ASTM International has developed a new test method to ensure the quality of roller-compacted concrete (RCC) by measuring its density and air content. ASTM International says that its “committee on concrete and concrete aggregates (C09) created the standard, which is needed to proportion and optimise mixtures in labs and in the field and to verify specification compliance.”
According to ASTM International member Dennis Clute of the US Department of Agriculture’s National Resources Conservation Service: “There is currently no ASTM standard for determining air content of RCC. The air-content value is needed to proportion mixtures by the absolute volume method and, if applicable, to adjust air content to within the specified range.”
The test method includes measurement of mix density that is helpful with troubleshooting problems with the mix or method of compaction used to install RCC.
Clute believes that this standard will be useful for labs that design and proportion RCC mixtures and for quality control and quality assurance inspectors. The standard will soon be published as C1849/C1849M, Test Method for Density and Air Content (Pressure Method) of Freshly Mixed Roller-Compacted Concrete.
To purchase the standard go to: www.astm.org and search by the standard designation, or contact ASTM Customer Relations by telephone at 001 877909.
