Designation: C1437 − 13

Standard Test Method for

Flow of Hydraulic Cement Mortar1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1437; 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* 4. Apparatus
1.1 This test method covers the determination of flow of 4.1 Flow Table, Flow Mold, Conforming to the require-
hydraulic cement mortars. ments of Specification C230/C230M.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 4.2 Caliper, Conforming to the requirements of Specifica-
standard. Values in parentheses are for information only. tion C230/C230M. Alternatively, any outside-measuring cali-
per constructed of corrosion-resistant material may be used,
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
provided that it is incremented in millimetres and its maximum
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
extent of measuring is at least 260 mm (101⁄4 in.).
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 4.3 Tamper, conforming to the requirements of Test Method
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. C109/C109M.
4.4 Trowel, having a steel blade 100 to 150 mm (4 to 6 in.)
2. Referenced Documents in length, with straight edges. The edges when placed on a
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 plane surface shall not depart from straightness by more than 1
C109/C109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of mm (0.04 in.) (Note 1).
Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50-mm] Cube 4.5 Straightedge, made of steel, shall be at least 200 mm (8
Specimens) in.) long and not less than 1.5 mm (0.06 in.) nor more than 3.5
C185 Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement mm (0.14 in.) in thickness. Its edge shall not depart from a
Mortar plane surface by more than 1 mm (0.04-in.) (Note 1).
C230/C230M Specification for Flow Table for Use in Tests
NOTE 1—The trowel specified in Test Method C109/C109M and the
of Hydraulic Cement straightedge specified in Test Method C185 may be used for this purpose,
C511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets, providing they comply with the planeness indicated.
Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the
Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes 5. Temperature and Humidity
5.1 The temperature and relative humidity of the air in the
3. Significance and Use mixing room shall be as prescribed in Specification C511.
3.1 This test method is intended to be used to determine the
6. Materials
flow of hydraulic cement mortars, and of mortars containing
cementitious materials other than hydraulic cements. 6.1 Hydraulic Cement Mortar—A mortar for which the
determination of flow is specified or desired.
3.2 While flow is not usually included in hydraulic cement
specifications, it is commonly used in standard tests that 7. Procedure
require the mortar to have a water content that provides a
specified flow level. 7.1 Determination of Flow:
7.1.1 Carefully wipe the flow table clean and dry, and place
the flow mold at the center. Place a layer of mortar about 25
mm (1 in.) in thickness in the mold and tamp 20 times with the
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C01 on Cement tamper. The tamping pressure shall be just sufficient to ensure
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C01.22 on Workability.
Current edition June 15, 2013. Published August 2013. Originally approved in uniform filling of the mold. Tamping should be uniformly
1999. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as C1437 - 07. DOI: 10.1520/C1437- distributed over the cross section of each layer. For the bottom
13.
2
layer this will necessitate inclining the tamper slightly when
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
tamping near the perimeter. Then fill the mold with mortar and
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on tamp as specified for the first layer. Cut off the mortar to a plane
the ASTM website. surface flush with the top of the mold by drawing the

*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

1
 C1437 − 13
straightedge or the edge of the trowel with a sawing motion 9. Report
across the top of the mold. Wipe the table top clean and dry,
being especially careful to remove any water from around the 9.1 Report the flow to the nearest 1 %.
edge of the flow mold. Lift the mold away from the mortar 1
min after completing the mixing operation. Immediately drop 10. Precision and Bias
the table 25 times in 15 s, unless otherwise specified. 10.1 Precision—The single-operator, within-laboratory
7.1.2 If using the caliper specified in Specification C230/ standard deviation has been found to be 4 % flow. Therefore,
C230M, measure the diameter of the mortar along the four results of two properly conducted tests by the same operator on
lines scribed in the table top, recording each diameter as the similar batches should not differ by more than 11 % (Note 2).
number of caliper divisions, estimated to one tenth of a
division. If some other caliper is being used, measure the 10.1.1 The multilaboratory standard deviation has been
diameter of the mortar along the four lines scribed in the table found to be 11 %. Therefore, results of two different laborato-
top, recording each diameter to the nearest millimetre. ries on similar batches should not differ by more than 31 %
flow (Note 2).
8. Calculation
NOTE 2—Data produced when water content is being varied to obtain a
8.1 The flow is the resulting increase in average base given flow is not applicable for this purpose. Only data where flow has
diameter of the mortar mass, expressed as a percentage of the been determined using a given cement and fixed water content is
original base diameter. applicable. Consequently, the only data currently available is that ex-
tracted from the CCRL Proficiency Sample Program for CS Flow on
8.2 If using the caliper specified in Specification C230/ C109/C109M mortars (dropping the flow table 25 times in 15 s). The data
C230M, add the four readings, and record the total. This gives for Sample Nos. 109, 110, 111, and 112 have been used to develop the
the flow in percent. precision statements given.
8.2.1 If using some other caliper, compute the flow in
10.2 Bias—Since there is no accepted reference material
percent by dividing “A” by the original inside base diameter in
millimetres and multiplying by 100. suitable for determining flow available, no statement on bias is
made.
where:
A = average of four readings in millimetres, minus the 11. Keywords
original inside base diameter in millimetres. 11.1 flow; hydraulic cement; mortar

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C01 has identified the location of selected changes to this test method since the last issue,
C1437 – 07, that may impact the use of this test method. (Approved June 15, 2013)

(1) Revised 7.1.1 for clarification. (3) Moved reporting information previously in 8.2 to new
(2) Separated 8.2 for clarification by adding 8.2.1. Section 9.

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