Can You Smell What the Rock is Cooking, Inc.

1234 Big Rocks Lane

Boulder, Oregon 97424
541-337-9857

April 22, 2021

Kenneth J. Brooks
School of Civil and Construction Engineering
101 Kearney Hall
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon 97331
Subject: Aggregate Suitability for Use in Reinforced Portland Cement Concrete According
to ODOT 2018 Standards

Dear Oregon State University,

Attached is the report detailing the results of the test on the aggregate sample from the nearby
area. Coarse and fine aggregate samples were tested to see if they were in compliance with 2018
ODOT standards for reinforced portland cement. The test results indicated that the aggregate did
not meet the standards in one area, specific gravity.
Evaluation of Aggregate from Location Nearby OSU for use in
Reinforced Portland Cement

Submitted to:

Oregon State University

School of Civil and Construction Engineering

101 Kearney Hall

Oregon State University

Corvallis, Oregon 97331

Submitted by:

Kenneth J Brooks

April 23, 2021

 Table of Contents
Page

INTRODUCTION……………………………...…………………………………………………1
METHODOLOGY………………………………………………………………………………..1
RESULTS…………………………………………………………………………………………1
Specific Gravity of Course Aggregate…………………………………………………….1
Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregates………………………………………………………..2
Sand Equivalent Test……………………………………………………………………...2
Unit Weight of Coarse Aggregate…………………………………………………………3
DISCUSSION……………………………………………………………………………………..3
CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………………………………3
REFRENCES……………………………………………………………………………………...3
APPENDIX-DETAILED TEST DATA
 List of Figures
Page
Percent Passing Through Each Sieve……………………………………………………………...2

List of Tables
Test Conducted on the Sample Aggregate………………………………………………………...1
Specific Gravity Test Results……………………………………………………………………...1
Sieve Analysis Test Results……………………………………………………………………….2
Sand Equivalent Test……………………………………………………………………………...3
INTRODUCTION
Oregon State University commissioned Can You Smell What the Rock is Cooking, Inc.
(CYSWRCI) to conduct test on an aggregate sample from a near by source for use in reinforced
portland cement concrete. All test conducted are in accordance with ASTM International
standards.

METHODOLOGY
On April 20, 2021 CYSWRCI obtained from a nearby source 30lbs of aggregate. Four tests were
done on the aggregate to ensure it had qualities proper for reinforced cement concrete. The test
conducted can be seen in table 1 and were conducted to the ASTM International standards.
Table 1. Test Conducted on the Sample Aggregate
Specific Gravity of Coarse Aggregate ASTM C 127
Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregates ASTM C 136
Sand Equivalent Test ASTM D 2419
Unit Weight of Coarse Aggregate ASTM C 29

RESULTS
Specific Gravity of Course Aggregate
Table 2. Specific Gravity Test Results
Bulk Specific Gravity 2.316
Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD) 2.372
Apparent Specific Gravity 2.454
Absorption (%) 2.43%

Table 2 shows the results of the specific gravity test. SSD stands for saturated surface dry. This
is the state of the aggregate when dried off with a towel but not put into an oven.
Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregates
Table 3 shows the results of the fine aggregate test. The total mass was 300g and the fineness
modulus was 2.92.
Table 3. Sieve Analysis Test Results
Sieve # Retained Mass(g) % Mass Retained Cumulative % Retained % Passing
4 1.30 0.43 0.43 99.57
8 69.70 23.23 23.67 76.33
16 40.60 13.53 37.20 62.80
30 39.50 13.17 50.37 49.63
50 95.90 31.97 82.33 17.67
100 47.10 15.70 98.03 1.97
Pan 5.90 1.97 100.00 0.00

Figure 1 shows a visual of how much of each size of aggregate was passing through each sieve.
Figure 1. Percent Passing Through Each Sieve

Sieve Analysis % Passing

100.00
90.00
80.00
70.00
60.00
50.00
40.00
30.00
20.00
10.00
0.00
4 8 16 30 50 100 Pan

Sand Equivalent Test

Table 4. Sand Equivalent Test
Sand Reading 2.4in
Clay Reading 2.8in
Sand Equivalent Test 85.7
Results of the Sand Equivalent test are shown in table 4.

Unit Weight of Coarse Aggregate

Table 5. Unit Weight Test Results
Volume of Cylinder 0.25ft3
Weight of the Aggregate 24.8lb
Unit Weight 99.2lb/ft3

Table 5 shows the results of the unit weight test.

Discussion
During the testing, ¾ test came back with results that fell withing the parameters set by the 2018
ODOT standards for aggregate in portland cement. Specific gravity tests came back with a result
that fell out of the set requirements. The requirement for this test was that results came back
anywhere between 2.4<x<2.9. Two of the results came back and were below 2.4.

Conclusion
Due to this aggregate failing the specific gravity test (ASTM C 17), it cannot be used in
reinforced portland cement.

References
Steven H. Kosmatka, Beatrix Kerkhoff, William C. Panarese, (2008), Design and Control of
Concrete Mixtures, United States of America, Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication
Data, 87

Steven H. Kosmatka, Beatrix Kerkhoff, William C. Panarese, (2008), Design and Control of
Concrete Mixtures, United States of America, Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication
Data, 88