ASTM C803/C803M-03(2010)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Penetration Resistance of Hardened Concrete
Standard Test Method for Penetration Resistance of Hardened Concrete
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is applicable to assess the uniformity of concrete and to delineate zones of poor quality or deteriorated concrete in structures.
This test method is applicable to estimate in-place strength, provided that a relationship has been experimentally established between penetration resistance and concrete strength. Such a relationship must be established for a given test apparatus (see also 9.1.5), using similar concrete materials and mixture proportions as in the structure. Use the procedures and statistical methods in ACI 228.1R for developing and using the strength relationship.
Note 1— Since penetration results may be affected by the nature of the formed surfaces (for example, wooden forms versus steel forms), correlation testing should be performed on specimens with formed surfaces similar to those to be used during construction. Additional information on the factors affecting penetration test results and summaries of past research are available. ,
Steel probes are driven with a high-energy, powder-actuated driver, and probes may penetrate some aggregate particles. Probe penetration resistance is affected by concrete strength as well as the nature of the coarse aggregate. Steel pins are smaller in size than probes and are driven by a low energy, spring-actuated driver. Pins are intended to penetrate the mortar fraction only; therefore, a test in which a pin strikes a coarse aggregate particle is disregarded.
This test method results in surface damage to the concrete, which may require repair in exposed architectural finishes.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resistance of hardened concrete to penetration by either a steel probe or pin.
1.2 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 nonconformance with 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. For specific hazard statements, see Section 7.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: C803/C803M − 03 (Reapproved 2010)
Standard Test Method for
Penetration Resistance of Hardened Concrete
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C803/C803M; 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 4. Summary of Test Method
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resis- 4.1 A driver delivers a known amount of energy to either a
tance of hardened concrete to penetration by either a steel steel probe or pin. The penetration resistance of the concrete is
probe or pin. determined by measuring either the exposed lengths of probes
that have been driven into the concrete or by measuring the
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
depthoftheholescreatedbythepenetrationofthepinsintothe
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
concrete.
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
5. Significance and Use
values from the two systems may result in nonconformance
5.1 Thistestmethodisapplicabletoassesstheuniformityof
with the standard.
concrete and to delineate zones of poor quality or deteriorated
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
concrete in structures.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5.2 This test method is applicable to estimate in-place
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
strength, provided that a relationship has been experimentally
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
established between penetration resistance and concrete
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
strength. Such a relationship must be established for a given
statements, see Section 7.
test apparatus (see also 9.1.5), using similar concrete materials
2. Referenced Documents and mixture proportions as in the structure. Use the procedures
andstatisticalmethodsinACI228.1Rfordevelopingandusing
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the strength relationship.
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
for Test Methods for Construction Materials NOTE 1— Since penetration results may be affected by the nature of the
formed surfaces (for example, wooden forms versus steel forms), corre-
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
lation testing should be performed on specimens with formed surfaces
gregates
similar to those to be used during construction.Additional information on
2.2 ANSI Standard:
the factors affecting penetration test results and summaries of past
4,5
A10.3 Safety Requirements for Powder Actuated Fastening research are available.
Systems
5.3 Steel probes are driven with a high-energy, powder-
actuated driver, and probes may penetrate some aggregate
3. Terminology
particles. Probe penetration resistance is affected by concrete
3.1 Definitions:
strengthaswellasthenatureofthecoarseaggregate.Steelpins
are smaller in size than probes and are driven by a low energy,
3.2 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to
spring-actuated driver. Pins are intended to penetrate the
Terminology C125.
mortar fraction only; therefore, a test in which a pin strikes a
coarse aggregate particle is disregarded.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
5.4 This test method results in surface damage to the
Concrete and ConcreteAggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
concrete, which may require repair in exposed architectural
C09.64 on Nondestructive and In-Place Testing.
finishes.
Current edition approved June 1, 2010. Published September 2010. Originally
approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as C803/C803M–03.
DOI: 10.1520/C0803_C0803M-03R10.
2 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or ACI 228.1R-95, “In-Place Methods to Estimate Concrete Strength,” Report of
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM ACI Committee 228 on Nondestructive Testing, American Concrete Institute,
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Farmington Hills, MI.
the ASTM website. Malhotra, V. M., and Carette, G. G., “Penetration Resistance Methods,”
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., Chapter 2 in Handbook on Nondestructive Testing of Concrete, Malhotra,V. M., and
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org. Carino, N. J., eds., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1991, pp. 19–38.
*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
C803/C803M − 03 (2010)
6. Apparatus 6.2.1 Driver Unit—The driver shall be a device capable of
driving a pin into the concrete with an accurately controlled
6.1 Resistance Testing With Probes:
amount of energy. The pin will be forced into the concrete,
6.1.1 Driver Unit—The driver unit shall be capable of
creating a hole so that the depth of penetration can be
driving the probe into the concrete with an accurately con-
measured.
trolled amount of energy so that the probe will remain firmly
embedded.The driver unit shall incorporate features to prevent
NOTE 8—A spring-actuated driver unit with a spring stiffness of 49.7
kN/m [284 lb/in.] has been successfully used to test concrete with strength
firingwhennotproperlyplacedinthepositioningdeviceonthe
in the range of 3 to 28 MPa [450 to 4000 psi].
concrete surface.
6.2.2 The spring-actuated driver requires regular verifica-
NOTE 2—A powder-actuated device conforming to ANSI A10.3 has
tion of the amount of energy transferred to the pin. Servicing is
been used successfully.
required whenever there is reason to question its proper
6.1.1.1 For a specified energy loading, the variation of the
operation.
velocity of standard probes propelled by the standard driving
unit shall not have a coefficient of variation greater than 3 % NOTE 9—The amount of energy transferred to the pin can be verified
using calibration blocks supplied by the manufacturer. Pins are driven into
for any ten tests made by accepted ballistic methods.
the blocks using the spring-actuated driver, and the measured penetration
NOTE 3—Aconventional counter chronograph and appropriate ballistic is compared to manufacturer’s specifications. If the penetration does not
screens may be used to measure velocity at 2 m [6.5 ft] from the end of
meet the manufacturer’s specification, the driver unit should be serviced.
the driving unit.
6.2.3 Pin—The pin shall be a hardened alloy-steel drill rod,
6.1.2 Probe— The probe shall be a hardened alloy-steel rod
heat treated to Rockwell hardness 62 to 66 HRC, with one end
plated for corrosion protection, with a blunt conical end that
sharpened and the other end blunt. The dimensions of the pins
can be inserted into the driver unit and driven into the concrete
shall be uniform within 62.0 %. Each pin shall be used only
surfacesothatitremainsfirmlyembeddedandthelengthofthe
once and then discarded.
projecting portion can be measured. The hardness shall be
NOTE10—Apinwithapproximatelengthof30mm[1.2in.],adiameter
between Rockwell 44 HRC and 48 HRC. The exposed end of
of 3.6 mm [0.14 in.] and a tip machined at an angle of 22.5 degrees with
the probe shall be threaded to accommodate accessories
its longitudinal axis, has been used successfully in the driver unit
designed to facilitate measurement and withdrawal.
described in Note 8.
NOTE 4—If probes are to be removed from the concrete, a device,
6.2.4 Measuring Equipment:
consisting of a nut that can be screwed onto the end of the probe by a
6.2.4.1 Measuring Instrument—A depth gage with a refer-
wrench and spacers that can be slipped over the probe for the nut to bear
ence plate shall be used to measure the depth of penetration of
against, will serve to withdraw the probes.
thepintipintotheconcretetothenearest0.001in.[0.025mm].
6.1.2.1 The length of probes shall be uniform within
6.2.4.2 The measuring rod of the depth gage shall have a
6 0.5 %.
diameter and a tip angle that are less than that of the pin.
6.1.3 Measurement Equipment:
6.2.4.3 The test equipment shall include an air blower to
6.1.3.1 Measuring Instrument—A measuring instrument,
cleanthesmallholecreatedbyapinbeforemeasurementofthe
such as a caliper, depth gage, or other measuring device, and
depth of penetration.
associated equipment, shall be used to measure the exposed
length of a probe to the nearest 0.5 mm [0.025 in.].
7. Hazards
6.1.3.2 The measuring equipment shall include a reference
7.1 Resistance Testing With Probes:
base plate or other device that is supported on the concrete
7.1.1 Exercise care in the operation of the driver unit to
surface at three equally spaced points at least 50 mm [2 in.]
prevent unexpected or inadvertent discharge of a probe.
from the probe to be measured.
7.1.2 Wear safety goggles, hearing protection, and other
NOTE 5—In order to hold the reference base plate against the surface of
appropriate protective equipment when driving probes into
the concrete when measurements in the horizontal direction or in the
concrete.
bottom of an overhead concrete surface are being made, a plate retainer
consisting of a spring and a nut that can be screwed onto the threaded end 7.1.3 The driving unit, if powder actuated, shall conform to
of the probe may be used.
the applicable requirements of ANSI A10.3.
NOTE 6—Aprobe-measuring cap that can be screwed onto the threaded
7.1.4 If reinforcing bars or other metal embedments in the
end of the probe has been used to facilitate measuring exposed length and
concrete are suspected to have cover depths shallower than the
to compensate for the height of the reference base plate.
anticipated probe penetration, select test positions so that
6.1.4 Positioning Device—A device to be placed on the
probes will not strike such embedded items (Note 11).
surface of the concrete for positioning and guiding the probe
and driver unit during firing will be used. NOTE 11—The location of reinforcement may be established using
reinforcement locators or metal detectors. Follow the manufacturer’s
NOTE 7—This may be a single-positioning device or a triangular device
instructions for proper operation of such devices.
with holes at the three corners that permits the firing of three probes in a
7.2 Resistance Testing with Pins:
triangular pattern in accordance with 7.1.1.
7.2.1 Use care in the operation of the spring actuated driver
6.2 Resistance Testing with Pins:
to prevent injury from the inadvertent firing of the pin.
7.2.2 Personnel should wear safety goggles and other ap-
Apparatus to conduct these tests is available commercially. propriate protective equipment when performing the test.
C803/C803M − 03 (2010)
A
TABLE 2 Precision for Resistance Testing with Pins
8. Sampling
D
(d2s) Limit
8.1 Resistance Testing With Probes:
Maximum
Maximum
Difference
8.1.1 The concrete to be tested must have reached a suffi-
Range of Between Two
B
(1s) Limit ,
C
Material Tests (Each
cient degree of resistance to penetration so that the probe will
Six Individual
mm [in.]
test calculated
Measurements,
not penetrate more than one half the thickness of the concrete
as the average of
mm [in.]
six measurements),
member and will remain firmly embedded. No probe shall be
mm [in.]
located less than 175 mm [7 in.] from any other probe, nor less
Concrete
3–28 MPa 0.4 [0.016] 1.6 [0.064] 0.5 [0.018]
than 100 mm [4 in.] from the edge of a concrete surface.
[450–4000 psi]
8.1.2 Aminimum of three firmly embedded test probes in a
A
These values represent indexes of precision as described in Practice C670.
given test area shall constitute one test. If the range of three
B
These values are the single-operator standard deviations for tests on concrete
valid probe penetration measurements exceeds the value in the
shown in Column 1.
C
This value is the maximum allowable range for groups of six individual
third column of Table 1, make a fourth measurement and
measurements made in a 300 mm [12 in.] diameter region.
discard the measurement with the greatest deviation from the
D
Adifference larger than the values given indicates a high probability that there is
average. If the three remaining measurements still do not meet
a statistically significant difference in the concrete in the two areas represented by
the two groups of six measurements each.
the limit given in Table 1, select a different test area and obtain
three new measurements.
NOTE 12—The number of tests to be taken depends on the intended use
of the results. Refer to ACI 228.1R for recommendations.
stilldonotmeetthelimitgiveninTable2,selectadifferenttest
8.2 Resistance Testing with Pins:
area and obtain six new measurements.
8.2.1 The concrete to be tested must have reached a suffi-
cientdegreeofresistancetopenetrationsothatthepindoesnot
9. Procedure
penetrate to a depth greater than the exposed length of the pin
9.1 Resistance Testing With Probes:
when inserted into the hammer of the driver.
9.1.1 Concrete surfaces to be tested that are coarser than
NOTE 13—For the driver unit described in Note 8, the exposed length burlapdraggedfinishesshallbegroundoveranarealargerthan
is 7.6 mm [0.30 in.].
thatcoveredbythepositioningdeviceandreferencebaseplate.
9.1.2 Place the positioning device on the surface of the
8.2.2 No pin penetration shall be located less than 50 mm [2
concrete at the location to be tested. Mount a probe in the
in.] or more than 150 mm [6 in.] from any other pin
driver unit, position the driver in the positioning device, and
penetration, nor less than 50 mm [2 in.] from the edge of a
fire the probe into the concrete. Follow the safety directions
concrete surface.
supplied with the apparatus.
8.2.3 The average depth of penetration measured for six
9.1.3 Remove the positioning device and tap the probe on
pinsdrivenintotheconcreteinagiventestareashallconstitute
the exposed end with a small hammer to ensure that it has not
one test. See Note 12.
8.2.4 Discard a reading when the pin obviously hit a coarse rebounded and to confirm that it is firmly embedded. Reject
loose probes.
aggregate or an entrapped air void, and perform a new test. If
the range of six valid pin penetration measurements exceeds 9.1.4 Place the reference base plate over the probe and
position it so that it bears firmly on the surface of the concrete
the value in the third column of Table 2, make a seventh
measurement a
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