ASTM C1585-20

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The performance of concrete subjected to many aggressive environments is a function, to a large extent, of the penetrability of the pore system. In unsaturated concrete, the rate of ingress of water or other liquids is largely controlled by absorption due to capillary rise. This test method is based on that developed by Hall3 who called the phenomenon “water sorptivity.”  
4.2 The water absorption of a concrete surface depends on many factors including: (a) concrete mixture proportions; (b) the presence of chemical admixtures and supplementary cementitious materials; (c) the composition and physical characteristics of the cementitious component and of the aggregates; (d)  the entrained air content; (e) the type and duration of curing; (f) the degree of hydration or age; (g) the presence of microcracks; (h) the presence of surface treatments such as sealers or form oil; and (i) placement method including consolidation and finishing. Water absorption is also strongly affected by the moisture condition of the concrete at the time of testing.  
4.3 This method is intended to determine the susceptibility of an unsaturated concrete to the penetration of water. In general, the rate of absorption of concrete at the surface differs from the rate of absorption of a sample taken from the interior. The exterior surface is often subjected to less than intended curing and is exposed to the most potentially adverse conditions. This test method is used to measure the water absorption 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 exposed surface. The core is drilled vertically or horizontally.  
4.4 This test method differs from Test Method C642 in which the specimens are oven dried, immersed completely in water at 21°C, and then boiled under water for 5 h. In this test method, only one surface is exposed to water at room temperature wh...
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 specimen is conditioned in an environment at a standard relative humidity to induce a consistent moisture condition in the capillary pore system. The exposed surface of the specimen is immersed in water and water ingress of unsaturated concrete is dominated by capillary suction during initial contact with water.  
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 refers to 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-Aug-2020
• 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

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: C1585 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Rate of Absorption of Water by Hydraulic-
1
Cement Concretes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1585; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* C31/C31MPractice for Making and Curing Concrete Test
Specimens in the Field
1.1 This test method is used to determine the rate of
C42/C42MTest Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled
absorption (sorptivity) of water by hydraulic cement concrete
Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete
by measuring the increase in the mass of a specimen resulting
C125Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
from absorption of water as a function of time when only one
gregates
surface of the specimen is exposed to water. The specimen is
C192/C192MPracticeforMakingandCuringConcreteTest
conditioned in an environment at a standard relative humidity
Specimens in the Laboratory
to induce a consistent moisture condition in the capillary pore
C642Test Method for Density, Absorption, and Voids in
system. The exposed surface of the specimen is immersed in
Hardened Concrete
water and water ingress of unsaturated concrete is dominated
C1005Specification for Reference Masses and Devices for
by capillary suction during initial contact with water.
Determining Mass and Volume for Use in the Physical
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Testing of Hydraulic Cements
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
C1202Test Method for Electrical Indication of Concrete’s
standard.
Ability to Resist Chloride Ion Penetration
1.3 The text of this standard refers to notes and footnotes
3. Terminology
that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
standard, refer to Terminology C125.
as requirements of the standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 The performance of concrete subjected to many aggres-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
sive environments is a function, to a large extent, of the
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
penetrability of the pore system. In unsaturated concrete, the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
rate of ingress of water or other liquids is largely controlled by
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
absorption due to capillary rise. This test method is based on
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3
that developed by Hall who called the phenomenon “water
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
sorptivity.”
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.2 The water absorption of a concrete surface depends on
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
many factors including: (a) concrete mixture proportions; (b)
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
the presence of chemical admixtures and supplementary ce-
2. Referenced Documents
mentitious materials; (c) the composition and physical charac-
2
teristics of the cementitious component and of the aggregates;
2.1 ASTM Standards:
(d) the entrained air content; (e) the type and duration of
curing; (f) the degree of hydration or age; (g) the presence of
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
microcracks; (h) the presence of surface treatments such as
Concrete and ConcreteAggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
sealers or form oil; and (i) placement method including
C09.66 on Concrete’s Resistance to Fluid Penetration.
consolidation and finishing. Water absorption is also strongly
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2020. Published September 2020. Originally
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as C1585 – 13. DOI:
affectedbythemoistureconditionoftheconcreteatthetimeof
10.1520/C1585-20.
testing.
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
3
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.
*A Summary o
...

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: C1585 − 13 C1585 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Rate of Absorption of Water by Hydraulic-
1
Cement Concretes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1585; 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 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 specimen is conditioned in an environment at a standard relative humidity to induce a consistent
moisture condition in the capillary pore system. The exposed surface of the specimen is immersed in water and water ingress of
unsaturated concrete is dominated by capillary suction during initial contact with water.
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 refers to 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental 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:
C31/C31M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field
C42/C42M Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
C192/C192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Laboratory
C642 Test Method for Density, Absorption, and Voids in Hardened Concrete
C1005 Specification for Reference Masses and Devices for Determining Mass and Volume for Use in the Physical Testing of
Hydraulic Cements
C1202 Test Method for Electrical Indication of Concrete’s Ability to Resist Chloride Ion Penetration
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.66 on
Concrete’s Resistance to Fluid Penetration.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2013Sept. 1, 2020. Published February 2013September 2020. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 20112013
as C1585 – 11.13. DOI: 10.1520/C1585-13.10.1520/C1585-20.
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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1585 − 20
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology C125.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The performance of concrete subjected to many aggressive environments is a function, to a large extent, of the penetrability
of the pore system. In unsaturated concrete, the rate of ingress of water or other liquids is largely controlled by absorption due to
3
capillary rise. This test method is based on that developed by Hall who called the phenomenon “water sorptivity.”
4.2 The water absorption of a concrete surface depends on many factors including: (a) concrete mixture proportions; (b) the
presence of chemical admixtures and supplementary cementitious materials; (c) the composition and physical characteristics of the
cementitious component and of the aggregates; (d) the entrained air content; (e) the type and duration of curing
...