ASTM C1760-12 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM C1760-12 — Standard Test Method for Bulk Electrical Conductivity of Hardened Concrete. This test method defines a rapid laboratory procedure to determine the bulk electrical conductivity of saturated hardened concrete specimens as an indicator of the concrete’s ability to resist penetration of chloride ions and other dissolved aggressive species.

Abstract

ASTM C1760-12 describes measurement of bulk electrical conductivity of saturated concrete specimens by applying a DC voltage across specimen ends, measuring current, and calculating conductivity from the measured current, applied voltage and specimen geometry. The measured bulk conductivity correlates with chloride ion diffusion and is intended for research, mixture evaluation, and quality-control comparisons.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (withdrawal recorded January 22, 2021).
• Publication date: Current edition approved January 1, 2012; published February 2012 (designation C1760-12).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 91.100.30 (Concrete and concrete products).
• Edition / version: C1760-12.
• Number of pages: 5 (standard edition PDF length).

Scope

This test method covers determination of bulk electrical conductivity of saturated specimens of hardened concrete to provide a rapid indication of resistance to chloride ion penetration by diffusion. It is applicable to molded specimens for mixture evaluation and to cores taken from structures (after appropriate saturation/conditioning). Results can be correlated with chloride diffusion coefficients obtained by diffusion/migration test methods for comparative or research purposes.

Key topics and requirements

• Purpose and significance: bulk conductivity as a rapid surrogate indicator of concrete transport properties (chloride diffusion/resistivity).
• Specimen types: typically molded cylinders or cores (commonly 100 mm diameter specimens) prepared and conditioned as specified.
• Conditioning: specimens are saturated (vacuum saturation or immersion in a specified solution) to establish a common reference state before testing.
• Measurement principle: apply a known DC voltage across specimen ends, measure current after stabilization (short interval), and calculate conductivity using specimen geometry.
• Correlation: results relate to apparent chloride diffusion coefficient determined by other methods and are influenced by mix proportions, supplementary cementitious materials, admixtures, curing, age and degree of saturation.
• Reporting requirements: include specimen dimensions, conditioning procedure and duration, test age, applied voltage/current values, calculated conductivity, and any deviations from the method.
• Limitations and cautions: conductivity depends strongly on saturation, curing and mix chemistry; comparisons require consistent specimen preparation and conditioning.

Typical use and users

Used by materials and durability laboratories, concrete technologists, researchers, quality-control engineers, specification writers and consulting engineers for: rapid screening of mixture resistance to ionic transport, comparative quality control of mixtures, research correlating conductivity to diffusion coefficients, and preliminary assessment relevant to cathodic protection or corrosion risk studies.

Related standards

Standards commonly referenced alongside or related to C1760 include: ASTM C1202 (Rapid Chloride Permeability Test), ASTM C1556 (Bulk Diffusion Test for Chloride), ASTM C1876 (bulk electrical resistivity/conductivity methods), ASTM C1543 (migration/diffusion methods), ASTM C125 (terminology), ASTM C192/C192M, C31/C31M, C42/C42M (specimen making, curing and sampling), and ASTM C511 (curing of concrete test specimens).

Keywords

bulk electrical conductivity, electrical resistivity, concrete conductivity, chloride diffusion, chloride penetration resistance, transport properties, saturation, concrete durability, specimen conditioning, rapid screening.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM C1760-12 is a test method for determining the bulk electrical conductivity of saturated, hardened concrete specimens as a rapid indicator of their resistance to chloride ion penetration.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation/conditioning (saturation), measurement of current under applied DC voltage across specimen ends, calculation of conductivity using specimen geometry, reporting practices, and interpretation as a comparative indicator related to chloride diffusion.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials testing laboratories, university and industrial researchers, concrete technologists, quality-control personnel, consulting engineers and specifiers involved in durability assessment and mixture development.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ASTM C1760-12 was withdrawn (with record of withdrawal dated January 22, 2021). ASTM’s records list the designation as withdrawn; users should check current ASTM listings and consider related/revised methods for bulk resistivity/conductivity (for example ASTM C1876 and other contemporary methods) when selecting an up-to-date procedure.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: C1760 is part of the family of ASTM methods addressing concrete transport properties and durability; it is typically used in conjunction with standards such as C1202 and C1556 and referenced alongside specimen-making and curing practices (C31/C31M, C192/C192M, C42/C42M).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Bulk electrical conductivity, electrical resistivity, chloride diffusion, chloride penetration resistance, concrete durability, saturation, specimen conditioning.