CE 3116: Construction Materials

Quiz 1
2-1-2017

1. Describe the process to find the bulk specific gravity of a sample of aggregate?

About 5kg is heated until there is no loss of weight between two successive weighing, the oven dry
weight is taken. Then the sample is soaked for 24 hrs. The SSD is taken in air. The sample is then submerged
and the weight is taken as well. The bulk SG= OD/(SSD weight-submerged weight)

2. Why are gravel roads susceptible to fail under heavy loads?

The aggregate is able to shear and is pushed out from under the tires.

3. A six inch gravel base is driven on by a truck with an average wheel load of 2,500 lbs. What is the pressure
transferred to the soil if the gravel has a 0=35o?

R=6(tan35)=4.2in

P=2500/(3.14*(4.2/12)2)=1705psf

4. What is the difference in the SSD weight and wet weight? What situations does the comparison between SSD
and solid volume hold importance?

SSD weight includes only the weight of the water in pores. Wet weight includes an unknown amount of surface
water.

In concrete, the amount of water/asphalt needed to form a solid form is based on the amount and size of pores of
the aggregate.

5. A 5000g sample is taken and sieved. What portion of the sample is fine?

Sieve Size Retained (g) Passing (%)

4 in 0 100
3 in 0 100
2in 500 90
1 in 998 70
in 1489 40
in 913 22
No 4 834 5
No8 132 2

The fine portion is 5%. (The particles passing the No4 sieve)

6. Why are angular particles more desirable than rounded?

With angular particles, there is more resistance to sliding.