ASTM C -138

Unit Weight, Yield, and Air Content

(Gravimetric) of Concrete

1 Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo

 ASTM C 138
Purpose:
Used to control the quality of freshly mixed concrete
To determine the density of freshly mixed concrete
Gives formulas in calculating the yield, cement content,
and air content of the concrete
Also used to determine the air content (percent voids)
of concrete, as long as the theoretical weight of
concrete is computed on an air free basis

2 Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo

 ASTM C 138
Properties:
Low density indicates:
Over-yield (diluted to produce greater volume)
Materials changed to lower specific gravity
Higher air content
Higher water content
Lower cement content
Changed proportions of ingredients
Reduced strength

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 ASTM C 138
Properties:
Effects of increased Air Content
Durable resistance to cyclic freeze & thaw
Adverse affects:
Abrasion resistance Pumpability
Chemical attack Placeabiility
Shrinkage Finishability
Cracking Strength
Yield – volume of concrete produced from a mixture of
known quantities of the component materials.
4 Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo
 ASTM C 138
Apparatus:
Balance: scale accurate to 0.1 lb [45 g] or w/in 0.3% of
test load (whichever is larger)
range: mass of empty measure + contents
160 lb/ft3 [2600 kg/m3]
Tamping rod (same as ASTM C 143)
Internal vibrator
7000 vibrations per minute or greater
Outside diameter – at least 0.75 in [19 mm]; but not greater
than 1.5 in [38 mm]
Shaft length = 24 in. [600 mm] minimum
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 ASTM C 138
Apparatus:
Measure
Cylindrical container made of steel or other metals
Capacity based on nominal size of aggregate
Conforms to ASTM C 29
Measuring bowls of air meters
- conform to ASTM C 231
- calibrate volume as per ASTM C 29
- top rim shall be smooth and plane within
0.01 in [0.3 mm]

6 Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo

 ASTM C 138
Apparatus:
Capacity of Measures

Nominal max. aggregate size Capacity of measure

Inch mm ft3 li
1 25.0 0.2 6
1½ 37.5 0.4 11
2 50.0 0.5 14
3 75.0 1.0 28
4½ 112.0 2.5 70
6 150.0 3.5 100

The actual volume of measure shall be at least 95%

of the nominal volume listed
7 Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo
 ASTM C 138
Apparatus:
Strike-off plate 2 in. [50 mm] Greater
Rectangular metal - at least ¼ in. [6mm] than the diameter of
thick the measure
Glass or acrylic plate – ½ in. [12 mm]
Edge of the plate – straight & smooth @ tolerance of 1/16 in.
[2 mm]
Mallet
1.25 ± 0.50 lb. [600 ± 200 g]
Scoop

8 Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo

 ASTM C 138
Consolidation:
Method criteria
Consolidation Method Slump range, S
Rod S > 3 in (75 mm)
Rod or Vibrate 3 in > S > 1 in (25 mm)
Vibrate 1 in > S
Unless specified

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 ASTM C 138
Consolidation:
Rodding criteria (3 layers of equal volume)

No. of Strokes Volume, V

25 V ≤ 0.5 ft3 (14 li)
50 V = 1.0 ft3 (28 li)
1 / 3 in3 (20 cm3) V is larger

10 Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo

 ASTM C 138
Consolidation:
Rodding
Rod shall not forcibly strike the bottom
Strokes uniformly distributed
Penetrate underlying layer (say, 1 in)
After each layer, tap sides 10-15 times using mallet
(to close voids and release bubbles)
Avoid overfilling final layer

11 Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo

 ASTM C 138
Consolidation:
Internal Vibration
2 equal layers
Completely fill a layer before vibrating
Vibrate at 3 different points
Penetrate underlying layer up to 1 inch
 withdraw vibrator not to create air pockets
Duration depends on concrete workability and vibrator
effectiveness
Achieve proper consolidation (not segregation)

12 Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo

 ASTM C 138
Consolidation:
Other parts of procedure
Placement of concrete into the measure
Strike-off top surface to finish smoothly
(sawing motion; 2/3 of the surface)
Cleaning and weighing (accuracy depends on balance
apparatus)

13 Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo

 ASTM C 138
Calculations:

D  M c  M m  Vm
Density, D

where:
Mc = mass of measure filled w/ concrete
Mm = mass of measure
Vm = volume of measure
Yield    M 27 D 
Y yd 3

Y m   M D 3

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 ASTM C 138
Calculations:
Relative yield (ft3/yd3)

R y  Y Yd
where:
Y = actual volume
Yd = designed volume for a batch
Cement content
C  Cb Y
Cb = mass of cement in a batch

15 Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo

 ASTM C 138
Calculations:
Air content
A  T  D T  x100
  
A  Y f  V Y f x100 (inch  pound units)
A  Y  V  Y  x100 (SI units)

Where:
T = theoretical density on air-free basis
Yf = yield in ft3
Y = yield in yd3 or m3
16 Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo
 ASTM C 138
Calculations:
Theoretical density
T M
V
Where:
M = Mass of that ingredient
V = (product of its specific gravity times 62.4 [1000 kg])
For the aggregate component, the bulk SG and mass should
be based on SSD condition

17 Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo

 ASTM C 138
Report:
Sample ID
Date of test
Volume of density: 0.001 ft3 (0.01 li)
Density (unit weight): 0.1 lb/ft3 (1.0 kg/m3)
Yield: 0.1 yd3 (0.1 m3)
Relative yield: 0.01
Cement content: 1.0 lb (0.5 kg)
Air content: 0.1%

18 Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo