CEE 401: Properties and Behavior of Concrete

Lab 1: Aggregate Characterization

Purpose: The purpose of this lab is become
familiar with common methods for
evaluating the aggregate that are used in
concrete mixes.

Test Standards: ASTM C29, ASTM C33,

ASTM C127, ASTM C128, ASTM C136,
and ASTM C566.

Materials: The coarse aggregate is broken

into large coarse aggregates and small coarse
aggregates for the purpose of clarification for
the lab. These are not industry definitions and
have no real meaning—please do not use Figure 1.1: Small Sieve Shaker
this terminology in your lab report.
Step 1: Check Table 1.1 to see what sieves
(Large) Coarse Aggregates: There is one you will be using for your aggregate type and
type of large coarse aggregate available in the mass each sieve. Prior to weighing them,
concrete lab. There is a coarse limestone, make sure they are clean and clear and the
which should adhere to ASTM C33 size 56. openings are not clogged. Assemble them in
(Small) Coarse Aggregates: There is one order, with the largest sieve at the top and the
type of small coarse aggregate available in pan at the bottom. Step 2: Randomly sample
the concrete lab. There is a limestone chip, 300 g of fine aggregate or 1 kg (2 lbs.) of
which should adhere to ASTM C33 size 8. small coarse aggregate to test. Step 3:
Carefully pour the sample of fine aggregate
Fine Aggregates: There is one type of fine into the top sieve. Place the metal lid on it
aggregate available in the lab: natural sand, (the ridges and the center extrusion will.
which should follow ASTM C33 Make sure the cork has not fallen out of the
specifications for fine aggregate. metal lid, and that the pile of sieves is not too
tall or too short for the metal brace on the
Procedures:
sieve machine. Flip the metal bar onto the top
Fine and Small Coarse Aggregate Sieve of the metal lid. Step 4: Set the timer on the
Analysis: Follow ASTM C136. You will be sieve machine to 4 minutes and start sieving.
given one type of either fine aggregate or Step 5: Once the machine has stopped,
small coarse aggregate for analysis. carefully remove all the sieves and pry them
apart. As you take them apart, be careful to
not spill any of the aggregate out of the
sieves. Step 6: Mass each sieve separately pour the sample of coarse aggregate into the
and record the value. Do not forget to mass top sieve and slide the sieve back into the
the pan. Step 7: CLEANING. Use the wire shaker and close the door. Step 4: Set the
brush and compressed air to remove stuck timer on the sieve machine to 5 minutes and
aggregate from the sieves. Be very careful start sieving. Step 5: Once the machine has
with the finer sieves to not damage them in stopped, carefully remove all the sieves. As
the cleaning process—they are very fragile you take them out, be careful to not spill any
and expensive and you will have to be gentle of the aggregate out of the sieves. Step 6:
with them. Weigh each sieve separately and record the
value. Do not forget to record the mass of the
Coarse Aggregate Sieve Analysis: Follow pan. Step 7: CLEANING. Use the wire brush
ASTM C136. You will be given one type of and compressed air to remove stuck
coarse aggregate for analysis. aggregate from the sieves. Be very careful
with the finer sieves to not damage them in
the cleaning process—they are very fragile
and expensive and you will have to be gentle
with them.

Table 1—Sieve sizes for aggregate types*

Coarse Limestone Natural

Aggregate Chip Sand
1’’ 1/2’’ #4
3/4’’ 3/8’’ #8
1/2’’ #4 #16
3/8’’ #8 #30
#4 #16 #50
#16 #30 #100
Pan #50 #200
-- Pan Pan

Figure 1.2 Large sieve shaker *NOTE: These sieve sizes do not strictly
follow ASTM standards due to restrictions in
Step 1: Check Table 1.1 to see what sieves lab equipment. For a size 57 and size 5
you will be using for your aggregate type and analysis (coarse aggregate) there should also
mass each sieve. Prior to weighing them, be a size 1 ½ in. sieve used, which is not
make sure they are clean and clear and that available in the lab. Additionally, for natural
the openings are not clogged. Slide the pans sand, there should be a 3/8’’ sieve used, but
into the large shaker in order, with the largest there is not enough room in the shaker.
sieve at the top and the pan at the bottom. Finally, additional sieves have been added as
Step 2: Randomly sample 10 kg (22 lbs.) of placeholders to speed the transition between
coarse aggregate to test. Step 3: Carefully aggregate types.
Specific Gravity and Moisture Content of fine aggregate until it is overflowing and
Fine Aggregates Follow ASTM C128 heap additional material above the top of the
Gravimetric (Pycnometer) Procedure. You mold by cupping your hand around the top.
will be using the natural sand for this test. Step 3: Drop the tamper 25 times onto the
NOTE: The standard requires that the natural fine aggregate. Each time, position the
sand first be oven dried and then soaked for tamper so it is approximately 5 mm above the
24 ± 4 hrs. before starting this procedure. surface of the material and let it fall.
This has been done prior to lab. NOTE: In Distribute the drops over the surface as much
this lab you will do this procedure once, but as possible. Step 4: While still holding the
in reality you should never trust values from mold down, clear any loose sand away from
a single test. A minimum of one replicate, and the base of the mold. Then lift the mold
ideally two replicates, should be done. You vertically and see what the fine aggregate
will need the damp aggregate, the small cone does. If the fine aggregate holds its shape
mold, sheet of glass, tamper, pycnometer, perfectly (no slump) it is still too damp.
Return it to the pan and continue to dry it. If
the aggregate “slumps slightly” it has reached
SSD and you can proceed to the next step.
Slight slumping means that the cone
collapses a little bit, but in general holds its
shape. If the aggregate collapses a lot that
means it has been dried too much. Put it back
in the pan and mix in some water. Then dry it
again until it has reached SSD. NOTE: In the
event of over-drying, the standard requires
that you add water and then cover the
material and let it sit for 30 min. before you
test again. We will not do this in lab. Step 5:
Figure 1.3: Pycnometer and aggregate slump cone Quickly (before the aggregate loses too much
and tamper
moisture) measure out about 500 ± 10 g of the
Step 1: Spread the damp aggregate out on a SSD aggregate. Record this value. Step 6:
large metal tray and slowly warm the sample. Partially fill the pycnometer (glass container
Stir and tumble the sample, and make sure to of known volume) with water. Add the fine
keep it as mixed and homogenous as aggregate. The easiest way to do this is
possible. If available, use a heat gun or hair usually to make a paper funnel and pour it in
dryer to help dry the sample. Continue drying that way. Be careful not to lose any of the
until you believe the sample has reached aggregate when you pour it in. Fill the
saturated surface dry conditions (SSD). Step pycnometer with water until it is
2: Test to see if the sample is indeed SSD. approximately 90% full. Step 7: Agitate the
Place the cone of the piece of glass and hold pycnometer to remove all air bubbles. Angle
it down firmly. Fill the mold loosely with the it slightly and roll it back and forth and shake
it a little. There is no cap for the pycnometer, soaked for a period of 24 hours prior to
so be careful not to spill. If there is an testing. This has already been done.
excessive amount of foam you can use a
paper towel to try and remove some of it. Step
8: Once the air bubbles have been removed,
slowly add water to bring the water level to
the calibrated capacity of the pycnometer.
Mass the pycnometer with the water and fine
aggregate in it and record this value. NOTE:
the standard requires that you bring the
temperature of the pycnometer and all its
contents to 23°C by placing it in a circulating
water bath if necessary. We will not do this.
Step 9: Decant some of the water and then
pour the fine aggregate from the pycnometer Figure 1.4: Set-up for SG of coarse aggregate
into a metal pan. You will probably need to
Step 1: Remove the aggregate from the
rinse the pycnometer several times to get all
bucket of water and roll in a towel. Dry the
of the fine aggregate out of the container, but
aggregates to the point where a sheen of
it is essentially that you recover as much of
water is no longer visible on the surface, but
the fine aggregate as possible and minimize
do not dry it farther than that point. This
any loss. Once the fine aggregate is in the
brings the aggregates to SSD condition. Step
pan, it is recommended that you pour out any
2: Collect a sample of sufficient size and
excess water in order to speed the drying
record the mass. For the large coarse
process but take care that you are not also
aggregate, you will need a minimum of a 3 kg
disposing of fine aggregate in the process.
(6.6 lb.) sample; the minimum sample size
Put the pan in the oven. Step 10: Fill the
for the small coarse aggregate is 2 kg (4.4
pycnometer with water to its calibrated
lb.). Step 3: Place the entire sample of the
capacity and record the mass of the
SSD aggregate in a wire cage and submerge
pycnometer with just water. NOTE: The TA
it in the bucket of water underneath the scale.
will come back later and cool the dried fine
Shake it slightly to remove all the air bubbles
aggregate sample to room temperature, and
and then attach the wire cage to the small
then determine the mass of the dried sample.
hook on the underside of the scale. Wait a
This data will be provided to you after lab.
moment for the scale and the bucket to settle,
Specific Gravity and Moisture Content of and then record the mass of the submerged
Coarse Aggregates Follow ASTM C127 sample. Take care not to lose any pieces of
NOTE: You will only do this test once, but in aggregate during this step. Step 4: Take the
reality, replicates of these tests should always entire samples out of the wire cage and dump
be done. NOTE: To follow the standard, the it onto a metal tray. Decant as much water as
aggregates must be oven dried and then possible without losing any of the sample,
and then place the tray in the oven. Make sure
your sample is labeled with your name and provided after lab. All the data from all the
aggregate type. The sample will be allowed aggregates must be included in your lab
to dry and then cooled to room temperature report. It is unnecessary to distinguish which
and then massed again. This final mass will actual measurements you took in the lab
be provided to you after the lab. report—you will be writing general
procedures and will be reporting the results
Bulk Density and Air Voids in Aggregate of all tests. Be sure to include sample
Follow ASTM C29 Rodding Procedure. The calculations in the appendix.
aggregate for this has already been oven dried
for 24 hours prior to lab, as per the standard. Aggregate Sieve Analysis: You will need to
Step 1: Mass the empty metal bucket and provide a table for each aggregate type with
record this measurement. Step 2: Fill the the following: sieve size, weight retained,
metal bucket 1/3 of the way full with percent retained, cumulative percent
aggregate and level the surface by hand. Rod retained, and cumulative percent passing.
the layer 25 times but try not to strike the You will also need to provide gradation
bottom of the bucket hard. Step 3: Add curves for each aggregate type, with the sieve
another third of aggregate to the bucket (now size on the x-axis and the cumulative percent
2/3 full) and repeat step one. The rod should passing on the y-axis. On the same chart,
penetrate about an inch into the underlying graph the upper and lower boundaries for the
layer. Step 4: Repeat step 1 for the third and ASTM standards. Each aggregate type
final lift. After you have finished rodding, should be on a separate graph. Also calculate
level the surface either by hand or using the the fineness modulus for the fine aggregate.
tamping rod or trowel. Attempt to
compensate for slight voids in the surface by Specific Gravity, Moisture Content, and
allowing other particles to protrude slightly. absorption for Fine Aggregates: Please refer
Step 5: Mass the bucket with the aggregate in to the ASTM standards for the full
it and record this value. description of the equations. Give tables of
these values for each aggregate type.
Stock Moisture Content Measurement
Follow ASTM 566. Step 1: Mass a metal tray Variables: A=mass of oven dry specimen (g),
and record this value. Step 2: Measure out B=mass of pycnometer with water (g),
approximately 3 kg of coarse aggregate from C=mass of the pycnometer with the specimen
the stockpile and place it on the metal tray and the water (g), S=SSD weight of the
and mass it. Record this value. Step 3: Put the sample and D= mass of specimen from stock
metal tray in the oven. That’s it! NOTE: The (g).
TA will return after the aggregate has dried Specific Gravity Saturated Surface Dry:
and mass the oven dried specimens. These
values will be provided to you after lab. 𝑆
𝑆𝐺𝑆𝑆𝐷 =
𝐵+𝑆−𝐶
Calculations: Although you did not perform
tests on all of the different aggregate types,
data for all the different types will be
Absorption: Bulk Density OD:

𝑆−𝐴 (𝐺 − 𝑇)
𝐴𝑏𝑠 = × 100% 𝑀𝑂𝐷 =
𝐴 𝑉
Moisture Content: Bulk Density SSD
𝐷−𝑆
MC = × 100% 𝑀𝑆𝑆𝐷 = 𝑀𝑂𝐷 [1 + (𝐴/100)]
𝑆

Specific Gravity and Moisture Content for Void Content

Coarse Aggregates 100[(𝑆 × 𝑊) − 𝑀]
% 𝑉𝑜𝑖𝑑𝑠 =
Variables: A=mass of oven dried sample, 𝑆×𝑊
B=mass of SSD sample in air, C=mass of
SSD sample submerged and D= mass of
specimen from stock (g). Stock Moisture Content Calculations See
section 7.1 of Mindess and Young for full
Specific Gravity Saturated Surface Dry: equations and explanations.
𝐵 Moisture Content
𝑆𝐺𝑆𝑆𝐷 =
𝐵−𝐶
𝑊𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑐𝑘− 𝑊𝑆𝑆𝐷
Absorption: 𝑀𝐶 = × 100%
𝑊𝑆𝑆𝐷
𝐵−𝐴
𝐴𝑏𝑠 = × 100% Note: You will have to calculate the SSD
𝐴 weight from the OD weight by using the
Moisture Content: absorption value you have previously
obtained.
𝐷−𝐵
MC = × 100%
𝐵
Results (In weekly worksheet):

• Table with calculated values

Dry Rodded Unit Weight and Air Void • Plots of gradations. Also calculate the
Analysis fineness modulus for the fine
aggregate.
Variables: M=bulk density of the aggregate
(kg/m3), G=mass of the aggregate plus the Discussion (In weekly worksheet):
bucket (kg), T=mass of the bucket (kg),
In addition to the prior calculations, respond
V=volume of the bucket (0.25 ft3 *note the
to the following questions.
different units*), A=absorption (from C127
and C128), S=bulk specific gravity OD from 1. What deviations were there from the
C127 and C128, W=density of water (990 standards? Were any of the weights too
kg/m3). great for a single sieve? Discuss how
 these deviations, if any, could have
affected the results.
2. Do all of the aggregates meet their
respective ASTM C33 specifications as
listed in the materials section? If not, how
far off are they? If you were in industry,
would you accept these aggregates?
3. For the aggregates that were tested in
both lab sections, did they meet single-
operator precision limits per ASTM
standard? Multi-laboratory precision
limits?
 Group Number:_____________________________

Date:_______________

Raw Data from Lab 1

Data Table 1.1—Large Coarse Aggregate

Aggregate Type________________________

Sieve Size Mass of Sieve Empty Mass of Sieve with Aggregate

Data Table 1.2—Small Coarse Aggregate or Fine Aggregate

Aggregate Type________________________

Sieve Size Mass of Sieve Empty Mass of Sieve with Aggregate

 Data for Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate:

Aggregate Type:__________________________

Mass of pycnometer empty: _______________________

Mass of SSD aggregate in air:__________________________

Mass of aggregate in pycnometer with water:________________________

Mass of pycnometer with water:__________________________

Data for Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate:

Aggregate Type:___________________________

Mass of SSD aggregate in air: ________________________________

Mass of SSD aggregate submerged:_______________________________

Mass of SSD aggregate for absorption:_______________________________

Mass of SSD aggregate dried to OD:_______________________________

Dry rodded unit weight:

Aggregate Type:______________________________

Mass of empty bucket:______________________________

Mass of bucket with aggregate:_______________________

Stock Moisture (Repeat for fine and coarse aggregate):

Aggregate Type: ____________________________

Mass of metal tray:________________________

Mass of aggregate and tray:__________________