SANS 3001-AG5 2015 Sand Equivalent of Fine Aggregate

Licensed exclusively to Jacqueline Epstein.
Copying and network storage prohibited.
ISBN 978-0-626-32416-2
SANS 3001-AG5:2015
Edition 1.1
SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL STANDARD
Civil engineering test methods
Part AG5: Sand equivalent value of fine

aggregates
WARNING
This document references other
documents normatively.
Published by SABS Standards Division

1 Dr Lategan Road Groenkloof  Private Bag X191 Pretoria 0001
Tel: +27 12 428 7911 Fax: +27 12 344 1568
www.sabs.co.za
 SABS
SANS 3001-AG5:2015
Edition 1.1
Table of changes
Change No. Date Scope
Amdt 1 2015 Amended to modify the requirements for stock solution.
Acknowledgement
The SABS Standards Division wishes to acknowledge the valuable assistance of the Committee of
Transport Officials (COTO), and the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL).
Foreword
This South African standard was approved by National Committee SABS/TC 081/SC 04,
Construction materials, products and test methods – Road and pavement materials testing, in
accordance with procedures of the SABS Standards Division, in compliance with annex 3 of the
WTO/TBT agreement.
This document was approved for publication in November 2015.
This document supersedes SANS 3001-AG5:2013 (edition 1).
A vertical line in the margin shows where the text has been technically modified by amendment
No. 1.
SANS 3001 consists of various parts under the general title Civil engineering test methods.
Parts AG of the SANS 3001 series contain methods for testing aggregates.
Annex A is for information only.
Introduction
This test is intended as a rapid field test to show the relative proportions of fine dust or clay-like
materials in soils or fine aggregates. The higher the sand equivalent value, the lower the proportion
of fine dust in the sample. The test results are used to assess the quality of fine aggregate used in
concrete and asphalt. An extended version of the test can be used to assess the soundness of fine
aggregate.
Apparatus dimensions that are critical to the outcome of the method or procedure are given with a
tolerance. All other dimensions are nominal and should be considered fit for purpose. Existing
apparatus that complies with the requirements of TMH1 (see bibliography) may be used in this
document until the apparatus is no longer fit for purpose.
© SABS
SANS 3001-AG5:2015
Edition 1.1
Contents
Page
Acknowledgement
Foreword
Introduction
1 Scope ..................................................................................................................................... 3
2 Normative references .............................................................................................................. 3
3 Definitions .............................................................................................................................. 3
4 Apparatus ............................................................................................................................... 4
5 Reagents ................................................................................................................................ 8
6 Test sample preparation ........................................................................................................ 8
7 Procedure ............................................................................................................................... 8
8 Calculations ............................................................................................................................ 10
9 Test report .............................................................................................................................. 10
Annex A (informative) Example of the calculation procedure ................................................. 11
Bibliography .............................................................................................................................. 12
© SABS 1
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Edition 1.1
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2 © SABS
SANS 3001-AG5:2015
Edition 1.1
Civil engineering test methods

Part AG5:
Sand equivalent value of fine aggregates
1 Scope
This part of SANS 3001 covers the method used to determine the sand equivalent value of fine
aggregates.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For
dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies. Information on currently valid national
and international standards can be obtained from the SABS Standards Division.
SANS 1649, Non-automatic self-indicating, semi-self-indicating and non-self-indicating weighing

instruments with denominated verification scale intervals.
SANS 3001-PR10, Civil engineering test methods – Part PR10: Checking, handling, maintenance
and verification of test sieves.
SANS 3310-2/ISO 3310-2, Test sieves – Technical requirements and testing – Part 2: Test sieves
of perforated metal plate.
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following definitions apply.
3.1
aggregate
natural or crushed particles of rock
3.2
constant mass
less than 0,1 % change in mass after two successive periods of more than 1 h of oven-drying
3.3
fine aggregate
natural material of particle size such that at least 90 % passes the 5 mm sieve and contains not
more than 5 % that passes the 75 µm sieve (fine sand, silt and clay); crusher dust with a nominal
size of not more than 7 mm and contains not more than 12 % that passes the 75 µm sieve, or single
sized aggregate with a nominal size of not more than 5 mm
© SABS 3
SANS 3001-AG5:2015
Edition 1.1
3.4
fines
material passing the 425 μm sieve
3.5
oven-dry
dried in an oven at a temperature of 105 °C to 110 °C
4 Apparatus
4.1 Electronic balance, fine measurement type complying with SANS 1649, having a capacity of
at least 200 g and reading to 0,01 g.
4.2 Drying oven, that is capable of maintaining a temperature range of 105 °C to 110 °C, with
continuous draft.
4.3 Measuring cylinder, transparent and of internal diameter 32,0 mm ± 0,5 mm and height
430 mm ± 10 mm, and graduated (from the bottom) up to at least 375 mm in divisions of not more
than 2,5 mm (see figure 1).
4.4 Irrigator tube, of brass or copper and of nominal inside diameter 6 mm and length at least
500 mm, the lower end of which is so flattened and sealed as to form a wedge with a watertight
base (see figure 1). The wedge has, near the bottom of each flat face, two holes of nominal
diameter 1,8 mm.
4.5 Reservoir, that consists of a glass container of capacity at least 4 L, and is fitted with a siphon
assembly that consists of a stopper with two holes, one of which is fitted with a blow tube and the
other with a bent copper tube to which is attached a length of 5 mm diameter rubber tubing with a
pinch clamp (to stop the flow when so required). The reservoir is located on a shelf that is at such a
height as to maintain the liquid level at a height of 1,0 m ± 0,1 m above the work surface.
4.6 Weighted foot assembly, that comprises a brass rod of diameter 6 mm and length 450 mm
and that has, at the lower end, a 25 mm diameter conical bronze foot that has three small centring
screws that enable the foot to be centred loosely in the measuring cylinder. An acrylic, plastic, or
nylon indicator, of the shape and dimensions shown in figure 2 and provided with a fixing screw, is
fixed to the brass rod in such a position that the distance between the upper end of the indicator
and the lower end of the weighted foot is 200 mm. The brass rod moves freely through a hole in a
guide that fits the top of the cylinder. A mild steel cylinder, of diameter 50 mm and length
approximately 54 mm, is screwed to the top end of the brass rod to provide a total mass of the
assembly (excluding the guide) of 1 000 g ± 5 g.
4.7 Measure, of internal diameter approximately 55 mm and capacity 85 mL ± 5 mL, and provided
with a cover.
NOTE The measure may be of any suitable material that will not deform during normal usage.
4.8 Timer, reading to 1 s.
4.9 Thermometer, reading to 1 °C.
4.10 Sieve, of diameter 450 mm or 300 mm, with nominal aperture size of 5 mm that complies
with SANS 3310-2, with pan and cover.
4.11 Funnel, wide mouthed.
4 © SABS
SANS 3001-AG5:2015
Edition 1.1
4.12 Mechanical shaker, if preferred, may be used.

NOTE This method is usually carried out using manual shaking. If a mechanical shaker is used it should be in
accordance with ASTM D2419.
a) Plan view — Measuring cylinder
c) Front elevation — d) Side elevation —

Irrigation tube Irrigation tube
b) Front elevation — Measuring cylinder
Figure 1 — Measuring cylinder, irrigation tube and siphon
© SABS 5
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Edition 1.1
f) Tip detail — Irrigation tube
e) Siphon
Key
D Diameter
ID Internal diameter
Figure 1 — Measuring cylinder, irrigation tube and siphon (concluded)
6 © SABS
SANS 3001-AG5:2015
Edition 1.1
c) Plan view — Bronze foot
a) Front elevation — Cylindrical weight
d) Front elevation — Bronze foot
e) Plan view — Guide
f) Section A-A
b) Front elevation — Brass rod
Key
X Approximately 54 mm in length, to give a total

mass of 1 kg ± 0,005 kg
D Diameter
ID Internal diameter g) Front elevation — Sand reading indicator
Figure 2 — Weighted foot assembly
© SABS 7
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Edition 1.1
5 Reagents
5.1 Stock solution
Dissolve 508 g ± 0,5 g of technical grade anhydrous calcium chloride in 2 L ± 10 mL of distilled or
demineralized water. Cool the solution and filter it through medium-textured, smooth-surface filter
paper. Add 2,3 kg ± 5 g of BP grade glycerine to the filtered solution, and 52,5 g of a 40 % (mass
concentration) solution of formaldehyde; mix well, and dilute to 4 L with distilled or demineralized
water. Amdt 1
5.2 Working solution

Prepare 4 L of working solution by diluting one measure (85 mL ± 5 mL) of the stock solution with
distilled or demineralized water. Maintain the temperature of the solution at 22 °C to 25 °C
throughout the test. Fill the reservoir with the working solution.
6 Test sample preparation

6.1 Sieve the field sample, in accordance with SANS 3001-PR10. The field sample may be
dampened to avoid segregation and loss of fines through the 5 mm sieve. Remove all fines
adhering to the sieve and add to the material passing through the sieve. By means of a sample
splitter or by coning and quartering, obtain an initial sample of approximately 550 g.
6.2 Oven-dry the initial sample to constant mass and allow it to cool to room temperature.
6.3 Determine the exact amount of sample needed to completely fill the measure by scooping out
into a pan four successive amounts of the initial sample using the measure (see 4.7). Ensure (at
each filling) that the measure is accurately filled with consolidated material by overfilling it, tapping
the bottom edge of the measure three times on a hard surface, jogging the measure slightly, and
then striking off the material level with the rim of the measure.
6.4 Determine the mass of material contained in the pan (four measures), return this material to
the initial sample, and mix well. Divide the mass obtained by the four measures and use the
average mass obtained as the test specimen mass.
6.5 By splitting or coning and quartering the initial sample (followed, if necessary, by adjusting the
mass) obtain a test specimen of mass equal to the mass obtained in 6.4.
7 Procedure
7.1 Siphon the working solution from the reservoir into the measuring cylinder to a depth of
100 mm to 102,5 mm and, using the funnel to avoid spillage, add the test specimen prepared in 6.5.
Tap the cylinder on the heel of the hand to release air bubbles and to promote thorough wetting of
the material. Allow to stand undisturbed for 10 min ± 1 min.
7.2 At the end of the 10 min soaking period, stopper the cylinder, and loosen the material from the
bottom by partially inverting the cylinder and simultaneously shaking it.
Shake the cylinder and its contents exactly as follows:
a) hold the cylinder in a horizontal position; and
8 © SABS
SANS 3001-AG5:2015
Edition 1.1
b) subject it (during a period of approximately 30 s) to 90 shaking cycles, each cycle consisting of a

to-and-fro motion over a distance of 230 mm ± 25 mm.
NOTE 1 The manner of shaking influences the result of the test.
NOTE 2 Proper shaking of the cylinder at the required rate is achieved if the operator uses his forearms only,
relaxing the body and shoulders.
NOTE 3 The mechanical shaker described in 4.12, may be used.
7.3 After shaking, place the cylinder upright on the work table and remove the stopper. Connect
the irrigator tube to the rubber tubing attached to the siphon, open the pinch clamp, and push the
irrigator through the material to the bottom of the cylinder by applying a gentle stabbing and twisting
motion while the working solution flows from the irrigator tip. This flushes the fine material into
suspension above the coarser sand particles.
Continue to apply a stabbing and twisting motion while flushing the fines upward until the cylinder is
filled to the 375 mm mark. Then, without shutting off the flow, raise the irrigator at such a rate that
the liquid level is maintained at approximately 375 mm while the irrigator is being withdrawn. Just
before the irrigator is entirely withdrawn, decrease the rate of flow and adjust the final level to
exactly 375 mm.
7.4 Allow the cylinder and contents to stand undisturbed for 20 min ± 0,25 min, starting the timer
immediately after withdrawing the irrigator tube.
7.5 At the end of the 20 min sedimentation period, read and record the level of the top of the fines
suspension. This is the fines reading, f.
When no clear line of demarcation has formed at the end of the specified 20 min sedimentation
period, allow the cylinder and contents to stand undisturbed until a fines reading can be obtained,
then immediately read and record the level of the top of the fines suspension and the total
sedimentation time.
7.6 When the total sedimentation time exceeds 30 min, repeat the test on a further three test
specimens of the same material (prepared from the remainder of the initial sample used in
clause 6), and record only the fines column height of the specimen that required the shortest
sedimentation period.
7.7 After the fines reading has been taken, locate the guide of the weighted foot assembly on the
top of the cylinder and gently lower the assembly until it comes to rest on the sand. Do not allow the
indicator to knock against the mouth or sides of the cylinder as the assembly is being lowered.
When the foot has come to rest on the sand, move the assembly carefully towards the graduations
on the cylinder until the indicator that is fixed to the brass rod just touches the inside of the cylinder.
Read the height at the top edge of the indicator and record this value as the sand reading, s. When
taking the sand reading, take care not to press down on the weighted foot assembly as this could
give an erroneous reading. If fines or sand readings fall between the graduations of the cylinder,
record the level of the higher graduation as the reading.
7.8 When the extended sand equivalent, ESe is required for an assessment of soundness of the
fine aggregate, repeat 7.1 to 7.7, extending the shaking period in 7.2 to 10 min, recording the sand
reading, s10, and the fines reading, f10.
© SABS 9
SANS 3001-AG5:2015
Edition 1.1
8 Calculations
NOTE An example of the calculation procedure is given in annex A.
8.1 Calculate the sand equivalent value, using the following equation:
s - 200
Se = × 100
f
where
Se is the sand equivalent value;
s is the sand reading;
f is the fines reading.
8.2 Calculate the 10 min sand equivalent value, using the following equation:
s10 - 200
Se10 = × 100
f10
where
Se10 is the 10 min sand equivalent value;
s10 is the 10 min sand reading;
f10 is the 10 min fines reading.
8.3 Calculate the extended sand equivalent value, using the following equation:
ESe =
(Se10 )2
Se
where
ESe is the extended sand equivalent value.
9 Test report
Record the sand equivalent value to the nearest whole number.
10 © SABS
SANS 3001-AG5:2015
Edition 1.1
Annex A
(informative)
Example of the calculation procedure
A.1 Use the following information to calculate A.2 and A.3:
s = 234
f = 78
Se10 = 21,3
A.2 Calculate the sand equivalent value, using the following equation:
s - 200
Se = × 100
f
234 - 200
= × 100
78
= 43,58
The sand equivalent value is reported as 44.
A.3 Calculate the extended sand equivalent value, using the following equation:
ESe =
(Se10 )2
Se
=
( 21,3 )2
43,58
= 10,4
The extended sand equivalent value is reported as 10.
© SABS 11
SANS 3001-AG5:2015
Edition 1.1
Bibliography
ASTM D2419, Standard test method for sand equivalent value of soils and fine aggregate.
th
Fielding, BJ. 1980. A test to assess the durability of crusher fines. Proc 10 Australian Road
Research Board Conference, 10 (3), pp 205-209.
TMH1, Standard methods of testing road construction materials.
______________
12 © SABS
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Licensed exclusively to Jacqueline Epstein.

Copying and network storage prohibited.

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

Civil engineering test methods

Part AG5: Sand equivalent value of fine

Published by SABS Standards Division

This document was approved for publication in November 2015.

This document supersedes SANS 3001-AG5:2013 (edition 1).

Annex A is for information only.

2 Normative references .............................................................................................................. 3

6 Test sample preparation ........................................................................................................ 8

9 Test report .............................................................................................................................. 10

Annex A (informative) Example of the calculation procedure ................................................. 11

This page is intentionally left blank

Civil engineering test methods

SANS 1649, Non-automatic self-indicating, semi-self-indicating and non-self-indicating weighing

4.8 Timer, reading to 1 s.

4.9 Thermometer, reading to 1 °C.

4.11 Funnel, wide mouthed.

4.12 Mechanical shaker, if preferred, may be used.

a) Plan view — Measuring cylinder

c) Front elevation — d) Side elevation —

b) Front elevation — Measuring cylinder

Figure 1 — Measuring cylinder, irrigation tube and siphon

f) Tip detail — Irrigation tube

Figure 1 — Measuring cylinder, irrigation tube and siphon (concluded)

c) Plan view — Bronze foot

a) Front elevation — Cylindrical weight

d) Front elevation — Bronze foot

e) Plan view — Guide

b) Front elevation — Brass rod

X Approximately 54 mm in length, to give a total

Figure 2 — Weighted foot assembly

5.2 Working solution

6 Test sample preparation

Shake the cylinder and its contents exactly as follows:

a) hold the cylinder in a horizontal position; and

b) subject it (during a period of approximately 30 s) to 90 shaking cycles, each cycle consisting of a

NOTE 1 The manner of shaking influences the result of the test.

NOTE 3 The mechanical shaker described in 4.12, may be used.

Se is the sand equivalent value;

s is the sand reading;

f is the fines reading.

Se10 is the 10 min sand equivalent value;

s10 is the 10 min sand reading;

f10 is the 10 min fines reading.

ESe is the extended sand equivalent value.

Example of the calculation procedure

A.1 Use the following information to calculate A.2 and A.3:

The sand equivalent value is reported as 44.

The extended sand equivalent value is reported as 10.

TMH1, Standard methods of testing road construction materials.

SABS – Standards Division

Amendments and Revisions

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