ASTM C33/C33M-23

Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates

ABSTRACT
This specification defines the requirements for grading and quality of fine and coarse aggregate for use in concrete. Fine aggregate shall consist of natural sand, manufactured sand, or a combination thereof. Fine aggregate shall be free of injurious amounts of organic impurities. Fine aggregate for use in concrete that will be subject to wetting, extended exposure to humid atmosphere, or contact with moist ground shall not contain any materials that are deleteriously reactive with the alkalis in the cement in amount sufficient to cause excessive expansion of mortar or concrete. Fine aggregate subjected to five cycles of the soundness test shall have a required weighted average loss. Coarse aggregate shall consist of gravel, crushed gravel, crushed stone, air-cooled blast furnace slag, or crushed hydraulic-cement concrete, or a combination thereof. The sampling and test methods shall be done with grading and fineness modulus test, organic impurities test, effect of organic impurities on strength test, soundness test, clay lumps and friable particles test, coal and lignite test, bulk density of slag test, abrasion of coarse aggregate test, reactive aggregate test, freezing and thawing test, and chert test method.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification defines the requirements for grading and quality of fine and coarse aggregate (other than lightweight or heavyweight aggregate) for use in concrete.2  
1.2 This specification is for use by a contractor, concrete supplier, or other purchaser as part of the purchase document describing the material to be furnished.  
Note 1: This specification is regarded as adequate to ensure satisfactory materials for most concrete. It is recognized that, for certain work or in certain regions, it may be either more or less restrictive than needed. For example, where aesthetics are important, more restrictive limits may be considered regarding impurities that would stain the concrete surface. The specifier should ascertain that aggregates specified are or can be made available in the area of the work, with regard to grading, physical, or chemical properties, or combination thereof.  
1.3 This specification is also for use in project specifications to define the quality of aggregate, the nominal maximum size of the aggregate, and other specific grading requirements. Those responsible for selecting the proportions for the concrete mixture shall have the responsibility of determining the proportions of fine and coarse aggregate and the addition of blending aggregate sizes if required or approved.  
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.5 The text of this standard refers to notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of this standard.  
1.6 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2023
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Drafting Committee: C09.20 - Aggregates

Relations

• Refers: ASTM C131/C131M-20 - Standard Test Method for Resistance to Degradation of Small-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in the Los Angeles Machine
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-2020

Standards Content (Sample)

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: C33/C33M − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Concrete Aggregates
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C33/C33M; 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* ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.1 This specification defines the requirements for grading
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
and quality of fine and coarse aggregate (other than lightweight
2 Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
or heavyweight aggregate) for use in concrete.
1.2 This specification is for use by a contractor, concrete 2. Referenced Documents
supplier, or other purchaser as part of the purchase document 3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
describing the material to be furnished.
C29/C29M Test Method for Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”)
and Voids in Aggregate
NOTE 1—This specification is regarded as adequate to ensure satisfac-
tory materials for most concrete. It is recognized that, for certain work or
C40/C40M Test Method for Organic Impurities in Fine
in certain regions, it may be either more or less restrictive than needed. For
Aggregates for Concrete
example, where aesthetics are important, more restrictive limits may be
C87/C87M Test Method for Effect of Organic Impurities in
considered regarding impurities that would stain the concrete surface. The
Fine Aggregate on Strength of Mortar
specifier should ascertain that aggregates specified are or can be made
available in the area of the work, with regard to grading, physical, or C88/C88M Test Method for Soundness of Aggregates by
chemical properties, or combination thereof.
Use of Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate
C117 Test Method for Materials Finer than 75-μm (No. 200)
1.3 This specification is also for use in project specifications
Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing
to define the quality of aggregate, the nominal maximum size
C123/C123M Test Method for Lightweight Particles in Ag-
of the aggregate, and other specific grading requirements.
4
gregate (Withdrawn 2023)
Those responsible for selecting the proportions for the concrete
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
mixture shall have the responsibility of determining the pro-
gregates
portions of fine and coarse aggregate and the addition of
C131/C131M Test Method for Resistance to Degradation of
blending aggregate sizes if required or approved.
Small-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
the Los Angeles Machine
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
C136/C136M Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
Coarse Aggregates
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
C142/C142M Test Method for Clay Lumps and Friable
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
Particles in Aggregates
with the standard.
C294 Descriptive Nomenclature for Constituents of Con-
1.5 The text of this standard refers to notes and footnotes
crete Aggregates
that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
C295/C295M Guide for Petrographic Examination of Ag-
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
gregates for Concrete
as requirements of this standard.
C330/C330M Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for
Structural Concrete
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
C331/C331M Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Concrete Masonry Units
C332 Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Insulat-
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on ing Concrete
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.20 on Aggregates.
3
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2023. Published August 2023. Originally For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
approved in 1921. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as C33/C33M – 18. DOI: contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
10.1520/C0033_C0033M-23. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
2
For lightweight aggregates, see Specifications C330/C330M, C331/C331M, the ASTM website.
4
and C332; for heavyweight aggregates see Specification C637 and Descriptive The last approved version o
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: C33/C33M − 18 C33/C33M − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Concrete Aggregates
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C33/C33M; 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*
1.1 This specification defines the requirements for grading and quality of fine and coarse aggregate (other than lightweight or
2
heavyweight aggregate) for use in concrete.
1.2 This specification is for use by a contractor, concrete supplier, or other purchaser as part of the purchase document describing
the material to be furnished.
NOTE 1—This specification is regarded as adequate to ensure satisfactory materials for most concrete. It is recognized that, for certain work or in certain
regions, it may be either more or less restrictive than needed. For example, where aesthetics are important, more restrictive limits may be considered
regarding impurities that would stain the concrete surface. The specifier should ascertain that aggregates specified are or can be made available in the
area of the work, with regard to grading, physical, or chemical properties, or combination thereof.
1.3 This specification is also for use in project specifications to define the quality of aggregate, the nominal maximum size of the
aggregate, and other specific grading requirements. Those responsible for selecting the proportions for the concrete mixture shall
have the responsibility of determining the proportions of fine and coarse aggregate and the addition of blending aggregate sizes
if required or approved.
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.5 The text of this standard references refers to notes and footnotes whichthat provide explanatory material. These notes and
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of this standard.
1.6 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.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.20 on
Aggregates.
Current edition approved March 15, 2018Aug. 1, 2023. Published April 2018August 2023. Originally approved in 1921. Last previous edition approved in 20162018 as
ε1
C33/C33M – 1618. . DOI: 10.1520/C0033_C0033M-18.10.1520/C0033_C0033M-23.
2
For lightweight aggregates, see Specifications C330/C330M, C331/C331M, and C332; for heavyweight aggregates see Specification C637 and Descriptive Nomenclature
C638.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 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
1

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C33/C33M − 23
C29/C29M Test Method for Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate
C40/C40M Test Method for Organic Impurities in Fine Aggregates for Concrete
C87/C87M Test Method for Effect of Organic Impurities in Fine Aggregate on Strength of Mortar
C88C88/C88M Test Method for Soundness of Aggregates by Use of Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate
C117 Test Method for Materials Finer than 75-μm (No. 200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing
4
C123/C123M Test Method for Lightweight Particles in Aggregate (Withdrawn 2023)
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
C131/C131M Test Method for Resistance to Degradation of Small-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in the Los
Angeles Machine
C136/C136M Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
...