Designation: C 878/C 878M – 09

Standard Test Method for

Restrained Expansion of Shrinkage-Compensating
Concrete1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 878/C 878M; 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* 2.2 ACI Standards and Committee Reports:4

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the expan- 116-R-90 Cement and Concrete Terminology
sion of concrete made with shrinkage-compensating cement. 223-83 Standard Practice for the Use of Shrinkage-
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units Compensating Concrete
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in 3. Terminology
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining 3.1 Terms used in this test method are defined in Terminol-
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance ogy C 219, Terminology C 125, and ACI 116-R-90.
with the standard. 4. Significance and Use
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 4.1 Since the potential for expansion, under conditions of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- controlled restraint, of concrete made with shrinkage-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- compensating cement cannot always be satisfactorily predicted
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. (Warning—Fresh from tests of mortars made in accordance with Test Method
hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause C 806, a need has been recognized for a test method in which
chemical burns to skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.2) concrete specimens are tested.
4.2 This test method can also be adapted readily to studies
2. Referenced Documents of expansion involving degrees of restraint, comparisons of
2.1 ASTM Standards:3 cements, effects of cement contents, mixture proportions,
C 125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete schedules, or environmental treatments that differ from the
Aggregates standard procedures prescribed by this test method.
C 192/C 192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete 5. Apparatus
Test Specimens in the Laboratory
C 219 Terminology Relating to Hydraulic Cement 5.1 Molds, for casting test specimens, when used in con-
C 490 Practice for Use of Apparatus for the Determination junction with the restraining cage described in 4.2, shall
of Length Change of Hardened Cement Paste, Mortar, and provide for forming prisms 76 mm [3 in.] square with a gage
Concrete length of 250 mm [10 in.]. The molds shall otherwise conform
C 670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements to the requirements for molds in Practice C 490, except that the
for Test Methods for Construction Materials stud holder, gage studs, and spacer screws described in that
C 806 Test Method for Restrained Expansion of Expansive practice will not be used.
Cement Mortar 5.2 Restraining Cage, consisting of a threaded low-carbon
C 845 Specification for Expansive Hydraulic Cement steel rod (plain or zinc-coated) with steel end plates held in
place by hex nuts as shown in Fig. 1. The hex nuts outside the
cage shall be of stainless steel. Stainless steel cap nuts shall be
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1
This method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete put on each end of the rod. When tested in tension, within the
and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.68
on Volume Change.
elastic range, the rod shall have a strain of 2800 kN [0.0012 6
Current edition approved June 15, 2009. Published July 2009. Originally 0.0001/630 lbf] of load (Note 1).
approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as C 878–03.
2
Section on Safety Precautions, Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing ,
NOTE 1—It is intended that all rods used meet the indicated requirement
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 04.02. for strain. When a large number of rods are obtained as a single lot,
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 Concrete Institute (ACI), P.O. Box 9094, Farmington
the ASTM website. Hills, MI 48333-9094, http://www.concrete.org.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

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 C 878/C 878M – 09

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Dimensions
Measurement
in. mm
A 11 ⁄ 6 ⁄
9 16 1 16 294 6 1.6
B 10 254 (gage length)
C 3 76
D 231⁄32 6 1⁄32 75 6 1
E 1 1⁄ 2 38
F 131⁄64 37.7
G 3⁄ 8 10
H 3⁄16 5

NOTE 1—All material is mild steel, except for stainless steel cap nuts.
FIG. 1 Restraining Cage

exercise judgment as to whether or not all must be tested. The designation in.] in length, having at least the tamping end rounded to a
“10-24” is used in ordinary rods having the desired properties. hemispherical tip of the same diameter.
5.3 Length Comparator, conforming to and to be used in 5.5 Vibrators, conforming to the requirements for external
accordance with the requirements of Practice C 490. Use a vibrators prescribed in Practice C 192/C 192M.
reference bar complying with the description given in Practice
C 490. If the terminals of the comparator are fitted with collars, 6. Test Specimen
they shall be such that the cap nuts on the ends of the threaded 6.1 The test specimen shall be a prism: 75 mm [3 in.] square
rod of the specimen do not rest on the collar during the with a gage length of 250 mm [10 in.] and an overall length
measuring (see Figs. 2 and 3). (including the length of the rod and cap nuts) of approximately
5.4 Tamping Rod—The tamping rod shall be a straight steel 290 mm [11.5 in.]. At least three specimens shall be prepared
rod, 10 mm [3⁄8 in.] in diameter, and no less than 250 mm [10 for each test.

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 C 878/C 878M – 09

FIG. 2 Schematic of Upper and Lower Adjustable Restraining Collar for Length Comparator that Will Allow Positioning of Restraining
Cage Cap Nuts to Rest on Anvils Without Interference from the Collars

6 1⁄16 in.]. The measurement taken at this time is used only to

ensure that comparator readings can be made.
NOTE 3—A rapid-setting epoxy has been found suitable.
7.2 Thinly cover the edges of the restraining cage end plates
that contact the sides and bottom of the mold with a heavy
mineral oil or light cup grease such as petrolatum. After
assembly of the molds, place a restraining cage in each mold
compartment. Seal the contact lines between the outer sides
and base plate of the molds with paraffin or micro-crystalline
wax. Thinly cover the interior faces of the molds with mineral
oil and remove any oil or grease from the restraining cage rod
and end plates.

8. Procedure
8.1 Preparation and Mixing of Materials—Mixtures using
FIG. 3 Cross Section of Restraining Collar Showing Positioning
of Cap Nut for Measurement job materials shall be made in the laboratory as described in
Practice C 192/C 192M, except that the material temperatures
shall be approximately those anticipated in the field. Mixing
NOTE 2—Use of aggregates of nominal maximum size greater than 25.0 procedures shall also reflect the actual mixing and delivery
mm [1 in.] may adversely affect the test results. times expected for the particular work. Remove aggregate
retained on the 25.0 mm [1 in.] sieve from that used in the
7. Preparation and Assembly of Specimen Molds and mixture from which the specimens are to be molded. Select the
Restaining Cage mixture proportions according to applicable provisions of ACI
7.1 Install the cap nuts firmly in place on the ends of the 223-83.
restraining rods using a suitable adhesive to keep them from 8.2 Molding Specimens—Place the concrete in the mold in
loosening when comparator readings are made (Note 3). The two approximately equal layers (the first layer shall just cover
cap nuts should not be removed after the initial comparator the threaded restraining rod) in accordance with the general
reading of a specimen is made. Measure the restraining cage instructions given for placing concrete in specimen molds
assembly length, including the cap nuts, while it is at 23.0 6 2 given in Practice C 192/C 192M. Consolidate each layer by
°C [73.5 6 3.5 °F]. This is to ensure it is 30 6 2 mm [119⁄16 rodding or by external vibration in accordance with the
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 C 878/C 878M – 09
instructions for consolidation of flexure test specimens given in 10. Report
Practice C 192/C 192M, except use the same method of con- 10.1 Report the following information:
solidation for all specimens to be compared. The top layer shall 10.1.1 Identification of specimens, number of specimens for
slightly overfill the mold. After consolidation is complete, each condition, and date molded,
strike off the excess material with a straightedge and finish the 10.1.2 Source and identification of each material employed,
exposed surface with a few strokes of a straight-edged trowel. 10.1.3 Type, nominal maximum size, moisture condition,
8.3 Curing Specimens—Cover the specimens with a poly- and proportions of each aggregate used,
ethylene sheet or other suitable material to prevent loss or gain 10.1.4 Concrete mixture data,
of moisture at the surface of the specimens. 10.1.5 Consolidation method, whether rodding or external
8.4 Remove the specimens from the molds at the age of 6 h. vibration was used,
In unusual cases the specimens may not be strong enough to 10.1.6 Conditions and periods of moist curing prior to and
demold at the age of 6 h. If this is the case, select a later time subsequent to removal of molds, if different from those
but demold as soon as practicable and report the demolding age specified.
with the results. Remove the specimens from the molds by 10.1.7 Description of storage conditions,
loosening or removing the mold-fastening devices and gently 10.1.8 Total length of the period of storage and total age of
tapping the base plate and side plates so as to free them from the specimen, or total length of curing and storage if the same
the specimens. Exercise great care in this operation, because of condition was used for both, for each observation, and
the fragility of the concrete at this age and in all later handling 10.1.9 Report length change data, in % , recorded as linear
of specimens. Do not place specimens directly on hard wood or expansion during moist-curing and moist storage and as linear
metal table tops. Placing a soft rubber mat over table tops to contraction during dry storage both based on the initial
lessen impact force on specimens has been found to reduce comparator reading made at the time of removal from the
scatter in data. Limit any marks placed on the specimens for molds, as the average percent change in linear dimension to the
identification or positioning to those made by graphite applied nearest 0.001 %.
either by a soft pencil or as a liquid that deposits essentially 10.1.10 Any other pertinent information.
graphite without binder, to those made with waterproof indel-
ible ink, or to light scratchings in the surface of the concrete 11. Precision and Bias
made with a sharp instrument.
11.1 Precision:
8.5 Measuring Specimens—Take the initial comparator
11.1.1 The following precision statements are applicable
readings 30 6 2 min after demolding. After the initial
when a test result is the average percent restrained expansion of
comparator reading, cure the specimens in lime-saturated water
3 prisms molded from a single batch of concrete and tested at
at 23 6 2 °C [73.5 6 3.5 °F] until they have reached an age of
the same age. It is applicable for concrete made from Type K,
7 days. At the end of the curing period take another comparator
Type S, or Type M shrinkage-compensating cements (C 845)
reading. It is permitted for comparator readings to be taken at
and tested at 3, 7, or 28 days.
intermediate ages between the initial comparator reading and
11.2 The multilaboratory standard deviation has been found
the comparator reading at 7 days (Note 4).
to be 0.015 % expansion. Therefore, the results of properly
NOTE 4—It is permitted to provide further water-curing, or alternatively conducted tests of a single batch by two different laboratories
the specimens shall be allowed to air-dry under any desired condition in should not differ from each other by more than 0.043 %5.
order to determine later age length change data. Comparator readings shall
11.3 Data necessary to determine single-laboratory preci-
be taken at any appropriate interval.
sion are not available at this time.
9. Calculation 11.4 Bias—Data to determine bias are not available; no
9.1 Calculate the length changes as percent expansion or standards are known to exist.
shrinkage as follows:
12. Keywords
Length change, % 5 @~corrected comparator reading
2 corrected initial comparator reading!/ 12.1 expansion; restrained expansion; shrinkage compensat-
gage length] 3 100 ing concrete
(1)
where the corrected comparator reading is equal to the
specimen comparator reading minus the reference bar com- 5
These numbers represent, respectively, the (1s) ands (d2s) limits as described in
parator reading. Practice C 670.
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 C 878/C 878M – 09

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this test method since the last issue,
C 878/C 878M – 03, that may impact the use of this test method. (Approved June 15, 2009)

(1) Added a warning on hydraulic cementitious mixtures in

accordance with ASTM Form and Style. Added new Footnote

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2 and renumbered subsequent footnotes.

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