ASTM C125-21a
ASTM C125-21a
ASTM C125-21a
for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
concrete, n—a composite material that consists essentially of a curing compound—see compound, curing.
binding medium within which are embedded particles or density, n—mass per unit volume of a material (preferred over
fragments of aggregate; in hydraulic-cement concrete, the term unit weight). (2013)
binder is formed from a mixture of hydraulic cement and DISCUSSION—For materials with pores that can become filled with
water. (R2015) water, such as aggregate, different modifiers are applied to the term
density depending on which portions of the material are included in
concrete, cellular, n—a low-density cementitious mixture defining the volume. The modifiers shown on the right are used:
having a homogeneous void or cell structure attained using
Included in the Volume Modifier
gas-forming chemicals or foaming agents. (2016) Solid portion of material absolute
Solid portion of material plus impermeable pores apparent
concrete, fresh, n—concrete that possesses enough of its Solid portion of material plus permeable and No modifier is used
original workability so that it can be placed and consolidated impermeable pores
by the intended methods. (2016) For example, the term apparent density would be the mass of the
solid material divided by the volume of solid material plus imperme-
concrete, hardened, n—concrete that has developed sufficient able pores.
strength to serve some defined purpose or resist a stipulated If permeable pores are included in the volume, a delimiting term
loading without failure. (R2015) (or an abbreviation) is used in parentheses to define the moisture
condition of the permeable pores when mass is measured. These de-
concrete, pervious, n—hydraulic-cement concrete propor- limiting terms are oven-dry (OD) and saturated-surface-dry (SSD).
tioned with sufficient, distributed, interconnected macro- For example, the term density (SSD) would be the density of a po-
scopic voids that allow water to flow through the material rous material in its SSD condition. The delimiting term is not used
under the action of gravity alone. (2015) with absolute density or apparent density, because permeable
pores are not included in the defining volume.
concrete, roller-compacted, RCC, n—concrete compacted
while fresh by a roller, often a vibratory roller. (R2015) density, relative, n—the ratio of the density of material at a
stated temperature to the density of distilled water at that
concrete, self-consolidating, SCC, n—concrete that can flow stated temperature; if a temperature is not stated, it is
around reinforcement and consolidate under its own weight assumed to be 23 °C [73.5 °F]. (2013)
without additional effort and without exceeding specified DISCUSSION—As discussed for the term density, for a porous material
limits of segregation. (R2015) (such as aggregate), different modifiers and delimiting terms are used
DISCUSSION—Project specifications shall indicate the acceptable seg- for relative density depending on which density of the material is used
regation based upon a specified test method. Test Method C1610/ in calculating the ratio. For example, apparent relative density refers
C1610M provides a procedure for determining the degree of aggregate to the ratio of apparent density to the density of water and relative
segregation under static conditions and the Appendix of Test Method density (SSD) refers to the ratio of density (SSD) to the density of
C1611/C1611M describes a non-mandatory technique for assessing the water.
degree of segregation under flowing conditions.
difference limit (d2s or d2s%), n—the difference between two
consistency, n—of a fresh cementitious mixture, the relative test results that is expected to be exceeded with a probability
mobility or ability to flow. (R2015) of about 5 % in the normal and correct operation of the test
DISCUSSION—This characteristic of fresh cementitious mixtures is method; used as an index of precision of the test method.
difficult to quantify and empirical test methods have been adopted to (2019)
provide indicators of consistency. For example, the slump test de- DISCUSSION—The difference limit (d2s%) is used if the coefficient of
scribed in Test Method C143/C143M is used for concrete, the flow variation is used as the statistic to define single-operator and multilabo-
table method described in Test Method C1437 is used for mortar, and ratory precision. Refer to Practice C670 for additional discussion.
the flow cone method described in Test Method C939/C939M is used
for grout. duration, impact, n—the time that the impactor used to
generate stress waves is in contact with the test surface; also
consolidation, n—of cementitious mixtures, the process of referred to as contact time. (2015)
increasing the density of a fresh cementitious mixture in a
form, mold, or container by reducing the volume of voids. elongated piece (of aggregate) , n—a particle of aggregate for
(R2015) which the ratio of the length to width of its circumscribing
DISCUSSION—Except for self-consolidating concrete, consolidation rectangular prism is greater than a specified value (see also
is accomplished by inputting mechanical energy, typically by rodding, flat piece (of aggregate)). (R2015)
tamping, tapping, vibration, or some combination of these actions.
Specific apparatus and methods for consolidation are defined in the engineer, licensed professional, n—an individual who is
relevant C09 Standards. licensed to practice engineering as defined by the statutory
requirements of the professional licensing laws of the
crushed gravel—see gravel, crushed.
governing jurisdiction; also referred to as registered profes-
crushed stone—see stone, crushed. sional engineer. (R2015)
3
plate, n—as applied to stress-wave testing, any prismatic
International Vocabulary of Metrology—Basic and General Concepts and
Associated Terms (VIM), 3rd Ed., 2008. Developed by Joint Committee for Guides structure where the lateral dimensions are at least six times
in Metrology, www.iso.org/sites/JCGM/JCGM-Introduction.htm. the thickness. (R2018)
spectrum, amplitude, n—a plot of relative amplitude versus test determination, n—the value of a characteristic of a single
frequency that is obtained from the waveform or time- test specimen obtained by a given test method. (2019)
domain data using a Fourier transform technique. (R2018) test result, n—the value of a characteristic of a material
DISCUSSION—The peaks in the amplitude spectrum correspond to the
obtained by carrying out a specified test method. (2019)
dominant frequencies in the time-domain data.
DISCUSSION—As defined in the test method, a test result may be a
stability, n—of self-consolidating concrete (SCC), the ability single test determination or the average of a specified number of test
of self-consolidating concrete to resist separation of the paste determinations, or replicates. In some cases, a test result is defined by
another standard that refers to the test method.
from the aggregates. (R2018)
test, acceptance, n—a test performed to determine whether an
standard, measurement, n—a measuring system, material individual lot of a product conforms to specified require-
measure, or certified reference material providing embodi- ments. (2011)
ment of the definition of a measurement unit, with stated
quantity value and its measurement uncertainty. (2011) test, check, n—a test performed on a new specimen for
DISCUSSION—A measurement standard is used frequently as a refer- comparison against a previous test result. (2014)
ence to assign measurement results to other quantities, thereby estab- DISCUSSION—Standards may require a new sample be obtained to
lishing metrological traceability through calibration of other measure- prepare the specimen for the check test, or they may permit the new
ment standards, instruments, or systems. specimen to be made from the same sample. For example, Specification
C94/C94M permits a check test on a new sample for comparison
standard, reference—an object or device for which properties against a preliminary test result obtained from a sample taken near the
are sufficiently well established to be used for standardiza- start of discharge.
tion of an apparatus or for assessment of a measurement
testing, proficiency, n—a process in which an organization
method. (2011)
distributes homogenous samples of a material for testing by
standardization, n—of measuring instrument, a process that, participating testing agencies for the purpose of comparing,
under specified conditions and following a standard on an anonymous basis, the relative testing performance of
procedure, establishes: (1) the relationship between the the testing agencies. (2011)
quantity values provided by reference standards or reference
time of setting, n—the elapsed time from the addition of
materials and the corresponding indications from a measur-
mixing water to a cementitious mixture until the mixture
ing instrument or system; or (2) the adjustment to be applied
reaches a specified degree of rigidity as measured by a
to test equipment when its performance is compared to that
specific procedure. (R2012)
of an accepted standard or process. (2011) DISCUSSION—Development of rigidity during setting is a gradual and
DISCUSSION—Standardization in case (1) is a simplified form of continuous process, and the time of setting is defined arbitrarily in
calibration that accounts for systematic error (bias) but does not terms of a given test method. For cementitious mixtures, time of setting
evaluate random error. Standardization, therefore, does not address all is usually defined as the elapsed time to attain a specified level of
of the elements of uncertainty of measurement and does not lead to resistance to penetration by a probe. For example, the time of initial
traceable measurements. An example of case (2) standardization is setting of concrete is determined by Test Method C403/C403M and is
adjusting the number of blows of a mechanically-operated hammer so defined as the elapsed time, after initial contact of cement and water, for
it applies the same energy as a specified number of blows of a the mortar sieved from the concrete to reach a penetration resistance of
manually-operated hammer. 500 psi [3.5 MPa].
stone, crushed, n—the product resulting from the use of time of final setting (of concrete), n—the elapsed time, after
mechanical devices to break rocks, boulders, or large cobble- initial contact of cement and water, required for the mortar
stones into smaller fragments. (2014) sieved from the concrete to reach a penetration resistance of
4000 psi [27.6 MPa]. (C403/C403M). (R2012)
supplementary cementitious material, (SCM)—see cementi-
tious material, supplementary, (SCM). time of initial setting (of concrete), n—the elapsed time, after
initial contact of cement and water, required for the mortar
tamping, n—consolidation of a fresh cementitious mixture by sieved from the concrete to reach a penetration resistance of
repeated blows to the surface of the mixture with a specified 500 psi [3.5 MPa]. (C403/C403M). (R2012)
tool. (2013)
traceability, metrological, n—property of a measurement
tapping, n—striking the side of a mold to close voids in a fresh result whereby the result can be related to a reference
cementitious mixture created by rodding or an internal through a documented unbroken chain of calibrations, each
vibrator. (2009) contributing to the measurement uncertainty. (VIM3) (2011)
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (C125 – 21)
that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved October 1, 2021.)
Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (C125 – 20)
that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved July 1, 2021.)
(1) Revised the Discussion of cementitious material, (3) Removed the Discussion to the definition of grout.
supplementary, (SCM) and added the new term ground-glass (4) Revised the definitions of accelerating admixture and
pozzolan. water-reducing admixture, high-range.
(2) Revised the definition of calibration.
Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (C125 – 19a)
that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved February 1, 2020)
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