Aggregate Tests

Marketing Department
 Content
● Aggregate Classification ● Absorption
○ Grain Size ● Surface Moisture Test for Fine Aggregate
○ Density ● Bulk Density
○ Shape ● Void Content
○ Origin ● Sand Equivalent Value of Fine Aggregate
● Sampling ● Methylene Blue Value of Fine Aggregate
● Sieve Analysis ● Other Important Tests
● Fineness Modulus
● Materials Finer than 75-μm
● Relative Density (Specific Gravity)
○ Coarse Aggregate
○ Fine Aggregate
Aggregate Classification
Aggregate can be classified based on:

● Grain Size
● Density
● Shape
● Origin
 Aggregate Classification Based on Grain Size

Fine Aggregate
Coarse Aggregate
The particle size is less than 4.75 mm.
The particle size is greater than 4.75 mm.
Aggregate Classification Based on Density

Density of Dry
Category Rodded Aggregate
(kg/m3)

Ultra Lightweight >500

Lightweight 500-800

Structural Lightweight 650-1100

Normal Weight 1100-1750

Heavyweight >2100
Aggregate Classification Based on Shape

● Rounded Aggregate
● Angular Aggregate
● Irregular Aggregate
● Elongated Aggregate
● Flaky Aggregate
● Flaky and Elongated Aggregate
Classification of Aggregate Based on Origin
● Natural Aggregate
○ Naturally available in river banks,
seashore, pits mines, etc.
● Manufactured Aggregate
○ Processed from natural aggregates
where the aggregates are crushed into
desired sizes.
Sampling Aggregate Procedure (ASTM D75)
● Take samples from at least three increments of
the pile; the top third, at the midpoint, and bottom
third of the elevation of the stockpile.
● Shove a board vertically into the pile just above
the sampling point.
● With the board in place, scrape off the outermost
surface of the pile, then take the samples from the
freshly exposed material to obtain the sample.
● When sampling fine aggregate from a stockpile,
the outer layer shall be removed and the sample
taken from the material beneath.
Sieve Analysis
Sieve Analysis test is done to
assess particle size distribution
of aggregates by allowing the
material to pass through a series
of sieves of progressively
smaller mesh size and weighing
the amount of material that is
stopped by each sieve as a
fraction of the whole mass.
Sieve Analysis Test Procedure (ASTM C136)
● Dry the sample to constant mass at a temperature of 110 ±
5 °C.
● The sample size for fine aggregates shall be 300 g
minimum, and for coarse aggregates having nominal
maximum size of 25 mm shall be 10 kg minimum.
● Stack the sieves required for obtaining the needed
information in order of decreasing size of opening from top
to bottom.
● Place the sample on top sieve and agitate the sieves by
hand or by mechanical apparatus.
● Weigh the retained material on each sieve and calculate the
passing material percentage from it.
Grading Requirement for Fine Aggregate (ASTM
C33)
Sieve Size Passing by Mass (%)

9.5 mm 100
4.75 mm 95 to 100
2.36 mm 80 to 100
1.18 mm 50 to 85
600 µm 25 to 60
300 µm 5 to 30
150 µm 0 to 10
Grading Requirements for Coarse Aggregate
(ASTM C33)
Fineness Modulus (FM) (ASTM C136)
Fineness Modulus specifies the proportions of fine and
coarse aggregates when designing concrete mix designs.
Higher FM indicases having more coarse aggregates.
Low FM indicates having more paste and the concrete
becomes easier to finish.

FM is calculated from the cumulative summation of the

materials retained on the following sieves:
150-μm, 300-μm, 600-μm, 1.18-mm, 2.36-mm, 4.75-mm,
9.5-mm, 19.0-mm, 37.5-mm, and larger, increasing in the
ratio of 2 to 1.

FM = (Σ Cumulative % Retained on Each Sieve)/100

Materials Finer than 75-μm (ASTM C117)
This test method indicates the mass of the
fine particles that are present in the
aggregates to better understand the
particle distribution of the aggregate and
assess the concrete mix design.
 Materials Finer than 75-μm (ASTM C117)
● Dry the test sample in the oven to constant mass at a
temperature of 110 ± 5°C and record the mass.
● Place the dried sample in a container and add sufficient amount
of water to cover it.
● Agitate the sample.
● Pour the wash water containing the suspended and dissolved
solids over the nested sieves including 75-μm sieve.
● Add a second charge of water to the sample in the container,
agitate, and decant as before. Repeat this operation until the
wash water is clear.
● Dry the washed sample in the oven to constant mass at a
temperature of 110 ± 5°C and record the mass.
Materials Finer than 75-μm Calculation
(ASTM C117)
A = [(B-C)/B] X 100

Where:

A = Percentage of materials finer than 75-μm by

Washing Method.

B = Original Dry Mass of Sample.

C = Dry Mass of Sample After Washing.

Relative Density (Specific Gravity)
The specific gravity is the ratio between the
density of an object, and a reference
substance. The specific gravity can tell us,
based on its value, if the object will sink or
float in our reference substance
Relative Density of Coarse Aggregate Test
Procedure (ASTM C127)
● For aggregates having Nominal Maximum Size of 25
mm, a sample of at least 4 kg shall be used.
● Wash the material and reject all materials passing
through 4.75 mm sieve.
● Dry the test sample in the oven to constant mass at a
temperature of 110 ± 5°C and record the mass.
● Cool down the aggregates to room temperature.
● Immerse the aggregate in water at room temperature
for a period of 24 ± 4 h.
Relative Density of Coarse Aggregate Test
Procedure (ASTM C127)
● Remove the test sample from the water and roll it
in a large absorbent cloth until all visible films of
water are removed.
● Determine the mass of the test sample in air in the
saturated surface-dry condition.
● Place the saturated-surface-dry test sample in the
sample container and determine its apparent mass
in water at 23 ± 2.0 °C.
● Dry the test sample in the oven to constant mass
at a temperature of 110 ± 5°C and record the
mass.
Relative Density (Oven Dry) Calculation
(ASTM C127)
Relative Density (Specific Gravity) (OD) = A/(B-C)

Where:

A= Mass of Oven Dry Test Sample in Air (g).

B = Mass of Saturated Surface Dry Test Sample in Air (g).

C = Apparent Mass of Saturated Test Sample in Water (g).

Relative Density (SSD) Calculation (ASTM C127)
Relative Density (Specific Gravity) (SSD) = B/(B-C)

Where:

B = Mass of Saturated Surface Dry Test Sample in Air (g).

C = Apparent Mass of Saturated Test Sample in Water (g).

Apparent Relative Density Calculation
(ASTM C127)
Apparent Relative Density= A/(A-C)

Where:

A= Mass of Oven Dry Test Sample in Air (g).

C = Apparent Mass of Saturated Test Sample in Water (g).

Absorption Calculation (ASTM C127)
Absorption (%) = [(B-A)/A] X 100

Where:

A= Mass of Oven Dry Test Sample in Air (g).

B = Mass of Saturated Surface Dry Test Sample in Air (g).

Relative Density of Fine Aggregate Test Procedure
(ASTM C128)
● Prepare a sample of at least 1 kg shall be used.
● Dry the test sample in the oven to constant
mass at a temperature of 110 ± 5°C and record
the mass.
● Cool down the aggregates to handling
temperature.
● Immerse the aggregate in water at room temperature for a period of
24 ± 4 h.
● Decant excess water with care to avoid loss of fines, spread the
sample on a flat nonabsorbent surface exposed to a gently moving
current of warm air, and stir frequently to secure homogeneous
drying.
Relative Density of Fine Aggregate Test Procedure
(ASTM C128)
● Continue this operation until the test specimen
approaches a free-flowing condition.
● The sample is ready when it reaches saturated surface
dry condition and this state can be determined through
Surface Moisture Test.
● Fill the pycnometer with water, and place 500 ± 10 g of
saturated surface dry sample inside it, and then add
more water until it reaches 90% of the pycnometer
capacity.
● Manually roll and agitate the pycnometer to get rid of
air bubbles.
Relative Density of Fine Aggregate Test Procedure
(ASTM C128)
● Adjust the temperature of the pycnometer and its
contents to 23.0 ± 2.0 °C.
● Determine the total mass of the pycnometer, specimen,
and water.
● Remove the fine aggregate from the pycnometer, dry in
the oven to constant mass at a temperature of 110 ± 5
°C, then cool in air at room temperature for 1 ± 1/2 h,
and determine the mass.
● Also, determine the mass of the pycnometer filled with
water at 23 ± 2 °C upto the calibrated capacity.
Surface Moisture Test Procedure
(ASTM C128)
● Place the mold on a smooth non absorbent surface with
the larger diameter down.
● Fill the mold with the fine aggregate sample.
● Hold the tampler 5 mm above the fine material, let it drop onto the
sample under gravitational attraction, and tamp the fine material 25
times.
● Adjust the new height of the sample with each tamping and level the
surface.
● Lift the mold; If surface moisture is still present, the fine aggregate will
retain the molded shape. Slight slumping of the molded fine aggregate
indicates that it has reached a surface-dry condition.
Relative Density (Oven Dry) Calculation
(ASTM C128)
Relative Density (Specific Gravity) (OD) = A/(B+S-C)

Where:

A = Mass of oven dry sample (g).

B = Mass of pycnometer filled with water to calibration mark (g).

C = Mass of pycnometer filled with sample and water to calibration mark (g).

S = Mass of saturated surface dry sample (g).

Relative Density (SSD) Calculation
(ASTM C128)
Relative Density (Specific Gravity) (SSD) = S/(B+S-C)

Where:

B = Mass of pycnometer filled with water to calibration mark (g).

C = Mass of pycnometer filled with sample and water to calibration

mark (g).

S = Mass of saturated surface dry sample (g).

Apparent Relative Density Calculation
(ASTM C128)
Apparent Relative Density (Specific Gravity) = A/(B+A-C)

Where:

A = Mass of oven dry sample (g).

B = Mass of pycnometer filled with water to calibration mark (g).

C = Mass of pycnometer filled with sample and water to calibration mark (g).
Fine Aggregate Absorption Calculation
(ASTM C128)
Absorption (%) = [(S-A)/A] X 100

Where:

A = Mass of oven dry sample (g).

S = Mass of saturated surface dry sample (g).

Bulk Density (ASTM C29)
Bulk density of aggregates is the mass of
aggregates required to fill the container of
a unit volume after aggregates are
batched based on volume.

Nominal Aggregate Size Methods

≤ 37.5 mm Rodding
Bulk Density (Rodding Method) Test Procedure
(ASTM C29)
● Dry approximately twice the mass needed
to fill the container in oven at 110±5 °C.
● Place the aggregates inside the mold in
three layers.
● Level the top surface of each layer before
tamping.
● Each layers shall be tamped 25 times.
● Strike off the extra aggregates and level the
surface.
● Weigh the sample and record it.
Loose Bulk Density (Shoveling Method) Test
Procedure (ASTM C29)
● Dry approximately twice the mass needed
to fill the container in oven at 110±5 °C.
● Fill the measure to overflowing by means of
a shovel or scoop, discharging the
aggregate from a height not to exceed 50
mm above the top of the measure.
● Level the surface of the aggregate with the
fingers or a straightedge.
● Weigh the sample and record it.
Bulk Density Calculation (ASTM C29)

M=G/V

Where:

M= Bulk Density of Aggregate (kg/m3)

G= Mass of the Material (kg)

V= Volume of the container (m3)

SSD Bulk Density Calculation (ASTM C29)
Mssd = M [ 1+ (A/100)]

Where:

Mssd = Bulk Density in SSD Condition (kg/m 3)

M = Bulk Density of the Aggregate

A = Absorption (%)
Void Content Calculation (ASTM C29)
% Voids = 100 [(S X W) - M]/(S X W)

Where:

S = Bulk Specific Gravity (Dry Basis)

W = Density of Water (998 kg/m3)

M = Bulk Density of Aggregate (kg/m3)

Sand Equivalent Value of Fine Aggregate
Sand Equivalent Value indicates the amount
of clay like material in fine aggregate.

Clay negatively impact the quality of the sand

because it prevents it from properly bonding
with other materials.

A higher sand equivalent value indicates that

there is less clay-like material in the sample.
Sand Equivalent Value Test Procedure
(ASTM D2419)
● Prepare at least 1,500 g of sample.
● Pass the sample through sieve 4.75 mm.
● Add some moisture to the sample and mix it
● Dry the sample to constant weight at (110 ± 5°C) and cool to
room temperature before testing.
● Check the material for the necessary moisture condition by tightly
squeezing a small portion of the thoroughly mixed sample in the
palm of the hand. If a cast is formed that permits careful handling
without breaking, the correct moisture range has been obtained.
● Put the sample in the pan, covered with a lid or with a damp towel
that does not touch the material, and allowed to stand for a
minimum of 15 min.
Sand Equivalent Value Test Procedure
(ASTM D2419)
● After the curing time, remix the sample for 1 min.
● Bring the tin measure and fill it with the sample, and level the top
surface of the sample with the tin measure.
● Place 4 ± 0.1 in. (102 ± 3 mm) of working calcium chloride
solution into the plastic cylinder.
● Pour one of the samples in the tin measure into the plastic
cylinder using the funnel to avoid spillage.
● Tap the bottom of the plastic cylinder several times to release air
bubbles.
● Allow the wetted specimen and cylinder to stand undisturbed for
10 ± 1 min.
Sand Equivalent Value Test Procedure
(ASTM D2419)
● Place a cylinder stopper on top of the cylinder and loosen the material
from the bottom by partially inverting the cylinder and shaking it
simultaneously.
● Place the stoppered cylinder in the mechanical sand equivalent shaker
and set it to shake the cylinder and the contents for 45 ± 1 s.
● Set the cylinder upright on the work table and remove the stopper.
● Using the irrigator tube wash the walls of the tube, and add more
calcium chloride solution to the cylinder.
● Continue to apply a stabbing and twisting action while flushing the
fines upward until the cylinder is filled to the 15-in. (38.0 cm)
graduation.
Sand Equivalent Value Test Procedure
(ASTM D2419)
● Allow the cylinder and contents to stand undisturbed for
20 min ± 15 s.
● Read and record the level of the top of the suspension
(clay reading).
● place the weighted foot assembly over the cylinder and
gently lower the assembly until it comes to rest on the
sand.
● Subtract 10-in. (25.4 cm) from the level indicated by the
extreme top edge of the indicator and record this value as
the (sand reading).
Sand Equivalent Value Calculation
(ASTM D2419)
SE = (Sand Reading/Clay Reading) X 100

Where:
SE = Sand Equivalent Value (%)
Methylene Blue Value for Fine Aggregate
This test method determines the amount of methylene
blue adsorbed by a specimen of fine aggregate. The Fi lter Paper
result is reported as a methylene blue value in units of
(mg) of methylene blue adsorbed per (g) of fine
aggregate.

High methylene blue values

indicate increased potential
for diminished fine
aggregate performance in a
cementitious mixture due
to the presence of clays.
Other Important Tests
● Impact Test
● Abrasion Test
● Crushing Test
● Soundness Test
● etc...
Abrasion Test Impact
Test

Crushing Test Soundness Test

Any Questions?