M 210 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS
Standard Specification for
Apparatus for Use in Measurement of Length Change of Hardened Cement Paste, Mortar,
and Concrete
AASHTO DESIGNATION: M 210-92
(ASTM DESIGNATION: ASTM C 490-89)
1. SCOPE which measurements are to be made, mm are permitted, but in case of dispute,
interpretation of results, and precision results obtained with specimens of 10-in.
and bias are left to be dealt with in spe- (250mm) gage length shall govern.
1.1 This practice covers the requirements cific test methods.
for the apparatus and equipment used to 5.3.1 The gage length shall be consid-
prepare specimens for the determination ered as the nominal length between the
of length change in hardened cement 5. APPARATUS innermost ends of the gage studs. The
paste, mortar, and concrete, the apparatus parts of the molds shall be tight fitting
and equipment used for the determination and firmly held together when assembled,
of these length changes, and the proce- 5.1 Weight and Weighing Devices, shall and their surfaces shall be smooth and
dures for its use. conform to the requirements of ASTM C free of pits. The molds shall be made of
1005. steel or other hard metal not readily
1.2 Methods for the preparation and attacked by the cement paste, mortar, or
curing of test specimens, conditions of 5.2 Glass Graduates, of suitable capaci-
ties (large enough to measure the mixing concrete. The sides of the molds shall be
testing and curing, and detailed proce- sufficiently rigid to prevent spreading or
dures for calculating and reporting test water for paste and mortar mixtures in a
single operation) shall be made to deliver warping. For the molds shown in Figure
results are contained in applicable test 1, the tolerance on dimension A is ± 0.03
methods. the indicated volume at 20°C (68°F).
in. For the molds shown in Figure 2, the
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units 5.2.1 The permissible variation for
tolerance on dimension A is ± 0.7 mm.
are to be regarded as the standard. graduates of 100 to 150-nil, capacities
shall be ± 1.0 mL, for graduates of 200 to 5.3.2 Each end plate of the mold shall
300-mL capacities shall be ± 2.0 mL, and be equipped to hold properly in place,
2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS for all larger graduates shall be ± 0.5 during the setting period, one of the gage
percent of the rated capacity. studs shown in Figures 1 or 2. The gage
studs shall be of American Iron and Steel
5.2.2 These graduates shall be subdi-
2.1 AASHTO Standards: Institute (AISI)1 Type 316 stainless steel
vided to at least 5 mL with the following
M 201 Specification for Moist Cabi- or other corrosion-resistant metal of
exceptions:
nets, Moist Rooms, and Wa- similar hardness. Gage studs of Invar or
ter Storage Tanks Used in the 5.2.2.1 The graduation lines may be similar metal shall be used when speci-
Testing of Hydraulic Ce- omitted for the lowest 15 ml, for a mens are tested at widely different tem-
ments and Concretes 150mL graduate, peratures. To prevent restraint of the gage
2.1 ASTM Standards: 5.2.2.2 The graduation lines may be studs before demolding of the specimen,
omitted for the lowest 25 mL for a the device for holding the gage studs in
C 1005 Specification for Weights and 250mL graduate, position shall be so arranged that, if
Weighing Devices for Use in necessary, it can be partially or com-
the Physical Testing of Hy- 5.2.2.3 The graduation lines may be
omitted for the lowest 50 mL for a pletely released after the compaction of
draulic Cement the paste or mortar into place in the mold.
500mL graduate.
The gage studs shall be set so that their
5.2.3 The main graduation lines shall principal axes coincide with the principal
3. TERMINOLOGY extend at least three quarters of the way axis of the test specimen. For the molds
around the graduate and shall be num- shown in Figure 1, gage studs shall ex-
3.1 Length Change-an increase or de- bered. tend into the specimen 0.625 ± 0.025 in.
crease in the linear dimension of a test 5.3 Molds, shall have either one or two and the distance between the inner ends
specimen, measured along the longitudi- compartments and shall be constructed as of the gage studs shall be 10.00 ± 0.10
nal axis, due to causes other than applied shown in Figures 1 or 2. Molds for test in.; and 10 in. shall be considered the
load. specimens used in determining the length gage length for calculating length change.
change of cement pastes and mortars For the molds shown in Figure 2, gage
shall provide for 1 by 1 by 11 ¼-in. studs shall extend into the specimen 17.5
4. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
prisms having a 10-in. gage length, or for ± 0.5 mm and the distance between the
25 by 25 by 285mm prisms having a 250- inner ends of the gage studs shall be
4.1 This practice is intended to provide mm gage length. Molds for test speci- 250.0 ± 2.5 mm and 250 mm shall be
standard requirements for apparatus mens used in the length change of con- considered the gage length for calculating
common to many test methods used in cretes shall provide for prisms of the length change.
connection with cement and concrete and desired cross section having a 10-in. or
standardized procedures for its use. The 250-mm gage length. In some routine
detailed requirements as to materials, tests, 1 by 1 by 6 ¼-in. specimens with a 1
Details on this material are available from the
mixtures, specimens, conditioning of gage length of 5 in. or 25 by 25 by 106- American Iron and Steel Institute, 1133 15th St.
N.W., Washington, DC 20005.
specimens, number of specimens, ages at mm specimens with a gage length of 125
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M 210 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS
5.4 Length Comparator, for determining 0.003 in. beyond the plane face of the of the gage studs that must fit into the
length change of specimens, shall be terminal and have an inside diameter 0.02 collars.
designed to accommodate the size of in. greater than the average diameter of 5.4.3 The design shall provide a means
specimen employed and to provide or the portion of the gage studs that must fit for checking the measuring device
permit a positive means of contact with into the collars. against a reference bar at regular inter-
the gage studs and the convenient and 5.4.2 The comparator for determining vals. The reference bar shall have an
rapid obtaining of comparator readings length changes of specimens produced in overall length of 11 ⅝ ± 1/16 in. or 6 ⅝ +
(Note 1). the molds shown in Figure 2 shall pro- 1
/16 in. (300 ± 1.5 mm or 170 ± 1.5 mm),
5.4.1 The comparator for determining vide a dial micrometer or other measur- whichever is appropriate for the speci-
length changes of specimens produced in ing device graduated to read in 0.001 or men in use. The bar shall be of a steel
the molds shown in Figure 1 shall pro- 0.002-mm units, accurate within 0.002 alloy having a coefficient of thermal
vide a dial micrometer of other measur- mm in any 0.020-mm range, and suffi- expansion not greater than two millionths
ing device graduated to read in 0.0001-in. cient range (at least 8.0 mm) in the meas- per degree Celsius. Each end shall be
units, accurate within 0.0001 in. in any uring device to allow for small variations machined to the same shape as the con-
0.0010-in. range, and within 0.0002 in. in in the actual length of various specimens. tact end of a gage stud, and shall be heat
any 0.0100-in. range, and sufficient range The terminals of the comparator shall be treated, hardened, and then polished. The
(at least 0.3 in.) in the measuring device plane, polished and heat-treated. They central 4 in. (100 mm) of the length of
to allow for small variations in the actual shall be fitted with collars held in place the reference bar shall be covered by a
length of various specimens. The termi- with set screws. The collars shall extend rubber tube with a wall at least ⅛ in. (3
nals of the comparator shall be plane, 1.5 ± 0.1 mm beyond the plane face of nun) thick to minimize the effect of
polished and heat treated. They shall be the terminal and have an inside diameter temperature change during handling. The
fitted with collars held in place with set 0.5 mm greater than the average diameter reference bar shall be provided near one
screws. The collars shall extend 0.062 ± end with a positioning mark.
289
M 210 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS
NOTE 1-One type of instruments that has ence bar at least at the beginning and end the pins, put the bar in the comparator,
been found satisfactory for use with small of the readings made within a half day read, and record the indication. Return
prisms is shown in Figure 3. A horizontal when the apparatus is kept in a room the bar to immersion and clean the hole
comparator should be used with prisms with a
maintained at constant temperature. in the base of the comparator. Take out
cross section greater than 9 in2or 58 cm2.
Check it more often when kept in a room the second bar and treat it in a like man-
where the temperature is not constant. ner. Return the second bar to immersion,
6. PROCEDURE 6.3 Obtaining Comparator Readings- record the reading, and clean the hole in
Rotate specimens slowly in the measur- the base of the comparator. Continue the
ing instrument while the comparator procedure until all bars have been read,
6.1 Preparation of Molds-Prior to the reading is being taken. Record the mini- returned to immersion, and the readings
molding of specimens, if necessary, seal mum reading of the dial if the rotation recorded, cleaning the hole in the bottom
the outside joints of the mold and the causes a change in the dial reading. Place of the comparator each time. After read-
contact lines of the molds and base plates specimens in the instrument with the ing the last bar, clean the hole in the
with a microcrystalline wax. Thinly cover same end up each time a comparator comparator base and read and record the
the interior surfaces of the mold with reading is taken. reference bar indication. Blot only around
mineral oil. After this operation, set the the pins (Note 2).
gage studs, taking care to keep them 6.3.1 Obtaining Comparator Readings
clean, and free of oil, grease, and foreign of Specimens Stored Moist-Clean the hole NOTE 2-The purpose of the minimal blotting
in the base of the comparator into which of the pins and no blotting of the bars is to
matter. avoid drying and shrinkage of the bars. It has
the gage stud on the lower end of the bar
6.2 Use of Reference Bar-Place the refer- fits (this hold tends to collect water and been observed that if the pins are blotted, and
ence bar in the instrument in the same the bar placed in the comparator and the dial
sand and should be cleaned after every read, and the bar is then wiped gently with a
position each time a comparator reading reading). Read and record the comparator
is taken. Check the dial gage setting of dry cloth, the bar will shrink measurably.
indication of the length of the reference Therefore, drying should be minimized.
the measuring device by use of the refer- bar. Take one bar out of immersion, blot
290
M 210 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS
7. CALCULATION OF LENGTH 7.2 Calculate length change values for
CHANGE each specimen to the nearest 0.001 per-
cent and report averages to the nearest
0.01 percent.
7.1 Calculate the length change at any
age as follows:
(L x - Li ) 8. TEMPERATURE, HUMIDITY,
L= x 100 AND TIME
G
where:
8.1 Molding Room-The temperature of
L = change in length at x age, per-
the molding room and dry materials shall
cent,
be maintained between 20 and 27.5°C
Lx = comparator reading of specimen (68 and 81.5°F). The relative humidity
at x age minus comparator read- shall be not less than 50 percent. The
ing of reference bar at x age; in temperature of the mixing water shall not
inches when using Figure 1 appa- vary from 23°C (73.4°F) by more than ±
ratus, in millimeters when using 1.7°C (3°F).
Figure 2 apparatus,
8.2 Moist Storage Facility-The tempera-
Li = initial comparator reading of ture and humidity of the air in the moist
specimen minus comparator read- storage facility shall conform to the
ing of reference bar at that same requirements of AASHTO M 201.
time; in inches when using Figure
8.3 Time-Comparator readings shall be
1 apparatus, in millimeters when
taken at specified time intervals or ages.
using Figure 2 apparatus, and
All intervals and ages shall be met within
G = nominal gage length, 10 when ± 2 percent.
using Figure 1 apparatus, 250
when using Figure 2 apparatus.
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