UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA

DEPARTMENT OF
CIVIL ENGINEERING
150 Jaguar Drive, Shelby Hall 3142
Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002

Telephone: (251)460-6174
Facsimile:(251)
(251)461-1400
461-1400
Facsimile:
http://www.southalabama.edu
http://www.southalabama.edu

September 22, 2015

John Cleary, Ph.D., P.E.
Department of Civil Engineering
University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL 36688
Subject: CE-315, Civil Engineering Materials Lab #4 - Aggregates: Material Properties and
Gradation Analysis

Introduction and Objective

The following report contains the analysis of the fine and coarse aggregate samples under
consideration for use in concrete mix design. Measurements for the calculation of specific
gravity, absorption, bulk unit weight, and void content for the coarse aggregate were collected on
Wednesday, September 9th. Gradation analysis for the fine and coarse aggregates were performed
on Wednesday, September 16th. Experimentation was carried out in the Construction Materials
Lab at the University of South Alabama.
The objective of this report is to discuss the necessary parameters and analytical procedures
involved in the classification of aggregate samples. Following is a presentation of results for the
calculated material properties of the aggregates (fine and coarse) that are being considered for
use in mix design, and the ASTM classification of the coarse aggregate sample.

Engineering Team Members

The experimental data collection team consisted of the following individuals: Bader Hadir,
Connor Griffin, Musaad Albaiji, and Thomas Calhoun.
The primary author of the report is Thomas Calhoun. The secondary author of the report is
Connor Griffin.

Description of the Experiment

The specific gravity and absorption of an aggregate are calculated by comparing measurements
for the dry weight of a representative sample and the weight of the sample while it is submerged
in water. Three types of specific gravity were observed: bulk dry, bulk saturated surface dry
(SSD), and apparent. Determination of specific gravity and absorption of the coarse aggregate
followed the standard procedure outlined in ASTM C 127-88 (ASTM International 2015). The
following equations were used for calculations:
Dry Weight Dry Weight
,
Bulk Dry S .Bulk
G .=Dry S . G .=
,
(SSD
Weight H
Weight
H 2 O)
(SSD Weight
Weight
2 O)

(1)

SSD WeightSSD Weight

Bulk SSD SBulk
. G .=SSD S . G .=
,
,
(SSD Weight
WeightH
2 O)
( SSDWeight
Weight
H 2 O)

(2)

Dry Weight
Apparent S .G .=
,
Dry
( Dry
WeightWeight
HWeight
Apparent
S .G
.=
,
2 O)
( Dry WeightWeight H 2 O)
SSD WeightDry Weight
Absorption ( )=
100Weight
SSD WeightDry
AbsorptionDry
( )=Weight
100
Dry Weight

(3)

(4)

Where:
SSD Weight = Saturated sample weight with all visible surface
water removed, and
Dry Weight = Sample weight after heating to remove all water from
permeable voids.

Once the specific gravity of an aggregate has been calculated, the bulk density (unit weight)
and void content can then be determined. For this procedure, the ratio of the weight of a sample
of compacted aggregate to the volume of a container that the sample occupies is determined. The
sample was compacted by rodding. Experimentation for determining unit weight and void
content followed the ASTM C-29 standard (ASTM International 2009). The calculated values are
given by:
Volume of Measure=

Weight of Measure w / H 2 OWeight of Measure

H O

(5)

Bulk Density=

Weight of Measure AggregateWeight of Measure

,
Volume of Measure

Percent Voids=

( Bulk Dry S . G. H O )Bulk Density

2

Bulk Dry S . G . H

100 ,

(6)

(7)

Where:

H O= specific weight of water.

2

A sieve analysis was performed for the coarse and fine aggregate samples following the ASTM C
136 standard procedure (ASTM International 2014). A sieve analysis provides a measure of the
particle size distribution of aggregates. For the analysis, a nest of sieves with variable opening
sizes is assembled in ascending order. A pan placed at the bottom to ensure that all of the sample
weight is accounted for. The aggregate is then poured through the nest and shaken for five
minutes. The weight of aggregate retained for each sieve is then measured and used to calculate
the percent of the sample weight that passes each sieve. The aggregate size number is then
determined by referring to the ASTM C 33 standard specification for concrete aggregates
(ASTM International 2003). Data collected during the sieve analysis is also used to calculate the
fineness modulus for the fine aggregate. The fineness modulus is defined as the sum of the
cumulative percentages retained on the standard sieves divided by one-hundred. The calculated
values for percent passing each sieve are given by:

Percent Retained=

(Weight of Sieve w /Sample Retained)Weight of Sieve

100 ,
Total Sample Weight

ercent Retained
ercent Retained
P
P

i n

Percent Passing n=100

n
Percent Passing ni=1
=100

(8)

(9)

i=1

Results and Discussion

The results for the calculation of specific gravity and absorption of the coarse aggregate are
shown in Table 1 below.
Specific Gravity and Absorption
Bulk S.G.-Dry
Bulk S.G.-SSD
Apparent S.G.
Absorption (%)

2.57
2.60
2.66
1.3

Table 1: Calculated values for bulk specific gravity (dry, SSD, and apparent) and absorption.

The results also indicate that the values for the bulk density and void content of the coarse
aggregate are 101.5 lb/ft3 and 36.5 percent respectfully. The fineness modulus for the fine
aggregate sample was found to be 2.72.
Located on the next page, Table 2 and Table 3 show the percent retained, cumulative percent
retained, and percent passing each consecutive sieve size for the coarse and fine aggregate
samples. These results are displayed graphically on semi-log and 0.45 power gradation charts
which can be found in Appendix B at the end of this report.

Coarse Aggregate
Sieve
Percent
Cumulative Percent
Size
Retained
Retained
Percent Passing
3/4"
0
0
100
1/2"
6
6
94
3/8"
14
20
80
No. 4
66
86
14
No. 8
13
99
1
No. 16
1
99
1
No. 50
0.05
100
0
Pan
0.42
99.96
0.04
Table 2: Percent of coarse aggregate sample weight retained, cumulative percent retained on or above, and
percent of sample weight passing for each sieve.

Fine Aggregate
Sieve
Percent
Cumulative Percent
Size
Retained
Retained
Percent Passing
3/8"
1
1
99
No. 4
1
2
98
No. 8
8
10
90
No. 16
12
22
78
No. 30
23
46
54
No. 50
47
92
8
No. 100
7
99
1
Pan
0.81
99.8
0.20
Table 3: Percent of fine aggregate sample weight retained, cumulative percent retained on or above, and
percent of sample weight passing for each sieve.

The sieve analysis for the coarse aggregate sample indicates that the closest size classification
based on the ASTM grading requirements is a number seven. This can be visualized by referring
to the semi-log gradation chart below (Figure 1). The limiting values for the sample
classification are plotted with the calculated sample gradation.

Semilog Gradation
Chart for 2Coarse
Sample
2.36 mm (No. 8)
mm (No. 10)

4.75 mm (No. 4)

100100

100.00

90

1.18 mm (No. 16)

90.00
0.6 mm (No. 30)
80.00

0.3 mm (No. 50)

0.15 mm (No. 100)

70.00
0.075 mm (No. 200)
60.00

50 mm (2 in)

Percent Passing
37.5 mm (1 1/2 in)

12.5 mm (1/2 in)

50.00
40.00
25 mm (1 in)
30.00

19 mm (3/4 in)40

20.00
9.5 mm (3/8 in)
10.00
0.00

Lower Limit

70

15
Percent5Passing
(Coarse Aggregate)
0

Upper Limit

Sieve Size

Figure 1: Semi-log gradation chart of the coarse aggregate sample plotted with the standard limiting values for size number seven

Conclusions
The primary objective of the experiments described in this report was to accurately determine the
necessary parameters for the coarse and fine aggregates under consideration for use in a concrete
mix design. While conducting the sieve analysis, it was noted that some of the finer sieves may
have introduced error to the data due to obstructions in the sieve openings. An attempt was made
to remove all the trapped particles, but some particles were unable to be removed. The value for
the fineness modulus was found to be within the acceptable standard range for classification as a
fine aggregate; however, to ensure the accuracy of this value it is recommended that the sieve
analysis be repeated using unobstructed sieves.
The coarse aggregate sample deviated from the number seven standard classification at the 3/8
inch sieve. The calculated value was found to be eighty percent passing; however, the standard
requires that the value be in the range of forty to seventy percent. All other values for percent
passing were in the standard range for a number seven classification.

References
ASTM International. 2015. ASTM C127-15, "Standard Test Method for Relative Density
(Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate". West Conshohocken, PA:
www.astm.org.
. 2014. ASTM C136 / C136M-14, "Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and
Coarse Aggregates". West Conshohocken, PA,: www.astm.org.
. 2009. ASTM C29 / C29M-09, "Standard Test Method for Bulk Density (Unit Weight) and
Voids in Aggregate". West Conshohocken, PA: www.astm.org.
. 2003. ASTM Standard C33, "Specification for Concrete Aggregates" . West Conshohocken,
PA: www.astm.org.

Appendix A: Data collected during experimentation

Data Collected for Calculation of Specific Gravity and Absorption
Weight (lbs.)
Measure
Measure w/ SSD Sample

0.5465
8.8395

Measure w/ Dry Sample

8.7295

Dry Sample

8.183

SSD Sample

8.293

Sample In Water

5.105

______________________________________________________________________________
Data Collected for Calculation of Bulk Density and Voids
Weight (lbs.)
Measure

7.7

Measure w/ Water

23.2

Measure w/ Rodded Aggregate

33.0

Temperature of Water (F)

Density of Water at Specified
Temperature (lbs./ft3)
Volume of Measure (ft3)

80
62.216
0.249

______________________________________________________________________________
7

Data Collected During Sieve Analysis

Fine Aggregate Sample Weight = 601.3 g

Size
3/8"
No. 4
No. 8
No. 16
No. 30
No. 50
No. 100
Pan

Fine Aggregate Sample

Weight
Weight w/ Sample
Weight Retained
(g)
(g)
(g)
764.4
771.8
7.4
503.4
507.2
3.8
736.6
786.9
50.3
421.2
493.0
71.8
398.4
539.5
141.1
232.2
512.3
280.1
310.8
351.5
40.7
285.6
290.5
4.9

Coarse Aggregate Sample Weight = 4.002 lbs.

Size
3/4"
1/2"
3/8"
No. 4
No. 8
No.
16
No.
50
Pan

Coarse Aggregate Sample

Weight
Weight w/ Sample
Weight Retained
(lbs.)
(lbs.)
(lbs.)
1.236
1.243
0.007
12.364
12.605
0.241
1.689
2.236
0.547
1.042
3.698
2.656
1.091
1.598
0.507
1.307

1.331

0.024

0.719
0.840

0.721
0.857

0.002
0.017

Appendix B: Sample calculations, tabulated values, and graphs.

Bulk Dry S . G .=

Dry Weight
,
(SSDWeight Weight H 2 O)

Bulk SSD S . G .=

(1)

SSD Weight
,
(SSDWeight Weight H 2 O)
(2)

Apparent S .G .=

Dry Weight
,
(Dry WeightWeight H 2 O)

Absorption ( )=

SSD WeightDry Weight

100
Dry Weight

(3)

(4)

Weight of Measure w / H 2 OWeight of Measure

,
H O

(5)

Weight of Measure AggregateWeight of Measure

,
Volume of Measure

(6)

Volume of Measure=

Bulk Density=

Percent Voids =

( Bulk Dry S . G. H O )Bulk Density

2

Bulk Dry S . G . H

100 ,

(7)

Percent Retained=

(Weight of Sieve w /Sample Retained)Weight of Sieve

100 ,
Total Sample Weight

(8)

(9)

ercent Retained
P

Percent Passing n=100

i=1

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Calculated Values for Specific Gravity and Absorption

Bulk S.G.-Dry

2.57

Bulk S.G.-SSD

2.60

Apparent S.G.

2.66

Absorption (%)

1.3

Table 1: Calculated values for bulk specific gravity (dry, SSD, and apparent) and absorption.

______________________________________________________________________________
Calculated Values for Bulk Density and Void Content
Bulk Dry Unit Weight (lbs./ft3)

101.5

Void Content (%)

36.5

Table 1.2: Calculated values for the bulk density and void content for the coarse aggregate.

Coarse Aggregate
Sieve
Percent
Cumulative Percent
Size
Retained
Retained
Percent Passing
3/4"
0
0
100
1/2"
6
6
94
3/8"
14
20
80
No. 4
66
86
14
No. 8
13
99
1
No. 16
1
99
1
No. 50
0.05
100
0
Pan
0.42
99.96
0.04
Table 2: Percent of coarse aggregate sample weight retained, cumulative percent retained on or above, and
percent of sample weight passing for each sieve.

Fine Aggregate
Sieve
Size
3/8"

Percent
Retained

Cumulative Percent
Retained
1

10

Percent Passing
99

No. 4
1
2
98
No. 8
8
10
90
No. 16
12
22
78
No. 30
23
46
54
No. 50
47
92
8
No. 100
7
99
1
Pan
0.81
99.8
0.20
Table 3: Percent of fine aggregate sample weight retained, cumulative percent retained on or above, and
percent of sample weight passing for each sieve.

Semilog Gradation Chart for Coarse Sample

4.75 mm (No. 4)

1.18 mm (No. 16)

2.36 mm (No. 8)
100.00

90.00
0.6 mm (No. 30)
80.00

2 mm (No. 10)

100100
90

0.3 mm (No. 50)

70

70.00
0.15 mm (No. 100)

Percent Passing
37.5 mm (1 1/2 in)

0.075 mm (No. 200)

60.00

50 mm (2 in)

50.00

40

40.00
25 mm (1 in)

19 mm (3/4 in)

30.00
12.5 mm (1/2 in)

20.00
9.5 mm (3/8 in)
10.00

Lower Limit

Percent Passing (Coarse Aggregate)

15
5

0.00
Upper Limit

Sieve Size
Figure 1: Semi-log gradation chart of the coarse aggregate sample plotted with the standard limiting values for size number
seven.

11

FHWA 0.45 Power Gradation Chart for Coarse Sample

100

100
90

100

80
70

Percent Passing

60
40
20

40
15

Sieve Size
4.75 mm (No. 4)

2.36 mm (No. 8)

2 mm (No. 10)

1.18 mm (No. 16)

0.6 mm (No. 30)

0.3 mm (No. 50)

0.15 mm (No. 100)

0.075 mm (No. 200)

50 mm (2 in)

37.5 mm (1 1/2 in)

25 mm (1 in)

19 mm (3/4 in)

12.5 mm (1/2 in)

9.5 mm (3/8 in)

Coarse Sample

Lower Limit

Upper Limit

Figure 2: FWHA 0.45 Power Gradation Chart of the coarse aggregate sample plotted with the standard limiting values for size
number seven.

12

Appendix C:
Lab #4 - Aggregates: Material Properties and Gradation Analysis

9/9/2015 and 9/16/2015

CE 315 Group # 8 Wednesday Section

Task
Introduction and
objective
Description of the
experiment
Results
Conclusions
References
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Data collection tasks
Tables and Graphs

Thomas Calhoun
60

Connor Griffin
40

100

50
40
80
50
50
50
60
50

50
60
20
50
50
50
40
50

13