CONSTRUCTION TESTING MATERIALS DR.

DAVID WASHINGTON
CET 431 ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

AGGREGATE TESTING LAB

ASTM Concrete Laboratory Testing
Lab#1: Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate (CA) – ASTM C127
Lab#2: Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate (FA) – ASTM C128
Lab#3:Unit Weight and Voids in Aggregate – ASTM C29,C127, C128
Lab#4:Total Moisture Content & Surface Moisture Content of Aggregate ASTM C566,C127, C128
Lab#5: Sieve Analysis of Coarse Aggregate- ASTM C136
Lab#6: Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregate- ASTM C136

Certification of Concrete Laboratory Testing Technicians – Grade 1, Tape#2 (52 minutes)

I. ASTM C702 - Reducing Field Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size
II. ASTM C117 – Material Finer than No. 200 Sieve in Mineral Aggregate by Washing
III. ASTM C136 – Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregate
IV. ASTM C29 – Unit Weight and Voids in Aggregate
V. ASTM C127 –Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
VI. ASTM C128 – Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate
VII. ASTM C566 – Total Moisture of Aggregate by Drying

Abbreviation Notes:
Air (g) – Weight of Air Dry Sample in grams
SSD (g) – Weight of Saturated Surface Dry Sample in grams
SUB (g) – Weight of Submerged Sample in grams
OD (g) – Weight of Oven Dry Sample in grams

Type in Name of Group:

Type in Name of Captain:

Type in Name of Group Members:

Directions: The following formal lab write-up will be used to put together your final report for
concrete. Each group is responsible for submitting this write-up for grading. Answer all of the
following sections and submit your work along with this document. Each write-up should be
done by group with exceptions for shared data from the lab test. The final grade for this write-
up will partially be based on the correct use of grammar.

Directions: Answer the following essay type questions justifying your explanations with the
appropriate references and standards as needed. Please type or print all of your answers for the
following section.

A. Essay Questions
I. Objective and Introductory Questions
(Try to answer these question before performing the test)

1. What is the overall objective of this lab? What will be done with the results of these tests?

2. Why is there a need for doing these type of test? How important are these test?

3. What is the difference between acceptance and quality control? Which one of these applies to the
lab work that is being performed?

II. Narrative Questions

(Try to answer these questions during or after performing the test)

1. Mention any variations in the method that was used in the lab when compared to the
specification. (i.e. sample was not immersed 24 hrs)

2. If the test method used in the lab varied from the specification, how will it effect the results?
(i.e. absorption value would be less if voids were only partially filled with water)

3. What factors contributed to possible errors in your results?

4.How do you verify your results and show some consistency? Can your results be verified?
III. Discussion Questions

1. Did you repeat some of these test? Explain.

2. How will these results be useful in making concrete?

3. What was the classification of your aggregate?

4. Did it meet ASTM specifications or standards?

5. How will the concrete industry benefit from these tests?

IV. Conclusion Questions

Did you achieve your objective or goal? What factors or parameters that you obtained in this lab, have
a direct effect on the performance or the strength of your concrete mix design? Explain.

FILL IN THE VALUES FOR ALL OF THESE PARAMETERS:

G (CA) G %ABS % TM DRW G (FA) %ABS %TM FM
for SSD (CEMENT) (CA) (CA) (CA) for SSD (FA) (FA) (FA)
3.15

B. Video Questions
I. ASTM C702 Reducing Field Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size

1. Why was the field sample test method developed?

2. What two factors determine the method to be used in reducing a field sample?

3. Name three methods for reducing field samples?

5. Which method is mandatory for samples of fine aggregate drier than Saturated Surface Dry (SSD)?

6. What kind of aggregate samples are only used with Miniature Stockpile Sampling?

II. ASTM C117 – Material Finer than No. 200 Sieve in Mineral Aggregate by Washing

1. According to ASTM C33 (Standard Specifications for Concrete Aggregate), what limiting amount
by percent weight of the total sample should pass the No. 200 sieve for concrete subject to
abrasion? for all other concrete?

2. Should we use the same test sample C117 and C136 for an aggregate with a nominal size of ½ inch
or less?
III. ASTM C136 – Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregate

1. When sieving by mechanical apparatus or by hand, how long should sieving continue?

2. What is the fineness modulus?

3. What are the U.S. Standard sieve sizes used to calculate fineness modulus? What is the relationship
between each consecutive sieve?

4. The total weight of the sample after sieving should be within what percent of the total dry weight of
sample before sieving?

5. Why is the weight of particles on a given sieve considered “Cumulative”?

IV. ASTM C29 – Unit Weight and Voids in Aggregate

1. What should the moisture content of the test sample be at the time of testing?

2.What minimum capacity unit weight bucket should be used for an aggregate sample with a maximum
aggregate size of ¾ in?

V. ASTM C127 –Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate

1. Should this method be used to determine the specific gravity and absorption of lightweight stones?

2. Define the term Saturated Surface-Dry (SSD).

3. Define the term absorption.

4. What difference in calculations are made for Specific Gravity for SSD and Oven Dry stones?

VI. ASTM C128 – Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate

1. How does one know when SSD has been reached in a sand sample?

2. What decimal place is recommended for recording all of the weights?

VII. ASTM C566 – Total Moisture of Aggregate by Drying

1. Why is it important when drying a sample with a hot plate or electric heat lamps to avoid hot spots?

2. Define the term total moisture content.

3. What is the additional weight loss after further heating, when a sample is considered to be oven dry?

C. Lab Procedure Questions and Calculations

I. Lab#1: Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate (CA) – ASTM C127

Define Specific Gravity, Bulk Specific Gravity, Apparent Specific Gravity, and Absorption.

Procedure:

Equipment: Balance, wire basket (of 3.35mm or finer wire mesh), water tank, oven

Sample: A minimum of 4000 gm (8.8lb) test sample for aggregate of maximum nominal size 1in (25
mm). The sample should not have particles of sizes less than 0.187 in. (4.75 mm).
Maximum size of CA [in.(mm)] Minimum Weight of Sample [lb(kg)]
1 (25) 8.8(4)
¾ (19) 6.6(3)
or less (12.5) 4.4(2)

a. Weigh the test sample: Air (g)

b. Immerse the aggregate in water at room temperature for a period of 24±4h.
c. Remove the sample from the water. Roll it in a large absorbent cloth until all visible films of water
are removed. The sample is now in Saturated Surface Dry (SSD) condition.
d. Weigh the sample and obtain its SSD weight: SSD (g)
e. Place the SSD sample in the wire basket and determine its weight in water: SUB(g)
Note that the wire basket should be immersed to a depth sufficient to cover it and the test sample
during weighing.
f. Remove the sample from the wire basket.
g. Dry the sample to constant weight at a temperature of 110±5° C ( ≈ 24h.), and weigh: OD(g)

NOTES: Stones are submerged in a pail, so that you do not have to wait 24 hrs., therefore, by knowing
the oven dry weight of this sample and finding the total moisture of the stone (lab#4), you can
calculate the Air dry Weight (Air).
(Lab#1 continued)

3. Calculate the following specific gravities and absorption.

Formulas:

Bulk Gs (Air dry)= =

Bulk Gs (SSD) =

Apparent Gs =

Absorption =

II. Lab#2: Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate (FA) – ASTM C128
?? % Sand Will flow 6 % Sand Will Stand
Procedure: freely (SSD) up without rodding

Equipment: Balance, pycnometer & oven

Sample: About 500g of fine aggregate sample. Sand Will collapse
immediately
a. Weigh the test sample: Air (g) 0 % oven dry 100 % Saturated
Moisture Content
b. Cover the test sample with water, either by immersion or by the addition of at least 6% moisture to
the sample, and permit to stand for 24±4h.
c. 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. Continue until the sample approaches a free-flowing condition. Weigh the specimen when
it has reached a SSD(g).
d. Fill the pycnometer with water to the top, and weigh: PYC(g)
e. Remove part of the water, and introduce the SSD sample into the pycnometer.
f. Fill with additional water to approximately 90% of its capacity.
g. Roll, invert, and agitate the pycnometer to eliminate all air bubbles.
h. Bring the water level in the pycnometer to its calibrated capacity.
i. Determine the total weight of the pycnometer, specimen, and water: SUB(g)
j. Remove the sample from the pycnometer, dry to constant weight at a temperature of 110±5° C,
cool , and weigh: OD(g)
(Lab#2 continued)

Calculate the specific gravity and absorption.

Bulk Gs (Air Dry) =

Bulk Gs (SSD) =

Apparent Gs =

Absorption =

III. Lab#3:Unit Weight and Voids in Aggregate – ASTM C29,C127, C128

Define air voids, unit weight, and bulk density.

Procedure:

Equipment: Balance, 5/8 in. diameter tamping rod (24 in. long), cylindrical metal measure (minimum
capacity of ½ cuft. for CA of size not larger than 1.5 in and of .1 cuft. for FA)

Sample: Aggregate dried to constant weight, preferably in an oven at 110±5° C.

Maximum size of CA [in.(mm)] Minimum Volume of Sample [ft3]
1 (25) 1/3
or less (12.5) 1/10

a. Find the empty weight of the metal measure.

b. fill the measure with the dry sample one-third full.
c. Rod the layer of aggregate with 25 strokes. (Do not allow the rod to strike the bottom)
d. Fill the measure two-thirds full, level, and rod as in step c.
e. Fill the measure overflowing and rod as in step c.
f. Level the surface of the aggregate with a finger and tamping rod such that any slight projection of
the larger pieces of the CA approximately balance the larger voids in the surface below the top of the
measure.
g. Weigh the measure with the aggregate and find the net weight of the aggregate: WT (lbs)

NOTE: Be sure to measure the dimensions of the bucket to confirm its volume.
(Lab#3 continued)

1. Calculate the unit weight :

Unit Weight or Bulk Density or Dry Rodded Unit Weight (DRW) = ,

where V is the volume of the pail (cu ft.)

2. Calculate the void content or percent void.

Void (%)=
,

where is the unit weight of water (62.4pcf)

IV. Lab#4: Total Moisture Content and Surface Moisture Content of Aggregate-
ASTM C566,C127, and C128

Define Moisture Content, Absorption, and Surface Moisture.

Procedure:

Equipment: Balance, oven

Sample: A minimum of 4000 gm (8.8lb) of CA and 500gm of FA.(Please perform both test)
Maximum size of CA [in.(mm)] Minimum Weight of Sample [lb(kg)]
1 (25) 8.8(4)
¾ (19) 6.6(3)
(12.5) 4.4(2)

a. Weigh the sample: Air (g)

b. Dry the sample to constant weight in an oven at 110±5° C for approximately 24h and cool.
c. Weigh the dried sample: OD(g)

3. Calculate the moisture content.

Total Moisture =

Surface Moisture Content = Total Moisture – Absorption

V. Lab#5: Sieve Analysis of Coarse Aggregate- ASTM C136
[Draw the gradation curve for this sample and include the upper and lower bound limits.]

Procedure:

Equipment: Balance, sieves, mechanical shaker, oven

Sample: Coarse Aggregate of weight equal to:

Maximum size of CA [in.(mm)] Minimum Weight of Sample [lb(kg)]

1.5 (37.5) 33(15)
1 (25) 22(10)
¾ (19) 11(5)
(12.5) 4.4(2)

Note : Use the same weight for ¾ in. when the maximum size is less than ¾ in.

a. Dry the sample to constant weight at a temperature of 110° C (230 F) if the sample is lightweight
or is suspected of containing appreciable amount s of material finer than a No. 4 sieve.
b. Weigh the dry sample accurately.
c. Weigh each empty sieve and the pan.
d. Nest the suitable sieves in order of decreasing size of opening from top to bottom. Place the pan at
the bottom of the set. Sieves: No. 8, No. 4, 3/8 in, ½ in, ¾ in, 1 in, 11/2 in ( and higher if needed)
e. Place the sample on the top sieve.
f. Place the lid, and agitate the sieves in the mechanical shaker for about 10 min.
g. Weigh the sieves with the material retained.
h. Determining the weight retained in each sieve. The total weight of the material after sieving should
check closely with the original weight of the sample. If the amount differs by more than 0.3%
(based on the original weight) the results should not be used.

- Tabulate the percentage retained

- Tabulate cumulative percentage
- Tabulate percentage passing
- Draw the gradation curve on the sieve graph
- Draw the upper and lower bound
- Find out the ASTM C33 designation
- Calculate the Fineness Modulus
- Find the average sieve
- Find the average size stone
- Determine effective size
- uniformity coefficient
VI. Lab#6: Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregate- ASTM C136
[Draw the gradation curve for this sample and include the upper and lower bound limits.]

Define Fineness Modulus.

Procedure:

Equipment: Balance, sieves, mechanical shaker, oven

Sample: Fine Aggregate of weight 500g.

a. Dry the sample to constant weight at a temperature of 110° C (230 F).

b. Weigh the dry sample accurately.
c. Weigh each empty sieve and the pan.
d. Nest the suitable sieves in order of decreasing size of opening from top to bottom. Place the pan at
the bottom of the set. Sieves: No. 100, No. 50, 30, 16, 8, 4
e. Place the sample on the top sieve.
f. Place the lid, and agitate the sieves in the mechanical shaker for about 10 min.
g. Weigh the sieves with the material retained.
h. Determining the weight retained in each sieve. The total weight of the material after sieving should
check closely with the original weight of the sample. If the amount differs by more than 0.3%
(based on the original weight) the results should not be used.

- Tabulate the percentage retained

- Tabulate cumulative percentage
- Tabulate percentage passing
- Draw the gradation curve on the sieve graph
- Draw the upper and lower bound
- Find out if this sand meets the ASTM C33 acceptance criteria
- Calculate the Fineness Modulus
- Find the average sieve
- Find the average size stone
- Determine effective size
- uniformity coefficient
 APPENDIX &GRAPH PAPER
SIEVE WT. RET. % RET. %COARSER %PASS

TOTAL
SIEVE SIZE CUM PERCENT RETAINED FM - TOTAL SUMMATION
6”
3”
1.5”
¾”
3/8”
#4
#8
#16
#30
#50
#100
TOTAL
SIEVE WT. RET. % RET. %COARSER %PASS

TOTAL
CONSTRUCTION TESTING MATERIALS
CET 431 DR. DAVID WASHINGTON
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
SIEVE SIZE CUM PERCENT RETAINED FM - TOTAL SUMMATION
6”
3”
1.5”
¾”
3/8”
#4
#8
#16
#30
#50
#100
TOTAL