ASTM C535-16

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: C535 − 12 C535 − 16
Standard Test Method for
Resistance to Degradation of Large-Size Coarse Aggregate
by Abrasion and Impact in the Los Angeles Machine
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C535; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers testing sizes of coarse aggregate larger than 19 mm ( ⁄4 in.) for resistance to degradation using the
Los Angeles testing machine (Note 1).
NOTE 1—A procedure for testing coarse aggregate smaller than 37.5 mm (1 ⁄2 in.) is covered in Test Method C131C131/C131M.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound values given in parentheses are for
information only.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
C131C131/C131M Test Method for Resistance to Degradation of Small-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in the
Los Angeles Machine
C136C136/C136M Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
C702C702/C702M Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size
D75D75/D75M Practice for Sampling Aggregates
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology C125.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This test is a measure of degradation of mineral aggregates of standard gradings resulting from a combination of actions
including abrasion or attrition, impact, and grinding in a rotating steel drum containing 12 steel spheres. As the drum rotates, a
shelf plate picks up the sample and the steel spheres, carrying them around until they are dropped to the opposite side of the drum,
creating an impact-crushing effect. The contents then roll within the drum with an abrading and grinding action until the shelf plate
picks up the sample and the steel spheres, and the cycle is repeated. After the prescribed number of revolutions, the contents are
removed from the drum and the aggregate portion is sieved to measure the degradation as percent loss.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The test has been widely used as an indicator of the relative quality or competence of various sources of aggregate having
similar mineral compositions. The results do not automatically permit valid comparisons to be made between sources distinctly
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.20 on
Normal Weight Aggregates.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2012June 15, 2016. Published January 2013June 2016. Originally approved in 1964. Last previous edition approved in 20092012 as
C535 – 09.C535 – 12. DOI: 10.1520/C0535-12.10.1520/C0535-16.
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 Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 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
C535 − 16
different in origin, composition, or structure. Assign specification limits with extreme care in consideration of available aggregate
types and their performance history in specific end uses.
6. Apparatus
6.1 The Los Angeles Machine shall conform to the requirements of Test Method C131C131/C131M.
6.1.1 The operation and maintenance of the machine shall be as prescribed in Test Method C131C131/C131M.
6.2 Sieves, conforming to Specification E11.
6.3 Balance—A balance or scale accurate within 0.1 % of test load over the range required for this test
6.4 Charge—The charge (Note 2) shall consist of 12 steel spheres averaging approximately 47 mm (1 ⁄32 in.) in diameter, each
having a mass between 390 and 445 g, and having a total mass of 5000 6 25 g.
13 7
NOTE 2—Steel ball bearings 46.0 mm (1 ⁄16 in.) and 47.6 mm (1 ⁄8 in.) in diameter, having a mass approximately 400 and 440 g each, respectively,
are readily available. Steel spheres 46.8 mm (1 ⁄32 in.) in diameter having a mass approximately 420 g may also be obtainable. The charge may consist
of a mixture of these sizes conforming to the total mass tolerance of 6.4.
7. Sampling
7.1 Obtain the field sample in accordance with Practice D75D75/D75M and reduce to an adequate sample size in accordance
with Practice C702C702/C702M.
8. Test Sample Preparation
8.1 Wash the reduced sample and oven dry at 110 6 5°C (230 6 9°F) to substantially constant mass, separate into individual
size fractions, and recombine to the grading of Table 1 most nearly corresponding to the range of sizes in the aggregate as furnished
for the work. Record the mass of the sample prior to test to the nearest 1 g.
9. Procedure
9.1 Place the test sample and charge in the Los Angeles testing machine and rotate the machine at 30 to 33 r/min for 1000
revolutions (Note 3). After the prescribed number of revolutions, discharge the material from the machine and make a preliminary
separation of the sample on a sieve coarser than the 1.70-mm (No. 12) sieve. Sieve the finer portion on a 1.70-mm sieve in a manner
conforming to Test Method C136C136/C136M. Wash the material coarser than the 1.70-mm sieve and oven dry at 110 6 5°C (230
6 9°F) to substantially constant mass, and determine the mass to the nearest 1 g .
9.1.1 If the aggregate is
...