Designation: C1712 09

Standard Test Method for

Rapid Assessment of Static Segregation Resistance of Self-
Consolidating Concrete Using Penetration Test1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1712; 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 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This test method covers the rapid assessment of static 2.1 ASTM Standards:3
segregation resistance of normal-weight self-consolidating C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
concrete (SCC). The test does not measure static segregation gregates
resistance directly, but provides an assessment of whether C143/C143M Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic-Cement
static segregation is likely to occur. Concrete
1.2 The test apparatus and protocol were developed based C172 Practice for Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete
on tests with SCC mixtures containing saturated surface dry C173/C173M Test Method for Air Content of Freshly
(SSD) coarse aggregates ranging in relative density from 2.67 Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
to 2.79 and in nominal maximum size from 9.5 mm to 25 mm. C192/C192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete
For SCC mixtures outside these ranges, testing is recom- Test Specimens in the Laboratory
mended to establish a correlation between penetration depth C1610/C1610M Test Method for Static Segregation of Self-
and static segregation measured in accordance with Test Consolidating Concrete Using Column Technique
Method C1610/C1610M. This test method shall not be used to C1611/C1611M Test Method for Slump Flow of Self-
assess the static segregation resistance of self-consolidating Consolidating Concrete
concrete containing lightweight aggregates or heavyweight
aggregates without prior testing to establish a correlation. 3. Terminology
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as 3.1 Definitions:
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer
standard. to Terminology C125.
1.4 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes 3.2.1 static segregation resistance, nresistance of a con-
shall not be considered as requirements of the standard. crete mixture to segregation of the mortar component from the
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the coarse aggregate while the concrete is at rest and before initial
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the setting.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 4. Summary of Test Method
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. (WarningFresh 4.1 This test method uses a penetration apparatus (shown in
hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause Figs. 1 and 2) and an inverted slump mold (Fig. 3). A sample
chemical burns to skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.2) of freshly mixed self-consolidating concrete is placed in an
inverted slump mold without tamping or vibration. The hollow
cylinder attached to a metal rod is aligned in the center of the
inverted slump mold as shown in Fig. 3. The hollow cylinder
is then lowered onto the surface of the concrete and released to
freely penetrate into the fresh concrete. The penetration depth
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.47 on Self-Consolidating Concrete.
3
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2009. Published November 2009. DOI: For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
10.1520/C1712-09. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
2
Section on Safety Precautions, Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing, Standards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page on
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 04.02. the ASTM website.

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 C1712 09

FIG. 1 Dimension of Penetration Apparatus

FIG. 2 Penetration Apparatus

(Pd) is determined and used to assess the static segregation 5. Significance and Use
resistance of the self-consolidating concrete mixture (1-5).4 5.1 This test method is for the rapid assessment of the static
segregation resistance of self-consolidating concrete.
4
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of 5.2 The method is useful for rapid assessment of the static
this standard. segregation resistance of self-consolidating concrete during

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 C1712 09

FIG. 3 Penetration Test

mixture development in the laboratory as well as prior to NOTE 1The number and size of the holes may be chosen to be greater
placement of the mixture in the field. Test Method C1610/ than the minimum stated in 6.2 to achieve the required mass (45 6 1 g)
C1610M for static segregation of SCC is not sufficiently rapid, of the penetration head. The hollow cylinder shown in Fig. 2 is made of
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and has six holes on the top surface; each hole
and the non-mandatory Visual Stability Index as determined has a diameter of approximately 10 mm.
through the procedure described in Appendix X1 of Test NOTE 2This enables the top of the metal rod to be used as the mark
Method C1611/C1611M is highly subjective and qualitative. for taking both the initial and final readings since it will always lie within
5.3 Appendix X1 provides non-mandatory criteria that may the range of the reading scale when the surface of the concrete in the mold
be used to indicate the degree of static segregation resistance of is properly leveled (see Section 8.5).
self-consolidating concrete mixtures.
6.3 Base Plate (Optional)As described in Test Method
6. Apparatus C1611/C1611M.
6.1 MoldThe slump mold is used in this test method and 6.4 Strike-off BarAs described in Test Method C173/
shall conform to Test Method C143/C143M. C173M.
6.2 Penetration ApparatusThe penetration apparatus, 6.5 Sample ReceptacleThe receptacle shall be a heavy-
shown in Fig. 1, consists of a support frame, a metal sleeve, a gauge metal pan or wheelbarrow of sufficient capacity to allow
set screw, a penetration head and a reading scale. The penetra- easy remixing of the entire sample with a shovel, trowel, or
tion head, consisting of a non-corrosive hollow cylinder and a scoop.
metal rod, has a mass of 45 6 1 g. The rod is bolted vertically 6.6 Small ToolsTools and items such as shovels, plastic
into the center of the top of the hollow cylinder and acts as a pails, trowels, scoops, and rubber gloves shall be provided.
unit with the cylinder. The inner diameter, wall thickness, and
height of the hollow cylinder are 75 6 1 mm, 1.5 6 0.1 mm, 7. Sample
and 50 6 1 mm, respectively. Holes are symmetrically drilled 7.1 Obtain a sample of freshly mixed self-consolidating
on the top surface of the hollow cylinder to allow air to escape concrete in accordance with Practice C172 or Practice C192/
during the penetration test. At least two holes with a minimum C192M, and place it in the sample receptacle.
diameter of 6 mm must be provided (see Note 1). The reading
scale shall be 55 mm long and marked in 1 mm increments.
8. Procedure
The scale is mounted on the support frame and adjacent to the
metal rod, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. With both the support 8.1 Perform the rapid static segregation resistance test on a
frame and the hollow cylinder resting on a flat surface, the top flat, level, nonabsorbent surface such as a pre-moistened
of the metal rod shall be 5 mm below the top of the reading concrete floor or base plate. Do not subject the testing surface
scale (see Note 2). The diameter of the metal rod shall be 4.5 and inverted slump mold to any vibration or disturbance.
6 0.5 mm. The inner diameter of the metal sleeve shall be 0.7 8.2 Conditioning the Penetration ApparatusDampen the
6 0.1 mm larger than the diameter of the metal rod to minimize hollow cylinder, then hold the apparatus in the horizontal
friction as the rod slides. position and release the set screw. Spin the penetration head to

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 C1712 09
ensure that the space between the metal sleeve and the metal releasing the set screw and take the final reading on the reading
rod is free of any obstruction. Tighten the screw softly to hold scale at the mark that is in line with the top of the metal rod.
the rod in the sleeve. After taking the reading, remove the penetration apparatus.
8.3 Setting Up the Inverted Slump MoldDampen and Between uses, wash the penetration apparatus and remove any
place the slump mold, with the smaller opening facing down free water on the surfaces of the hollow cylinder and the metal
(inverted position), in the center of a flat base plate or rod with a cloth or paper towel.
moistened concrete surface. 8.7.3 CalculationCalculate the penetration depth, Pd, us-
8.4 Remixing of Sample: Remix the sample obtained in ing Eq 1.
accordance with 7.1 in the sample receptacle using a shovel or Pd 5 d2 d1 (1)
scoop so that the concrete is homogeneous.
8.5 Filling the Mold: Immediately after remixing, take
approximately 6 L of the concrete in a plastic pail and fill the where:
inverted slump mold in a continuous manner. Pour the concrete d1 = initial reading (mm), and
d2 = final reading (mm).
mixture uniformly into the mold. Slightly overfill the concrete
above the top of the inverted mold. Strike off the surface of the 9. Report
concrete with strike-off bar and allow the concrete to stabilize 9.1 Concrete mixture designation.
for 80 6 5 s after finishing strike-off before measuring 9.2 The penetration depth (Pd) to the nearest 1 mm.
penetration.
8.6 Positioning the Penetration ApparatusWhile the con- 10. Precision and Bias
crete is stabilizing, place the penetration apparatus on the top 10.1 Precision The estimation of the precision of this test
of the inverted slump mold, making sure that the hollow method is provisional. Repeatability standard deviations were
cylinder is aligned in the center of the inverted mold (see Fig. determined on five replicate batches of SCC mixtures at each
3 and Note 3). of four levels of mean penetration depth (5). At a mean
penetration depth of 3 mm, the repeatability standard deviation
NOTE 3Aligning the corners of the frame approximately on the
circumference of the slump mold will ensure alignment of the hollow was 1 mm; at a mean penetration depth of 13 mm, the
cylinder in the center of the mold. repeatability standard deviation was 2 mm; and at mean
penetration depths of 23 mm and 30 mm, the repeatability
8.7 Measuring the Penetration Depth (Pd): standard deviation was 3 mm. The differences in repeatability
8.7.1 Initial ReadingHold the metal rod attached to the standard deviation are small over the range of mean penetration
hollow cylinder with one hand and release the set screw. Lower depths of 3 to 30 mm. The average repeatability standard
the hollow cylinder carefully so that it just touches the surface deviation over this range of mean penetration depths is 2 mm.
of the concrete. Tighten the screw and take the initial reading 10.2 BiasThis test method has no bias because the values
on the reading scale at the mark that is in line with the top of determined can only be defined in terms of the test method.
the metal rod.
8.7.2 Final ReadingAt the end of the period over which 11. Keywords
the concrete is allowed to stabilize (80 6 5 s after completion 11.1 penetration depth; penetration test; rapid test; segrega-
of strike-off), release the set screw so that the hollow cylinder tion; self-consolidating concrete; stability; static segregation
freely penetrates the fresh concrete. Wait for 30 6 2 s after resistance

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. DEGREE OF STATIC SEGREGATION RESISTANCE OF CONCRETE MIXTURES

X1.1 The criteria for the different degrees of static segre- TABLE X1.1 Degree of Static Segregation ResistanceA
gation resistance are provided in Table X1.1 and are based on Penetration depth (Pd) Degree of static segregation resistance
evaluations of SCC mixtures with nominal maximum aggre- Pd # 10 mm Resistant
10 mm < Pd < 25 mm Moderately resistant
gate sizes in the range of 9.5 to 25 mm. These criteria were Pd $ 25 mm Not resistant
developed through a correlation between penetration depth and A
These criteria were developed based on use of the penetration apparatus with
static segregation measured in accordance with Test Method an inverted slump mold and are valid for SCC mixtures with a total aggregate
ASTM C1610/C1610M (1-5). volume fraction of less than 65 %. The criteria may be different if a sample
container other than the inverted slump mold is used.

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 C1712 09

REFERENCES

(1) Bui V., Attiogbe, E., Vojtko, D., Schaef S., and See H., A Rapid Test (4) Bui, V., Montgomery, D., Hinczak, I., and Turner, K., Rapid Testing
for Segregation Resistance of Self-Consolidating Concrete, NRMCA Methods for Segregation Resistance and Filling Ability of Self-
Concrete Technology Forum, Dallas, Texas, USA, May 22-24, 2007. Compacting Concrete, Proceedings of the Fourth CANMET/ACI/
(2) Bui, V., Montgomery, D., Hinczak, I., and Turner, K., Rapid Testing JCI International Conference on Recent Advances in Concrete Tech-
Method for Segregation Resistance of Self-Compacting Concrete, nology, Tokushima, Japan, SP 179-6, 1998, Ed. V. M. Malhotra, pp.
Cement and Concrete Research Journal, Volume 32, Issue 9, 2002, 85-103.
pp. 1489 1496.
(5) Bui, V. and Attiogbe, E., A Rapid Evaluation of Stability of
(3) Bui, V. and Shah, S. P., Rapid Methods for Testing Quality of
Self-Consolidating Concrete, Proceedings of Third North American
Self-Consolidating Concrete, Proceedings of First North American
Conference on the Design and Use of Self-Consolidating Concrete, Conference on the Design and Use of Self-Consolidating Concrete,
Chicago, USA, November 12-13, 2002, pp. 311- 316. Chicago, USA, November 10-12, 2008.

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