ASTM C289-94

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

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers chemical determination of the potential reactivity of an aggregate with alkalies in portland-cement concrete as indicated by the amount of reaction during 24 h at 80°C between 1 N sodium hydroxide solution and aggregate that has been crushed and sieved to pass a 300-μm sieve and be retained on a 150-μm sieve.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
1.3 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. A specific precautionary statement is given in 5.7.1.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Aug-2001
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: C 289 – 94
Standard Test Method for
Potential Alkali-Silica Reactivity of Aggregates (Chemical
Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 289; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2.2 American Chemical Society Documents:
Reagent Chemicals, American Chemical Society Specifica-
1.1 This test method covers chemical determination of the
tions
potential reactivity of an aggregate with alkalies in portland-
cement concrete as indicated by the amount of reaction during
NOTE 1—For suggestions on the testing of reagents not listed by the
24 h at 80°C between 1 N sodium hydroxide solution and
American Chemical Society, see “Reagent Chemicals and Standards,” by
Joseph Rosin, D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc., New York, NY, and the “United
aggregate that has been crushed and sieved to pass a 300-μm
States Pharmacopeia.”
sieve and be retained on a 150-μm sieve.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3. Significance and Use
standard.
3.1 This test method may be used in combination with other
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
methods to evaluate the potential reactivity of siliceous aggre-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
gate with alkalies in portland-cement concrete. Reactions
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
between a sodium hydroxide solution and siliceous aggregate
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
have been shown to correlate with the performance of the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. A specific precau-
aggregate in concrete structures and should be used where new
tionary statement is given in 5.7.1.
aggregate sources are being evaluated or alkali-silica reactivity
2. Referenced Documents is anticipated.
3.2 The results from this test method can be obtained
2.1 ASTM Standards:
quickly, and, while not completely reliable in all cases, they
C 114 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic
provide useful data that may show the need for obtaining
Cement
additional information through Test Method C 227 and Guide
C 227 Test Method for Potential Alkali Reactivity of
C 295.
Cement-Aggregate Combinations (Mortar-Bar Method)
C 295 Guide for Petrographic Examination of Aggregates
4. Apparatus
for Concrete
4.1 Scales—The scales and weights used for weighing
C 1005 Specification for Weights and Weighing Devices for
2 materials shall conform to the requirements prescribed in Test
Use in Physical Testing of Hydraulic Cements
Method C 1005.
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
4.2 Balances—The analytical balance and weights used for
D 1248 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and
5 determining dissolved silica by the gravimetric method shall
Extrusion Materials
conform to the requirements prescribed in Test Methods C 114.
E 11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Pur-
6 4.3 Crushing and Grinding Equipment—A small jaw
poses
crusher and disk pulverizer or other suitable equipment capable
E 60 Practice for Photometric and Spectrophotometric
7 of crushing and grinding approximately 4 kg of aggregate to
Methods for Chemical Analysis of Metals
pass a 300-μm sieve.
4.4 Sieves—300-μm and 150-μm square-hole, woven wire-
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C-9 on Concrete
cloth sieves conforming to Specification E 11.
and Concrete Aggregatesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.26on
4.5 Containers—Reaction containers of 50 to 75-mL capac-
Chemical Reactions of Materials.
Current edition approved April 15, 1994. Published August 1994. Originally
ity, made of corrosion-resistant steel or other corrosion-
published as C 289 – 52. Last previous edition C 289 – 87.
resistant material, and fitted with airtight covers. A container
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01.
3 that has been found suitable is shown in Fig. 1. Other
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01. containers, made of corrosion-resistant material such as poly-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
ethylene, may be suitable. Such suitability can be demonstrated
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
by a change in the alkalinity of the sodium hydroxide solution
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.05.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
C 289
NOTE 1—All dimensions are in mm.
FIG. 1 Reaction Container
(R , Section on Reduction in Alkalinity) when used alone as a conform to the specifications of the Committee on Analytical
c
blank in the container in question, of less than 10 mmol/L.
Reagents of the American Chemical Society, where such
4.6 Constant-Temperature Bath—A liquid bath capable of specifications are available. Other grades may be used, pro-
maintaining a temperature of 80 6 1°C for 24 h.
vided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently
4.7 Spectrophotometer or Photometer—A spectrophotom-
high purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of
eter or photoelectric photometer capable of measuring the
the determination.
transmission of light at a constant wavelength of approximately
5.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references
410 nm (See Practice E 60).
to water shall be understood to mean reagent water conforming
4.8 Glassware—All glass apparatus and vessels should be
to Type IV of Specification D 1193.
carefully selected to meet the particular requirements for each
5.3 Ammonium Molybdate Solution—Dissolve 10 g of am-
operation. Standard volumetric flasks, burets, and pipets should
monium molybdate ((NH ) Mo O ·4H O) in 100 mL of
4 6 7 24 2
be of precision grade.
water. If the solution is not clear, filter through a fine-texture
5. Reagents paper. Store the solution in a polyethylene container (Note 2).
5.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be 5.4 Hydrochloric Acid (1.19 kg/L)—Concentrated hydro-
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, all reagents shall chloric acid (HCl). Store the solution in a chemically resistant
C 289
glass or suitable plastic container (Note 2). the coarse aggregate to pass a 4.75-mm sieve by means of a
5.5 Hydrochloric Acid, Standard (0.05 N)—Prepare ap- small jaw crusher. Sieve the crushed coarse aggregate and
likewise the sand to recover the 150-μm particles. Discard the
proximately 0.05 N HCl and standardize to 60.0001 N. Store
the solution in a chemically resistant glass or suitable plastic material passing the 150-μm sieve. Reduce the material re-
container (Note 2). tained on the 300-μm sieve by repeated passes through a
5.6 Hydrochloric Acid (1 + 1)—Mix equal volumes of con- disk-type pulverizer, with sieving after each pass. The separa-
tion of the plates shall be about 3 mm for the first pass and shall
centrated HCl (1.19 kg/L) and water. Store the solution in a
chemically resistant glass or suitable plastic container (Note 2). be progressively diminished until all the material passes the
300-μm sieve. Every effort shall be made to reduce as much as
5.7 Hydrofluoric Acid (approximately 50 % HF)—
Concentrated hydrofluoric acid. Store in a polyethylene bottle possible the proportion of fines passing the 150-μm sieve.
(Note 2).
NOTE 3—It is recommended that each size fraction of coarse aggregate
5.7.1 Precaution—Before using HF, review (1) the safety
be separately processed according to 6.2, and that the 300-μm to 150-μm
precautions for using HF, (2) first aid for burns, and (3) the
material obtained from each size fraction be combined in the proportions
emergency response to spills, as described in the manufactur- in which those fractions are to be used in the concrete. It is recommended
that, wherever possible, the sand be screened and the several size fractions
er’s Material Safety Data Sheet or other reliable safety litera-
recombined in the proportions to be used in the concrete, prior to
ture. HF can cause very severe burns and injury to unprotected
processing according to 6.2.
skin and eyes. Suitable personal protective equipment should
6.3 To ensure that all material finer than the 150-μm sieve
always be used. These should include full-face shields, rubber
aprons, and gloves impervious to HF. Gloves should be has been removed, wash the sample over a 150-μm sieve. Do
not wash more than 100 g over a 203-mm diameter sieve at one
checked periodically for pin holes.
time. Dry the washed sample at 105 6 5°C for 20 6 4 h. Cool
5.8 Oxalic Acid Solution—Dissolve 10 g of oxalic acid
the sample and again sieve on the 150-μm sieve. If inspection
dihydrate in 100 mL of water. Store the solution in a chemi-
of the sample indicates the presence of silty or clayey coatings
cally resistant glass or suitable plastic container (Note 2).
on particles, repeat the washing and drying procedure, and
5.9 Phenolphthalein Indicator Solution—Dissolve1gof
sieve as before over the 150-μm sieve. Reserve the portion
phenolphthalein in 100 mL of ethanol (1 + 1). Store the
retained on the 150-μm sieve for the test sample.
solution in a chemically resistant glass or suitable plastic
container (Note 2).
7. Reaction Procedure
5.10 Silica Standard Solution—Prepare a standard silica
7.1 Weigh out three representative 25.00 6 0.05-g portions
solution containing approximately 10 mmol of silica (SiO )/L
of the dry 150-μm to 300-μm test sample prepared in accor-
by dissolving sodium metasilicate in water. Store the solution
dance with Section 6. Place one portion in each of the three of
in a polyethylene bottle. Use a 100-mL aliquot of the solution
the reaction containers, and add by means of a pipet, 25 mL of
to determine its SiO content by the procedure described in
the 1.000 N NaOH solution. To a fourth reaction container, by
8.1.1-8.2.1. Do not use a standard silica solution older than 1
means of a pipet, add 25 mL of the same NaOH solution to
year, since dissolved ionic silica in such a solution slowly
serve as a blank. Seal the four containers and gently swirl them
polymerizes, causing spuriously low photometric readings
to liberate trapped air.
(Note 2).
7.2 Immediately after the containers have been sealed, place
5.11 Sodium Hydroxide, Standard Solution (1.000 6 0.010
them in a liquid bath maintained at 80 6 1.0°C. After 246 ⁄4
N)—Prepare a 1.000 6 0.010 N sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
h, remove the containers from the bath and cool them, for 15
solution and standardize to 60.001 N. Store the solution in a
6 2 min, under running tap water having a temperature below
polyethylene bottle (Note 2). Protect the dry reagent and
30°C.
solution from contamination by carbon dioxide.
7.3 Immediately after the containers have been cooled, open
5.12 Sulfuric Acid (sp gr 1.84)—Concentrated sulfuric acid
them and filter the solution from the aggregate residue. Use a
(H SO ). Store the solution in a chemically resistant glass
2 4
porcelain Gooch crucible (Note 4) with a disk of rapid,
container (Note 2).
analytical-grade filter paper cut to fit the bottom of the crucible,
NOTE 2—In selecting the container, take care to ensure that the reagent
setting the crucible in a rubber crucible holder in a funnel.
will not be modified by reaction with the material composing the
Place a dry test tube, 35 to 50-mL capacity, in the filter flask to
container, including pigments or other additives, or by transpiration of
collect the filtrate, and seat the funnel in the neck of the filter
phases through the walls of the container. Containers with wall thickness
flask. With the aspirator in operation or the vacuum line open,
not less than 0.51 mm and composed of high-density polyethylene
decant a small quantity of the solution onto the filter paper so
meeting the requirements of Specification D 1248, for materials of Type
III, Class A, are suitable.
it will seat properly in the crucible. Without stirring the
contents of the container, decant the remaining free liquid into
6. Selection and Preparation of Test Samples
the crucible. When the decantation of the liquid has been
6.1 The test can be used for either fine or coarse aggregate, completed, discontinue the vacuum and transfer the solids
and when the fine and coarse aggregate are of the same remaining in the container to the crucible and pack in place
material it can be used for the total aggregate. with the aid of a stainless-steel spatula. Then apply and adjust
6.2 The test sample shall be prepared from a representative the vacuum to approximately 51 kPa. Continue the filtration
portion of the aggregate by crushing so as to pass a 300-μm until further filtration yields filtrate at the approximate rate of
sieve, according to the following procedure (Note 3): Reduce 1 drop every 10 s; reserve the filtrate for further tests. Record
C 289
the total amount of time during which the vacuum is applied as the small residue at 1050 to 1100°C for 1 to 2 min, cool, and
the filtration time; make every effort to achieve an equal determine the mass. The difference between this determination
filtration time for all samples in a set, by uniformity of and that previously obtained represents the amount of SiO .
procedure in the assembly of the filtration apparatus and the 8.2 Calculation:
packing of the solids in the crucible.
8.2.1 Calculate the SiO concentration of the NaOH solu-
tion filtered from the aggregate material, as follows:
NOTE 4—Coors Size No. 4 Gooch crucibles, or equivalent, have been
S 5 3330 3 W (1)
found satisfactory for this purpose.
c
7.4 Filter the blank according to the procedure described in
where:
7.3. Apply the vacuum for a length of time equal to the average
S 5 concentration of SiO in mmol/L in the original
c 2
filtration time for the three specimens.
filtrate, and
7.5 Immediately following the completion of filtration, stir
W 5 grams of SiO found in 100 mL of the dilute solution.
the filtrate to assure homogeneity, then take by pipet an aliquot
of 10 mL of the filtrate and dilute with water to 200 mL in a
9. Dissolved Silica by the Photometric Method
volumetric flask. Reserve this diluted solution for the determi-
9.1 Application:
nation of the dissolved SiO and the reduction in alkalinity.
9.1.1 This method is applicable to the determination of
7.6 If the diluted filtrate is not to be analyzed within 4 h
crystalloidal (noncolloidal) silica (Note 7) in all aqueous
following com
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