Unit Weight of Aggregate ASTM C 29

Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate in its compacted or loose
condition”
(ASTM C-29 & AASHTO T-19)
Scope: This test method covers the determination of unit weight in a compacted or loose condition and
calculation of voids in fine and coarse aggregates. This test method is applicable to aggregates not
exceeding 5in (125mm) in Nominal Maximum Size.
Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:

Voids, n—in unit volume of aggregate, the space between particles in an aggregate mass not occupied
by solid mineral matter.
Bulk density: - The term volume includes the volume of the individual particles and the volume of the
voids between the particles.
Bulk density is used in weight and volume batching.
Air void: - is a space filled with air. The void contents ranges from about 35 to 40% for coarse aggregates.
Round aggregate has void ratio range of 32% to 33% and about 40 to 50% for fine aggregates. Irregular
shape have higher void ratio. Void Content between aggregate particles increases with increasing
aggregate angularity. Total volume of voids can be reduced by using a collection of aggregate size.
Note—Voids within particles, either permeable or impermeable, are not included in voids as determined
by this test method
Facts about bulk density: - Bulk density depends upon how densely the aggregate is packed. It is also
depends upon the size, distribution and shape of the particles. If the particles are of the same size, then
it can be packed to a limited extent but when the smaller particles are added, the voids get filled with
them and thus the bulk density increases.
For a coarse aggregate, a higher bulk density means that there are few voids which are to be filled by
the fine aggregate and cement. Thus bulk density also depends upon the degree of packing.
Significance and Use: - This test method is often used to determine bulk density values that are
necessary for use for many methods of selecting proportions for concrete mixtures.
During the concrete mix design, when the aggregate is to be matched by volume or by weight, then it
becomes necessary to know the mass of the aggregates that will fill the container of unit volume. If we
know the bulk density of the aggregate material then we can easily determine the mass required to fill
a unit volume container.
Bulk density also indicates the percentage of voids present in the aggregate material. This
Percentage of voids affects the grading of the aggregates which is important in high strength concrete.
Bulk density also indicates the compactive effort required to compact the concrete.
Materials:
Sample of, preferably, oven dry fine aggregate and another of oven-dry coarse aggregate.
Apparatus:-
 Balance accurate to 0.5gm.
 Tamping Rod (A round, straight steel rod (l6mm) in diameter and approximately 600mm in length
with a rounded to a hemispherical tip.
 Measuring Container: A cylindrical metal measure preferably provided with handles.it shall be
watertight, with the top and bottom true and even. The measure shall have a height approximately
equal to the diameter, but in no case shall the height be less than 80% nor more than 150% of the
diameter. Its capacity shall conform to the limits below:
Nominal Maximum Size of Aggregate Capacity of Measure

3
in. mm ft L (m3)
½ 12.5 1/10 2.8 (0.0028)
1 25.0 1/3 9.3 (0.0093)
1½ 37.5 ½ 14 (0.014)
3 75 1 28 (0.028)
4 100 2½ 70 (0.070)
5 125 3½ 100 (0.100)
Note: - The indicated size measure may be used to test aggregate of N.M.S equal to or smaller than that
listed.
Procedure:
A- Calibration of the 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 weight of the water in the measure.
3-Measure the temperature of water and determine its density from table below:-
Density of water
0
Temperature ( C) Density (kg/m3) Density (kg/m3)
15.6 999.01 62.366
18.3 998.54 62.336
21.1 997.97 62.301
23 997.54 62.274
23.9 997.32 62.261
26.7 996.59 62.216
29.4 995.83 61.166
4- Calculate the volume, V of the measure by dividing the weight of water required to fill the measure by
its density
B- Procedure of the test:-
1. Weigh the cylinder (empty).
2. Fill the cylinder to overflowing by means of a shovel or scoop, discharging the aggregate from a
height not to exceed 50mm above the top the cylinder edge. Exercise care to prevent, so far as
possible, segregation of the particle sizes of which the sample in composed. Level the surface of the
aggregate with the fingers or straight edge in such 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 cylinder.
3. Determine the weight of the measure plus its contents, and calculate the weight of the aggregate by
subtracting the empty weight of the cylinder.
Loose Bulk Density (M loose) = (weight of container + Loose aggregate) – (Weight of empty container)
Volume of the container
4. Empty the cylinder and refill it again to one third of its height and rod the layer of aggregate with
(25) strokes of the tamping rod evenly distributed over the surface. Fill the cylinder two-thirds full and
again level and rod as previous. Finally, of the cylinder to overflowing and rod again in the manner
previously mentioned. Level the surface of the aggregate with the fingers or a straight edge in such
away as that mentioned in (step 3).
5. In Roding the first layer, do not allow the rod to strike the bottom of the measure forcibly. In Roding
the second layer and third layer, use only enough force to cause the tamping rod to penetrate the
previous layer of aggregate.
6. Determine the weight of the measure plus its contents and calculate the wt. Of aggregate.
7. Repeat the same procedure for the fine aggregate sample.
Calculations:
1- Unit weight: calculate the unit weight for the rodding or shoveling procedure follows:-
Compacted Bulk Density (M Comp) = (weight of container + Loose aggregate) – (Weight of empty container)
Volume of the container
M = (G-T)/ V
Where:-
M= unit weight of the aggregate (kg/m3)
G= Weight of container with filled aggregate.
T= Weight of the empty cylinder (kg)
V= Volume of the cylinder (m3)
Note: The unit weight determined by this test method is for aggregate in an oven- dry condition.
Void content: - Calculate the void content in the aggregate using the unit weight determined by either
the rodding or shoveling procedure as follows:
%void= (S) (W) – (M) x100

(S) (W)
Where
S = bulk specific gravity (dry basis)
W = density of water (1000kg/m3)
M = unit weight of aggregates
Name of Test: Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate AASHTO T 19 ASTM
C29
Unit 1
A Weight of empty cylinder + Aggregate (gram) 6000
B Weight of empty cylinder (gram) 1800.0
C Weight of Aggregate (A-B) (gram) 4200.0
D Volume of Cylinder (CC) 2618.0
E Bulk Unit Weight of Aggregate (C / D ) (g/cc) 1.60
Void Content %
Unit 1
M Bulk Unit Weight of Aggregate (g/cc) 1.60
W Density of Water ( 1000 kg/m3 (1 g/cc) @ 25 C (g/cc) 1.0
Bulk Specific Gravity (Gmb)
S 2.8
(Determined in accordance with T 84 or T85)
Void Content [(S)(W) - (M) / (S) (W)] * 100 (%) 41.66
Calculate the Volume Mould By Water Method

Temperature Unit Observation
Density of Water @ 22.22 °C D g/cc 0.9977
Weight of Mould + water A gm 13104.28
Weight of Mould B gm 6041.84
weight of Water A -B gm 7062.44
Volume of mould A-B/D cc 7078.721
Formula
Mass Mass
Density = Volume =
Volume Density
Mass 7062.44 gm
Volume 7078.72 c c =
Density 0.9977 gm/cc

Unit Weight of Aggregate ASTM C 29

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Unit Weight of Aggregate ASTM C 29

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Unit Weight of Aggregate ASTM C 29

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate in its compacted or loose

Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:

Nominal Maximum Size of Aggregate Capacity of Measure

A- Calibration of the measure:

1. Weigh the cylinder (empty).

7. Repeat the same procedure for the fine aggregate sample.

%void= (S) (W) – (M) x100

Void Content [(S)(W) - (M) / (S) (W)] * 100 (%) 41.66

Calculate the Volume Mould By Water Method

You might also like