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Unit Weight and Voids of Aggregate

This laboratory report summarizes an experiment to determine the unit weight and voids of aggregates. The experiment measured the bulk density of aggregates in both compacted and loose conditions. Key results showed that compacted aggregates have a higher bulk density and lower voids than loose aggregates. A higher bulk density is preferable for concrete strength. The report recommends properly tamping aggregates to achieve accurate bulk density measurements and notes bulk density depends on particle size, shape, and packing density.

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60 views4 pages

Unit Weight and Voids of Aggregate

This laboratory report summarizes an experiment to determine the unit weight and voids of aggregates. The experiment measured the bulk density of aggregates in both compacted and loose conditions. Key results showed that compacted aggregates have a higher bulk density and lower voids than loose aggregates. A higher bulk density is preferable for concrete strength. The report recommends properly tamping aggregates to achieve accurate bulk density measurements and notes bulk density depends on particle size, shape, and packing density.

Uploaded by

Kevin P Mendoza
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CE415

Construction Materials and Testing

LABORATORY REPORT
EXPERIMENT 5
UNIT WEIGHT AND VOIDS OF AGGREGATE

PREPARED BY SUBMITTED TO

EXPERIMENT PERFORMED REPORT SUBMITTED

OBJECTIVE(S)

▪ To determine the unit weight and voids in aggregates in either a compacted or loose
condition.
▪ To determine the unit weight and voids in a sample of coarse, and fine or mixed
aggregates.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

▪ The student shall be able to determine the importance and role of unit weight in the
construction material utilization.
▪ The student shall be able to determine the difference of the compacted and loose unit
weight of aggregates.

DISCUSSION

Bulk density indicates the percentage of voids present in the aggregate material which will
affect the grading of the aggregates that is important in high strength concrete. It is important
to conduct an experiment in regards to this property of soil as it is necessary for use to many
methods of selecting proportions for concrete mixtures.

Voids is the space between the individual particles in a unit volume of aggregate mass and is
not occupied by the solid mineral matter. Voids with in the particles, either permeable or
impermeable are not included in the voids for the determination of bulk density.

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT USED

• Measure
• Tamping rod
• Weighing scale
• Scoop
• Sample aggregates

PROCEDURES

1. Determine the weight and volume capacity of metal measure.

2. Fill the metal measure one third full with the sample aggregates and level the surface.
Tamper the surface of the aggregates 25 times using the tamping rod. Tamping should
be evenly distributed over the surface.

3. Fill the measure 2/3 full, level, and rod as in step 3


4. Fill the measure overflowing and rod as in step 3.

5. Level the surface of the aggregates with the tamping rod such that any slight projection
of the larger pieces of the coarse aggregate approximately balances the larger voids in
the surface below the top of the measure.

6. Weigh the measure with the aggregate and find the net weight of aggregate.
DATA AND RESULTS

The experiment shows that the bulk-density of a material in compacted form is greater than the
bulk-density of a material in loose form. And the greater the bulk-density the less are the voids
present. Compacted aggregates (which has bigger bulk density) will provided better cement
strength. Bulk density values used for many methods of selecting proportions for concrete mixtures.
Bulk density values can also be used as economical means like purchase agreements.

RECOMMENDATION:

Bulk-density depends upon how densely the aggregate is packed. It also depends upon the size,
distribution and shape of the particles. If the particles are of the same size, then it can be packed
to a limited extent but when the smaller particles are added, the voids get filled with them and
thus the bulk density increases. For a coarse aggregate, a higher bulk density means that there
are few voids which are to be filled by the fine aggregate and cement. Thus, bulk density also
depends upon the degree of packing.

I suggest to properly tamp the aggregates in the metal measure to achieve an accurate results.

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