TRIBHUWAN UNIVERSITY

KHWOPA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

An Undertaking of Bhaktapur Municipality
Libali-8, Bhaktapur, Nepal

Practical report on: Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure

Title: Determination of the bulk density of coarse aggregates
Practical No: 5

SUBMITTED BY: SUBMITTED TO:

Name:Kapil Pantha Department of Civil Engineering
Roll no.: KCE077BCE028 Khwopa College of Engineering
Group: B Libali, Bhaktapur

Date of Submission: 2080/04/08

TO DETERMINE THE BULK DENSITY OF COARSE AGGREGATES

OBJECTIVES
- To determine the dry rodded bulk density of coarse aggregate.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
i. Measuring Cylinder
ii. Vernier calipers
iii. Weighing machine
iv. Tamping rod
v. Weighing machine
MATERIALS REQUIRED:
i. Coarse Aggregates
THEORY:
Bulk density is a fundamental property of aggregates and is defined as the ratio of the mass of a
given volume of aggregates (including both solid particles and the voids between them) to the
volume itself. It is an important parameter in concrete and construction materials, as it affects the
overall volume, weight, and workability of the concrete mix.
The bulk density of coarse aggregates is determined by measuring the weight of a known volume of
aggregates and calculating the ratio of the weight to the volume. This test helps in evaluating the
compactness or density of the aggregates, which can have an impact on the strength and durability of
concrete.
By determining the bulk density of coarse aggregates, engineers and construction professionals can
assess the suitability of aggregates for concrete production, estimate the amount of aggregates
needed in a given volume of concrete mix, and ensure the desired strength and quality of the final
concrete structure.
Significance of Bulk Density: Bulk density provides important information about the compactness
and porosity of coarse aggregates. It is an indicator of the overall density of the material and can
affect various properties of concrete, including its strength, workability, and durability. By knowing
the bulk density, engineers can make informed decisions about the proportioning of aggregates in
concrete mixes.
Particle Packing: The bulk density of aggregates is influenced by the arrangement and packing of
individual particles. In an ideal situation, particles would be uniformly distributed and tightly packed,
resulting in a higher bulk density. However, due to variations in particle shapes and sizes, as well as
the presence of voids and interlocking between particles, achieving maximum packing density is not
always possible.
Fluffiness and Surface Texture: Fluffiness refers to the presence of a high volume of voids or air
pockets between particles, which reduces the bulk density. This is commonly observed in aggregates
with irregular shapes or rough surface textures. On the other hand, smooth-surfaced and well-graded
aggregates tend to have higher bulk densities due to improved particle packing

1
PROCEDURE:
1. First of all, the dimensions of the cylinder was measured (i.e. height and its diameter) and its
volume was calculated.
2. Then, its empty weight was taken. (Let it be W1).
3. The bucket was filled with coarse aggregate in three layers and tampered in each layer with
tamping rod with 25 no. of blows in each layer.
4. At the end of three-layer compaction, it was finished with a smooth surface and weighed.
5. The same procedure is repeated twice and the dry rodded bulk density was obtained by
dividing the weight of cylinder with aggregate by volume of cylinder.
OBSERVATION AND CALCULATIONS:
Dimensions of Cylinder:
Weight of the cylinder (W1) = 10.750 kg
Diameter of the cylinder (d) = 15cm
Height of the cylinder (h) = 13.8 cm
1
Volume of the cylinder (V) ¿ d2 ×h
4
1
= ×0.1380.152
4
= 0.00244 m3
Weight of aggregate and cylinder (W2) = 14.464 kg
Total weight of aggregate (Wa1) = W2 - W1
= 14.464 - 10.750
= 3.714 kg
3.714
Bulk density of aggregate (ρ1) = 0.00244

= 1522.131 kg/m3
Weight of aggregate and cylinder (W3) = 14.858 kg
Total weight of aggregate (Wa2) = W3 - W1
= 14.858 – 10.750
= 4.108 kg
4.108
Bulk density of aggregate (ρ2) = 0.00244

= 1638.606 kg/m3
ρ1+ ρ2 1522.131+1638.606
Mean dry rodded bulk density = = = 1580.368 kg/m3
2 2

2
RESULT:
The dry rodded density of given coarse aggregate was found to be 1580.368 kg/m3.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:
In this experiment, we observed great variation in the bulk density of coarse aggregates which may
be due to the variation in the size and volume of the aggregates or may be due to lack of constant
energy in each tampering during compaction.
The normal bulk density of coarse aggregates has a bulk density between 1500 – 1680 kg/m 3. And
we observed it to be 1580.368 kg/m3 which lies within the standard range.
PRECAUTIONS:
1. The cylindrical metal container should be cleaned and dried thoroughly before use. Any
residual moisture or foreign particles inside the container were eliminated to ensure accurate
weighing and measurement.
2. The surface of the aggregates in the container should be leveled and made free from any
irregularities. A tamper should be used to level the surface before weighing.
3. Tamping rod should be used to compact the aggregates in the container. Uniform and gentle
tapping or tamping should be applied to eliminate any air voids. Excessive force, which could
cause particle breakage or further compaction beyond a practical level, must be avoided.
4. The aggregates should be completely dry before conducting the test. Any moisture present in
the aggregates can lead to inaccurate measurements and affect the bulk density calculation.

REFERENCES:
 Concrete Technology: Theory and Practice – M.S Shetty
 https://constructor.org