ASTM C1585-04

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Rate of Absorption of Water by Hydraulic-Cement Concretes

SCOPE
1.1 This test method is used to determine the rate of absorption (sorptivity) of water by hydraulic cement concrete by measuring the increase in the mass of a specimen resulting from absorption of water as a function of time when only one surface of the specimen is exposed to water. The exposed surface of the specimen is immersed in water and water ingress of unsaturated concrete dominated by capillary suction during initial contact with water.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2004
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Drafting Committee: C09.66 - Concrete's Resistance to Fluid Penetration

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM C1585-04e1 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Rate of Absorption of Water by Hydraulic-Cement Concretes
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2004
• Referred By: ASTM C1922-23 - Standard Test Method for Water Retention of Hydraulic Cement-Based Mortars and Plasters by Way of Water Loss
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2004
• Referred By: ASTM C1709-22 - Standard Guide for Evaluation of Alternative Supplementary Cementitious Materials (ASCM) for Use in Concrete
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2004

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:C1585–04
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Rate of Absorption of Water by Hydraulic-
Cement Concretes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1585; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method is used to determine the rate of 3.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
absorption (sorptivity) of water by hydraulic cement concrete Terminology C 125.
by measuring the increase in the mass of a specimen resulting
4. Significance and Use
from absorption of water as a function of time when only one
surface of the specimen is exposed to water. The exposed 4.1 The performance of concrete subjected to many aggres-
sive environments is a function, to a large extent, of the
surfaceofthespecimenisimmersedinwaterandwateringress
of unsaturated concrete dominated by capillary suction during penetrability of the pore system. In unsaturated concrete, the
rate of ingress of water or other liquids is largely controlled by
initial contact with water.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the absorption due to capillary rise. This test method is based on
that developed by Hall who called the phenomenon “water
standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the sorptivity.”
4.2 The water absorption of a concrete surface depends on
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- many factors including: (a) concrete mixture proportions; (b)
the presence of chemical admixtures and supplementary ce-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. mentitious materials; (c) the composition and physical charac-
teristics of the cementitious component and of the aggregates;
2. Referenced Documents
(d) the entrained air content; (e) the type and duration of
2.1 ASTM Standards: curing; (f) the degree of hydration or age; (g) the presence of
C 31/C 31M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test microcracks; (h) the presence of surface treatments such as
Specimens in the Field sealers or form oil; and (i) placement method including
C 42/C 42M Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled consolidation and finishing. Water absorption is also strongly
Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete affectedbythemoistureconditionoftheconcreteatthetimeof
C 125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete testing.
Aggregates 4.3 This method is intended to determine the susceptibility
C 192/C 192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete of an unsaturated concrete to the penetration of water. In
Test Specimens in the Laboratory general, the rate of absorption of concrete at the surface differs
C 642 Test Method for Density, Absorption, and Voids in from the rate of absorption of a sample taken from the interior.
Hardened Concrete The exterior surface is often subjected to less than intended
C 1005 Specification for Reference Masses and Devices for curing and is exposed to the most potentially adverse condi-
Determining Mass and Volume for Use in the Physical tions. This test method is used to measure the water absorption
Testing of Hydraulic Cements rate of both the concrete surface and interior concrete. By
drilling a core and cutting it transversely at selected depths, the
absorption can be evaluated at different distances from the
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
exposed surface. The core is drilled vertically or horizontally.
Concrete and ConcreteAggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
4.4 This test method differs from Test Method C 642 in
C09.66 on Resistance to Fluid Penetration.
which the specimens are oven dried, immersed completely in
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2004. Published March 2004.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Hall, C., “Water Sorptivity of Mortars and Concretes:AReview,” Magazine of
the ASTM website. Concrete Research, Vol. 41, No. 147, June 1989, pp. 51-61.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
C1585–04
water at 21°C, and then boiled under water for 5 h. In this test 7. Test Specimens
method, only one surface is exposed to water at room tempera-
7.1 The standard test specimen is a 100 6 6 mm diameter
ture while the other surfaces are sealed simulating water
disc,withalengthof50 63mm.Specimensareobtainedfrom
absorption in a member that is in contact with water on one
either molded cylinders according to Practices C 31/C 31M or
side only. Test Method C 642, on the other hand, is used to
C 192/C 192M or drilled cores according to Test Method
estimate the maximum amount of water that can be absorbed
C 42/C 42M. The cross sectional area of a specimen shall not
by a dry specimen and therefore provides a measure of the
varymorethan1 %fromthetoptothebottomofthespecimen.
total, water permeable pore space.
When cores are taken, they should be marked (see Note 1) so
that the surface to be tested relative to the original location in
5. Apparatus
the structure is clearly indicated.
5.1 Pan, a watertight polyethylene or other corrosion-
NOTE 1—The surface to be exposed during testing shall not be marked
resistant pan large enough to accommodate the test specimens orotherwisedisturbedinsuchamannerasmaymodifytheabsorptionrate
of the specimen.
with the surfaces to be tested exposed to water.
7.2 The average test results on at least 2 specimens (Note 2)
5.2 Support Device, rods, pins, or other devices, which are
shall constitute the test result. The test surfaces shall be at the
made of materials resistant to corrosion by water or alkaline
same distance from the original exposed surface of the con-
solutions, and which allow free access of water to the exposed
crete.
surface of the specimen during testing. Alternatively, the
specimens can be supported on several layers of blotting paper
NOTE 2—Concrete is not a homogeneous material. Also, an exterior
or filter papers with a total thickness of at least 1 mm.
surface of a concrete specimen seldom has the same porosity as the
interior concrete. Therefore, replicate measurements are taken on speci-
5.3 Top-pan Balance, complying with Specification C 1005
mens from the same depth to reduce the scatter of the data.
and with sufficient capacity for the test specimens and accurate
to at least 6 0.01 g.
8. Sample Conditioning
5.4 Timing Device, stop watch or other suitable timing
8.1 Place test specimens in the environmental chamber at a
device accurate to 61s.
temperature of 50 6 2°C and RH of 80 6 3 % for 3 days.
5.5 Paper Towel or Cloth, for wiping excess water from Alternatively, place test specimens in a dessicator inside an
specimen surfaces. oven at a temperature of 50 6 2°C for 3 days. If the dessicator
is used, control the relative humidity in the dessicator with a
5.6 Water-Cooled Saw, with diamond impregnated blade to
saturated solution of potassium bromide (see 5.7), but do not
cut test specimens from larger samples.
allow test specimens to contact the solution.
5.7 Environmental Chamber, a chamber allowing for air
circulation and able to maintain a temperature of 50 6 2°C and
NOTE 3—To control the RH using the potassium bromide solution, the
solution should be placed in the bottom of the dessicator, to ensure the
a relative humidity at 80 6 3 %.Alternatively, an oven able to
largest surface of evaporation possible.
maintain a temperature of 50 6 2°C and a dessicator large
enough to contain the specimens to be tested is permitted. The 8.2 After the 3 days, place each specimen inside a sealable
relative humidity (RH) is controlled in the dessicator at 80 6 container (as defined in 5.8). Use a separate container for each
0.5 % by a saturated solution of potassium bromide. The specimen. Precautions must be taken to allow free flow of air
solubility of potassium bromide is 80.2 g/100 g of water at around the specimen by ensuring minimal contact of the
50°C. The solution shall be maintained at the saturation point specimen with the walls of the container.
for the duration of the test. The presence of visible crystals in 8.3 Store the container at 23 6 2°C for at least 15 days
before the start of the absorption procedure.
the solution provides acceptable evidence of saturation.
5.8 Polyethylene Storage Containers, with sealable lids,
NOTE 4—Storage in the sealed container for at least 15 days results in
largeenoughtocontainatleastonetestspecimenbutnotlarger equilibrationofthemoisturedistributionwithinthetestspecimensandhas
been found to provide internal relative humidities of 50 to 70 %. This is
than 5 times the specimen volume.
similar to the relative humidities found near the surface in some field
5.9 Caliper, to measure the specimen dimensions to the
5,6
structures.
nearest 0.1 mm.
9. Procedure
6. Reagents and Materials
9.1 Remove the specimen from the storage container and
recordthemassoftheconditionedspecimentothenearest0.01
6.1 Potassium Bromide, Reagent Grade, required if the
g before sealing of side surfaces.
oven and dessicator system described in 5.7 is used.
6.2 Sealing Material, strips of low permeability adhesive
Bentz D. P., Ehlen M. A., Ferraris C. F., and Winpigler J. A., “Service Life
sheets, epoxy paint, vinyl electrician’s tape, duct tape, or
PredictionBasedonSorptivityforHighwayConcreteExposedtoSulfateAttackand
aluminium t
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