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BRITISH STANDARD

Licensed Copy: Reference Library Redbridge, London Borough of Redbridge (Public), 17 June 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Specification for

Lightweight aggregates
for masonry units and
structural concrete

BS 3797:1990
Incorporating
Amendment No. 1

BS 3797:1990

Licensed Copy: Reference Library Redbridge, London Borough of Redbridge (Public), 17 June 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Committees responsible for this

British Standard
The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Cement
Gypsum Aggregates and Quarry Products Standards Policy Committee
(CAB/-) to Technical Committee CAB/2, upon which the following bodies were
represented:

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Cement Gypsum
Aggregates and Quarry Products
Standards Policy Committee,
was published under the
authority of the Board of BSI
and comes into effect on
30 November 1990

Aggregate Concrete Block Association

Association of Consulting Engineers
Association of Consulting Scientists
Association of Lightweight Aggregate Manufacturers
Brick Development Association
British Aggregate Construction Materials Industries
British Cement Association
British Ceramic Research Ltd
British Civil Engineering Test Equipment Manufacturers Association
British Geological Sciences
British Precast Concrete Federation Ltd.
British Ready Mixed Concrete Association
British Steel Industry
Building Employers Confederation
Calcium Silicate Brick Association Limited
Chartered Institute of Building
Concrete Society
County Surveyors Society
Department of the Environment (Building Research Establishment)
Department of the Environment (Property Services Agency)
Department of Transport
Department of Transport (Transport and Road Research Laboratory)
Electricity Supply Industry in England and Wales
Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors
Institute of Concrete Technology
Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Highways and Transportation
Institution of Structural Engineers
Institution of Water and Environmental Management
Mortar Producers Association Limited
Sand and Gravel Association Limited
Society of Chemical Industry

BSI 01-1999

Amendments issued since publication

First published, as Part 2,

November 1976
Second edition November 1990

Amd. No.

Date

Comments

6796

August 1991

Indicated by a sideline in the margin

The following BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference CAB/2
Draft for comment 89/14215 DC
ISBN 0 580 19024 2

BS 3797:1990

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Contents
Committees responsible
Foreword
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Scope
Definitions
Sampling and testing
Grading
Loose bulk density (oven dry materials)
Sulphate content
Loss-on-ignition

1
1
1
1
1
2
2

Appendix A Determination of loose bulk density (oven dry materials)

Appendix B Determination of loss-on-ignition

4
4

Table 1 Grading of coarse aggregate for structural concrete

Table 2 Grading of coarse foamed or expanded blastfurnace slag
Table 3 Grading of fine aggregate for structural concrete
Table 4 Limits for loss-on-ignition
Table 5 Dimensions of cylindrical container

2
2
2
3
4

List of references

BSI 01-1999

Page
Inside front cover
ii

Inside back cover

BS 3797:1990

Licensed Copy: Reference Library Redbridge, London Borough of Redbridge (Public), 17 June 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Foreword
This British Standard has been prepared under the direction of the Cement,
Gypsum, Aggregates and Quarry Products Standards Policy Committee and is a
revision of BS 3797-2:1976 which is withdrawn. In this revision the opportunity
has been taken to include foamed or expanded blastfurnace slag previously
covered by BS 877, and clinker and furnace bottom ash aggregates previously
covered by BS 1165, which are now withdrawn. The methods of sampling and
testing of lightweight aggregates previously described in BS 3681 have either
been incorporated into appendices of this standard or covered by reference to an
appropriate Part of BS 812 and therefore BS 3681 is also withdrawn.
In order to classify materials as lightweight aggregate suitable for concrete mixes
or masonry, maximum and minimum bulk density limits have been specified.
Requirements for grading, sulphate content and loss-on-ignition have also been
given where applicable.
Some clinkers derived from lump coal burnt in older types of furnaces should be
used with discretion as they may contain nodules of free lime which, should they
become damp, could cause local expansion. If the presence of unhydrated lime is
suspected a water slake test may be appropriate.
The use of clinker and furnace bottom ash with a high loss-on-ignition is not
recommended in reinforced concrete or concrete required to have a high
durability.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 6, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.
ii

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BS 3797:1990

1 Scope

3 Sampling and testing

This British Standard specifies requirements for the

following lightweight aggregates for masonry units
and structural concrete: pumice; expanded clay,
shale and slate; clinker and furnace bottom ash; and
those based on pulverized-fuel ash and blastfurnace
slag.

Sampling and testing of aggregates shall be carried

out in accordance with this standard or, where
appropriate, in accordance with BS 812-102.

NOTE 1 This specification does not preclude the use of

lightweight aggregates for other applications.
NOTE 2 The titles of the publications referred to in this
standard are listed on the inside back cover.

2 Definitions
For the purposes of this British Standard, the
definitions given in BS 812-102 apply together with
the following.
NOTE All types of lightweight materials defined in 2.2 to 2.8
may be crushed to produce an appropriate size range.

2.1
lightweight aggregate
aggregate having a loose bulk density not more
than 1 200 kg/m3 for fine aggregate or not more
than 1 000 kg/m3 for coarse aggregate
2.2
pumice
a natural volcanic igneous rock containing air voids
and having an open texture
2.3
expanded clay, shale and slate
aggregates produced by the pyroprocessing of
certain argillaceous materials
2.4
processed pulverized-fuel ash (fly ash)
aggregates produced by pelletizing fly ash and
stabilizing by pyroprocessing or other means
2.5
furnace bottom ash
a fused residue from furnaces fired with pulverized
coal
2.6
foamed blastfurnace slag
aggregates manufactured by foaming molten
blastfurnace slag with sufficient water or other
suitable medium to produce a cellular product
2.7
pelletized expanded blastfurnace slag
expanded blast-furnace slag produced in pelletized
form
2.8
clinker

4 Grading
4.1 General
Grading of aggregates shall be determined by
carrying out tests by the dry sieve analysis method
described in BS 812-103.1 on two portions taken
from the same sample. The percentage by mass
passing each sieve shall be calculated to the
nearest 0.5 %, and the mean percentage reported to
the nearest whole number.
4.2 Coarse aggregate
Grading of coarse aggregate shall comply with the
limits given in Table 1 or Table 2, as appropriate,
and shall be described by the number of this British
Standard and the nominal size and description,
e.g. BS 3797, 14 mm graded or BS 3797,
BFS 14 mm graded.
NOTE 1 The designation BFS may refer to foamed or pelletized
expanded blastfurnance slag as defined in 2.6 and 2.7.
NOTE 2 Aggregates for use in concrete masonry complying
with BS 6073-1 need not comply with the gradings given
in Table 1 and Table 2.

4.3 Fine aggregate

Grading of fine aggregate shall comply with the
limits of one of the grades given in Table 3 and shall
be described by the number of this British Standard
and the limits of the grade into which it falls,
e.g. BS 3797, grade L1.
NOTE Aggregates for use in concrete masonry complying with
BS 6073-1 need not comply with the gradings given in Table 3.

5 Loose bulk density (oven dry

materials)
NOTE The loose bulk density is the mass of oven dry
uncompacted material in a given volume, expressed in kg/m3.

5.1 When tested as described in appendix A, the

loose bulk density of two determinations (see A.3.1)
shall not differ by more than 30 kg/m3. If the
difference is greater than 30 kg/m3, the test shall be
repeated on two further samples.
5.2 When tested as described in appendix A, the
loose bulk density of fine aggregate (nominal size
not greater than 5 mm) shall be not greater
than 1 200 kg/m3 or less than 400 kg/m3.
5.3 When tested as described in appendix A, the
loose bulk density of coarse aggregate (nominal size
greater than 5 mm) shall be not greater
than 1 000 kg/m3 or less than 250 kg/m3.

a fused residue from furnaces fired with coal which

has not been pulverized
BSI 01-1999

BS 3797:1990

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Table 1 Grading of coarse aggregate for structural concrete

BS 410 test
sieve

Percentage by mass passing BS 410 sieves

Nominal size of graded aggregate

Nominal size of single sized aggregate

20 mm
(20.0 mm
to 5.0 mm)

14 mm
(14.0 mm
to 5.0 mm)

10 mm
(10.0 mm
to 2.36 mm)

20 mm

14 mm

10 mm

6 mm

% (m/m)

% (m/m)

% (m/m)

% (m/m)

% (m/m)

% (m/m)

% (m/m)

mm

37.5

100

100

20.0

95 to 100

100

85 to 100

100

14.0

95 to 100

100

90 to 100

100

10.0

30 to 60

50 to 95

85 to 100

5 to 25

20 to 45

85 to 100

100

6.3

60 to 100

5.0

0 to 10

0 to 15

15 to 50

0 to 5

0 to 10

15 to 35

0 to 35

2.36

0 to 15

0 to 5

0 to 10

NOTE Aggregate used for concrete to be pumped may require greater continuity of size between 10 mm and 5 mm than
indicated in this table.

Table 2 Grading of coarse foamed or

expanded blastfurnace slag
BS 410 test sieve

Percentage by mass passing BS 410

test sieves

mm

% (m/m)

20.0

100

14.0

90 to 100

10.0

60 to 100

6.3

5.0

10 to 50

2.36

0 to 15

Percentage by mass passing BS 410

test sieves
Grade L1

Grade L2

% (m/m)

% (m/m)

10.00 mm

100

100

5.00 mm

90 to 100

90 to 100

2.36 mm

55 to 100

60 to 100

1.18 mm

35 to 90

40 to 80

600 m

20 to 60

30 to 60

300 m

10 to 30

25 to 40

150 m

5 to 19

20 to 35

When sampled as described in B.2.1 to B.2.6 and

tested as described in BS 812-118, the sulphate
content of two determinations (see B.2.1) shall not
differ by more than 0.1 %. If the difference is greater
than 0.1 % the test shall be repeated on two further
samples.
Lightweight aggregate shall have a sulphate
content of not more than 1.0 % when the sulphate
content is expressed as sulphur trioxide.

7 Loss-on-ignition

Table 3 Grading of fine aggregate for

structural concrete
BS 410 test
sieve

6 Sulphate content

NOTE The loss-on-ignition is the percentage loss in mass of a

sample ignited at 775 25 C.

When tested as described in appendix B, the

loss-on-ignition of two determinations (see B.2.1)
shall not differ by more than 5 % of the appropriate
limiting value as given in Table 4. If the difference
is greater than 5 % of the appropriate limiting
value, the test shall be repeated on two further
samples. The loss-on-ignition shall not exceed the
values given in Table 4.

BSI 01-1999

BS 3797:1990

Table 4 Limits for loss-on-ignition

Licensed Copy: Reference Library Redbridge, London Borough of Redbridge (Public), 17 June 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Aggregate

Maximum
loss-on-ignition

Pumice

Not applicable

Blastfurnace slag

Not applicable

Expanded clay shale and slate

4%

Pyroprocessed pulverized-fuel
ash

4%

Pulverized-fuel ash stabilized

by other means

8%

Clinker and furnace bottom

ash for use in concrete for
general purposes

10 %

Clinker and furnace bottom

ash for use in concrete for
interior work not normally
exposed to damp conditions

25 %

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BS 3797:1990

Appendix A Determination of loose

bulk density (oven dry materials)
A.1 Apparatus
A.1.1 Balance, capable of weighing up to 25 kg to an
accuracy of 5 g.
A.1.2 Watertight container, of sufficient rigidity to
retain its shape, of the dimensions given in Table 5,
made of corrosion-resistant metal, with a smooth
internal face, the rim machined to a plane surface,
the rim and base at fight angles to the axis and
fitted with handles.
Table 5 Dimensions of cylindrical container
Nominal
capacity

Inside
diameter

Inside
height

Minimum
wall
thickness

Radius
between
wall and
base

m3

mm

mm

mm

mm

0.01

200 1.5 320 1.5 4

20

A.1.3 Scoop, as described in 3.1 of

BS 1881-101:1983.
A.1.4 Straightedge, made of steel, not less
than 300 mm in length.
A.1.5 Glass pipette, if required, of known volume.
A.1.6 Oven, capable of being controlled to maintain
a temperature of 105 5 C.
A.2 Calibration of the watertight container
A.2.1 Weigh the empty container.
A.2.2 Place the container on a horizontal surface
and fill with water at a temperature of 20 5 C so
that no meniscus is above the rim. If necessary,
remove by means of a pipette a sufficient known
volume of water to allow the container to be lifted
and placed on the balance platform without loss of
water. Add the mass of any removed water to the
mass of the water remaining in the container.
A.2.3 Calculate the capacity of the container by
dividing the mass of the water, to the
nearest 0.01 kg, required to fill the container,
by 1 000 kg/m3. Express the capacity to the
nearest 0.00001 m3 (0.1 %).
A.2.4 Repeat the test twice more and take the
arithmetic mean result.

A.3 Test procedure

A.3.1 Carry out the test on two samples.
A.3.2 Dry the aggregate sample to constant mass in
an oven controlled at 105 5 C.
A.3.3 Place the container on a horizontal surface
and fill to overflowing by discharging the test
aggregate from the scoop, from a height not
exceeding 50 mm above the top of the container. The
test aggregate in the container shall not be
subjected to tamping or shock.
NOTE Care should be taken to prevent, so far as is possible,
segregation of the particle sizes of which the sample is composed.

A.3.4 On completion of filling, strike level the

surface of the aggregate using the straightedge.
A.3.5 The mass of the aggregate in the container
shall then be determined to the nearest 0.01 kg and
the bulk density, oven dry, calculated in kg/m3.
A.4 Calculation and expression of results
A.4.1 Calculate the loose bulk density (oven dry) of
each sample by dividing the mass of the aggregate
in kilograms by the volume of the container in cubic
metres. Calculate the mean of the two
determinations and record this as the loose bulk
density.
A.4.2 Express the loose bulk density (oven dry) in
kilograms per cubic metre to the nearest 5 kg/m3
stating the nominal size of the aggregate tested.

Appendix B Determination of
loss-on-ignition
B.1 Apparatus
B.1.1 Two balances, one capable of weighing 25 kg
with an accuracy of 5 g and one capable of
weighing 100 g with an accuracy of 0.001 g.
B.1.2 Electric muffle furnace, capable of being
controlled to maintain a temperature of 775 25 C.
B.1.3 Test sieves, with apertures of 5 mm, 1.18 mm
and 150 m complying with BS 410.
B.1.4 Desiccator, glass vessel provided with a lid
which can form an airtight seal.
B.1.5 Dish, crucible (with lid) approximately 35 mm
in diameter and 40 mm in height and capable of
maintaining a constant mass when heated
to 800 C.
B.1.6 Oven, capable of being controlled to maintain
a temperature of 105 5 C.

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BS 3797:1990

B.2 Test procedure

B.3 Calculation and expression of results

B.2.1 Carry out the test on two samples.

B.3.1 Calculate the loss in mass of each sample,

expressed as a percentage of the dry mass from the
equation:

B.2.2 Obtain a sample of approximately 10 kg of the

aggregate in accordance with BS 812-102 and crush
it until it passes a 5 mm aperture test sieve.
B.2.3 Remix the sample and reduce it by standard
sample reduction procedures until a subsample
weighing approximately 2 kg is obtained.
B.2.4 Dry the subsample to constant mass in an
oven controlled at 105 5 C and grind it until it
passes a 1.18 mm test sieve.
B.2.5 Remix the subsample and reduce it to a final
sample of approximately 100 g.

% loss-on-ignition =
loss in mass
original dry mass of sample

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 100

Calculate the mean of the two determinations and

record this as the loss-on-ignition.
B.3.2 Express the loss-on-ignition to the
nearest 0.1 %.

B.2.6 Grind the final sample until it passes

a 150 m test sieve.
B.2.7 Weigh a test portion of approximately 1 g of
the final sample in a previously ignited and weighed
dish. Place the sample in a muffle furnace
maintained at a temperature of 775 25 C and
cover the dish with a lid for the first 10 1 min.
After 2 h to 3 h remove the dish from the furnace,
allow it to cool in the desiccator and reweigh.

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blank

BS 3797:1990

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Publications referred to
BS410, Specification for test sieves.
BS 812, Testing aggregates.
BS 812-102, Methods for sampling.
BS 812-103.1, Methods for determination of particle size distribution.
BS 812-118, Methods for determination of sulphate content.
BS 1881, Testing concrete.
BS 1881-101, Method of sampling fresh concrete on site.
BS 6073, Precast concrete masonry units.
BS 6073-1, Specification for precast concrete masonry units.

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BSI
389 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 4AL

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