Laboratory Exercise #1

Tests on Aggregates Used in Portland Cement Concrete

Introduction:

Aggregates typically make up 70-80% of the volume of Portland cement concretes and over 90% of
asphalt concretes. Thus, their properties (such as gradation, size, shape, pore characteristics, surface
traits, and strength) play important roles in determining the properties of the composite materials in
which they are to be used. Knowledge of relative density/specific gravity, absorption, unit weight and
voids content are necessary for the proper design of both Portland cement and bituminous concretes.

Purpose:

The purpose of this laboratory exercise is to introduce the student to some of the geometrical and
physical properties of aggregates, and to the standard test procedures for these properties. The
properties to be examined include:

Fine Aggregate Coarse Aggregate

Sieve Analysis - ASTM C 136 Sieve Analysis - ASTM C 136

Bulk Specific Gravity (Dry) - ASTM C 128
Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD) - ASTM C 128
Apparent Specific Gravity - ASTM C 128
Absorption - ASTM C 128
Moisture Content - ASTM C 566
Bulk Specific Gravity (Dry) - ASTM C 127
Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD) - ASTM C 127
Apparent Specific Gravity - ASTM C 127
Absorption - ASTM C 127
Moisture Content - ASTM C 566
Dry Rodded Unit Weight - ASTM C 29

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 Part A : Fine Aggregate

Sieve Analysis (ASTM C 136)

Record all data on Data Sheet, page A1
Plot results on Gradation Chart, page A2

1) Obtain approximately 1500 g of fine aggregate from the stockpile. Using the sample splitter
provided, reduce the fine aggregate to a sample size of about 500 g. Record the sample size used.

2) Obtain the relevant sieves (3/8", #4, #8, #16, #30, #50, and #100). Clean the sieves of lodged
aggregate as much as possible but be careful not to damage the screens. Weigh each of the sieves and
the pan individually to the nearest 0.1 g.

3) Nest the sieves in order of descending opening size, placing the pan on the bottom.

4) Place the fine aggregate sample in the top sieve, place lid on top of sieve stack, and agitate for 10
minutes using the mechanical sieve shaker.

5) Carefully remove the sieves one at a time and weigh each sieve with its retained aggregate. Calculate
the mass of material retained on each sieve. As a check, compare the total of the retained masses
against the original sample mass. The difference should be # 1.0 g.

6) Calculate the percent retained (based on the total mass from Step 5, not the original sample size), the
cumulative percent retained and the percent passing values for each sieve.

7) Calculate the Fineness Modulus.

8) Plot the percent passing values on the Gradation Chart provided, drawing straight lines between the
points. Also plot the gradation limits (maximum and minimum) from ASTM C 33, included in Table 1.

9) Comment on whether the sample meets ASTM specifications.

For assistance with the calculations required to fill out the sieve analysis table, refer to the sample Fine
Aggregate Sieve Analysis in Table 2.

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 Table 1: Fine Aggregate Gradation Limits
ASTM C 33

Sieve Size Percent Passing by Mass

3/8" (9.5 mm) 100

#4 (4.75 mm) 95 - 100

#8 (2.36 mm) 80 - 100

#16 (1.18 mm) 50 - 85

#30 (600 :m) 25 - 60

#50 (300 :m) 10 - 30

#100 (150 :m) 2 - 10

Table 2: Sample Fine Aggregate Sieve Analysis

ASTM C 136

Mass Mass Mass Percent Cumulative Percent

Sieve Sieve Sieve + Retained Retained Percent Passing
Size Retained Retained
(g) (g) (g) (%) (%) (%)

3/8" 500.0 500.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0

#4 500.0 512.1 12.1 2.3 2.3 97.7

#8 500.0 568.9 68.9 13.1 15.4 84.6

#16 500.0 602.6 102.6 19.5 34.9 65.1

#30 500.0 609.4 109.4 20.8 55.7 44.3

#50 500.0 626.8 126.8 24.1 79.8 20.2

#100 500.0 690.5 90.5 17.2 97.0 3.0

Pan 500.0 515.8 15.8 3.0 & 0.0

Total 526.1 100.0 283.0

Fineness Modulus = 283/100 = 2.83

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Specific Gravity and Absorption (ASTM C 128)
Record all data on Data Sheet, page A3

1) Obtain 700 - 800 g of soaked fine aggregate.

2) Spread on flat surface and dry slowly with blow dryer.

3) Test sample to see if SSD condition has been reached.

- Overfill mold slightly and tamp surface lightly 25 times, remove mold.
- SSD condition has been attained when sample slumps slightly.
- If sample has not yet been reached SSD, return to step 2.

4) Weigh empty pycnometer. Place approximately 500 g of SSD sample into pycnometer. Weigh
pycnometer with sample inside.

5) Fill pycnometer with water to approximately 90% capacity. Roll to remove entrapped air. Fill with
water to calibration mark. Weigh pycnometer containing sample and water.

6) Remove sample from flask and place in metal pan. Place pan in oven and leave overnight to dry.

7) Clean pycnometer and fill with water to calibration mark. Weigh pycnometer filled with water.

8) Once sample has been allowed to fully dry, remove pan from oven and weigh pan including sample.
Remove sample, wipe pan clean of any remaining sample with a dry cloth. Weigh empty pan.

9) Calculate the Bulk Specific Gravity (Dry), Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD), Apparent Specific Gravity
and Absorption of the aggregate as per the directions on the data sheet.

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Moisture Content (ASTM C 566)
Record all data on Data Sheet, page A4

1) Obtain approximately 1500 g of fine aggregate from the stockpile. Using the sample splitter
provided, reduce the fine aggregate to a sample size of about 500 g.

2) Weigh an empty metal pan to the nearest 0.1 g.

3) Place sample in pan and weigh both together.

4) Place pan in oven and leave overnight to dry .

5) Once sample has been allowed to fully dry, remove pan from oven and weigh pan including sample.
Remove sample, wipe pan clean of any remaining sample with a dry cloth. Weigh empty pan.

6) Calculate the Moisture Content of the aggregate as per the directions on the data sheet.

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 Part B : Coarse Aggregate

Sieve Analysis (ASTM C 136)

Record all data on Data Sheet, page A5
Plot results on Gradation Chart, page A6

1) Determine the sample size required. For coarse aggregate, minimum sample size is dependent upon
the nominal maximum aggregate size, as indicated below in Table 3.

Table 3: Coarse Aggregate Sample Size Determination

Nominal Maximum Aggregate Size Minimum Sample Size

(mm) (in) (kg) (lb)

9.5 3/8 1 2

12.5 1/2 2 4

19.0 3/4 5 11

25.0 1 10 22

37.5 1.5 15 33

50.0 2 20 44

Figure 1: Quartering Technique for Coarse Aggregate Sampling

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1) Obtain at least twice the required amount of coarse aggregate from the stockpile. Using the
quartering technique shown in Figure 1, reduce the coarse aggregate to the required sample size.
Record the sample size used. Save the rejected aggregate for the Moisture Content determination.

2) Obtain the relevant sieves (1.5", 1", 3/4", 1/2", 3/8", #4). Clean the sieves of lodged aggregate as
much as possible but be careful not to damage the screens. Weigh each of the sieves and the pan
individually to the nearest 0.5 g.

3) Insert the sieves into the mechanical sieve shaker in order of descending opening size. Place the pan
on the bottom. Important: Make sure to lock the sieves in place.

4) Place the coarse aggregate sample on the top sieve, position cover in front of sieve shaker, and
agitate for 10 minutes.

5) Carefully remove the sieves one at a time and weigh each sieve with its retained aggregate. Calculate
the mass of material retained on each sieve. As a check, compare the total of the retained masses
against the original sample mass. The difference should be # 20 g.

6) Calculate the percent retained (based on the total mass from Step 5, not the original sample size), the
cumulative percent retained and the percent passing values for each sieve.

7) Plot the percent passing values on the Gradation Chart provided, drawing straight lines between the
points. Also plot the gradation limits (maximum and minimum) from ASTM C 33, included in Table 4.

9) Comment on whether the sample meets ASTM specifications.

For assistance with the calculations required to fill out the sieve analysis table, refer to the sample Fine
Aggregate Sieve Analysis in Table 2. Note that a Fineness Modulus is not calculated for coarse
aggregates.
Table 4: Coarse Aggregate Gradation Limits
ASTM C 33

Sieve Size Percent Passing by Mass

1.5" (37.5 mm) 100

1" (25.0 mm) 90 - 100

3/4" (19.0 mm) 40 - 85

1/2" (12.5 mm) 10 - 40

3/8" (9.5 mm) 0 - 15

#4 (4.75 :m) 0-5

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Specific Gravity and Absorption (ASTM C 127)
Record all data on Data Sheet, page A7

1) Obtain 3500 g of soaked coarse aggregate.

2) Place sample in basket and attach basket to bottom of balance. Make sure that basket is completely
submerged and does not come into contact with the sides of the water bin. Weigh the basket and
sample suspended in water.

3) Dump sample carefully onto drying towels and weigh empty basket suspended in water.

4) Use drying towels to remove visible water from aggregate surface.

5) Weigh empty metal pan. Place SSD aggregate in pan and weigh both together.

6) Place pan in oven and leave overnight to dry.

7) Once sample has been allowed to fully dry, remove pan from oven and weigh pan including sample.
Remove sample, wipe pan clean of any remaining sample with a dry cloth. Weigh empty pan.

8) Calculate the Bulk Specific Gravity (Dry), Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD), Apparent Specific Gravity
and Absorption of the aggregate as per the directions on the data sheet.

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Moisture Content (ASTM C 566)
Record all data on Data Sheet, page A8

1) Obtain approximately 3000 g of coarse aggregate from the rejected aggregate in the sieve analysis.

2) Weigh an empty metal pan to the nearest 0.1 g.

3) Place sample in pan and weigh both together.

4) Place pan in oven and leave overnight to dry .

5) Once sample has been allowed to fully dry, remove pan from oven and weigh pan including sample.
Remove sample, wipe pan clean of any remaining sample with a dry cloth. Weigh empty pan.

6) Calculate the Moisture Content of the aggregate as per the directions on the data sheet.

Dry Rodded Unit Weight (ASTM C 29)

Record all data on Data Sheet, page A9

1) Weigh the empty bucket to the nearest 0.5 lb. Note the volume of the bucket being (either 0.50 or
1.00 ft 3).

2) Fill the bucket one-third full and level the surface with your fingers.

3) Rod the layer with 25 evenly distributed strokes of the tamping rod. Do not allow the rod to strike
the bottom of the bucket.

4) Fill the bucket two-thirds full, level the surface, and rod as in Step 3. On each stroke, the rod should
penetrate the entire layer of aggregate and just into the previous layer.

5) Fill the bucket to overflowing and rod as in Step 4. Level the surface of the aggregate such that the
material projecting beyond the top plane of the bucket is approximately equivalent to the voids in the
surface.

6) Weigh the bucket and aggregate.

7) Calculate the Dry Rodded Unit Weight of the aggregate as per the directions on the data sheet.

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