Rationale

This standard is being balloted for withdrawal with no replacement because Test Method C441 has inherent limitations and practical challenges. The test method is incorrectly interpreted as providing specific replacement levels of SCMs that can be used in job mixtures to prevent alkali-silica reaction (ASR). This is a misapplication of the standard, as the results are not directly transferable to field conditions or real-world concrete mixtures. Other methods, such as Test Method C1567, allow the use of reactive aggregates to assess the potential of SCMs to reduce ASR expansion. Results from Test Method C1567 have been more effectively correlated with field performance, providing greater predictive reliability, whereas the interpretation of results from Test Method C441 remains limited. While Test Method C441 has historically been referenced in specifications such as Specifications C618, C595, and C989, the industry has increasingly moved toward performance-based approaches, outlined in Guide C1778. Additionally, Test Method C441 requires the use of crushed borosilicate glass as the reactive aggregate. This material has become very difficult to obtain, prohibitively expensive, and presents significant safety concerns to the test operator when handling glass shards during the crushing process, and potentially during the testing procedure. Given these limitations, the availability of more effective and representative alternatives, and the practical challenges associated with Test Method C441, it is balloted for withdrawal.