ASTM C1260-21

Standard Test Method for Potential Alkali Reactivity of Aggregates (Mortar-Bar Method)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method provides a means of detecting the potential of an aggregate intended for use in concrete for undergoing alkali-silica reaction resulting in potentially deleterious internal expansion. It is based on the NBRI Accelerated Test Method (1-4).3 It is especially useful for aggregates that react slowly or produce expansion late in the reaction. However, it does not evaluate combinations of aggregates with cementitious materials nor are the test conditions representative of those encountered by concrete in service.  
4.2 Because the specimens are exposed to a NaOH solution, the alkali content of the cement is not a significant factor in affecting expansions.  
4.3 When excessive expansions (see Appendix X1) are observed, it is recommended that supplementary information be developed to confirm that the expansion is actually due to alkali-silica reaction. Sources of such supplementary information include: (1) petrographic examination of the aggregate (Guide C295/C295M) to determine if known reactive constituents are present; (2) examination of the specimens after tests (Practice C856) to identify the products of alkali reaction; and (3) where available, field service records can be used in the assessment of performance.  
4.4 When it has been concluded from the results of tests performed using this test method and supplementary information that a given aggregate should be considered potentially deleteriously reactive, the use of mitigative measures such as low-alkali portland cement, mineral admixtures, or ground granulated blast-furnace slag should be evaluated (see last sentence of 4.1).
SCOPE
1.1 This test method permits detection, within 16 days, of the potential for deleterious alkali-silica reaction of aggregate in mortar bars.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. When this test method refers to combined-unit standards, the selection of the measurement systems is at the user’s discretion.  
1.3 The text of this test method 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 test method.  
1.4 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. A specific precautionary statement is given in the section on Reagents.  
1.5 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: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2021
• ICS: 91.100.10 - Cement. Gypsum. Lime. Mortar
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Drafting Committee: C09.50 - Aggregate Reactions in Concrete

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: C1260 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Potential Alkali Reactivity of Aggregates (Mortar-Bar
1
Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1260; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* C125Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
gregates
1.1 This test method permits detection, within 16 days, of
C127Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity)
the potential for deleterious alkali-silica reaction of aggregate
and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
in mortar bars.
C128Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity)
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
and Absorption of Fine Aggregate
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
C150/C150MSpecification for Portland Cement
standard. When this test method refers to combined-unit
C151/C151MTest Method for Autoclave Expansion of Hy-
standards, the selection of the measurement systems is at the
draulic Cement
user’s discretion.
C295/C295MGuide for Petrographic Examination of Ag-
1.3 Thetextofthistestmethodreferstonotesandfootnotes gregates for Concrete
C305Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement
that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
C490/C490MPractice for Use of Apparatus for the Deter-
as requirements of this test method.
mination of Length Change of Hardened Cement Paste,
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Mortar, and Concrete
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
C511Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. A
C670Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
specific precautionary statement is given in the section on
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
Reagents.
C856Practice for Petrographic Examination of Hardened
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
Concrete
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
E11Specification forWovenWireTest Sieve Cloth andTest
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Sieves
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3. Terminology
2. Referenced Documents
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of other terms relating to
2
concrete or aggregates, see Terminology C125.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.1 relative density (OD), n—as defined in Test Methods
C109/C109MTest Method for Compressive Strength of
C127 or C128, for coarse and fine aggregates, respectively.
Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50 mm] Cube
Specimens)
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This test method provides a means of detecting the
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
potential of an aggregate intended for use in concrete for
Concrete and ConcreteAggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
undergoingalkali-silicareactionresultinginpotentiallydelete-
C09.50 on Aggregate Reactions in Concrete.
Current edition approved April 1, 2021. Published April 2021. Originally
rious internal expansion. It is based on the NBRI Accelerated
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C1260–14. DOI: 3
Test Method (1-4). It is especially useful for aggregates that
10.1520/C1260-21.
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
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
the ASTM website. the text.
*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 ----------------------
C1260 − 21
react slowly or produce expansion late in the reaction. 6. Reagents
However,itdoesnotevaluatecombinationsofaggregateswith
6.1 Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)—USP or technical grade
cementitious materials nor are the test conditions representa- + −
may be used, provided the Na and OH concentrations are
tive of those encount
...

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: C1260 − 14 C1260 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Potential Alkali Reactivity of Aggregates (Mortar-Bar
1
Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1260; 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 test method permits detection, within 16 days, of the potential for deleterious alkali-silica reaction of aggregate in mortar
bars.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. When
this test method refers to combined-unit standards, the selection of the measurement systems is at the user’s discretion.
1.3 The text of this test method 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 test method.
1.4 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. A specific precautionary statement is given in the section on Reagents.
1.5 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:
C109/C109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50 mm] Cube Specimens)
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
C127 Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
C128 Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Fine Aggregate
C150/C150M Specification for Portland Cement
C151/C151M Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Hydraulic Cement
C295/C295M Guide for Petrographic Examination of Aggregates for Concrete
C305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
C490/C490M Practice for Use of Apparatus for the Determination of Length Change of Hardened Cement Paste, Mortar, and
Concrete
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.50 on
Aggregate Reactions in Concrete.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2014April 1, 2021. Published August 2014April 2021. Originally approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 20072014 as
C1260 – 07.C1260 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/C1260-14.10.1520/C1260-21.
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 ----------------------
C1260 − 21
C511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets, Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the Testing of Hydraulic
Cements and Concretes
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
C856 Practice for Petrographic Examination of Hardened Concrete
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of other terms relating to concrete or aggregates, see Terminology C125.
3.1.1 relative density (OD), n—as defined in Test Methods C127 or C128, for coarse and fine aggregates, respectively.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This test method provides a means of detecting the potential of an aggregate intended for use in concrete for undergoing
3
alkali-silica reaction resulting in potentially deleterious internal expansion. It is based on the NBRI Accelerated Test Method (1-4).
It is especially useful for aggregates that react slowly or produce expans
...