ASTM C33 Method for Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates

ASTM C33 Method for Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates

Scope:

ASTM C33 Method determines the requirements for grading and quality of fine and coarse aggregate (other than lightweight or heavyweight aggregate) for use in concrete Fine and coarse aggregate use in concrete that will be subject to wetting, extended exposure to the humid atmosphere or contact with the moist ground shall not contain any materials that are deleteriously reactive with the alkalis in the cement in an amount sufficient to cause excessive expansion of mortar or concrete.

Test Procedure:

For ASTM C33, the sampling and test methods are done with grading and fineness modulus test, organic impurities test, effect of organic impurities on strength test, soundness test, clay lumps and friable particles test, coal and lignite test, bulk density of slag test, abrasion of coarse aggregate test, reactive aggregate test, freezing and thawing test, and chert test method. Independent test specimens are used to determine all other tests and evaluate potential alkali reactivity where required.

Gradation curve of fine aggregate and ASTM C33 requirements.

Contractors, concrete suppliers, and other buyers can use this specification to describe the material to be supplied as part of the purchase document. This standard may also be used in project specifications to specify aggregate quality, nominal aggregate maximum size, and other particular grading requirements. The proportions of fine and coarse aggregate as well as the inclusion of blending aggregate sizes, if necessary or approved, must be decided by those choosing the proportions for the concrete mixture.

It is recommended to treat the values given in either SI units or inch-pound units separately as standards. Each system must be utilised separately from the other since the values indicated in each one may not be exact equivalents. Combining the values from the two systems can make them not meet the standard.

Video 01: ASTM C33 Sieve Analysis

Specimen size:

Sample material (contains fine and coarse aggregate) finer than 75-μm (No. 200) sieve

Data:

The fine and coarse aggregate is not prohibited when used with cement containing less than 0.60% alkalies calculated as sodium oxide equivalent (Na₂O + 0.658K₂O)

Conclusion:

ASTM C33 gives the detailed specification and requirements for grading and quality of fine and coarse aggregate for use in concrete. This standard may also be used in project specifications to specify aggregate quality, nominal aggregate maximum size, and other particular grading requirements.