Revised by BST, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University @ 2005

CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY

Tested by .............................. ID. No. .................................
Date ...................................... Graded by .............................
_____________________________________________________________________________

TEST No. C-2

PROPERTIES OF AGGREGATE

Part A Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate

Objective To determine the bulk and apparent specific gravity and absorption (after 24 hr.
in water) of fine aggregate

Material About 1000 g of fine aggregate

References ASTM Designation : C 128
J IS (J apan Industrial Standard) A 1109

Apparatus (1) Balance with 0.1 g in reciprocal sensibility.
(2) Glass graduate or other suitable container have a capacity of about 500 ml.
(3) Metal conical mold with 40 3 mm in diameter at the top 90 3 mm in
diameter at the bottom and 75 3 mm in height.
(4) Tamper with 345 15 g in weight and having a flat circular tamping face
25 3 mm in diameter.

Significance and Use

1. Bulk specific gravity is the characteristic generally used for calculation of the volume
occupied by the aggregate in various mixtures containing aggregate including concrete. Bulk
specific gravity is also used in the computation of voids in aggregate and the determination of
moisture in aggregate.
2. Apparent specific gravity pertains to the relative density of the solid material making
up the constituent particles not including the pore space within the particles that is accesible to
water. This value is not widely used in concrete technology.
3. Absorption values are used to calculate the change in the weight of an aggregate due to
water absorbed in the pore space within the constituent particles, compared to the dry condition.





Revised by BST, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University @ 2005
Procedures

1. Preparation of Sample

1. Place approximately 1000 g of fine aggregate in a suitable pan or vessel. Cover the
sample with water and permit to stand for 24 4 hr.
2. Spread the sample on the flat surface exposed to a gently moving current of warm air
and stir them frequently to secure uniform drying. Continue the operation until the fine aggregate
approaches a free-flowing condition.
3. Place the sample loosely in the conical mold and lightly tamp the surface 25 times with
the tamping rod and lift the conical mold up vertically. If the cone retain its shape, the free
moisture is present.
4. Continue drying with constant stirring and test at frequent intervals until the cone of
sample slumps upon removal of the mold. This indicates that the sample has reached a saturated
surface-dry condition.

2. Testing

1. Place 500 g
1
of sample in the glass graduate which is partially filled with water, then
fill additional water to approximately 90% of capacity.
2. Shake the glass graduate to eliminate air bubbles and fill with water to the full capacity
and determine the total weight of water introduced into the glass graduate.
3. Remove the sample from the glass graduate and dry it in the oven to a constant weight
at 110 5
o
C. Then cool in air at room temperature for 1-2 hr. and weigh to the nearest 0.1 g.
4. Determine the weight of glass graduate filled to its calibration capacity with water.
5. The specific gravity and absorption can be calculated as follows:

a) The bulk specific gravity = A/(B+S-C)
b) The bulk specific gravity on the saturated surface-dry basis = S/(B+S-C)
c) The apparent specific gravity = A/(B+A-C)
d) The percentage of absorption = [(S-A)/A]*100

where A is weight of oven-dry sample in air (g), B is weight of glass graduate filled with water
(g), S is weight of saturated surface-dry sample (g) and C is weight of glass graduate with
sample and water to calibration mark (g).
5. Duplicate determinations should check to within 0.02 in the case of specific gravity
and 0.05% in case of absorption.








1
Make and record all weight determination to 0.1 g.
Revised by BST, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University @ 2005
Part B Unit Weight and Voids of Fine Aggregate

Objective To determine the unit weight and void of fine aggregate

Material About 15 kg. of fine aggregate

References ASTM Designation : C 29
J IS (J apan Industrial Standard) A 1104

Apparatus (1) Balance with 0.05 kg in reciprocal sensibility.
(2) Tamping rod with 16 mm in diameter and approximately 600 mm in length.
(3) Metal measuring cylinder which have a height of approximately equal to the
diameter.

Significance and Use

1. This test method is often used to determine unit weight values that are necessary for
use for many methods of selecting proportions for concrete mixture.
2. The unit weight may also be used for determining mass/volume relationship for
conversions in purchase agreements. However, this test method determines the unit weight on a
dry basis.
3. A procedure is included for computing the percentage of voids between the aggregate
particles based on the unit weight determined by this test method.

Procedures

1. Determine the weight of water at room temperature required to fill the metal cylinder.
2. The sample must be dry to constant weight at 110 5
o
C and thoroughly mixed. Then
cool the sample to the room temperature.
3. Fill the measuring cylinder to 1/3 full and rod the mass with tamping rod throughout
the surface with 25 strokes. The rodding operation should be distributed over the surface.
4. Fill the cylinder to 2/3 full and repeat the rodding operation.
5. Fill the cylinder to overflowing and again rod 25 strokes. The surplus aggregate is
struck off by using the tamping rod as a straight edge.
6. Determine the net weight of sample from the weight of sample plus measure, G and
the weight of measure alone, T. The test should be performed at least two times with the samples
taken at the same time and the measured values should be averaged. Results from the same
sample should agree within 1%.
7. The unit weight, M can be calculated from the weight of sample and the volume of
measure, V as follows:

M=
G- T
V


Revised by BST, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University @ 2005
8. The unit weight determined by this test method is for aggregate in an oven-dry
condition. The SSD unit weight, M
ssd
can be calculated as:
where A =absorption (%)
9. The void content can be calculated from the unit weight, M and bulk specific gravity
(oven-dry basis) associated with the density of water, W as follows :
Part C Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate

Objective To determine the bulk and apparent specific gravity and absorption (after 24 hr in
water) of coarse aggregate.

Material About 5 kg of coarse aggregate.

References ASTM Designation : C 127
BS (British Standard) 812
J IS (J apan Industrial Standard) A 1110

Apparatus (1) Balance with 0.5 g in reciprocal sensibility
(2) Sample container (wire basket)
(3) Water bath
(4) ASTM No. 4 sieve (5 mm)

Significance and Use

1. Bulk specific gravity is the characteristic generally used for calculation of the volume
occupied by the aggregate in various mixtures containing aggregate including concrete. Bulk
specific gravity is also used in the computation of voids in aggregate. Bulk specific gravity @
SSD is used if the aggregate is wet. Conversely, the bulk specific gravity @ oven-dry is used for
computations when the aggregate is dry or assumed to be dry.
2. Apparent specific gravity pertains to the relative density of the solid material making
up the constituent particles not including the pore space within the particles that is accesible to
water. This value is not widely used in concrete technology.
3. Absorption values are used to calculate the change in the weight of an aggregate due to
water absorbed in the pore space within the constituent particles, compared to the dry condition.
4. The pores in lightweight aggregates may or may not become essentially filled with
water after immersion for 24 h. Therefore, this test method is not intended for use with
lightweight aggregate.


ssd
M
=M(1+
A
100
)

Voids(%) =
(S*W) - M
(S*W)
*100

Revised by BST, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University @ 2005
Procedures

1. Reject all material passing a No. 4 sieve. Wash thoroughly the sample to remove dust
or other coatings from the surface of particles. Dry the sample to constant weight at 110 5
o
C,
cool in air at room temperature for 1 - 3 hr. Then immerse the sample in water for 24 4 hr.
2. Remove the sample from water and roll it on a large absorbent cloth until all visible
films of water are removed, although the surfaces of particles still appear to be damp. Wipe the
larger fragments individually. Take care to avoid evaporation during the operation of drying.
3. Weight the sample in the saturated surface-dry (SSD) condition to the nearest 0.5 g.
Then immediately place the SSD sample in the wire basket and determine the weight in water.
Remove all entrapped air before weighing by shaking the container while immersed.
4. Dry the sample in the oven to a constant weight at a temperature of 110 5
o
C, cool to
the room temperature and weigh to the nearest 0.5 g.
5. The specific gravity and absorption can be calculated as follows :

a) The bulk specific gravity = A/(B-C)
b) The bulk specific gravity (SSD basis) = B/(B-C)
c) The apparent specific gravity = A/(A-C)
d) The percentage of absorption = [(B-A)/A]*100

where A is weight of oven-dry sample in air (g), B is weight of SSD sample in air (g) and C is
weight of SSD sample in water.


Part D Unit Weight and Voids of Coarse Aggregate

Objective To determine the unit weight and void of coarse aggregate

Material About 15 kg. of coarse aggregate

References ASTM Designation : C 29
BS (British Standard) 812
J IS (J apan Industrial Standard) A 1104

Apparatus (1) Balance with 0.05 kg in reciprocal sensibility
(2) Tamping rod with 16 mm in diameter and about 600 mm in length.
(3) Metal measuring cylinder which have a height approximately equal to the
diameter.

Significance and Use

1. This test method is often used to determine unit weight values that are necessary for
use for many methods of selecting proportions for concrete mixture.
2. The unit weight may also be used for determining mass/volume relationship for
conversions in purchase agreements. However, this test method determines the unit weight on a
dry basis.
Revised by BST, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University @ 2005
3. A procedure is included for computing the percentage of voids between the aggregate
particles based on the unit weight determined by this test method.

Procedures

1. Determine the weight of water at room temperature required to fill the metal cylinder.
2. The sample must be dry to constant weight at 110 5
o
C and thoroughly mixed. Then
cool the sample to the room temperature.
3. Fill the measuring cylinder to 1/3 full and rod the mass with tamping rod throughout
the surface with 25 strokes. The rodding operation should be distributed over the surface.
4. Fill the cylinder to 2/3 full and repeat the rodding operation.
5. Fill the cylinder to overflowing and again rod 25 strokes. The surplus aggregate is
struck off by using the tamping rod as a straight edge.
6. Determine the net weight of sample from the weight of sample plus measure, G and
the weight of measure alone, T. The test should be performed at least two times with the samples
taken at the same time and the measured values should be averaged. Results from the same
sample should agree within 1%.
7. The unit weight, M can be calculated from the weight of sample and the volume of
measure, V as follows:
8. The unit weight determined by this test method is for aggregate in an oven-dry
condition. The SSD unit weight, M
ssd
can be calculated as:
where A =absorption (%)
9. The void content can be calculated from the unit weight, M and bulk specific gravity
(oven-dry basis) associated with the density of water, W as follows :
Voids(%) =
(S*W) - M
(S*W)
*100
M=
G- T
V



ssd
M
=M(1+
A
100
)
Revised by BST, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University @ 2005
Part E Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregate

Objective To determine the particle size distribution of fine aggregate

Material Aggregate with at least 95% passing a No.8 (2.36 mm) sieve ..........100 g
Aggregate with at least 85% passing a No.4 (4.75 mm) sieve
and more than 5% retained on No.8 (2.36 mm) ..........500 g

References ASTM Designation : C 33, C 136
J IS (J apan Industrial Standard) A 1102
BS (British Standard) 812, 882, 1201

Apparatus (1) Balance which is sensitive to 0.1% of the test load.
(2) Standard screen such as ASTM No. 4, 8, 16, 30, 50 and 100
(3) Oven of appropriate size and capable to maintain a uniform temperature of
110 5
o
C.

Significance and Use

1. This method is used primarily to determine the grading of materials proposed for use
as aggregates or being used as aggregate. The results are used to determine compliance of the
perticle size distribution with applicable specification requirements and to provide necessary
data for control of the production of various aggregate products and mixture containing
aggregate. The results may also be useful in developing relationships concerning porosity and
packing.
2. Accurate determination of material finer than the No. 200 sieve cannot be achieved by
use of this method alone. Other test method should be employed.

Procedures

1. The screen analysis of fine aggregate should be obtained by screening a sample
through 8-inch screens, using a mechanical shaker. Reject any material retained on No. 4 sieve.
Dry the sample to constant weight at 110 5
o
C.
2. Limit the quantity of material on a given sieve so that all particles have opportunity to
reach sieve opening. The weight retained on any sieve at the completion of the operation shall
not exceed 6 kg/m
2
of sieving surface.
3. Place the sand sample in a set of standard 8-inch screens. Close the lid of the screens
and place in a mechanical shaker.
4. Screening the sample until not more than 1% of the residue passes any screen during a
period of 1 min shaking. Unless time saving is imperative, the shaker shall be run for 10 min.
5. Weigh materials retained on any one screen separately starting from those retained on
No.8 (2.36 mm) screen and continuing in order of decreasing screen size until the material in the
pan has been weighed. Carefully clean each screen with a brush; care should be taken not to
damage the screen.
6. Convert cumulative weights on any one screen into percentages of the total weight.
Compute the fineness modulus (FM) by adding the cumulative percentages of sand retained on
Revised by BST, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University @ 2005
the screens No. 8 to No. 100 and divided the sum by 100. Keeping in mind that the fineness
modulus is a measure of the coarseness or fineness of the sand but it give no idea of its grading.
7. Plot the percent cumulative retained of sand on each screen.


Part F Sieve Analysis of Coarse Aggregate

Objective To determine the particle size distribution of coarse aggregate

Material Coarse aggregate

References ASTM Designation : C 33, C 136
J IS (J apan Industrial Standard) A 1102
BS (British Standard) 812, 882, 1201

Apparatus (1) Balance which is sensitive to 0.1% of the test load
(2) Standard screen such as 6", 3", 1.5", 3/4", 3/8" and No.4
(3) Oven of appropriate size and capable to maintain a uniform temperature of
110 5
o
C.

Significance and Use

This method is used primarily to determine the grading of materials proposed for use as
aggregates or being used as aggregate. The results are used to determine compliance of the
perticle size distribution with applicable specification requirements and to provide necessary
data for control of the production of various aggregate products and mixture containing
aggregate. The results may also be useful in developing relationships concerning porosity and
packing.

Procedures

1. Obtain the coarse aggregate sample by method of quartering. The sample should be in
a surface dry state. The minimum weight of sample is depending on the maximum size of coarse
aggregate as in the following.

max. size of aggregate Weight of sample
9.5 mm (3/8") 1 kg
12.5 mm (1/2") 2 kg
19.0 mm (3/4") 5 kg
25.0 mm (1") 10 kg
37.5 mm (1.5") 15 kg
50.0 mm (2") 20 kg
63.0 mm (2.5") 35 kg
75.0 mm (3") 60 kg
90.0 mm (3.5") 100 kg
100.0 mm (4") 150 kg
Revised by BST, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University @ 2005

2. Place the aggregate sample in a set of standard screens and place in a mechanical
shaker. Screening the sample until not more than 1% of the residue passes any screen during a
period of 1 minute shaking. Unless time saving is imperative, the shaker shall be run for 10
minutes.
3. Weigh materials retained on any one screen separately. After weighing, the materials
on each screen can be used for Part D.
4. Convert cumulative weights on any one screen into percentages of the total weight.
Plot the percent cumulative retained of aggregate on each screen. Compute the fineness modulus
(FM) of aggregate.


Part G Trial Computation of a Combined Grading of Concrete Aggregate

Objective To obtain a combined grading for concrete aggregate conforming to a specific
requirement.

Materials Fine aggregate and Coarse aggregate

Reference TIS (Thai Industrial Standard) 566
ASTM Designation : C 33
BS (British Standard) 882, 1201

Procedure

Obtain by trial computation the percent cumulative retain or pass of combined aggregate
to fall within the limit of good concrete aggregates. It is states that for good concrete aggregate
the grading shall be within the specific limit. Some of the specifications are listed as follows:

(a) According to TIS 566

Screen size Percent passing
Zone I Zone II
75.0 mm 100 -
38.1 mm 95-100 100
19.0 mm 45-75 95-100
4.75 mm 25-45 30-50
600 m 8-30 10-35
150 m 0-6 0-6





Revised by BST, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University @ 2005

(b) According to ASTM C 33

Screen size Percent retained
1" 0
3/4" 0-5
3/8" 34-45
No.4 58-65
No.8 65-72
No.16 72-79
No.30 79-86
No.50 95-97
No.100 97-100

(c) According to BS 882

Sieve size Percentage by weight passing sieves
1.5" nominal size 3/4" nominal size
3 " 100 -
1.5" 95 - 100 100
3/4" 45 - 80 95 - 100
3/16" 25 - 50 35 - 55
No. 30 (ASTM) 8 - 30 10 - 35
No. 100 (ASTM) 0 - 6 0 - 6



















Revised by BST, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University @ 2005

Revised by BST, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University @ 2005
Sketch all necessary figures about the test







































Revised by BST, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University @ 2005
Experimental Data and Results

Part A Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate

Determination No. 1 No. 2
Type and source of fine aggregate
Weight of glass graduate, G (g)
Weight of glass graduate +Water, B (g)
Weight of saturated surface-dry sand, S (g)
Weight of water +Sand +Glass graduate, C (g)
Weight of oven-dry sand, A (g)
Bulk specific gravity
Bulk specific gravity (SSD basis)
Apparent specific gravity
Absorption (%)
Average bulk specific gravity
Average bulk specific gravity (SSD basis)
Average apparent specific gravity
Average absorption (%)



Part B Unit Weight and Voids of Fine Aggregate

Determination No. 1 No. 2 No. 3
Weight of measuring cylinder, T (kg)
Weight of cylinder and water (kg)
Weight of water (kg)
Volume of measuring cylinder, V (m
3
)
Weight of cylinder +sample, G (kg)
Weight of sample alone (kg)
Unit weight of sample,M (kg/m
3
)
Unit weight of sample at SSD, M
ssd

3
Bulk specific gravity (oven-dry)
Percent of voids (%)
Average unit weight (kg/m
3
)
Average percentage of voids (%)


Revised by BST, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University @ 2005
Part C Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate

Sample 1 Sample 2
No. 1 No. 2 No. 1 No. 2
Type and source of aggregate
Weight of SSD sample, B (g)
Weight of container (basket) in water (g)
Weight of container +sample in water
(g)

Weight of sample in water, C (g)
Weight of oven-dry sample in air, A (g)
Bulk specific gravity
Bulk specific gravity (SSD)
Apparent specific gravity
Absorption (%)
Average bulk specific gravity
Average bulk specific gravity (SSD
basis)

Average apparent specific gravity
Average absorption (%)Absorption (%)


Part D Unit Weight and Voids of Coarse Aggregate

Sample 1 Sample 2
No. 1 No. 2 No. 1 No. 2
Weight of measuring cylinder, T (kg)
Weight of cylinder and water (kg)
Weight of water (kg)
Volume of measuring cylinder, V (m
3
)
Weight of cylinder +sample, G (kg)
Weight of sample alone (kg)
Unit weight of sample, M (kg/m
3
)
Unit weight of sample at SSD, M
ssd
(kg/m
3
)
Bulk specific gravity (oven-dry)
Percentage of voids (%)
Average unit weight of sample (kg/m
3
)
Average percentage of voids (%)

Revised by BST, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University @ 2005
Part E Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregate

Type and source of fine aggregate No. 1
Weight of fine aggregate No. 1
Type and source of fine aggregate No. 2
Weight of fine aggregate No. 2

Fine aggregate No. 1 Fine aggregate No. 2
Screen Weight Percent retained Screen Weight Percent retained
size retained Individual Cumulative size retained Individual Cumulative







Fineness modulus (FM) Fineness modulus (FM)


Part F Sieve Analysis of Coarse Aggregate

Type and source of coarse aggregate No. 1
Weight of coarse aggregate No. 1
Type and source of coarse aggregate No. 2
Weight of coarse aggregate No. 2

Coarse aggregate No. 1 Coarse aggregate No. 2
Screen Weight Percent retained Screen Weight Percent retained
size retained Individual Cumulative size retained Individual Cumulative







Total
Fineness modulus (FM) Fineness modulus (FM)


Revised by BST, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University @ 2005
Part G Trial Computation of a Combined Grading of Concrete Aggregate

Combination #1 Combination #2 Combination #3
Coarse aggregate No. 1 (%)
Coarse aggregate No. 2 (%)
Fine aggregate No. 1 (%)
Fine aggregate No. 2 (%)
Total (%) 100 100 100


Sample of Calculation





















Revised by BST, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University @ 2005
Summary of Results (in Tabular Form), Discussion and Conclusion