ASTM C138/C138M-08
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
ABSTRACT
This test method covers determination of the density of freshly mixed concrete and gives formulas for calculating the unit weight, yield or relative yield, cement content, and air content of the concrete. Yield is defined as the volume of concrete produced from a mixture of known quantities of the component materials. The test method shall use the following apparatuses: balance or scale; tamping rod, which is a round straight steel rod having the tamping end rounded to a hemispherical tip; internal vibrator which may have rigid of flexible shafts, preferably powered by electric motors; measure, which is a cylindrical container made of steel or other suitable metal specified herein; strike-off plate; mallet; and scoop of a size large enough so each amount of concrete obtained from the sampling receptacle is representative and small enough so it is not spilled during placement in the measure.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers determination of the density (see Note 1) of freshly mixed concrete and gives formulas for calculating the yield, cement content, and air content of the concrete. Yield is defined as the volume of concrete produced from a mixture of known quantities of the component materials.
1.2 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units shall be regarded separately as standard. The SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated might not be exact equivalents; therefore each system must be used independently of the other.
Note 1—Unit weight was the previous terminology used to describe the property determined by this test method, which is mass per unit volume.
1.3 The text of this test method references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory information. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables) shall not be considered as requirements of this test method.
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American Association State
Designation:C138/C138M–08 Highway and Transportation Officials Standard
AASHTO No.: T121
Standard Test Method for
Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric)
1
of Concrete
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 138/C 138M; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
A = air content (percentage of voids) in the concrete
1.1 This test method covers determination of the density
3 3
C = actual cement content, lb/yd or kg/m
(see Note 1) of freshly mixed concrete and gives formulas for
C = mass of cement in the batch, lb or kg
b
calculating the yield, cement content, and air content of the
3 3
D = density (unit weight) of concrete, lb/ft or kg/m
concrete. Yield is defined as the volume of concrete produced
M = totalmassofallmaterialsbatched,lborkg(seeNote
from a mixture of known quantities of the component materi-
3)
als.
M = mass of the measure filled with concrete, lb or kg
c
1.2 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units shall
M = mass of the measure, lb or kg
m
be regarded separately as standard. The SI units are shown in
R = relative yield
y
brackets. The values stated might not be exact equivalents;
T = theoretical density of the concrete computed on an
3 3
therefore each system must be used independently of the other.
airfree basis, lb/ft or kg/m (see Note 2)
3
Y = yield, volume of concrete produced per batch, yd or
NOTE 1—Unit weight was the previous terminology used to describe
3
the property determined by this test method, which is mass per unit m
volume. Y = volume of concrete which the batch was designed to
d
3 3
produce, yd or m
1.3 The text of this test method references notes and
3
Y = volume of concrete produced per batch, ft
f
footnotes that provide explanatory information. These notes
V = total absolute volume of the component ingredients
and footnotes (excluding those in tables) shall not be consid-
3 3
in the batch, ft or m
ered as requirements of this test method.
3 3
V = volume of the measure, ft or m
m
2. Referenced Documents
NOTE 2—The theoretical density is, customarily, a laboratory determi-
2
nation, the value for which is assumed to remain constant for all batches
2.1 ASTM Standards:
made using identical component ingredients and proportions. It is calcu-
C 29/C 29M Test Method for Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”)
lated from the following equation:
and Voids in Aggregate
T 5 M/V (1)
C 150 Specification for Portland Cement
C 172 Practice for Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete
The absolute volume of each ingredient in cubic feet is equal to the
C 188 Test Method for Density of Hydraulic Cement
quotient of the mass of that ingredient divided by the product of its
C 231 Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed
specific gravity times 62.4. The absolute volume of each ingredient in
Concrete by the Pressure Method
cubic metres is equal to the mass of the ingredient in kilograms divided by
1000 times its specific gravity. For the aggregate components, the bulk
3. Terminology
specific gravity and mass should be based on the saturated, surface-dry
condition. For cement, the actual specific gravity should be determined by
3.1 Symbols:
Test Method C 188. A value of 3.15 may be used for cements manufac-
tured to meet the requirements of Specification C 150.
1
NOTE 3—The total mass of all materials batched is the sum of the
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Concrete and ConcreteAggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee masses of the cement, the fine aggregate in the condition used, the coarse
C09.60 on Testing Fresh Concrete.
aggregate in the condition used, the mixing water added to the batch, and
Current edition approved March 1, 2008. Published March 2008. Originally
any other solid or liquid materials used.
approved in 1938. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as C 138/C 138M – 07.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
*ASummary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C138/C138M–08
3
4. Apparatus measures of 0.5 ft [14 L] or smaller, and a mallet having a
mass of 2.25 6 0.50 lb [1000 6 200 g]
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
American Association State
Designation:C138/C138M–07 Designation:C138/C138M–08 Highway and Transportation Officials Standard
AASHTO No.: T121
Standard Test Method for
Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric)
1
of Concrete
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 138/C 138M; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers determination of the density (see Note 1) of freshly mixed concrete and gives formulas for
calculating the yield, cement content, and air content of the concrete. Yield is defined as the volume of concrete produced from
a mixture of known quantities of the component materials.
1.2 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units shall be regarded separately as standard. The SI units are shown in
brackets. The values stated might not be exact equivalents; therefore each system must be used independently of the other.
NOTE 1—Unit weight was the previous terminology used to describe the property determined by this test method, which is mass per unit volume.
1.3 The text of this test method references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory information. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables) shall not be considered as requirements of this test method.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C 29/C 29M Test Method for Bulk Density (Unit Weight) and Voids in Aggregate
C 150 Specification for Portland Cement
C 172 Practice for Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete
C 188 Test Method for Density of Hydraulic Cement
C 231 Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Symbols:
A = air content (percentage of voids) in the concrete
3 3
C = actual cement content, lb/yd or kg/m
C = mass of cement in the batch, lb or kg
b
3 3
D = density (unit weight) of concrete, lb/ft or kg/m
M = total mass of all materials batched, lb or kg (see Note 3)
M = mass of the measure filled with concrete, lb or kg
c
M = mass of the measure, lb or kg
m
R = relative yield
y
3 3
T = theoretical density of the concrete computed on an airfree basis, lb/ft or kg/m (see Note 2)
3 3
Y = yield, volume of concrete produced per batch, yd or m
3 3
Y = volume of concrete which the batch was designed to produce, yd or m
d
3
Y = volume of concrete produced per batch, ft
f
3 3
V = total absolute volume of the component ingredients in the batch, ft or m
3 3
V = volume of the measure, ft or m
m
NOTE 2—The theoretical density is, customarily, a laboratory determination, the value for which is assumed to remain constant for all batches made
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.60 on
Testing Fresh Concrete.
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 2007. Published September 2007. Originally approved in 1938. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as C138/C138M–01a.
Current edition approved March 1, 2008. Published March 2008. Originally approved in 1938. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as C 138/C 138M – 07.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For AnnualBookofASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*ASummary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C138/C138M–08
using identical component ingredients and proportions. It is calculated from the following equation:
T 5 M/V (1)
The absolute volume of each ingredient in cubic feet is equal to the quotient of the mass of that ingredient divided by the product of its specific gravity
times 62.4. The absolute volume of each ingredient in cubic metres is equal to the mass of the ingredient in kilograms divided by 1000 times its specific
gravity. For the aggregate components, the bulk specific gravity and mass should be based on the saturated, surface-dry condition. For cement, the actual
specific gravity should be determined by Test Method C 188. A value of 3.15 m
...
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