Standard Method of Test for Uncompacted Void Content of Fine

Aggregate
AASHTO Designation: T 304-17

Technical Section: 1c, Aggregates

Release: Group 3 (August)

1. SCOPE

1.1. This method describes the determination of the loose uncompacted void content of a sample of
fine aggregate. When measured on any aggregate of a known grading, void content provides an
indication of that aggregate’s angularity, sphericity, and surface texture compared with other fine
aggregates tested in the same grading. When void content is measured on an as-received fine
aggregate grading, it can be an indicator of the effect of the fine aggregate on the workability of a
mixture in which it may be used.

1.2. Three procedures are included for the measurement of void content. Two use graded fine
aggregate (standard grading or as-received grading), and the other uses several individual size
fractions for void content determinations:

1.2.1. Standard Graded Sample (Method A)—This method uses a standard fine aggregate grading that is
obtained by combining individual sieve fractions from a typical fine aggregate sieve analysis. See
Section 9, Preparation of Test Samples, for the grading.

1.2.2. Individual Size Fractions (Method B)—This method uses each of three fine aggregate size
fractions: (a) 2.36 mm (No. 8) to 1.18 mm (No. 16); (b) 1.18 mm (No. 16) to 600 μm (No. 30);
and (c) 600 μm (No. 30) to 300 μm (No. 50). For this method, each size is tested separately.

1.2.3. As-Received Grading (Method C)—This method uses that portion of the fine aggregate finer than a
4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve.

1.2.4. See Section 5, Significance and Use, for guidance on the method to be used.

1.3. The values stated in SI units shall be regarded as the standard.

1.4. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns associated with its use. It is
the responsibility of the user of this procedure to establish appropriate safety and health practices
and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to its use.

2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
2.1. AASHTO Standards:

R 76, Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size

R 90, Sampling Aggregate Products
T 11, Materials Finer Than 75-μm (No. 200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing
T 19M/T 19, Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate
T 27, Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
T 84, Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate

2.2. ASTM Standards:

C125, Standard Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates

C778, Standard Specification for Standard Sand
2.3. ACI Document:

ACI 116R, Cement and Concrete Terminology1

3. TERMINOLOGY
3.1. Terms used in this standard are defined in ASTM C125 or ACI 116R.

4. SUMMARY OF TEST METHOD

4.1. A nominal 100-mL calibrated cylindrical measure is filled with fine aggregate of prescribed grading
by allowing the sample to flow through a funnel from a fixed height into the measure. The fine
aggregate is struck off, and its mass is determined by weighing. Uncompacted void content is
calculated as the difference between the volume of the cylindrical measure and the absolute
volume of the fine aggregate collected in the measure. Uncompacted void content is calculated
using the bulk dry specific gravity of the fine aggregate. Two runs are made on each sample and
the results are averaged.

4.1.1. For a graded sample (Method A or Method C), the percent void content is determined directly, and
the average value from two runs is reported.

4.1.2. For the individual size fractions (Method B), the mean percent void content is calculated using the
results from tests of each of the three individual size fractions.

5. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE

5.1. Methods A and B provide percent void content determined under standardized conditions that
depend on the particle shape and texture of a fine aggregate. An increase in void content by these
procedures indicates greater angularity, less sphericity, or rougher surface texture, or some
combination of the three factors. A decrease in void content results is associated with more
rounded, spherical, smooth-surfaced fine aggregate, or a combination of these factors.

5.2. Method C measures the uncompacted void content of the minus 4.75-mm (No. 4) portion of the as-
received material. This void content depends on grading as well as particle shape and texture.

5.3. The void content determined on the standard graded sample (Method A) is not directly comparable
with the average void content of the three individual size fractions from the same sample tested
separately (Method B). A sample consisting of single-size particles will have a higher void content
than a graded sample. Therefore, use either one method or the other as a comparative measure
of shape and texture, and identify which method has been used to obtain the reported data.
Method C does not provide an indication of shape and texture directly if the grading from sample to
sample changes.

5.3.1. The standard graded sample (Method A) is most useful as a quick test that indicates the particle
shape properties of a graded fine aggregate. Typically, the material used to make up the standard
graded sample can be obtained from the remaining size fractions after performing a single sieve
analysis of the fine aggregate.

5.3.2. Obtaining and testing individual size fractions (Method B) is more time consuming and requires a
larger initial sample than using the graded sample. However, Method B provides additional
information concerning the shape and texture characteristics of individual sizes.

5.3.3. Testing samples in the as-received grading (Method C) may be useful in selecting proportions of
components used in a variety of mixtures. In general, high void content suggests that the material
could be improved by providing additional fines in the fine aggregate or more cementitious
material may be needed to fill voids between particles.
5.3.4. The bulk dry specific gravity of the fine aggregate is used in calculating the void content. The
effectiveness of these methods of determining void content and its relationship to particle shape
and texture depends on the bulk specific gravity of the various size fractions being equal, or nearly
so. The void content is actually a function of the volume of each size fraction. If the type of rock or
mineral or its porosity varies markedly in any of the size fractions, it may be necessary to
determine the specific gravity of the size fractions used in the test.

5.4. Void content information from Methods A, B, or C will be useful as an indicator of properties such
as: the mixing water demand of hydraulic cement concrete; flowability, pumpability, or workability
factors when formulating grouts or mortars; or, in bituminous concrete, the effect of the fine
aggregate on stability and voids in the mineral aggregate; or the stability of the fine aggregate
portion of a base course aggregate.

6. APPARATUS

6.1. Cylindrical Measure—A right cylinder of approximately 100 mL capacity having an inside diameter
of approximately 39 mm and an inside height of approximately 86 mm. The cylinder shall be a
piece of metal with a seamless smooth wall. The bottom of the measure shall be metal at least 6
mm thick, shall be firmly sealed to the cylinder, and shall be provided with means for aligning the
axis of the cylinder with that of the funnel (see Figure 1).

6.2. Funnel—The lateral surface of the right frustum of a cone sloped 60 ± 4° from the horizontal with
an opening of 12.7 ± 0.6 mm diameter. The funnel section shall be a piece of metal, smooth on
the inside and at least 38 mm high. It shall have a volume of at least 200 mL or shall be provided
with a supplemental glass or metal container to provide the required volume (see Figure 2).

Note 1—Pycnometer top C9455 (sold by Hogentogler and Co., Inc., 9515 Gerwig, Columbia, MD
21046, 410-381-2390) is satisfactory for the funnel section, except that the size of the opening has
to be enlarged and any burrs or lips that are apparent should be removed by light filing or sanding
before use. This pycnometer top must be used with a suitable glass jar with the bottom removed
(see Figure 2).

6.3. Funnel Stand—A three- or four-legged support capable of holding the funnel firmly in position with
the axis of the funnel colinear (within a 4-degree angle and a displacement of 2 mm) with the axis
of the cylindrical measure. The funnel opening shall be 115 ± 2 mm above the top of the cylinder.
A suitable arrangement is shown in Figure 2.
Figure 1—Nominal 100-mL Cylindrical Measure
 Figure 2—Suitable Funnel Stand Apparatus with Cylindrical Measure in Place

6.4. Glass Plate—A square glass plate approximately 60 mm by 60 mm with a minimum 4-mm
thickness used to calibrate the cylindrical measure.

6.5. Pan—A flat metal or plastic pan of sufficient size to contain the funnel stand and to prevent loss of
material. The purpose of the pan is to catch and retain fine aggregate particles that overflow the
measure during filling and strike off. The pan shall not be warped so as to prevent rocking of the
apparatus during testing.

6.6. Metal Spatula—With a blade approximately 100 mm long, and at least 20 mm wide, with straight
edges. The end shall be cut at a right angle to the edges. The straight edge of the spatula blade is
used to strike off the fine aggregate.

6.7. Scale or Balance—Accurate and readable to ±0.1 g within the range of use, capable of weighing
the cylindrical measure and its contents.

7. SAMPLING
7.1. The sample(s) used for this test shall be obtained using R 90 and R 76, or from sieve analysis
samples used for T 27, or from aggregate extracted from a bituminous concrete specimen. For
 Methods A and B, the sample is washed over a 150-µm (No. 100) or 75-µm (No. 200) sieve in
accordance with T 11 and then dried and sieved into separate size fractions according to T 27
procedures. Maintain the necessary size fractions obtained from one (or more) sieve analysis in a
dry condition in separate containers for each size. For Method C, dry a split of the as-received
sample in accordance with the drying procedure in T 27.

8. CALIBRATION OF CYLINDRICAL MEASURE

8.1. Apply a light coat of grease to the top edge of the dry, empty cylindrical measure. Weigh the
measure, grease, and glass plate. Fill the measure with freshly boiled, deionized water at a
temperature of 18 to 24°C. Record the temperature of the water. Place the glass plate on the
measure, being sure that no air bubbles remain. Dry the outer surfaces of the measure and
determine the combined mass of measure, glass plate, grease, and water by weighing. Following
the final weighing, remove the grease, and determine the mass of the clean, dry, empty measure
for subsequent tests.

8.2. Calculate the volume of the measure as follows:

(1)

where:

V = volume of cylinder, mL;

M = net mass of water, g; and

D = density of water (see Table 3 in T 19M/T 19 for density at the temperature used),
kg/m3.

Determine the volume to the nearest 0.1 mL.

Note 2—If the volume of the measure is greater than 100.0 mL, it may be desirable to grind the
upper edge of the cylinder until the volume is exactly 100.0 mL, to simplify subsequent calculations.

9. PREPARATION OF TEST SAMPLES

9.1. Method A—Standard Graded Sample—Weigh out and combine the following quantities of fine
aggregate, which has been dried and sieved in accordance with T 27.

The tolerance on each of these amounts is ±0.2 g.

9.2. Method B—Individual Size Fractions—Prepare a separate 190-g sample of fine aggregate, dried
and sieved in accordance with T 27, for each of the following size fractions:

The tolerance on each of these amounts is ±1 g. Do not mix these samples together. Each size is
tested separately.

9.3. Method C—As-Received Grading—Pass the sample (dried in accordance with T 27) through a 4.75-
mm (No. 4) sieve. Obtain a 190 ± 1-g sample of the material passing the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve
for test.

9.4. Specific Gravity of Fine Aggregate—If the bulk dry specific gravity of fine aggregate from the
source is unknown, determine it on the minus 4.75-mm (No. 4) material according to T 84. Use
this value in subsequent calculations unless some size fractions differ by more than 0.05 from the
specific gravity typical of the complete sample, in which case the specific gravity of the fraction (or
fractions) being tested must be determined. An indicator of differences in specific gravity of various
particle sizes is a comparison of specific gravities run on the fine aggregate in different gradings.
Specific gravity can be run on gradings with and without specific size fractions of interest. If
specific gravity differences exceed 0.05, determine the specific gravity of the individual 2.36-mm
(No. 8) to 150-µm (No. 100) sizes for use with Method A or the individual size fractions for use
with Method B either by direct measurement or by calculation using the specific gravity data on
gradings with and without the size fraction of interest. A difference in specific gravity of 0.05 will
change the calculated void content about 1 percent.

10. PROCEDURE
10.1. Mix each test sample with the spatula until it appears to be homogeneous. Position the jar and
funnel section in the stand and center the cylindrical measure as shown in Figure 2. Use a finger to
block the opening of the funnel. Pour the test sample into the funnel. Level the material in the
funnel with the spatula. Remove the finger and allow the sample to fall freely into the cylindrical
measure.

10.2. After the funnel empties, strike off excess heaped fine aggregate from the cylindrical measure by a
rapid single pass of the spatula with the width of the blade vertical, keeping the straight part of its
edge horizontal and in light contact with the top of the measure. Until this operation is complete,
exercise care to avoid vibration or any disturbance that could cause compaction of the fine
aggregate in the cylindrical measure (Note 3). Brush adhering grains from the outside of the
container and determine the mass of the cylindrical measure and contents to the nearest 0.1 g.
Retain all fine aggregate particles for a second test run.

Note 3—After strike off, the cylindrical measure may be tapped lightly to compact the sample to
make it easier to transfer the container to the scale or balance without spilling any of the sample.

10.3. Recombine the sample from the retaining pan and cylindrical measure and repeat the procedure.
The results of two runs are averaged. See Section 11.

10.4. Record the mass of the empty measure. Also, for each run, record the mass of the measure and
fine aggregate.

11. CALCULATION
11.1. Calculate the uncompacted voids for each determination as follows:
 (2)

where:

V = volume of cylindrical measure, mL;

F = net mass, g, of fine aggregate in measure (gross mass minus the mass of the empty
measure);

G = bulk dry specific gravity of fine aggregate; and

U = uncompacted voids, percent, in the material.

11.2. For the standard graded sample (Method A), calculate the average uncompacted voids for the two
determinations and report the result as Us.

11.3. For the individual size fractions (Method B), calculate:

11.3.1. First, the average uncompacted voids for the determination made on each of the three size-
fraction samples:

U1 = uncompacted voids, 2.36 mm (No. 8) to 1.18 mm (No. 16), percent;

U2 = uncompacted voids, 1.18 mm (No. 16) to 600 µm (No. 30), percent; and

U3 = uncompacted voids, 600 µm (No. 30) to 300 µm (No. 50), percent.

11.3.2. Second, the mean uncompacted voids (Um) including the results for all three sizes:

(3)

11.4. For the as-received grading (Method C), calculate the average uncompacted voids for the two
determinations and report the result as UR.

12. REPORT

12.1. For the standard-graded sample (Method A), report:

12.1.1. The uncompacted voids (Us) in percent to the nearest 0.1 percent.

12.1.2. The specific gravity value used in the calculations.

12.2. For the individual-size fractions (Method B), report the following percent voids to the nearest 0.1
percent:

12.2.1. Uncompacted voids for size fractions: (a) 2.36 mm (No. 8) to 1.18 mm (No. 16) (U1); (b) 1.18 mm
 (No. 16) to 600 µm (No. 30) (U2); and (c) 600 µm (No. 30) to 300 µm (No. 50) (U3).

12.2.2. Mean uncompacted voids (Um).

12.2.3. Specific gravity value(s) used in the calculations, and whether the specific gravity value(s) were
determined on a graded sample or the individual size fractions used in the test.

12.3. For the as-received sample (Method C), report:

12.3.1. The uncompacted voids (UR) in percent to the nearest 0.1 percent.

12.3.2. The specific gravity value used in the calculation.

13. PRECISION AND BIAS

13.1. Precision:

13.1.1. The single-operator standard deviation has been found to be 0.13 percent voids (1s), using the
graded standard silica sand as described in ASTM C778. Therefore, results of two properly
conducted tests by the same operator on similar samples should not differ by more than 0.37
percent (d2s).

13.1.2. The multilaboratory standard deviation has been found to be 0.33 percent (1s) using the standard
fine aggregate as described in ASTM C778. Therefore, results of two properly conducted tests by
different laboratories on similar samples should not differ by more than 0.93 percent (d2s).

13.1.3. The above statements pertain to void contents determined on “graded standard sand” as described
in ASTM C778, which is considered rounded, and is graded from 600 µm (No. 30) to 150 µm (No.
100), and may not be typical of other fine aggregates. Additional precision data are needed for
tests of fine aggregates having different levels of angularity and texture tested in accordance with
this test method.

13.2. Bias—Because there is no accepted reference material suitable for determining the bias for the
procedures in this test method, bias has not been determined.

14. KEYWORDS

14.1. Angularity; fine aggregate; particle shape; sand; surface texture; void content.

1 Copies may be obtained from the American Concrete Institute, Box 19150, Detroit, MI 48219.