1.

TESTS ON AGGREGATE FOR CONCRETE PROCEDURE

a. SIEVE ANALYSIS The sample shall be brought to an air-dry condition before weighing and
Exp.No ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ Date : ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙
sieving. This may be achieved either by drying at room temperature or by heating at a
AIM temperature of 100o to 110°C. The air-dry sample shall be weighed and sieved
To determine of particle size distribution of fine and coarse aggregate by successively on the appropriate sieves starting with the largest. Care shall be taken to
sieving or screening. ensure that the sieves are clean before use.
Each sieve shall be shaken separately over a clean tray until not more than a
THEORY trace passes, but in any case for a period of not less than two minutes. The shaking
Fine aggregate is the sand used in mortar. Coarse aggregate is the broken stone shall be done with a varied motion, backward sand forwards, left to right, circular
used in concrete. The coarse aggregate unless mixed with fine aggregate serves no clockwise and anti-clockwise, and with frequent jarring, so that the material is kept
purpose in concrete works. The size of fine aggregate is limited to a maximum of 4.75 moving over the sieve surface in frequently changing directions. Material shall not be
mm gauge beyond which it is known as coarse aggregate forced through the sieve by hand pressure, but on sieves coarser than20 mm, placing
of particles is permitted. Lumps of fine material, if present, may be broken by gentle
APPARATUS pressure with fingers against the side of the sieve. Light brushing with a soft brush on
Sieves – as per IS : 460-1962 80, 40, 20, 10, 4.75, 2.36, 1.18,600 ,300 ,150 the underside of the sieve may be used to clear the sieve openings.

,75 shall be used and balance or scale. Light brushing with a fine camel hair brush may be used on the150-micron
and 75-micron IS Sieves to prevent aggregation of powder and blinding of apertures.
Sample:
Stiff or worn out brushes shall not be used for this purpose and pressure shall not be
Table IV Minimum weight for sample for sieve analysis
applied to the surface of the sieve to force particles through the mesh.
Maximum size present in Minimum weight of sample to be
On completion of sieving, the material retained on each sieve, together with
substantial proportions (mm) taken for sieving (kg)
any material cleaned from the mesh, shall be weighed.
63 50
Record down the weight in the result sheet and ready for calculation and
50 35
plotting of graph.
40 or 31.5 15
25 5
20 or 16 2
12.5 1
10 0.5
6.3 0.2
4.75 0.2
2.36 0.1
OBSERVATIONS Coarse aggregate
Weight of sample = …………… Weight Cumulative Cumulative Cumulative
IS Sieve Size retained weight retained percentage percentage
Fine aggregate weight (kg) (kg) retained (%) passing (%)
Weight Cumulative Cumulative Cumulative 80
IS Sieve Size retained weight retained percentage percentage 40
weight (kg) (kg) retained (%) passing (%) 20
80 10
40 4.75
20 2.36
10 1.18
4.75 600
2.36 300
1.18
150
600

300

150 Fineness modulus for coarse aggregate = Cumulative percentage retained (%)/100 =
Effective size = D10 =

Uniformity coefficient = =
Fineness modulus for fine aggregate = Cumulative percentage retained (%)/100 =
Effective size = D10 = Average sieve size = =

Uniformity coefficient = =
RESULT
Fine aggregate:
Average sieve size = = Fineness Modulus =
Effective size =
Weight of sample =
Uniformity Coefficient =
Average sieve size =

Coarse aggregate:
Fineness Modulus =
Effective size =
Uniformity Coefficient =
Average sieve size =

REFERENCE
IS 2386 (part 1) 1963
 b. DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND WATER
ABSORPTION
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AIM

For determining the specific gravity, apparent specific gravity and water
absorption of aggregates.

APPARATUS

The apparatus shall consist of the following:

 Balance - A balance or scale of capacity not less than 3 kg, readable and
accurate to 0.5 g, and of such a type as to permit the weighing of the FIG:1 SECTION OF PYCNOMETER MADE
vessel containing the aggregate and water.
FROM FRUIT JAR
 Oven - A well ventilated oven, thermostatically controlled, to maintain a
temperature of 100 to 110°C. PROCEDURE

 Vessel - Any form of vessel capable of holding 0.5 to 1 kg of material up A sample of about 1 kg for 10 mm to 4-75 mm or 500 g if finer than
to 10 mm in size and capable of being filled with water to a constant 4.75 mm, shall be placed in the tray and covered with distilled water at a
volume with an accuracy of f @5 ml. Either of the two following vessels is temperature of 22 to 32°C. Soon after immersion, air entrapped in or bubbles
suitable: on the surface of the aggregate shall be removed by gentle agitation with a
1. A glass vessel, referred to later as a pycnometer, of about one litre rod. The sample shall remain immersed for 24 ± l/2 hours.
capacity having a metal conical screw top with a 6-mm diameter
The water shall then be carefully drained from the sample, by
hole at its apex.
decantation through a filter paper, any material retained being returned to the
2. A wide-mouthed glass vessel, such as a gas jar, of about 1.25 litres
sample. The aggregate including any solid matter retained on the filter paper
capacity, with a flat ground lip and a plane ground disc of plate
shall be exposed to a gentle current of warm air to evaporate surface moisture
glass to cover it, giving a virtually watertight fit.
and shall be stirred at frequent intervals to ensure uniform drying until no free
 A means of supplying a current of warm air, such as a hair drier.
surface moisture can be seen and the material just attains a ‘ free-running
 A tray of area not less than 325 cm2.
’condition. Care shall be taken to ensure that this stage is not passed. The
 An airtight container large enough to take the sample.
saturated and surface-dry sample shall be weighed ( weight A ).
 Filter papers and funnel.
The aggregate shall then be placed in the pycnometer which shall be
filled with distilled water. Any trapped air shall be eliminated by rotating the
pycnometer on its side, the hole in the apex of the cone being covered with a
finger. The pycnometer shall be topped up with distilled water to remove any RESULT
froth from the surface and so that the surface of the water in the hole is flat.
Specific gravity of sand =
The pycnometer shall be dried on the outside and weighed ( weight B ).
Specific gravity of coarse aggregate =
The contents of the pycnometer shall be emptied into the tray, care
being taken to ensure that all the aggregate is transferred. The pycnometer shall Apparent Specific gravity of sand =
be refilled with distilled water to the same level as before, dried on the outside
Apparent Specific gravity of coarse aggregate =
and weighed ( weight C). The difference in the temperature of the water in the
pycnometer during the first and second weighing shall not exceed 2°C. Water absorption =

The water shall then be carefully drained from the sample by

decantation through a filter paper and any material retained returned to the
sample. The sample shall be placed in the oven in the tray at a temperature of
100 to 110°C for 24 f l/2 hours, during which period it shall be stirred
occasionally to facilitate drying. It shall be cooled in the air-tight container and
weighed ( weight D ). Two tests shall be made.

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

Specific gravity, apparent specific gravity and water &sorption shall be

calculated as follows:

Specific gravity = D/[A-(B-C)]

Apparent specific gravity = D/[D-(B-C)]

Water absorption ( percent Of = 100 x ( A- D ) /D

where

A = weight in g of saturated surface-dry sample,

B = weight in g of pycnometer or gas jar containing sample and filled

with distilled water,

C = weight in g of pycnometer or gas jar filled with distilled water

only, and

D = weight in g of oven-dried sample.

 c. DETERMINATION OF BULK DENSITY AND VOIDS of moisture may be used. The measure shall be filled about one-third full with
thoroughly mixed aggregate and tamped with 25 strokes of the rounded end of
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the tamping rod. A further similar quantity of aggregate shall be added and a
AIM further tamping of 25 strokes given. The measure shall finally be filled to
over-flowing, tamped 25 times and the surplus aggregate struck off, using the
This method of test covers the procedure for determining unit weight or
tamping rod as a straightedge. The net weight of the aggregate in the measure
bulk density and voids of aggregates.
shall be determined and the bulk density calculated in kilograms per litre. The
APPARATUS measure shall be filled to overflowing by means of a shovel or scoop, the
aggregate being discharged from a height not exceeding 5 cm above the top of
The apparatus shall consist of the following:
the measure. Care shall be taken to prevent, as far as possible, segregation of
 Balance - A balance sensitive to O-5 percent of the weight of the sample to the particle sizes of which the sample is composed. The surface of the
be weighed. aggregate shall then be levelled with a straightedge. The net weight of the
 Cylindrical Metal Measure-The measure shall preferably be machined to aggregate in the measure shall then be determined and the bulk density
accurate internal dimensions and shall be provided with handles. It shall calculated in kilogram per litre.
also be watertight, and of sufficient rigidity to retain its form under rough
CALCULATION
usage, and should be protected against corrosion. The measure shall be of 3j
15 or 30 litres capacity, according to the maximum nominal size of the The percentage of voids shall be calculated as follows:

coarsest particles of aggregate and shall comply pith the requirements given
Percentage of voids = (Gs- γ)/Gs X 100
in Table I.
 Tamping Rod- A straight metal tamping rod of cylindrical cross- section 16 where ,

mm in diameter and 60 cm long, rounded at one end. Gs = specific gravity of the aggregate, and

γ = bulk density in kg/litre.

CALIBRATION
RESULT
The measure shall be calibrated by determining the weight of water at Percentage of voids in course aggregate =
Percentage of voids in sand =
27°C required to fill it such that no meniscus is present above the rim of the Ratio of mix for no voids concrete =
container. The capacity in litres shall be obtained by dividing the weight of Bulk density of sand =
Bulk density of coarse aggregate =
water in kilograms required to fill the container at 27°C by the weight of Loose density of sand =
water in one litre at 27”C, which may be taken as one kilogram. Loose density of coarse aggregate =

PROCEDURE

The test shall normally be carried. out on dry material when determining
the voids, but when bulking tests are required material with a given percentage
 d. BULKING OF SAND A graph is drawn with % moisture against % bulking. From the graph the
maximum bulking of sand and the corresponding moisture content is available.
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OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS
AIM
Height of container (H) =
The aim of the experiment is to study the bulking of sand characteristics.
Volume of water Height of Height of sand
THEORY AND APPLICATIONS
Sl no added container above h(cm)= H-h1 % bulking
The presence of moisture in aggregates necessitates correction of the actual sand(h1)
minimum proportion. The weight of water added to the mix has to be decreased by
weight of free moisture in the aggregate and the weight of aggregate must be
increased by a like amount.

In the case of sand, there is the second effect of presence of moisture bulking.
This is the increase in volume of a given weight of sand caused by films of water
pushing the sand particles apart.
Height of sand from bottom of container when it is fully filled with water (h′) =
Bulking doesn’t affect the proportions of materials by weight. In the case of
volume batching, bulking results in a matter weight if sand occupying fixed volume if % bulking = [(h/h′)-1] x 100
measuring box. For this reason, the mix becomes deficient in sand, and the aggregate
RESULT
is prone to degradation resulting in honey combing of concrete. Also the yield is
reduced. Maximum % of bulking =

PROCEDURE Moisture content at maximum bulking =

1000 gram of dry sand is taken. The height of container ‘H’ is measured. The Moisture in the given sample =
container is filled with sand and the surface of aggregate is leveled. The height of the
Bulking of given sand =
sand (h) is measured from bottom of container. The sand is poured in a glass plate and
2% of water by weight of dry sand is added and mixed thoroughly. The sand is
carefully transferred to the container and surface is leveled, height if container is
measured from level of sand. Again we get ‘h’ from bottom.

The sand is removed to glass plate and another 2% of water is added and
mixed thoroughly. Then the procedure is repeated. Finally container is fully filled
with water and sand is poured h′ is height of sand from bottom is this condition.
e. DETERMINATION OF AGGREGATE CRUSHING VALUE load is reached in 10 minutes. The machine may be used with or without a
spherical seating.
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f) For measuring the sample, cylindrical metal measure of sufficient rigidity to
AIM
retain its form under rough usage and of the following
This method of test covers the procedure for determining the aggregate
Internal dimensions:
crushing value of coarse aggregate.
Diameter 11.5 cm
THEORY
Height 18.0 cm
The aggregate crushing value gives a relative measure of the resistance of
aggregate in bulk to crushing under a gradually applied compressive load. Crushing PREPARATION OF TEST SAMPLE
value is defined as the ratio of fineness passing a standard sieve produced by crushing
The material for the standard test shall consist of aggregate passing a
under standard condition to the weight of coarse aggregate expressed as a percentage.
12.5mm IS Sieve and retained on a 10mm IS Sieve, and shall be thoroughly

Aggregate crushing values as determined by the IS code method shall not separated on these sieves before testing. The aggregate shall be tested in a surface-

exceed 30 for aggregate to be used for making concrete for wearing surface such as dry condition. If dried by heating, the period of drying shall not exceed four

roads and runways and 45 for uses other than wearing hours, the temperature shall be 100 to 110°C and the aggregate shall be cooled
to room temperature before testing. The quantity of aggregate shall be such that
APPARATUS
the depth of material in the cylinder, after tamping shall be 10 cm. The
The apparatus for the standard test consist of the following: appropriate quantity may be found conveniently by filling the cylindrical
measure in three layers of approximately equal depth, each layer being tamped
a) A 15-cm diameter open-ended steel cylinder, with plunger and base-plate, of
25 times with the rounded end of the tamping rod and finally leveled off,
the general form and dimensions shown in Fig. 1. The surfaces in contact with
using the tamping rod as a straight-edge. The weight of material comprising the
the aggregate shall be machined and case-hardened or otherwise treated so as
test sample shall be determined (Weight A) and the same weight of sample
to have a diamond (VI-l) pyramid hardness number of not less than 650 VII.
shall be taken for the repeat test.
b) A straight metal tamping rod of circular cross-section 16 mm in diameter
and 45 to 60 cm long, rounded at one end.

c) A balance of capacity 3 kg, readable and accurate to one gram.

d) IS Sieves of sizes 12.5, l0 and 2.36 mm.

e) A compression testing machine capable of applying a load of 46 tones and

which can be operated to give a uniform rate of loading so that the maximum
TEST APPARATUS PROCEDURE

The cylinder of the test apparatus shall be put in position on the base-
plate and the test sample added in thirds, each third being subjected to 25
strokes from the tamping rod. The surface of the aggregate shall be carefully
leveled and the plunger inserted so that it rests horizontally on this surface,
care being taken to ensure that the plunger does not jam in the cylinder. The
apparatus, with the test sample and plunger in position, shall then be placed
between the platens of the testing machine and loaded at as uniform a rate as
possible so that the total load is reached in 10 minutes. The total load shall be
40 tones. The load shall be released and the whole of the material removed
from the cylinder and sieved on a 2.36-mm IS Sieve for the standard test, or
the appropriate sieve given in Table I. The fraction passing the sieve shall be
weighed (Weight B). In all of these operations, care shall be taken to avoid loss
of the fines. Two tests shall be made.

OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION

FIG:1 TEST APPARATUS Aggregate crushing value:

A: Internal diameter of Cylinder PARTICULARS TRIAL1 TRIAL2 MEAN

Weight of dry
B: Height of Cylinder
sample passing
C: Wall thickness of Cylinder Plunger
through IS 12.5mm
D: Diameter of piston sieve and retained

E: Diameter of stem on 10mm IS sieve

(A)
F: Height
Weight of aggregate
G: Depth of piston passing through IS
H: Diameter of hole (nominal) sieve 2.36mm after
test (B)
I: Base-Plate
Aggregate crushing
J: Thickness (nominal)
value (B/A x 100)
K: Side length of square
 The ratio of the weight of fines formed to the total sample weight in f. DETERMINATION OF AGGREGATE IMPACT VALUE
each test shall be expressed as a percentage, the result being recorded to the
Exp.No ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ Date : ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙
first decimal place:
AIM
Aggregate crushing value = ( B/A) X 100
To determine the impact value of coarse aggregate.
where
THEORY
B = weight of fraction passing the appropriate sieve, and
Toughness is the property of a material to resist impact. Due to traffic loads
A = weight of surface-dry sample.
the road stones are subjected to impact and there is possibility to stones breaking into
RESULTS smaller pieces. The road stones should therefore be tough enough to resist fracture
under impact. A test designed to evaluate the toughness of stones ie the resistance of
Aggregate crushing value of the material tested =
the stones to fracture under repeated impacts may be called an impact test for road
SPECIFICATION stones.

As per IS:2386 part4-1963, aggregate crushing value shouldn’t exceed 30 so The aggregate impact value indicates a relative measure of resistance of an
that it is used for wearing surfaces. aggregate to a sudden shock or an impact which in some aggregate differ from its
resistance to a slow compressive load. The method of test covers the procedure for
determining the aggregate impact value of coarse aggregate.

APPARATUS

The apparatus consist of the following:

a) An impact testing machine of the general form shown in Fig. 2 and

complying with the following:

1) Total weight not more than 60 kg nor less than 45 kg.

2) The machine shall have a metal base weighing between 22 and 30 kg with
a plane lower surface of not less than 30 cm diameter, and shall be supported
on a level and plane concrete or stone block or floor at least 45 cm thick.
The machine shall be prevented from rocking either by fixing it to the block
or floor or by supporting it on a level and plane metal plate cast into the
surface of the block or floor.

3) A cylindrical steel cup of internal dimensions:

 Diameter 102mm

Depth 50mm

and not less than 6.3 mm thick with its inner surface case- hardened, that can
be rigidly fastened at the centre of the base and easily removed for emptying.

4) A metal tup or hammer weighing 13.5 to 14.0 kg, the lower end of which
shall be cylindrical in shape, 100.0 mm in diameter and 5 cm long, with a 2-
mm chamfer at the lower edge, and case-hardened. The hammer shall slide
freely between vertical guides so arranged that the lower (cylindrical) part of
the hammer is above and concentric with the cup.

5) Means for raising the hammer and allowing it to fall freely between the
vertical guides from a height of 38OA5.0 mm on to the test sample in the
cup, and means for adjusting the height of fall within 5 mm.

6) Means for supporting the hammer whilst fastening or removing the cup.

b) Sieves-The IS Sieves of sizes 12.5, 10 and 2.36 mm. PREPARATION OF THE TEST SAMPLE

c) Measure - A cylindrical metal measure, tared to the nearest gram, of The test sample shall consist of aggregate the whole of which passes a
sufficient rigidity to retain its form under rough usage, and of the following 12.5mm IS Sieve and is retained on a 10mm IS Sieve. The aggregate
internal dimensions comprising the test sample shall be dried in an oven for a period of four

Diameter 75mm hours at a temperature of 100 to 110°C and cooled.

Depth 50 mm The measure shall be filled about one-third full with the aggregate and
tamped with 25 strokes of the rounded end of the tamping rod, further similar
d) Tamping Rod-A straight metal tamping rod of circular cross-section 10 mm quantity of aggregate shall be added and a further tamping of 25 strokes given.
in diameter and 230 mm long, rounded at one end. The measure shall finally be fined to overflowing, tamped 25 times and the

e) Balance - A balance of capacity not less than 500 g, readable and accurate to surplus aggregate struck off, using the tamping rod as a straight-edge. The net

0.1 g. weight of aggregate in the measure shall be determined to the nearest gram
(Weight A) and this weight of aggregate shall be used for the duplicate test on
f) Oven - A well-ventilated oven, thermostatically controlled to maintain a
the same material.
temperature of 100 to 110°C.
PROCEDURE Aggregate impact value = B/A x 100

The impact machine shall rest without wedging or packing upon the Where,
level plate, block or floor, so that it is rigid and the hammer guide columns
B=weight of fraction passing 2.36mm IS Sieve, and
are vertical. The cup shall be fixed firmly in position on the base of the
machine and the whole of the test sample placed in it and compacted by a A =weight of oven-dried sample.
single tamping of 25 strokes of the tamping rod. The hammer shall be raised
RESULT
until its lower face is 380 mm above the upper surface of the aggregate in the
cup, and allowed to fall freely on to the aggregate. The test sample shall be The given aggregate has an impact value of
subjected to a total of 15 such blows each being delivered at an interval of
SPECIFICATION
not less than one second. The crushed aggregate shall then be removed from
the cup and the whole of it sieved on the 2*36-mm IS Sieve until no further As per IS-2386 part4-1963 the impact value should not exceed 40% of
significant amount passes in one minute. The fraction passing the sieve shall be aggregate by weight to be used for wearing surfaces and 45% by weight for other
weighed to an accuracy of 0.1 g (Weight. e). The fraction retained on the purposes.
sieve shall also be weighed (Weight C) and, if the total weight (E+Y) is less
than the initial weight (Weight A) by more than one gram, the result shall be
discarded and a fresh test made. Two tests shall be made

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

Particulars Test 1 Test 2 Mean

Weight of sample
passing through
12.5mm IS sieve (A)
Weight of crushed
sample passing
through 2.36mm IS
sieve (B)
Aggregate impact
value (B/A x 100)

The ratio of the weight of fines formed to the total sample weight in
each test shall he expressed as a percentage, the result being recorded to the
first decimal place: