ASTM C233-00

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: C 233 – 00
Standard Test Method for
Air-Entraining Admixtures for Concrete
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 233; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope C 231 Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed
Concrete by the Pressure Method
1.1 This test method covers the testing of materials pro-
C 232 Test Methods for Bleeding of Concrete
posed for use as air-entraining admixtures in the field.
C 260 Specification for Air-Entraining Admixtures for Con-
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
crete
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
C 403/C 403M Test Method for Time of Setting of Concrete
purposes only.
Mixtures by Penetration Resistance
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
C 666 Test Method for Resistance of Concrete to Rapid
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Freezing and Thawing
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
C 670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
D 75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates
1.4 The text of this test method references notes and
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and
E 70 Test Method for pH of Aqueous Solutions with the
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be
Glass Electrode
considered as requirements of the standard.
2.2 ACI Standards:
2. Referenced Documents
ACI 211.1 Recommended Practice for Selecting Propor-
tions for Normal, Heavyweight, and Mass Concrete
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C 33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates
3. Significance and Use
C 39 Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical
3.1 This test method is used to develop data for comparison
Concrete Specimens
with the requirements of Specification C 260. These tests are
C 78 Test Method for Flexural Strength of Concrete (Using
based on arbitrary stipulations permitting highly standardized
Simple Beam with Third-Point Loading)
testing in the laboratory, and are not intended to simulate actual
C 136 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
job conditions.
Aggregates
C 143/C 143M Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic Ce-
4. Materials
ment Concrete
3 4.1 Cement—The cement used in any series of tests shall be
C 150 Specification for Portland Cement
either the cement proposed for specific work in accordance
C 157 Test Method for Length Change of Hardened
2 with 4.4, a Type I or Type II cement conforming to Specifica-
Hydraulic-Cement Mortar and Concrete
2 tion C 150, or a blend of two or more cements, in equal parts.
C 172 Practice for Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete
Each cement of the blend shall conform to the requirements of
C 173 Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed
2 either Type I or Type II, Specification C 150. If a blend of
Concrete by the Volumetric Method
cements is used, it shall be a combination which produces an
C 185 Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement
3 air content of less than 10 % when tested in accordance with
Mortar
Test Method C 185 (Note 3).
C 192/C 192M Test Method for Making and Curing Con-
2 4.2 Aggregates—Except when tests are made in accordance
crete Test Specimens in the Laboratory
with 4.4, using the aggregates proposed for specific work, the
fine and coarse aggregates used in any series of tests shall come
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.23 on Chemical Admixtures. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.03.
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 2000. Published April 2000. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
published as C 233 – 49 T. Last previous edition C 233 – 97a. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.05.
2 7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02. American Concrete Institute Manual of Concrete Practice, Part 1, pp. 211-1 to
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01. 211-38 (1993).
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
C 233
from single lots of well-graded, sound materials that conform “neutralized Vinsol resin.”
to the requirements of Specification C 33, except that the 4.4 Materials for Tests for Specific Uses—When it is desired
grading of the aggregates shall conform to the following to test an air-entraining admixture for use in specific work, the
requirements: cement and aggregates used shall be representative of those
proposed for use in the work, and the concrete mixtures shall
4.2.1 Fine Aggregate Grading—The fine aggregate shall
be designed to have the cement content specified for use in the
meet the requirements for the fine aggregate in Specification
work (Note 3). If the maximum size of coarse aggregate is
C 33.
greater than 25.0 mm (1 in.), the freshly mixed concrete shall
4.2.2 Coarse Aggregate Grading—The coarse aggregate
be screened over a 25.0-mm (1-in.) sieve prior to fabricating
shall meet the requirements for size number 57 of Specification
the test specimens in accordance with the wet sieving proce-
C 33.
dure described in Practice C 172.
4.5 Preparation and Weighing—All materials shall be pre-
NOTE 1—Take care in loading and delivery to avoid segregation.
pared and all weighings shall be made as prescribed in Test
4.2.3 The coarse aggregate used for each set of reference
Method C 192/C 192M.
concrete and comparable test admixture-treated concrete shall
NOTE 3—It is recommended that whenever practicable, tests be made in
be essentially the same. Therefore, a set of test concrete
accordance with 4.4 using the cement and pozzolanic or chemical
consists of one reference concrete and as many test admixture-
admixtures, if any, proposed for specific work.
containing concretes as are intended to be compared to that one
5. Concrete Mixtures
reference. Thus, coarse aggregate for one set shall consist of
enough material for one reference concrete, the test admixture-
5.1 Proportions—Using ACI 211.1, all concrete shall be
containing concrete to be compared with that reference, and the
proportioned to conform to the following requirements:
sample for grading analysis testing. 5.1.1 The cement content shall be 307 6 3 kg/m (517 6 5
lb/yd ) except when tests are being made for specific uses (see
4.2.3.1 Prepare coarse aggregate for a set, comprising a
4.4).
sample large enough for concrete trials, as follows: Fill tared
5.1.2 The first trial mixture shall contain the amount of
containers, one each for a sample, a batch of reference concrete
coarse aggregate shown in Table 6.3.6 of ACI Recommended
and one or more test concretes to the required mass from the
Practice 211.1 for the maximum size of aggregate and for the
aggregate stockpile. Accomplish this by starting with a scoop-
fineness modulus of the sand being used.
ful into the first container and repeat this procedure until all
NOTE 4—Values in Table 6.3.6 of ACI Recommended Practice 211.1-
containers have their required mass. Repeat the process for
77 are intended to ensure workable mixtures with the least favorable
each of the three or more sets needed. One or more spare sets
combinations of aggregate likely to be used. It is suggested, therefore, that
may be needed. See the Appendix of Practice D 75, Sampling
for a closer approximation of the proportions required for this test, the
from Stockpiles, and the Manual of Aggregate and Concrete
values selected from Table 6.3.6 be increased by about 7 % for the first
Testing for guidance for conditions and procedures.
trial mixture.
4.2.4 Test coarse aggregate samples representing each set by
5.1.3 The air content used in the computation of proportions
Test Method C 136 requirements for the sieves shown below.
for all concrete shall be 5.5 % except where the admixture
Discard any set for which the sample does not comply with
under test is for use in specific work (see 4.4). In this case the
Size 57. Average test results for samples which comply with
air content used in selecting proportions shall be the median of
Size 57 for each sieve size. Discard any set for which the
the range to be permitted in the work. If lightweight aggregates
sample deviates from this average by more than the amount
are to be used in specific work, the unit weight of concrete used
shown in column 3. Continue the process of preparation,
in selecting proportions shall be the median of the range
testing and averaging until sufficient sets of aggregate within permitted in the work.
tolerance are obtained. 5.1.4 The water content and sand content shall be adjusted
1 1
to obtain a slump of 90 6 15 mm (3 ⁄2 6 ⁄2 in.). The
Specification C 33, No. 57 Maximum variation from
Sieve Percent Passing average/passing
workability of the concrete mixture shall be suitable for
37.5-mm 100 00
consolidation by hand rodding and the concrete mixture shall
25.0-mm 95 to 100 1.0
have the minimum water content possible. These conditions
12.5-mm 25 to 60 4.0
4.75-mm 0 to 10 4.0
shall be achieved by final adjustments in the proportion of fine
2.36-mm 0 to 5 1.0
aggregate to total aggregate, in the amount of total aggregate,
or both, while maintaining the yield and slump in the required
NOTE 2—All of the results required for demonstrating compliance
ranges.
under this specification are dependent on the uniformity of the aggregate
samples prepared and used. Careful, skilled and well-supervised work is
5.2 Conditions—Concrete mixtures shall be prepared both
essential.
with the air-entraining admixture under test and with the
4.3 Reference Admixture—For this test method, unless oth-
erwise requested by the purchaser, the reference admixture
Vinsol resin is manufactured by Hercules Inc., Wilmington, DE. Neutralization
used in the concrete mixture specified in Section 4 shall be
may be accomplished by treating 100 parts of the Vinsol resin with 9 to 15 parts of
NaOH by weight. In an aqueous solution, the ratio of water to the resinate shall not
exceed 12:1 by weight.
C 233
reference admixture. The admixtures shall be added in the be found to be manifestly faulty, the test results thereof shall be
amounts necessary to produce the air content selected in disregarded. Should more than one specimen representing a
accordance with 5.1.3 within a tolerance of 60.5 % of the given test at a given age be found manifestly faulty, either
volume of concrete. before or after testing, the entire test shall be disregarded and
repeated. The test result reported shall be the average of the
6. Mixing
individual test results of the specimens tested or, in the event
6.1 Machine mix the concrete as prescribed in Test Method that one specimen or one result has been discarded, it shall be
C 192/C 192M. the average of the test results of the remaining specimens.
7. Tests and Properties of Freshly Mixed Concrete 9. Test Specimens of Hardened Concrete
7.1 Test samples of freshly mixed concrete from at least 9.1 Number of Specimens—Make six or more test speci-
three separate batches for each condition of concrete in mens for the freezing and thawing test and three or more test
accordance with the following methods and the minimum specimens for each other type of test and age of test specified
number of tests shall be as prescribed in Table 1. in Table 1 for each condition of concrete to be compared.
7.1.1 Slump—Test Method C 143/C 143M. 9.2 Types of Specimens—Prepare specimens made from
7.1.2 Air Content—Test Method C 231. When lightweight concrete with and without the air-entraining admixture under
aggregates are used under the provisions of 4.4, use Test test in accordance with the following:
Method C 173. 9.2.1 Compressive Strength—Make and cure test specimens
7.1.3 Bleeding—Test Methods C 232. in accordance with Test Method C 192/C 192M.
7.1.4 Time of Setting—Test Method C 403/C 403M, except 9.2.2 Flexural Strength—Make and cure test specimens in
that the temperature of each of the ingredients of the concrete accordance with Test Method C 192/C 192M.
mixtures, just prior to mixing, and the temperature at which the 9.2.3 Resistance to Freezing and Thawing—Test specimens
time of setting specimens are stored during the test period shall shall consist of prisms made and cured in accordance with the
be 23.06 2°C (73 6 3°F). applicable requirement of Test Method C 192/C 192M. Test
specimen dimensions shall be as required by Test Method
8. Preparation of Test Specimens
C 666. Make one set of specimens from the concrete mixture
8.1 Specimens for test of hardened concrete, representing
containing the air-entraining admixture under test and from the
each test and age of test and each condition of concrete being reference concrete mixture, the air content of each mixture
compared, shall be made from at least three separate batches, being as specified in 5.2.
and the minimum number of specimens shall be as prescribed 9.2.4 Length Change—Make and cure test specimens in
in Table 1. On a given day at least one specimen shall be made accordance with Test Method C 157. The moist-curing period,
for each test and age of test from each condition of concrete including the period in the molds, shall be 14 days.
except that at least two specimens for the freezing and thawing
10. Tests on Hardened Concrete
test shall be made from each condition of concrete. The
preparation of all specimens shall be completed in three days of 10.1 Test specimens of hardened concrete in accordance
mixing. with the following test methods:
8.2 Manifestly Faulty Specimens—Each group of specimens 10.1.1 Compressive Strength—Test Method C 39. Test
representing a given test or a given age of test, including tests specimens at ages of 3, 7, and 28 days. Calculate the compres-
of freshly mixed concrete, shall be examined visually before or sive strength of the concrete containing the admixture under
during the test, or both, whichever is appropriate. Discard any test as a percentage of the compressive strength of the
specimen found to be manifestly faulty by such examination reference concrete as follows:
without testing. Visually examine all specimens representing a 10.1.1.1 Divide the average compressive strength of the
given test at a given age after testing, and shou
...