Source: ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa.
ASTM C1753, Practice for Evaluating Early Hydration of Hydraulic Cementitious Mixtures Using Thermal Measurements, will help concrete producers evaluate relative binder differences in paste, mortar and other mixture specimens. The forthcoming standard describes the apparatus and procedure for such evaluations, and will augment efforts to screen and proportion materials—lowering or eliminating costs associated with trial mixtures.
“Concrete and other cementitious mixtures continue to become more complex, with more supplementary cementitious materials and chemical admixtures coming to market,” says Holcim (US) Inc. Technical Service Manager Tim Cost, a member of ASTM C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates. “Performance effects on concrete and other mixtures become more difficult to predict as specific components and proportions change.”
C1753 covers evaluation of setting properties and the relative effects of different materials on setting; checks on potential incompatibility of materials; screening of materials for optimum performance; development of optimum proportions; and, target admixture dosage. Cost notes that the test described in the new standard is expedient and requires small time and equipment commitments compared to other approaches.
C1753 and other standards can by ordered from ASTM Customer Relations, 877/909-ASTM, [email protected]. ASTM C09 will convene during Committee Week, December 6-9 in Tampa, Fla. Contacts: (technical) Tim Cost, 601/832-9730, [email protected]; (staff liaison) Scott Orthey, 610/832-9730, [email protected].