C88 2013
C88 2013
C88 2013
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the testing of aggregates to
estimate their soundness when subjected to weathering action
in concrete or other applications. This is accomplished by
repeated immersion in saturated solutions of sodium or magnesium sulfate followed by oven drying to partially or completely dehydrate the salt precipitated in permeable pore
spaces. The internal expansive force, derived from the rehydration of the salt upon re-immersion, simulates the expansion
of water on freezing. This test method furnishes information
helpful in judging the soundness of aggregates when adequate
information is not available from service records of the
material exposed to actual weathering conditions.
1.2 The values given in parentheses are provided for information purposes only.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address the safety
problems 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
C33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Concrete and Concrete Aggregatesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.20 on Normal Weight Aggregates.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2013. Published August 2013. Originally
approved in 1931. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as C88 05. DOI:
10.1520/C0088-13.
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
Standards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
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C88 13
4. Apparatus
4.1 SievesWith square openings of the following sizes
conforming to Specifications E11 or E323, for sieving the
samples in accordance with Sections 6, 7, and 9:
150 m (No. 100)
300 m (No. 50)
600 m (No. 30)
1.18 mm (No. 16)
2.36 mm (No. 8)
4.00 mm (No. 5)
4.75 mm (No. 4)
5.1.2 Magnesium Sulfate SolutionPrepare a saturated solution of magnesium sulfate by dissolving a USP or equal
grade of the salt in water at a temperature of 77 to 86 F (25 to
30 C). Add sufficient salt (Note 5), of either the anhydrous
(MgSO4) or the crystalline (MgSO47H2O) (Epsom salt) form,
to ensure saturation and the presence of excess crystals when
the solution is ready for use in the tests. Thoroughly stir the
mixture during the addition of the salt and stir the solution at
frequent intervals until used. To reduce evaporation and
prevent contamination, keep the solution covered at all times
when access is not needed. Allow the solution to cool to 70 6
2 F (21 6 1 C). Again stir, and allow the solution to remain
at the designated temperature for at least 48 h before use. Prior
to each use, break up the salt cake, if any, in the container, stir
the solution thoroughly, and determine the specific gravity of
the solution. When used, the solution shall have a specific
gravity not less than 1.295 nor more than 1.308. Discard a
discolored solution, or filter it and check for specific gravity.
NOTE 5For the solution, 350 g of anhydrous salt or 1230 g of the
heptahydrate per litre of water are sufficient for saturation at 73.4 F (23
C). However, since these salts are not completely stable, with the hydrous
salt being the more stable of the two, and since it is desirable that an
excess of crystals be present, it is recommended that the heptahydrate salt
be used and in an amount of not less than 1400 g/litre of water.
3
Experience with the test method indicates that a grade of sodium sulfate designated by the trade as dried powder, which may be considered as approximately
anhydrous, is the most practical for use. That grade is more economically available
than the anhydrous form. The decahydrate sodium sulfate presents difficulties in
compounding the required solution on account of its cooling effect on the solution.
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C88 13
5.1.3 Barium Chloride SolutionPrepare 100 mL of 5 %
barium chloride solution by dissolving 5 g of BaCl2 in 100 mL
of distilled water.
6. Samples
6.1 The sample shall be obtained in general accordance with
Practice D75 and reduced to test portion size in accordance
with Practice C702.
6.2 Fine AggregateFine aggregate for the test shall be
passed through a 9.5-mm (38-in.) sieve. The sample shall be of
such size that it will yield not less than 100 g of each of the
following sizes, which shall be available in amounts of 5 % or
more, expressed in terms of the following sieves:
Passing Sieve
Retained on Sieve
Mass, g
300 5
1000 10
330 5
670 10
1500 50
500 30
1000 50
5000 300
2000 200
3000 300
7000 1000
7000 1000
7000 1000
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C88 13
sulfate or magnesium sulfate as determined by the reaction of
the wash water with barium chloride (BaCl2). Wash by
circulating water at 110 6 10 F (43 6 6 C) through the
samples in their containers. This may be done by placing them
in a tank into which the hot water can be introduced near the
bottom and allowed to overflow. In the washing operation, the
samples shall not be subjected to impact or abrasion that may
tend to break up particles.
NOTE 8Tap water containing sulfates when used for the wash water
will cloud when tested with the barium chloride solution. The cloudiness
of a solution of tap water and the barium chloride solution should be
judged so that tested wash water with the same degree of cloudiness can
be assumed to be free of sulfates from the test.
9. Quantitative Examination
9.1 Make the quantitative examination as follows:
9.1.1 After the sodium sulfate or magnesium sulfate has
been removed, dry each fraction of the sample to constant
weight at 230 6 9 F (110 6 5 C). Sieve the fine aggregate
over the same sieve on which it was retained before the test,
and sieve the coarse aggregate over the sieve shown below for
the appropriate size of particle. For fine aggregate, the method
and duration of sieving shall be the same as were used in
preparing the test samples. For coarse aggregate, sieving shall
be by hand, with agitation sufficient only to assure that all
undersize material passes the designated sieve. No extra
manipulation shall be employed to break up particles or cause
them to pass the sieves. Weigh the material retained on each
sieve and record each amount. The difference between each of
these amounts and the initial weight of the fraction of the
Size of Aggregate
100 mm (4 in.) to 90 mm (3 12 in.)
90 mm (3 12 in.) to 75 mm (3 in.)
75 mm (3 in.) to 63 mm (2 12 in.)
63 mm (2 12 in.) to 37.5 mm (1 12 in.)
37.5 mm (1 12 in.) to 19.0 mm (34 in.)
19 mm (34 in.) to 9.5 mm (38 in.)
9.5 mm (38 in.) to 4.75 mm (No. 4)
75 mm (3 in.)
63 mm (2 12 in.)
50 mm (2 in.)
31.5 mm (1 14 in.)
16.0 mm (58 in.)
8.0 mm (516 in.)
4.0 mm (No. 5)
11. Report
11.1 Report the following data (Note 10):
11.1.1 Weight of each fraction of each sample before test,
11.1.2 Material from each fraction of the sample finer than
the sieve designated in 9.1.1 for sieving after test, expressed as
a percentage of the original weight of the fraction,
TABLE 1 Suggested Form for Recording Test Data (with Illustrative Test Values)
Grading of
Original Sample,
%
Sieve Size
Weight of Test
Fractions
Before Test, g
Percentage
Passing
Designated
Sieve After Test
Weighted
Percentage Loss
...
...
100
100
100
100
...
...
...
...
4.2
4.8
8.0
11.2
11.2A
...
...
...
1.1
1.2
1.4
1.2
0.4
5
2825 g
1958 g
2 12 to 1 12 in.
20
4783
4.8
1.0
1012 g
513 g
1 12 to 34 in.
45
1525
8.0
3.6
675 g
333 g
to 38 in.
23
1008
9.6
2.2
12
298
11.2
1.3
100
...
...
34
298 g
Totals
A
The percentage loss (11.2 %) of the next smaller size is used as the percentage loss for this size, since this size contains less than 5 % of the original sample as received.
See 11.1.3.4.
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C88 13
TABLE 2 Suggested Form for Qualitative Examination (with Illustrative Test Values)
Qualitative Examination of Coarse Sizes
Particles Exhibiting Distress
No.
No.
No.
No.
...
...
...
...
Total No. of
Particles
Before
Test
29
10
...
...
50
Splitting
Sieve Size
63 mm (2 12 in.) to 37.5
mm (1 12 in.)
37.5 mm (1 12 in.) to
19.0 mm (34 in.)
Crumbling
Cracking
Flaking
12. Precision
12.1 PrecisionFor coarse aggregate with weighted average sulfate soundness losses in the ranges of 6 to 16 % for
sodium and 9 to 20 % for magnesium, the precision indexes are
as follows:
Multilaboratory:
Sodium sulfate
Magnesium sulfate
Single-Operator:
Sodium sulfate
Magnesium sulfate
Coefficient of
Variation
(1S %), %A
Difference Between
Two Tests (D2S %),
% of AverageA
41
25
116
71
24
11
68
31
A
These numbers represent, respectively, the (1S %) and (D2S %) limits as
described in Practice C670.
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