EXPERIMENT NO: 02

SHAPE TESTS OF COARSE AGGREGATES

BS 812-105- /BS-812-105-2
Theory and Scope:
The particle shape of aggregate is determined by the percentages of flaky and elongated particles
contained in it. In case of gravel it is determined by its Angularity Number. Flakiness and Elongation
tests are conducted on coarse aggregates to assess the shape of aggregates. Aggregates which are
flaky or elongated are detrimental to the higher workability and stability of mixes. They are not
conducive to good interlocking and hence the mixes with an excess of such particles are difficult to
compact to the required degree. For base coarse and construction of bituminous and cement
concrete types, the presence of flaky and elongated particles are considered undesirable as they
may cause inherent weakness with probabilities of breaking down under heavy loads. Rounded
aggregates are preferred in cement concrete road construction as the workability of concrete
improves.

FLAKINESS INDEX: The flakiness index of aggregates is the percentage by particles whose least

dimension (thickness) is less than 3/5th (0.6) of their mean dimension. The test is not applicable to

sizes smaller than 6.3mm.

ELONGATION INDEX: The elongation index of an aggregate is the percentage by weight of

particles whose greatest dimension (length) is greater than 1 and 4/5th times (1.8 times) their mean

dimensions. The elongation test is not applicable to sizes smaller than 6.3mm.

ANGULARITY NUMBER: The angularity number of an aggregate is the amount by which the
percentage voids exceeds 33 after being compacted in a prescribed manner. The minimum
allowable combined index of aggregates used in surface course of pavement is30%

Aim: - To determine the flakiness Index of a given aggregates sample.

Apparatus: - The apparatus consists of a standard thickness gauge sieves of sizes 63, 50, 40,
28,20, 14, , 10 and 6.3mm and a balance to weigh the samples.
Procedure:
• The sample is sieved with the sieves mentioned in the table.
• A minimum of 200 pieces of each fraction to be tested are taken and weighed (w1gm).
• In order to separate flaky materials, each fraction is then gauged for thickness on
• Thickness gauge, or in bulk on sieve having elongated slots as specified in the table.
• Then the amount of flaky material passing the gauge is weighed to an accuracy of at least 0.1%
of test sample.
• Let the weight of the flaky materials passing the gauge be w1gm. Similarly the weights of the
fractions passing and retained on the specified sieves be w1, w2, w3, etc. are weighed and the
total weight w1+w2+w3+. = wg is found. Also the weights of the materials passing each of the
specified thickness gauge are found = W1, W2, W3 and the total weight of the material
passing the different thickness gauges = W1+W2+W3+ . =Wag is found.
• Then the flakiness index is the total weight of the flaky material passing the various thickness
gauges expressed as a percentage of the total weight of the sample gauged

Thickness Gauge

Flakiness Index Test in Progress

 SIZE OF AGGREATE THICKNESS Weight of aggregates
Weight of the in each fraction
GAUGE
PASSING RETAINED faction consisting passing
(O.6 TIMES
THROUGH ON of at least 200 thickness gauge in
THE MEAN
SIEVE mm SIEVE mm pieces in gm. gm.
SIEVE)mm

Result: The flakiness index of the given sample of aggregates is _______________%.

SHAPE TEST (Elongation Index)

Aim: To determine the Elongation Index of the given aggregate sample.

Apparatus: Length gauge, sieves as given in the table and a balance of accuracy 0.01 Gm.

Procedure:
• The sample is sieved through sieves specified in the table. A minimum of 200 aggregate pieces
of each fraction is taken and weighed.
• Each fraction is thus gauged individually for length in a length gauge. The gauge length is used
should be those specified in the table for the appropriate material.
• The pieces of aggregates from each fraction tested which could not pass through the specified
gauge length with its long side are elongated particles and they are collected separately to
find the total weight of aggregate retained on the length gauge from each fraction.
• The total amount of elongated material retained by the length gauge is weighed to an
accuracy of at least 0.1% of the weight of the test sample.
• The weight of each fraction of aggregate passing and retained on specified sieves
 • The elongation index is the total weight of the material retained on the various length gauges,
expressed as a percentage of the total weight of the sample gauged.

Length Gauze

Elongation Index Test in Progress

 SIZE OF AGGREATE LENGTH Weight of aggregates
Weight of the in each
GAUGE (1.8
PASSING RETAINED faction consisting fraction passing
TIMES THE
THROUGH ON of atleast 200 pieces thickness gauge,gm.
MEAN
SIEVE mm SIEVE mm in gm.
SIEVE)mm

63 50

Result: The elongation index of a given sample of aggregate is ________________%.

 EXPERIMENT No:04
PENETRATION TEST OF BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
ASTM D5-97
Theory and Scope:
The consistencies of bituminous materials vary depending upon several factors such as constituents,
temperature, etc. As temperature ranges between 25º and 50ºC most of the paving bitumen grades
remain in semi-solid or in plastic states and their viscosity is so high that they do not flow as liquid.
Determination of absolute viscosity of bituminous material is not so simple. Therefore the
consistency of these materials is determined by indirect methods. The consistency of bitumen is
determined by penetration test which is a very simple test. Various types and grades of bituminous
materials are available depending on their origin and refining process.

Aim: To determine the grade of a given binder.

Apparatus: It consists of items like container, needle, water bath, penetrometer, stop watch etc.

Procedure:
• The bitumen is softened to a paving consistency between 75º and 100ºC above the
approximate temperature at which bitumen softens.
• The sample material is thoroughly stirred to make it homogeneous and free from air bubbles
and water.
• The sample containers are cooled in atmosphere of temperature not lower than 13ºC for one
hour. Then they are placed in temperature controlled water bath at a temperature of 25ºC
for a period of one hour.
• The weight of needle, shaft and additional weight are checked. The total weight of this
assembly should be 100gm.
• Using the adjusting screw, the needle assembly is lowered and the tip of the needle is made
to just touch the top surface of the sample.
• The needle assembly is clamped in this position. The contact of the tip of the needle is checked
using the mirror placed on the rear of the needle.
• The initial reading of the penetrometer dial is either adjusted to zero or the initial reading is
noted.
• Then the needle is released by pressing a button and a stop watch is started. The needle is
released exactly for a period of 5.0secs.
• At least 3 measurements are made on this sample by testing at distance of not less than
100mm apart.

• The difference between the initial and final penetration readings are taken as the penetration
value.

Penetration Test Concept

Observation and Calculation:

Trails
Readings Mean Value
1 2 3

Penetrometer Dial Initial Reading

Penetrometer Dial Final Reading

Penetration Value

Result:
 EXPERIMENT NO: 05
DUCTILITY TEST OF BITUMINOUS MATERIALS

ASTM D 113- 07
Theory and Scope:
A certain minimum ductility is necessary for a bitumen binder. This is because of the temperature
changes in bituminous mixes and the repeated deformations that occur in flexible pavements due to
the traffic loads. It is of significant importance that the binders form ductile thin films around the
aggregates. The binder material which does not possess sufficient ductility would crack and thus
provide previous pavement surface. This is in turn results in damaging effect to the pavement
structure. The ductility is expressed as the distance in centimetres to which a standard briquette of
bitumen can be stretched before the thread breaks.

Aim To conduct ductility test on given bitumen sample.

APPARATUS: Briquette mould, water bath , Testing machine, Release,

Procedure:
The bitumen sample is method to a pouring temperature (75ºC to 100ºC) and poured into the
mould assembly and placed on a brass plate, where a solution of glycerin or soap solution is applied
at all surfaces of briquette mould exposed to bitumen.

After the sample is poured to the mould, thirty to forty minutes the entire assembly is placed in a
water bath at 27ºC.

Then the sample is removed from the water bath maintained at 27ºC and excess bitumen material is
cut off by leveling the surface using hot knife.

After trimming the specimen, the mould assembly containing sample is replaced in water bath
maintained at 27ºC for 85 to 95 minutes. Then the sides of mould are removed and the clips are
carefully booked on the machine without causing any initial strain. Two or more specimens may be
prepared in the moulds and clipped to the machine so as to conduct these test simultaneously.

The pointer is set to read zero. The machine is started and the two clips are thus pulled apart
horizontally. While the test is in operation, it is checked whether the sample is immersed in water at
depth of at least 10mm. The distance at which the bitumen thread of each specimen breaks is
recorded

(in cm) to report as ductility value.

Ductility Test Concept

Sample Prepared in Briquette Mould and Ductility Apparatus

Observation and Calculation:

Table

Trails
Test Property Mean Value
1 2 3

Ductility Value

Result: The ductility value of the given bitumen sample is __ cm.

 EXPERIMENT NO: 06
SOFTENING POINT OF BITUMEN MATERIALS

ASTM D36-95
Theory and Scope:
Bitumen does not suddenly change from solid to liquid state, but as the temperature
increase, it gradually becomes soften until it flows readily. The softening point is the temperature at
which the substance attains particular degree of softening under specified condition of test. For
bitumen it is usually determined by Ring and Ball apparatus.

Aim:
To determine the softening point of given paving bitumen.

Apparatus:
Ring and Ball apparatus, Water bath with stirrer, Thermometer, Glycerin, etc. Steel balls
each of 9.5mm and weight of 3.5gm

Procedure:
• Sample material is heated to a temperature between 75º and 100ºC above the approximate
softening point until it is completely fluid and is poured in heated rings placed on the metal
plate.
• To avoid sticking of the bitumen to metal plate, coating is done to this with a solution of
glycerin and dextrin.
• After cooling the rings in air for 30 minutes, the excess bitumen is trimmed and rings are
placed in the support.
• At this time the temperature of distilled water is kept at 5ºC. This temperature is maintained
for 15 minutes after which the balls are placed in position.
• Then the temperature of water is raised at uniform rate of 5ºC per minute with a controlled
heating unit, until the bitumen softens and touches the bottom plate by sinking of balls. At
least two observations are made. For material whose softening point is above 80ºC, glycerin
is used for heating medium and the starting temperature is 35ºC instead of 5ºC.
• The temperature at the instant when each of the ball and sample touches the bottom plate
of support is recorded as softening point value.
 Softening Test Concept

Softening Point Apparatus and Ring and Ball Guides

Observation and Calculation:

Trails
Test Property Mean Value
1 2 3

Temperature (0C) at which I ball

touches the bottom plate

Temperature (0C) at which II

ball touches the bottom plate

Final Softening Point Temperature

Result: The softening point value of given bitumen sample is ___________________ºC and grade of
bitumen is _________________.
 EXPERIMENT NO: 03
AGGREGATE IMPACT TEST

BS-812-112
Theory and Scope:
Toughness is the property of a material to easiest impact. Due to moving loads the aggregates are
subjected to pounding action or impact and there is possibility of stones breaking into smaller
pieces. Therefore a test designed to evaluate the toughness of stones i.e., the resistance of the
stones to fracture under repeated impacts may be called Impact test on aggregates. The test can
also be carried on cylindrical stone specimen known as Page Impact test. The aggregate Impact test
has been standardized by Indian Standard Institution.

The aggregate Impact value indicates a relative measure of the resistance of aggregate to a sudden
shock or an Impact, which in some aggregates differs from its resistance to a slope compressive load
in crushing test. A modified Impact test is also often carried out in the case of soft aggregates to find
the wet Impact value after soaking the test sample.

Aim: To determine the aggregate impact value of given aggregate .

Apparatus:
1- Impact Testing machine.
2- Weight balance.
3- Oven.
4- Sieve(14mm,10mm,2.36mm)
5- Tamping road (Dia 16mm, Height 60cm)

Procedure:
• The test sample consists of aggregates passing 12.5mm sieve and retained on 10mm sieve and
dried in an oven for 4 hours at a temperature of 100 C to 110 C.
• The aggregates are filled up to about 1/3 full in the cylindrical measure and tamped 25 times
with rounded end of the tamping rod.
• The rest of the cylindrical measure is filled by two layers and each layer being tamped 25
times.
• The overflow of aggregates in cylindrically measure is cut off by tamping rod using it has a
straight edge.
• Then the entire aggregate sample in a measuring cylinder is weighted nearing to 0.01gm.
• The aggregates from the cylindrical measure are carefully transferred into the cup which is
firmly fixed in position on the base plate of machine. Then it is tamped 25 times.
• The hammer is raised until its lower face is 38cm above the upper surface of aggregates in the
cup and allowed to fall freely on the aggregates. The test sample is subjected to a total of 15
such blows each being delivered at an interval of not less than one second. The crushed
aggregate is than removed from the cup and the whole of it is sieved on 2.366mm sieve until
no significant amount passes. The fraction passing the sieve is weighed accurate to 0.1gm.
Repeat the above steps with other fresh sample.
• Let the original weight of the oven dry sample be w1gm and the weight of fraction passing
2.36mm I.S sieve be w2gm. Then aggregate Impact value is expressed as the % of fines formed
in terms of the total weight of the sample.

Aggregate Impact Value = 100 * W2/W1% .

Observation and Calculation:

Sl. Details of Sample Trail 1 Trail 2 Average

No.
1 Total Weight of aggregate sample filling the cylinder measure =
W1 g

2 Weight of aggregate passing 2.36 mm sieve after the test = W2 g

3 Weight of aggregate retained 2.36 mm sieve after the test =W2 g

4 (W1-W2 + W2)

5 Aggregate Impact Value =(W2/W1)*100 Percent

Result:
The mean A.I.V is _____________________%.
 EXPERIMENT NO. 01
MEASURING SURFACE FRICTIONAL PROPERTIES USING THE BRITISH PENDULUM TESTER

(ASTM E303)

Purpose: This test method covers the procedure for measuring surface frictional properties using
the British Pendulum Skid Resistance Tester.

Apparatus Required:

• British Pendulum Tester

• Slider

• Accessories

Test Specimen:

1. Field - Field test surfaces shall be free of loose particles and flushed with clean water.

2. Laboratory - Laboratory test panels shall be clean and free of loose particles and shall be
held rigidly so as not to be moved by the force of the pendulum. Flat laboratory test panels shall
have a test surface of at least 5 inch.

Preparation of Apparatus:

1.Levelling: Level the instrument accurately by turning leveling screws until the bubble is centered in
the spirit level.

2.Zero Adjustment: Release pendulum and note pointer reading. If reading is not zero, loosen the
locking ring and rotate the friction ring on bearing spring slightly and lock again.
3. Slide Length Adjustment: With pendulum hanging free, place spacer under adjusting screw of
lifting handle. Lower pendulum so edge of slider just touches surface. Lock pendulum head firmly,
raise lifting handle, and remove spacer.

Procedure:

Apply sufficient water to cover the test area thoroughly. Execute one swing, but do not record
reading. Always catch the pendulum during the early portion of its return swing.

While returning the pendulum to its starting position, raise the slider to avoid contact between the
slider and the test surface

Without delay, make four more swings, rewetting the test area each time and record the results.

Experiment Data and Result: