1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the susceptibility of cement-aggregate combinations to expansive reactions involving hydroxyl ions associated with the alkalies (sodium and potassium) by measurement of the increase (or decrease) in length of mortar bars containing the combination during storage under prescribed conditions of test.

1.2 Alkalies participating in the expansive reactions usually are derived from the cement; under some circumstances they may be derived from other constituents of the concrete or from external sources. Two types of alkali reactivity of aggregates are recognized: (1) an alkali-silica reaction involving certain siliceous rocks, minerals, and natural or artificial glasses and (2) an alkali-carbonate reaction involving dolomite in certain calcitic dolomites and dolomitic limestones (see Standard C 294). The method is not recommended as a means to detect the latter reaction because expansions produced in the mortar-bar test by the alkali-carbonate reaction (see Test Method C 586) are generally much less than those produced by the alkali-silica reaction for combinations having equally harmful effects in service.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The non-SI values, shown in parentheses, are for informational purposes only.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address 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.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

C33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates

C109/C109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50-mm] Cube Specimens)

C289 Test Method for Potential Alkali-Silica Reactivity of Aggregates (Chemical Method)

C294 Descriptive Nomenclature for Constituents of Concrete Aggregates

C295 Guide for Petrographic Examination of Aggregates for Concrete

C305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency

C441 Test Method for Effectiveness of Pozzolans or Ground Blast-Furnace Slag in Preventing Excessive Expansion of Concrete Due to the Alkali-Silica Reaction

C490 Practice for Use of Apparatus for the Determination of Length Change of Hardened Cement Paste, Mortar, and Concrete

C511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets, Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes

C586 Test Method for Potential Alkali Reactivity of Carbonate Rocks as Concrete Aggregates (Rock-Cylinder Method)

C856 Practice for Petrographic Examination of Hardened Concrete

C1437 Test Method for Flow of Hydraulic Cement Mortar

E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves

Keywords

aggregate; alkali-silica reaction; cement; length change; mortar; Aggregate (potential alkali reactivity); Cement-aggregate combinations; Change in length; Mortar bars; Volumetric measurement--cement/concrete;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 91.100.10 (Cement. Gypsum. Lime. Mortar)

DOI: 10.1520/C0227-03

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