AASHTO M85

Full Name

AASHTO M85 – Standard Specification for Portland Cement

Scope

AASHTO M85 is a standard specification that outlines the requirements for Portland cement used in various construction applications, including pavements, bridges, buildings, and other infrastructure. Portland cement is a hydraulic binder that reacts with water to form a paste that binds aggregates together to create concrete.

Key aspects of AASHTO M85:

  • Types of Portland cement: the standard covers ten types of Portland cement, each with different properties and applications:
    1. Type I – For general use, when the special properties specified for any other type are not required.
    2. Type IA – Air-entraining cement for the same uses as Type I, where air entrainment is desired.
    3. Type II – For general use, more especially when moderate sulfate resistance is desired.
    4. Type IIA – Air-entraining cement for the same uses as Type II, where air entrainment is desired.
    5. Type II(MH) – For general use, more especially when moderate heat of hydration and moderate sulfate resistance are desired.
    6. Type II(MH)A – Air-entraining cement for the same uses as Type II(MH), where air entrainment is desired.
    7. Type III – For use when high early strength is desired.
    8. Type IIIA – Air-entraining cement for the same use as Type III, where air entrainment is desired.
    9. Type IV – For use when low heat of hydration is desired.
    10. Type V – For use when high sulfate resistance is desired.

  • Chemical and physical requirements: AASHTO M85 specifies the chemical composition limits and physical property requirements for each type of Portland cement. This includes limits on the content of major oxides (such as calcium oxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, and iron oxide) and requirements for fineness, setting time, soundness, and compressive strength.

  • Testing methods: the standard provides standardized test methods for evaluating the chemical and physical properties of Portland cement, ensuring consistency and reliability in quality control.

Significance of AASHTO M85:

  • Quality assurance: by adhering to AASHTO M85, cement manufacturers can ensure the quality and consistency of their Portland cement products. This is crucial for producing high-quality concrete that meets the desired performance specifications and durability standards.

  • Performance optimization: the standard provides guidelines for selecting the appropriate type of Portland cement for specific applications based on the desired properties of the concrete, such as early strength gain, sulfate resistance, or low heat of hydration.

  • Standardized testing: AASHTO M85 outlines standardized test methods for evaluating the properties of Portland cement, ensuring reliable and comparable results for quality control and performance assessment.

AASHTO M85 Accredited Laboratory

Applied Testing & Geosciences, LLC is accredited for performing tests using the AASHTO M85 standard.

Our laboratory offers comprehensive testing services for Portland cement based on AASHTO M85 and other relevant standards. Our experienced technicians conduct a variety of tests to assess the chemical composition, fineness, setting time, soundness, and strength of your cement, ensuring that it meets the specified requirements and contributes to the success of your construction projects.

Contact us for more information.

Resources

Keywords

portland cement; compressive strength; setting time; fineness; soundness; tricalcium silicate; dicalcium silicate; tricalcium aluminate; tetracalcium aluminoferrite; heat of hydration; sulfate resistance; air entrainment; alkali-silica reaction; false set

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