ASTM C331/C331M-23

Standard Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Concrete Masonry Units

ABSTRACT
This specification covers lightweight aggregates intended for use in concrete masonry units when a prime consideration is to reduce the density of the units. Three general types of lightweight aggregates are covered by this specification: aggregates prepared by expanding, palletizing, or sintering products such as blast-furnace slag, clay, diatomite, fly ash, shale, or slate; aggregates prepared by processing natural materials such as pumice, scoria, or tuff; and aggregates consisting of end products of coal or coke combustion. The aggregates shall be composed predominately of lightweight-cellular and granular inorganic material. The aggregates shall not contain excessive amounts of deleterious substances, as determined by organic impurities, staining, and loss on ignition tests. Lightweight aggregate under test shall meet requirements for clay lumps and friable particles, uniformity of grading, loose bulk density, uniformity of loose bulk density, popouts, resistance to freezing and thawing, and drying shrinkage.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers lightweight aggregates intended for use in concrete masonry units when a prime consideration is to reduce the density of the units.  
1.2 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. Some values have only SI units because the inch-pound equivalents are not used in practice.
Note 1: Sieve size is identified by its standard designation in Specification E11. The alternative designation given in parentheses is for information only and does not represent a different standard sieve size.  
1.3 The text of this specification references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.  
1.4 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-May-2023
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Drafting Committee: C09.21 - Lightweight Aggregates and Concrete

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: C331/C331M − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Lightweight Aggregates for Concrete Masonry Units
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C331/C331M; 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* C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
gregates
1.1 This specification covers lightweight aggregates in-
C136/C136M Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and
tended for use in concrete masonry units when a prime
Coarse Aggregates
consideration is to reduce the density of the units.
C142/C142M Test Method for Clay Lumps and Friable
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
Particles in Aggregates
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
C151/C151M Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Hy-
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
draulic Cement
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
C157/C157M Test Method for Length Change of Hardened
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
Hydraulic-Cement Mortar and Concrete
with the standard. Some values have only SI units because the
C641 Test Method for Iron Staining Materials in Light-
inch-pound equivalents are not used in practice.
weight Concrete Aggregates
NOTE 1—Sieve size is identified by its standard designation in Speci-
C702/C702M Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate
fication E11. The alternative designation given in parentheses is for
to Testing Size
information only and does not represent a different standard sieve size.
C1262/C1262M Test Method for Evaluating the Freeze-
1.3 The text of this specification references notes and
Thaw Durability of Dry-Cast Segmental Retaining Wall
footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and
Units and Related Concrete Units
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be
D75/D75M Practice for Sampling Aggregates
considered as requirements of the standard.
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
Sieves
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3. Terminology
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1 Definitions:
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this specification, refer
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
to Terminology C125.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Aggregate Types
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1 Three general types of lightweight aggregates are cov-
C29/C29M Test Method for Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”)
ered by this specification, as follows:
and Voids in Aggregate
4.1.1 Aggregates prepared by expanding, pelletizing, or
C40/C40M Test Method for Organic Impurities in Fine
sintering products such as blast-furnace slag, clay, diatomite,
Aggregates for Concrete
fly ash, shale, or slate, and
C114 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic
4.1.2 Aggregates prepared by processing natural materials,
Cement
such as pumice, scoria, or tuff, and
4.1.3 Aggregates consisting of end products of coal or coke
combustion.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee 4.2 The aggregates shall be composed predominately of
C09.21 on Lightweight Aggregates and Concrete.
lightweight-cellular and granular inorganic material.
Current edition approved June 1, 2023. Published July 2023. Originally approved
in 1953. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as C331/C331M – 17. DOI:
5. Chemical Composition
10.1520/C0331_C0331M-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.1 Lightweight aggregates shall not contain excessive
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
amounts of deleterious substances, as determined by the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. following limits:
*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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C331/C331M − 23
5.1.1 Organic Impurities (Test Method C40/C40M)— 6.2.1 Popouts—Concrete specimens prepared and tested in
Lightweight aggregates subjected to th
...

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: C331/C331M − 17 C331/C331M − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Lightweight Aggregates for Concrete Masonry Units
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C331/C331M; 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 covers lightweight aggregates intended for use in concrete masonry units when a prime consideration is to
reduce the density of the units.
1.2 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. Some values have only SI units because the inch-pound equivalents
are not used in practice.
NOTE 1—Sieve size is identified by its standard designation in Specification E11. The alternative designation given in parentheses is for information only
and does not represent a different standard sieve size.
1.3 The text of this specification references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
1.4 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
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C29/C29M Test Method for Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate
C40C40/C40M Test Method for Organic Impurities in Fine Aggregates for Concrete
C114 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
C136C136/C136M Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
C142C142/C142M Test Method for Clay Lumps and Friable Particles in Aggregates
C151C151/C151M Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Hydraulic Cement
C157/C157M Test Method for Length Change of Hardened Hydraulic-Cement Mortar and Concrete
C641 Test Method for Iron Staining Materials in Lightweight Concrete Aggregates
C702C702/C702M Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.21 on
Lightweight Aggregates and Concrete.
Current edition approved June 15, 2017June 1, 2023. Published July 2017July 2023. Originally approved in 1953. Last previous edition approved in 20142017 as
C331/C331M – 14. DOI: 10.1520/C0331_C0331M-17.17. DOI: 10.1520/C0331_C0331M-23.
2
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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C331/C331M − 23
C1262C1262/C1262M Test Method for Evaluating the Freeze-Thaw Durability of Dry-Cast Segmental Retaining Wall Units and
Related Concrete Units
D75D75/D75M Practice for Sampling Aggregates
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this specification, refer to Terminology C125.
4. Aggregate Types
4.1 Three general types of lightweight aggregates are covered by this specification, as follows:
4.1.1 Aggregates prepared by expanding, pelletizing, or sintering products such as blast-furnace slag, clay, diatomite, fly ash,
shale, or slate, and
4.1.2 Aggregates prepared by processing natural materials, such as pumice, scoria, or tuff, and
4.1.3 Aggregates consisting of end products of coal or coke combustion.
4.2 The aggregates shall be composed predominately of lightweight-cellular and granular inorganic material.
5. Chemical Composition
5.1 Lightweight aggregates shall not contain excessive amounts of d
...