4.1 Durability Test
Uploaded by
ScribdTranslations4.1 Durability Test
Uploaded by
ScribdTranslationsDurability Test ASTM C-88
Objective:
The method describes the procedure that should be followed to determine the
resistance to the disintegration of aggregates by the action of solutions of
sodium or magnesium sulfate.
Laboratory Materials and Equipment
Sieves:
For testing coarse aggregate 3/8", ½", ¾", 1", 1 ½", 2" and 2½".
To test fine aggregate No. 50, No. 30, No. 16, No. 8, and No. 4.
Containers.
Balances. Capacity of 500 g and sensitivity of 0.1 g for the case of
fine aggregate and another with a capacity of no less than 5000 gr. and a sensitivity of 1
gr. for the case of coarse aggregate.
Oven. Capable of maintaining a temperature of 110 ± 5ºC.
Theoretical Framework
It is the percentage of material loss in a mixture of aggregates during the
durability test of aggregates subjected to sodium sulfate attack or
magnesium sulfate. This test estimates the resistance of the aggregate to
deterioration due to the action of climatic agents during the useful life of the work.
It can be applied to both coarse and fine aggregate.
The test is conducted by exposing a sample of aggregate to alternate cycles.
immersion bath in a sodium or magnesium sulfate solution and drying
in the oven. One immersion and one drying are considered a durability cycle.
During the drying phase, salts precipitate in the voids of the aggregate.
reimmersion the salts rehydrate and exert internal expansion forces that
they simulate the expansion forces of frozen water. The result of the test is
the total percentage of weight loss over several sieves for a number
required cycles. The maximum loss values are approximately
10 to 20% for five immersion-drying cycles.
Testing Procedure
Preparation of Solutions
Sodium Sulfate Solution
If anhydrous sodium sulfate (Na)2SO4), dissolve 215 g.;
in case of using hydrated sodium sulfate (Na2SO4.10H20), dissolve 700 gr.
in one liter of water at a temperature of 25 to 30ºC. Let the preparation rest
for 48 hours at 21 ± 1ºC, before use. At the end of the resting period
must have a specific weight between 1.151 and 1.174 gr/cm. The solution that
present impurities must be filtered and its weight must be checked again
specific.
Note 1.
To achieve saturation at 22°C of 1 dm3 of water, 215 grams are sufficient.
of anhydrous salt or 700 gr. of hydrated one. However, since these salts do not
they are completely stable and since it is preferable that there is an excess of
crystals in the solution, it is recommended to use at least 350 g of the
anhydrous salt and 750 g of hydrated salt.
2. Magnesium Sulfate Solution
If anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO) is going to be used4), dissolve 350
in case of using hydrated magnesium sulfate (MgSO)4.7H20), dissolve
1230 g. in a liter of water at a temperature of 25 to 30ºC. Let it rest.
preparation for 48 hours at 21±1ºC, before its use. At the end of the period
at rest must have a specific weight between 1.295 and 1.302 gr/cm3. The
solution that presents impurities must be filtered and must be rechecked for its
specific weight.
Note 2
To achieve saturation at 22 °C of 1 dm3for water, 350 grams is sufficient.
of anhydrous salt or 1230 gr. of the hydrated. However, as these salts do not
they are completely stable and since it is preferable that there is an excess of
crystals in the solution, it is recommended to use at least 400 gr. of the
anhydrous salt and 1400 gr. of hydrated salt.
Sample Preparation
Fine aggregate
The sample must pass through the 3/8" sieve and be retained on the No. 50 mesh. Each
fraction of the sample contained between the indicated sieves
The continuation must be at least 100 grams. Only...
the fractions that are contained in 5% or more of the indicated sieves:
Wash the sample over mesh No. 50, dry them in the oven at a temperature
at 110 ± 5ºC, separate them into the different sieves specified above.
Take 120 gr. of each of the fractions, in order to obtain 100 gr.
after screening, place them separately in the testing containers.
Coarse aggregate
The material retained on sieve No. 4 will be tested, each fraction of the sample.
included between the sieves must have the weight indicated in Table No. 2; and
each fraction of the sample must be at least 5% of the total weight of the
same. In the event that any of the fractions contain less than 5%, it does not
this fraction will be tested, but for the calculation of the test results
will consider that they have the same loss to the action of sulfates, sodium or
magnesium, which is the average of the nearest lower and upper fractions, or
Well, if one of these fractions is missing, it will be considered to have the same loss.
that the lower or upper fraction that is present.
Wash the sample and dry it at a temperature of 110º ± 5ºC. Sift it using
one of the indicated gradations. Take the weights indicated in Table No. 2 and
place them in separate containers. In the case of fractions with size
greater than ¾” the number of particles is also counted. When they are rocks
they must be broken into uniform pieces, 100 grams of each will be weighed. The
The sample to be weighed will be 5000 g ± 2%. The sample will be well washed and dried.
before the rehearsal.
Testing Procedure
1. Immerse the prepared samples in sodium sulfate solution or
magnesium for a period of 16 to 18 hours, so that the level of the
solution should be at least 13 mm above the sample. Cover the
container to prevent evaporation and contamination with substances
strange. Maintain the temperature at 21±1ºC during the period of
immersion.
2. Remove the sample from the solution, allowing it to drain for 15±5 min., dry.
in the oven at 110º±5ºC until constant weight is obtained at the temperature
indicated. To verify the weight, the sample will be taken at intervals no less than
of 4 hours nor greater than 18 hours. It will be considered that a weight has been reached
constant when two successive weighings of a sample do not differ more
of 0.1 g in the case of the fine aggregate, or do not differ by more than 1.0 g in the
case of coarse aggregate.
3. Once the constant weight is obtained, allow to cool to room temperature and return to
immerse in the solution to continue with the specified cycles.
Quantitative Assessment
At the end of the cycles, the sample is washed until the sodium sulfates are removed.
of magnesium, the last washes should be done with distilled water and
through the reaction of barium chloride (BaCl)2).
2. Dry at a constant weight at a temperature of 110±5ºC and weigh.
3. Sieve the fine aggregate over the sieves on which it was retained before the
test, and the coarse aggregate on the sieves indicated below,
according to the size of the particles.
Qualitative Assessment
In particles with a diameter greater than ¾", a qualitative examination is performed.
after each immersion and quantitative at the end of the trial.
The qualitative evaluation will consist of inspecting particle by particle.
in order to eliminate the affected particles (fractured, cracked, chipped,
formation of slabs, etc.).
Illustrations of the Essay
Results
To obtain the loss percentages, the following will be carried out
annotations:
Fine Aggregate
Percentage retained in each of the meshes indicated in Table No. 1
2. Weight of each fraction before the test
3. Percentage of losses of each size after the test
4. Percentage of corrected losses obtained by multiplying '1' by '3'
and dividing by 100
5. The total losses correspond to the sum of the partial particles
corrected.
Coarse Aggregate
Percentage retained in each of the meshes indicated in Table No. 2
2. Weight of each fraction before the assay
3. Percentage of losses of each size after the test
4. Percentage of corrected losses obtained by multiplying "1" by "3"
and dividing by 100
5. The total losses correspond to the sum of the percentage of losses of
the two fractions of each size.
Observations
1. The results obtained vary depending on the salt used; it is suggested to have
Be careful when setting the limits in the specifications that include this test.
Given that its accuracy is limited.
2. To reject an aggregate that does not meet the specifications
relevant, the results must be confirmed with other linked trials
the characteristics of the material.
Examples
The spreadsheet shows some examples from the present essay.
Bibliographic References
Soundness of Aggregates by use of Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate ASTM
C 88-76
Durability to Sodium Sulfate and Magnesium Sulfate. MTC E209-1999
