Answers to questions:

1. What are the differences between loose and compacted conditions of aggregates?

The difference between loose and compacted conditions of aggregates would be the procedure on
how it was done, varying of unit weight values, and dense state.

The procedure on loose condition of aggregate is wherein the aggregates, were carefully placed on
the metal measure. The aggregates were poured inside the metal measure until it overflows. The top
layer would then be flattened using a rod. On the other hand, compacted condition of aggregates starts
by filling the metal measure with only 1/3 of its full capacity. The layer would then be rod 25 strokes to
compact it. After which, the metal measure is filled with the remaining 2/3 of its full capacity and
rodded 25 strokes again. The last part would be filling the metal measure until it overflows, rod it 25
strokes again and flattened the top layer.

Loose and compacted conditions would have varying results when it comes to unit weight. The
loose condition would have voids inside that the compacted condition would not have. The voids
present on the loose condition would make a factor in the overall weight of the metal measure plus
aggregates.

Compacting the aggregates will most likely conclude to its ideal density occupying the metal
measure than a loose state.

2. What are the factors that affect the unit weight of aggregates?

The factors affecting the unit weight of aggregates are the dimensions of the metal measure, proper
calibration of weighing scale, weight of metal measure plus compacted aggregates, volume of metal
measure,
Discussion

For computing unit weight aggregates, values such as weight of measure (W m), weight of measure +
water (Ww), density of water (Dw), volume of measure (Vm), weight of measure + compacted sample (W c)
is needed. The formula for computing the volume of the measure is:

W w −W m
V m=
Dw
The standard density of water is 1000 kg/m 3 at 4° C. The laboratory has an installed air conditioner and
during experimentation the system was online and therefore could affect room temperature. The metal
measure which is cylindrical in shape has its standard dimensions. However, to make sure that the
volume is accurate, the group used water to have an exact value of the volume of the measure. For the
coarse aggregate, rodding was used to make sure that there are no voids present inside the pile
aggregates in the metal measure. The objective was to make the aggregates to its densest state to
which it will occupy the container. Since it is difficult to compact the sample, it was divided into three
layers with rodding every after one layer was placed. The rodding process was evenly distributed all
through out the sample.
Conclusion

The unit weight of fine and coarse aggregates in line with ASTM standards is in the range 1450-1750
kg/m3. The results achieved by the group for both fine and coarse aggregates are inside the ideal range.
These results conclude that there are no very small to no errors when the experiment was conducted.
In the mixture of aggregates, the highest unit weight attained by a mixture that has 40% fine aggregates.
Therefore, concluding that the most economical concrete is the mixture comprising of 40% fine
aggregate since it has the least amount of void spaces that mortar should be filling in. It means that
least amount of cement is needed for the mixture.

Application

The essence of unit weight of aggregates comes in handy on designing concrete mixes. Voids in
between aggregates which can be filled with mortar can also be computed. In the mixture of
aggregates, the highest unit weight attained by a mixture that has 40% fine aggregates. On concrete
design aggregates who have smaller voids to fill mean less mortar needed. Less amount of mortar
contributes to fewer amount of cement needed on the mixture.

https://hypertextbook.com/facts/2007/AllenMa.shtml

file:///C:/Users/DA/Downloads/231944516-Unit-Weight-of-Aggregates.pdf

https://www.everything-about-concrete.com/density-of-concrete.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU1TOMYhxOI

https://www.engr.psu.edu/ce/courses/ce584/concrete/library/materials/aggregate/aggregatesmain.ht
m