ASTM C1603-23

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Solids in Water

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is used to determine the solids content of mixing water used to produce concrete when one or more of the water sources is wash water from concrete production operations or water that contains solids when batched as mixing water in concrete.  
4.2 The test method provides a means to determine the relationship between the density and solids content of water for compliance with solids content limits of mixing water such as in Specification C1602/C1602M.  
4.3 During production of concrete, the water property measured is its density, which can then be used to estimate the solids content from procedures described in this test method.  
4.4 To develop a correlation between the density and solids content of water, water samples should be tested that cover the range of solids concentrations anticipated during production.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the solids content in water for use as mixing water in ready-mixed concrete and the measurement of its density. Solids content is expressed in terms of parts per million (ppm) or in terms of percent by mass of the water sample.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.  
1.4 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2023
• ICS: 91.080.40 - Concrete structures
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Drafting Committee: C09.40 - Ready-Mixed Concrete

Relations

• Refers: ASTM C185-20 - Standard Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C1603 − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Measurement of Solids in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1603; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* for Test Methods for Construction Materials
C1602/C1602M Specification for Mixing Water Used in the
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the solids
Production of Hydraulic Cement Concrete
content in water for use as mixing water in ready-mixed
concrete and the measurement of its density. Solids content is
3. Terminology
expressed in terms of parts per million (ppm) or in terms of
3.1 Definitions:
percent by mass of the water sample.
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
to Terminology C125.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard. 4. Significance and Use
1.3 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes 4.1 This test method is used to determine the solids content
that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes of mixing water used to produce concrete when one or more of
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered the water sources is wash water from concrete production
as requirements of the standard. operations or water that contains solids when batched as
mixing water in concrete.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.2 The test method provides a means to determine the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
relationship between the density and solids content of water for
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
compliance with solids content limits of mixing water such as
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
in Specification C1602/C1602M.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.3 During production of concrete, the water property mea-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
sured is its density, which can then be used to estimate the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
solids content from procedures described in this test method.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.4 To develop a correlation between the density and solids
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
content of water, water samples should be tested that cover the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
range of solids concentrations anticipated during production.
2. Referenced Documents
5. Apparatus
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.1 Density Measure: A cylindrical container (Note 1) with
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
a volume of at least 200 mL with a glass or hard plastic plate
gregates
that is placed over it. The glass or plastic plate shall be at least
C185 Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement
6 mm thick and 40 mm larger than the outer diameter of the
Mortar
measure. The top of the density measure shall be flat such that
C188 Test Method for Density of Hydraulic Cement
it does not leak when the plate is placed over it.
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
NOTE 1—A commonly available smaller size mason jar with top ground
smooth or the density measure used in Test Method C185 are acceptable.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
5.2 The volume of the density measure shall be determined
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
to nearest 0.1 mL using the verification procedure described in
C09.40 on Ready-Mixed Concrete.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2023. Published February 2023. Originally Test Method C185.
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as C1603–16. DOI:
5.3 A microwave oven with at least 900 W of power
10.1520/C1603-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or capacity.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.4 A microwave-safe glass dish large enough to contain the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. water sample and fiberglass cloth (See Note 2).
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 194
...

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.
Designation: C1603 − 16 C1603 − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Measurement of Solids in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1603; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the solids content in water for use as mixing water in ready-mixed concrete and
the measurement of its density. Solids content is expressed in terms of parts per million (ppm) or in terms of percent by mass of
the water sample.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard; inch-pound units are shown in parenthesis for information
only.standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
1.4 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 to safety, health, and environmental practices
and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
C185 Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
C188 Test Method for Density of Hydraulic Cement
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
C1602/C1602M Specification for Mixing Water Used in the Production of Hydraulic Cement Concrete
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology C125.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.40 on
Ready-Mixed Concrete.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2016Feb. 1, 2023. Published April 2016February 2023. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 20102016 as
C1603–10. DOI: 10.1520/C1603-16.–16. DOI: 10.1520/C1603-23.
2
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 the ASTM website.
*A Summary 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

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C1603 − 23
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This test method is used to determine the solids content of mixing water used to produce concrete when one or more of the
water sources is wash water from concrete production operations or water that contains solids when batched as mixing water in
concrete.
4.2 The test method provides a means to determine the relationship between the density and solids content of water for compliance
with solids content limits of mixing water such as in Specification C1602/C1602M.
4.3 During production of concrete, the water property measured is its density, which can then be used to estimate the solids content
from procedures described in this test method.
4.4 To develop a correlation between the density and solids content of water, water samples should be tested that cover the range
of solids concentrations anticipated during production.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Density Measure: A cylindrical container (Note 1) with a volume of 200 6 25 mL (7 6 1 fl. oz.) at least 200 mL with a glass
1 1
or hard plastic plate that is placed over it. The glass or plastic plate shall be at least 6 mm ( ⁄4 in.) thick and 40 mm (1 ⁄2-in.) larger
than the outer diameter of the measure. The top of the density measure shall be flat such that it does not leak when the plate is
placed over it.
NOTE 1—A commonly
...