ASTM C123/C123M-23

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C123/C123M − 23 American Association State
Highway and Transportation Standard
AASHTO No.: T 113
Standard Test Method for
Lightweight Particles in Aggregate
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C123/C123M; 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 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the per-
C33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates
centage of lightweight particles in aggregate by means of
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
sink-float separation in a heavy liquid of suitable specific
gregates
gravity.
C127 Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity)
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
C128 Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity)
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
and Absorption of Fine Aggregate
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
C702 Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
Size
with the standard. Some values have only SI units because the
C1005 Specification for Reference Masses and Devices for
inch-pound equivalents are not used in the practice.
Determining Mass and Volume for Use in Physical Testing
of Hydraulic Cements
NOTE 1—Sieve size is identified by its standard designation in Speci-
D75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates
fication E11. The alternative designation given in parentheses is for
D3665 Practice for Random Sampling of Construction Ma-
information only and does not represent a different standard sieve size.
terials
1.3 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
Sieves
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
E100 Specification for ASTM Hydrometers
as requirements of the standard.
3. Terminology
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Terminology C125.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4. Significance and Use
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
For a specific hazard statement, see 6.1.4.
4.1 This test method is used to determine conformance with
provisions of Specification C33 pertaining to the amount of
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
lightweight material in fine and coarse aggregates. A heavy
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
liquid with a specific gravity of 2.0 is used to separate particles
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
which may be classified as coal or lignite. Heavier liquids are
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
to be used to check the percentages of other lightweight
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
particles such as chert and shale having a specific gravity less
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
than 2.40.
4.2 The test method is useful in identifying porous aggre-
gate particles in research activities or in petrographic analyses.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Concrete and Concrete Aggregatesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.20 on Aggregates.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2023. Published December 2023. Originally For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
approved in 1936. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C123/C123M–14 contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
which was withdrawn January 2023 and reinstated in December 2023. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/C0123_C0123M-23. the ASTM website.
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C123/C123M − 23
5. Apparatus 7. Sampling
5.1 Balances—For determining the mass of fine aggregates, 7.1 Secure a field sample of the aggregate in accordance
with Practices D75 and D3665. Reduce the sample to test
a balance having a capacity of not less than 500 g, sensitive to
at least 0.1 g: for determining the mass of coarse aggregate, a portion size in accordance with Practice C702.
balance having a capacity of not less than 5000 g, sensitive to
7.2 Dry the test portion to constant mass at a temperature of
at least 1 g. Both balances shall conform to the accuracy
110 °C 6 5 °C [230 °F 6 10 °F] before testing and sieve to
criterion of the applicable sections of Specification C1005.
remove the undersize material as specified in 8.1 and 8.2. The
minimum size of the test specimen shall be as follows:
5.2 Containers suitable for drying the aggregate sample,
and containers suitable for holding the heavy liquid during the
sink-float separation.
Nominal Maximum Size Minimum Mass of
of Aggregate Sample, g [lb]
5.3 Skimmer—A piece of 300-μm (No. 50) sieve cloth,
(square-opening sieves)
4.75 mm or smaller (No. 4 or smaller) 200 [0.5]
conforming to Specification E11, of suitable size and shape for
9.5 mm ( ⁄8 in.) 1 500 [3]
separating the floating particles from the heavy liquid.
1 3
12.5 mm to 19.0 mm ( ⁄2 to ⁄4 in.) 3 000 [7]
25 mm to 37.5 mm (1 to 1 ⁄2 in.) 5 000 [11]
5.4 Hot Plate or Oven.
50 mm or larger (2 in. or larger) 10 000 [22]
5.5 Sieves, 300-μm (No. 50) and 4.75-mm (No. 4) conform-
8. Procedure
ing to Specification E11.
8.1 Fine Aggregate—Allow the dried test specimen of fine
5.6 Specific Gravity Measurement—A hydrometer conform-
aggregate to cool to room temperature and then sieve over a
ing to the physical requirement sections for individual hydrom-
300-μm (No. 50) sieve until less than 1 % of the retained
eters of Specification E100, or a suitable combination of
material passes the sieve in 1 min of continuous sieving.
graduated glassware and balance capable of measuring the
Determine the mass of the material coarser than the 300 μm
liquid specific gravity within 60.01.
(No. 50) sieve to the nearest 0.1 g, and bring this material to a
saturated-surface-dry condition by means of the procedure
6. Heavy Liquid
specified in Test Method C128 (see 8.1.1), then introduce it
6.1 The heavy liquid shall be able to achieve the required
into the heavy liquid (see 6.1.4) in a suitable container. The
specific gravity and be readily removable from the sample. The volume of liquid shall be at least three times the absolute
heavy liquid shall consist of one of the following (see 6.1.4):
volume of the aggregate.
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