1.1 This test method covers determination of the density (see Note 1) of freshly mixed concrete and gives formulas for calculating the yield, cement content, and air content of the concrete. Yield is defined as the volume of concrete produced from a mixture of known quantities of the component materials.
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 non-conformance with the standard. NOTE 1—Unit weight was the previous terminology used to describe the property determined by this test method, which is mass per unit volume.
1.3 The text of this test method references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory information. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables) shall not be considered as requirements of this test method.
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 determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. (Warning—Fresh hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause chemical burns to skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.2 )
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.
ASTM C138/C138M-17a Referenced Document
ASTM C143/C143M Standard Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic-Cement Concrete*, 2020-06-01 Update
ASTM C150/C150M Standard Specification for Portland Cement*, 2022-07-01 Update
ASTM C172/C172M Standard Practice for Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete*, 2024-04-21 Update
ASTM C173/C173M Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method*, 2024-01-01 Update
ASTM C1758/C1758M Standard Practice for Fabricating Test Specimens with Self-Consolidating Concrete*, 2023-10-01 Update
ASTM C188 Standard Test Method for Density of Hydraulic Cement
ASTM C231/C231M Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure Method*, 2024-01-01 Update
ASTM C29/C29M Standard Test Method for Bulk Density ("Unit Weight") and Voids in Aggregate
ASTM C31/C31M Standard Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field*, 2024-04-01 Update
ASTM C138/C138M-17a history
2023ASTM C138/C138M-23 Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
2017ASTM C138/C138M-17a Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
2017ASTM C138/C138M-17 Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
2016ASTM C138/C138M-16a Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
2016ASTM C138/C138M-16 Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
2014ASTM C138/C138M-14 Standard Test Method for Density 40;Unit Weight41;, Yield, and Air Content 40;Gravimetric41; of Concrete
2013ASTM C138/C138M-13a Standard Test Method for Density lpar;Unit Weightrpar;, Yield, and Air Content lpar;Gravimetricrpar; of Concrete
2013ASTM C138/C138M-13 Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
2012ASTM C138/C138M-12a Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
2012ASTM C138/C138M-12 Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
2010ASTM C138/C138M-10b Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
2010ASTM C138/C138M-10a Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
2010ASTM C138/C138M-10 Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
2009ASTM C138/C138M-09 Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
2008ASTM C138/C138M-08 Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
2007ASTM C138/C138M-07 Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
2001ASTM C138/C138M-01a Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
2001ASTM C138-01 Standard Test Method for Unit Weight, Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete