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.

Designation: C172/C172M − 17

Standard Practice for

Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C172/C172M; 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.

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1. Scope* and may cause chemical burns to skin and tissue upon
1.1 This practice covers procedures for obtaining represen- prolonged exposure.2)
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-

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tative samples of fresh concrete as delivered to the project site
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-

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on which tests are to be performed to determine compliance
with quality requirements of the specifications under which the ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-

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concrete is furnished (Note 1). The practice includes sampling
from stationary, paving and truck mixers, and from agitating mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
and nonagitating equipment used to transport central-mixed Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
concrete and from continuous mixing equipment as described

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2. Referenced Documents
in Specification C685/C685M.

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2.1 ASTM Standards:3
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
C685/C685M Specification for Concrete Made by Volumet-
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
ric Batching and Continuous Mixing
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each

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E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
Sieves
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
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with the standard. 3. Significance and Use
NOTE 1—Composite samples are required by this practice, unless 3.1 This practice is intended to provide standard require-
specifically excepted by procedures governing the tests to be performed
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such as tests to determine uniformity of consistency and mixer efficiency.

ments and procedures for sampling freshly mixed concrete
Procedures used to select the specific test batches are not described in this from different containers used in the production or transporta-
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practice, but it is recommended that random sampling be used to tion of concrete. The detailed requirements as to materials,
determine overall specification compliance. mixtures, air content, temperature, number of specimens,
1.3 This practice also covers the procedures to be used for slump, interpretation of results, and precision and bias are in
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preparing a sample of concrete for further testing where it is specific test methods.
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desirable or necessary to remove the aggregate larger than a

designated size. This removal of larger aggregate particles is 4. Sampling
preferably accomplished by wet-sieving. 4.1 The elapsed time shall not exceed 15 min. between
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1.4 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes obtaining the first and final portions of the composite sample.
which provide explanatory material and shall not be considered 4.1.1 Transport the individual samples to the place where
as requirements of the practice. fresh concrete tests are to be performed or where test speci-
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mens are to be molded. They shall be combined and remixed

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
with a shovel the minimum amount necessary to ensure
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safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the

uniformity and compliance with the maximum time limits
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
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specified in 4.1.2.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.1.2 Start tests for slump, temperature, and air content
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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within 5 min after obtaining the final portion of the composite

(Warning—Fresh hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic
sample. Complete these tests expeditiously. Start molding

1 2
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete Section on Safety Precautions, Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing,
and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.60 on Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
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Testing Fresh Concrete. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2017. Published October 2017. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1942. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C172/C172M–14a. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/C0172_C0172M-17. the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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 C172/C172M − 17
specimens for strength tests within 15 min after fabricating the into one composite sample for test purposes. In any case do not
composite sample. Expeditiously obtain and use the sample obtain samples until after all of the water and any admixtures
and protect the sample from the sun, wind, and other sources of have been added to the mixer; also do not obtain samples from
rapid evaporation, and from contamination. the very first or last portions of the batch discharge (Note 3).
Sample by repeatedly passing a receptacle through the entire
5. Procedure discharge stream or by completely diverting the discharge into
5.1 Size of Sample—Make the samples to be used for a sample container. Regulate the rate of discharge of the batch
strength tests a minimum of 28 L [1 ft3]. Smaller samples are by the rate of revolution of the drum and not by the size of the
not prohibited for routine air content, temperature, and slump gate opening.
tests. The size of the samples shall be dictated by the maximum 5.2.4 Sampling from Continuous Mixers—Sample the con-
crete after the discharge of at least 140 L [5 ft3] of concrete,

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aggregate size.

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following all mixture proportioning adjustments. Sample the
5.2 The procedures used in sampling shall include the use of concrete at the frequency specified by collecting two or more
every precaution that will assist in obtaining samples that are portions taken at regularly spaced intervals during discharge of

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truly representative of the nature and condition of concrete the concrete. Take the portions so obtained within the time
sampled as follows:

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limit specified in Section 4, and combine them into one
NOTE 2—Sampling should normally be performed as the concrete is composite sample for test purposes. Do not obtain samples

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delivered from the mixer to the conveying vehicle used to transport the from the very first or last portions of a mixer’s continuous
concrete to the forms; however, specifications may require other points of discharge (Note 3). Sample by repeatedly passing a receptacle
sampling, such as the discharge of a concrete pump.
through the entire discharge stream or by completely diverting
5.2.1 Sampling from Stationary Mixers, Except Paving

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the discharge into a sample container. After obtaining the
Mixers—Sample the concrete by collecting two or more composite sample, wait a minimum of 2 minutes and a

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portions taken at regularly spaced intervals during discharge of maximum of 5 minutes before beginning tests (Note 5).
the middle portion of the batch. Obtain these portions within
the time limit specified in Section 4. Combine into one NOTE 5—The waiting period prior to commencing the testing is needed

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because the mix water is input only seconds before discharge from the
composite sample for testing purposes. Do not obtain portions continuous mixer.
of the composite sample from the very first or last part of the
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batch discharge (Note 3). Perform sampling by passing a 5.2.5 Sampling from Open-Top Truck Mixers, Agitators,
receptacle completely through the discharge stream, or by Nonagitating Equipment, or Other Types of Open-Top
completely diverting the discharge into a sample container. If Containers—Take samples by whichever of the procedures
described in 5.2.1, 5.2.2, or 5.2.3 is most applicable under the
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discharge of the concrete is too rapid to divert the complete

discharge stream, discharge the concrete into a container or given conditions.
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transportation unit sufficiently large to accommodate the entire

batch and then accomplish the sampling in the same manner as 6. Additional Procedure for Large Maximum Size
given above. Take care not to restrict the flow of concrete from Aggregate Concrete
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the mixer, container, or transportation unit so as to cause 6.1 When the concrete contains aggregate larger than that
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segregation. These requirements apply to both tilting and appropriate for the size of the molds or equipment to be used,
nontilting mixers. wet-sieve the sample as described below except perform
NOTE 3—No samples should be taken before 10 % or after 90 % of the density (unit weight) tests for use in yield computations on the
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batch has been discharged. Due to the difficulty of determining the actual full mix.
quantity of concrete discharged, the intent is to provide samples that are
representative of widely separated portions, but not the beginning and the NOTE 6—The effect of wet-sieving on the test results should be
end of the load. considered. For example, wet-sieving concrete causes the loss of a small
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amount of air due to additional handling. The air content of the wet-sieved
5.2.2 Sampling from Paving Mixers—Sample the concrete fraction of concrete is greater than that of the total concrete because the
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after the contents of the paving mixer have been discharged. larger size aggregate which is removed does not contain air. The apparent
Obtain samples from at least five different portions of the pile strength of wet-sieved concrete in smaller specimens is usually greater
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than that of the total concrete in larger appropriate size specimens. The
and combine them into one composite sample for test purposes. effect of these differences may need to be considered or determined by
Avoid contamination with subgrade material or prolonged
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supplementary testing for quality control or test result evaluation pur-

contact with and absorptive subgrade. poses.
NOTE 4—Discharging concrete across shallow containers placed on the 6.2 Definition:
subgrade, or supported above the subgrade, may be effective in precluding 6.2.1 wet-sieving concrete—the process of removing aggre-
contamination or absorption by the subgrade. If used, the concrete from gate larger than a designated size from the fresh concrete by
the shallow containers should provide a composite sample that is in
agreement with the maximum aggregate size. sieving it on a sieve of the designated size.
5.2.3 Sampling from Revolving Drum Truck Mixers or 6.3 Apparatus:
Agitators—Sample the concrete by collecting two or more 6.3.1 Sieves, as designated, conforming to Specification
portions taken at regularly spaced intervals during discharge of E11.
the middle portion of the batch. Take the samples so obtained 6.3.2 Receptacle—A container of suitable size having a
within the time limit specified in Section 4 and combine them nonabsorbent surface.

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 C172/C172M − 17
6.3.3 Wet-Sieving Equipment—Equipment for wet-sieving aggregate retained on the sieve shall not be wiped from it
concrete shall be a sieve as noted in 6.3.1 of suitable size and before it is discarded. Place only enough concrete on the sieve
conveniently arranged and supported so that one can shake it at any one time so that after sieving, the thickness of the layer
rapidly by either hand or mechanical means. Generally, a of retained aggregate is not more than one particle thick. The
horizontal back and forth motion is preferred. The equipment concrete which passes the sieve shall fall into a batch pan of
shall be capable of rapidly and effectively removing the suitable size which has been dampened before use or onto a
designated size of aggregate. clean, moist, nonabsorbent surface. Scrape any mortar adher-
6.3.4 Hand Tools—Shovels, hand scoops, plastering ing to the sides of the wet-sieving equipment into the batch.
trowels, and rubber gloves as required. After removing the larger aggregate particles by wet-sieving
6.4 Procedure: remix the batch with a shovel the minimum amount necessary
to ensure uniformity and proceed testing immediately.

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6.4.1 Wet-Sieving—After sampling the concrete, pass the

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concrete over the designated sieve and remove and discard the
aggregate retained. This shall be done before remixing. Shake 7. Keywords
or vibrate the sieve by hand or mechanical means until no 7.1 air content; batch; composite sample; concrete; slump;

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undersize material remains on the sieve. Mortar adhering to the temperature; wet-sieving

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SUMMARY OF CHANGES

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Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this practice since the last issue,

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C172/C172M–14a, that may impact the use of this practice. (Approved October 1, 2017)

(1) Revised 5.2.2. (2) Revised Note 4.

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