ASTM C403/C403M-23

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 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.  
1.7 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.  
1.8 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-May-2023
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Drafting Committee: C09.23 - Chemical Admixtures

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: C403/C403M − 23
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* 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the time of 2.1 ASTM Standards:
setting of concrete, with slump greater than zero, by means of C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
penetration resistance measurements on mortar sieved from the gregates
concrete mixture. C143/C143M Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic-Cement
Concrete
1.2 This test method is suitable for use only when tests of
C172/C172M Practice for Sampling Freshly Mixed Con-
the mortar fraction will provide the information required.
crete
1.3 This test method may also be applied to prepared
C173/C173M Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed
mortars and grouts.
Concrete by the Volumetric Method
1.4 This test method is applicable under controlled labora- C192/C192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test
Specimens in the Laboratory
tory conditions, as well as under field conditions.
C231/C231M Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
Concrete by the Pressure Method
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
C802 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Test Pro-
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
gram to Determine the Precision of Test Methods for
with the standard.
Construction Materials
1.6 The text of this standard refers to notes and footnotes
D1558 Test Method for Moisture Content Penetration Resis-
that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
tance Relationships of Fine-Grained Soils (Withdrawn
3
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
2019)
as requirements of the standard.
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the Sieves
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3. Terminology
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1 Definitions—Definitions are given in Terminology
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
C125.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4. Summary of Test Method
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.1 A mortar sample is obtained by sieving a representative
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
sample of fresh concrete. The mortar is placed in a container
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Concrete and Concrete Aggregatesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
C09.23 on Chemical Admixtures. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved June 1, 2023. Published June 2023. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1957. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as C403/C403M–16. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
DOI: 10.1520/C0403_C0403M-23. www.astm.org.
*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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C403/C403M − 23
and stored at a specified ambient temperature. At regular time 6.6 Thermometer—The thermometer shall be capable of
intervals, the resistance of the mortar to penetration by stan- measuring the temperature of the fresh mortar to 61 °F [60.5
dard nee
...

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 − 16 C403/C403M − 23
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 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.
1.7 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 healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 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
C143/C143M Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic-Cement Concrete
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 Oct. 1, 2016June 1, 2023. Published January 2017June 2023. Originally approved in 1957. Last previous edition approved in 20082016 as
C403/C403M–08. DOI: 10.1520/C0403_C0403M-16.–16. DOI: 10.1520/C0403_C0403M-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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C403/C403M − 23
C172C172/C172M 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
C231C231/C231M 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
3
D1558 Test Method for Moisture Content Penetration Resistance Relationships of Fine-Grained Soils (Withdrawn 2019)
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 ne
...