Lab No.

: 1
Test Topic: Aggregates
Sieve Analysis of Aggregates – ASTM C136
Relative Density and Absorption for Aggregates – ASTM C127

Objectives:
This lab is based off of two ASTM Tests. ASTM Test C136 is the standard test method
for sieve analysis of fine and course aggregates and ASTM Test C127 is the standard
test method for relative density (specific gravity) and absorption of coarse aggregate.
The procedure for each of these tests is outlined below.

Test Results:
Table 1 Specific Gravities and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
To Collect/Calculate Values
(grams)
Dry Weight of Aggregate A 2002.0
Saturated Surface Dry Weight of B 2021.0
Aggregate
Net Submerged Weight of Aggregate C 1254.5
Bulk Specific Gravity A/(B-C) 2.61
Saturated Surface Dry Specific Gravity B/(B-C) 2.63
Apparent Specific Gravity A/(A-C) 2.67
Absorption % [(B-A)/A]x100 0.949

Table 2 - Total Aggregate Weight

Values (grams) % of Total
Total Aggregate Weight Pre-Sieve 2000.0 100
Total Coarse Aggregate Weight 753.5 37.675
Total Fine Aggregate Weight (no pan) 1243.5 62.175
Total Aggregate Weight Post-Sieve 1997.0 99.85
Lost Aggregate 3.0 0.15

Table 3 - Aggregate Distribution of Sample by Sieve Size

Sieve Size Weight of % of Retained Cumulative % % of Passing
Retained Aggregate of Retained Aggregate
Aggregate Aggregate
(grams)
No.4 753.5 37.675 37.675 62.325
No.8 325.5 16.275 53.95 46.05
No.16 41.5 2.075 56.025 43.975
No.30 301.5 15.075 71.1 29.9
No.50 436.5 21.825 92.925 7.075
No.100 95.0 4.75 97.675 2.325
 No.200 22.5 1.125 98.8 1.2
Pan 21.0 1.05 99.85 -

Figure 1 – Grain Size Distribution and Aggregate Gradation Chart

Grain Size Distribution/Aggregate Gradation

100 Chart
Percentage Passing (%)

90
80
70 62.325
60
50 46.05
43.975
40
30 29.9
20 7.075
10 2.325
1.2
0
10 1 0.1 0.01
Logrithem Grain Size

Sample Calculations:
Table 1:
Values A, B, and C are weighted as:
A=2002.0 grams, B=2021.0 grams, C=1254.5 grams
Bulk Specific Gravity= A/(B-C)=2002.0/(2021.0-1254.4)=2.61
Saturated Surface Dry Specific Gravity= B/(B-C)=2021.0/(2021.0-1254.5)=2.63
Apparent Specific Gravity= A/(A-C)=2002.0/(2002.0-1254.4)=2.67
Absorption=[(B-A)/A]x100=[(2021.0-2002.0)/2002.0]x100=0.949%

Table 2:
Values are all weighted through scale, except Lost aggregate = (Total Aggregate
Weight Pre-Sieve) – (Total Aggregate Weight Post-Sieve) = 2000.0-1997.0=3.0 grams
Total Aggregate Weight Pre-Sieve is 2000.0 grams.
Total Coarse Aggregate Weight (on top of sieve no.4) is 753.5 grams.
Total Fine Aggregate Weight (below sieve no.4 excluding the pan) is 1243.5 grams.
Total Aggregate Weight Post-Sieve is 1997.0 grams
% of Total will be the (Value)/ (Total Aggregate Weight Pre-Sieve)x100:
For % of Total of Total Coarse Aggregate is calculate as:
753.5/2000.0x100=37.675%

Table 3:
Weights of Retained Aggregate are weighted through scale:
No.4 is 753.5 grams. No.8 is 325.5 grams. No.16 is 41.5 grams. No.30 is 301.5 grams.
No.50 is 436.5 grams. No.100 is 95.0 grams. No.200 is 22.5 grams. Pan is 21.0 grams.
The % of Retained Aggregate is calculated as (Weight of Retained Aggregate)/(Total
Aggregate Weight Pre-Sieve)x100
For No.4 sieve the % of Retained Aggregate is:
753.5/2000.0x100=37.675%

The Cumulative % of Retained Aggregate is calculated as:

(% of retained aggregate)+(cumulative % of retained aggregate from previous sieve)
For No.4 sieve the Cumulative % of Retained Aggregate is:
37.675%+0=37.675%
For No.8 sieve the Cumulative % of Retained Aggregate is:
16.275%+37.675%=53.95%

The % of Passing Aggregate is the opposite of Cumulative % of Retained Aggregate

thus is calculated as 1-(Cumulative % of Retained Aggregate)
For No.4 sieve the % of Passing Aggregate is:
1-37.675% = 62.325%
For pan, there is nothing to pass. The 0.15% (3.0 grams) are lost during experiments.

Analysis
1. Using the values collected in Table 3 and the Grain Size Distribution/
Aggregate Gradation Chart, determine the following values. If the D60
value does not exist, assume the maximum sieve size is your D60. Linear
interpolation should be used to find data points between the know data;
please provide a sample calculation of the linear interpolation
Grain diameter at 10% passing D10 = 0.335mm
Grain diameter at 30% passing D30 = 0.596mm
Grain diameter at 60% passing D60 = 4.419mm
Coefficient of Uniformity Cu=D60/D10 Cu = 4.419/0.335=13.19
Coefficient of Curvature Cc =
Cc=(D30)2/(D60xD10) (0.596)2/(4.419x0.335)=0.8
05
Sample Calculation for Graph 1 and Problem 1
Points for D10 and D30 are at between point (0.297, 7.075) and (0.595,
29.9). Consider the trend between these two points are linear and then the
linear equation can be deduced from (7,075=0,297a+b), eqn1, and
(29.9=0.595a +b), eqn2.
Solve the equation:
From eqn1, b=7.075-0.297a
Substitute into eqn2, 29.9=0.595a + 7.075 – 0.297a
So that, a=76.59, b=7.075-0.297x76.59=-15.67
Therefore the linear relationship of this section is y=76.59x-15.67, eqn3
Substitute y=10 into eqn3, x=(10+15.67)/76.59=0.335mm, thus
D10=0.335mm
 Substitute y=30 into eqn3, x=(30+15.67)/76.59=0.596mm, thus
D30=0.596mm

For D60, this point lies between (4.76, 62.325) and (2.38, 46.05) using the
same method as above, an linear equation is obtained, y=6.838x+29.78,
eqn4
Substitute y=60 into eqn4, x=(60-29.78)/6.838=4.419mm, thus
D60=4.419mm
Coefficient of Uniformity is Cu=D60/D10
Cu = 4.419/0.335=13.19
Coefficient of Curvature is Cc=(D30)2/(D60xD10)
Cc = (0.596)2/(4.419x0.335)=0.805

2. What is the difference between the (3) different types of specific gravity
calculated? What is the significance of calculating each?
Apparent specific gravity measures the ratio of the unit weight of aggregate to the
unit weight of water in normal condition. Bulk specific gravity is the ratio of
weight of aggregate in a unit volume, including permeable or impermeable
voids in the particles, to the weight of water in a unit volume. Saturated
surface dry specific gravity is also the ratio of unit weight of aggregate to
the unit weight of water rather the weight of aggregate is oven dried. The
difference between them is the weight of aggregate that includes or does
not include water content. The significance of calculating each type of
specific gravity is that they are useful in finding sample gravity in all kinds
of conditions.

3. What was your final absorption rate? Why will this be significant to know in
an application setting (i.e. concrete mix design)?
The final absorption rate calculated is 0.949. Absorption rate is the weight
of water absorbed by dry aggregate particles in reaching a moisture level
or condition of saturated surface dry condition. It is significant to know
because it indicates the amount of water content absorbed by aggregate.
Knowing the number one can tell if aggregates will contribute free water,
when higher than aggregate’s absorption value, or can absorb more water,
when lower than aggregate’s absorption value.

4. What do you consider to be the maximum aggregate size from your

sample and why?
The maximum aggregate size in the sample is 4.76mm, which is aggregate
that did not pass though No.4 sieve. This is because the largest sieve in
the experiment is No.4 with 4.76mm in diameter. Therefore, the maximum
aggregate size is considered as 4.76mm.

5. Were your results ideal? For example, did your cumulative % equal 100? If
 not, why were there errors?
The result collected is not ideal. The cumulative % of retained aggregate
does not add up to 100% at last. This is because some of the dust flew
away when pouring aggregate into sieve and onto scale, and some dust
stick onto the surface of bowl. These situations caused error to occur. The
dust lost calculated was 3 grams.

6. What were your coefficients of uniformity and curvature? What do each of

these values mean in this lab and why are they significant?
The Coefficient of uniformity is 13.19 and the coefficient of curvature is
0.805.
Coefficient of uniformity is a crude shape parameter that indicates if it is
uniform.
Coefficient of curvature is a shape parameter that indicates the shape of
the curve.
They are significant because they can be used to compare with gradation
criteria to determine the type of gradation (classification).

7. What gradation type does your graph fit (open, dense, gap, or one-sized)?
Describe in your own words what the results collected from the ASTM C136
procedure mean, specifically Table 3.
The graph fit with gap gradation type. The results collected from ASTM
C136 is the distribution of sample by size. The data of weight in each sieve
size indicates the amount of that aggregate size in the mixture, which is
collected in table 3. Using this data, the type of the aggregate can be
determined easily by drawing the graph and classify according to the
standard criteria.