Standard Active Last Updated: Mar 03, 2026 Track Document
ASTM C1953/C1953M-26

Standard Test Method for Water Content in Fresh Cementitious Mixtures by Rapid Evaporation

Standard Test Method for Water Content in Fresh Cementitious Mixtures by Rapid Evaporation C1953_C1953M-26 ASTM|C1953_C1953M-26|en-US Standard Test Method for Water Content in Fresh Cementitious Mixtures by Rapid Evaporation Standard new BOS Vol. 04.02 Committee C09
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Significance and Use

5.1 This test method provides a procedure to determine the total water content in a sample of a fresh hydraulic cementitious mixture by determining the change in mass of the sample after rapid evaporation using a furnace capable of maintaining an air temperature between 790 °C and 815 °C [1450 °F and 1500 °F]. While this is the furnace temperature, the temperature of the sample is lower and this does not cause aggregates to decompose, which could contribute to mass loss during the test. This method is applicable under laboratory or field conditions.

5.2 This test method is applicable to samples of fresh grout, mortar, or concrete covered under the scope of this standard, with nominal maximum aggregate size up to 50 mm [2.0 in.].

5.3 The water absorbed by the coarse and fine aggregate in the batch is based on the absorption of each aggregate determined in accordance with Test Method C127 and Test Method C128. The percentage of each aggregate type is determined from the mixture design or from the batch record. The aggregate content as a percentage of the concrete mixture can be determined based on either the saturated-surface-dry (SSD) or oven-dry (OD) condition, because this has little effect on the estimate of the amount of water absorbed by the aggregates.

5.4 The measured water content can be used to calculate the w/cm of the batch. The calculated value of w/cm will depend on the following required information about the batch:

5.4.1 Cementitious materials content,

5.4.2 Total mass of concrete in the mixture design,

5.4.3 Density of the sample determined in accordance with Test Method C138/C138M,

5.4.4 Quantity of each aggregate, and

5.4.5 The absorption of each aggregate.

Note 2: For ready-mixed concrete, the composition of the concrete can be obtained from the delivery ticket, or the mixture proportions can be requested from the producer. Batched quantities of aggregates on the delivery ticket are typically reported as mass of wet aggregates and corrections to the SSD or OD condition may be needed to estimate absorbed water.

5.5 This test method can be used to monitor batch-to-batch variability of mixing water content of concrete or other cementitious mixtures.

Scope

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the total water content of a sample of a fresh cementitious mixture by determining the change in mass of the sample from before and after rapid evaporation in a furnace.

1.2 Using information about the batch quantities and aggregate absorption values, the measured total water content is used to calculate the water-cementitious material ratio (w/cm) of the batch.

1.3 This method is not applicable to cellular concrete, pervious concrete, roller-compacted concrete, concrete with a density below 2162 kg/m3 [135 lb/ft3] determined by Test Method C567/C567M containing low-density aggregate, concrete having a reported slump determined by Test Method C143/C143M greater than 200 mm [8.0 in.], or concrete with a mixture design w/cm greater than 0.55.

Note 1: There are insufficient data on these types of mixtures to determine if the method is reliable.

1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.

1.5 If required results obtained from another standard are not reported in the same system of units as used by this standard, it is permissible to convert those results using the conversion factors found in the SI Quick Reference Guide.

1.6 The text of this standard refers to notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of this standard.

1.7 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. (Warning— Fresh hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause chemical burns to exposed skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.)

1.8 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.

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Details
Book of Standards Volume: 04.02
Developed by Subcommittee: C09.60
Pages: 8
DOI: 10.1520/C1953_C1953M-26
ICS Code: 91.100.10