ASTM C232/C232M-21

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it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: C232/C232M − 20a C232/C232M − 21
Standard Test Method for
Bleeding of Concrete
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C232/C232M; 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*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the relative quantity of mixing water that will bleed from a sample of freshly
mixed concrete.
1.2 When various concretes are to be compared, if the batches are of similar unit weight, the sample masses shall not differ by
more than 1 kg [2 lb].
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used
independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.
NOTE 1—Sieve size is identified by its standard designation in Specification E11. the alternative designation given in parentheses is for information only
and does not represent a different standard sieve size.
1.4 The text of this standard refers to notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding
those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use. (Warning—Fresh hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause chemical burns
to skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure. )
1.6 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C29/C29M Test Method for Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
C138/C138M Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.60
on Testing Fresh Concrete.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2020Sept. 1, 2021. Published July 2021November 2021. Originally approved in 1949. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as
C232/C232M – 20.C232/C232M – 20a. DOI: 10.1520/C0232_C0232M-20A.10.1520/C0232_C0232M-21.
Section on Safety Precautions, Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C232/C232M − 21
C172/C172M Practice for Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete
C192/C192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Laboratory
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology C125.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This test method provides procedures to be used for determining the effect of variables of composition, treatment,
environment, or other factors in the bleeding of concrete. It is also permitted to be used to determine the conformance of a product
or treatment with a requirement relating to its effect on bleeding of concrete.
4.2 A specimen consolidated by rodding and tested without further disturbance simulates conditions in which the concrete is not
subjected to intermittent vibration after placement.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Container—A cylindrical container of approximately 14 L [ ⁄2 ft ] capacity, having an inside diameter of 255 mm 6 5 mm [10
1 1
in. 6 ⁄4 in.] and an inside height of 280 mm 6 5 mm [11 in. 6 ⁄4 in.]. The container shall conform to the requirements for a
measure in Test Method C29/C29M. The inside shall be free of corrosion, coatings, or lubricants. A cover shall be provided to
prevent evaporation of bleed water during the test.
5.2 Scale, of sufficient capacity to determine the mass of the load required with an accuracy of 0.5 %. Balances or scales shall be
calibrated at least annually or whenever there is reason to question the accuracy of the equipment.
5.3 Pipet, or similar instrument, for drawing off free water from the surface of the test specimen.
5.4 Glass Graduate, 100-mL capacity for collecting and measuring the quantity of water withdrawn.
5.5 Tamping Rod—A round, straight steel rod, 16 mm [ ⁄8 in.] in diameter and approximately 610 mm [24 in.] in length, having
the tamping end rounded to a hemispherical tip, the diameter of which is 16 mm [ ⁄8 in.].
6. Test Specimen
6.1 For concrete made in the laboratory, prepare as described in Practice C192/C192M. For concrete made in the field, sample the
concrete as described in Practice C172/C172M. The apparatus described in this test method is permitted to be used with samples
of concrete containing any size of aggregate graded up to and including a nominal maximum size of 50 mm [2 in.]. Concrete
containing aggregate larger than 50 mm [2 in.] in nominal maximum size shall be wet sieved over a 37.5 mm [1 ⁄2 in.] sieve and
the test performed on a portion of the sample that passes through the sieve.
6.2 Determine the proportion of net mixing water (total water minus water absorbed by the aggregates) in the batch of concrete
being tested from the ba
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