Designation: C1698 − 09 (Reapproved 2014)

Standard Test Method for

Autogenous Strain of Cement Paste and Mortar1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1698; 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 C219 Terminology Relating to Hydraulic Cement

1.1 This test method measures the bulk strain of a sealed C305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement
cement paste or mortar specimen, including those containing Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
admixtures, various supplementary cementitious materials C403/C403M Test Method for Time of Setting of Concrete
(SCM), and other fine materials, at constant temperature and Mixtures by Penetration Resistance
not subjected to external forces, from the time of final setting C1005 Specification for Reference Masses and Devices for
until a specified age. This strain is known as autogenous strain. Determining Mass and Volume for Use in the Physical
Autogenous strain is most significant in concrete with low Testing of Hydraulic Cements
water-cementitious materials ratio (w/cm) (See Note 1). 2.2 API Specification4
NOTE 1—A low water-cementitious materials ratio (w/cm) can be RP 10B-2/ISO 10426-2 Recommended Practice for Testing
considered to be a water to cement ratio of 0.40 or lower for this test. Well Cements
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3. Terminology
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard. 3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
to Terminologies C125 and C219.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3.2.1 autogenous strain, n—the bulk strain of a sealed
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. (Warning—Fresh specimen of a cementitious mixture, not subjected to external
hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause forces and under constant temperature, measured from the time
chemical burns to skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.2) of final setting until a specified age; negative strain corresponds
to shrinkage and positive strain corresponds to expansion.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Summary of Test Method
2.1 ASTM Standards:3
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag- 4.1 A specimen of freshly mixed paste or mortar is prepared
gregates using a corrugated mold that offers little resistance to length
C157/C157M Test Method for Length Change of Hardened change of the specimen. The mold is sealed to prevent moisture
Hydraulic-Cement Mortar and Concrete loss and the specimen is stored at constant temperature.
C191 Test Methods for Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement Starting at the time of final setting, the length of the specimen
by Vicat Needle is measured using a dilatometer. The change in length is
C192/C192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test recorded at regular time intervals until the designated age. The
Specimens in the Laboratory change in length and original length of the specimen are used
to compute the autogenous strain.

1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on 5. Significance and Use
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.68 on Volume Change.
5.1 Autogenous strain is the self-created bulk strain of
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2014. Published November 2014. Originally cement paste, mortar, or concrete during hardening at constant
approved in 2009. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as C1698-09. DOI: temperature. In conventional concrete, autogenous shrinkage
10.1520/C1698-09R14. strain is generally negligible, but in concrete with low water-
2
Section on Safety Precautions, Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing,
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 04.02. cementitious materials ratio (w/cm) or with silica fume it may
3
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
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American Petroleum Institute (API), 1220 L. St., NW,
the ASTM website. Washington, DC 20005-4070, http://www.api.org.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 C1698 − 09 (2014)
be considerable (1).5 Restraint of the autogenous strain by 5.5 The autogenous shrinkage strain of mortar specimens
aggregates or adjoining structural members may result in will be less than that of paste specimens for the same w/cm.
formation of micro and macro cracks that impair strength, The autogenous shrinkage strain of concrete will be less than
durability and aesthetics. Cracks may also be a problem with that of mortar for the same w/cm. The nominal maximum
regard to hygienic cleaning of surfaces. aggregate size for mortar used in this test method is 4.75 mm.
5.2 An accurate measurement of the autogenous strain of
6. Apparatus
cementitious mixtures with low w/cm is important for evalu-
ating the risk of early-age cracking of concrete structures. 6.1 The apparatus to measure autogenous strain is com-
Measurements of autogenous strain have been carried out using posed of a corrugated mold with two end plugs, a dilatometer
either volumetric or linear methods. Both methods may show bench, a length measuring gauge, and a reference bar (see Fig.
evidence of significant artifacts (1); therefore, results of the 1).
two methods may disagree considerably if not carried out 6.2 Molds—The molds consist of corrugated plastic tubes,
properly. having a length of 420 6 5 mm and an outer diameter of 29 6
5.3 A sealed, flexible corrugated mold system (2) combines 0.5 mm (see Note 2). The plastic tubes are made of 0.5 6
the advantages of linear and volumetric measurement of 0.2-mm thick low-density polyethylene (PE) and have
autogenous strain, while avoiding most of their disadvantages. triangular-shaped corrugations in order to minimize restraint in
The mold effectively prevents moisture loss and minimizes the longitudinal direction (see Fig. 2). The distance between
restraint to volume change during hardening. Moreover, results corrugations is 5.8 6 0.2 mm. The mold is tightly closed with
obtained with the corrugated mold system agree with those two tapered end plugs having a length of 19 6 0.5 mm. The
from the volumetric method, once some artifacts, in particular diameter of the plastic end plugs tapers from 21 6 0.1 mm to
water absorption through the membrane used to contain the test 22.4 6 0.1 mm (see Fig. 3).
specimen, have been eliminated in the latter (3,4). The corru- NOTE 2—The small diameter of the molds limits the temperature
differences that may arise during hydration of the cementitious materials.
gated mold system is easier to use and shows better repeatabil-
Typical maximum temperature increase in the center of the test specimen,
ity than the volumetric technique (3,4). Measurements with the due to heat of hydration of cement paste or mortar has been determined to
corrugated mold system are in good agreement with unre- be 2 °C. The maximum longitudinal restraint stress exerted by the molds
strained length change measurements obtained using Test has been determined to be 0.001 MPa (6).
Method C157/C157M with sealed specimens (5); however, 6.3 Dilatometer Bench—The dilatometer bench consists of
Test Method C157/C157M does not allow measurement of the three stainless steel rods with a diameter of 20 6 1.0 mm and
shrinkage occurring before 24 h (5). two stainless steel end plates. Technical drawings of a suitable
5.4 This test method can be used to evaluate the effects of dilatometer bench are shown in Fig. 4. During measurement,
cementitious materials, admixtures, and mixture proportions the test specimen is positioned horizontally and is supported
on autogenous shrinkage strain of paste or mortar specimens. longitudinally by the two upper rods.
6.4 Length Measuring Gauge—A gauge measures length
5
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of changes at one end of the specimen. The measuring range of
this standard. the gauge shall be at least 10 mm and the resolution shall be at

NOTE 1—In the foreground a corrugated PE-mold with two specially shaped end plugs and a 425 mm reference bar. In the background the dilatometer
bench with a test specimen placed for length measurement. To the right a digital length gauge with remote control.
FIG. 1 A Suitable Dilatometer Bench with Accessories

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 C1698 − 09 (2014)

FIG. 2 Corrugated Polyethylene Mold

NOTE 1—Plastic Tube Wall Thickness 0.5 6 0.2 mm.

FIG. 3 Outer Dimensions (mm) of Corrugated Low-Density Polyethylene Mold and End Plug

least 0.0025 mm, corresponding to a resolution of about 6 6.9 Tamping Rod for consolidation of the paste or mortar. It
µm/m for the calculated strain. shall be made of a rigid, non-absorptive material that does not
6.5 Reference Bar—Measurements in the dilatometer are react with the cementitious mixture. The length of the rod shall
performed relative to the length of the reference bar. The bar is be at least 500 mm and the diameter shall be 6 6 1 mm. The
made of Invar with a length of 425 6 0.5 mm and a diameter ends may be flat or hemispherical.
of 20 6 1.0, tapering to 10 6 1.0 mm at both ends as shown 7. Procedure
in Fig. 5. The actual length of the reference bar shall be marked
permanently on the bar to the nearest 0.01 mm. Two plastic 7.1 Number of Specimens—Three replicate specimens shall
rings with an external diameter 30 6 0.5 mm are mounted on be tested for each cement paste or mortar (see Note 3).
the reference bar, as shown in Fig. 1. 7.1.1 Mixing—Mix cement pastes and mortars according to
Practice C305. Record the time when the cementitious mate-
6.6 Reference Masses and Devices for Determining Mass rials are added to the water.
and Volume shall conform to the requirements of Specification 7.1.2 Mixing Apparatus
C1005. 7.1.2.1 Mortar Preparation—The mixer shall comply with
6.7 Support Tube used to support the corrugated mold the sequence in Practice C305.
during specimen fabrication. The support tube has a length of 7.1.2.2 Paste Preparation—A high shear blender,6 or simi-
400 6 5 mm and an inside diameter of 32 6 1 mm (see Fig. lar variable speed blender capable of maintaining a no-load
6). The tube is attached to a base that can be fixed to a vibrating speed of at least 15 000 r/min, with optional cooling device. A
table.
6.8 Vibrating Table as described in Practice C192/C192M. 6
Mixing devices described in API Specification RP 10B-2/ISO 10426-2.