ASTM C1585-13
Standard Test Method for Measurement of Rate of Absorption of Water by Hydraulic-Cement Concretes

Standard No.

ASTM C1585-13

Release Date

2013

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Be replaced

Replace By

ASTM C1585-20

Latest

ASTM C1585-20

Scope

4.1 The performance of concrete subjected to many aggressive environments is a function, to a large extent, of the penetrability of the pore system. In unsaturated concrete, the rate of ingress of water or other liquids is largely controlled by absorption due to capillary rise. This test method is based on that developed by Hall³ who called the phenomenon “water sorptivity.”

4.2 The water absorption of a concrete surface depends on many factors including: (a) concrete mixture proportions; (b) the presence of chemical admixtures and supplementary cementitious materials; (c) the composition and physical characteristics of the cementitious component and of the aggregates; (d) the entrained air content; (e) the type and duration of curing; (f) the degree of hydration or age; (g) the presence of microcracks; (h) the presence of surface treatments such as sealers or form oil; and (i) placement method including consolidation and finishing. Water absorption is also strongly affected by the moisture condition of the concrete at the time of testing.

4.3 This method is intended to determine the susceptibility of an unsaturated concrete to the penetration of water. In general, the rate of absorption of concrete at the surface differs from the rate of absorption of a sample taken from the interior. The exterior surface is often subjected to less than intended curing and is exposed to the most potentially adverse conditions. This test method is used to measure the water absorption rate of both the concrete surface and interior concrete. By drilling a core and cutting it transversely at selected depths, the absorption can be evaluated at different distances from the exposed surface. The core is drilled vertically or horizontally.

4.4 This test method differs from Test Method C642 in which the specimens are oven dried, immersed completely in water at 21°C, and then boiled under water for 5 h. In this test method, only one surface is exposed to water at room temperature while the other surfaces are sealed simulating water absorption in a member that is in contact with water on one side only. Test Method C642, on the other hand, is used to estimate the maximum amount of water that can be absorbed by a dry specimen and therefore provides a measure of the total, water permeable pore space.

1.1 This test method is used to determine the rate of absorption (sorptivity) of water by hydraulic cement concrete by measuring the increase in the mass of a specimen resulting from absorption of water as a function of time when only one surface of the specimen is exposed to water. The specimen is conditioned in an environment at a standard relative humidity to induce a consistent moisture condition in the capillary pore......

ASTM C1585-13 Referenced Document

• ASTM C1005 Standard Specification for Reference Masses and Devices for Determining Mass and Volume for Use in Physical Testing of Hydraulic Cements
• ASTM C1202 Standard Test Method for Electrical Indication of Concrete''s Ability to Resist Chloride Ion Penetration
• ASTM C125 Standard Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• ASTM C192/C192M Standard Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Laboratory
• ASTM C31/C31M Standard Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field
• ASTM C42/C42M Standard Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete
• ASTM C642 Standard Test Method for Density, Absorption, and Voids in Hardened Concrete

ASTM C1585-13 history

• 2020 ASTM C1585-20 Standard Test Method for Measurement of Rate of Absorption of Water by Hydraulic-Cement Concretes
• 2013 ASTM C1585-13 Standard Test Method for Measurement of Rate of Absorption of Water by Hydraulic-Cement Concretes
• 2011 ASTM C1585-11 Standard Test Method for Measurement of Rate of Absorption of Water by Hydraulic-Cement Concretes
• 2004 ASTM C1585-04e1 Standard Test Method for Measurement of Rate of Absorption of Water by Hydraulic-Cement Concretes
• 2004 ASTM C1585-04 Standard Test Method for Measurement of Rate of Absorption of Water by Hydraulic-Cement Concretes