Designation: C131/C131M − 14

Standard Test Method for

Resistance to Degradation of Small-Size Coarse Aggregate
by Abrasion and Impact in the Los Angeles Machine 1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C131/C131M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revis
revision.
ion. A number in parentheses
parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
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. Sco
Scope*
pe* C136  Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
C136 Test
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for testing of coarse Aggregates
aggregates with a maximum size smaller than 37.5 mm ([1 1 ⁄ 2 C535 Test
C535  Test Method for Resistance to Degradation of Large-
in.] for resista
resistance
nce to degrad
degradation
ation using the Los Angeles
Angeles testing Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in the Los
machine (Note
(Note 1)
1 ). Angeles Machine
C670 Practice
C670  Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
NOTE 1—A procedure for testing coarse aggregate larger than 19.0 mm for Test Methods for Construction Materials
[3 ⁄ 4  in.] is covered in Test Method C535
Method  C535..  Thus coarse aggregates with a
C702 Practice
C702  Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing
Testing
maximum size between 19 mm [3 ⁄ 4  in.] and 37.5 mm [1 1 ⁄ 2  in.] may be
tested by Te Test
st Metho
Method
d  C535
 C535 or
 or Test Method C131/C131M. Size
D75 Practice
D75  Practice for Sampli
Sampling
ng Aggregates
Aggregates
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound
inch-pound units
E11 Specification
E11  Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
Sieves
each system may not be exa exact
ct equ
equiva
ivalen
lents;
ts; the
theref
refore
ore,, each
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining 3. Terminology
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
with the standard. 3.1   Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
method, refer to Terminology  C125
 C125..
NOTE  2—Sieve size is identified by its standard designation in Speci-
fication E11
E11..   The Alt
Altern
ernati
ative
ve des
design
ignati
ation
on giv
given
en in par
parent
enthes
heses
es is for 4. Summ
Summary
ary of Test
Test Method
information only and does not represent a different standard sieve size.
1.3   This standar
standard d doe
doess not purport
purport to add
addre
ress
ss all of the 4.1 This test is a measur
measuree of degradation
degradation of mineral aggre-
safet
safetyy co
conc
ncer
erns
ns,, if an
anyy, as
asso
socia
ciate
ted
d wit
with
h its us
use.
e. It is th
thee gates
gat es of stan
standar
dard
d gra
gradin
dings
gs res
resulti
ulting
ng fro
from
m a com
combin
binatio
ation
n of 
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- actionss includ
action including
ing abrasion or attritio
attrition,
n, impact, and grind
grinding
ing in
   6
   3
  : a rotating steel drum containing a specified number of steel
   6  priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
   1 spheres, the number depending upon the grading of the test
   8 bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
   1
  -
   6 sample. As the drum rotates, a shelf plate picks up the sample
   0
  -
   5 and the ste
steel
el sph
sphere
eres,
s, car
carryi
rying
ng the
them
m aroaround
und until they are
   1
   0
2. Referenc
Referenced
ed Documents
Documents
   2
  -
dropped to the opposite side of the drum, creating an impact-
   1
   0 2.1   ASTM Standards: 2 crushing
crush ing effect.
effect. The conten
contents
ts then roll within the drum with an
   0
   3 A6/A6M Specification
A6/A6M  Specification for General Requirements for Rolled
   8
   6
abrading and grinding action until the shelf plate picks up the
   0 Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes, and Sheet Piling
   9
   0
sample and the steel spheres, and the cycle is repeated. After
   7
 . C125 Terminology
C125  Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
  r the prescribed number of revolutions, the contents are removed
   N
   f gregates
   L
  -
from the drum and the aggregate portion is sieved to measure
   3
   5
   3
the degradation as percent loss.
   4
   1
   8
   7
 . 5. Signi
Significanc
ficancee and Use
  r 1
This tes
This testt met
method
hod is und
under
er the jur
jurisd
isdict
iction
ion of ASTM ComCommit
mittee
tee C09 on
   N
   d Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
   K
  -
5.1 Thi
Thiss test has been widely
widely use
usedd as an ind
indicat
icator
or of the
   d C09.20   on Normal Weight Aggregates.
   t relativee qualit
relativ quality
y or competence of vario
various
us sources of aggre
aggregate
gate
   L Current edition approved July 1, 2014. Published July 2014. Originally approved
  e
  r havi
having
ng sisimil
milar
ar min
miner
eral
al co
comp
mpos
osit
itio
ions
ns.. Th
Thee re
resu
sults
lts do nonott
in 1937. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as C131 – 06. DOI: 10.1520/C0131
  o
  c _C0131M-14. automatically permit valid comparisons to be made between
  a
  r
  r 2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
  e sources distinctly different in origin, composition, or structure.
   T
  - contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For  Annual Book of ASTM 
   h
   t Assign specification limits with extreme care in consideration
  u Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
  e the ASTM website. of available aggregate types and their performance history in
   B
  -
   d
  a
  o
   l
  n
  w
  o *A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
   D
  -
  n
  e Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
  m
  r
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   N

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 C131/C131M − 14

specific end use

specific uses.
s. The percent
percent los
losss det
determ
ermine
ined
d by this test introduct
introd uction
ion of the test sampsample.
le. A sui
suitab
table,
le, dus
dust-ti
t-tight
ght cov
cover
er
method has no known consistent relationship to the percent shall be provided for the opening with means for bolting the
loss for the same material when tested by Test Method  C535
 C535.. cover in place. The cover shall be so designed as to maintain
the cylindrical contour of the interior surface unless the shelf is
6. Appar
Apparatus
atus so located that the steel spher
spheres
es and sample shall not impact on
6.1   Los Ang
Angeles
eles Mac
Machin e— A Los Angles
hine—  Angles mach
machine
ine,, con
con-- or near the door opening and the opening cover during the test.
forming in all essential characteristics to the design shown in A reremo
movavabl
blee st
steel
eel sh
shelf
elf ex
exte
tend
ndin
ing
g th
thee fu
full
ll le
leng
ngthth of th
thee
Fig. 1,
1,  shall be used. The machine shall consist of a hollow cylinder and projecting inward 89 6 2 mm [3.5 6 0.1 in.] shall
steel cylinder, with a wall thickness of at least 12 mm [ 1 ⁄ 2  in.] be mounted on the interior cylindrical surface of the cylinder,
(Note 3) 3) closed at both ends, conforming to the dimensions in such a way that a plane centered between the large faces
shown in Fig.
in  Fig. 1,
1,  having an inside diameter of 711 6 5 mm [28 coin
co inci
cide
dess wi
withth an axaxia
iall pl
plan
ane.
e. Th
Thee sh
shelf
elf sh
shall
all be of susuch
ch
6 0.2 in.], and an inside length of 508 6 5 mm [20 6 0.2 in.]. thickness and so mounted, by bolts or other suitable means, as
The interior surface of the cylinder shall be free from protru- to be firm and rigid. The position of the shelf  (
shelf  (Note
Note 4)4) shall be
sions disrupting the path of the sample and steel spheres except such that the sample and the steel spheres shall not impact on
for the shelf described below. The cylinder shall be mounted on or near the opening and its cover, and that the distance from the
stub shafts attached to the ends of the cylinder but not entering shelf to the opening, measured along the outside circumference
it, and shall be mounted in such a manner that it rotates with of the cylinder in the direction of rotation, shall be not less than
the axis in a horizontal position within a tolerance in slope of  1270 mm [50 in.]. Inspect the shelf periodically to determine
1 in 100. An opening in the cylinder shall be provided for the that it is not bent either lengthwise or from its normal radial

   6
   3
  :
   6
   1
   8
   1
  -
   6
   0
  -
   5
   1
   0
   2
  -
   1
   0
   0
   3
   8
   6
   0
   9
   0
   7
 .
  r
   N
   f
   L
  -
   3
   5
   3
   4
   1
   8
   7
 .
  r
   N
   d
   K
  -
   d
   t
   L
  e
  r
  o
  c
  a
  r
  r
  e
   T
  -
   h
   t
  u
  e
   B
  -
   d
  a
  o
   l
  n FIG. 1 Los Angeles
Angeles Testing
Testing Machine
Machine
  w
  o
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 C131/C131M − 14

position
position wit
with
h respec
respectt to the cyl
cylind
inder
er.. If eith
either
er con
conditi
dition
on is 8. Test Sample Preparation
Preparation
foun
found,
d, re
repa
pair
ir or repl
replace
ace th
thee sh
shelf
elf be
befofore
re fu
furt
rthe
herr tes
tests
ts ar
aree 8.1 Wash the reduced sample (see
(see 9.1.1
 9.1.1)) and oven dry at 110
conducted. 6 5°C [230 6 9°F] to a constant mass, separate into individual
NOTE   3—Tole
3—Toleran
rances
ces for wal
walll thi
thickn
ckness
ess are giv
given
en in Spe
Specifi
cificati
cation
on size fractions, and recombine to the grading of  Table
of  Table 1 most
1  most
A6/A6M.
A6/A6M. nearly corresponding to the range of sizes in the aggregate as
NOTE 4—The use of a shelf of wear-resistant steel, rectangular in cross furnished for the work. Record the mass of the sample prior to
section and mounted independently of the cover, is preferred. However, a
shelf consisting of a section of rolled angle, properly mounted on the
test to the nearest 1 g.
inside of the cover plate, may be used provided the direction of rotation is
such that the charge will be caught on the outside face of the angle. 9. Pro
Procedu
cedure
re
6.1.1 The machine
6.1.1 machine sha
shall
ll be so dri
driven
ven and so coucounter
nterbal-
bal- 9.1 Place the test sample and the charge in the Los Angeles
Angeles
anced as to maintain a rotation speed of 30 to 33 rpm (Note
( Note 5).
5). testing machine and rotate the machine at a speed of 30 to 33
If an angle is used as the shelf, the direction of rotation shall be r/min for 500 revolutions (
revolutions  (Note
Note 7)
7). After the prescribed
prescribed number
number
such that the charge is caught on the outside surface of the of revolutions, discharge the material from the machine and
angle. make a prelimi
preliminary
nary separation
separation of the sample on a sieve coarser
NOTE  5—Back-lash or slip in the driving mechanism is very likely to than the 1.70-mm (No. 12) sieve. Sieve the finer portion on a
furnish
furnish tes
testt res
result
ultss whi
which
ch are not duplicate
duplicated
d by oth
other
er Los Angeles
Angeles 1.70
1.70-m
-mm
m (N(No.
o. 12
12)) si
siev
evee in a ma
mannnner
er co
conf
nfor
ormin
mingg to Tes
estt
machines producing constant peripheral speed. Method   C136.
C136.  W
 Wash
ash the mate
materia
riall coa
coarse
rserr than the 1.7
1.70-m
0-mm
m
6.2   Sieves,   conforming to Specification  E
 E11
11.. (No. 12) sieve and oven-dry at 110 6  5°C [230 6  9°F] to a
constant mass, and determine the mass to the nearest 1 g  (  (Note
Note
6.3   Balance— A balance or scale accurate within 0.1 % of 
8).
test load over the range required for this test.
NOTE 7—Valuable information concerning the uniformity of the sample
6.4   Charge— The The charge shall consist of steel spheres or ball
under test may be obtained by determ
determining
ining the loss after 100 revol
revolutions
utions..
bearings each having a diameter of between 46 mm [ 1  13 ⁄ 16 16 in.]
The loss should be determined by dry sieving the material on the 1.70-mm
and 48 mm [1  ⁄ 8  in.] and each having a mass of between 390
7
sieve without washing. The ratio of the loss after 100 revolutions to the
and 445 g. loss after 500 revolutions should not greatly exceed 0.20 for material of 
6.4.1 The charge (steel spheres
spheres or ball bearings),
bearings), (Note 6) 6) uniform hardness. When this determination is made, take care to avoid
losing
losing any part of the sample; return the entire samp
sample,
le, including the dust
depending upon the grading of the test sample as described in of fracture, to the testing machine for the final 400 revolutions required to
Section 8
Section  8,,  shall be as follows: complete the test.
Number of Mass of NOTE   8—Elimi
8—Eliminat nation
ion of was
washin
hingg aft
after
er tes
testt wil
willl sel
seldom
dom red
reduce
uce the
Grading Spheres Charge, g measured loss by more than about 0.2 % of the original sample mass.
A 12 5 00 0 ± 25
B 11 4 58 0 ± 25 9.1.1 If the aggregate is essentially
essentially free of adherent coatings
coatings
C 8 3 33 0 ± 2 0 and dust, the requi
requirement
rement for washing after the test is optio
optional.
nal.
D 6 2 50 0 ± 1 5 However, in the case of referee testing, the washing procedure
NOTE   6—The total mass specified requires an average mass of each shall be performed.
steel sphere or ball bearing of 416 g. Steel spheres or ball bearings 46.0
   6
   3
  : mm [113 ⁄ 16
16   in.] and 47.6 mm [1  ⁄ 8   in.] in diam
7
diamete
eter,
r, having
having a mas
masss of 
   6
   1
10. Calc
Calculat
ulation
ion
approximatel
approx imately y 400 and 440 g each, respectively
respectively,, are readily available.
   8
   1
  - Steel spheres or ball bearings 46.8 mm [1 27 ⁄ 32 32  in.] in diameter having a 10.1 Calc
10.1 Calcula
ulate
te the los
losss (di
(difffer
ferenc
encee bet
betwee
ween
n the ori
origin
ginal
al
   6
   0
  - mass of approximately 420 g may also be obtainable. The charge may mass and the final mass of the test sample) as a percentage of 
   5 consist of a mixture of these sizes conforming to the mass tolerances of 
   1
   0
   2 6.4 and
6.4  and  6.4.1
 6.4.1..
the original mass of the test sample. Report this value as the
  -
   1 percent loss (Note
(Note 9).
9).
   0
   0
   3 7. Samp
Sampling
ling
   8
   6 NOTE 9—The percent loss determined by this test method has no known
   0
   9 7.1 Obtain
Obtain the fiel
field
d sam
sample
ple in acco
accorda
rdance
nce wit
with
h Pra
Practic
cticee consistent relationship to the percent loss for the same material when
   0
   7
 . tested by Test Method C535
Method  C535..
  r D75,  and reduce the field sample to adequate sample size in
D75,
   N
   f
   L
  - accordance with Practice C702
Practice  C702.. Percent Loss 5 @ ~ C  2 Y ! ⁄  C # 3 100 (1)
   3
   5
   3
   4
   1
   8 TABLE 1 Gradings of Test Samples
   7
 .
  r
   N Sieve Size (Square Openings) M a s s o f In d i c a te d S i z e s , g
   d
   K
  - Grading
   d
   t Pas s i ng Retained on
   L A B C D
  e
  r
  o 37.5 mm (1  ⁄ 2 in.)
1
25.0 mm (1 in.) 1 2 5 0 ± 25 .. . ... .. .
  c
  a
  r 25.0 mm (1 in.) 19.0 mm (3 ⁄ 4 in.) 1 2 50 ± 2 5 ... . .. .. .
  r
  e 19.0 mm (3 ⁄ 4 in.) 12.5 mm (1 ⁄ 2 in.) 1 2 50 ± 1 0 2 5 00 ± 10 ... . ..
   T
  -
   h 12.5 mm (1 ⁄ 2 in.) 9.5 mm (3 ⁄ 8 in.) 1 2 50 ± 1 0 2 5 00 ± 10 ... . ..
   t
  u 9.5 mm (3 ⁄ 8 in.) 6.3 mm (1 ⁄ 4 in.) ... ... 2 5 0 0 ± 10 .. .
  e
   B
  -
6.3 mm (1 ⁄ 4 in.) 4.75-mm (No. 4) .. . ... 2 50 0 ± 1 0 . ..
   d 4.75-mm (No. 4) 2.36-mm (No. 8) . .. .. . ... 5 0 00 ± 1 0
  a
  o
   l
  n
  w Total 5 0 0 0 ± 10 5 0 0 0 ± 10 5 0 00 ± 1 0 5 0 00 ± 1 0
  o
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 C131/C131M − 14

where: 4.5 %.3 TheTheref

refore
ore,, res
results
ults of two proproper
perly
ly con
conduc
ducted
ted tes
tests
ts
C  = mas
masss of origi
original
nal test
test sample,
sample, g,
g, and from two different laboratories on samples of the same coarse
Y  = fina
finall mass
mass of the
the test
test sample,
sample, g.
g. aggregates are not expected to differ from each other by more
than 12.7 % 3 (95 % probability) of their average. The single-
11.. Repo
11 Report
rt oper
op erato
atorr co
coef
efffici
icien
entt of vavari
riati
ation
on ha
hass be
been
en fofoun
undd to be
3
2.0 %. Therefore, results of two properly conducted tests by
11.1
11.1 Report the following information:
information: thee sa
th same
me opoper
erat
ator
or on ththee sa
same
me cocoar
arse
se ag
aggr
greg
egate
ate ar
aree no
nott
11.1.1 Identi
11.1.1 Identification
fication of the aggregate
aggregate as to sourc
source,
e, type, and expected to differ from each other by more than 5.7 % (95 %
nominal maximum size; probability) of their average. 3
11.1.2
11.1.2 Gradin
Gradingg design
designation
ation from  Table 1   used for the test; 12.2   Bias— Since
Since ther
theree is no acce
accepte
pted
d ref
refere
erence
nce mate
materia
riall
and suitable for determining the bias for this procedure, no state-
11.1.3
11.1.3 Loss by abrasion
abrasion and impact of the sample expressed
expressed ment on bias is being made.
to the nearest 1 % by mass.
13. Keyw
Keywords
ords

12. Pre
Precisi
cision
on and Bias 13.1 abras
abrasion;
ion; aggregate (coarse; small size); degradation;
degradation;
impact; Los Angeles machine
12.1 For nominal
12.1 nominal 19.
19.0-m
0-mmm ( 3 ⁄ 4-in.) maximum size coarse
aggregate with percent losses in the range of 10 to 45 %, the 3
These
The se num
number
berss rep
repres
resent
ent,, res
respec
pectiv
tively
ely,, the (1s
(1s%)
%) and (d2
(d2s%)
s%) lim
limits
its as
multilaboratory coefficient of variation has been found to be described in Practice C670
Practice  C670..

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. MAIN
MAINTENA
TENANCE
NCE OF SHEL
SHELF
F

X1.1 The shelf of the Los Angeles

X1.1 Angeles machine
machine is sub subject
ject to radial position with respect to the cylinder. If either condition
severe surface wear and impact. With use, the working surface is found, the shelf should be repaired or replaced before further
of the shelf is peened by the balls and tends to develop a ridge tests are made. The influence on the test result of the ridge
of metal parallel to and about 32 mm [1 1 ⁄ 4 in.] from the junction developed by peening of the working face of the shelf is not
of the shelf and the inner surface of the cylinder. If the shelf is known.
kno wn. How
Howeve
everr, for uni
unifor
form
m test con
conditi
ditions
ons,, it is rec
recom-
om-
made from a section of rolled angle, not only may this ridge mended that the ridge be ground off if its height exceeds 2 mm
develo
dev elop
p but the sheshelf
lf itse
itself
lf may be ben
bentt lonlongitu
gitudin
dinally
ally or [0.1 in.].
   6
transversely from its proper position.
   3
  :
   6
   1 X1.2 The she
X1.2 shelf
lf should
should be ins
inspec
pected
ted per
period
iodical
ically
ly to det
deter-
er-
   8
   1
  -
   6 mine that it is not bent either lengthwise or from its normal
   0
  -
   5
   1
   0
   2
  -
   1
   0
   0
   3
   8
   6 SUMMARY OF CHANGES
   0
   9
   0
   7
 .
  r
   N
   f Committee
Committ ee C09 has identified the location of selected changes
changes to this standard
standard since the last issue (C131 – 06)
   L
  -
   3 that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved July 1, 2014.)
   5
   3
   4
   1
   8
   7
 .
  r (1)  Revised the standard into a dual measurement system with (4)  Added Note 2.
   N
   d
   K
  -
thee un
th units
its of me
meas
asur
urem
emen
entt no
now
w ststate
ated
d in eit
eithe
herr SI un
units
its or (5)  Repositioned Notes 7 and 8.
   d
   t
   L
inch-pound units. (6)  Added Eq. 1.
  e
  r (2)  Revised Sections 1, 5, 6, 8, 9.
  o
(7)  Replaced Fig. 1.
  c (3)  Revised Notes 1, 3, and 6.
  a
  r
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