STANDARD OPERATION PROCEDURE

DOCUMENT NO:

ISSUE NO:

CONTROLLED COPY NO:

CONTROLLED COPY HOLDER:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TESTS ON AGGREGATES

Sl. No. Description

SIEVE ANALYSIS OF FINE AND COARSE
1.
AGGREGATES
2. DETERMINATION OF BULK DENSITY OF
 AGGREGATES
DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY
3
AGGREGATES
DETERMINATION OF WATER ABSORPTION OF
4
OF AGGREGATES
DETERMINATION OF AGGREGATE IMPACT
5
VALUE
DETERMINATION OF AGGREGATE ABRASION
6
VALUE
DETERMINATION OF FLAKINESS INDEX OF
7
COARSE AGGREGATES
DETERMINATION OF ELONGATION INDEX OF
8
AGGREGATES
9 DETERMINATION OF VOIDS OF AGGREGATES
10
TESTS ON BITUMEN

Sl. No. Description

DETERMINATION OF SOFTENING POINT OF
1.
BITUMEN
DETERMINATION OF PENETRATION OF
2.
BITUMEN
3. DETERMINATION OF DUCTILITY OF BITUMEN

1. TITLE - SIEVE ANALYSIS OF FINE AND COARSE AGGREGATES

IS: 2386 - Part 1

1. Scope

Determination of particle size distribution of fine, coarse and all-in-aggregates

by sieving.

2. Apparatus

(i) IS Sieves Sieves of the sizes given in Table I, conforming to IS: 460 1962
Specification for Test Sieves and other sizes as required for the specified tests
 Type Sieve Designations
Square hole, perforated plate 80mm, 63mm, 50mm, 40mm,
31.5mm, 25mm, 20mm, 16mm,
12.5mm, 10mm, 6.3mm, 4.75mm
Fine Mesh, wire cloth 3.35mm, 2.36mm, 1.18mm, 600
micron, 300 micron, 150
micron, 75 micron

Table I: IS Sieves for analysis

(ii) Balance - readable to 0.1 percent of the weight of the test sample.
(iii) Oven- thermostatically controlled capable of maintaining temperatures of
1105oC.
(iv) Riffler.
(v) Sample The minimum weight of sample for sieve analysis is given in Table
II. The sample for sieving shall be prepared from the larger sample either by
quartering or by means of a sample divider

Maximum size present Minimum weight of

in substantial sample to be taken for
proportions sieving
mm kg
63 50
50 35
40 or 31.5 15
25 5
20 or 16 2
12.5 1
10 0.5
6.3 0.2
4.75 0.2
2.36 0.1
 Table 2: Minimum weight of sample for sieve analysis

3. Procedure for coarse and fine aggregates

a) Dry the test sample to a constant mass either by drying at room temperature
or by heating at a temperature of 100 to 110C.

(b) The dried sample shall be weighed and sieved successively on the
appropriate sieves starting with the largest.

(c) The sieving is done manually or mechanically.

(d) In manual sieving, each sieve shall be shaken for a period of not less than
two minutes.

(e)Material shall not be forced by pressure except for particle size more than 20
mm where placing by hand is permitted.

(f) If sieving is carried out with a nest of sieves on a machine, not less than
10minutes sieving will be required for each test.

(g) On completion of sieving, the material retained on each sieve, together with
any material cleaned from the mesh, shall be weighed.

4. Calculation

(a)The cumulative weight of aggregates fraction retained on each sieve is

calculated, to the nearest 0.1 percent.
(b) The cumulative percentage retained on each sieve is then calculated from the
total weight of sample.
(c) The cumulative percentage by weight of the total sample passing each of the
sieves is calculated to the nearest whole number.
TITLE - DETERMINATION OF BULK DENSITY OF AGGREGATES

IS: 2386 - Part III

1. Scope
Determination of unit weight or bulk density and void of aggregates.

2. Apparatus

(i).Cylindrical Metal Measure Cylindrical measure which is rigid and

watertight with handle of capacity 3, 15 or 30 litres, according to the maximum
nominal size of the coarsest particles of aggregate and shall comply with the
requirements given in Table 1.

Thickness
Size of Largest Nominal Inside Inside
of Metal
Particles Capacity Diameter Height
min
litre cm cm mm
4.75 mm and under 3 15 17 3.15
Over 4.75mm to 15 25 30 4.00
 40mm
Over 40mm 30 35 31 5.00
Table 1: Size of container for Bulk Density Test

(ii).Balance - A balance sensitive to 0.5 percent of the weight of the sample to

be weighed.

(iii).Tamping Rod - A straight metal tamping rod of cylindrical cross-section, 16 mm in

diameter and 60 cm long, rounded at one end.
3. Calibration of the container
The measure shall be calibrated by determining the weight of water at 27C
required to fill it such that no meniscus is present above the rim of the container.
The capacity in litres shall be obtained by dividing the weight of water in
kilograms required to fill the container at 27C by the weight of water in one
litre at 27C, which may be taken as one kilogram.
4. Procedure
Dry material shall be used for determining the voids.
a) Fill the measure one-third with thoroughly mixed aggregate.

b) Tamp the layer of aggregate 25 times with the round end of the tamping rod
ensuring the strokes evenly distributed over the surface.

c) Fill the measure up to two thirds full and tamp again 25 times similarly.

d) Fill the measure overflowing and tamped 25 times.

e) Level the surface with the tamping rod so as to struck off the surplus aggregate.

5. Calculations

a).Determine the weight of the measure and aggregates,W1.

b).Determine the empty weight of the measure,W2 .

c). Determine the volume of the measure,V.

d).Calculate the bulk density of the aggregate as, = (W2- W1)/V in kg/litre.
4. Reporting of Result - The bulk density shall be reported in kg/litre to the nearest
0.01kg
TITLE DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND WATER
ABSORPTION OF AGGREGATES
IS: 2386 - Part III
1. Scope

Determination of specific gravity of aggregates

2. Method I Aggregate larger than 10 mm

2.1 Apparatus

(i) Balance - A balance of capacity not less than 3 kg, readable and
accurate to 0.5 g suitable to suspend the basket containing the aggregate
sample to be suspended for weighing in water.

(ii) Oven - A well ventilated oven, thermostatically controlled, to

maintain a temperature of 100 to 110C.

(iii) Wire basket - A wire basket of not more than 6.3 mm chromium
plated and polished, with wire hangers not thicker than 1 mm for
suspending it from the balance.

(iv) Container - A stout watertight container in which the basket may be

freely suspended.

(v) Cloths - Two dry soft absorbent cloths each not less than 75 cm x 45
cm.

(vi) Tray - A shallow tray of area not less than 650 cm2.
(vii) An airtight container of capacity similar to that of the basket.

(vii) A specially designed frame with moving platform to carry the water
container allowing the test specimens to be weighed in both air and water.

2.2 Procedure

a) A sample size not less than 2000 gm of aggregates is taken for the
test.
 b) The test sample is washed thoroughly, drained and then placed in
wire basket and immersed in distilled water in the container at a
temperature between 22C and 32C with a cover of at least 5cm of
water above the top of the basket.
c) Remove the entrapped air from the sample immediately after
immersion by lifting the basket 25 mm above the base of the container
and allowing it to drop 25 times at the rate of about one drop per second.

d) The basket and aggregate is kept completely immersed during

the operation and for a period of 24 hours afterwards.

e) Transfer the basket with aggregates to a different water

container carried in a designed frame with moving platform
.The basket is jolted 25 times and weighed (Weight A1) in water
at a temperature of 22 to 32C.
f) The basket with the aggregates is removed from the water and
allowed to drain for a few minutes.

g) Empty the aggregates from the basket on to one of the dry

clothes, and the empty basket returned to the water, jolted 25
times and weighed in water (Weight A2).

h) The aggregate placed on the dry cloth is gently surface dried

with the cloth. Transfer it to the second dry cloth when the first
will remove no further moisture.
i) Spread the aggregates not more than one stone deep on the
second cloth, and air dried keeping away from direct sunlight or
any other source of heat for not less than 10 minutes or until it
appears to be completely surface dry.
(During the period of air drying, the aggregates must be turned over at
least once and a gentle current of unheated air may be used after the first
ten minutes to accelerate the drying of difficult aggregates.)

j) The aggregates are then weighed (Weight B).

 k) The aggregate is then oven dried in the shallow tray, at a
temperature of 100 to 110C for 24 hours.

l) After 24 hours, the sample is removed from the oven, cooled in

the airtight container and weighed (Weight C).

2.3 Calculation

Specific gravity = C/ (B-A)

Water absorption (% of dry weight) = 100(B-C)/ C

where

A= Weight of the saturated aggregate in water (A1-A2), gm.

B = Weight of the saturated surface-dry aggregate in air, gm.
C= Weight of oven-dried aggregate in air, gm.

2.4. Reporting of results

a).Two tests shall be made and it is recommended that the two samples
should not be tested concurrently.
b).The individual and mean of the two results are reported.
c).The size of material tested, and if artificial heating has
been done shall be stated.

3. Method II Aggregate smaller than 10 mm

3.1Apparatus

(i) A balance or scale of capacity not less than 3 kg, readable and
accurate to 0.5 g.
(ii)A well ventilated oven, thermostatically controlled, to maintain
a temperature of 100 to 110C.
(iii) A glass pycnometer of about 1litre capacity with a metal
conical screw top with 6 mm diameter hole at its apex.
(iv) A means of supplying a current of warm air.
(v) A shallow tray of area not less than 325 cm2.
 (vi) An airtight container large enough to take the sample.

3.2. Procedure

a) Take sample of aggregates about 1kg for 10 mm to 4.75 mm size or

500 gm if finer that 4.75 mm for the test.
b) The test sample is placed in a tray and kept immersed in distilled
water at a temperature between 22C and 32C.
c) Immediately after immersion, remove the entrapped air from the
sample by gentle agitation with a rod.
d) The sample is kept completely immersed for a period of 241/2 hours.
e) The water is drained from the sample by decantation through a
filter paper. The aggregate retained on filter paper is exposed to a
gentle current of warm air. Uniform drying is to be ensured by
stirring till the material just attains a free running condition. Avoid
over drying of the material. The weight of the saturated surface dry
(SSD) aggregate is taken (Weight A).
f) Transfer the aggregates to the pycnometer and fill it with distilled
water. Remove the entrapped air from the sample by rotating the
pycnometer on its side while the hole in the apex of the cone is
covered with a finger. Top up the pycnometer up to the hole with
distilled water ensuring that any froth on the surface is removed.
g) The pycnometer is dried outside and the weight taken (Weight B).
h) The contents of the pycnometer are transferred into the tray.
i) The pycnometer is refilled with distilled water to the same level as
before, dried out side and weight taken (Weight C). The difference
in temperature of water in the pycnometer during the first and
second weighing shall not vary more than 2C.
j) The water is drained from the sample by decantation through a
filter paper and any material retained returned to the sample.
k) The sample is then oven dried in the tray, at a temperature of 100 to
110C for 24 hours. During this period, the aggregates are
stirred to facilitate drying.
l) After 24 hours, the sample is removed from the oven, cooled in the
airtight container and weighed (Weight D).
 m) Two tests shall me made.
n) is

3.3. Calculation

Specific gravity = D/ (A-(B-C))

Water absorption (% of dry weight) = 100(A-D)/ D

where

A = Weight of the saturated surface dry sample in gm.

B = Weight of the pycnometer containing sample and filled with
distilled water in gm.
C = Weight of the pycnometer filled with distilled water in gm.
D = Weight of oven-dried sample in gm.

3.4. Reporting of results

a).The individual and mean of the two results are reported.

b).The grading of aggregate shall be stated.
TITLE: DETERMINATION OF AGGREGATE IMPACT VALUE

IS: 2386 - Part 4

1. Scope

Determination of aggregate impact value of coarse aggregate.

2. Apparatus

K (i) Aggregate Impact Testing machine which consists of a heavy metal base,
detachable

cylindrical steel cup 102mm dia and 50mm height which can be secured to
the base, a metal hammer of weight 13.5 kg to 14.0 kg, moving between
vertical guides with lower end cylindrical in shape which can fall freely into
the cup. There is arrangement to raise the hammer and drop from a height of
3805.0mm. A key is provided to lock the hammer while fastening or
removing the cup.

(ii) A cylindrical metal measure having internal dia 75mm and depth 50mm for
measuring the required quantity of test sample.

(iii) A straight metal tamping rod of circular cross section 10mm in dia and
230mm long, rounded at one end.

(iv)IS sieves of sizes 12.5 mm, 10.0 mm and 2.36 mm for sieving aggregates.

(v) A balance of capacity not less than 500g with sensitivity of 0.1 gm.

(vi)Drying oven, thermostatically controlled, capable of maintaining

temperatures of 100C to 110C.

3. Procedure
a. Test samples of aggregate passing 12.5 mm and retaining on 10.0 mm
sieve is dried in the oven for four hours at 100 to 110C and cooled to
room temperature.
b. The measuring cup is filled with the sample aggregates to one-third full
and given 25 tamping with the tamping rod.

c. Another layer to reach up to two-third of the cup is filled and given 25

strokes of the rounded end of the tamping rod.

d. The measure is then filled to over flow and tamped 25 times. Struck off
the excess aggregates using the tamping rod as straight edge.

e. The net weight of the aggregate is determined and the same weight of
aggregate is used for the duplicate test.

f. The steel cup is now clamped to the base and the whole sample in the
measure is transferred to the steel cup.

g. 25 tamping are given to the sample in the steel cup.

h. The hammer is raised, until its lower face is 380 mm above the above
the upper surface of the aggregate sample in the cup, and allowed to
fall freely on the aggregates.

i. The test sample is subjected to a total number of 15 such blows and

each delivered at an interval of not less than one second.
 j. j. The crushed aggregate is removed from the steel cup and sieved through
2.36 mm sieve till no significant amount of material passes in one minute.

k. The fraction passing the sieve is weighed accurately to the nearest

0.1g.The weight retained is also determined and the total should agree
with the weight of sample taken for test. If the difference is more than
1.0 gm, the sample is discarded and test shall be repeated.

l. Another sample of similar weight is taken and the test is carried on

this second sample also.

4. Calculations

The aggregate impact value is expressed as a percentage of the fines formed against
the weight of sample tested.

Let the weight of sample taken = W1 gm.

Weight of material passing 2.36 mm sieve = W2 gm.

Aggregate impact value = (W2/W1) x 100 percent.

The mean of the 2 results rounded to the nearest whole number is reported as the
aggregate impact value (AIV) of the tested material.
 TITLE -PENETRATION TEST OF BITUMEN

IS: 1203-1978

1. Scope

Determination of penetration of bitumen by conducting penetration test

2. Apparatus

(i). Container - A metal or glass cylindrical conforming to the dimensions

specified as per IS 1203-1978.
(ii). Needle - straight highly polished cylindrical stainless steel (SS 316) rod of
specified dimensions as per IS 1203-1978 with conical and parallel portions co-
axial. The needle is provided with a shank approximately 3mm in diameter into
which it is fixed.

(iii). Water Bath- water bath containing not less than 10 liters of water with
thermostatic control to maintain the temperature at 25.0 0.1C. The sample
shall be immersed to a depth of not less than 100 mm from top and supported
on a perforated shelf not less than 50mm from the bottom of the bath.

(iv). Transfer Dish- Transfer dish or tray with a firm base to prevent rocking of
the test container and ensure complete immersion of the test container during
test.

(v). Penetration Apparatus - Apparatus which allows the vertical penetration of

needle
Without any friction and calibrated to provided readings in tenths of a
millimeter.

(vi). Thermometer- capable of reading from 0C to 44C, length 34010 mm

with 0.2C
Graduation and specified dimensions as per IS 1203-1978.

(vii). Time Device- A stop watch or electric timer for hand-operated

penetrometers or spring actuated device may used provided it is graduated 0.1s
or less and is accurate to within 0.1 s for a 60-s interval. An audible second
counter adjusted to provide 1 beat each 0.5 s may also be used. The time for a
11 - count interval shall be 5 0.1 s. Any automatic timing device attached to a
penetrometer shall be accurately calibrated to provide the desired test interval
within 0.1s.

3. Procedure

(a) Preparation of test sample

(i). Soften the material to a pouring consistency at a temperature not more

than 90C for bitumens above the respective approximate softening point.
(ii). Stir it thoroughly to make it homogeneous and free from air bubbles and
water.

(iii). Pour the melt into the container to a depth at least 10 mm in excess of the
expected penetration.
(iv). Protect the sample from dust and allow it to cool in an atmosphere at a
temperature between 15 to 30C for l to 2 h for 45 mm deep container and 1
to lh when the container of 35 mm depth is used.
(iv). Place it along with the transfer dish and keep both in a water bath
maintained at 25 0.1C and allow it to remain for 1 to 2 h and 1 to 1 h
for 45 mm and 35 mm deep container respectively.

(b).Testing

(i). Unless otherwise specified the test shall be done at 25 0.1C.

(ii). Fill the transfer dish with water from water bath to cover the container
completely, place the sample in it and put it upon the stand of the penetration
apparatus.

(iii). Ensure that the needle is washed clean with benzene & carefully dried.

(iv). The needle is adjusted to make contact with the surface of the specimen in
the dish.

(v). A source of light may be conveniently used to make the needle point just to
touch its reflection.

(vi). Load the needle holder with the specified weight to make the total weight
of 100 0.25 gm.

(vii). Set the pointer to zero.

(ix). Make at least three determinations by releasing the needle holder for 5
seconds Each test points shall not be less than 10 mm apart and not less than
10 mm from the side of the dish.

4.9. After each test return the test sample and transfer dish to the water bath.

4.10. The needle shall be cleaned with benzene and dried before taking each of
the succeeding reading.

4. Report

(i). The penetration of the needle expressed as tenths of a millimeter is noted.

(ii). The value of penetration reported shall be the mean of not less than three
determinations whose values do not differ by more than the amount given
below.
Penetration Maximum Difference

0 to 49 2
50 to 149 4
150 to 249 6
250 and above 8
 2. DETERMINING THE PLASTIC LIMIT AND PLASTICITY INDEX
OF SOILS
IS: 2720 - Part 5

1. Introduction
Plastic limit of a soil is the lowest water content at which the soil remains
plastic. Plastic limit is the moisture content at which a soil when rolled into a
thread of smaller diameter starts crumbling when the diameter reaches 3.0 mm.
2. Apparatus
(i) Plastic Limit rolling device (optional).
(ii) Paper for rolling device,
(iii) Ground-glass plate of about 20 cm x 15 cm size.
(iv) Porcelain dish for mixing.
(v) Spatula with blade 2 cm wide and 8 cm long.
(vi) Glass or metallic rod 10 cm long, 3 mm dia.
(vii) Air-tight containers for moisture content determination.
(viii) Balance, sensitive to 0.01 gm.
(ix) Thermostatically controlled oven capable of maintaining temperatures
between 105C and 110C.
3. Procedure
a) Mix about 20 gm of over dry soil passing 425 micron sieve with distilled
water in an evaporating dish until the soil mass becomes plastic enough to be
easily shaped into a ball.
b) If soil is clayey, the plastic soil mass shall be left to stand for sufficient time
(24 hours) to ensure uniform distribution of the moisture in the soil mass.
c) Take a ball of about 8 gm of this as test sample.
d) Roll this mass between the palm or fingers and the glass plate with just
sufficient pressure to roll it into a thread of uniform diameter.
e) The rolling is continued till the diameter of the thread is 3.0 mm.
f) The soil thread is kneaded together into a ball and rolled again to form a
thread of 3.0 mm.
g) The process of alternate rolling and kneading is repeated till the thread
crumbles under pressure.
h) The thread of 3.0 mm dia which crumbles during rolling is transferred to a
container for moisture determination.
i) The above process is continued till three consistent values of Plastic Limit
are obtained.
4. Calculation
a) The Plastic Limit is the mean value of the moisture content determination
rounded to the nearest whole number.
b) The Plasticity Index is calculated as the difference between the Liquid Limit
and Plastic Limit. Plasticity Index (Ip) = Liquid limit (wL) Plastic limit (wp)
c) If liquid limit or plastic limit cannot be determined, it is reported as NP
(non-plastic).