ASTM C87/C87M-23

Standard Test Method for Effect of Organic Impurities in Fine Aggregate on Strength of Mortar

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is of significance in making a final determination of the acceptability of fine aggregates with respect to the requirements of Specification C33/C33M concerning organic impurities.  
5.2 This test method is applicable to those samples which, when tested in accordance with Test MethodC40/C40M, have produced a supernatant liquid with a color darker than the standard listed in Table 1 of C40/C40M (Organic plate No. 3, Gardner Color Standard No. 14, Circular Disk No. 14 or prepared color solution).  
5.3 Many specifications provide for the acceptance of fine aggregate producing a darker color in the Test Method C40/C40M test, if testing by this test method indicates the strength of the mortar cubes prepared with the unwashed fine aggregate is comparable to the strength of mortar cubes made with the washed fine aggregate.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the effect on mortar strength of the organic impurities in fine aggregate, whose presence is indicated using Test Method C40/C40M. Comparison is made between compressive strengths of mortar made with washed and unwashed fine aggregate.  
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 the 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 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.(Warning—Fresh hydraulic cementitous mixtures are caustic and may cause chemical burns to exposed skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.)2  
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: 91.100.10 - Cement. Gypsum. Lime. Mortar
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Drafting Committee: C09.20 - Aggregates

Relations

• Refers: ASTM C305-20 - Standard Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-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: C87/C87M − 23
Standard Test Method for
Effect of Organic Impurities in Fine Aggregate on Strength
1
of Mortar
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C87/C87M; 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* 2. Referenced Documents
3
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the effect 2.1 ASTM Standards:
on mortar strength of the organic impurities in fine aggregate, C33/C33M Specification for Concrete Aggregates
whose presence is indicated using Test Method C40/C40M. C40/C40M Test Method for Organic Impurities in Fine
Comparison is made between compressive strengths of mortar Aggregates for Concrete
made with washed and unwashed fine aggregate. C109/C109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of
Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50 mm] Cube
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
Specimens)
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
gregates
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
C128 Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity)
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
and Absorption of Fine Aggregate
with the standard. Some values have only SI units because the
C136/C136M Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and
inch-pound equivalents are not used in the practice.
Coarse Aggregates
NOTE 1—Sieve size is identified by its standard designation in Speci-
C150/C150M Specification for Portland Cement
fication E11. The alternative designation given in parentheses is for
information only and does not represent a different standard sieve size
C230/C230M Specification for Flow Table for Use in Tests
of Hydraulic Cement
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
C305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
C511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets,
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to
Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes
use.(Warning—Fresh hydraulic cementitous mixtures are
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
caustic and may cause chemical burns to exposed skin and
2
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
tissue upon prolonged exposure.)
C702/C702M Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
to Testing Size
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
D75/D75M Practice for Sampling Aggregates
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
D3665 Practice for Random Sampling of Construction Ma-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
terials
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Sieves
3. Terminology
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee 3.1 Definitions:
C09.20 on Aggregates.
Current edition approved June 1, 2023. Published June 2023. Originally
3
approved in 1931. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as C87/C87M–17. DOI: For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
10.1520/C0087_C0087M-23. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
2
See section on Safety Precautions, Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing, Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02. 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 ----------------------
C87/C87M − 23
3.1.1 For definition of terms used in this test method, refer 8. Sampling and Sample Preparation
to Terminology C125.
8.1 If sufficient material remains from the sample used for
testing in accordance with Test Method C40/C40M, use this
4. Summary of Test Method
material for the tests
...

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: C87/C87M − 17 C87/C87M − 23
Standard Test Method for
Effect of Organic Impurities in Fine Aggregate on Strength
1
of Mortar
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C87/C87M; 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 covers the determination of the effect on mortar strength of the organic impurities in fine aggregate, whose
presence is indicated using Test Method C40/C40M. Comparison is made between compressive strengths of mortar made with
washed and unwashed fine aggregate.
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 the 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 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 healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.(Warning—Fresh hydraulic cementitous mixtures are caustic and may cause
2
chemical burns to exposed skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.)
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
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C33/C33M Specification for Concrete Aggregates
C40/C40M Test Method for Organic Impurities in Fine Aggregates for Concrete
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
C128 Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Fine Aggregate
C136/C136M Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
C150/C150M Specification for Portland Cement
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.20 on
Normal Weight Aggregates.
Current edition approved May 1, 2017June 1, 2023. Published July 2017June 2023. Originally approved in 1931. Last previous edition approved in 20102017 as
C87/C87M–10. DOI: 10.1520/C0087_C0087M-17.–17. DOI: 10.1520/C0087_C0087M-23.
2
See section on Safety Precautions, Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C87/C87M − 23
C230/C230M Specification for Flow Table for Use in Tests of Hydraulic Cement
C305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
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
C702/C702M Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size
D75/D75M Practice for Sampling Aggregates
D3665 Practice for Random Sampling of Construction Materials
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definition of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology
...