Group No.

3 Group leader: Karl Audrey Danganan

Name: Date performed:
Year and Section: BSCE – 4D Date submitted:

Unit Weight and Voids in Aggregates

ASTM c-29 Standard Test Method for Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in
Aggregates

SCOPE OF THE TEST:

OBJECTIVE
 To determine the bulk density of aggregate in a compacted or loose
condition
 To calculate voids between particles in fine, coarse or mixed aggregates
based on the same determination
SIGNIFICANCE
 This method is used to determine the bulk density of given specimen
during the concrete mix design when the aggregate is to be batched by
volume or by weight. Then it is necessary to know the mass of the
aggregate that will fill the container of unit volume.
 If we know the bulk density of aggregate material then we can easily
calculate 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 effects the grading of the aggregate which is
important in higher strength concrete.
APPARATUS AND MATERIALS:
Weighing Balance
A balance or scale accurate within 0.1% of the test load at any point
within the range of use, graduated to at least 0.1lb (0.05kg).

Tamping Rod
 A round, straight steel rod, 5/8in. (16mm) in diameter and
approximately 24in. (600mm) in length, having the tamping end, or both
ends, rounded to a hemispherical tip.

Measuring Cylinder
A cylindrical metal measure preferably provided with
handles. 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.

Shovel or Scoop

A shovel or scoop of convenient size for filling the measure with

aggregates.

Straight Edge

It is used for leveling aggregates in the cylindrical metal measure.

RELATED THEORY:
 Bulk Density: It is the mass of the unit volume of bulk aggregate material. The
term volume includes the volume of the individual particle and the volume of
the voids between the particles.
 Absolute Density: It is the mass per unit volume of individual particles only.
 Voids: It is a space between the individual particles and in a unit volume of the
aggregate mass and is not occupied by the solid mineral matters.

PROCEDURES:
 Rodding Procedure
1. Fill the measure 1/3 full and level the surface with fingers.
Rod the layer of aggregate with 25 strokes must be evenly distributed over
the surface.
2. Fill the measure 2/3 full and again level and rod.
3. Fill the measure to overflowing and rod again.
4. Level the surface of the aggregate with the fingers or a straightedge.
  Shovelling Procedure
1. Fill the measure to overflowing using a shovel.
2. Discharge aggregate from a height not to exceed 2 inches (50mm) above
the measure.
3. Level the surface of the aggregate with the fingers or a straigthedge.

 Jigging Procedure
1. Fill the measure 1/3 full.
2. Place the measure on a firm base.
3. Raise opposite sides alternately about 2inches.
4. Allow the measure to drop with a sharp, slapping blow.
5. Compact each layer by dropping the measure 50 times, 25 times on each
side.
6. Level the surface of the aggregate with the fingers or a straightedge.

CALCULATION:

𝐿𝑜𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦

(𝑊𝑡. 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑟 + 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑔𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒) − (𝑊𝑡. 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑟)
=
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑟

% 𝐴𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑀𝑠𝑠𝑑 = 𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 [1 + ( )]
100

𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 − 𝐿𝑜𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦

𝑉𝑂𝐼𝐷 𝐶𝑂𝑁𝑇𝐸𝑁𝑇 = 𝑥 100
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦

Unit Weight and Voids in Aggregates

ASTM c-29 Standard Test Method for Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in
Aggregates Data Sheet 1
PROJECT NO: JOB NO:
LOCATION OF PROJECT: SAMPLE NO:
TESTED BY: DATE:

NAME: __________________________________________ RATING

COURSE & SECTION: ______________________________

DATA:

Wt. Of
Volume
Wt. Of Container Wt. of
of Bulk
SAMPLE SAMPL Containe + Wt. of Aggregate
Containe Density
STATE E TYPE r Aggregate s
r
s
Kg m3 Kg Kg Kg / m3
Fine 1.039 3.066 4.122 3.083 1005.545
LOOSE 1083.018
Coarse 3.45 13.25 17.8 14.35
9
COMPACTE Fine 1.039 3.066 4.2 3.161 1030.985
D Coarse 3.45 13.25 18.65 15.2 1147.170

S A M P L E C OM P U T A T I O N
D I S C U S S I O N/OBSERVATION:

The bulk density test of aggregates are calculation of voids between particles in fine and
coarse aggregate base on the determination. This test have two method the loose and
the compacted condition where in loose condition, the aggregates have filled in a
container without tamping the aggregates inside, while the compacted condition the
aggregates is being tamp inside the container.

ANALYSIS:

Base on the result gathered in the test, the loose and compacted condition had a
difference in the result in terms of weight and its bulk density since the compacted
condition filled the other void spaces in the container.

CONCLUSION
The bulk density of fine aggregates in loose condition is 1005.545 kg/m3 while in
compacted condition is 1030.985 kg/m3. In coarse aggregates in loose condition is
1083,0189 kg/m3 while in compacted state is 1143,170 kg/m3.

EVALUATION

GROUP LEADER
Karl Audrey Danganan
GROUP MEMBER
Samantha Joy Bautista
Jason Dakanay
Reaness Gumilan
Aeronne Viduya