Designation: C227 – 10

Standard Test Method for

Potential Alkali Reactivity of Cement-Aggregate
Combinations (Mortar-Bar Method)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C227; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the sus- 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
ceptibility of cement-aggregate combinations to expansive C33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates
reactions involving hydroxyl ions associated with the alkalies C109/C109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of
(sodium and potassium) by measurement of the increase (or Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50-mm] Cube
decrease) in length of mortar bars containing the combination Specimens)
during storage under prescribed conditions of test. C289 Test Method for Potential Alkali-Silica Reactivity of
1.2 Alkalies participating in the expansive reactions usually Aggregates (Chemical Method)
are derived from the cement; under some circumstances they C294 Descriptive Nomenclature for Constituents of Con-
may be derived from other constituents of the concrete or from crete Aggregates
external sources. Two types of alkali reactivity of aggregates C295 Guide for Petrographic Examination of Aggregates
are recognized: (1) an alkali-silica reaction involving certain for Concrete
siliceous rocks, minerals, and natural or artificial glasses and C305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement
(2) an alkali-carbonate reaction involving dolomite in certain Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
calcitic dolomites and dolomitic limestones (see Descriptive C441 Test Method for Effectiveness of Pozzolans or
Nomenclature C294). The method is not recommended as a Ground Blast-Furnace Slag in Preventing Excessive Ex-
means to detect the latter reaction because expansions pro- pansion of Concrete Due to the Alkali-Silica Reaction
duced in the mortar-bar test by the alkali-carbonate reaction C490 Practice for Use of Apparatus for the Determination
(see Test Method C586) are generally much less than those of Length Change of Hardened Cement Paste, Mortar, and
produced by the alkali-silica reaction for combinations having Concrete
equally harmful effects in service. C511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets,
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the
standard. When combined standards are cited, the selection of Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes
measurement system is at the user’s discretion subject to the C586 Test Method for Potential Alkali Reactivity of Car-
requirements of the referenced standard. bonate Rocks as Concrete Aggregates (Rock-Cylinder
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the Method)
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the C856 Practice for Petrographic Examination of Hardened
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- Concrete
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- C1437 Test Method for Flow of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
Sieves
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
2
C09.26 on Chemical Reactions. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2010. Published March 2010. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1950. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as C227–03. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/C0227-10. 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.

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 C227 – 10
3. Significance and Use 4. Apparatus
3.1 Data correlating the results of tests performed using this 4.1 The apparatus shall conform to Specification C490,
test method with performance of cement-aggregate combina- except as follows:
tions in concrete in service, results of petrographic examination 4.2 Sieves—Square hole, woven-wire cloth sieves, shall
of aggregates (Guide C295), and results of tests for potential conform to Specification E11.
reactivity of aggregates by chemical methods have been 4.3 Mixer, Paddle, and Mixing Bowl— Mixer, paddle, and
published in Test Method C289 and should be consulted in mixing bowl shall conform to the requirements of Practice
connection with the use of results of tests performed using this C305, except that the clearance between the lower end of the
paddle and the bottom of the bowl shall be 5 to 6 mm.
test method as the basis for conclusions and recommendations
4.4 Tamper and Trowel—The tamper and trowel shall con-
concerning the use of cement-aggregate combinations in con-
form to Test Method C109/C109M.
crete.
4.5 Containers—Covered containers for storing the test
3.2 The results of tests performed using this method furnish specimens shall be constructed of material that is resistant to
information on the likelihood that a cement-aggregate combi- corrosion under the test conditions. The wall thickness of the
nation is potentially capable of harmful alkali-silica reactivity container and cover shall be less than 6 mm to reduce the
with consequent deleterious expansion of concrete. Criteria to insulating effect and provide a rapid heat transfer for the initial
determine potential deleterious alkali-silica reactivity of 14-day test period. The cover shall be constructed in a manner
cement-aggregate combinations from the results of this test to maintain a tight seal between the cover and top of the
method have been given in the Appendix of Specification C33. container wall (Note 1). The container shall be arranged to
3.3 Insignificant expansion may result when potentially provide every surface of each specimen with approximately an
deleteriously reactive siliceous rocks are present in compara- equal exposure to an absorbent wicking material. The speci-
tively high proportion even when a high-alkali cement is used. mens shall not be in direct contact with the wicking material
This may occur because the alkali-silica reaction products are but every surface shall be within 30 mm or less of the the
characterized by an alkali to silica ratio that is so low as to wicking. A typical arrangement of such a container is shown in
minimize uptake of water and swelling, or because of alkali Fig. 1. The inner sides and the center core of the containers are
leaching from the bars (see section on containers). Dolomitic to be lined with an absorbent material, such as blotting or filter
aggregates that are deleteriously affected by the alkali- paper, to act as a wick and to ensure that the atmosphere in the
carbonate reaction when employed as course aggregate in container is quickly saturated with water vapor when it is
sealed after the specimens are placed therein. The wicking
concrete may not produce notable expansion in this test
liners will extend into the top of the water in the bottom of the
method. Also, significant expansion may occur rarely in the test
container and above the tops of the specimens. Make provi-
for reasons other than alkali-aggregate reaction, particularly
sions to support the bars in a vertical position with the lower
the presence of sulfates in the aggregate that produce a sulfate
end of the bars approximately 25 mm above the surface of the
attack upon the cement paste, ferrous sulfides (pyrite, marca- water in the containers. The weight of the specimens shall not
site, or pyrrhotite) that oxidize and hydrate with the release of be supported on the metal gage studs. A supporting rack shall
sulfate, and materials such as free lime (CaO) or free magnesia be provided to ensure that the specimens do not touch the
(MgO) in the cement or aggregate that progressively hydrate wicking material or each other. The supporting rack shall be
and carbonate. constructed of brass wire or other material that is resistant to
3.4 When expansions in excess of those given in the corrosion under the test conditions and shall not act as a vapor
Appendix of Specification C33 are shown in results of tests barrier but provide free movement of vapors within the
performed using this test method, it is strongly recommended container. Provisions shall be made to prevent water from
that supplementary information be developed to confirm that splashing and dripping onto the specimens (Notes 2-4). If
the expansion is actually due to alkali reactivity. Sources of required to prevent the growth of mold on the wicking, add a
such supplementary information include: (1) petrographic suitable fungicide to the water in the container. The container
examination of the aggregate to determine if known reactive size and internal arrangement of the specimens and wicking
constituents are present; (2) examination of the specimens after may be varied at the users discretion, providing expansion data
tests to identify the products of alkali reactivity; and (3) tests of for all specimens can be shown to be equivalent to that
the aggregate for potential reactivity by chemical methods developed with the container herein described.
(Test Method C289). NOTE 1—This seal may be achieved by a double wrap of vinyl tape 38
3.5 When it has been concluded from the results of tests mm or greater in width, overlaying the lid and container wall along its full
performed using this test method and supplementary informa- circumference.
tion as outlined that a given cement-aggregate combination NOTE 2—The shape and spacing of the center wicking material may be
maintained during the test by the use of rubber bands or hardware cloth.
should be considered potentially deleteriously reactive, addi-
NOTE 3—If concern exists for adequately preventing dripping or
tional studies may be appropriate to develop information on the
splashing, the water should be tested for pH and alkali content.
potential reactivity of other combinations containing the same
NOTE 4—The container described in 4.5 and in Fig. 1 has been shown
cement with other aggregates, the same aggregate with other to produce large and reproducible expansions with cement-aggregate
cements, or the same cement-aggregate combination with a combinations such as borosilicate glass: high-alkali cement combination
mineral admixture. called for by Test Method C441. However, recent work, at a few

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 C227 – 10

FIG. 1 Diagram of an Acceptable Assembled Container

laboratories, suggests that the same factors that are responsible for the 6.1.1 When a given quarried material is proposed for use,
success with the Test Method C441 mixtures, that is, high, constant, both as coarse and as fine aggregate, it will be tested only by
uniform internal relative humidity, will, under certain testing regimes selection of an appropriate sample crushed to the fine aggregate
permitted by this test method, promote leaching of alkali from the
specimens and result in little or no expansion from some known
sizes, unless there is reason to expect that the coarser size
deleteriously alkali-reactive aggregate: high-alkali cement combinations. fractions have a different composition than the finer sizes and
Each laboratory should evaluate its containers with a known deleteriously that these differences might significantly affect expansion due
alkali-reactive aggregate (not borosilicate glass which releases alkali) and to reaction with the alkalies in cement. In this case the coarser
a high-alkali cement, to establish that the expected level of expansion is size fractions should be tested in a manner similar to that
obtained. If not, try removing the wicking to reduce the condensation and employed in testing the fine aggregate sizes.
leaching. Minimizing the temperature variation within the storage room
6.1.2 Coarse aggregate crushed to sand size may give
and the room in which the bars are read may also reduce condensation on
and leaching from the bars. increased expansion, owing to the increased surface exposed
upon crushing. Therefore, if coarse aggregate tested by this
5. Temperature and Humidity method produces an excessive amount of expansion, the
5.1 The temperature of the molding room and dry materials material shall not be classed as objectionably reactive with
shall be maintained at not less than 20 °C and not more than alkali unless tests of concrete specimens confirm the findings
27.5 °C. The temperature of the mixing water, of the moist of the tests of the mortar.
closet or moist room, and of the room in which the measure- 6.2 Preparation of Aggregate—Fine aggregate shall be
ments are made shall not vary from 23 °C by more than 2.0 °C. tested in a grading meeting the requirements of the specifica-
5.2 The relative humidity of the molding room shall be not tions for the project except that any material retained on the
less than 50 %. The moist closet or room shall conform to 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve shall be removed. Fine aggregates being
Specification C511. tested for reasons other than to determine compliance with
5.3 The storage room in which the specimens in containers individual specifications, and all coarse aggregates to which
are stored shall be maintained at a temperature that shall not this method is applied shall be graded in accordance with the
vary from 38.0 °C by more than 2.0 °C. requirements prescribed in Table 1. Aggregates in which
sufficient quantities of the sizes specified in Table 1 do not exist
6. Selection and Preparation of Materials
6.1 Selection of Aggregate—Materials proposed for use as TABLE 1 Grading Requirements
fine aggregate in concrete shall be processed as described in Sieve Size
Mass %
6.2 with a minimum of crushing. Materials proposed for use as Passing Retained on
coarse aggregate in concrete shall be processed by crushing to 4.75-mm (No. 4) 2.36-mm (No. 8) 10
produce as nearly as practical a graded product from which a 2.36-mm (No. 8) 1.18-mm (No. 16) 25
sample can be obtained. The sample shall have the grading as 1.18-mm (No. 16) 600-µm (No. 30) 25
600-µm (No. 30) 300-µm (No. 50) 25
prescribed in 6.2 and be representative of the composition of 300-µm (No. 50) 150-µm (No. 100) 15
the coarse aggregate as proposed for use.

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 C227 – 10
shall be crushed until the required material has been produced. 7.1.4 Mixing of Mortar—Mix the mortar in accordance with
In the case of aggregates containing insufficient amounts of one the requirements of Practice C305.
or more of the larger sizes listed in Table 1, and if no larger 7.1.5 Molding of Test Specimens—Immediately following
material is available for crushing, the first size in which completion of the flow test return the mortar from the flow
sufficient material is available shall contain the cumulative table to the mixing bowl. Mix the entire batch for a period of
percentage of material down to that size as determined from the 15 s. Start molding specimens with a total elapsed time of not
grading specified in Table 1. When such procedures are more than 2 min and 15 s after completion of the original
required, special note shall be made thereof in the test report. mixing of the mortar batch. Fill the molds with two approxi-
After the aggregate has been separated into the various sieve
mately equal layers, each layer being compacted with the
sizes, each size shall be washed with a water spray over the
tamper. Work the mortar into the corners, around the gage
sieve to remove adhering dust and fine particles from the
studs, and along the surfaces of the mold with the tamper until
aggregate. The portions retained on the various sieves shall
a homogeneous specimen is obtained. After the top layer has
then be dried and, unless used immediately, each such portion
shall be stored individually in a clean container provided with been compacted, cut off the mortar flush with the top of the
a tight-fitting cover. mold and smooth the surface with a few strokes of the trowel.
6.3 Selection and Preparation of Cement: 7.1.5.1 When a duplicate batch of mortar is to be made
6.3.1 Job Cement—When it is desired to evaluate a particu- immediately for additional specimens, a second flow test is not
lar cement-aggregate combination for use in particular work, required, in which case allow the mortar to stand in the mixing
the cement or cements used shall meet the requirements for the bowl for 90 s and then remixed for 15 s before starting the
work and shall be from the source or sources expected to be molding of the specimens.
used in the work. If several cements may be used in the work, 7.1.6 Sequence of Making Batches of Mortar—When more
tests desirably should be made using each of these; in any case, than one cement-aggregate combination is to be tested as part
the cement or cements whose alkali content exceeds 0.60 %, of a single investigation, make the total number of batches of
calculated as Na2O, should be used. mortar (two per cement-aggregate combination) in random
6.3.2 Reference Cements—When it is desired to evaluate order, except that in no case shall the two batches representing
aggregates for general use or to compare aggregates for a single cement-aggregate combination be made consecutively.
investigational purposes, the cement used shall be of the When the making of all of the specimens for a single
highest alkali content representative of the general use in- investigation requires that batches be made on 2 working days,
tended, or available to the laboratory making the tests. The each cement-aggregate combination shall be represented by
cement or cements selected should comply with applicable one batch made on each day, and the order in which the
specifications. Additional information of value may be ob- combinations are represented by batches shall be different on
tained by conducting tests in parallel with cements of different the 2 days. When more than 2 days are required, one cement-
alkali content, different Na2O:K2O ratio, or using pozzolans. aggregate combination shall be represented by a batch made on
6.3.3 Preparation of Cement—Cement for use in this test each of the working days.
shall be passed through a 850-µm (No. 20) sieve to remove
7.2 Storage and Measurement of Test Specimens:
lumps before use.
7.2.1 Initial Storage and Measurement—After each mold
7. Procedure has been filled, place the mold immediately in the moist
cabinet or room. The specimens shall remain in the molds for
7.1 Preparation of Test Specimens: 24 6 2 h. Then remove them from the molds and, while being
7.1.1 Number of Specimens—Make at least four test speci- protected from loss of moisture, properly identify and measure
mens, two from each of two batches, for each cement- for initial length. The initial and all subsequent measurements
aggregate combination. shall be made and recorded to the nearest 0.002 mm.
7.1.2 Preparation of Molds—Prepare the molds in accor-
7.2.2 Subsequent Storage and Measurement—Stand the
dance with the requirements of Specification C490.
specimens on end over, but not in contact with, water in the
7.1.3 Proportioning of Mortar—Proportion the dry materi-
storage container. Seal and place the container for 12 days in a
als for the test mortar using 1 part of cement to 2.25 parts of
cabinet or room maintained at a temperature of 38.0 6 2.0 °C.
graded aggregate by mass. The quantities of dry materials to be
mixed at one time in the batch of mortar for making two When the specimens are 14 days old measure their length after
specimens shall be 300 g of cement and 675 g of aggregate removal of the container and contents from the storage room or
made up by recombining the portions retained on the various cabinet, and after the container and contents have been stored
sieves (see 6.2) in the grading prescribed in Table 1 or of at 23.0 6 2.0 °C for at least 16 h before opening the container
aggregate in a grading meeting the requirements of the and making the 14-day measurement. Additional measure-
specifications for the project. The amount of mixing water, ments shall be made at later ages as required.
measured in millimetres, shall be such as to produce a flow of 7.2.3 Additional information of value may often be obtained
105 to 120 (as determined in accordance with Test Method by returning the specimens to the 38.0 °C storage after the
C1437) except that the flow table shall be given 10 drops in 14-day test and making additional measurements at later ages.
approximately 6 s. Express the amount of mixing water used as Measurements at ages of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months and, if
a percent by mass of the cement. necessary, at least every 6 months thereafter are suggested.

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 C227 – 10
7.2.4 After each length measurement specimens may be interior of the specimen may be made, following Practice C856. In such
examined, in the same manner described in Section 9, to cases, the presence of gel-filled pores and fissures, evidence of reaction
provide supplemental information on their condition. with aggregate particles of specific types and the nature of such evidence
and the properties of the reaction products are among the items to be
7.2.5 All specimens placed in a given container after the noted.
initial length measurement at 24 6 2 h shall have been made
on the same day and shall be placed in the container at the same 10. Report
time so that all specimens in a given container shall be due for 10.1 Report the following information:
measurement at the same time. Each time length measurements 10.1.1 Type and source of aggregate,
are made, clean the container and change the water. 10.1.2 Type and source of portland cement,
7.2.6 Always place the specimens in the comparator with 10.1.3 Alkali content of cement as percent potassium oxide
the same end uppermost and after measurement replace the (K2O), sodium oxide (Na2O), and calculated sodium oxide
specimens in the container in inverted position as compared (Na2O) equivalent,
with the previous period. 10.1.4 Average length change in percent at each reading of
8. Calculation the specimens,
10.1.5 Any relevant information concerning the preparation
8.1 Calculate the difference between the initial length of the of aggregates, including the grading of the aggregate when it
specimen and the length at each period of measurement to the differs from that given in 6.2,
nearest 0.001 % of the effective gage length and record as the 10.1.6 Any significant features revealed by examination of
expansion of the specimen for that period. Report the average the specimens during and after test,
of the expansion of the four specimens of a given cement- 10.1.7 Amount of mixing water expressed as percent by
aggregate combination to the nearest 0.01 % as the expansion mass of cement, and
for the combination for a given period. 10.1.8 Type, source, proportions, and chemical analyses,
9. Examination at End of Test including Na2O and K2O, of any pozzolans employed in the
tests.
9.1 After the final length change measurements have been
made, each specimen shall be tested for warping and shall be 11. Precision and Bias
examined (see Note 5). 11.1 Precision shall be considered satisfactory if the differ-
9.1.1 Warping—The warping, if any, that each specimen has ences in the value for percentage expansion of any given
manifested during the test period, shall be determined by specimen in a group from the average value for percentage
placing the specimen on a plane surface and measuring the expansion of the group does not exceed 0.003, except that, if
maximum separation between the specimen and the surface. the average expansion exceeds 0.020 %, the repeatability shall
The specimen shall be placed so that its ends curve down to the be considered satisfactory if the percentage expansion of each
reference surface and the measurement made to the nearest 0.3 specimen molded from the same cement-aggregate combina-
mm. tion is within 15 % of the average.
9.1.2 Examination—Items to be noted in the examination 11.2 Interlaboratory test data for the determination of revi-
include: sions to this section in accordance with Practice C670 are being
9.1.2.1 Presence, location, and type of pattern of cracking, evaluated by Subcommittee C09.02.02 and will be included in
9.1.2.2 Appearance of surfaces, surface mottling, and a later revision of this test method.
9.1.2.3 Surficial deposits or exudations, their nature, thick-
ness and continuity. 12. Keywords
NOTE 5—When it is believed that additional features of noteworthy 12.1 aggregate; alkali-silica reaction; cement; length
importance are likely to be revealed thereby, a further examination of the change; mortar

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this test method since the last issue,
C227–03, that may impact the use of this test method. (Approved February 1, 2010)

(1) Revised the standard to delete inch-pound units throughout.

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 C227 – 10
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