Designation: C 1105 – 08

Standard Test Method for

Length Change of Concrete Due to Alkali-Carbonate Rock
Reaction1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1105; 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.

1. Scope* Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the

1.1 This test method covers the determination, by measure- Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes
ment of length change of concrete prisms, the susceptibility of C 586 Test Method for Potential Alkali Reactivity of Car-
cement-aggregate combinations to expansive alkali-carbonate bonate Rocks as Concrete Aggregates (Rock-Cylinder
reaction involving hydroxide ions associated with alkalies Method)
(sodium and potassium) and certain calcitic dolomites and C 595 Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
dolomitic limestones. C 670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the for Test Methods for Construction Materials
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this C 702 Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to
standard. Testing Size
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the D 75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3. Terminology
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3.1 Terminology used in this standard is defined in Termi-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. nology C 125 or Descriptive Nomenclature C 294.

2. Referenced Documents 4. Significance and Use

2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 4.1 Two types of alkali reactivity of aggregates have been
C 33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates described in the literature: the alkali-silica reaction involving
C 125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete certain siliceous rocks, minerals, and artificial glasses (1),3 and
Aggregates the alkali-carbonate reaction involving dolomite in certain
C 150 Specification for Portland Cement calcitic dolomites and dolomitic limestones (2). This test
C 157/C 157M Test Method for Length Change of Hard- method is not recommended as a means to detect combinations
ened Hydraulic-Cement Mortar and Concrete susceptible to expansion due to alkali-silica reaction since it
C 233 Test Method for Air-Entraining Admixtures for Con- was not evaluated for this use in the work reported by Buck (2).
crete This test method is not applicable to aggregates that do not
C 294 Descriptive Nomenclature for Constituents of Con- contain or consist of carbonate rock (see Descriptive Nomen-
crete Aggregates clature C 294).
C 295 Guide for Petrographic Examination of Aggregates 4.2 This test method is intended for evaluating the behavior
for Concrete of specific combinations of concrete-making materials to be
C 490 Practice for Use of Apparatus for the Determination used in the work. However, provisions are made for the use of
of Length Change of Hardened Cement Paste, Mortar, and substitute materials when required. This test method assesses
Concrete the potential for expansion of concrete caused by alkali-
C 511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets, carbonate rock reaction from tests performed under prescribed
laboratory curing conditions that will probably differ from field
conditions. Thus, actual field performance will not be dupli-
1 cated due to differences in wetting and drying, temperature,
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee other factors, or combinations of these (see Appendix X1).
C09.26 on Chemical Reactions. 4.3 Use of this test method is of particular value when
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2008. Published February 2008. Originally samples of aggregate from a source have been determined to
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as C 1105 – 05.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. 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 the list of references at the end of
the ASTM website. this test method.

*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.

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 C 1105 – 08
contain constituents that are regarded as capable of participa- 6.2 Job Cement—When it is desired to evaluate a particular
tion in a potentially deleterious alkali-carbonate rock reaction cement-aggregate combination for use in particular work, the
either by petrographic examination, Guide C 295, by the rock cement or cements used shall meet the requirements for the
cylinder test, Test Method C 586, by service record; or by a work and shall be from the source or sources and in the
combination of these. amounts expected to be used in the work. If several cements
4.4 Results of tests conducted as described herein should may be used in the work, it is desirable that tests be made using
form a part of the basis for a decision as to whether precautions each cement separately.
be taken against excessive expansion due to alkali-carbonate 6.3 Reference Cements—When it is desired to evaluate
rock reaction. This decision should be made before a particular aggregates for general use or to compare aggregates for
cement-aggregate combination is used in concrete construction investigational purposes, the cement used shall be of the
(see Note 1). highest alkali content representative of the general use in-
tended, or available to the laboratory making the tests. The
NOTE 1—Other elements that may be included in the decision-making
process for categorizing an aggregate or a cement-aggregate combination cement or cements selected should comply with Specification
with respect to whether precautions are needed, and examples of precau- C 150 or Specification C 595. Additional information of value
tions that may be taken, are described in Appendix X1. may be obtained by conducting parallel tests with cements of
4.5 While the basic intent of this test method is to develop different alkali content, of different sodium oxide to potassium
information on a particular cement-aggregate combination, it oxide ratio, or blended with pozzolan or ground blast-furnace
will usually be very useful to conduct control tests in parallel slag, or both.
using the aggregate of interest with other cements or the 6.4 Substitute Fine Aggregate—If the test aggregate is to be
cement of interest with other aggregates. used only as coarse aggregate and the fine aggregate that it will
be used with is not available, a fine aggregate that is not
5. Apparatus expected to participate in an expansive reaction with alkalies
(see Note 2) shall be used.
5.1 The molds, the associated items for molding test speci-
mens, and the length comparator for measuring length change NOTE 2—Advice on judging the expansive reactivity of aggregate is
shall conform to the applicable requirements of Test Method given in Appendix XI of Specification C 33.
C 157/C 157M and Practice C 490, and the molds shall have 7. Sampling
nominal 75-mm square cross sections.
7.1 Obtain the sample in accordance with Practice D 75 and
6. Materials reduce it to test portion size in accordance with Practice C 702.
6.1 Maximum Size of Coarse Aggregate—Coarse-aggregate 8. Test Specimens
fractions larger than the 19.0-mm sieve shall not be tested as 8.1 Prepare six specimens, of the type required for concrete
such. When petrographic examination using Guide C 295 Test Method C 157/C 157M, from one batch of concrete. The
reveals that the material making up the size fractions larger concrete mixture shall be the mixture in which the aggregates
than the 19.0-mm sieve is of such a composition and lithology are proposed for use. In the event that no specific concrete
that no differences should be expected compared with the mixture is being considered, that described in Test Method
smaller size material to be tested, or when tests, made in C 233 shall be used.
accordance with Test Method C 586, of material in such sizes 8.2 If control or comparison mixtures are made, specimens
reveal no significant differences from the sizes to be tested, shall be made from those mixtures as described in 8.1.
then no further attention need be paid to the larger sizes. If
results of petrographic examination or tests made in accor- 9. Conditioning
dance with Test Method C 586 suggest that the larger size 9.1 Cure, store, and remove molds in accordance with Test
material should be studied for its effects in concrete, one or the Method C 157/C 157M. Thereafter, keep the specimens in
other of two alternative procedures described herein may be moist storage in accordance with Specification C 511 but do
used. not immerse in water.
6.1.1 Proportional Testing—Material larger than the
19.0-mm sieve shall be crushed to pass the 19.0-mm sieve and 10. Procedure
material larger than the 4.75-mm sieve shall be proportioned to 10.1 Follow the procedure of Test Method C 157/C 157M,
include the same proportion by mass of the crushed material except that the specimens shall be stored in a moist room or
originally retained on the 19.0-mm sieve and that originally moist cabinet meeting the requirements of Specification C 511
passing this sieve, as may be expected to be used in the field and length measurements shall be made at ages 7, 28, and 56
concrete. days, and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.
6.1.2 Separated Size Testing—Material larger than the
19.0-mm sieve shall be crushed to pass this sieve and shall be 11. Calculation
used in concrete as a second aggregate. 11.1 Calculate the change in length of each of the prisms at
6.1.2.1 In the case of construction where several size ranges each of the ages at which determinations are made and express
coarser than the 19.0-mm sieve are contemplated, each of these as a percentage change based on the length at the time of
may, if desired, be separately crushed to pass this sieve and removal from the mold at an age of 231⁄2 6 1⁄2 h. Calculate the
may be tested separately. average length change in percentage for the group of prisms.

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 C 1105 – 08
11.2 Data from at least three bars must be available at any Average % Expansion
age to constitute a valid test at that age. <0.040 % $0.040 %

Single-operator standard deviation (1s) among 0.003 % 0.005 %

12. Report individual bars
Maximum difference (d2sA) between extreme
12.1 Report the following information: values within a set of bars in a properly
conducted test should not exceed:
12.1.1 Pertinent details about materials and mixtures used,
12.1.2 The length change in percentage for each specimen number of bars in set
6 0.013 % 0.021 %
and for the group of prisms at each test age, and 5 0.012 % 0.020 %
12.1.3 Description of the circumstances under which results 4 0.012 % 0.019 %
3 0.011 % 0.017 %
on any one of the specimens are not included in the average. Calculated expected 1S associated with a mean 0.002 % 0.003 %
of 3 bars
4 Maximum permissible difference between two 0.005 % 0.008 %
13. Precision and Bias such means in properly conducted tests should
not exceed
13.1 Precision:
A
As described in Practice C 670.
13.1.1 Single-Operator Precision—The precision statement
13.1.2 Multilaboratory Precision—In studies involving 12
is based on calculations made using data reported by Buck (2).
and 20 laboratories (8,9), testing three specimens rather than
The particular within-laboratory variability for which precision
the six specified in this test method, and testing nominal 19 mm
is reported was obtained by a single operator, using the same
maximum size coarse aggregates known to be susceptible to
materials and equipment over a short period of time. The alkalicarbonate rock reaction, in concrete mixtures with a
single-operator standard deviation (1sA) does not vary appre- cement content of 310 kg/m3 , the multilaboratory precision
ciably with age over the range of 90 through 365 days. was found to be as follows:
Standard deviation varies with the magnitude of the expansion 13.1.2.1 For concrete with an average expansion less than
described as follows: 0.014 % the multilaboratory standard deviation of a single test
result (mean of measurements on three prisms) for average
expansion less than 0.014 % has been found to be 0.0032 %.
Therefore, results of two properly conducted tests in different
laboratories using the same aggregate should not differ by more
than 0.009 %.5
13.1.2.2 For concrete with an average expansion greater
than 0.014 % the multilaboratory coefficient of variation of a
single test result (mean of measurements on three prisms) for
average expansion greater than 0.014 % has been found to be
23 %. Therefore, results of two properly conducted tests in
different laboratories using the same aggregate should not
differ from each other by more than 65 % of their average.5
13.2 Bias—A statement on bias has not been developed
since no reference materials are available.

4 5
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may These numbers represent, respectively, the (1s %) and (d2s %) limits as
be obtained by requesting Research Report RR: C09-1002. described in Practice C 670.

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. GENERAL INFORMATION

X1.1 The question of whether or not criterion based on the 0.015 % at 3 months; 0.025 % at 6 months; or 0.030 % at 1
results obtained using this test method should be used for year (1,2). Data for later ages are preferred but the 3-month or
acceptance of materials for use as concrete aggregate will be 6-month average may be used if necessary.
dealt with, if deemed appropriate, in Specification C 33.
X1.3 If this test method has been performed on a cement-
X1.2 Work has been reported from which it may be inferred aggregate combination involving an aggregate that has not
that a cement-aggregate combination might reasonably be been examined petrographically using Practice C 295, or that
classified as potentially deleteriously reactive if the average has not been measured by the rock prism expansion in Test
expansion of six concrete specimens is equal to or greater than: Method C 586, it is recommended that one or both of those

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 C 1105 – 08
procedures be performed. the test are necessary in order to protect against probable
alkali-carbonate rock reaction. If the combination is judged to
X1.4 When it has been concluded from the results of tests be “reactive,” measures to control the effects of the reaction
performed using this test method and supplementary informa- (3,4) include:
tion from petrographic examination, rock-prism testing, service
records, or combinations of these, that a given cement- X1.5.1 The use of the smallest nominal maximum size
aggregate combination is potentially deleteriously expansive, coarse aggregate that is practical.
additional studies may be appropriate to develop information X1.5.2 A maximum of 20 % reactive rock in the coarse
on the potential expansion of other combinations containing aggregate, 20 % reactive rock in the fine aggregate, or a total of
the same cement with other aggregates, the same aggregate 15 % reactive rock if the coarse and fine aggregate both contain
with other cements, or the same cement-aggregate combination reactive rock.
with a pozzolan or slag. X1.5.3 Use of a cement having no greater an alkali content
than a cement tested using test method for which the results are
X1.5 If a cement-aggregate combination tested using this judged to be “non-reactive.”
test method is judged by the results to be “non-reactive,” no X1.5.4 Additional useful information about this chemical
restrictions on the use of the aggregate with the cement used in reaction is included in (5-7).

REFERENCES

(1) Newlon, H. H., and Sherwood, W. C.,“ A Study of Remedial Methods (6) Walker, H. N., “Chemical Reactions of Carbonate Aggregates in
for Reducing Alkali-Carbonate Reaction,’’ Progress Report No. Cement Paste,” Significance of Tests and Properties of Concrete and
4—Potentially Reactive Carbonate Rocks, Virginia Council of High- Concrete-Making Materials, ASTM STP169B, ASTM, 1978, pp.
ways Investigation and Research, May 1963. 722–743.
(2) Buck, A. D., “Control of Reactive Carbonate Rocks in Concrete,’’ (7) Rogers, C. A., “Evaluation of the Potential for Expansion and
Technical Report C-75-3, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Cracking of Concrete Caused by the Alkali-Carbonate Reaction,’’
Station, CE, September 1975. Cement, Concrete, and Aggregates, Vol. 8, No. 1, Summer 1986, pp.
(3) Newlon, H. H., Sherwood, W. C., and Ozol, M. A.,“ A Strategy for Use 13–23.
and Control of Potentially Reactive Carbonate Rocks’’ (Including an (8) Rogers, C. A.,“ Interlaboratory Study of the Concrete Prism Expansion
Annotated Bibliography of Virginia Research), Progress Report No. Test for the Alkali-Carbonate Reaction,” Proceedings of the 7th
8—Potentially Reactive Carbonate Rocks—Virginia Council of High- International Conference on Concrete Alkali-Aggregate Reactions,
ways Investigation and Research, June 1972. Ottawa, Published by Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, N.J., 1987, pp.
(4) Mather, Bryant, “Developments in Specifications and Control,’’ 270–274.
Cement-Aggregate Reaction, Transportation Research Record 525, (9) Rogers, C. A.,“ Interlaboratory Study of the Concrete Prism Expansion
National Research Council, 1974, pp. 38–42. Test for the Alkali-Carbonate Reaction,” Canadian Developments in
(5) Hadley, D. W., “Alkali Reactivity of Dolomitic Carbonate Rocks,’’ Testing Concrete Aggregates for Alkali-Aggregate Reactivity, Ontario
Highway Research Record 45, Highway Research Board, 1964, pp. Ministry of Tranportation, Engineering Materials Report EM-92,
1–19. March 1990, pp. 136–149.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this test method since the last issue,
C 1105 – 05, that may impact the use of this test method. (Approved February 1, 2008)

(1) Revised 1.2, 5.1, and 8.1.

(2) Removed all informational inch-pound units throughout to
conform to ASTM Form and Style.

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