ASTM C173/C173M-16
Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method

Standard No.

ASTM C173/C173M-16

Release Date

2016

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Be replaced

Replace By

ASTM C173/C173M-23

Latest

ASTM C173/C173M-24

Scope

3.1 This test method covers the determination of the air content of freshly mixed concrete. It measures the air contained in the mortar fraction of the concrete, but is not affected by air that may be present inside porous aggregate particles.

3.1.1 Therefore, this is the appropriate test to determine the air content of concretes containing lightweight aggregates, air-cooled slag, and highly porous or vesicular natural aggregates.

3.2 This test method requires the addition of sufficient isopropyl alcohol, when the meter is initially being filled with water, so that after the first or subsequent rollings little or no foam collects in the neck of the top section of the meter. If more foam is present than that equivalent to 28201;% air above the water level, the test is declared invalid and must be repeated using a larger quantity of alcohol. Addition of alcohol to dispel foam any time after the initial filling of the meter to the zero mark is not permitted.

3.3 The air content of hardened concrete may be either higher or lower than that determined by this test method. This depends upon the methods and amounts of consolidation effort applied to the concrete from which the hardened concrete specimen is taken; uniformity and stability of the air bubbles in the fresh and hardened concrete; accuracy of the microscopic examination, if used; time of comparison; environmental exposure; stage in the delivery, placement and consolidation processes at which the air content of the unhardened concrete is determined, that is, before or after the concrete goes through a pump; and other factors.

1.1 This test method covers determination of the air content of freshly mixed concrete containing any type of aggregate, whether it be dense, cellular, or lightweight.

1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The inch-pound units are shown in brackets. 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.

1.3 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. (Warning—Fresh hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause chemical burns to skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.2)

ASTM C173/C173M-16 Referenced Document

• ASTM C1064/C1064M Standard Test Method for Temperature of Freshly Mixed Portland Cement Concrete
• ASTM C138/C138M Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
• ASTM C143/C143M Standard Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic-Cement Concrete
• ASTM C172 Standard Practice for Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete
• ASTM C231 Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure Method
• 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
• ASTM C670 Standard Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials

ASTM C173/C173M-16 history

• 2024 ASTM C173/C173M-24 Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
• 2023 ASTM C173/C173M-23 Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
• 2016 ASTM C173/C173M-16 Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
• 2014 ASTM C173/C173M-14 Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
• 2012 ASTM C173/C173M-12 Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
• 2010 ASTM C173/C173M-10b Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
• 2010 ASTM C173/C173M-10a Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
• 2010 ASTM C173/C173M-10 Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
• 2009 ASTM C173/C173M-09 Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
• 2008 ASTM C173/C173M-08a Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
• 2008 ASTM C173/C173M-08 Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
• 2007 ASTM C173/C173M-07 Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
• 2001 ASTM C173/C173M-01e1 Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
• 2001 ASTM C173/C173M-01 Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method