ASTM C1603-23

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Designation: C1603 − 16 C1603 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Solids in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1603; 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*
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the solids content in water for use as mixing water in ready-mixed concrete and
the measurement of its density. Solids content is expressed in terms of parts per million (ppm) or in terms of percent by mass of
the water sample.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard; inch-pound units are shown in parenthesis for information
only.standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to safety, health, and environmental practices
and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
C185 Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
C188 Test Method for Density of Hydraulic Cement
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
C1602/C1602M Specification for Mixing Water Used in the Production of Hydraulic Cement Concrete
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology C125.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.40 on
Ready-Mixed Concrete.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2016Feb. 1, 2023. Published April 2016February 2023. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 20102016 as
C1603–10. DOI: 10.1520/C1603-16.–16. DOI: 10.1520/C1603-23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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C1603 − 23
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This test method is used to determine the solids content of mixing water used to produce concrete when one or more of the
water sources is wash water from concrete production operations or water that contains solids when batched as mixing water in
concrete.
4.2 The test method provides a means to determine the relationship between the density and solids content of water for compliance
with solids content limits of mixing water such as in Specification C1602/C1602M.
4.3 During production of concrete, the water property measured is its density, which can then be used to estimate the solids content
from procedures described in this test method.
4.4 To develop a correlation between the density and solids content of water, water samples should be tested that cover the range
of solids concentrations anticipated during production.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Density Measure: A cylindrical container (Note 1) with a volume of 200 6 25 mL (7 6 1 fl. oz.) at least 200 mL with a glass
1 1
or hard plastic plate that is placed over it. The glass or plastic plate shall be at least 6 mm ( ⁄4 in.) thick and 40 mm (1 ⁄2-in.) larger
than the outer diameter of the measure. The top of the density measure shall be flat such that it does not leak when the plate is
placed over it.
NOTE 1—A commonly available smaller size mason jar with top ground smooth is or the density measure used in Test Method C185 are acceptable.
5.2 The volume of the density measure shall be determined to nearest 0.1 mL in accordance with procedures used for calibrating
air or density measures, as in using the verification procedure described in Test Method C670C185.
5.3 A microwave oven with at least 900 W of power capacity.
5.4 A microwave-safe glass dish large enough to contain the water sample and fiberglass cloth (See Note 2).
NOTE 2—A450 × 450 × 25 mm (9 × 9 × 1 in.) dish is acceptable. Fiberglass cloth commonly used with fiberglass resin for boat or auto body repair is
found in most hardware stores.
5.5 A balance or scale with a minimum capacity of 2000 g accurate to 0.1 g
5.6 A rubber syringe
6. Measurement of Density
6.1 Obtain the mass of the empty density measure and plate to the nearest 0.1g.
6.2 If the water contains solids in suspension, ensure that the water is sampled while the water source is being agitated. Take a
representative sample of water and fill the density measure to overflowing. Slide the cover plate over the measure ensuring that
there are no air bubbles. Wipe the outside of the plate and measure dry and obtain the mass of the filled density measure covered
with the plate.
6.3 Calculate the density of the water sample to 0.001 g/mL
M
W
D 5 (1)
W
V
Where:
D = Density of the water, g/mL,
W
C1603 − 23
M = Net mass of water in the density measure, g, and
W
V = Volume of the density measure, mL.
7. Measurement of Solids Content
7.1 Obtain the mass of the empty dish and a piece of fiber glass cloth about 500 mm (20 in.) square to the nearest 0.1 g.
7.2 For the water sample used in the density measurement, keep the glass plate over the density measure and shake the water
suspension. If the density of water is not determined, obtain at least 200 mL of a representative sample of water in a container and
determine the mass of the water sample to the nearest 0.1 g. Pour the water sample into the glass dish. Using the rubber syringe,
wash solids adhered in the measure into the dish using a minimum amount of water. Cover the water with the fiberglass cloth to
prevent loss of solids during drying.
7.3 Place the dish in a microwave oven and heat it for approximately 20 min or until the water has evaporated. Determine the mass
of the dish and place it back in the microwave oven for 2 min increments until the mass determined in two subsequent
determinations do not differ by more than 0.5 g. At any step in the drying process, discontinue additional drying if the net mass
of water and solids in the dish is less than 0.5 g.
7.4 Determine the mass of the dish and cloth with the dried solids.
7.5 Calculate the percent solids in terms of percent by mass to the nearest 0.1 % and in ppm to the nearest 1000 ppm. If the
measured value is less than 500 ppm, record the value as zero or the actual calculated value.
M
s
S ,%5 ×100 (2)
W
M
W
S 5 S ×10 000 (3)
ppm W
Where:
M = Mass of dry solids,
s
M = Mass of water with solids,
W
S = Solids content in water, in percent, and
W
S = Solids content in water, in ppm.
ppm
7.6 Repeat these measurements for water with different solids content. Test water at 4 or more different levels of solids content.
8. Relationship Between Density and Solids Content
8.1 Establish a relationship using linear regression analysis (See Note 3) between the measured density and solids content of water
sample measurements for a range of solid concentrations that cover the anticipated range in the production facility.
NOTE 3—The linear regression analysis can be performed using spreadsheet software.
8.1.1 Express the relationship between the density of the water and the solids content as follows, such that the measured density
...