Evaluating the ASTM C944 Rotating Cutters Method for Determining the Abrasion Resistance of Concrete

ABSTRACT Abrasion damage is a concern for some types of structures, and the need for proper quantification of it is essential. This research is intended to provide an evaluation for ASTM C944/C944M-19, Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Concrete or Mortar Surfaces by the Rotating-Cutter Method, (rotating cutters method) to assess concrete abrasion resistance. The current investigation involves analysis of the interaction between the cutters and the test specimen and the interpretation of the test results. Such details are important so that the test results could be repeatable, reproducible, and always interpreted in the same fashion. Sources that influence the test inaccuracy were studied to quantify its effects on the test results. In the first instance, the characteristics of the resulted abraded area and its effect on the depth measurement strategy were clarified. Then, the evaluation of abrasion depth using different approaches were investigated. In addition, the effect of the concrete tested surface nature (formed, finished, and cut) was examined. The examined points are believed to be the sources of test high variability. A mitigation of this variability was provided by addressing and analyzing them so it can be avoided in future evaluation. The results indicated that by correctly identifying the characteristics of the abraded patterns and by using a suitable measurement approach, less variability in the average abrasion depth was obtained. In addition, it was noted that using different depth measurement methods could lead to different abrasion depths results. Also, it was found that the tested surface characteristics could highly affect the abrasion test results.