ASTM C 173 - Air Content of Freshly Mixed

Concrete by the Volumetric Method

Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo 1

ASTM C 173
Purpose:
• Used to determine the air content of any type
of concrete (lightweight. Normal &
heavyweight)
• Used to determine both air entrained and
entrapped air voids

Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo 2

ASTM C 173
Apparatus: TOP SECTION

• Air meter
– Bowl and Top Section
• Rigid and can withstand rough field use
• Graduations shall be accurate to ± 0.1 %

BOWL

Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo 3

 WATER TIGHT CAP

GRADUATED NECK

V2 ≥ V1

TOP SECTION
VOL = V2 FLANGES W/
GASKET

MEASURING
BOWL VOL = V1 H

D = 1 TO 1 ¼ H
Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo 4
ASTM C 173
Apparatus:
• Funnel
• Tamping rod
– Round, smooth, straight 5/8 ± 1/12-in. [16 mm ± 2 mm]
diameter
– At least 12 in. [300 mm] long
– Rounded hemispherical tip

Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo 5

ASTM C 173
Apparatus:
• Strike off bar
– steel bar at least 1/8 by ¾ by 12 in [3 by 20
by 300 mm.] or
– high density polyethylene bar, or plastic at
least 1/4 by ¾ by 12 in [6 by 20 by 300 mm.]
• Syringe
– capacity of 2 oz [50 ml]

Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo 6

ASTM C 173
Apparatus:
• Pouring vessel for water
• Isopropyl alcohol (70 % by vol.; approx. 65 by
wt.)
• Rubber Mallet (1.25 ± 0.5 lb [600 ± 200 g])

Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo 7

ASTM C 173
CALIBRATION:
70 % ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL
USED

PINTS FLUID OUNCES LITRES CORRECTION %

≤ 2.0 ≤ 32 ≤ 1.0 0.0
3.0 48 1.5 0.25
4.0 64 2.0 0.50
5.0 80 2.5 0.75

Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo 8

ASTM C 173
Procedure:
• Obtain sample in accordance with ASTM C-172
• Filling – 2 layers of equal depth
• Rodding – 25 times
• Tapping – 10 -15 times
• Strike off; wipe the flange clean
• Add water and isopropyl alcohol
– Wet the inside of the top section and gasket
– Attach it to the bowl
– Insert the funnel and add at least 1 pt. [0.5 L] of water and
isopropyl alcohol
Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo 9
ASTM C 173
Procedure:
• Add water and isopropyl alcohol
– Add water until it appears in the neck of the top section
– Remove the funnel
– Adjust the liquid (water & alcohol) with a syringe until the
bottom of the meniscus is level with the zero mark
• Attach and tighten the watertight cap
• Quickly invert the meter, shake the base & return
upright (do not invert for more than 5 secs at a time)

Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo 10

ASTM C 173
Procedure:
• Repeat the inversion, shaking & upright for a
minimum of 45 seconds
• Vigorously roll the meter ¼ to ½ turn forward and

aprox. 1 min.
Repeat for
back several times
• Turn the base about 1/3 turn and repeat the rolling
(listen for aggregate sliding in the meter)
• Set the meter upright, loose the cap & allow the
liquid to stabilize

Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo 11

 BOX 1 OUTLINE OF CHECK LIST FOR
Rolling at least 1 min PERFORMING THE VOLUMETRIC AIR
CONTENT TEST METHOD

Stand unit upright

Meter is Discard test, repair

leaking equipment, repeat test

Air content
Discard test, repeat
stabilizes in
less than 6 min. using more alcohol

Foam is less Discard test, repeat

than 2 full
using more alcohol
divisions

Proceed to box 2
Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo 12
 BOX 2
Continue

First YES Record initial meter Return to BOX 1

Pass reading
NO
2
YES YES
Second readings
Take meter reading
Pass within
0.25 %
NO
Return to BOX 1 Proceed to BOX 3
NO

2
Third YES readings YES
Take meter reading
Pass within
0.25 %
Discard test, repeat using
NO
more alcohol
Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo 13
 BOX 3
Record the final meter
reading

Disassemble unit and

check content

2.5 pint NO Air content is the Record the air

or more final reading content to the
used except.. nearest 0.25 %
YES

Subtract the necessary

correction from the final
meter reading to get the
air content except..

Prepared by: Engr. Ronald C. Rabo 14