Designation: C 125 – 07

Standard Terminology Relating to

Concrete and Concrete Aggregates1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 125; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope* C 143/C 143M Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic-

1.1 This standard is a compilation of general terminology Cement Concrete
related to hydraulic cement concrete, concrete aggregates, and C 219 Terminology Relating to Hydraulic Cement
other materials used in or with hydraulic cement concrete. C 294 Descriptive Nomenclature for Constituents of Con-
1.2 Other terminology under the jurisdiction of Committee crete Aggregates
C09 is included in two specialized standards. Terms relating to C 403/C 403M Test Method for Time of Setting of Concrete
constituents of concrete aggregates are defined in Descriptive Mixtures by Penetration Resistance
Nomenclature C 294. Terms relating to constituents of aggre- C 494/C 494M Specification for Chemical Admixtures for
gates for radiation-shielding concrete are defined in Descrip- Concrete
tive Nomenclature C 638. C 511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets,
1.3 Related terminology for hydraulic cement is included in Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the
Terminology C 219. Additional related terminology can be Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes
found in ACI 116R. C 638 Descriptive Nomenclature of Constituents of Aggre-
1.4 When a term is used in an ASTM standard for which gates for Radiation-Shielding Concrete
Committee C09 is responsible, it is included herein only if used C 939 Test Method for Flow of Grout for Preplaced-
in more than one Committee C09 standard. Aggregate Concrete (Flow Cone Method)
1.5 Definitions that are adopted from those published by C 1074 Practice for Estimating Concrete Strength by the
other ASTM committees or other standards organizations are Maturity Method
identified with the ASTM designation (for example, Terminol- C 1611/C 1611M Test Method for Slump Flow of Self-
ogy C 219) or with the abbreviation of the name of the other Consolidating Concrete
organization. 2.2 American Concrete Institute Publications:3
1.6 A definition in this standard is a statement of the 308 Practice for Curing Concrete
meaning of a word or word group expressed in a single 116R Cement and Concrete Terminology
sentence with additional information included in notes or 3. Terms and Their Definitions
discussion.
absorption, n—the process by which a liquid is drawn into and
NOTE 1—The subcommittee responsible for this standard will review
definitions on a five-year basis to determine if the definition is still tends to fill permeable pores in a porous solid body; also, the
appropriate as stated. Revisions will be made when determined necessary. increase in mass of a porous solid body resulting from the
penetration of a liquid into its permeable pores.
2. Referenced Documents
DISCUSSION—In the case of concrete and concrete aggregates, unless
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 otherwise stated, the liquid involved is water, the increase in mass is
C 109/C 109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of that which does not include water adhering to the outside surface, the
Hydraulic Cement Mortars(Using 2-in. or [50-mm] Cube increase in mass is expressed as a percentage of the dry mass of the
Specimens) body and the body is considered to be “dry” when it has been treated
by an appropriate process to remove uncombined water, such as drying
to constant mass at a temperature between 100 and 110 °C.
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on admixture, n—a material other than water, aggregates, hy-
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee draulic cementitious material, and fiber reinforcement that is
C09.91 on Terminology.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2007. Published February 2007. Originally
used as an ingredient of a cementitious mixture to modify its
approved in 1936. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as C 125 – 06a.
2
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
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from the American Concrete Institute, P.O. Box 9094, Farmington
the ASTM website. Hills, MI 48333-9094.

*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.

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 C 125 – 07
freshly mixed, setting, or hardened properties and that is lightweight aggregate, n—see low-density aggregate.
added to the batch before or during its mixing. low-density aggregate, n—aggregate with bulk density less
accelerating admixture, n—admixture that accelerates the than 1120 kg/m3 (70 lb/ft3), such as: pumice, scoria,
setting and early strength development of concrete. (C 494/ volcanic cinders, tuff, and diatomite; expanded or sintered
C 494M) clay, shale, slate, diatomaceous shale, perlite, vermiculite, or
air-entraining admixture, n—admixture that causes the de- slag; and end products of coal or coke combustion.
velopment of a system of microscopic air bubbles in normal-density aggregate, n—aggregate that is neither high
concrete or mortar during mixing. nor low density.
chemical admixture, n—a nonpozzolanic admixture in the DISCUSSION—This term refers to aggregate with relative density
form of a liquid, suspension, or water-soluble solid. typically ranging between 2.4 and 3.0, or with bulk density typically
mineral admixture, n—deprecated term. ranging between 1120 kg/m3 (70 lb/ft3) and 1920 kg/m3 (120 lb/ft3).
DISCUSSION—This term has been used to refer to different types of normalweight aggregate, n—see normal-density aggregate.
water insoluble, finely divided materials such as pozzolanic materials, air content, n—the volume of air voids in cement paste,
cementitious materials, and aggregate. These materials are not similar,
and it is not useful to group them under a single term. The name of the
mortar, or concrete, exclusive of pore space in aggregate
specific material should be used, for example, use “pozzolan,” “ground particles, usually expressed as a percentage of total volume
granulated blast-furnace slag,” or “finely divided aggregate,” as is of the paste, mortar, or concrete.
appropriate. air-cooled blast-furnace slag—see blast-furnace slag, air-
cooled.
retarding admixture, n—admixture that retards the setting of
air void—see void, air.
concrete. (C 494/C 494M)
blast-furnace slag, n—the nonmetallic product, consisting
water-reducing admixture, n—admixture that either in-
essentially of silicates and aluminosilicates of calcium and
creases the slump of freshly mixed mortar or concrete
other bases, that is developed in a molten condition simul-
without increasing the water content or that maintains the
taneously with iron in a blast furnace.
slump with a reduced amount of water due to factors other
blast-furnace slag, air-cooled , n—the material resulting from
than air entrainment.
solidification of molten blast-furnace slag under atmospheric
water-reducing admixture, high-range, n—a water-reducing
conditions; subsequent cooling may be accelerated by appli-
admixture capable of producing at least 12 % reduction of
cation of water to the solidified surface.
water content when tested in accordance with Specification
blast-furnace slag, granulated, n—the glassy, granular mate-
C 494/C 494M and meeting the other relevant requirements
rial formed when molten blast-furnace slag is rapidly chilled,
of Specification C 494/C 494M.
as by immersion in water.
aggregate, n—granular material, such as sand, gravel, crushed
bleeding, n—the autogenous flow of mixing water within, or
stone, or iron blast-furnace slag, used with a cementing
its emergence from, newly placed concrete or mortar caused
medium to form hydraulic-cement concrete or mortar.
by the settlement of the solid materials within the mass, also
coarse aggregate, n—(1) aggregate predominantly retained
called water gain.
on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve; or (2) that portion of an
bulk density, n—of aggregate, the mass of a unit volume of
aggregate retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve.
bulk aggregate material (the unit volume includes the
DISCUSSION—The definitions are alternatives to be applied under volume of the individual particles and the volume of the
differing circumstances. Definition (1) is applied to an entire aggregate voids between the particles).
either in a natural condition or after processing. Definition (2) is applied
to a portion of an aggregate. Requirements for properties and grading DISCUSSION—This term replaces the deprecated term unit weight—of
should be stated in the specification. aggregate.

fine aggregate, n—(1) aggregate passing the 9.5-mm (3⁄8-in.) bulk specific gravity, n—the ratio of the mass of a volume of
sieve and almost entirely passing the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve a material (including the permeable and impermeable voids
and predominantly retained on the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve; or in the material, but excluding the voids between particles of
(2) that portion of an aggregate passing the 4.75-mm (No. 4) the material) at a stated temperature to the mass of an equal
sieve and retained on the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve. volume of distilled water at a stated temperature.
bulk specific gravity (saturated surface dry), n—the ratio of
DISCUSSION—The definitions are alternatives to be applied under
differing circumstances. Definition (1) is applied to an entire aggregate
the mass of a volume of a material including the mass of
either in a natural condition or after processing. Definition (2) is applied water within the pores in the material (but excluding the
to a portion of an aggregate. Requirements for properties and grading voids between particles) at a stated temperature, to the mass
should be stated in the specifications. of an equal volume of distilled water at a stated temperature.
cellular concrete—see concrete, cellular.
heavyweight aggregate, n—see high-density aggregate.
cement, hydraulic, n—a cement that sets and hardens by
high-density aggregate, n—aggregate with relative density
chemical reaction with water and is capable of doing so
greater than 3.3, such as: barite, magnetite, limonite, il-
under water.
menite, iron, or steel.

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 C 125 – 07
cementitious material (hydraulic), n—an inorganic material rectangular prism is greater than a specified value (see also
or a mixture of inorganic materials that sets and develops flat piece (of aggregate)).
strength by chemical reaction with water by formation of entrained air—see void, air .
hydrates and is capable of doing so under water. entrapped air—see void, air .
cementitious mixture, n—a mixture (mortar, concrete, or expanded blast-furnace slag, n—the lightweight cellular
grout) containing hydraulic cement. material obtained by controlled processing of molten blast-
concrete, n—a composite material that consists essentially of furnace slag with water or water and other agents, such as
a binding medium within which are embedded particles or steam or compressed air or both.
fragments of aggregate; in hydraulic-cement concrete, the fibers, n—slender filaments, which may be discrete or in the
binder is formed from a mixture of hydraulic cement and form of bundles, networks, or strands of natural or manu-
water. factured materials, which can be distributed uniformly
concrete, cellular, n—a lightweight hydraulic-cement con- throughout a fresh cementitious mixture.
crete having a homogeneous void or cell structure attained fineness modulus, n—of aggregate, a factor obtained by
using gas-forming chemicals or foaming agents. adding the percentages of material in the sample that is
concrete, fresh, n—concrete which possesses enough of its coarser than each of the following sieves (cumulative
original workability so that it can be placed and consolidated percentages retained), and dividing the sum by 100: 150-µm
by the intended methods. (No. 100), 300-µm (No. 50), 600-µm (No. 30), 1.18-mm
concrete, hardened, n—concrete that has developed sufficient (No. 16), 2.36-mm (No. 8), 4.75-mm (No. 4), 9.5-mm
strength to serve some defined purpose or resist a stipulated (3⁄8-in.), 19.0-mm (3⁄4-in.), 37.5-mm (11⁄2-in.), 75-mm (3-in.),
loading without failure. 150-mm (6-in.).
concrete, roller-compacted, RCC, n—concrete compacted flat piece (of aggregate), n—a particle of aggregate for which
while fresh by a roller, often a vibratory roller. the ratio of the width to thickness of its circumscribing
concrete, self-consolidating, SCC, n—concrete that can flow rectangular prism is greater than a specified value (see also
around reinforcement and consolidate under its own weight elongated piece (of aggregate)).
without additional effort and without exceeding specified fly ash, n—the finely divided residue that results from the
limits of segregation. combustion of ground or powdered coal and that is trans-
DISCUSSION—Project specifications shall indicate the acceptable seg-
ported by flue gases from the combustion zone to the particle
regation based upon a specified test method. Although there currently removal system.
are no ASTM test methods approved to define specified limits of fog room, n—a moist room in which the humidity is controlled
segregation, they are under development; also, there are industry by atomization of water. (see Specification C 511)
methods available to specifiers. fresh concrete—see concrete, fresh.
consistency, n—of fresh concrete, mortar, or grout, the relative granulated blast-furnace slag—see blast-furnace slag,
mobility or ability to flow. granulated.
gravel, n—coarse aggregate resulting from natural disintegra-
DISCUSSION—This characteristic of fresh cementitious mixtures is tion and abrasion of rock or processing of weakly bound
difficult to quantify and empirical test methods have been adopted to conglomerate.
provide indicators of consistency. For example, the slump test de-
gravel, crushed, n—the product resulting from the artificial
scribed in Test Method C 143/C 143M is used for concrete, the flow
table method described in Test Method C 109/C 109M is used for crushing of gravel with substantially all fragments having at
mortar, and the flow cone method described in Test Method C 939 is least one face resulting from fracture.
used for grout. grout, n—a cementitious mixture, with or without admixtures,
that is used primarily to fill voids.
crushed gravel—see gravel, crushed.
grout, hydraulic–cement, n—a grout made with hydraulic
crushed stone—see stone, crushed.
cement.
curing, n—action taken to maintain moisture and temperature
grout (nonshrink), hydraulic-cement, n—a hydraulic-cement
conditions in a freshly-placed cementitious mixture to allow
grout that produces a volume that, when hardened under
hydraulic cement hydration and (if applicable) pozzolanic
stipulated test conditions, is greater than or equal to the
reactions to occur so that the potential properties of the
original installed volume, often used as a transfer medium
mixture may develop (see ACI 308).
between load-bearing members.
curing compound, n—a liquid that, when applied as a coating
hardened concrete—see concrete, hardened.
to the surface of newly-placed concrete, forms a membrane
hardening, n—gain of strength, and other properties, of a
that retards the evaporation of water and, in the case of white
cementitious mixture as a result of hydration after final
pigmented compounds, reflects heat (see also curing).
setting (for the definition of hydration, see Terminology
D-cracking, n—in concrete, a series of cracks near to and
C 219).
roughly parallel to features such as joints, edges, and
hydraulic cement—see cement, hydraulic.
structural cracks.
laitance, n—a layer of weak material derived from cementi-
density, n—mass per unit volume (preferred over deprecated
tious material and aggregate fines either: 1) carried by
term unit weight).
bleeding to the surface or to internal cavities of freshly
elongated piece (of aggregate), n—a particle of aggregate for
placed concrete, or 2) separated from the concrete and
which the ratio of the length to width of its circumscribing

3
 C 125 – 07
deposited on the concrete surface or in internal cavities saturated-lime water, n—see lime-saturated water.
during placement of concrete under water. segregation, n—the unintentional separation of the constitu-
lime-saturated water, n—for curing test specimens, water ents of concrete or particles of an aggregate, causing a lack
containing calcium hydroxide at saturation level and in of uniformity in their distribution.
contact with solid calcium hydroxide so that saturation is self-consolidating concrete, SCC—see concrete, self-
maintained. consolidating.
manufactured sand—see sand, manufactured. setting, n—the process, due to chemical reactions, occurring
maturity, n—the extent of the development of a property of a after the addition of mixing water, that results in a gradual
cementitious mixture. development of rigidity of a cementitious mixture.
shotcrete, n—a mortar or concrete that is projected pneumati-
DISCUSSION—This term is usually used to describe the extent of
relative strength development of concrete. However, the term can also cally at high velocity onto a surface.
be applied to the evolution of other properties which are dependent on dry–mixture shotcrete, n—shotcrete in which most of the
the chemical reactions which occur in the cementitious materials. At mixing water is added at the nozzle.
any age, maturity is dependent on the curing history. wet–mix shotcrete, n—shotcrete in which most of the
maturity function, n—a mathematical expression which uses ingredients, including water, are mixed prior to introduction
the measured temperature history of a cementitious mixture into the delivery hose.
during the curing period to calculate an index that is slump flow, n—the average diameter of the spread concrete
indicative of the maturity at the end of that period. mass, obtained from two measurements perpendicular to
maturity index, n—an indicator of maturity which is calcu- each other, after a self-consolidating concrete has ceased to
lated from the temperature history of the cementitious flow during a slump-flow test.
mixture by using a maturity function. DISCUSSION—Slump flow of self-consolidating concrete is measured
using Test Method C 1611/C 1611M.
DISCUSSION—The calculated index is indicative of maturity provided
there has been a sufficient supply of water for hydration or pozzolanic specific gravity, n—the ratio of mass of a volume of a material
reaction of the cementitious materials during the time interval used in at a stated temperature to the mass of the same volume of
the calculation. Two widely used maturity indexes are the temperature- distilled water at a stated temperature.
time factor and the equivalent age. See Practice C 1074.
stability, n—of self-consolidating concrete (SCC), the ability
maximum size (of aggregate), n—in specifications for, or of self-consolidating concrete to resist separation of the paste
description of aggregate, the smallest sieve opening through from the aggregates.
which the entire amount of aggregate is required to pass. stone, crushed, n—the product resulting from the artificial
moist room, n—an enclosed room for storage and curing of crushing of rocks, boulders, or large cobblestones, substan-
paste, mortar, and concrete specimens in which temperature tially all faces of which have resulted from the crushing
and high relative humidity can be controlled within specified operation.
limits. (see Specification C 511) time of setting, n—the elapsed time from the addition of
nominal maximum size (of aggregate), n—in specifications mixing water to a cementitious mixture until the mixture
for, or description of aggregate, the smallest sieve opening reaches a specified degree of rigidity as measured by a
through which the entire amount of the aggregate is permit- specific procedure.
ted to pass. DISCUSSION—Development of rigidity during setting is a gradual and
DISCUSSION—Specifications on aggregates usually stipulate a sieve continuous process, and the time of setting is defined arbitrarily in
opening through which all of the aggregate may, but need not, pass so terms of a given test method. For cementitious mixtures, time of setting
that a stated maximum proportion of the aggregate may be retained on is usually defined as the elapsed time to attain a specified level of
that sieve. A sieve opening so designated is the nominal maximum size resistance to penetration by a probe. For example, the time of initial
of the aggregate. setting of concrete is determined by Test Method C 403/C 403M and is
defined as the elapsed time, after initial contact of cement and water, for
pozzolan, n—a siliceous or siliceous and aluminous material, the mortar sieved from the concrete to reach a penetration resistance of
which in itself possesses little or no cementitious value but 500 psi (3.5 MPa).
will, in finely divided form and in the presence of moisture,
time of final setting (of concrete), n—the elapsed time, after
chemically react with calcium hydroxide at ordinary tem-
initial contact of cement and water, required for the mortar
peratures to form compounds possessing cementitious prop-
sieved from the concrete to reach a penetration resistance of
erties.
4000 psi (27.6 MPa). (C 403/C 403M).
relative density, n—see specific gravity
time of initial setting (of concrete), n—the elapsed time,
roller-compacted concrete, RCC—see concrete, roller-
after initial contact of cement and water, required for the
compacted.
mortar sieved from the concrete to reach a penetration
sand, n—fine aggregate resulting from natural disintegration
resistance of 500 psi (3.5 MPa). (C 403/C 403M)
and abrasion of rock or processing of completely friable
unit weight, n—of aggregate, mass per unit volume. (Depre-
sandstone.
cated term—use preferred term bulk density).
sand, manufactured, n—fine aggregate produced by crushing
void, air , n—a space in cement paste, mortar, or concrete
rock, gravel, iron blast-furnace slag, or hydraulic-cement
filled with air; an entrapped air void is characteristically 1
concrete.

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 C 125 – 07
mm or more in width and irregular in shape; an entrained air to the mass of cementitious material (hydraulic) in concrete,
void is typically between 10 and 1000 µm in diameter and mortar, or grout, stated as a decimal (see also water-cement
spherical or nearly so. ratio).
DISCUSSION—The content of the voids may include atmospheric air DISCUSSION—This term, abbreviated as w/cm, is applicable only to
incorporated into the concrete during mixing of air or other gases cementitious mixtures which contain cementitious material other than
released by chemical or other processes within the fresh concrete. just portland cement, such as a blended hydraulic cement, or a
combination of portland cement and separate addition of another
water-cement ratio, n—the ratio of the mass of water, cementitious material (such as a pozzolan). When portland cement is
exclusive only of that absorbed by the aggregates, to the the only cementitious material contained in the cementitious mixture,
mass of portland cement in concrete, mortar, or grout, stated use the term water-cement ratio.
as a decimal.
workability, n—of concrete, that property determining the
DISCUSSION—This term, abbreviated as w/c, is applicable only to effort required to manipulate a freshly mixed quantity of
cementitious mixtures in which the only cementitious material is concrete with minimum loss of homogeneity.
portland cement. For cementitious mixtures containing blended hydrau-
lic cement, or a combination of portland cement and separate addition
of another cementitious material (such as a pozzolan), use the term 4. Keywords
water-cementitious material ratio. 4.1 aggregates; concrete; definitions; terminology
water-cementitious material ratio, n—the ratio of the mass
of water, exclusive only of that absorbed by the aggregates,

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this terminology since the last issue,
C 125 – 06a, that may impact the use of this terminology. (Approved February 1, 2007)

(1) Added new terms concrete, hardened, fog room, hard-

ening, lime-saturated water, moist room, slump flow, and
stability.

Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this terminology since the last issue,
C 125 – 06, that may impact the use of this terminology. (Approved July 1, 2006)

(1) Revised the scope. (2) Revised fineness modulus in Section 3.

Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this terminology since the last issue,
C 125 – 03, that may impact the use of this terminology. (Approved February 15, 2006)

(1) Added the term concrete, self-consolidating.

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