DETERMINATION OF BULK DENSITY AND VOIDS

STANDARD
 IS: 2386 (Part 3) 1963.
OBJECTIVE
 To determine the unit weight or bulk density and voids of aggregate.
APPARATUS
 Balance sensitivity to 0.05 grams.
 Cylindrical container should be water tight, non-corrosive, provided with handles as shown in
Fig: 1 and shall comply to the following requirements given in Table: 1.

Fig: 1 Bulk density containers

 Steel tamping rod of 16mm diameter and 600mm long rounded at one end.
Table: 1 Size of containers for bulk density
Nominal
Size of largest Inside Inside Height Thickness of
capacity
particle in mm diameter cms cms metal in mm
(liters)

Under 4.75 3 15 17 3.15

Over 4.75 to 40 15 25 30 4.00

Over 40 30 35 31 5.00

PROCEDURE
 Take representative sample of aggregate as required for the test according to maximum size of
aggregate and the container required from Table: 3.2.1.
 Determine the empty weight (M1) and the volume (V) of the cylinder at 270C.
Compacted Weight
 Fill the container in three equal layers, each layer being subjected to 25 strokes with the rounded
end of the tamping rod.