This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: C295/C295M − 19

Standard Guide for

Petrographic Examination of Aggregates for Concrete1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C295/C295M; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This guide outlines procedures for the petrographic 2.1 ASTM Standards:3
examination of samples representative of materials proposed C33/C33M Specification for Concrete Aggregates
for use as aggregates in cementitious mixtures or as raw C117 Test Method for Materials Finer than 75-µm (No. 200)
materials for use in production of such aggregates. This guide Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing
is based on Ref (1).2 C136/C136M Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and
Coarse Aggregates
1.2 This guide outlines the extent to which petrographic C294 Descriptive Nomenclature for Constituents of Con-
techniques should be used, the selection of properties that crete Aggregates
should be looked for, and the manner in which such techniques C702/C702M Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate
may be employed in the examination of samples of aggregates to Testing Size
for concrete. D75/D75M Practice for Sampling Aggregates
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1.3 The rock and mineral names given in Descriptive
Nomenclature C294 should be used, insofar as they are
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
Sieves

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appropriate, in reports prepared in accordance with this guide.
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
E883 Guide for Reflected–Light Photomicrography

3. Qualifications of Petrographers
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are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
in 3.1 All petrographic examinations of aggregate for use in
concrete as described in this guide should be performed by a
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining petrographer with at least 5 years experience in petrographic
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance ASTM C295/C295M-19 examination of concrete or concrete-making materials. The
with the standard. petrographer should have completed college-level course work
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1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the pertaining to basic geology, mineralogy, petrography, and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the optical mineralogy or have obtained equivalent knowledge
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- through experience and on-the-job training. Completion of
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- course work in concrete materials is also advantageous. The
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. petrographer should have experience evaluating the effects of
aggregates on the physical and chemical properties of hardened
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
concrete. Identification of individual minerals in aggregate
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
particles, classification of rock types, and categorizing the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
physical and chemical properties of rocks and minerals should
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
also be included in the petrographer’s experience. The petrog-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
rapher should have expertise to properly use the equipment and
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
apparatus described in Section 6 and provide detailed interpre-
tations of the petrographic examination. If the petrographer
does not meet these qualifications, the individual may perform
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and such examinations under the technical direction of a full-time
Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.65 on
Petrography.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2019. Published September 2019. Originally
3
approved in 1954. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as C295/C295M – 18a. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
DOI: 10.1520/C0295_C0295M-19. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
this standard. the ASTM website.

*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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 C295/C295M − 19
supervising petrographer who meets these qualifications. A 5.1.4 To compare samples of aggregate from new sources
resume of the professional experience and education of the with samples of aggregate from one or more sources, for which
petrographer shall be available. test data or performance records are available.
3.1.1 Licensing, certification, or other accreditation by a
5.2 This guide may be used by a petrographer employed
governmental agency or other organization stating the indi-
directly by those for whom the examination is made. The
vidual is a professional geologist should not, by itself, consti-
employer should tell the petrographer, in as much detail as
tute sufficient qualification for examination of aggregates for
necessary, the purposes and objectives of the examination, the
concrete.
kind of information needed, and the extent of examination
4. Summary of Method desired. Pertinent background information, including results of
prior testing, should be made available. The petrographer’s
4.1 The specific procedures employed in the petrographic advice and judgment should be sought regarding the extent of
examination of any sample will depend to a large extent on the the examination.
purpose of the examination and the nature of the sample. In
most cases the examination will require the use of optical 5.3 This guide may form the basis for establishing arrange-
microscopy. Complete petrographic examinations for particu- ments between a purchaser of consulting petrographic service
lar purposes and to investigate particular problems may require and the petrographer. In such a case, the purchaser and the
examination of aggregates or of selected constituents by means consultant should together determine the kind, extent, and
of additional procedures, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) objectives of the examination and analyses to be made, and
analysis, differential thermal analysis (DTA), infrared should record their agreement in writing. The agreement may
spectroscopy, or other scanning electron microscopy (SEM) stipulate specific determinations to be made, observations to be
energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX). In some instances, reported, funds to be obligated, or a combination of these or
such procedures are more rapid and more definitive than are other conditions.
microscopical methods. 5.4 Petrographic examination of aggregate considered for
4.2 Identification of the constituents of a sample is usually a use in hydraulic-cement concrete is one aspect of the evalua-

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necessary step towards recognition of the properties that may tion of aggregate, but petrographic examination is also used for
be expected to influence the behavior of the material in its many other purposes. Petrographic examinations provide iden-
intended use, but identification is not an end in itself. The value tification of types and varieties of rocks present in potential
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of any petrographic examination will depend to a large extent
on the representativeness of the samples examined, the com-
aggregates. However, as noted above, identification of every
rock and mineral present in an aggregate source is not required.

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pleteness and accuracy of the information provided to the
5.5 The petrographic examination should establish whether
petrographer concerning the source and proposed use of the
the aggregate contains chemically unstable minerals (such as
material, and the petrographer’s ability to correlate these data
soluble sulfates) or volumetrically unstable materials, such as
with the findings of the examination.
smectites (formerly known as the montmorillonite-saponite
4.3 This guide does not attempt to describeASTM C295/C295M-19
the techniques group of minerals or swelling clays). Specifications may limit
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of petrographic work since it is assumed that the guide will be the quartz content of aggregates for use in concrete that may be
used by persons who are qualified by education and experience subject to high temperature (purposefully or accidentally)
to employ such techniques for the recognition of the charac- because of the conversion to beta-quartz at 573 °C [1063 °F],
teristic properties of rocks and minerals and to describe and with accompanying volume increase.
classify the constituents of an aggregate sample. In some cases,
the petrographer will have had experience adequate to provide 5.6 The petrographic examination should establish whether
detailed interpretation of the results. In others, the interpreta- the aggregate contains iron sulfide minerals that may poten-
tion will be made in part by engineers or others qualified to tially oxidize within the concrete. Pyrite, marcasite, or pyrrho-
relate the observations to the questions to be answered. tite may cause popouts and rust staining if present near the
surface of the concrete. Pyrrhotite within some rock types, in
5. Significance and Use the presence of moisture, has been found to oxidize and expand
causing significant cracking within concrete. Oxidation of iron
5.1 Petrographic examinations are made for the following
sulfide minerals within concrete can lead to sulfuric acid
purposes:
attack, sulfate attack, or both.
5.1.1 To determine the physical and chemical characteristics
of the material that may be observed by petrographic methods 5.7 Petrographic examination should identify the portion of
and that have a bearing on the performance of the material in each coarse aggregate that is composed of weathered or
its intended use. otherwise altered particles and the extent of that weathering or
5.1.2 To describe and classify the constituents of the alteration, whether it is severe, moderate, or slight, and should
sample, determine the proportion of each rock type in each condition.
5.1.3 To determine the relative amounts of the constituents If the concrete in which the aggregate may be used will be
of the sample that are essential for proper evaluation of the exposed to freezing and thawing in a critically saturated
sample when the constituents differ significantly in properties condition, finely porous and highly weathered or otherwise
that have a bearing on the performance of the material in its altered rocks should be identified because they will be espe-
intended use, and cially susceptible to damage by freezing and thawing and will

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 C295/C295M − 19
cause the aggregate portion of the concrete to fail in freezing reasonable assurance that the petrographic examination results
and thawing. This will ultimately destroy the concrete because wherever and whenever obtained may confidently be com-
such aggregates cannot be protected by adequately air- pared.
entrained mortar. Finely porous aggregates near the concrete
6. Apparatus and Supplies
surface are also likely to form popouts, which are blemishes on
pavements and walls. 6.1 The apparatus and supplies listed as follows comprise a
selection that will permit the use of the procedures described in
5.8 Petrographic examinations may also be used to deter- this guide. All specific items listed have been used, in connec-
mine the proportions of cubic, spherical, ellipsoidal, pyramidal, tion with the performance of petrographic examinations, by the
tabular, flat, and elongated particles in an aggregate sample or procedures described herein; it is not, however, intended to
samples. Flat, elongated, and thin chip-like particles in aggre- imply that other items cannot be substituted to serve similar
gate increase the mixing water requirement and hence decrease functions. Whenever possible the selection of particular appa-
concrete strength. ratus and supplies should be left to the judgment of the
petrographer who is to perform the work so that the items
5.9 Petrographic examination should identify and call atten-
obtained will be those with the use of which the petrographer
tion to potentially alkali-silica reactive and alkali-carbonate
has the greatest experience and familiarity. The minimum
reactive constituents, determine such constituents equipment regarded as essential to the making of petrographic
quantitatively, and recommend additional tests to confirm or examinations of aggregate samples are those items, or equiva-
refute the presence in significant amounts of aggregate con- lent apparatus or supplies that will serve the same purpose, that
stituents capable of alkali reaction in concrete. See Specifica- are indicated by asterisks in the lists given as follows.
tion C33/C33M. Alkali-silica reactive constituents found in 6.1.1 Apparatus and Supplies for Preparation of Specimens:
aggregates include: opal, chalcedony, cristobalite, tridymite, 6.1.1.1 Rock-Cutting Saw*, preferably with 350-mm [14-
highly strained quartz, microcrystalline quartz, cryptocrystal- in.] diameter or larger diamond blade, and automatic feed.
line quartz, volcanic glass, and synthetic siliceous glass. 6.1.1.2 Horizontal Grinding Wheel, * preferably 400-mm
Aggregate materials containing these constituents include: [16-in.] diameter.
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glassy to cryptocrystalline intermediate to acidic volcanic
rocks, some argillites, phyllites, graywacke, gneiss, schist,
6.1.1.3 Polishing Wheel, preferably 200- to 300-mm [8 to
12-in.] diameter.

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gneissic granite, vein quartz, quartzite, sandstone, chert, and 6.1.1.4 Abrasives*, Silicon carbide grit No. 100 [122 µm],
carbonate rocks containing alkali reactive forms of silica. 220 [63 µm], 320 [31 µm], 600 [16 µm], and 800 [12 µm];
Criteria are available for identifying the minerals in the list alumina M-305 [5 µm].4
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above by their optical properties or by XRD (2),(3). Criteria are
available for identifying rocks by their mineral composition
6.1.1.5 Geologist’s Pick or Hammer.
6.1.1.6 Microscope Slides*, clear, noncorrosive, 25 by
and texture (4). Examination in both reflected and transmitted 45 mm [1 by 2 in.] in size.
light may be necessary to provide data for theseASTM C295/C295M-19 Mounting Medium for Powder Mounts*—Canada
identifications. 6.1.1.7
X-ray microanalysis using energy-dispersive x-ray spectrom- balsam, neutral, in xylene; suitable low-viscosity epoxy resins;
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or Lakeside 70.
eters with scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDX) or
wavelength-dispersive x-ray spectrometers in electron micro- 6.1.1.8 Xylene*.
probes (EMPA/WDX) may provide useful information on the 6.1.1.9 Mounting Medium*, suitable for mounting rock
chemical composition of minerals and rocks. Potentially del- slices for thin sections.
eterious alkali-carbonate reactive rocks are usually calcareous 6.1.1.10 Laboratory Oven*.
dolomites or dolomitic limestones with clayey insoluble resi- 6.1.1.11 Plate-Glass Squares*, about 300 mm [12 in.] on an
edge for thin-section grinding.
dues. Some dolomites essentially free of clay and some very
6.1.1.12 Sample Splitter with pans.*
fine-grained limestones free of clay and with minor insoluble
6.1.1.13 Micro Cover Glasses *, noncorrosive, square, 12 to
residue, mostly quartz, are also capable of some alkali-
18 mm, 25 mm, [0.5 to 0.75 in., 1.0 in.], and so forth.
carbonate reactions, however, such reactions are not necessar-
6.1.1.14 Plattner Mortar.
ily deleterious. 6.1.2 Apparatus and Supplies for Examination of Speci-
5.10 Petrographic examination may be directed specifically mens:
at the possible presence of contaminants in aggregates, such as 6.1.2.1 Petrographic Microscope*, with mechanical stage;
synthetic glass, cinders, clinker, or coal ash, magnesium oxide, oculars and objective lenses that will allow magnifications of
calcium oxide, or both, gypsum, soil, hydrocarbons, chemicals up to 600×, and objective-centering devices; full- and quarter-
that may affect the setting behavior of concrete or the proper- wave compensators; quartz wedge; micrometer eyepiece; Ber-
ties of the aggregate, animal excrement, plants or rotten trand lens.
vegetation, and any other contaminant that may prove unde- 6.1.2.2 Microscope Lamps*
sirable in concrete. 6.1.2.3 Stereoscopic Microscope*, with objectives and ocu-
lars to give final magnifications from about 6× to about 150×.
5.11 These objectives, for which this guide was prepared,
will have been attained if those involved with the evaluation of 4
The values given in micrometres are the approximate average grain size of
aggregate materials for use in concrete construction have commercial silicon carbide grit in the designated size classification.

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 C295/C295M − 19
6.1.2.4 Magnet*, preferably Alnico, or an electromagnet. Drilling of such cores should be in a direction that is essentially
6.1.2.5 Needleholder and Points*. perpendicular to the dominant structural feature of the rock.
6.1.2.6 Dropping Bottle, 60-mL [2 oz.] capacity. Massive material may be sampled by “NX” (50-mm [2-in.]
6.1.2.7 Petri Culture Dishes. diameter) cores. Thinly bedded or complex material should be
6.1.2.8 Forceps, smooth, straightpointed. represented by cores not less than 100 mm [4 in.] in diameter.
6.1.2.9 Lens Paper.* There should be an adequate number of cores to cover the
6.1.2.10 Immersion Media*, n = 1.410 to n = 1.785 in limits of the deposit proposed for the project. The entire
steps of no more than 0.005. footage of the recovered core should be included in the sample
6.1.2.11 Counter. and accurate data given as to elevations, depths, and core
6.1.2.12 Photomicrographic Camera and accessories. losses.
7.1.2 Operating quarries and operating sand and gravel
6.2 The items under Apparatus and Supplies include those deposits, in which stock piles of the material produced are
used to make thin sections. Semiautomatic thin section ma- available, should be represented by not less than 45 kg [100 lb]
chines are available, and there are several thin-section makers or 300 pieces, whichever is larger, of each size of material to
who advertise in Geotimes, the American Mineralogist, and be examined. Samples from stock piles should be composed of
other mineralogical or geological journals. Laboratories may representative portions of larger samples collected with due
find it reasonable to buy a thin-section machine or use a consideration given to segregation in the piles.
commercial thin-section maker. Remotely located laboratories 7.1.3 Exposed faces of nonproducing quarries, where stock
have more need to be able to make their own thin sections. piles of processed material are not available, should be
6.3 It is necessary that facilities be available to the petrog- represented by not less than 2 kg [4 lb] from each distinctive
rapher to check the index of refraction of the immersion media. stratum or bed, with no piece having a mass less than 0.5 kg [1
If accurate identification of materials is to be attempted, as for lb], or by a drilled core as described above.
example the differentiation of quartz and chalcedony, or the 7.1.4 Undeveloped sand and gravel deposits should be
differentiation of basic from intermediate volcanic glass, the sampled by means of test pits dug to the anticipated depth of
indices of refraction of the media need to be known with future economic production. Samples should consist of not less
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accuracy. Media will not be stable for very long periods of time
and are subject to considerable variation due to temperature
than the quantities of material indicated in Table 1, selected so
as to be representative of the deposits.

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change. In laboratories not provided with close temperature
control, it is often necessary to recalibrate immersion media
several times during the course of a single day when accurate
NATURAL GRAVEL AND SAND

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identifications are required. The equipment needed for check-
ing immersion media consists of an Abbé refractometer. The
8. Procedure
8.1 Selection of Samples for Examination—Samples of
refractometer should be equipped with compensating prisms to gravel and natural sand for petrographic examination should be
read indices for sodium light from white light,ASTMor it should be dry sieved in accordance with Method C136/C136M to provide
C295/C295M-19
samples of each sieve size. In the case of sands an additional
used with a sodium arc lamp.
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portion should then be tested in accordance with Test Method
6.4 A laboratory that undertakes any considerable amount of C117, with the wash water being saved and removed by drying
petrographic work should be provided with facilities to make in order to provide a sample of the material passing the 75-µm
photomicrographic records of such features as cannot ad- (No. 200) sieve (See Specification E11).5 The results of the
equately be described in words. For illustrations of typical sieve analysis of each sample made in accordance with Method
apparatus, reference may be made to Ref (1) and manufacturers
of microscopes equipped with cameras and photomacrographic
equipment may be consulted. Much useful guidance regarding 5
Sieve size is identified by its standard designation in Specification E11. The
photomicrography, especially using reflected light, is found in alternative designation given in parentheses is for information only and does not
Guide E883. represent a different standard sieve size.

7. Sampling TABLE 1 Minimum Sizes for Samples from Undeveloped Sand

and Gravel Deposits
7.1 Samples for petrographic examination should be taken
Quantity
by or under the direct supervision of a geologist familiar with Sieve Size
kg [lb] Pieces
the requirements for random sampling of aggregates for
Larger than 150-mm (6-in.)A ... ... B
concrete and in general following the requirements of Practice 75 to 150-mm (3 to 6-in.)A ... ... 300B
D75/D75M. Information on the exact location from which the 37.5 to 75-mm (11⁄2 to 3-in.)A 180 [400] ...
sample was taken, the geology of the site, and other pertinent 19.0 to 37.5-mm (3⁄4 to 11⁄2-in.)A 90 [200] ...
4.75 to 19.0-mm (No. 4 to 3⁄4-in.)A 45 [100] ...
data should be submitted with the sample. The amount of Finer than 4.75-mm (No. 4)A,C 23 [50] ...
material actually studied in the petrographic examination will A
Sieve size is identified by its standard designation in Specification E11. The
be determined by the nature of the examination to be made and alternative designation given in parentheses is for information only and does not
the nature of the material to be examined, as discussed below. represent a different standard sieve size.
B
Not less than one piece from each apparent type of rock.
7.1.1 Undeveloped quarries should be sampled by means of C
Fine aggregate.
cores drilled through the entire depth expected to be exploited.