ASTM C403/C403M-16

Standard Test Method for Time of Setting of Concrete Mixtures by Penetration Resistance

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Since the setting of concrete is a gradual process, any definition of time of setting must necessarily be arbitrary. In this test method, the times required for the mortar to reach specified values of resistance to penetration are used to define times of setting.  
5.2 This test method can be used to determine the effects of variables, such as water content; brand, type and amount of cementitious material; or admixtures, upon the time of setting of concrete. This test method may also be used to determine compliance with specified time-of-setting requirements.  
5.3 This test method may also be applied to prepared mortars and grouts. However, when the setting time of concrete is desired, the test shall be performed on mortar sieved from the concrete mixture and not on a prepared mortar intended to simulate the mortar fraction of the concrete; it has been shown that the initial and final setting times may be increased when using the prepared mortar.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the time of setting of concrete, with slump greater than zero, by means of penetration resistance measurements on mortar sieved from the concrete mixture.  
1.2 This test method is suitable for use only when tests of the mortar fraction will provide the information required.  
1.3 This test method may also be applied to prepared mortars and grouts.  
1.4 This test method is applicable under controlled laboratory conditions, as well as under field conditions.  
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.6 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: 30-Sep-2016
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Drafting Committee: C09.23 - Chemical Admixtures

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: C403/C403M − 16
Standard Test Method for
Time of Setting of Concrete Mixtures by Penetration
1
Resistance
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C403/C403M; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* C173/C173M Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed
Concrete by the Volumetric Method
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the time of
C192/C192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test
setting of concrete, with slump greater than zero, by means of
Specimens in the Laboratory
penetration resistance measurements on mortar sieved from the
C231 Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Con-
concrete mixture.
crete by the Pressure Method
1.2 This test method is suitable for use only when tests of
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
the mortar fraction will provide the information required.
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
C802 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Test Pro-
1.3 This test method may also be applied to prepared
mortars and grouts. gram to Determine the Precision of Test Methods for
Construction Materials
1.4 This test method is applicable under controlled labora-
D1558 Test Method for Moisture Content Penetration Resis-
tory conditions, as well as under field conditions.
tance Relationships of Fine-Grained Soils
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
Sieves
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom-
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
with the standard.
3. Terminology
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Definitions—Definitions are given in Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
C125.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4. Summary of Test Method
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 A mortar sample is obtained by sieving a representative
2. Referenced Documents
sample of fresh concrete. The mortar is placed in a container
2
and stored at a specified ambient temperature. At regular time
2.1 ASTM Standards:
intervals, the resistance of the mortar to penetration by stan-
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
dard needles is measured. From a plot of penetration resistance
gregates
versus elapsed time, the times of initial and final setting are
C143/C143M Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic-Cement
determined.
Concrete
C172 Practice for Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Since the setting of concrete is a gradual process, any
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
definition of time of setting must necessarily be arbitrary. In
Concrete and Concrete Aggregatesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.23 on Chemical Admixtures.
this test method, the times required for the mortar to reach
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2016. Published January 2017. Originally
specified values of resistance to penetration are used to define
approved in 1957. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as C403/C403M–08.
times of setting.
DOI: 10.1520/C0403_C0403M-16.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.2 This test method can be used to determine the effects of
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
variables, such as water content; brand, type and amount of
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. cementitious material; or admixtures, upon the time of setting
*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 ----------------------
C403/C403M − 16
of concrete. This test method may also be used to determine 7.2 For tests under laboratory conditions, the requirements
compliance with specified time-of-setting requirements. depend upon the purpose of the tests.
7.2.1 For testing to prove compliance of a material with
5.3 This test method may also be applied to prepared
performa
...

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: C403/C403M − 08 C403/C403M − 16
Standard Test Method for
Time of Setting of Concrete Mixtures by Penetration
1
Resistance
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C403/C403M; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the time of setting of concrete, with slump greater than zero, by means of
penetration resistance measurements on mortar sieved from the concrete mixture.
1.2 This test method is suitable for use only when tests of the mortar fraction will provide the information required.
1.3 This test method may also be applied to prepared mortars and grouts.
1.4 This test method is applicable under controlled laboratory conditions, as well as under field conditions.
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.6 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
C143/C143M Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic-Cement Concrete
C172 Practice for Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete
C173/C173M Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
C192/C192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Laboratory
C231 Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure Method
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
C802 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Test Program to Determine the Precision of Test Methods for Construction
Materials
D1558 Test Method for Moisture Content Penetration Resistance Relationships of Fine-Grained Soils
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermometers with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions are given in Terminology C125.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A mortar sample is obtained by sieving a representative sample of fresh concrete. The mortar is placed in a container and
stored at a specified ambient temperature. At regular time intervals, the resistance of the mortar to penetration by standard needles
is measured. From a plot of penetration resistance versus elapsed time, the times of initial and final setting are determined.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregatesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.23 on
Chemical Admixtures.
Current edition approved April 1, 2008Oct. 1, 2016. Published May 2008January 2017. Originally approved in 1957. Last previous edition approved in 20062008 as
C403/C403M – 06. DOI: 10.1520/C0403_C0403M-08.–08. DOI: 10.1520/C0403_C0403M-16.
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 ----------------------
C403/C403M − 16
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Since the setting of concrete is a gradual process, any definition of time of setting must necessarily be arbitrary. In this test
method, the times required for the mortar to reach specified values of resistance to penetration are used to define times of setting.
5.2 This test method can be used to determine the effects of variables, such as water content; brand, type and amount of
cementitious material; or admixtures, upon the time of setting of con
...