EXPERIMENT NO:

Date:

TITLE: Determination of percentage of silt and clay in given sample of fine aggregates.

AIM: To determine the quantity of silt and clay in sample of fine aggregates.

APPARATUS/ MATERIALS REQUIRED: Measuring cylinder of capacity 250 ml,

Sample of natural sand, 1% solution of common salt in water, water.

THEORY: There are two types of harmful substances present in the fine aggregates i.e,
organic matter produced by decay of vegetable matter (humus) and clay, silt, which form
coatings thus preventing a good bond between cement and the aggregates. If present in large
quantities i.e, silt particles (0.002 to 0.06 mm) and clay below 0.002 mm, results in an
increased w/c ratio finally affecting the strength of concrete.

IS 2386 Part II- 1963 has specified various tests to determine the clay and silt contents
in the fine aggregates but a field test is generally conducted in order to determine the
volumetric % of silt in natural sand for % up to 6% otherwise more detailed test as prescribed
under the above code are required to be conducted.

If the average value of silt content exceeds 6% by volume of the aggregate then the
aggregate requires washing before use.

PROCEDURE

1. Fill 1% solution of common salt and water in the measuring cylinder upto 50 ml
mark.
2. Now add sand to be tested to this solution till the level of the salt solution shows 100
ml mark.
3. Top up the level of the salt solution up to 150 ml mark.
4. Then shake the mixture of sand and salt solution well and keep it undisturbed for
about 3 hrs.
5. The silt being of finer particles than sand will settle above the sand in the form of
layer.
6. Measure the thickness of this silt level.
OBSERVATION TABLE:

S .NO DESCRIPTION SAMPLE

1 Volume of sample V1 ml
2 Volume of silt after 3 hrs V2 ml
3 % silt by volume (V2/V1)*100

CALCULATIONS:

RESULT: Average value of silt content % =

CONCLUSIONS:

PRECAUTIONS: Utmost care should be taken while taking sample for the test.