Barishal Engineering College

Department of Civil Engineering

CE 304: Engineering Material Lab

Expeiment-7: Unit Weight and Voids in Aggregate

Introduction:
This test method covers the determination of unit weight a compacted or loose condition
of fine and coarse aggregates. Unit weight values of aggregates are necessary for use for
many methods of selecting proportions for concrete mixtures. They may also be used for
determining mass/volume relationships for conversions and calculating the percentages
of voids in aggregates. Voids with him particles, either permeable or impermeable, are
not included in voids as determined by this test method.
This test method conforms to the ASTM standard requirements of specification C29.

Apparatus:
Tamping rod- A round, straight steel rod, 5/8 in (16mm) in diameter and approximately
24in (600) in length, having one end rounded to a hemispherical tip of
a) Balance- Accurate within 0.1% of the test load and graduated at least 0.1 lb (0.05 kg).
b) the same diameter as the rod.
c) Measure- A cylindrical metal measures preferably provided with handles. It shall be
watertight, with the top and bottom true and even, and sufficiently rigid to retain its
form under rough usage. The measure shall have a height approximately equal to the
diameter, bat in on case shall the height be less then 80% nor more then 150% of the
diameter. The capacity of the measure shell conform to the limits in Table-1 for the
aggregate size to be tested. The thickness of metal in the measure shall conform to the
limits in as described in Table-2. The interior wall of the measure shell be smooth and
continuous surface.

Table-1 Capacity of Measures

Nominal Maximum size of Aggregate Capacity of Measure

inch mm ft3 litre(m3)

0.5 12.5 1/10 2.8(0.0028)

1 25.0 1/3 9.3(0.0093)
1.5 37.5 ½ 14(0.014)
3 75 1 28.(0.028)
4.5 112 2.5 70(0.070)
6 150 3.5 100(0.100)

Note-The indicated size of measure shell be used to test aggregates of a nominal

maximum size equal to or smaller than that listed. The actual volume of the measure shall
be at least 95% of the normal volume listed.
 Table-2 Requirements for Measures

Capacity of Measure Thickness of Metal,(minimum)

Bottom Upper 1.5 in or 38 Remainder
mm of wall of wall
Less than 0.4 ft3 0.20 in 0.10 in. 0.10 in.
0.4ft3 to 1.5 ft3,incl. 0.20 in 0.20 in 0.10 in
Over 1.5 to 2.8 ft3,incl. 0.20 in 0.25 in. 0.15 in.
Over 2.8 to 4.0 ft3,incl. 0.40 in 0.30 in. 0.20 in.
Less than 11 litre 0.50 in 2.5 mm. 2.5 mm.
11 to 42 litre,incl. 5.0 mm 5.0 mm. 3.0 mm.
Over 42 to 80 litre,incl. 10.0 m 6.4 mm. 3.8 mm.

Over 80 to 133 litre,incl. 13.0 mm 7.6 mm. 5.0 mm.

Note-The added thickness in the upper portion of the wall may be obtained by placing a
reinforcing bang around the top of the measure.

d)Calibration Equipment-A piece of plate glass ,preferably at least ¼ in. (6mm)thick and
at least 1 in(25mm)larger then the diameter of the measure to be calibrater.A supply of
water pump or chassis grease that can be placed on the rim of the container to prevent
leakage.

Sampling:
The size of the sample shell be approximately 125 to 200% of the quantity required to fill
the measure, and shall be handled in a manner to avoid segregation. Dry the aggregate
sample to essentially constant mass, preferably in an over at 230#9F(110#5C).

Calibration of Measure:
a) Fill the measure with water at room temperature and cover with a piece of plate glass
in such a way as to eliminate bubbles and excess water.
b) Determine the mass of the water in the measure using the balance.
c) Measure the temperature of the water and determine its density from Table-3,
interpolating if necessary.
d) Calculate the volume, V, of the measure by the dividing the mass of the water
required to fill the measure by its density. Alternatively, calculate the factor for the
measure F(=1/V) by dividing the density of the water by the mass required to fill the
measure.
 Table-3 Density of Water
Temperature Density
0 0 3
F C lb/ft kg/m3
60 15.6 62.366 999.01
65 18.3 62.366 998.54
70 21.1 62.301 997.97
(73.4) (23.0) (62.274) (997.54)
75 23.9 62.261 997.32
80 26.7 62.216 996.59
85 29.4 62.166 995.85

e) Measures shall be recalibrated at least once a year or whenever there is reason to

question the accuracy of the calibration.

Selection of Procedure:
Their different procedure is generally followed for the determination of unit weight. They
are:
a) Shoveling procedure, b) Rodding procedure, and c) Jigging procedure.

The shoveling procedure for loose unit weight shall be used only when specifically
stipulated. Otherwise, the compact unit weight shall be determined by the rodding
procedure for aggregates having a nominal maximum size of 1.5 in (37.5mm) or lessor,
by the jigging procedure for aggregates having a nominal maximum size greater then
1.5in (37.5mm) and not exceeding 6 in. (150mm).

A shoveling procedure:

a) Fill the measure to overflowing by means of a shovel or scoop, discharging the

aggregate from a height not exceeding 2 in. (50mm) above the top of the measure.
Exercise care to prevent, so far as possible, segregation of the particle sizes of which
the sample is composed. Level the surface of the aggregate with the fingers or a
straightedge in such a way that any slight projections of the larger pieces of the coarse
aggregate approximately balance the larger voids in the surface below the top of the
measure.
b) Determine the mass of the measure plus its contents, and the mass of the measure
alone, and record the values to the nearest 0.1 lb. (0.05kg)

B. Rodding procedure:
a) Fill the measure one-third full and level the surface with the fingers. Rod the layer of
aggregate with 25 strokes of the tamping rod evenly distributed over the surface. Fill
the measure two-thirds full and again level and rod as above. Finally, fill the measure
to overflowing and rod again in the manner previously mentioned. Level the surface
of the aggregate with the fingers or a straightedge in such a way that any slight
 projections of the larger pieces of the coarse aggregate approximately balance the
larger voids in the surface below the top of the measure.
b) In rodding the first layer, do not allow the rod to strike the bottom of the measure
forcibly. In rodding the second and the third layers, use vigorous effort, but do not
apply such a force as to cause the temping rod to penetrate to the previous layer of
aggregate.
c) Determine the mass of the measure plus its contents, and the mass of the measure
alone, and record the values to the nearest 0.1 lb. (0.05kg).

C. Jigging Procedure:
a) Fill the measure in three approximately equal layers as described previously,
compacting each layer by placing the measure on a firm base such as a cement-
concrete floor, raising the opp9site sides alternately about 2 in. (50mm), and allowing
the measure to drop in such a manner as to hit with a sharp, slapping blow. The
aggregate particles, by this procedure, will arrange themselves in a densely
compacted condition. Compact each layer by dropping the by measure 50 times in the
manner described, 25 times on each side. Level the surface of the aggregate with the
fingers or a straightedge in such a way that any slight projections of the larger pieces
of the coarse aggregate approximately balance the larger voids in the surface below
the top of the measure.
b) Determine the mass of the measure plus its contents, and the mass of the measure
alone, and record the values to the nearest 0.1 lb. (0.05kg).

Calculation:-
Unit weight- Calculate the unit weight for the rodding procedure as follows:

G T
M=
V

Or M= (G- T)  F

Where:
M=unit weight of the aggregate, lb/ft3 (kg/m3).
G=Mass of the aggregate plus the measure,lb(kg),
T=Mass of the measure, Lb (Kg),
V=Volume of the measure,ft3(m3).and
F=Factor for measure,ft-3(m-3).

The unit weight determined by this test method is for aggregate in an oven-dry condition.
If the unit weight in terms of saturated-surface (S.S.D) condition is desired, use the exact
procedure in this test method, and then calculate the SSD unit weight using the following
formula:
Mssd=M [1+(A/100)]
Where:
MssD=Unit weight in SSD condition, lb/ft3(kg/m3), and
A=% absorption, determined in accordance with test Method C127 or Test Method C128
(see Expt.no-5 or 6).
Void content- Calculate the void content in the aggregate using the unit weight
determined by rodding procedure, as follows:
% Voids= 100[(sw)-M]/(sw)
where:
M= unit weight of the aggregate,lb/ft3(kg/m3),
S= bulk specific gravity (dry basic) as determined in accordance with Test Method C
127or Test Method C 128(see Expt. no.-5 or 6),and
w= density of water, 62.4lb/ft3(998 kg/m3).

Report:
a) Report the results for unit weight to the nearest llb/ft3(10kg/m3) as follows:
unit weight by rodding
loose unit weight.
b) Report the results for the void content to the nearest 1% as follows:
voids in aggregate compacted by rodding , %
voids in loose aggregate,%
Questions:

1) What would be the effect upon the unit weight if the fine and coarse aggregates be
combined?

2) What would be the effect upon the unit weight if the aggregate be placed in the
cylinder without rodding?

3) What would be the effect upon the unit weight if damp fine aggregate be used?
 Data Sheet

Experiment No. 7
Unit Weight and Voids in Aggregate

T= Mass of the measure

V=Volume of the measure
G=Mass of the measure with OD sample
M=Unit weight (OD Condition)
Mssd=Unit weight (SSD condition)

G T
M 
V
A
M ssd  M (1  )
100
M
% Void  (1  )  100
SW

S=Bulk specific gravity (OD Basis)

W= Unit weight of water
A= Absorption capacity (%)

Data Table for Fine Aggregate

A=
S=
(Please choose A and S from your previous experiments)

Test # Test T (kg) G(kg) V (m3) M Avg. M Mssd %

Method (kg/m3) (kg/m3) (kg/m3) Void
1
2 Shoveling
3
4
5 Rodding
6
7
8 Jigging
9

Name of the Student……………………………..

Registration No………………………………

Signature of the Teacher

Experiment No. 7
Unit Weight and Voids in Aggregate

T= Mass of the measure

V=Volume of the measure
G=Mass of the measure with OD sample
M=Unit weight (OD Condition)
Mssd=Unit weight (SSD condition)

G T
M 
V
A
M ssd  M (1  )
100
M
% Void  (1  )  100
SW

S=Bulk specific gravity (OD Basis)

W= Unit weight of water
A= Absorption capacity (%)

Data Table for Coarse Aggregate

A=
S=
(Please choose A and S from your previous experiments)

Test # Test T (kg) G(kg) V (m3) M Avg. M Mssd %

Method (kg/m ) (kg/m3)
3 3
(kg/m ) Void
1
2 Shoveling
3
4
5 Rodding
6
7
8 Jigging
9

Name of the Student……………………………..

Registration No………………………………

Signature of the Teacher

Discussion: