ALl~-

"U
Designation: C 1260 - 07

1NrE~!!o~

Standard Test Method for

Potential Alkali Reactivity of Aggregates (Mortar-
Bar
Method)
1

This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1260; 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 (s) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope" of Length Change of Hardened Cement Paste, Mortar, and

1.1 This test method permits detection, within 16 days, of Concrete
the potential for deleterious alkali-silica reaction of aggregate C 511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets,
in mortar bars. Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes
standard. The values in inch-pound units are shown in paren- C 670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
theses, and are for informational purposes only. for Test Methods for Construction Materials
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the C 856 Practice for Petrographic Examination of Hardened
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the Concrete
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica E 11 Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing
bility of regulatory Limitationsprior to use. A specific precau- Purposes
tionary statement is given in the section on Reagents.
3. Terminology
2. Referenced Documents 3.1 Definitions:
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 3.1.1 relative density (OD), nas defined in Test Methods
C 109/C 109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of C 127 or C 128, for coarse and fine aggregates, respectively.
Hydraulic Cement Mortars(Using 2-in. or [50-mm] Cube 3.2 For definitions of other terms relating to concrete or
Specimens) aggregates, see Terminology C 125.
C 125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete
Aggregates 4. Significance and
C 127 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific Use
Gravity), and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate 4.1 This test method provides a means of detecting the
C 128 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific potential of an aggregate intended for use in concrete for
Gravity), and Absorption of Fine Aggregate undergoing alkali-silica reaction resulting in potentially
C 150 Specification for Portland Cement delete- rious internal expansion. It is based on the NBRI
C 151 Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Hydraulic Accelerated Test Method (1-4).3 It is especially useful for
Cement aggregates that react slowly or produce expansion late in the
C 295 Guide for Petrographic Examination of Aggregates reaction. How- ever, it does not evaluate combinations of
for Concrete aggregates with cementitious materials nor are the test
C 305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement conditions representa- tive of those encountered by concrete
Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency in service.
C 490 Practice for Use of Apparatus for the Determination 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.
I
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on 4.3 When excessive expansions (see Appendix Xl) are
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.26 on Chemical Reactions.
observed, it is recommended that supplementary information
Current edition approved June I, 2007. Published July 2007. Originally approved be developed to confirm that the expansion is actually due to
in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as C 1260- 05a. alkali-silica reaction. Sources of such supplementary informa-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
tion include: (1) petrographic examination of the aggregate
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard's Document Summary page
on the ASTM website.

3
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
the text.

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 (0 c 1260-07
(Guide C 295) to determine if known reactive constituents are be 4 ± 0.5 volumes of solution to l volume of mortar bars.
present; (2) examination of the specimens after tests (Practice The volume of a mortar bar may be taken as 184 mL.
C 856) to identify the products of alkali reaction; and (3) Include sufficient test solution to ensure complete immersion
where available, field service records can be used in the of the mortar bars.
assessment of performance. 6.3. l Warning-Before using NaOH, review: (I) the safety
4.4 When it has been concluded from the results of tests precautions for using NaOH; (2) first aid for burns; and (3)
performed using this test method and supplementary informa- the emergency response to spills, as described in the
tion that a given aggregate should be considered potentially manufactur- er's Material Safety Data Sheet or other reliable
deleteriously reactive, the use of mitigative measures such as safety litera- ture. NaOH can cause very severe burns and
low-alkali portland cement, mineral admixtures, or ground injury to unpro- tected skin and eyes. Suitable personal
granulated blast-furnace slag should be evaluated (see last protective equipment should always be used. These should
sentence of 4.1). include full-face shields, rubber aprons, and gloves impervious
to NaOH. Gloves should be checked periodically for pin
5. Apparatus holes.
5.1 The apparatus shall conform to Specification C 490,
7. Conditioning
exceptas follows:
5.2 SievesSquare hole, woven-wire cloth sieves, shall 7.1 Maintain the temperature of the molding room and dry
conform to Specification E 11. materials at not less than 20 °C (68 °F) and not more than 27.5
5.3 Mixer, Paddle, and Mixing BowlMixer, paddle, and °C (81.5 °F). The temperature of the mixing water, and of the
mixing bowl shall conform to the requirements of Practice moist closet or moist room, shall not vary from 23 °C (73.4 °F)
C 305, except that the clearance between the lower end of the by more than 1.7 °C (3 °F).
paddle and the bottom of the bowl shall be 5.1 ± 0.3 mm 7.2 Maintain the relative humidity of the molding room at
(0.20 not less than 50 %. The moist closet or room shall conform to
± 0.01 in.). Specification C 511.
5.4 Tamper and TrowelThe tamper and trowel shall con- 7.3 Maintain the storage oven or water bath in which the
form to Test Method C 109/C 109M. specimens are stored in the containers at a temperature of 80.0
5.5 ContainersThe containers shall be of such a nature ± 2.0 °C (176 ± 3.6 °F).
that the bars can be totally immersed in either the water or IN
NaOH solution. The containers shall be made of material that 8. Sampling and Preparation of Test Specimens
can withstand prolonged exposure to 80 °C ( 176 °F) and 8.1 Selection of AggregateProcess materials proposed for
must be resistant to a lN NaOH solution (see Note l). use as fine aggregate in concrete as described in the section on
The containers must be so constructed that when used for Preparation of Aggregate with a minimum of crushing.
storing specimens, the loss or gain of moisture is Process materials proposed for use as coarse aggregate in
prevented by tight-fitting covers, by sealing, or both (see concrete by crushing to produce as nearly as practical a
Note 2). The bars in the solution must be placed and graded product from which a sample can be obtained. Grade
supported so that the solution has access to the entire surface the sample as prescribed in Table l. The sample shall
of the bar; therefore, it should be ensured that the specimens do represent the compo- sition of the coarse aggregate as
not touch the sides of the container or each other. The proposed for use.
specimens, if stood upright in the solution, shall not be 8. l.l When a given quarried material is proposed for use
supported by the metal gauge stud. both as coarse and as fine aggregate, test it only by selection
of an appropriate sample crushed to the fine aggregates
NoTE 1-The NaOH solution will corrode glass or metal containers.
NoTE 2-Some microwave-proof food storage containers made of
sizes, unless there is reason to expect that the coarser size
polypropylene or high-density polythylene have been found to be accept- fractions have a different composition that the finer sizes and
able. that these differences might significantly affect expansion due
5.6 Oven, or Water BathA convection oven or water bath to reaction with the alkalies in cement or from the environment
with temperature control maintaining 80.0 ± 2.0 °C ( 176 ± 3.6 of service. In this case test the coarser size fractions in a
OF). manner similar to that employed in testing the fine aggregate
sizes.
6. Reagents 8.2 Preparation of AggregateGrade all aggregates to
which this test method is applied in accordance with the
6.1 Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)USP or technical grade requirements given in Table l. Crush aggregates in which
may be used, provided the Na+ and OH- concentrations are sufficient quantities of the sizes specified in Table I do not exist
shown by chemical analysis to lie between 0.99N and l.OlN.
6.2 Purity of WaterUnless otherwise indicated, references
to water shall be understood to mean reagent water TABLE 1 Grading Requirements
conforming Sieve Size
t pe IV Pa
o Specifi ssi
ation
T 1193.
y
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ng Mass,
(0 c 1260-07
Retained on %
6.3 Sodium Hydroxide 4. 2.36 mm (No.
SolutionEach litre of 7 8)
solution shall 5 10
contain 40.0 g of NaOH m 1.18 mm (No.
dissolved in 900 mL of 16)
m 25
water, and ( 600 µm (No.
shall be diluted with N 30)
o. 25
additional distilled or 300 µm (No.
4)
deionized water to obtain 2. 50)
1.0 L of solution. The 3 25
6 150 µm (No.
volume proportion of m 100)
sodium hydroxide solution m 15
to mortar bars in a (
N
storage container shall o.
8)
1.1
8
m
m
(N
o.
16
)
6
0
0
µ
m
(
N
o.
3
0)
3
0
0
µ
m
(
N
o.
5
0)

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until the required material has been produced. In the case of of cement and mass of aggregate shall be 440 g multiplied by
aggregates containing insufficient amounts of one or more of the aggregate proportion determined in 8.4.3. This
the larger sizes listed in Table I, and if no larger material is aggregate mass shall be made up by recombining the portions
available for crushing, the first size in which sufficient material retained on the various sieves in the grading prescribed in
is available shall contain the cumulative percentage of material Table l (8.2). Use a water-cement ratio equal to 0.47 by mass
down to that size as determined from the grading specified in (see Note 5).
Table l. When such procedures are required, make a special
NOTE 5-Ruggedness tests indicated that mortar bar expansions were
note thereof in the test report. After the aggregate has been
less variable at a fixed water to cement ratio than when gaged to a constant
separated into the various sieve sizes, wash each size with a now (3).
water spray over the sieve to remove adhering dust and fine
particles from the aggregate. Dry the portions retained on the 8.4.4 Mixing of MortarMix the mortar in accordance with
various sieves and, unless used immediately, store each such the requirements of Practice C 305.
portion individually in a clean container provided with a 8.4.5 Molding of Test SpecimensMold test specimens
tight-fitting cover. within a total elapsed time of not more than 2 min and 15 s
8.3 Selection and Preparation of Cement: after completion of the original mixing of the mortar batch. Fill
8.3. l Reference CementUse a portland cement meeting the molds with two approximately equal layers, each layer
the requirements of Specification C 150 (Note 3). In addition, being compacted with the tamper. Work the mortar into the
the autoclave expansion in Test Method C 151 shall be less comers, around the gauge studs, and along the surfaces of the
than 0.20 %. mold with the tamper until a homogeneous specimen is
obtained. After the top layer has been compacted, cut off the
NoTE 3-The alkali content of the cement has been found to have mortar flush with the top of the mold and smooth the surface
negligible (3) or minor (6) effects on expansion in this test.
with a few strokes of the trowel.
8.3.2 Preparation of CementPass cement for use in this
test through an 850-µm (No. 20) sieve to remove lumps 9. Procedure
before use. 9 .1 Initial Storage and ReadingPlace each mold in the
8.4 Preparation of Test Specimens: moist cabinet or room immediately after molds have been
8.4. l Number of SpecimensMake at least three test speci- filled. The specimens shall remain in the molds for 24 ± 2 h.
mens for each cement-aggregate combination. Remove the specimens from the molds and, while they are
8.4.2 Preparation of MoldsPrepare the specimen molds in being protected from loss of moisture, properly identify and
accordance with the requirements of Practice C 490 except, make an initial comparatory reading. Make and record the
the interior surfaces of the mold shall be covered with a initial and all subsequent readings to the nearest 0.002 nun.
release agent (see Note 4). A release agent will be Place the specimens made with each aggregate sample in a
acceptable if it serves as a parting agent without affecting the storage container with sufficient tap water to totally immerse
time of setting of the cement and without leaving any residue them. Seal and place the containers in an oven or water bath
that will inhibit the penetration of water into the specimen. at
NoTE 4-TFE-nuorocarbon tape complies with the requirements for a 80.0 ± 2.0 °C (176 ± 3.6 °F) for a period of 24 h.
mold release agent. 9.2 Zero ReadingsRemove the containers from the oven or
water bath one at a time. Remove other containers only after
8.4.3 Proportioning of MortarProportion the dry materi-
the bars in the first container have been measured and returned
als for the test mortar using l part of cement to 2.25 parts of
to the oven or water bath. The time elapsed between removal
graded aggregate by mass for aggregates with a relative density
and return of the specimens to the oven or water bath shall not
(OD) at or above 2.45. For aggregates with a relative density
(OD) below 2.45, determine the aggregate proportion as exceed 10.0 min. Remove the bars one at a time from the
follows: water and dry their surface with a towel paying particular
attention to the two metal gauge studs. Take the zero reading
Aggregate proportion = 2.25 X D/2.65
(see Note 6) of each bar immediately after drying, and read
as soon as the bar is in position. Complete the process of
where: drying and reading within 15 ± 5 s of removing the
D = relative density (OD) of test aggregate. specimen from the water. After readings, leave the specimen
on a towel until compara- tory readings have been taken on
8.4.3. l For aggregates with a relative density (OD) equal the remainder of the bars. Place all specimens made with
to or greater than 2.45, the quantities of dry materials to be each aggregate sample in a container with sufficient 1 N
mixed at one time in the batch of mortar for making three NaOH, at 80.0 ± 2.0 °C (176 ±
specimens shall be 440 g of cement and 990 g of aggregate 3.6 °F) for the samples to be totally immersed. Seal the
made up by recombining the portions retained on the various container and return it to the oven or water bath.
sieves in the grading prescribed in Table 1 (8.2). Use a NOTE <-The reference bar should be read prior to each set of
water-cement ratio equal to 0.47 by mass (see Note 5). specimens since the heat from the mortar bars may cause the length of the
8.4.3.2 For aggregates with a relative density (OD) less comparator lo change.
than
9.3 Subsequent Storage and MeasurementMake subse-
2.45, the quantities of dry materials to be mixed at one time
quent comparator readings of the specimens periodically, with
in the batch of mortar for making three specimens shall be
at least three intermediate readings, for 14 days after the zero
440 g
reading, at approximately the same time each day. If
readings are continued beyond the 14-day period, take at least
one
 reading per week. The procedure is identical to that described l l.1.7 Amount of mixing water expressed as mass percent
in the section on Zero Readings except that the specimens are of cement,
returned to their own container after measurement. l l.1.8 A graph of the length change data from the time
of the zero reading to the end of the 16 day period.
10. Calculation
12. Precision and Bias
IO. l Calculate the difference between the zero
12. l Withinlaboratory PrecisionIt has been found that the
comparatory reading of the specimen and the reading at each
average within-laboratory coefficient of variation for ma-
period to the nearest 0.00 I % of the effective gauge length and
terials with an average expansion greater than 0.1 % at 14 days
record as the expansion of the specimen for that period. Report
is 2.94 % (5) (Note 7). Therefore, the results of two properly
the average expansion of the three specimens of a given
conducted tests within the same laboratory on specimens of a
cement-aggregate combination to the nearest 0.0 I % as the
sample of aggregate should not differ by more than 8.3 %
expansion for the combination for a given period.
(Note 7) of the mean expansion.
12.2 Multilaboratory PrecisionIt has been found that
11. Report
the average multilaboratory coefficient of variation for materi-
11. l Report the following information: als with an average expansion greater than O. l % at 14 days is
11. l. l Type and source of aggregate, 15.2 % (5) (Note 7). Therefore, the results of two properly
11. l .2 Type and source of portland cement, conducted tests in different laboratories on specimens of a
11.1.3 Autoclave expansion and alkali content of cement as sample of aggregate should not differ by more than 43 %
percent potassium oxide (K20), sodium oxide (Na20), and (Note
calculated sodium oxide (Na20) equivalent (Na20cq= %Naz0 7) of the mean expansion.
+ 0.658 X %K20), NoTE 7-These numbers represent, respectively, the (ls%) and
11.l.4 Average length change in percent at each reading of (d2s %) limits as described in Practice C 670.
the specimens, 12.3 BiasSince thereis no accepted reference material for
11. l .5 Any relevant information concerning the preparation
determining the bias of this test method, no statement on bias
of aggregates, including the grading of the aggregate when it
is being developed.
differs from that given in 8.2,
•. 11. l.6 Any significant features revealed by examination of 13. Keywords
the specimens during and after test, 13. l aggregate; alkali-silica reactivity; length change;
mor- tar; sodium hydroxide

APPENDIX (Nonmandatory

Information)

XL INTERPRETATION OF TEST RESULTS

XI. I There is good agreement in the published literature innocuous and deleterious in field performance. For these
(1,2,7-10) for the following expansion limits: aggregates, it is particularly important to develop supplemental
X 1.1. l Expansions of less than 0.10 % at 16 days information as described in 4.3. In such a situation, it may also
after casting are indicative of innocuous behavior in most be useful to take comparator readings until 28 days (8,10).
cases (see Note Xl.l).
X 1.1.2 Expansions of more than 0.20 % at 16 days NOTE Xl.1-Some granitic gneisses and metabasalts have been found
to be deleteriously expansive in field pcrfonnance even though their
after
expansion in this test was less than 0.10 % at 16 days after casting (IO).
casting are indicative of potentially deleterious expansion (see With such aggregate, it is recommended that prior field performance be
4.3). investigated. In the absence of field performance data, mitigative measures
X 1.1.3 Expansions between 0.10 and 0.20 % at 16 days should be taken as discussed in 4.4.
after casting include both aggregates that are known to be

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 REFERENCE
S
(1) Oberholster, R. E., and Davies, G.," An Accelerated Method for (6) Hooton, R. D.," lnterlaboratory Study of the NBRI Rapid Test Method
Testing the Potential Alkali Reactivity of Siliceous Aggregates." and CSA Standardization Status," Report EM92, Ontario Ministry of
Cement and Concrete Research, Vol 16, 1986, pp. 181-189. Transport, March 1990, pp. 225-240.
(2) Davies, G., and Oberholster, R. E., "Use of the NBRI Accelerated Test (7) Hooton, R. D., and Rogers, C. A., "Evaluation of Rapid Test Methods
to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Mineral Admixtures in Preventing for Detecting Alkali-Reactive Aggregates," Proceedings, Eighth Inter-
the Alkali-Silica Reaction," Cement and Concrete Research, Vol 17, national Conference on Alkali-Aggregate Reaction, Kyoto, 1989, pp.
1987, pp. 97-107. 439-444.
(3) Davies, G., and Oberholstcr, R. E., "An Interlaboralory Test Pro- (8) Hooton, R. D.," New Aggregate Alkali-Reactivity Test Methods,"
gramme on the NBRI Accelerated Test to Determine the Alkali- Report MAT9114, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, November
Reactivity of Aggregates," National Building Research Institute, 1991.
CSIRO, Special Report BOU 92-1987, Pretoria, RSA, 1987, 16 pp. (9) Fournier, 8., and Berube, M.A., "Application of the NBRI Accelerated
(4) Oberholster, R. E., "Alkali Reactivity of Siliceous Rock Aggregates: Mortar Bar Test lo Siliceous Carbonate Aggregates Produced in the St.
Diagnosis of the Reaction, Testing of Cement and Aggregate and Lawrence Lowlands, Part 2: Proposed Limits, Rates of Expansion, and
Prescription of Preventative Measures," Alkali in Concrete, Research Microstructurc of Reaction Products," Cement and Concrete Research,
and Practice, Copenhagen, 1983, Danish Concrete Association, Vol 21, 1991, pp. 1069-1082.
pp. (10) Hooton, R. D., and Rogers, C. A., "Development of the NBRI Rapid
419-433. Mortar Bar Test Leading to its Use in North America," Proceedings,
(S) Rogers, C.A., "Multi-laboratory Study of the Accelerated Mortar Bar Ninth International Conference on AAR in Concrete, London, 1992,
Test (ASTM Test Method C 1260) for Alkali-Silica Reaction," pp. 461-467.
Cement, Concrete, and Aggregates, Vol 21, 1999, pp. 185-194.

SUMMARY OF
CHANGES

Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this test method since the last issue,
C 1260 - 05a, that may impact the use of this test method. (Approved June 1, 2007)

(/) Revised 1. I. (2) Revised 8.4.3, 8.4.3.1, and 8.4.3.2.

Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this test method since the last issue,
C 1260 - 05, that may impact the use of this test method. (Approved December 15, 2005)
(/) Revised the Referenced Documents section. (3) Revised 8.4.3 and added new 8.4.3. J and 8.4.3.2.
(2) Added a Terminology section.

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