter, cleaning methods. For example, the measurements of an
and inverting the extension for use. By using such an exten- important long-term study were seriously affected by the
sion, and by carefully estimating the required amount of operator’s practice of rubbing the reference bar ends on a piece
16
of cloth or canvas that probably contained cement dust. These wet-sieved if the maximum aggregate size is larger than is
frequent rubbings over a long period of time were found to suitable for the size of the test equipment to be used or the test
have caused significant wear of the reference bar. When specimen to be made. Most test procedures require that the
reading the dial micrometer, a gentle tapping with a pencil on minimum dimension of the specimen or the mold shall be at
the dial case is recommended. The dial stem should be clean least three times the maximum size aggregate used in the test
and should move freely, but should not be lubricated. or the specimen. The specific requirements are given in the
21.2.1 Practice C 490 describes in detail the apparatus for various applicable test procedures.
use in Test Method C 157, and all precautions and recommen- 22.3.2 When there is a need to wet sieve concrete, this must
dations therein should be observed. be anticipated ahead of time, and wet-sieving equipment that
22. SAMPLING FRESHLY MIXED CONCRETE will satisfactorily accomplish the wet-sieving operation as
(See Practice C 172)2 rapidly as possible with a minimum of effort shall be provided.
Attempting to use an 8 in. (200 mm) diameter sieve by hand
When samples are taken in the field, they should come from method is not satisfactory.
predetermined batches in accordance with the sampling plan.
22.3.3 Wet sieving concrete is best accomplished with
The practice of testing only batches of low or high slump will
equipment that shakes or moves back and forth rather than
fail to accurately describe concrete quality and uniformity.
using high frequency vibration. Fig. 5 shows hand-operated
Practice C 172 is applicable to obtaining samples of fresh
wet-sieving equipment suitable for occasional or lighter-type
concrete from stationary, paving, and truck mixers and from
wet-sieving work. This consists of an 18 by 26 in. (457 by 660
agitating and nonagitating equipment used to transport cen-
mm) Gilson sieve tray supported by a homemade wooden
trally mixed concrete. Sampling should normally be performed
frame. The sieve tray is moved forward and backward by hand
as the concrete is discharged from this equipment at the project
as rapidly as possible. The concrete which passes through the
site to the conveying vehicle used to transport the concrete to
sieve falls on a clean, moist, non-absorbent surface or pan, is
the forms; however, specifications may require other points of
remixed for testing.
sampling such as at the discharge of a concrete pump. Samples
from concrete that has been compacted or manipulated after its 22.3.4 Fig. 6 shows wet-sieving equipment powered by an
discharge from a mixer or agitator or conveyance are not electric motor suitable for larger jobs and for mass concrete.
suitable for making acceptance tests for consistency, air con- The interchangeable sieve mounted on the movable frame
tent, or potential strength. which is tilted slightly is moved forward and backward by the
22.1 Time limitations are imposed on taking different por- driving mechanism. Concrete to be wet-sieved is shoveled onto
tions of the composite samples, on preparing the composite the sieve. Concrete that passes the sieve falls into the pan
samples for slump and air content tests, and for molding underneath and is used for further testing after it is recombined
specimens for strength tests. The time limitations should be with a shovel. Aggregate that does not pass the sieve rolls to
carefully observed to ensure that results of tests are consis- the lower end of the sieve and into a pan or wheelbarrow to be
tently representative of the concrete. Elapsed time between discarded. Wet-sieving of concrete should be done rapidly, and
compositing samples and performing tests or molding test the concrete should be protected from the sun and the wind.
specimens should be the minimum possible. Compositing of The sieves should not be overloaded.
samples and remixing should be performed at the place where 22.4 When wet-sieved concrete is used for the air content
tests are to be made or where specimens are to be molded. Tests test, the air content measured is the wet-sieved fraction, not the
and molding of specimens should be performed as close to the total concrete. The aggregate larger than the designated size,
point of sampling as possible. which is removed and coated with a small amount of mortar, is
22.2 The practice of sampling concrete from the discharge assumed to contain no (or little) air. Concrete specifications
stream from a mixer or truck, or from a pile, by means of a may specify air content for the full mix or for a fraction of the
scoop or shovel, and then filling a test container (slump cone, concrete wet-sieved to a designated size. If the test is made on
airmeter bowl, cylinder, or beam mold) with several such the sample wet-sieved to a given size, the air content of the full
samples without the required remixing should not be permitted. mix may be calculated if the concrete-mix proportions are
The filling of a 6 by 12 in. (150 by 300 mm) cylinder mold by known or determined. The air content of the full mix is
placing it in the stream of discharging concrete is prohibited. obtained by multiplying the air content of the wet-sieved
22.3 Practice C 172 provides for wet-sieving concrete fraction by the ratio of the volume of the full mix. (This may
where the concrete contains aggregate larger than can be be calculated from the known or determined mix for 1 yd3 or
accommodated by the test equipment or larger than is suitable 1 m3 of concrete.) For example, 3 in. nominal maximum size
for the size of the test specimens to be made. For example, Test aggregate concrete is being produced. The air content of −11⁄2
Method C 143 for the slump of concrete states that the test is in. wet-sieved fraction of the concrete as determined with an
applicable for concretes having aggregates up to 11⁄2 in. (37.5 airmeter is 4.9 %. From the mix calculations for 1 yd3(27.0 ft3)
mm) in size. If the concrete contains aggregate larger than this of this concrete, the +11⁄2 in. fraction has an absolute or solid
size, for example, 3 in. (75 mm) maximum size, the aggregate volume of 4.62 ft3. The volume of the −11⁄2 in. fraction of the
larger than 11⁄2in. (37.5 mm) is removed by wet sieving, and concrete is then 27.0 − 4.62 5 22.38 ft3. The air content of the
the slump test is made on the minus 11⁄2in. (37.5 mm) fraction full mix is 4.9 3 22.38/27.00 5 4.1 %.
of the concrete. 22.4.1 Unit weight tests to be used for concrete-mix com-
22.3.1 Various other tests require that the concrete be putations are best made on the full mix, although unit weight
17
FIG. 5 Equipment for Wet Sieving Concrete by Hand
tests of a wet-sieved fraction of concrete can be corrected to the

full mix when the mix details are known.
22.5 The test sample of concrete should have a volume of at
least 25 % greater than that needed to make all required
specimens. The sample size requirement also applies to the
amount of material left after wet sieving when large aggregate
has been removed.
23. AIR CONTENT OF FRESHLY MIXED

CONCRETE BY THE VOLUMETRIC METHOD
(See Test Method C 173)2
This test method is applicable to concretes containing any
type of aggregate. It is the only procedure considered satisfac-
tory for determining air contents of concretes made with
lightweight aggregates, air-cooled slag, and highly porous or
vesicular natural aggregates. The test method presents the
details of the necessary apparatus and of its use. In using bowls
of the minimum capacity permitted, 0.075 ft3(0.002 m3), very
careful attention must be given to ensure that a representative
sample of the concrete is obtained and tested. It is considered
desirable to at least occasionally determine the coarse aggre-
gate content of the sample tested and compare it with the
theoretical coarse aggregate content of the mix as a means of
checking possible sampling errors.
23.1 The rocking and rolling procedure in the test method
needs further amplification. To increase the accuracy of the test
and shorten the necessary rolling time it is important that all of
the concrete in the base is dislodged during the first shaking
and rolling operations. Tip the device upside down to get the
concrete out of the base and then slosh it from side to side to
allow the water movement to further break up the concrete.
Invert the measure again to make sure that all the concrete is FIG. 6 Mechanical Equipment for Wet Sieving Concrete
out of the base. You should be able to hear the aggregate rolling
around in the meter. Do not keep the measure upside down more than 5 s or so at a time once the aggregate is free or it may
18
become lodged in the neck of the meter. If this happens slosh concerning the materials used in preparing laboratory concrete
it from side to side to get the aggregate back down. After the should be recorded. Experience has shown that such data may
measure is inverted and the concrete freed from the base the be valuable long afterward when details cannot be readily
inclined measure should be rolled vigorously for about 1 min supplied from memory. A few extra minutes on records will be
and returned to the upright position. If the concrete is air- well spent.
entrained, foam often obscures the water level and the top 24.3 Record the actual weight used in the mix. The descrip-
should be opened and 2 or 3 measures of 70 % isopropyl tion of the cement should be complete, including kind, type,
alcohol poured in. With air entrained concrete it saves time if manufacture, brand, source of shipment, and nature of con-
the alcohol is added to bring the water-alcohol up to the zero tainer. If the cement is other than portland, the specific gravity
mark in the initial filling operation. The level is read, if should be determined and recorded. Applicable laboratory
possible, the top closed and the measure rolled vigorously for sample numbers may be helpful. The weight per bag should be
another 1 min period. At this point the level should be clearly
recorded if bagged cement is being used. However, if trial
visible and no further additions of alcohol necessary. The 1 min
batches are being mixed for use with bulk cement use, it is
periods of rolling should be continued until the level changes
better to obtain a representative sample from the bulk cement
less than 0.1 percentage points between successive readings. If
supply to be used rather than to obtain commercial bagged
too much alcohol is added, a syringe can be used to remove one
cement from the same source. Prior to a series of tests, the dry
or more cupfuls. When the apparatus is disassembled the
contents of the base should be examined to be sure that no cement should be uniformly blended. The cement stock should
concrete stuck in the base. be stored in tightly closed, moisture-proof containers, prefer-
ably metal, throughout the tests. A steel drum with an easily
24. MAKING AND CURING CONCRETE TEST opened lock rim with a gasket is one of the preferred types and
SPECIMENS IN THE LABORATORY is easily emptied and cleaned.
(See Practice C 192)2 24.4 The description of any admixture used in the labora-
Practice C 192 has no section relating specifically to the tory concrete should be sufficiently complete to indicate the
sampling of either hand-mixed or machine-mixed concrete. nature of the material, manufacturer’s name, brand, lot, and
Concrete batches are required to contain at least 10 % more any related laboratory numbers. Specification C 260, Air-
concrete than is required to mold specimens and it is necessary Entraining Admixtures for Concrete,2 and Test Method C 233,
that each scoopful, trowelful, or shovelful of concrete taken for Air-Entraining Admixtures for Concrete,2 respectively,
from the batch to fill the specimen molds be representative of cover the requirements for and methods of test for air-
the batch. In order to maintain uniformity of concrete mixed by entraining admixtures. Specification C 494, Chemical Admix-
machine, the concrete must be deposited in a clean, damp pan tures for Concrete,2 covers the requirements for other chemical
and re-mixed by shovel or trowel. Concrete that tends to admixtures such as water reducers, retarders, accelerators, etc.
segregate readily (slumps larger than 3 in. (76 mm) or concrete Specification C 618, Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural
containing nearly spherical coarse aggregate) should be re- Pozzolans for Use as a Mineral Admixture in Portland Cement
mixed after the removal of each one or two scoopfuls or Concrete,2 covers the requirements for pozzolanic admixtures.
shovelfuls. Trowels should not be used for sampling the If solutions of admixtures are prepared in the laboratory,
concrete because mortar or rounded aggregate will flow off the records should show the actual quantities of admixture and
sides. Scoops or shovels should be used to sample the concrete, water used. When using admixtures, attention should be given
not in horizontal layers, but throughout the depth of the batch
to the instructions and precautions furnished by the manufac-
with the edge of the scoop or shovel, sliding along the bottom
turer of the admixture with particular attention to dosage rate
of the pan. Cutting edges of the scoops and shovels should be
and time of addition. Solutions should be stored properly.
straight, not curved. In order to ensure symmetrical distribution
Nonmetallic containers are preferred for storing solutions.
of the concrete and to minimize segregation of coarse aggre-
Solutions should be checked occasionally, particularly at the
gate within the mold, the scoop or shovel should be moved
around the top edge of the mold as the concrete is discharged. start of tests in which they are to be used, and should be
24.1 Many of the comments and precautions in other ASTM replaced by fresh solutions whenever it is found advisable
methods are also applicable to Practice C 192, and reference during a test program.
should be made to these methods as mentioned in this section. 24.5 It is important to record the actual weight of materials
24.2 Practice C 192 requires that all materials shall be used, as well as the proportions of a mixture. Appropriate
weighed on scales meeting the requirements for sensitivity and attention must be given to any pertinent differences between
tolerances prescribed by the National Institute of Standards and units of measurement in different localities, such as the British
Technology Handbook 44.17 Where scales are graduated in Imperial gallon and the Canadian metric weight of a bag of
decimals of pounds, or where the metric system is used, the portland cement. Attention should be given to the weight-
equivalent percentage sensitivity reciprocal and tolerances volume relations, and to the size and content weights of
shall apply. The user is cautioned against making small shipping packages applicable to any special cements. The units
weighings on large capacity scales. There is some discussion of in which water-cementitious material ratios are expressed must
the use and care of weighing apparatus in Section 5 of this be clearly defined (by weight, by gallons per U.S. bag, etc.).
manual. All materials should be at room temperature, in the The quantity of any liquid other than the mixing water should
range of 68 to 86°F (20 to 30°C). All pertinent information be recorded. The mixing water should be measured with
19
sufficient accuracy to warrant expressing the water- or set controlling admixtures or both, are often added to the
cementitious material ratio to two decimal places. Proper damp sand to reduce possible adverse effects when they are
allowance should be made for free and absorbed water in the added closely together. The time and method of adding an
aggregate. The quantity of mixing water should be recorded in admixture can have important effects on properties of concrete
terms of the units actually used in the measurement, even and must be charged into the mixer in the same time sequence
though different units may be used in the final report. Vessels from batch to batch. Delaying the introduction of a retarding
for storage of water should be clean. Volumetric measures admixture for as little as 30 to 60 s after the start of mixing has
should be checked for accuracy and their capacity should be been shown to have important effects on the time of set, air
marked thereon. The tare weights of vessels used for weighing content, and water requirement for a given consistency. The
water should be checked occasionally. The manner of measur- specified time of mixing should be sufficient to assure that the
ing the water should be appropriate to the refinement required admixture is uniformly blended throughout the batch. The
in the final calculations. drum or pan of the mixer should be cleaned thoroughly after
24.6 The mixing action of small tilting drum laboratory mixing concrete containing a chemical admixture, particularly
mixers should be critically observed and deficiencies corrected. if concretes with and without chemical admixtures or contain-
Mixers of this type sometimes run too fast to properly mix ing a succession of different chemical admixtures are being
concrete of the type used in laboratory work. Sometimes prepared. The mixer should be rebuttered prior to mixing of a
mixing action can be improved by reducing the speed or different concrete.
changing the angle of inclination or tilt of the drum, or both. In 24.8 It is inadvisable to use either exceptionally small
some instances, capacities have been grossly overrated by the batches or to overload the mixer. A very small batch, for
suppliers. These statements are not intended to condemn small example, one tenth of the mixer’s rated capacity, will not be
tilting drum mixers for laboratory work, but to suggest that mixed in the same manner as a standard size batch, and the
adjustments may be needed to improve mixing action. percentage mortar retained in the mixer will be excessive. An
24.6.1 Belt, chain, or gear drives on mixers should be overload of materials is rarely mixed properly, may be accom-
adequately guarded to prevent injury. Personnel should wear panied by spillage, and may put too much load on the driving
safety glasses, goggles, or face shields to protect the eyes from unit. The batch should be of sufficient volume to leave about
concrete splatters during mixing. Practice C 192 describes the 10 % when specimen fabrication has been completed. When
procedure for hand mixing of concrete. Hand mixing is not to batches are hand mixed, the operator’s hands should be
be used for air entrained concrete. The requirement for a damp protected by rubber gloves.
metal pan should not be so loosely interpreted as to result in the 24.9 Practice C 192 requires that materials be at a uniform
use of a pan containing enough excess water to affect the slump temperature, in the range of 68 to 86°F (20 to 30°C).
of the concrete. For either the revolving drum or the open pan Comparative concrete mixtures should have about the same “as
type of mixer, the mixing cycle is clearly presented in the mixed” temperatures. The relative humidity is not specified,
section on Machine Mixing in Practice C 192. The equipment, but variations therein during a working day, or from day to day,
procedure and time of mixing can greatly affect the compres- can cause variations in the slump of the concrete for a fixed
sive strength and amount of entrained air, and no variations water content, or in the mixing water required for a given
from the required cycle should be permitted. The mixture consistency. It is recommended that the relative humidity be
should be buttered prior to each substantial change in the recorded regularly. Dehumidification of a laboratory is not
mixture proportions. easy, but an excessively low humidity may easily be raised to
24.7 Admixtures that are in powdered form and are not 30 to 50 % by water atomizer sprays. Control of the tempera-
soluble in water should be added to and pre-mixed with the ture of the mixing water will assist in maintaining concrete
cement prior to use in the revolving drum mixer, and be mixed temperatures near the optimum of 73°F (23°C).
with the sand and cement in the pan mixer. Care must be taken 24.10 The precautions against over-filling the top layer of
in adding the powdered admixtures that are used in very small the mold before vibration should be observed. In addition, it is
amounts (often from 0.01 to 0.2 % by weight of cement) preferable to vibrate all specimens of equal slump and propor-
because it is difficult to distribute them evenly and blend them tions in a test group for the same length of time and in an
uniformly with the cement when preparing a concrete mixture. identical manner. Over-vibration should be avoided. Carefully
Chemical admixtures that are soluble in water should be follow the requirements for use of rodding or vibration, or
prepared as a water solution unless instructions specifically both, based on slump of the concrete. After the molding
dictate otherwise. Such solutions and chemical admixtures that operation has been completed, precautions should be taken to
are marketed as liquids should generally be introduced into the avoid disturbance of the specimens until sufficient strength has
mixer with the mixing water. The water present in the solution been obtained to prevent damage.
should be included in the calculation of the water content of the 24.11 Practice C 192 requires that after 24 6 8 h in the
concrete. Solutions that are not compatible, such as solutions of molds at 73.4 6 3°F (23 6 1.7°C) the concrete specimens be
calcium chloride and certain air entraining agents or set demolded and stored in either moist air or limewater. Most
retarders, should not be intermixed prior to their introduction to laboratories use moist air curing. It is preferable that specimens
the mixer and should be added to the batch of concrete in in a moist room be stored in racks instead of being stacked in
accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Air close contact on the floor. There should be free air space around
entraining admixtures, when used with either water-reducing each specimen, and free water should be maintained on all
20
surfaces of the specimen. is not required. It is necessary only that the frequency output of
24.12 When storing strength test specimens in limewater, the oscillator at any setting be stable during the duration of the
the water should be saturated with lime before immersing the test.
first cylinders. There have been cases where specimens were 25.2.1 A 3 by 4 by 17–inch (76 by 104 by 430–mm)
stored in fresh water with the idea that the lime leached from aluminum prismatic bar has been found suitable for system
the earlier stored cylinders would later bring about a satisfac- verification. Such a bar may be used to check system operation
tory saturation condition for the later specimens. Such practice at about 2000, 2500, 3200, and 5900 cps (Hz). These corre-
defeats the purpose of the use of lime-saturated water, at least spond to two transverse resonant frequencies, the torsional
in the case of the first specimens stored in the water. Limewater resonant frequency, and the longitudinal resonant frequency.
can irritate the skin and can cause rashes on the hands and The resonant frequencies of the aluminum bar are determined
arms. Some technicians will need to wear gloves and therefore, using the same procedure as for a concrete specimen. A
deep containers should be avoided or a satisfactory mechanical reference bar of this type can be used at any time and can be
means provided to retrieve specimens. Naturally, water depth shipped from place to place to check and synchronize several
must be sufficient to completely cover specimens at all times. pieces of equipment. Smaller size aluminum or other metal
24.13 Moist storage rooms shall meet the requirements of prisms can also be used, however the resonant frequencies will
Specification C 511, Moist Cabinets, Moist Rooms and Water have a higher values than stated above.
Storage Tanks Used in the Testing of Hydraulic Cements and 25.2.2 The sonic equipment should be allowed to warm up
Concretes.2 In a good moist room the fog spray will be thick for 2 min prior to use to stabilize the electronic circuits.
enough to hamper visibility at 10 to 15 ft. 25.2.3 The driver unit can be conveniently mounted on a
25. FUNDAMENTAL TRANSVERSE, stand so that it can be readily placed against the test specimen.
LONGITUDINAL, AND TORSIONAL Some driver units are made from an audio speaker that has
FREQUENCIES OF CONCRETE SPECIMENS18 been modified by attaching a steel tip to the speaker dia-
(See Test Method C 215)2 phragm. In contacting the concrete with the tip of the driver,
care should be taken not to break the tip loose from the
Two alternative procedures are permitted in determining the diaphragm. The tip should not be struck sharply or subjected to
fundamental resonant frequency. These procedures are: (1) the great pressure. The driver unit should be pushed against the
forced resonance method or (2) the impact resonance proce- specimen with just enough force to prevent a chattering sound
dure. The same procedure must be used for all specimens in a when the specimen is being vibrated. Avoid excessive force.
given group. The pickup unit can be held against the concrete by spring
25.1 The forced resonance method uses an electro–me- loading or by a rubber band, or by the weight of the pickup unit
chanical driving unit to vibrate a specimen. The driver unit is alone if sufficient to provide good contact. The pickup should
operated by a variable–frequency oscillator. A lightweight not be allowed to become wet, since water may damage it. A
pickup unit attached to the specimen is used to measure the small amount of grease can be added to the tip of the stylus to
amplitude of vibration as the driving frequency is varied. The aid in coupling the transducer to the concrete.
amplitude of vibration is displayed on an electronic indicator.
25.2.4 When moving the pickup and test specimen, the gain
The value of the frequency causing maximum amplitude is the
of the indicator circuit should be reduced to avoid damage to
resonant frequency of the specimen.
the meter.
25.1.1 The impact resonance method uses a small impactor
(hammer) and a lightweight accelerometer to measure the 25.2.5 The driving amplitude should be maintained as low
vibration of the specimen. The output of the accelerometer is as is feasible for good response at resonance to avoid distor-
recorded by a computer–based system which determines the tion. Maintaining the driving amplitude as low as possible also
resonant frequency of the specimen by analyzing the recorded saves wear and tear on the equipment and spares the ears of
data. other laboratory employees. Between tests of individual speci-
25.2 Forced Resonance Method—The accuracy of forced mens the driver amplitude should be reduced so as to be
resonance method depends on the accuracy with which fre- inaudible.
quency can be determined. The actual oscillator frequency 25.2.6 The sonic equipment should be kept in a dry place.
should agree closely with the indicated frequency, within the 25.2.7 Drift can be determined by periodically checking
specified 6 2 % or else a calibration curve should be prepared. with the aluminum bar, an electronic counter, or by other
The oscillator can be calibrated over its complete range by use means. If drift is detected, the instrument should be checked by
of an electronic counter or by synchronization with the a knowledgeable electronics technician or returned to the
standard time signals broadcast daily over station WWV by the manufacturer for repair.
National Institute of Standards and Technology. If a calibrated 25.2.8 In measuring the fundamental resonant frequency,
electronic counter is included in the oscillator circuit, it may be the operator should have a general idea of the approximate
used for frequency determination, and the oscillator calibration value to be measured. Otherwise, it is possible to make a gross
error in the measured value of the resonant frequency. This
18
error occurs when the specimen is driven at a frequency that is
For additional explanation see Whitehurst, E.A., “Evaluations of Concrete
a fraction of the fundamental resonant frequency. For example,
Properties From Sonic Tests” ACI Monograph No 2., and Malhotra, V.M., “Testing
Hardened Concrete Nondestructive Methods” ACI Monograph No. 9., American if the fundamental resonant frequency is 3000 Hz and the
Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Michigan. specimen is driven at a frequency of 1500 Hz, the specimen
21
will vibrate at its fundamental resonant frequency and the resonant frequency from impact testing. One method is based
amplitude indicator will indicate a peak value. Thus the user on counting the number of zero crossings of the accelerometer
could report the resonant frequency as 1500 Hz. High ampli- signal. This is accomplished by electronic circuitry, and the
tude vibration would also occur if the specimen were driven at instrument displays the digital value of the resonant frequency.
1000 Hz, that is 1⁄3 of the fundamental frequency. To avoid this The other technique uses a digital signal processing method
problem, the instrument should be equipped with an oscillo- that determines the predominant frequencies contained in the
scope that displays the oscillator output versus the receiver accelerometer signal. These frequencies include the fundamen-
output. When the specimen is being driven at the fundamental tal resonant frequency plus the frequencies of higher vibra-
resonant frequency, the oscilloscope shows an elliptical pat- tional modes. The output from the signal processing is a graph
tern. If the specimen is driven at 1⁄2 its fundamental resonant of amplitude versus frequency, known as the amplitude spec-
frequency, the oscilloscope shows a pattern resembling the trum. Resonant frequencies appear as peaks in the amplitude
infinity sign, (`). spectrum. The fundamental resonant frequency is the peak with
25.2.9 Usually torsional frequencies are determined only the highest amplitude and lowest frequency. In this second
when it is desired to determine Poisson’s ratio or the modulus method, the frequency resolution is the inverse of the duration
of rigidity. In order to calculate Poisson’s ratio, it is necessary of the sampling period. A longer sampling period results in
to determine the torsional frequency and either the transverse higher frequency resolution. For example, if the sampling
or longitudinal frequency. Some laboratories routinely deter- frequency is 20 kHz (sampling interval of 0.00005 s) and 1024
mine all three resonant frequencies when testing specimens. In points are recorded, the resolution is 19.5 Hz (1/0.0512 s). If
determining E from the longitudinal frequency, it is not the sampling frequency were lowered to 10 kHz, the frequency
necessary to know Poisson’s ratio provided L/d is not less than resolution would be 9.8 kHz. The user must make sure that the
2. The fundamental longitudinal frequency is normally consid- sampling frequency is at least twice the resonant frequency to
erably higher than the fundamental transverse frequency. For be measured. For example, if the sampling frequency is 20
the previously mentioned aluminum bar, the fundamental kHz, the maximum frequency that can be measured is 10 kHz.
longitudinal frequency is about 5950 cps (Hz) and the funda- 25.3.2 The nature of the impact is critical in the success of
mental transverse frequency in the direction of the smaller the impact resonance method. If the duration of the impact is
dimension is about 2000 cps (Hz). It is a matter of choice too long, it may not be possible to excite the fundamental
whether to use longitudinal or transverse frequencies, since resonant frequency of the specimen. Test Method C 215
Young’s modulus can be calculated from either. The amplitude specifies a hammer that has been found to be suitable for the
of vibration in the longitudinal direction is much smaller than typical specimens used in Test Method C 666. For smaller
in the transverse direction, and more operator skill is required specimens, it may be necessary to use hammers of smaller
to determine the longitudinal resonant frequency. The choice mass. The force of the hammer impact does not have an
may also be influenced by the use of the data. The longitudinal appreciable effect on the resonant frequency. However, the user
frequency reflects the average condition of the specimen, should use a similar impact force from specimen to specimen.
whereas surface disintegration produces a disproportionately Some practice may be required to learn the proper technique,
high reduction in transverse frequency. Test Method C 666 which should be a sharp, quick impact. It is best to hold the
specifies transverse frequency because it is important to detect handle of the hammer loosely between thumb and forefinger
surface deterioration as well as general deterioration. when striking the specimen.
25.2.10 Temperature change within the normal laboratory 25.3.3 By using the impact resonance method, it is possible
range should not affect results appreciably. Moisture content to determine the torsional resonant frequency of a cylindrical
probably has a slight effect on results but this is probably not specimen. To excite the torsional mode, it is necessary to strike
significant unless the moisture content is changed appreciably the specimen with a tangential blow as shown in Fig. 4 of Test
(completely dry to saturated, for example). Poisson’s ratio is Method C 215. Practice will be required to develop the proper
reported to increase with degree of saturation. technique. The user should know the approximate value of the
torsional resonant frequency as a check that the torsional mode
25.2.11 Specimens containing freezable water will show
has in fact been excited by the impact.
higher fundamental frequencies if tested when frozen. How-
25.4 The paper by Gerald Pickett, “Equations for Comput-
ever, to eliminate completely effects of temperature and
ing Elastic Constants from Flexural and Torsional Resonant
changes in moisture content, beams on which several succes-
Frequencies of Vibration of Prisms and Cylinders,” Proceed-
sive readings are to be taken should be kept at the same
ings, ASTM, ASTEA, 1945, Vol. 45, p. 846, is a most useful
temperature (above freezing) and moisture content, if possible.
reference when making calculations based on results obtained
25.3 Impact Resonance Method—In the impact resonance from sonic tests. By use of the charts and equations set forth in
method, the specimen is struck at the appropriate position with this paper, constants for flexural and torsional vibration of
a small hammer. The impact causes the specimen to vibrate in prisms and cylinders can be computed.
its natural modes. An accelerometer mounted in the proper
position is used to monitor the vibration of the specimen. The 26. AIR CONTENT OF FRESHLY MIXED
output of the accelerometer is analyzed to determine the CONCRETE BY THE PRESSURE METHOD
vibrational frequencies. This technique is analogous to ringing (See Test Method C 231)2
a bell by striking it with a hammer. The test method describes apparatus of two basic operational
25.3.1 There are two common methods for determining the types employing the principle of Boyle’s law. The test method
22
is considered applicable to concretes and mortars made with 27. BLEEDING OF CONCRETE
relatively dense aggregates. It is not applicable to concretes (See Test Methods C 232)2
made with lightweight aggregates, air-cooled blast furnace The methods of determining the relative amount of bleeding
slag, or aggregates of high porosity where the aggregate either without disturbance or with specified intermittent vibra-
correction factor exceeds about 0.5 %. tions are described in the procedure. Certain precautions
26.1 The internal surface of the assembly cover should be should be taken when making the bleeding test according to
kept clean and free from oil or grease; the surface should be this test method. For concrete made in the laboratory, the
wet, to prevent the adherence of air bubbles that might be aggregates and concrete should be prepared as prescribed in
difficult to dislodge after assembly. Practice C 192. The interior surface of the container must be
26.2 Leaky air valves, and dry, spongy or worn-out leathers smooth and free from corrosion, coatings and lubricants. It is
in the hand pumps may cause difficulty in maintaining the important that the concrete be properly placed in the container
desired air pressure. The air valve near the top of the cover as specified in Test Method C 232, and kept within the
assembly should be kept clean and free from oil. It is advisable temperature limits of 65° to 75°F (18° to 24°C) when so placed
to have on hand an extra pump and extra cores for the air valve. and be free of vibration or unnecessary disturbance. Any
The meter should be checked before being taken to the field variation from the prescribed method may affect the bleeding
after a period of nonuse. It is necessary to calibrate the Type A rate. Test Method C 232 does not specify the ambient relative
meter whenever the elevation at which it will be used changes humidity, but does require that the filled container be covered
by more than 600 ft (183 mm). The Type B meter is unaffected with a suitable lid. The lid should fit the top of the container so
by elevation. that evaporation is reduced to a minimum and should be kept
26.3 The graduated precision-bore glass tube and the at- in place throughout the test except when drawing off water.
tached glass water gage (Type A) should be frequently cleaned
internally, using a soft hair brush or a swab of waste or cloth. 28. FLEXURAL STRENGTH OF CONCRETE (USING
Even with frequent cleaning, it is sometimes necessary to use SIMPLE BEAM WITH CENTER–POINT
a dilute (1 + 4) solution of hydrochloric acid to remove the film LOADING) (See Test Method C 293)2
that adheres to the inner surface of the glass on drying. The comments on Test Method C 78 also apply generally to
26.4 Some water pressure meters (Type B) have a flat gasket Test Method C 293. This method requires that the specimen be
instead of a tubular or conical gasket. When not properly kept wet until the moment it is placed in the testing machine.
cemented to the bottom of the conical assembly, the flat gasket The last twenty hours of curing prior to testing the beams must
will permit the escape of water. A spare gasket should be be immersed in water saturated with calcium hydroxide (high-
available. calcium hydrated lime).
26.5 The Type B airmeter is sometimes used for the 28.1 For testing, the beam should be placed on its side with
determination of the air content of a fraction of the concrete respect to the mold. If any protrusions on the edges of the beam
wet-screened or hand-picked to a maximum size appropriate are left from the molding process, carefully remove these by
for the size of the meter being used, with a correction being use of a mason’s rubbing stone or Carborundum. Grinding or
made for the aggregate removed, which is assumed to contain rubbing should be minimized in as much as grinding may
no air. If wet-sieving is used, the effect of this operation in change the physical characteristics of the beam.
reducing the air in the concrete must be considered. For 28.2 The timing of the planeness determination is critical if
additional information see Section 22.4 on Sampling Freshly the beam needs to be capped. Capping materials may require
Mixed Concrete. anywhere from two hours to six days to cure. The last 20 hours
26.6 Base the selection of the method of consolidation on of curing prior to testing the beam must be immersed in water.
the slump unless the method is stated in the specification under Therefore, gypsum caps are not recommended because they
which the work is performed. Rod concretes with a slump soften or deteriorate in water if stored for more than a very
greater than 3 in. (75 mm). Rod or vibrate concretes with a brief time period. Although permitted by the standard, due to
slump of 1 to 3 in. (25 to 75 mm). Consolidate by vibration curing time consideration, the use of neat cement is not
concretes with a slump of less than 1 in. (25 mm). Failure to recommended here.
properly rod or to close voids left by the tamping rod will 28.3 Verify the planeness of the beam surface by placing the
indicate incorrect higher air contents. beam in the testing apparatus and bringing the load-applying
26.7 Vibration must be carefully done when used to con- block into contact with the surface of the specimen. Place a
solidate mass concrete, or smaller aggregate concrete in the slight load on beam and sight along each block looking for
smaller airmeters, permitted in Test Method C 231. Vibration is gaps between the specimen and block. If a gap of more than 1
easier for the operator and the tendency is to overvibrate in. in width is found check the gap using feeler gages of 0.004
resulting in loss of air and increased density. Vibration should and 0.015 in. If the 0.004 in. feeler gage can be placed in the
cease when all the coarse aggregate is submerged, and the gap for a length of 1 in. or more but not a 0.015 in. feeler gage,
surface takes on a smooth glistening appearance. shim the beam with leather shims. If the 0.015 in. feeler gage
26.8 The calibration procedures described in the text should can be placed in the gap for a length of 1 in. or more the beam
be followed carefully and methodically. Some meter manufac- must be capped or ground. If capping or grinding is required,
turers supply calibration instructions which are based on mark the location on the beam where it is contacted by the
procedures different from those given in the test method. blocks while it is still positioned in the testing machine. This
23
will help to locate the area requiring surface preparation on the regularly. A suitable container or box should be used to prevent
beam. scarring of the surface of the ball or deformation of the stirrup
28.4 Both Test Methods C 78 and C 293 refer to Practice during transportation or storage of the apparatus. When making
C 617 for capping or grinding if bearing surfaces of the beam the test, care should be taken that a sufficient depth of concrete
vary from planeness by more than 0.015 in. (0.38 mm). is used, 8 in. (200 mm) minimum or three times the maximum
Practice C 617 does not address capping of beams; however, aggregate size, and that the surface of the concrete has been
one of the materials specified in the practice, sulfur mortar, has properly smoothed and leveled without excessive working of
been found to work well for the application. the surface. This can be quickly done with a wood float or
28.5 A plane and level surface which exceeds the dimension screed. The ball should be lowered gently and slowly into the
of the beam is required as a capping plate. The plate should be concrete until it supports its own weight. A minimum of three
sufficiently rigid to prevent distortion under the weight of the readings are taken and averaged. The minimum horizontal
beam. Minimum thickness for various plate materials are listed distance from the center line of each penetration of the smooth
under the Capping Equipment Section of Practice C 617. and level concrete surface shall not be less than 12 in. (300
28.6 The beam should be capped in the following manner:
mm).
As a safety consideration and to facilitate handling, two
individuals may be required to handle the beam. Place the 29.2 A flat pinch clamp attached to the graduated rod at the
beam on the capping surface and transfer the bearing locations top of the horizontal stirrup after the ball has settled in the
previously marked to the capping plate. Remove the beam and concrete will permit the reading of the depth of penetration
place a band of capping material on the plate at each bearing after the apparatus has been removed from the concrete. This
location. Sufficient material should be used to provide a use of the clamp avoids the necessity of assuming an awkward
finished beam surface of at least one inch wide across the entire position in order to read the graduations while the apparatus is
width of the beam. Carefully lower the beam into position and resting on the concrete.
press down to spread the capping material under the beam to a
thickness of not more than 1⁄4 in. Position the beam so that the 30. TIME OF SETTING OF CONCRETE MIXTURES
thickness of the capping material appears to be level. If BY PENETRATION RESISTANCE
capping is required on both sides, after hardening, repeat the (See Test Method C 403)2
process for the other side. During the curing of the capping
Test Method C 403 specifies apparatus and procedures for
material, make sure that the beam is kept moist.
making the test in necessary detail. As added precautions in
28.7 After testing, measurements of width and depth of
making the test, specimens should be stored on a level base
specimen at the point of fracture are required to be made to at
free from vibration, and a specimen should not be tilted until
least 0.05 in. (1 mm). The depth measurement is particularly
the surface has stiffened sufficiently to avoid displacement of
important since the calculated strength varies inversely as the
square of the depth. If fracture occurs at a capped section, the mortar.
include the cap thickness in the measurement. 30.1 The test method currently requires that not less than six
penetration resistance determinations be made in each rate of
29. BALL PENETRATION IN FRESHLY MIXED hardening test and that the time intervals between penetration
HYDRAULIC CEMENT CONCRETE resistance determinations be such as to give a satisfactory rate
(See Test Method C 360)2 of hardening curve as indicated by equally spaced points.
The ball test in accordance with Test Method C 360 is Points on the rate of hardening curves should be carefully
valuable in the field but will probably have less use in a plotted and the times of setting determined as detailed in the
laboratory. The ball test has some advantages over the slump test method.
test since the test can be made in the forms or a concrete bucket
or buggy and it is unnecessary to mold and compact a specimen 31. MOLDS FOR FORMING CONCRETE TEST
for the test. The test can be made on concrete in a concrete CYLINDERS VERTICALLY
bucket, wheelbarrow, concrete buggy, or in the forms if there is (See Specification C 470)2
sufficient depth and width. Care should be taken that the test is
not made on concrete that has segregated. The test can be made This specification requires that all types of molds be water-
rapidly, and the cleaning of the apparatus requires only a little tight. The sealant used should be proved suitable prior to use by
time. If the ball test is used to supplement or replace the slump testing sealed molds for leakage when filled with water for 2 h.
test, it is advisable to prepare a calibration curve of penetration Materials such as stiff grease, plastic compounds, caulking
values plotted against slump values in the slump range of the compound, rosin-paraffin, and micro-crystalline wax may be
concrete under test. Usually the ball penetration will be half to suitable. The vertical seams in split cylinder molds usually
nine tenths of the slump, depending on the workability of the require sealing. Cardboard molds should be checked for
concrete. absorption, volume change under wetting, height, and circular
29.1 Although the apparatus and its use appear simple, the cross section. If heavily coated cardboard molds are stored at
outlining of certain precautions is prompted by observed temperatures above 90°F (32°C) the paraffin may melt and
misuses. The surface of the ball should not be rusty nor have a collect in the bottom of the mold. This paraffin often adheres to
coating of oil when in use. The zero mark and the specified the hardened cylinder and must be removed before the cylinder
weight of 30 6 0.1 lb (13.6086 0.045 kg) should be checked is capped.
24
32. SPLITTING TENSILE STRENGTH OF 33.4 Moist storage room doors should be provided with
CYLINDRICAL CONCRETE SPECIMENS safety latches so that the doors may be opened from within.
(See Test Method C 496)2 There should be no gas outlets in the room. Electric switches
The details of testing are adequately covered in the test should be on the outside of the room and should be provided
method. When cardboard molds are used, the concrete cylinder with indicating lights. Lights inside the room should be of the
should be rotated to select the two diametral elements for type suitable for the moist conditions, and electric feeds should
loading that are nearest to being in a plane. Although the be by suitable cable in conduit.
plywood strips compensate for small irregularities in the line 33.5 The use of recording thermometers is required. If wet
bearings, specimens should be made in molds that comply with and dry bulb instruments are used, they should be of the
the requirements of Practice C 31. ventilated type, with air drawn over the bulbs to avoid the
32.1 The centering of the horizontal cylinder lengthwise effect of motor heat on the bulbs. Wicks should be kept in good
under the spherical bearing block requires unusual care if the condition, and constant level water bottles are to be preferred
diameter of the bearing block or the length of the bearing bar to running water for the wick trough supply. The recording
or plate is not the same as the length of the cylinder. If the instrument should not be in the moist air. Recording instru-
vertical axial plane of the cylinder does not pass through the ments should be checked frequently.
center of the spherical bearing block, the block will tilt, and the 33.6 If test specimens are to be cured in water, a saturated
load cannot be applied. The use of an aligning jig, as illustrated lime solution should be used and other specified storage
in Test Method C 496, is recommended. conditions, such as temperature, should be maintained. High-
calcium hydrated lime should be used to saturate the solution;
33. MOIST CABINETS, MOIST ROOMS, AND WATER crushed limestone is not acceptable. Heat may be provided by
STORAGE TANKS USED IN THE TESTING OF thermostatically controlled soil heating cable, water bed heat-
HYDRAULIC CEMENTS AND CONCRETES (See ers or other immersion heaters. Insulation applied to the
Specification C 511)2 outside of the tank may be helpful in both cold and warm
The maintenance of specified moist curing conditions is weather. Recording thermometers are required for the storage
important, particularly with specimens to be tested for flexural water if the tanks are independent of the moist room and
strength. For example, some moist-cured flexural test speci- located in a room not conditioned to 23 6 2°C (73 6 3°F). If
mens were maintained continuously wet except for the 24 h storage tanks are in work rooms, lids should be provided to
prior to test, when some of the specimens were stored in the air help in maintaining temperature to lessen the cooling effect of
of the laboratory. Reductions in flexural strength were as much evaporation, and to prevent local high humidity spots in the
as 20 % or more as the result of the 24 h dry storage just prior work room. Use separate tanks or containers for specimens
to the 28 day test. made using accelerators or other soluble special materials.
33.1 Attention is particularly directed to the paper by C. A. 33.7 Record the position of moist cured specimens or follow
Carpenter, “Suggestions on the Planning of Fog Rooms for a system to facilitate locating them readily at the time they are
Curing Concrete Test Specimens,” ASTM BULLETIN, ASTM, to be tested.
October 1955, p. 33. 33.8 Material that will support the growth of slimes in a
33.2 Specified curing conditions should be carefully main- moist room should not be used therein. Burlap, paper, and
tained. Effects of variation in temperature on certain properties some types of wood can aid or support the growth of molds,
may be great, and numerous papers provide evidence of the slimes, and algae. The growth of slime on specimens may be
need for good temperature control. In most cases, thermostati- encouraged by certain vegetable and animal oils if these are
cally controlled heating or cooling equipment, or both is used to oil specimen molds. Although it is doubtful if such
required. Cooling coils in a moist room should not operate at so forms of lower life affect the strength or durability of concrete,
low a temperature that they tend to coat with frost or seriously they do cause a hazard in the handling of the specimens and in
interfere with the maintenance of the required moist condi- walking over the slime-coated floor. The room should be
tions. The air in the storage room should be circulated. cleaned regularly. The operation of the room should be checked
Sensitive bulbs of thermostatic controls should be exposed to daily.
the air that is to be controlled, or in the water if tanks are 33.9 Racks should not be made of aluminum as the alkaline
involved. condition causes corrosion. Steel racks, hot-dipped galvanized
33.3 Necessary humidification may be obtained by the use after fabrication, have also been satisfactory. Racks made from
of suitable spray nozzles, air-water jets or fog sprays. Test reinforced concrete planks and concrete blocks are most
methods now require that the test specimens have free water on satisfactory. Wood racks made of redwood liberally treated
their surfaces at all times in the case of moist storage. Not too with a wood preservative after cutting and drilling and as-
much differential should exist between the temperature of the sembled with galvanized bolts and nails have performed very
storage air and the spray water. An abundance of water does satisfactorily for more than 25 years.
not always mean high relative humidity, and therefore surface 33.10 It has been found that after constructing a well
wet conditions should be maintained. There should be ample insulated room within an air conditioned building, cooling was
space around individual specimens to permit free circulation of not required. A small amount of heat required at times was
air. It is suggested that test specimens be stored on duck boards supplied by thermostatically controlled heat cables on racks
or the like or in racks instead of on the concrete floor. within the room. Moisture was supplied to the room by two air
25
operated fog nozzles. (Only one fog nozzle was needed—one proper apparatus. Grinding should be done by the wet lapping
is a spare when one may clog.) Air was supplied by a small air process. Dry grinding should not be used because it may cause
compressor. The air pressure was regulated to about 10 to 15 heat damage to the ends of the cylinder.
psi. It was found that much better fog and moisture condition 35.3 Sulfur mortar is a composition of sulfur and granular
was maintained in the room if the water temperature entering materials. This mixture is heated to a temperature of about
the fog nozzles was a little above the room temperature. This 265°F (130°C) until the sulfur is molten. The sulfur mortar is
was accomplished by putting a small tank containing a ladled into the bottom of a vertical capping device. The
thermostatically controlled immersion heater of low wattage in cylinder is immediately placed squarely against the guide bars
the supply line. The water level in the tank was controlled by and slowly lowered into the molten mortar. If a horizontal
a float valve. (An old toilet tank can be modified to serve this device is used the cylinder is placed in the device and the
purpose.) It was necessary to flush and clean the tank periodi- material is then poured into the device through openings at the
cally. top. After the sulfur mortar hardens, the cylinder is removed,
care being taken not to damage the capping plate or the mortar
34. TOTAL EVAPORABLE MOISTURE CONTENT OF
cap.
AGGREGATE BY DRYING (See Test Method C 566)2
35.3.1 The sulfur mortar must have a compressive strength
Test Method C 566 requires the use of a ventilated oven for of at least 5000 psi (34.5 MPa) at 2 h when tested as a 2 in. (50
more precise determinations and when aggregates would be mm) cube. The procedure for testing the strength of the mortar
affected by excessive temperatures. The method permits other is detailed in Practice C 617. Sulfur mortar gains strength with
suitable heat sources such as a hotplate, heat lamp, or micro- age. For some materials, a 2 h strength of 5000 psi (34.5 MPa)
wave oven. As recognized in the test method, the procedure may increase to 9000 psi (62.1 MPa) at 24 h. Strengths are
will generally measure the moisture content in the test sample considerably lower at an age of less than 2 h. The required
more reliably than the sample can be made to represent the waiting period of at least 2 h between capping and testing of
aggregate supply. When the moisture content of a coarse cylinders capped with sulfur mortar should be strictly enforced
aggregate exceeds 3 or 4 % or a fine aggregate exceeds 7 to unless a sacrifice of apparent strength is allowable as expedient
9 %, the free water on the aggregate will drain or collect in the in job control of detensioning of prestressed concrete.
bottom layers and truly representative samples will be difficult
to obtain. 35.3.2 Sulfur mortar, either laboratory prepared or commer-
34.1 All moisture contents are expressed as percentages of cial type, can sometimes produce rubbery caps that deform or
oven-dry weight of aggregates. Total moisture content by Test flow under load. This is caused by a plasticizer in the
Method C 566, less the absorption by Test Method C 127, commercial material, by contamination of either type with oil,
Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate,2 or Test grease, water, paraffin, or by overheating. The capping material
Method C 128, Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine should flow freely at the recommended temperature. If the
Aggregate,2 provides the percentage of surface moisture in the material thickens from overheating, it must be cooled and
sample. stirred until thin. In most instances, cooling will restore the
34.2 With certain aggregates of relatively high absorption, mixture to a satisfactory condition if it is stirred during cooling.
the method used to determine moisture content and absorption If it is greatly overheated, it should be replaced. If water
can affect the computed amount of surface moisture (see Test contaminates the mortar, foaming may occur. In this case, the
Method C 128 on Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine pot should be recharged with new mortar. Sulfur mortars
Aggregate). having an exceptionally high sulfur content will produce caps
that warp or crack on cooling.
35. CAPPING CYLINDRICAL CONCRETE 35.3.3 The ends of cylinders should not be oiled before
SPECIMENS (See Practice C 617)2 capping, as is sometimes done to facilitate the removal and
Practices C 6172 and C 12312 deal with the treatment of ends reuse of caps from tested cylinders. Using reclaimed sulfur
of cylinders when testing for compressive strength. The infor- mortar is not recommended unless the material is frequently
mation in this section refers to Practice C 617.2 For informa- checked for strength and deformation under load. The practice
tion on the unbonded cap system, Practice C 1231,2 refer to limits the number of uses of the material to five times.
section 40 of this manual. 35.3.4 Reusable steel cylinder molds use mineral oil as a
35.1 Prior to testing, the ends of the cylinders must be release agent between the steel and the concrete, and cardboard
checked for planeness and perpendicularity. If either end cylinder molds use a coating of wax between the cardboard and
departs from planeness by more than 0.002 in. (0.05 mm), or concrete to prevent moisture loss and absorption. A residue of
either end departs from perpendicularity by more than 0.5° (1⁄16 these materials may be found on the cylinders. A concrete
in. in 6 in.), the end(s) of the cylinder must be ground or cylinder with a coating of mineral oil or paraffin on the bottom
capped. Three types of caps for cylinders are discussed in the should not be capped until the wax or oil has been removed.
practice: sulfur mortar, gypsum plaster and neat cement paste. Prior to capping, the ends of the cylinders must also be free of
Sulfur mortar and gypsum plaster are used on hardened moisture. Clean the surface with a wire brush and rag. Failure
cylinders and cores. The neat cement paste is used on the top to treat cylinder ends properly may result in air voids or steam
surface of the freshly molded cylinders. pockets between the cap and the cylinder end. This will cause
35.2 An alternative to capping is wet grinding. The draw- the cap to yield before the cylinder fails during testing. If
backs of grinding are cost and lack of skilled operators and tapping with a piece of metal (for example, coin, key or light
26
hammer) on a sulfur mortar cap produces a hollow sound, an replaced with a metal ring which is affixed to the top surface of
unsound cap is indicated. The unsound cap should be removed the plate. Whether a recess or ring is used the depth or height
and the cylinder end cleaned and recapped. of this device should not exceed 1⁄2 in. (12.7 mm). This
35.3.5 Sulfur mortar caps should be as thin as practical; 1⁄8 requirement assists in limiting the thickness of the sulfur
in. is ideal. In no instance shall any part of the cap be more than mortar cap that can be produced in the capping device.
5⁄16 in. thick. A vertical capping device generally produces Limiting the thickness of the caps helps to prevent cylinders or
thinner caps than a horizontal apparatus. Cylinder ends that are cores with excessively sloped, uneven or convex ends from
sloped, very uneven, or highly convex should be rubbed down being capped without the ends being ground or sawed.
with a carborundum rubbing stone, or should be squared by 35.3.10 A suitable container and source of heat must be
cutting with an abrasive or diamond saw before capping. This provided for melting the sulfur mortar and maintaining the
is particularly important if sulfur mortar or high-strength preferred temperature of about 265°F (130°C). The melting pot
gypsum plaster is used. Poor finishing or handling are the should be of suitable design, electrically heated with automatic
major causes of unsatisfactory cylinder ends. Such conditions controls, and provided with thermal safety melting links. Due
should be reported to those responsible for making the cylin- to the corrosive action of the sulfur, electrical contacts should
ders so the work can be corrected and done properly in the be protected from sulfur fumes. A heavy gage steel lip around
future. Thicker caps may also be caused by the sulfur mortar the container may aid in protecting the pot when hardened
hardening somewhat before the cylinder is lowered into the sulfur mortar is chipped from around the edges. A metal ladle
molten mixture. This can be corrected by starting with a warm of sufficient capacity to fill the capping plate in one pour should
capping plate, using the capping material to preheat the plate, be provided. The use of a small air-driven stirring device in the
or by working faster, that is, placing the cylinder into the molten material will help to maintain the uniformity of the
molten sulfur mortar before it begins to harden. Caution: material. A large, perforated sheet metal strainer or spoon is
Technicians must be aware, however, of the hazards of helpful in removing small lumps of solid material.
dropping the cylinder into the molten sulfur mortar and thereby 35.3.11 Operators who handle hot sulfur mortar should wear
causing a splash of the material. leather-faced cotton or suitable work gloves, face shield or
35.3.6 When cylinders are capped with sulfur mortar, the safety glasses, and long sleeves. Due to the toxic nature of the
ends of the cylinders must be free of all surface moisture to sulfur fumes, the melting pot should be under a hood with
avoid steam pockets under the cap. During drying of the forced ventilation to the outside air. Warning: Severe burns
cylinder ends and in the process of capping, considerable have resulted from explosion of sulfur mortar being overheated
moisture may be lost from the sides of the cylinder. This can be when the material in the bottom of the pot melted and boiled
prevented by wrapping in wet burlap until time of test. before the surface had melted, causing a build-up of pressure.
Cylinders should never be allowed to dry for long periods In these cases, the explosion might have been prevented if the
before capping nor during the 2 h or more waiting period after metal ladle had been left in the pot. The ladle conducts heat up
capping. This can be prevented by storing the cylinder in moist from the bottom of the pot and thereby melting a relief channel
air, underwater, or by wrapping in wet burlap, until the time of to the surface of the mortar and preventing built-up pressure.
test. Heating elements located on the sidewalls of the pot have been
found to eliminate this problem.
35.3.7 The plates of the capping apparatus should be oiled
35.3.12 The flash point of sulfur is approximately 440°F
or greased lightly before use, but the ends of the test specimens
(227°C) and the mixture can ignite due to overheating. To
should not be oiled before applying the sulfur mortar caps.
prevent fires caused by failure of electrical contacts, melting
Penetration oils should not be used to oil capping plates. Plates
pots specifically designed for continuous use with sulfur are
should neither be too hot or too cold. Cold plates will produce
recommended. A tight cover for the melting pot or wet burlap
thick caps and should be warmed by pouring one or two ladles
bags should be located in the capping area. Either can be used
of material onto the plate, allowing it to harden, and then
to cover the pot in case of fire. A dry chemical fire extinguisher
removing before the first cylinder is capped. If plates are too
should also be available for emergencies. Caution: Sulfur
hot, caps will harden slowly causing an unnecessary delay. The
burns with a low, blue flame and may be difficult to detect.
use of additional plates will reduce excessive heat build up.
Hazards such as flammable materials or explosive gases should
35.3.8 Capping devices should be occasionally checked to not be present in the capping area. Practice C 386,19 is a useful
determine whether the plates meet the planeness requirements reference for safety considerations.
in Practice C 617. Fig. 1 shows the planeness of caps being 35.4 Another capping material permitted by Practice C 617
checked with a 6 in. (152 mm) machinist’s parallel and a 0.002 is gypsum plaster. This plaster can be used for capping concrete
in. (0.05 mm) feeler gage. The planeness of capping plates specimens expected to have a compressive strength below
should be checked periodically using the same apparatus. 5000 psi (34.5 MPa), provided the plaster has a compressive
Quarterly reviews are recommended or whenever indentations strength of 5000 psi (34.5 MPa) or greater when tested as 2 in.
are observed. Such checking does not eliminate the necessity (50 mm) cubes. Reference is made to Method C 47220 for
of checking planeness of capped specimens since the caps may details on filling the cube mold and timing in striking off the
warp when cooled. top surface of the plaster in the mold.
35.3.9 The practice, in describing the capping device, refers
to a recess in the capping plate which holds the molten sulfur 19
mortar. On most new capping devices, the recess has been 20
27
35.4.1 Certain problems and precautions are connected with injury. The cap should be checked for planeness before testing.
the use of high-strength gypsum plasters for capping. The Such capping is feasible only when rigid, watertight molds are
mixing water used should be between 26 to 30 %. The amount used, and the concrete specimen has no bleeding water on its
of water used in testing the plaster for strength should be top surface.
carefully measured and recorded, along with the air and water
temperature, and the time interval between mixing and testing. 36. RESISTANCE OF CONCRETE TO RAPID
The same proportion of gypsum plaster to water should be FREEZING AND THAWING
maintained in mixing for capping as was established in (See Test Method C 666)2
compressive strength testing. The temperatures of air and
There are two procedures for Test Method C 666 for
mixing water during the capping should be substantially the
performing laboratory freezing and thawing tests: Procedure A,
same as when strength tests were made. Free water on the
Rapid Freezing and Thawing in Water; and Procedure B, Rapid
surface of the concrete softens the gypsum cap, and should be
Freezing in Air and Thawing in Water. Test Method C 671,
removed before applying the cap. After the cylinder has been
Critical Dilation of Concrete Specimens Subjected to Freez-
capped, it should be wrapped immediately in several layers of
ing,2 is another reference standard.
moist burlap, but the capped end or ends should not be covered.
It takes about 20 min for gypsum plaster caps to harden, but 36.1 These test methods describe the equipment and proce-
specimens must not be tested in less time than the interval dure in considerable detail and are intended for use in
established during strength testing. determining the effects of variations in the properties of
35.4.2 Gypsum plaster caps should be as thin as practical, concrete on the resistance of the concrete to the freezing and
and a vertical capping jig is advisable to obtain thin and thawing procedures specified in the test methods. They are not
parallel caps at right angles to the axis of the cylinder. Capping intended to provide a quantitative measure of the length of
plates, whether metal or glass, should meet the planeness service that may be expected from a specific type of concrete.
requirements of Practice C 617. Plate glass, 1⁄4 in. (6.4 mm) 36.2 The freezing and thawing of water in concrete is one of
thick, 7 by 7 in. (180 by 180 mm) can be obtained with a the major causes of concrete deterioration. The intensity of
planeness of 0.002 in. (0.05 mm) in any 7 in. dimension. natural freezing and thawing ranges from slight to very great,
35.5 Neat cement paste caps made of portland cement are with no two cycles identical even at the same location.
applicable to freshly molded specimens. This method requires Freezing and thawing tests in the laboratory cannot duplicate
moist curing of the concrete specimens and constant moisture natural exposure in all respects, but can evaluate relative
conditions must be maintained during the setting of the paste durabilities under standardized exposure conditions. This is the
and the curing of the hardened caps. Lack of moisture, and main function of laboratory freezing and thawing tests, that is,
absorption of moisture from the paste by the drying concrete the determination of the relative durabilities of concretes or
can result in caps that are cracked, nonplane, or of poor concrete materials.
strength. The paste caps must be aged sufficiently so that they 36.3 The Highway Research Board Committee on Durabil-
will exceed the strength of the concrete cylinder being tested. ity of Concrete—Physical Aspects, conducted an extensive
Caps should never be made with a mixture of plaster of paris cooperative evaluation of four freezing and thawing methods.
and portland cement. This mixture can have a strength consid- These results were published in Special Report 47, H.R.B.,
erably lower than either of its constituents. 1959. Among the numerous lessons learned was the impor-
35.5.1 When using neat cement paste in capping a cylinder tance of preparatory matters such as condition of the aggre-
in the mold, allow the cylinder to cure after molding for 2 to 4 gates, air content, curing, and a variety of details prior to the
h before capping. A stiff cement paste that has been mixed 2 to start of actual testing. These are discussed concisely in Appen-
4 h prior to use will reduce the tendency of the cap to shrink. dix F, Suggested Operating Procedures, of the H.R.B. report.
In capping the cylinder, exercise care when working the glass Because of the value of these suggestions they are reproduced
plate on the cement paste to avoid breakage and possible in their entirety below.
28
APPENDIX F
SUGGESTED OPERATING PROCEDURES
This research has produced no evidence that any of the room (relative humidity not less than 95 %) at 73 6 3°F
ASTM freezing-and-thawing test methods in its present form is covered with at least four layers of wet burlap.21
both sufficiently quantitative and reproducible to provide (b) After 24 6 4 h, strip the specimens from the molds,
absolute limits for the routine acceptance or rejection, on a mark them for identification on both ends and on the sides of
general basis, of concrete or concrete materials. The methods the specimens while they dry, and immerse them immediately
do, however, provide useful procedures for comparing the in a saturated limewater solution at 73 6 3°F. This operation
relative durability of different concretes within a given labo- shall be handled in such a way that the time between removal
ratory. In that connection, the Committee recommends atten- from the molds and immersion in the limewater is held to an
tion to the following cautions: absolute minimum and no surface drying of the specimens
1. Concretes to be compared should be mixed at as nearly occurs.
the same time as feasible, placed into and removed from curing For concrete containing a retarder, or insufficient cement to
at the same time, and exposed to freezing and thawing attain adequate strength, or if strength development is slow for
concurrently. any other reason, additional time in the molds up to 44 h may
2. Each class of concrete should be represented by at least be desirable.
three batches, preferably mixed on different days. It is desirable (c) Remove specimens from the limewater at the same age
to have three or more test specimens from each batch as a (14 days unless otherwise specified) and, after necessary
check on within-batch uniformity. As indicated under item 1, measurements of weight and fundamental frequencies, place
all classes of concrete to be compared should be mixed on each them in the thawing environment of the test exposure, taking
mixing day. care to minimize drying during handling.
3. Air content of the concrete should be known as accurately A drying period, after the initial minimum storage of 14 days
as possible, and, if the object is to evaluate relative durability in limewater, may sometimes be used as a specified variation of
of a given concrete, the air content of the freezing-and-thawing the test procedure. Drying should be under constant conditions
specimens should duplicate as closely as possible that of the of temperature and relative humidity. Normally, resaturation of
given concrete. If aggregate is the variable under study, the air the dried specimens in limewater prior to the beginning of the
content should be sufficiently high to provide positive frost freezing cycle will also be a part of the variation from the
protection for the cement paste. For all concretes to be standard procedure.
compared, the air content should be the same within 60.5 7. Every effort should be made to assure that all specimens
percentage point. Each specimen should be weighed in air and to be compared receive the same exposure to freezing and
under water to provide an indication of uniformity. Whenever thawing. Ability to accomplish this may depend not only on the
possible the air content and air-void characteristics should be characteristics of the apparatus but also on the arrangement and
determined by microscopic examination of the hardened con- location of the specimens. Turning specimens end for end and
crete specimens, and preferably on specimens which have changing location in the apparatus each time specimens are
actually been frozen and thawed. returned after measurement will help to minimize the effects of
4. Unless aggregate saturation is a controlled variable, the unavoidable differences in environment.
aggregates for all classes of concrete should be soaked in water 8. Supplementary tests and the keeping of detailed records
for seven days after they have been dried to essentially constant will often be helpful in accounting for poor reproducibility of
weight in air. The aggregates must not be allowed to dry out test results. Changes in weight of specimens during curing may
before incorporation in concrete. Necessary adjustments must reveal differences in saturation of presumably identical speci-
be made in the quantity of mixing water to compensate for the mens. Measurements of density may provide a check on
free moisture retained by the aggregates. In the case of certain uniformity of air content. Obviously, records of such things as
natural aggregates and many lightweight aggregates, a seven equipment breakdown and deviations from prescribed methods
day soaking period may not be desirable. Shorter periods of may be vital in interpreting test data. Such records are readily
soaking or no soaking may be called for in these special cases made at the time, but are often impossible to reconstruct after
as being more representative of actual conditions of use. the tests are completed.
5. Unless mixing condition or treatment of the fresh con- 36.4. A constant check should be made to ensure that the
crete is a variable, extreme care should be exercised to assure time-temperature cycles specified are being maintained. Note
that the procedures for mixing and handling the concrete and that the maintenance of a capacity load of specimens in the
fabricating specimens are as nearly identical as possible for all equipment at all times will materially aid in meeting these
classes of concrete which are to be compared. requirements. If specimen containers are used, it is essential
6. Unless treatment of test specimens is a controlled vari- that dimensions of both specimens and containers be highly
able, all specimens should be identically protected and cured uniform to secure a liquid zone of constant thickness, other-
between the time of molding and exposure to freezing and wise the rates of temperature change and, hence, the severity of
thawing. One acceptable sequence of operations is as follows:
(a) Immediately after molding, place the specimens in a fog 21
This recommendation differs from the procedure outlined in Practice C 192.
29
exposure may not be the same for all specimens. Note that after satisfy this requirement shall be verified by pretesting.
each measuring period the specimens should be turned end- 37.2.3 In procedure B, the boiling-water method, the speci-
for-end when returned to test. In addition, the specimens mens are stored for the first 23 h at an ambient temperature of
should be returned to random positions in the apparatus. 70 6 10°F (21 6 6°C). To minimize day to day variability in
Particular attention should be given to the various procedures test results, the ambient temperature conditions should be
outlined for handling the specimens in the event of an maintained as close as practicable to a constant value through-
interruption in the operation of the apparatus. out the testing program.
36.5. The above discussion is based upon experience with
normal-weight concretes. It is believed that the freezing and 37.2.4 In procedure C, the Autogenous Method, elevated
thawing methods are applicable as well to concretes made with temperature is provided by containing the heat evolved by
lighweight aggregates. cement hydration. The temperature history of a particular
specimen depends on the total heat evolution, the insulating
MAKING, ACCELERATED CURING, AND TESTING efficiency of the container, and ambient temperature history for
CONCRETE COMPRESSION TEST SPECIMENS the container. In interpreting test results account must be made
(See Test Method C 684)2 of the actual temperature histories experienced by the speci-
37. There are two primary purposes for using accelerated or mens. Thus it may be desirable to monitor not only the
early-age strength testing. The first is to obtain reliable minimum and maximum temperature but also the complete
information at the earliest possible age about the potential temperature history of representative specimens.
strength of a concrete mixture. The other is to provide 37.2.4.1 When accelerated curing tests are used for estimat-
information on the variability of the concrete production ing an equivalent 28-day strength under conventional standard
process so that appropriate corrective actions can be taken as curing conditions, a correlation relationship must be developed
promptly as is possible. by performing conventional and accelerated curing tests of
37.1 Rather than wait until an age of 28 days to perform a concrete mixtures made with the same materials. In developing
standard compression test, as is commonly done, strength tests this data, mixtures with different water-cement ratios must be
may be performed at ages as early as 24 h depending on which
prepared so that a wide range of strength levels can be
procedure is used. These early age tests are made after
obtained. The correlation data should be subjected to rigorous
specimens are subjected to either standard or elevated tempera-
statistical analysis so that meaningful confidence limits can be
ture curing.
37.2 In this test method, elevated curing temperatures are placed on the predicted 28-day strengths. The user is directed
provided so as to accelerate the cement hydration reactions. to the following publications for guidance on proper statistical
Depending on the procedure that is used, compression tests are treatment of data from accelerated curing tests: ASTM STP 169
performed at ages ranging from 24 to 48 h. At these early test B (Significance of Tests and Properties of Concrete and
ages, the strength of concrete is highly dependent on the actual Concrete-Making Materials); ACI 214.1R-81 (Use of Acceler-
temperature history, and proper control of curing temperatures ated Strength Testing); and ACI SP-56 (Accelerated Strength
is essential in order to reduce day-to-day variability in test Testing). It must be emphasized that the correlation relation-
results. Thus, it is essential to keep accurate records of the ship is only applicable for the same materials and testing
curing temperatures of the specimens. conditions used in its development.
37.2.1 The concrete specimens are exposed to elevated 37.3 The variability of properly conducted accelerated
temperatures and stored either under water or in sealed strength tests have been found to be similar to strength tests
containers. The cylinder molds must retain their original under conventional curing conditions. Hence, accelerated
shapes during curing to minimize the possibility of induced strength test results can be used directly to monitor the
early-age damage to the concrete resulting from dimensional variability of concrete production and to signal the need for
changes of the molds because of high temperature and mois- process adjustments. Correlation relationships or prediction
ture. Cardboard molds and single-use plastic molds are not equations are not required for such applications.
permitted for making specimens.
37.2.2 In procedure A, the warm water method, the speci- REDUCING SAMPLES OF AGGREGATE TO
mens are stored in a water bath whose temperature must be TESTING SIZE
maintained at 95 6 5°F (35 6 3°C). To minimize variability of (See Practice C 702)2
test results the design of the curing tank must assure uniform
water temperature. This may be achieved by using mechanical 38. The concrete laboratory will frequently find it necessary
stirrers, circulating pumps, or natural convection currents. To to reduce a sample of aggregate to a smaller volume. Such
achieve uniform temperature through convection currents, the reduction in sample volume must be done very carefully if the
heating elements must be uniformly distributed over the resulting smaller sample is to represent the larger lot accu-
bottom of the tank. Before using a curing tank, the water rately. Fine aggregate should be moistened before reduction to
temperature at various locations should be measured to assure minimize segregation and loss of dust, except when using an
that the required degree of uniformity is achieved. In addition, enclosed sample splitter. Practice C 702 describes procedures
the heaters should be of sufficient capacity to re-establish the for reducing field samples of aggregate to the appropriate size
required temperature within 15 min after immersion of the for testing which minimize variations in characteristics be-
colder specimens. The ability of the curing tank system to tween the test samples so selected.
30
MEASURING EARLY-AGE COMPRESSIVE the compression over the entire surface area of the cylinder by
STRENGTH acting as a hydraulic fluid. The hardness of the pad affects the
AND PROJECTING LATER-AGE STRENGTH amount of force required to have the pad act as a fluid. Softer
(See Test Method C 918)2 pads having a Shore “A” hardness of around 50 durometers are
39. This test method uses the maturity concept and the useful for concretes having a compressive strength greater than
strength versus maturity relationship proposed by Plowman 2000 psi, while harder pad caps, having a Shore “A” durometer
(Magazine of Concrete Research, V.8, N.22, March 1956). Test hardness of around 70 durometers may yield reduced strengths
specimens are cured following Practices C 31 or C 192, and a in concrete having strength levels below 4000 psi.
record is maintained of the temperature immediately adjacent 40.1.1 The number of cylinders than can be tested using the
to the specimens. At an early age of about 24 h, the specimens same pads varies with the strength levels of the concrete
are tested in compression. The value of maturity is calculated cylinders being tested and the hardness of the pads. Pads with
from the test age and the temperature record. Since most high durometer hardness generally last longer than softer pads
specimens will be tested prior to an age of about 48 h, when testing cylinders at higher strength levels. Pads over time
protection precautions in Practice C 31 concerning transporta- will show edge distress, in the form of tears and cracks from
tion and handling of early-age specimens should be followed. overstressing the material. This occurs because the pad is
39.1 The early-age strength and maturity values may be forced to flow in the space between the cylinder side and the
used to estimate the later age, such as 28-day, compressive retaining ring. When the edge distress becomes significant,
strength or may be compared to concrete mixture design data showing cracks and tears exceeding 3⁄8-in. in length, regardless
at similar maturity. Later-age strengths are estimated by using of depth, the pads should be replaced. The openings in the pad
a previously established prediction equation that was devel- will collect fines from the concrete rubble, which will affect the
oped for the specific concrete being tested. The prediction flow characteristics of the pad and reduce the concrete strength
equation is obtained by measuring the maturity and compres- results. With lower strength concrete, up to 3500 psi, the pad
sive strength of specimens at ages from 24 h to 28 days, cap can be used a higher number of times before distress in the
plotting the test results on a semi-log scale, and deriving the edge of the pad is observed. When testing higher strength
best fitting equation for the data. concrete, the number of uses will be reduced. To determine the
useful expectancy of a particular set of pads, qualification
USE OF UNBONDED CAPS IN DETERMINATION OF testing must be conducted.
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF HARDENED 40.2 Practice C 12312 requires that the pad cap system must
CONCRETE CYLINDERS be qualified prior to use. Variation in the following parameters
(See Practice C 1231)2 are possible:
40. An alternative to the sulfur, gypsum or cement capping (1) pad material,
methods of Practice C 6172 is the unbonded method described (2) pad dimensions,
in Practice C 1231.2 The practice describes the use of elasto- (3) pad hardness,
meric pads and metal retaining rings, commonly known as pad (4) retaining ring design, and
caps, in testing hardened concrete cylinders. The practice may (5) retaining ring material.
be used when anticipated strength levels are between 1500 and Variations in any of the parameters listed above require that
7000 psi. Cylinder ends with depressions greater than 0.20 in. the pad cap system be requalified. However, variations of a
(5 mm) must be sawed or ground prior to using padcaps. If the particular parameter need to be qualified only once. Pad cap
ends of the cylinders meet the requirements of Test Method C systems are qualified by testing companion cylinders; one
392 for planeness, they may be tested with no caps. Although ground or capped in accordance with Practice C 6172 and the
pad caps may be used on one end of the cylinder in combina- other tested using pad caps. Companion cylinders are cylinders
tion with methods mentioned in Practice C 6172 on the other made from the same batch, at the same time, by the same
end, normally the pad caps are used on both ends of the technician. A minimum of ten sets of companion cylinders
cylinder. For testing, the pads are placed in the retaining rings shall be tested at the minimum strength level and ten sets at the
and then mounted on the ends of the cylinder. The cylinder and maximum strength level at which the pad caps will be used.
caps are then centered in the compression machine using the These test results must be within a range of 1000 psi for each
upper spherical block and upper retaining ring. After rotating strength level. Qualification tests must be performed twice
the upper spherically seated bearing block as contact is made, during the pad life, once during initial use and again at 100
the machine is loaded to 10 % of the anticipated total load and uses. Additional companion cylinders may be needed to qualify
the cylinder is checked for perpendicularity. When the cylin- the system for a given strength level. All test results of
ders are properly positioned, the test is completed in accor- companion cylinders for a desired strength level should be
dance with the procedure described in Test Method C 39.2 included in the calculation for qualification. Pad cap systems
40.1 The pads can be made from various types of elas- are considered to be qualified if the results of the comparison
tomers, including neoprene, natural rubber, or polyurethane tests indicate that pad caps did not reduce the strength of the
having a Shore“ A” durometer hardness of approximately 50 to concrete by more than two percent when compared with the
70 durometers. Typically, pad manufacturers will supply infor- cylinders which have been ground or capped in accordance
mation on the durometer hardness; if not, the hardness can be with Practice C 617.2 If the laboratory wishes to use the pad
determined at a rubber supplier. The pad distributes the force of beyond 100 uses, then it must be checked again at 200 uses.
31
The cylinders used in the qualification tests must be within a a more explosive break with more rubble than is seen with
range of 2000 psi for each strength level. sulfur caps. Pad capped cylinders occasionally will develop
40.3 The design of the retaining ring is important in the pad early cracking associated with the lateral flow of the cap, but
cap system. Erroneous strength results are often produced will continue to carry increasing load and therefore should be
when cylinders are not properly centered in the testing ma- tested to complete failure.
chine. Since the cylinder is centered in the testing machine by 40.6 Because of the explosive nature of breaks associated
centering the retaining ring on the upper bearing block, a with pad caps, the testing machine needs to be fitted with some
means for centering the retaining ring should be considered. In form of protective cage. The sudden release of energy stored in
some cases, metal straps may be used to attach the ring to the the pads has been reported to have caused damage to some
block as shown in Fig. 1 of Practice C 12312 or the outer compression testing machines.
surface of the retaining ring could be made circular to assist in
SAMPLING AGGREGATES
alignment. Centering the cylinder is easy when the diameter of
(See Practice D 75)2
the retaining ring is the same diameter as that of the bearing
block. The practice requires that the diameter of the pad shall 41. Practice D 75 is of importance to laboratory personnel
not be more than 1⁄16 in. (2 mm) smaller than the inside even though sampling sources of concrete aggregate is not
diameter of the retaining ring. Experience has shown that the within the scope of this manual. In many instances aggregate
inside diameter of the pad should be as close as possible to the samples for trial batches and preliminary laboratory tests will
inside diameter of the retaining ring. The smaller the gap be obtained several months before the job is started or even
between the ring and the pad, the less the pad will deform or before the aggregates that will be used on the job are produced.
spread laterally. Reducing the amount of lateral deformation or Under these conditions samples must be taken with particular
spread will reduce the amount of cracks along the edge of the care. Past production records should be examined to determine
pad and increase pad life. The practice requires that the base of if the samples taken are likely to represent material to be
the ring which contacts the bearing blocks of the compression produced in the future. When construction is started, the
machine must be plane to 0.002 in. (0.05 mm). material furnished to the project must be tested to determine if
40.4 In addition to being properly centered in the testing it is of similar quality to that used in earlier tests. When
machine, the cylinder must be tested in the vertical position. aggregate samples are for preparation of trial batches the
The pad is made of soft material and the only method to ensure moisture condition of the material should be noted in order that
that the cylinder is perpendicular to the platen of the compres- the aggregate can be incorporated in laboratory batches in a
sion machine is to check the perpendicularity of the cylinder moisture condition representative of the aggregate to be used in
under load. the job concrete. This is particularly important for highly
porous aggregates such as structural lightweight concrete
40.4.1 Center the pad caps on the cylinder and place the aggregates.
cylinder on the lower platen of the testing machine. As the 41.1 Particular attention is directed to the need for observ-
upper spherically seated block is brought to bear on the pad ing the requirements for minimum sample sizes in different
cap, make sure to carefully center the upper pad on the block methods. The test methods to be performed should be exam-
and rotate the block’s movable portion gently by hand so that ined carefully to determine the number and size of test portions
uniformed seating is obtained. required. The size of sample obtained from the field should be
40.4.2 Begin applying load to the cylinder. Before the load at least twice as large as the total amount required for the tests
has reached 10 % of the anticipated cylinder strength, stop to be conducted to provide for any waste, reruns of tests, or
increasing the load. While holding the load constant, check to additional tests if required.
see that the cylinder is vertical within a tolerance of 1⁄8 in. in 12
in. (3.2 mm in 300 mm) and that the ends of the cylinder are FORCE VERIFICATION OF TESTING MACHINES
centered in the retainer rings. If the cylinder alignment does not (See Practices E 4)2
meet these requirements, release the load, remove the cylinder, 42. By reference to Practices E 4, Test Method C 39 re-
and check to make sure that the cylinder meets the 1⁄8 in. in 12 quires verification yearly for machines in constant use, every 2
in. (3.2 mm in 300 mm) criteria. If it does not, the cylinder or 3 years for machines used intermittently, whenever repairs
cannot be tested until the cylinder ends have been corrected by are made, and whenever there is reason to doubt the accuracy.
sawing or grinding. If the cylinder does meet the requirements, Small portable testing machines and machines operating under
repeat the above procedure, rechecking the centering and unfavorable conditions may require more frequent verification.
alignment of the cylinder. If the cylinder is not perpendicular to Verification tests at very small loads can be made on many
the platen of the machine, the ultimate strength may be machines by applying dead load.
reduced. 42.1 Calibrated equipment, such as proving rings, require
40.5 When using pad caps the examination of the concrete very careful handling, and its use is not recommended unless
rubble following testing does not allow for a good interpreta- the operator has become familiar through experience with the
tion of the type of break. The breaks of the cylinders will rarely methods and precautions involved. Literature of the National
be the conical fractures typical of the sulfur mortar caps, and Institute of Standards and Technology and ASTM covers many
therefore, the sketches shown in Fig. 2 of Test Method C 39,2 details of requirements for and use of verification equipment.
are not descriptive. One reason for this difference is that the Definitions and information about verification of machines are
energy stored in the pad is released to the concrete resulting in given in Practices E 4.
32

Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing1

Time of Setting of Concrete Mixtures by Penetration Resis- 30

1. AVAILABILITY OF STANDARDS Testing and Inspection Agencies as Used in Construction,2 and

accommodate the lower block. Concrete specimens should be

FIG. 5 Equipment for Wet Sieving Concrete by Hand

tests of a wet-sieved fraction of concrete can be corrected to the

23. AIR CONTENT OF FRESHLY MIXED

SUGGESTED OPERATING PROCEDURES

You might also like