06 Density and Voids of Aggregates

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
Materials of Construction and Testing
EXPERIMENT 6: BULK DENSITY (UNIT WEIGHT) AND VOIDS IN AGGREGATE
6.1. Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Experiment

b) Ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
d) Ability to function on multidisciplinary teams.
6.2. Experiment’s Intended Learning Outcomes (EILOs)

At the end of this experiment the student shall be able to:
a) Apply appropriate ASTM/AASHTO standard method of test for bulk density and
voids in aggregate.
b) Calculate the unit weight and percentage of voids in coarse and fine aggregates.
c) Interpret how the bulk density affects concrete mix design.
6.3. Objectives of the Experiment

The objective of this experiment is to determine the bulk density of aggregates (coarse
and fine) and percentage of voids between aggregates on a dry basis.
6.4. Principle of the Experiment
This test method covers the determination of bulk density (“unit weight”) of aggregate in
a compacted or loose condition, and calculated voids between particles in fine, coarse, or
mixed aggregates based on the same determination. This test method is applicable to
aggregates not exceeding 125 mm (5 in.) in nominal maximum size.
For the selection of procedure, shoveling for loose bulk density shall be used only when
specifically stipulated. Otherwise, the compact bulk density shall be determined by the
rodding procedure for aggregates having a nominal maximum size of 37.5mm (1½” in) or
less, or by the jigging procedure for aggregates having a nominal maximum size greater
than 37.5mm (1½” in) and not exceeding 125mm (5in).
Bulk density of aggregate, the mass of a unit volume of bulk aggregate material, in which
the volume includes the volume of the individual particles and the volume of the voids
between the particles.
Unit weight is the weight (mass) per unit volume.
Voids, n—in unit volume of aggregate, the space between particles in an aggregate mass
not occupied by solid mineral matter.
LAB-ACAD-CE-007/08AUG2018/REV.0
Page 1 of 6
where:
M = bulk density of aggregate, kg/m3

G = mass of aggregate plus the measure, kg
T = mass of the measure, kg
V = volume of measure, m3
S = bulk specific gravity of aggregate
W = density of water, 998 kg/m3.
6.5. Materials / Equipment
Balance
Measure
Tamping Rod
Container
Scoop / Shovel
Gloves
Labelling Devices
6.6. Procedure
6.7. Calibration of Measure
1. Fill the measure with water at room temperature and cover with a piece of plate
glass in such a way as to eliminate bubbles and excess water.
2. Determine the mass of water in the measure using the balance.
3. Measure the temperature of water to determine its density from the table below,
interpolating if necessary.
Density of Water
Temperature
kg/m3 lb/ft3
C F
15.6 60.0 999.01 62.366
18.3 65.0 998.54 62.336
21.1 70.0 997.97 62.301
23.0 73.4 997.54 62.274
23.9 75.0 997.32 62.261
26.7 80.0 996.59 62.216
29.4 85.0 995.83 62.166
Page 2 of 6
4. Calculate the volume, V, of the measure by dividing the mass of water required to
fill the measure by its density.
6.8. Rodding Procedure

1. Fill the measure one-third full and level the surface with the fingers. Rod the
layer of aggregate with 25 strokes of the tamping rod evenly distributed over the
surface. Fill the measure two-thirds full and again level and rod as above. Finally,
fill the measure to overflowing and rod again in the manner previously
mentioned. Level the surface of the aggregate with the fingers or a straightedge
in such a way that any slight projections of the larger pieces of the coarse
aggregate approximately balance the larger voids in the surface below the top of
the measure.
2. In rodding the first layer, do not allow the rod to strike the bottom of the measure
forcibly. In rodding the second and third layers, use vigorous effort, but not more
force than to cause the tamping rod to penetrate to the previous layer of
aggregate.
Note: In rodding the larger sizes of coarse aggregate, it may not be
possible to penetrate the layer being consolidated, especially with
angular aggregates. The intent of the procedure will be accomplished if
vigorous effort is used.
3. Determine the mass of the measure plus contents, and the mass of the measure
alone and record the values to the nearest 0.05 kg (0.1 lb.)
6.9. Activity Report

Course: BSCE Experiment No.: 6
Group No.: 4 Section: V113A
Group Members: Date Performed: April 25, 2019
Date Submitted: May 2, 2019
Pole, Paul Instructor: Engr. William Serrano
Robles, Lyrro
Roxas, Gian
Vitalez, Sean
Yang, Mark
6.10. Data and Results
DATA:
Coarse Fine Aggregate

Aggregate
Mass of container (kg) 3.416 kg
Mass of container + aggregate (kg): rodding 15.5215 kg 14.8875 kg
Mass of container + aggregate (kg): shoveling 14.2325 kg 14.123 kg
Mass of container + water (kg) 10.178 kg
Mass of water (kg) 6.762 kg
Density of water (kg/m3) 998 kg/m3
Volume of container (m3) 6.776 x 10-3 m3
Page 3 of 6
RESULTS:
Coarse Aggregate Fine Aggregate

3
Bulk density (kg/m ): rodding 1786.664 kg/m3 1693.073 kg/m3
Bulk density (kg/m3): shoveling 1596.402 kg/m3 1580.240 kg/m3
Percent void (%): rodding 35.479 % 33.710 %
Percent void (%): shoveling 42.350 % 38.127 %
6.11. Calculation
Bulk Density (Coarse) Bulk Density (Fine)
 Rodding  Rodding
= 1786.664 kg/m3 = 1693.073 kg/m3
 Shoveling  Shoveling
= 1596.402 kg/m3 =1580.240 kg/m3
% Void (Coarse) % Void (Fine)
 Rodding  Rodding
 Shoveling  Shoveling
Page 6 of 6
6.12. Observation
The group observed that tampering fine aggregates does not do much since the act would
only bore temporary holes into the mass of aggregates which would be filled up when the rod is pulled
out, while tampering coarse aggregates will actually compress the aggregates and can also break some of
it.
6.13. Conclusion/s
The group concludes that the coarse aggregates should have bigger void percentage when it
comes to both tampering and shoveling compared to fine aggregates since coarse aggregates are bigger
and have a variety in shapes and slight differences in sizes, while fine aggregates look and feel uniform.
This conclusion is reinforced by the experiment's results with the coarse aggregates' void percentage
being approximately 2 percent higher than the fine aggregates' when it came to rodding, and
approximately 4 percent higher in shoveling.
Page 6 of 6
6.14. Documentation
The group weighed the container that Group members filled the bucket 1/3
will be used in the experiment. of its height then thumped it 25 times,
then continued to fill it 2/3 and
the same amount of thump.
For shoveling, they continuously The same steps were done with
poured coarse aggregates until the fine aggregates, after gathering
bucket was filled. the data, the group computed.
6.15. References
ASTM C29/C29M. (2003). Bulk Density (Unit Weight) and Voids in Aggregate.
West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.
Page 6 of 6
Kourd, A., & Hammad, A. (2010). Building Materials Laboratory Manual. Retrieved July 11,
2016, from http://site.iugaza.edu
Page 6 of 6

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DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Materials of Construction and Testing

EXPERIMENT 6: BULK DENSITY (UNIT WEIGHT) AND VOIDS IN AGGREGATE

6.1. Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Experiment

6.2. Experiment’s Intended Learning Outcomes (EILOs)

6.3. Objectives of the Experiment

6.4. Principle of the Experiment

Unit weight is the weight (mass) per unit volume.

M = bulk density of aggregate, kg/m3

6.5. Materials / Equipment

6.8. Rodding Procedure

6.9. Activity Report

Coarse Fine Aggregate

Coarse Aggregate Fine Aggregate

Bulk Density (Coarse) Bulk Density (Fine)

= 1786.664 kg/m3 = 1693.073 kg/m3

= 1596.402 kg/m3 =1580.240 kg/m3

% Void (Coarse) % Void (Fine)

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