ASTM C311/C311M-17 - 1.8.2017
 
Significance and Use

4.1 These test methods are used to develop data for comparison with the requirements of Specification C618 or Specification C1697. These test methods are based on standardized testing in the laboratory and are not intended to simulate job conditions.

4.1.1 Strength Activity Index—The test for strength activity index is used to determine whether fly ash or natural pozzolan results in an acceptable level of strength development when used with hydraulic cement in concrete. Since the test is performed with mortar, the results may not provide a direct correlation of how the fly ash or natural pozzolan will contribute to strength in concrete.

4.1.2 Chemical Tests—The chemical component determinations and the limits placed on each do not predict the performance of a fly ash or natural pozzolan with hydraulic cement in concrete, but collectively help describe composition and uniformity of the material.

 
1. Scope

1.1 These test methods cover procedures for sampling and testing fly ash and raw or calcined pozzolans for use in portland-cement concrete.

1.2 The procedures appear in the following order:

 

Sections

Sampling

7

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS

Reagents and apparatus

10

Moisture content

11 and 12

Loss on ignition

13 and 14

Silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, iron oxide, calcium oxide,  magnesium oxide, sulfur trioxide, sodium oxide
 and potassium oxide

15

Available alkali

16 and 17

Ammonia

18

PHYSICAL TESTS

Density

19

Fineness

20

Increase of drying shrinkage of mortar bars

21 – 23

Soundness

24

Air-entrainment of mortar

25 and 26

Strength activity index with portland cement

27 – 30

Water requirement

31

Effectiveness of Fly Ash or Natural Pozzolan in
 Controlling Alkali-Silica Reactions

32

Effectiveness of Fly Ash or Natural Pozzolan in
 Contributing to Sulfate Resistance

34

1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

Note 1: Sieve size is identified by its standard designation in Specification E11. The alternative designation given in parentheses is for information only and does not represent a different standard sieve size.

1.4 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.

1.5 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory information. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables) shall not be considered as requirements of this standard.

1.6 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.

 
2. Referenced Documents

C188-26

Standard Test Method for Density and Relative Density of Hydraulic Cement

C185-20

Standard Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement Mortar

C1437-26

Standard Test Method for Flow of Hydraulic Cement Mortar

C1012-04

Standard Test Method for Length Change of Hydraulic-Cement Mortars Exposed to a Sulfate Solution

C778-26

Standard Specification for Standard Sand

C618-26

Standard Specification for Coal Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan for Use in Concrete

C604-18(2023)

Standard Test Method for True Specific Gravity of Refractory Materials by Gas-Comparison Pycnometer

C441-05

Standard Test Method for Effectiveness of Pozzolans or Ground Blast-Furnace Slag in Preventing Excessive Expansion of Concrete Due to the Alkali-Silica Reaction

C227-10

Standard Test Method for Potential Alkali Reactivity of Cement-Aggregate Combinations (Mortar-Bar Method) (Withdrawn 2018)

C226-22

Standard Specification for Air-Entraining Additions for Use in the Manufacture of Air-Entraining Hydraulic Cement

C151-05

Standard Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Hydraulic Cement

C150-07

Standard Specification for Portland Cement

C125-26

Standard Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates

C109/C109M-26a

Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 50 mm [2 in.] Cube Specimens) (Includes all amendments and changes 7/30/2026).

C114-24

Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement

C33-07

Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates

ACI 201.2R

Guide to Durable Concrete

C157/C157M-24e1

Standard Test Method for Length Change of Hardened Hydraulic-Cement Mortar and Concrete (Includes all amendments and changes 10/14/2024).

E11-24

Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves

D4326-21

Standard Test Method for Major and Minor Elements in Coal Ash By X-Ray Fluorescence

C1697-26

Standard Specification for Blended Supplementary Cementitious Materials

C670-24ae1

Standard Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials (Includes all amendments and changes 2/21/2025).

C430-26

Standard Test Method for Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by the 45-µm (No. 325) Sieve

C219-25

Standard Terminology Relating to Hydraulic and Other Inorganic Cements

C204-26

Standard Test Methods for Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by Air-Permeability Apparatus

D1426-15(2021)e1

Standard Test Methods for Ammonia Nitrogen In Water (Includes all amendments and changes 12/22/2021).