Standard Practice for

Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete

AASHTO Designation: R 60-12 (2020)1

Technically Revised: 2012 Reviewed but Not Updated: 2020

Technical Subcommittee: 3b, Fresh Concrete

ASTM Designation: C172-10

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

555 12th Street NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20004

$FFHVVHGE\DFFRXQW',5(&&,211$&,21$/'(9,$/,'$'_8VHU5DIDHO&RXOOHU\_'DWH0RQ0DU*07_,3DGGUHVV
 Standard Practice for

Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete

AASHTO Designation: R 60-12 (2020) 1
Technically Revised: 2012 Reviewed but Not Updated: 2020

Technical Subcommittee: 3b, Fresh Concrete

ASTM Designation: C172-10

1. SCOPE
1.1. This method covers the procedures for obtaining representative samples of fresh concrete as
delivered to the project site and on which tests are to be performed to determine compliance with
quality requirements of the specifications under which the concrete is furnished (Note 1). The
method includes sampling from stationary, paving, and truck mixers and from agitating and
nonagitating equipment used to transport central mixed concrete.

1.2. The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound equivalents of
metric units may be approximate.
Note 1—Combined samples are required by this method, unless specifically excepted by
procedures governing the tests to be performed, such as tests to determine uniformity of
consistency and mixer efficiency. Procedures used to select the specific test batches are not
described in this method, but it is recommended that random sampling be used to determine
overall specification compliance.

1.3. This practice also covers the procedures to be used for preparing a sample of concrete for further
testing where it is desirable or necessary to remove the aggregate larger than a designated size.
This removal of larger aggregate particles is preferably accomplished by wet-sieving.

1.4. The text of this standard references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material and shall
not be considered as requirements of the practice.

1.5. This standard does not purport to address of 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 and health
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.

2. REFERENCED DOCUMENT
2.1. ASTM Standard:
 E11, Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves

TS-3b R 60-1 AASHTO

© 2021 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
All rights reserved. Duplication is a violation of applicable law.
$FFHVVHGE\DFFRXQW',5(&&,211$&,21$/'(9,$/,'$'_8VHU5DIDHO&RXOOHU\_'DWH0RQ0DU*07_,3DGGUHVV
 3. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1. This practice is intended to provide standard requirements and procedures for sampling freshly
mixed concrete from different containers used in the production or transportation of concrete. The
detailed requirements as to materials, mixtures, air content, temperature, number of specimens,
slump, interpretation of results, and precision and bias are described in specific test methods.

4. SAMPLING
4.1. The elapsed time shall not exceed 15 min between obtaining the first and final portions of the
composite sample.

4.1.1. Transport the individual samples to the place where fresh concrete tests are to be performed or
where test specimens are to be molded. They shall then be combined and remixed with a shovel in
the minimum amount necessary to ensure uniformity and compliance with the minimum time
limits specified in Section 4.1.2.

4.1.2. Start tests for slump, temperatures, and air content within 5 min after obtaining the final portion of
the composite sample. Complete these tests quickly. Start molding specimens for strength tests
within 15 min after fabricating the composite sample. Quickly obtain and use the sample and
protect the sample from the sun, wind, and other sources of rapid evaporation and from
contamination.

5. PROCEDURE
5.1. Size of Sample—Make the samples to be used for strength tests a minimum of 28 L (1 ft3). Smaller
samples are not prohibited for routine air content and slump tests and the size shall be dictated by
the maximum aggregate size.

5.2. The procedures used in sampling shall include the use of every precaution that will assist in
obtaining samples that are truly representative of the nature and condition of concrete sampled
as follows:
Note 2—Sampling should normally be performed as the concrete is delivered from the mixer to
the conveying vehicle used to transport the concrete to the forms; however, specifications may
require other points of sampling, such as at the discharge of a concrete pump.

5.2.1. Note 3—As routine air content and slump tests are not readily adaptable to sampling the concrete
at two or more regularly spaced intervals during discharge of the middle portion of the batch as
specified in this method, the sample for air content, slump, and temperature may be taken after at
least 0.20 m3 (0.25 yd3) of concrete has been discharged.

5.2.2. Sampling from Stationary Mixers, Except Paving Mixers—Sample the concrete by collecting two
or more portions taken at regularly spaced intervals during discharge of the middle of the batch.
Obtain these portions within the time limit specified in Section 4. Combine the portions into one
sample for testing purposes. Do not obtain portions of the composite sample from the very first or
last part of the batch discharge (Note 4).
Perform sampling by passing a receptacle completely through the discharge stream or by
completely diverting the discharge into a sample container. If discharge of the concrete is too rapid
to divert the complete discharge stream, discharge the concrete into a container or transportation
unit sufficiently large to accommodate the entire batch and then accomplish the sampling in the
same manner as given above. Take care not to restrict the flow of concrete from the mixer,
container, or transportation unit so as to cause segregation. These requirements apply to both
tilting and nontilting mixers.

TS-3b R 60-2 AASHTO

© 2021 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
All rights reserved. Duplication is a violation of applicable law.
$FFHVVHGE\DFFRXQW',5(&&,211$&,21$/'(9,$/,'$'_8VHU5DIDHO&RXOOHU\_'DWH0RQ0DU*07_,3DGGUHVV
 Note 4—No sample should be taken before 10 percent or after 90 percent of the batch has been
discharged. Due to the difficulty of determining the actual quantity of concrete discharged, the
intent is to provide samples that are representative of widely separated portions but not the
beginning and end of the load.

5.2.3. Sampling from Paving Mixers—Sample the concrete after the contents of the paving mixer have
been discharged. Obtain samples from at least five different portions of the pile and then combine
them into one sample for test purposes. Avoid contamination with subgrade material or prolonged
contact with an absorptive subgrade. To preclude contamination or absorption by the subgrade,
sample the concrete by placing three shallow containers on the subgrade and discharging the
concrete across the containers. Combine the samples into one sample for test purposes. The
containers shall be of a size sufficient to provide a composite sample size that is in agreement with
the maximum aggregate size.
Note 5—In some instances, the containers may have to be supported above the subgrade to
prevent displacement during discharge.

5.2.4. Sampling from Revolving Drum Truck Mixers or Agitators—Sample the concrete by collecting
two or more portions taken at regularly spaced intervals during discharge of the middle portion of
the batch. Take the samples so obtained within the time limit specified in Section 4 and combine
them into one sample for test purposes. In any case do not obtain samples until after all of the
water and any admixtures have been added to the mixer; also do not obtain samples from the very
first or last portions of the batch discharge (Note 4). Sample by repeatedly passing a receptacle
through the entire discharge stream or by completely diverting the discharge into a sample
container. Regulate the rate of discharge of the batch by the rate of revolution of the drum and not
by the size of the gate opening.

5.2.5. Sampling from Open-Top Truck Mixers, Agitators, Nonagitating Equipment, or Other Types of
Top Containers—Take samples by whichever of the procedures described in Sections 5.2.1, 5.2.2,
or 5.2.3 is most applicable under the given conditions.

6. ADDITIONAL PROCEDURE FOR LARGE, MAXIMUM-SIZE

AGGREGATE CONCRETE
6.1. When the concrete contains aggregate larger than that appropriate for the size of the molds or
equipment to be used, wet-sieve the sample as described below except perform density (unit
weight) tests for use in yield computations on the full mix.
Note 6—The effect of wet-sieving on the test results should be considered. For example, wet-
sieving concrete causes the loss of a small amount of air due to additional handling. The air
content of the wet-sieved fraction of concrete is greater than that of the total concrete because the
larger size aggregate that is removed does not contain air. The apparent strength of wet-sieved
concrete in smaller specimens is usually greater than that of the total concrete in larger appropriate
size specimens. The effect of these differences may need to be considered or determined by
supplementary testing for quality control or test result evaluation purposes.

6.2. Definition:

6.2.1. Wet-Sieving Concrete—the process of removing aggregate larger than a designated size from the
fresh concrete by sieving it on a sieve of the designated size.

6.3. Apparatus:

6.3.1. Sieves—as designated, conforming to ASTM E11.

6.3.2. Receptacle—a container of suitable size having a nonabsorbent surface.

TS-3b R 60-3 AASHTO

© 2021 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
All rights reserved. Duplication is a violation of applicable law.
$FFHVVHGE\DFFRXQW',5(&&,211$&,21$/'(9,$/,'$'_8VHU5DIDHO&RXOOHU\_'DWH0RQ0DU*07_,3DGGUHVV
 6.3.3. Wet-Sieving Equipment—Equipment for wet-sieving concrete shall be a sieve, as noted in
Section 6.3.1, of suitable size and conveniently arranged and supported so that one can shake it
rapidly by either hand or mechanical means. Generally, a horizontal back-and-forth motion is
preferred. The equipment shall be capable of rapidly and effectively removing the designated size
of aggregate.

6.3.4. Hand Tools—Shovels, hand scoops, plastering trowels, and rubber gloves, as required.

6.4. Procedure:

6.4.1. Wet-Sieving—After sampling the concrete, pass the concrete over the designated sieve and remove
and discard the aggregate retained. This shall be done before remixing. Shake or vibrate the sieve
by hand or mechanical means until no undersize material remains on the sieve. Mortar adhering to
the aggregate retained on the sieve shall not be wiped from it before it is discarded. Place only
enough concrete on the sieve at any one time so that, after sieving, the thickness of the layer of
retained aggregate is not more than one particle thick. The concrete that passes the sieve shall fall
into a batch pan of suitable size that has been dampened before use or onto a clean, moist,
nonabsorbent surface. Scrape any mortar adhering to the sides of the wet-sieving equipment into
the batch. After removing the larger aggregate particles by wet-sieving, remix the batch with a
shovel in the minimum amount necessary to ensure uniformity and proceed testing immediately.

7. KEYWORDS
7.1. Air content; batch; composite sample; concrete; slump; temperature; wet-sieving.

1
Formerly T 141. First published as a practice in 2012.

TS-3b R 60-4 AASHTO

© 2021 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
All rights reserved. Duplication is a violation of applicable law.
$FFHVVHGE\DFFRXQW',5(&&,211$&,21$/'(9,$/,'$'_8VHU5DIDHO&RXOOHU\_'DWH0RQ0DU*07_,3DGGUHVV