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: C1792 − 14

Standard Test Method for

Measurement of Mass Loss versus Time for One-
Dimensional Drying of Saturated Concretes1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1792; 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 Testing of Hydraulic Cements

1.1 This test method determines the mass loss over time due E104 Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity
to one-dimensional drying and moisture transport in an initially by Means of Aqueous Solutions
saturated cylindrical specimen with both ends exposed to 3. Terminology
constant temperature and relative humidity.
3.1 Definitions:
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as 3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this Terminology C125.
standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4. Summary of Test Method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 4.1 Saturated cylindrical concrete specimens with sealed
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- sides are prepared and the two ends are exposed to an
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- environment at 23°C and 50 % relative humidity (RH),
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. subjecting the specimen to one-dimensional drying. Their
masses are measured periodically to establish a data set of
2. Referenced Documents
average mass loss versus time.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
C31/C31M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test 5. Significance and Use
Specimens in the Field 5.1 Drying behavior is related to the mass transport proper-
C42/C42M Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled ties of concrete, such as liquid permeability and water diffu-
Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete sivity. It depends on a number of factors such as concrete
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag- mixture proportions, presence of admixtures and supplemen-
gregates tary cementitious materials, composition and physical charac-
C157/C157M Test Method for Length Change of Hardened teristics of the aggregates and cementitious materials, curing
Hydraulic-Cement Mortar and Concrete conditions, degree of hydration, and presence of microcrack-
C192/C192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test ing. Drying behavior is also affected strongly by the degree of
Specimens in the Laboratory saturation and temperature of the concrete at the start of drying
C511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets, as well as the environmental conditions that exist during drying
Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the such as temperature, relative humidity, and air flow rate (wind
Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes speed).
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
for Test Methods for Construction Materials 5.2 This test method subjects initially saturated specimens
C1005 Specification for Reference Masses and Devices for of concrete to one-dimensional drying under controlled envi-
Determining Mass and Volume for Use in the Physical ronmental conditions. The resulting mass loss versus time data
can be used to estimate transport coefficients including liquid
permeability3 and water diffusivity.4 These coefficients may be
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
3
C09.66 on Concrete’s Resistance to Fluid Penetration. Baroghel-Bouny, V., Thiery, M., Barberon, F., Coussy, O., and Villain, G.,
Current edition approved July 1, 2014. Published July 2014. DOI: 10.1520/ “Assessment of Transport Properties of Cementitious Materials: A Major Challenge
C1792-14. as Regards Durability?,” European Reviews in Civil Engineering, Vol 11, No. 6,
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, [Link], or 2007, pp. 671–696.
4
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@[Link]. For Annual Book of ASTM Samson, E., Maleki, K., Marchand, J., and Zhang, T., “Determination of the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Water Diffusivity of Concrete Using Drying/Absorption Test Results,” Journal of
the ASTM website. ASTM International, Vol 5, No. 7, 2008, pp. 1–12.

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 C1792 − 14
used in numerical models to estimate service life of concrete 6.7 Compressed Air, source of compressed air at sufficient
and reinforced concrete members exposed to different environ- pressure to dry surfaces of specimens.
mental conditions.5,6
7. Materials
5.3 The test method provides instruction and a sequence of
steps for measuring mass loss versus time. The preferred rate of 7.1 Sealing Material, strips of low permeability adhesive
this mass loss will depend on the application. For example, for sheets, epoxy coating, or (paraffin) wax for sealing the side
interior commercial flooring applications, a mass loss that surfaces of test specimens. The hardening time of the sealing
occurs quickly may be preferable, while for outdoor exposures material shall not exceed 30 minutes. The adequacy of the
in an aggressive environment, slower mass loss may be sealing material is to be verified with respect to both drying and
beneficial. limewater immersion. Adequacy with respect to drying is to be
verified by sealing a saturated specimen on all sides and storing
6. Apparatus it in the drying chamber for 3 days. The sealing material is
6.1 Drying Chamber, a temperature- and humidity- adequate if the measured mass loss is less than 0.1 % of the
controlled chamber or room with temperature maintained original mass of the sealed specimen. The sealing material also
constant at 23°C 6 2°C and relative humidity at 50 % 6 4 %, must not gain mass or deteriorate when placed in a limewater
such as the drying room specified in Test Method C157/ solution. Adequacy with respect to limewater immersion is to
C157M. The chamber shall have proper specimen supports to be verified by sealing a saturated specimen on all sides and
allow airflow around each concrete specimen (see Note 1). The immersing it in limewater for 7 days. Visually examine the
chamber shall be of sufficient volume to hold at least three test sealing material after immersion to detect any reaction with the
specimens (see Note 2). The air movement around the speci- limewater. The sealing material is adequate if the measured
mens within the chamber shall result in an evaporation rate as mass gain is less than 0.1 % of the original mass of the sealed
required for the drying room described in Test Method C157/ specimen.
C157M.
8. Sampling, Test Specimens, and Test Units
NOTE 1—Rack shelving composed of metal, plastic, or composite 8.1 Three cylindrical sawcut specimens are to be prepared
materials will provide a convenient pathway for air circulation around
each supported specimen. for each concrete mixture to be evaluated. Unless required
NOTE 2—A walk-in chamber is preferable, so that the balance can be otherwise by the specifier of the tests, specimen dimensions
installed and maintained at constant conditions. after cutting shall be a diameter of 100 mm 6 5 mm and a
6.2 Temperature and Relative Humidity Measuring length of 50 mm 6 2 mm. Specimens are cut to length, using
Equipment, of the digital type to be placed next to the a water-cooled saw (see 6.5), from either cylinders molded
specimens in the drying chamber and capable of measuring according to Practices C31/C31M or C192/C192M or cores
relative humidity with an accuracy of 63 % at a relative drilled according to Test Method C42/C42M. The average
humidity of 50 % and temperature with an accuracy of 60.5 °C diameters (see 9.3) of the end faces of a specimen shall not
at a temperature of 23°C. At least two separate measurements differ by more than 1 mm.
of both temperature and relative humidity are required for each NOTE 4—While other specimen sizes may be employed, the minimum
drying chamber. Measurements shall be obtained at intervals of specimen dimension should exceed the nominal maximum aggregate size
15 min or less. by a factor of two or more. Because the drying is one-dimensional through
the exposed cylinder faces, a nominal diameter-length ratio of 2.0 does not
NOTE 3—The accuracy of the relative humidity measured by the have to be used if alternative specimen sizes are specified.
equipment can be verified by measurement of relative humidity over
aqueous solutions of various salts, as outlined in Practice E104. 8.2 This test method may be applied to either specimens
containing a cast or a finished wearing surface or those in
6.3 Absorbent Towels, wetted thoroughly and wrung out, for
which the cast or finished surface layer(s) of the concrete have
blotting free water from specimen surfaces.
been removed by sawing. In the latter case, the distances
6.4 Balance, complying with Specification C1005 with a between the original exposed surface of the concrete and the
capacity of at least 1500 g, but with an index scale readable to end faces of replicate test specimens shall be within 5 mm of
at least 0.01 g. each other.
6.5 Water-Cooled Saw, with diamond impregnated blade of NOTE 5—An exterior surface of a concrete specimen seldom has the
adequate dimensions to cut test specimens from larger samples. same porosity as the interior concrete. To reduce data scatter, measure-
ments are made with the drying surfaces of replicate test specimens at the
6.6 Caliper, to measure the specimen dimensions to the same distance from the original exposed surface of the concrete.
nearest 0.1 mm.
9. Sample Conditioning

5
9.1 Specimens are to be in a saturated condition at the start
Samson, E., and Marchand, J., “Modeling the Transport of Ions in Unsaturated
of the test. Cure molded concrete cylinders for at least 28 days
Cement-Based Materials,” Computers and Structures, Vol 85, No. 23–24, 2007, pp.
1740–1756. in water storage tanks complying with the requirements of
6
Henchi, K., Samson, E., Chapdelaine, F., and Marchand, J., “Advanced Specification C511. Condition cores in accordance with 9.7.
Finite-Element Predictive Model for the Service Life Prediction of Concrete
Infrastructures in Support of Asset Management and Decision-Making,” Computing 9.2 Seven days prior to the start of testing, cut test speci-
in Civil Engineering, 2007, pp. 870–880. mens to the necessary length and carry out steps 9.3 – 9.7.

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 C1792 − 14
9.3 Use the caliper to measure four diameters distributed 10.4.2 During Days 5 – 13: Two measurements, one taken
uniformly around the circumference of each end face. Measure after 7 d at 168 6 2 h from the time of exposure to drying and
each diameter to the nearest 0.1 mm and calculate the average the other taken after 10 d at 240 6 2 h from the time of
diameter for the eight readings to the nearest 0.1 mm. exposure to drying, and
9.4 Use the caliper to make four measurements of specimen 10.4.3 At Day 14 and Beyond: One measurement per week
length approximately 90° apart. Measure each length to the (beginning on day 14) at 7 6 1 d intervals.
nearest 0.1 mm and calculate the average length to the nearest 10.5 Any time after four weeks of drying, terminate the
0.1 mm. monitoring of mass loss when three successive weekly mass
9.5 Dry the specimen side surface along its length with measurements show less than 0.5 % variation from the imme-
compressed air until the surface is visibly dry. Seal the side diately previous mass measurement.
surface of each specimen with an impermeable material, as
described in 7.1, leaving the two end faces uncoated to act as 11. Calculation
drying surfaces (Note 6). 11.1 Calculate the cumulative mass loss in grams at any
NOTE 6—It is best practice to minimize the drying of the end faces
time using the equation:
during the sealing operation. Moistened paper towels or sponges can be ∆M ~ t ! 5 ~ m i 2 m t ! (1)
used to maintain the two end faces in a moistened condition during the
sealing process. where:
9.6 After the sealing is completed and the coating has cured ∆M(t) = the cumulative mass loss after drying at time t, g,
if applicable, measure and record the mass of each specimen to mi = measured mass of the specimen prior to exposure to
the nearest 0.1 g. drying, g, and
mt = measured mass of the specimen after drying at time
9.7 Immerse the sealed specimens for 7 days in water t, g.
saturated with calcium hydroxide. After 7 days of immersion,
determine each specimen mass after removing surface water by 11.2 Calculate the cumulative mass loss per unit exposed
blotting with an absorbent towel that has first been wetted surface area (two faces) at any time using the equation:
thoroughly and wrung out (see 6.3). If the mass has changed by ~ m i 2 m t! ∆M ~ t !
∆D ~ t ! 5 5 (2)
more than 0.5 % from the mass determined in 9.6, repeat the ~π d2 ⁄ 2! ~π d2 ⁄ 2!
immersion for another 7 days. Continue this cyclic procedure
where:
of immersion and weighing until the mass variation is less than
0.5 % between successive mass readings taken 7 days apart. ∆D(t) = the cumulative mass loss per unit exposed surface
area after drying at time t, g/mm2,
10. Procedure mi = measured mass of the specimen prior to exposure to
drying, g,
10.1 Once the specimens have satisfied the immersion mass mt = measured mass of the specimen after drying at time
gain criteria in 9.7, remove the saturated specimens from the t, g, and
limewater one at a time and complete the initial mass mea- d = average of all measured diameters of cylindrical
surements on the removed specimen before proceeding to the specimen tested (from 9.3), mm.
next one. For each removed specimen, to remove excess
11.3 Calculate the average temperature and relative humid-
surface water, blot all surfaces with absorbent towels that have
ity recorded during the time of the drying exposure by
first been wetted thoroughly and wrung out (see 6.3). Record
averaging all of the readings acquired from the two locations
the date and time of the beginning of the drying exposure for
during the actual time of drying exposure.
each specimen.
10.2 Measure and record the initial mass (mi) of each 12. Report
specimen to the nearest 0.1 g. After measuring its mass, place
12.1 Report the following:
the specimen into its exposure location within the drying
chamber. Maintain a minimum distance of 25 mm between the 12.1.1 Date when concrete was sampled or cast;
drying surfaces of neighboring specimens. 12.1.2 Source of sample;
12.1.3 Relevant background information on sample such as
10.3 In the drying chamber, place each specimen on appro- mixture proportions, curing history, type of finishing, and age
priate supports so that air can move freely across both exposed at start of drying, if available;
surfaces. Record temperature and relative humidity in at least 12.1.4 Nature or description of the two exposed surfaces,
two different locations within 150 mm of the specimens. whether cast, finished, or cut;
10.4 Record the mass change of the specimens by periodi- 12.1.5 Average diameter and length of each specimen be-
cally determining their mass after drying (mt) to the nearest 0.1 fore sealing;
g, using the same balance as in 10.2. Unless required otherwise 12.1.6 Mass of each specimen after sealing (from 9.6);
by the specifier of the tests, use the following measurement 12.1.7 Initial mass of each specimen prior to exposure to
schedule: drying (from 10.2);
10.4.1 During Days 1 – 4: One measurement per day at 24 12.1.8 Average temperature and relative humidity recorded
6 2 h intervals, during the drying exposure; and

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 C1792 − 14
12.1.9 A table of measured mass, calculated cumulative determinations, using a concrete with average cumulative mass
mass loss, and calculated cumulative mass loss per unit losses of 8.78 × 10-5 g/mm2, 1.53 × 10-4 g/mm2, and 2.45 ×
exposed surface area, based on Eq 1 and Eq 2, against drying 10-4 g/mm2 after 1 d, 7 d, and 28 d of drying, respectively, has
time for each specimen, along with the average values for been found to be 5.0 % or less. The single-operator coefficient
calculated cumulative mass loss per unit exposed surface area. of variation of individual determinations has been found to be
Optionally, test results may also be presented in graphical form 6.0 % or less.
as a plot of cumulative mass loss (or cumulative mass loss per
NOTE 7—An interlaboratory program will be organized after approval
unit exposed surface area) versus drying time. of this test method to develop a complete precision statement.
13. Precision and Bias 13.2 Bias—The test method has no bias because the mass
13.1 Single-Operator Precision—In accordance with Prac- loss due to drying can only be defined in terms of the test
tice C670, a preliminary estimate of single-operator precision method.
was obtained from tests on one concrete in one laboratory. The
single operator coefficient of variation of a test result for cast 14. Keywords
cylinders, where a test result is the average of three individual 14.1 concrete; drying; mass loss

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