AGGREGATES

Section 3 - Tests

Section 3 - 1
 Start with Scales

Scales are used in virtually

all aggregate test procedures
WYDOT MTM 801
Most specifications require a 0.1 percent
accuracy level
Accuracy should be checked once a
month and every time the scale or the lab
trailer is moved.
Level the balance and check
For usage of 10,000 grams or less, the
verification weights are: 100, 1000, 5000,
and 10,000 grams Section 3 - 2
 Scales (continued)

For usage of 10,000 grams or more, the

verification weights are: 5,000, 10,000,
and 15,000 grams
For both ranges, the verification weights
are: 100, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 15,000
grams
Allowable tolerance is + or – 0.1% of the
weight used
If any recorded weight exceeds the
allowable range, discontinue use of
balance for recalibration or repair.
Keep a signed copy of the balance sheet
with the balance. Section 3 - 3
Scales

Section 3 - 4
 Balance Verification Worksheet
Manufacturer: METTLER
D C
E
Model: PE 11
A Front B
Serial #: J98627
Verification
Weight 100 1000 5000 10,000 15,000
(grams)
Tolerance
0.1 1 5 10 15
(grams)
Allowable
99.9- 999.0- 4995.0- 9990.0- 14,985.0-
Range
100.1 1001.0 5005.0 10,010.0 15,015.0
(grams)
Reading A
Reading B
Reading C
Reading D
Reading E
Meets allowable range requirements for all Verification Weights:
YES NO
Date: ______________________

Signature:___________________

Section 3 - 5
 Balance Verification Worksheet
Manufacturer: METTLER
D C
E
Model: PE 11
A Front B
Serial #: J98627
Verification
Weight 100 1000 5000 10,000 15,000
(grams)
Tolerance
0.1 1 5 10 15
(grams)
Allowable
99.9- 999.0- 4995.0- 9990.0- 14,985.0-
Range
100.1 1001.0 5005.0 10,010.0 15,015.0
(grams)
Reading A 100.1 1000.2 5000.6 10,000.8 15,006.1
Reading B 100.0 1000.8 5000.9 10,001.4 15,007.0
Reading C 100.1 1000.7 5001.1 10,001.8 15,007.9
Reading D 100.0 1001.2
1000.2 5001.6 10,003.0 15,008.4
Reading E 99.9 999.2 4998.2 9,996.4 14,992.2
Meets allowable range requirements for all Verification Weights:
YES NO
Date: ______________________

Signature:___________________

Section 3 - 6
 Aggregate Tests

Gradation – WYDOT MTM 814.0 and

815.0

 AASHTO T 11 – Material finer than

#200 by washing

 AASHTO T 27 – Sieve analysis of

fine and coarse aggregate

Section 3 - 7
 Field Sample

FIELD
SAMPLE T27

DRY

T11

T248

T27
T248

Section 3 - 8
 AASHTO T 27 – Sieve Analysis

Summary: A sample of dry aggregate

is separated over a series of
progressively smaller sieves to
determine size distribution.

 Usedwith AASHTO T 11 for total

gradation

 Used for fineness modulus

Section 3 - 9
 Aggregate Sizing: Sieve Screens

 ¼ inch and larger - measure actual size of opening

 #4 to #200 - measure number of wires (or
openings) per inch
 Note that #4 ≠ ¼” (=0.187”)

Section3 - 10
AASHTO T 27- Sieve Analysis (continued)

Significance: Total gradation

influences water or asphalt
demand workability, strength,
void content, VMA, stability.

Section3 - 11
AASHTO T 27 (Coarse Aggregate Equipment)

Balance: required accuracy is 0.1% of

sample mass

Sieves: 1”, ¾”, ½”, 3/8”, and #4

Oven: 230 9°F - 110 ± 5°C

Large mechanical shakers

Section 3 - 12
COARSE AGGREGATE GRADATION T 27

Section 3 - 13
COARSE AGGREGATE GRADATION T 27

Section 3 - 14
THERE ARE VARIOUS MANUFACURERS

Section 3 - 15
AASHTO T 27 (Coarse Aggregate continued)

Check equipment (Always No. 1!)

Dry sample to constant mass and

record

Check sample size to be sure it meets

minimum allowable weight (MTM 814)

Nest the sieves in the proper order

Section 3 - 16
AASHTO T 27(Coarse Aggregate continued)

Pour the material into the sieve stack

and vibrate the necessary length of time

Determine the mass of material retained

on each screen and in the pan

Section 3 - 17
AASHTO T 27(Coarse Aggregate continued)

Check the mass retained on each

screen to determine if a screen was
overloaded. If overloaded, rescreen
the materials, half at a time

 Themass in kg/m² of sieving surface

shall not exceed the product of 2.5 *
sieve opening in mm (next pages)

Determine the percentage passing and

retained on #4
Split the -#4 to 300 g or greater.
Section3 - 18
 Maximum Allowable Quantity of
Material Retained on a Sieve, kg
Nominal dimensions of Sieve
Sieve
Opening 203.2- 254- 304.8- 350 by 372 by
Size, mm mm dia mm dia mm dia 350 mm 580 mm
125 c c c c 67.4
100 c c c 30.6 53.9
90.0 c c 15.1 27.6 48.5
75.0 c 8.6 12.6 23.0 40.5
63.0 c 7.2 10.6 19.3 34.0
50.0 3.6 5.7 8.4 15.3 27.0
37.5 2.7 4.3 6.3 11.5 20.2
25.0 1.8 2.9 4.2 7.7 13.5
19.0 1.4 2.2 3.2 5.8 10.2
12.5 0.89 1.4 2.1 3.8 6.7
9.50 0.67 1.1 1.6 2.9 5.1
4.75 0.33 0.54 0.8 1.5 2.6

Section 3 - 19
 Maximum Allowable Weight
Sieve Size
2.5 x 25.4 mm= 63.5 kg/m2
1" A = 372.0 mm (15") x 580.0 mm (23") = .372 mm x .580 mm = 0.21576 m2
0.21576 m2 x 63.50 kg = 13.7 kg or 30.1 lb.

2.5 x 19.0 mm= 47.50 kg/m2

3/4" A = 0.21576 m2
0.21576 m2 x 47.50 kg = 10.2 kg or 22.5 lb

2.5 x 12.5 mm= 31.25 kg/m2

1/2" A = 0.21576 m2
0.21576 m2 x 31.25 kg = 6.7 kg or 14.8 lb

2.5 x 9.5 mm= 23.75 kg/m2

3/8" A =0.21576 m2
0.21576 m2 x 23.75 kg = 5.1 kg or 11.3 lb

2.5 x 4.75 mm= 11.88 kg/m2

#4 A = 0.21576 m2
0.21576 m2 x 11.88 kg = 2.6 kg or 5.64 lb

Section 3 - 20
 AASHTO T 11
Material Finer than #200

Summary: A sample is washed over a

#200 sieve and the loss in mass is
determined.

Significance: Minus #200 fraction

influences water demand, flowability and
workability, asphalt demand, VMA,
stiffness, stability.

Section 3 - 21
 AASHTO T 11 Equipment

Balance: required accuracy is 0.1% of

sample mass

Sieves: one #200 and a #8 on top

Container: sufficient to contain

sample and water

Oven: 230 ± 9°F - 110 ± 5°C

Section 3 - 22
WASHED SIEVE ANALYSIS T 11

Section 3 - 23
 AASHTO T 11 (continued)

Check equipment
Obtain fine aggregate sample (300 g
minimum)
Dry the test sample to a constant
weight
Place the sample in a wash pan and
cover with about 2” of water

Section 3 - 24
 AASHTO T 11 (continued)

Agitate sample to separate fine

particles. Spoon or similar tool OK.
Spray nozzle OK if no material
splashed on sides. (AASHTO T 11 2000)
Pour wash water containing
suspended fines over the nested #8
and #200 sieves.
 The nesting sieves reduce splash
and minimize loss of sample

Section3 - 25
 AASHTO T 11 (continued)

 Avoid decantation of coarse particles

 Add water, agitate and decant (do not use

any tools, hands, etc. on the #200 screen)

 Repeat until water exiting wash pan and

below #200 screen is clear
 Place a white evaporating dish below the
water stream

 Return all material on #200 sieve to the wash

sample by flushing
Section 3 - 26
 AASHTO T 11 (continued)

Dry the wash sample to constant mass

in an oven at 230 ± 9°F

Calculate the amount of material

passing the #200 sieve by washing
 Washed material passing #200

= dry weight before wash –

dry weight after wash

Section 3 - 27
 AASHTO T 27
Fine Aggregate Equipment

Balance: required accuracy is 0.1% of

the sample mass

Sieves: #4 and smaller

Small mechanical sieve shaker

Oven

Section 3 - 28
FINE AGGREGATE GRADATION T 27

Section 3 - 29
THERE ARE VARIOUS MANUFACTURERS
FOR SIEVE SHAKERS

Section 3 - 30
SIEVES AND BRUSHES

Section 3 - 31
 AASHTO T 27
(Fine Aggregate Continued)

Pour dried sample from the wash

sieve into sieves using brush to
remove material from pan

If there is more than 200 grams on an

8” sieve, add another sieve or hand
sieve smaller amounts

Turn the mechanical sieve shaker on

for a sufficient period (usually 5-10
minutes)

Section 3 - 32
 AASHTO T 27
(Fine Aggregate Equipment)
Hand check sieve with largest amount
retained for sufficient shake time
 Hand tap 25 times at 6
locations in 1 minute.
 If more than 0.5%
passes, resieve.

Determine the mass of

material retained on each
sieve and in the pan and
record.
Section 3 - 33
Maximum Allowable Quantity of
Material on a Sieve (g)

8” Sieve

Sieve Size Grams

2” 3600
1.5" 2700
1.0” 1800
¾” 1400
½” 890
3/8” 670
#4 330
<#4 200 (Page 3-19)

Section 3 - 34
 Aggregate Splitting

AASHTO T 248 (WYDOT MTM 805.0) –

Aggregate Splitting

Summary: the reduction of large

samples of aggregate to the
appropriate size for testing.

Section 3 - 35
 Aggregate Splitting (continued)

Significance: it is important that the

smaller samples are most likely to be
a representation of the larger samples
and thus of the total supply.

Throat Opening 50% larger than

Largest Particle. (MTM)
Fine aggregate must be drier than
saturated surface dry.
Pour into hopper and distribute evenly
without using hands.
Section3 - 36
SPLITTING T 248

Section 3 - 37
 Liquid Limit

AASHTO T 89 (WYDOT MTM 812.0) –

Determining the liquid limit of soils
prepared in accordance with AASHTO
T 87 (WYDOT MTM 802.0)

Summary: A sample of minus #40

(425m) material is tested in a Liquid
Limit device at increasing moisture
contents until the material flows. The
moisture content at that point is the
liquid limit.

Section 3 - 38
 Liquid Limit (continued)

Significance: Liquid Limit is an

indicator of clay content which affects
compressibility, permeability, strength,
stability, moisture susceptibility and
density.

Section3 - 39
 Liquid Limit (continued)

Inspect the cup and grooving tool for

excessive wear as described in the
MTM.
Verify the drop from the “point of
contact” of the cup to the base is
10mm.

Section3 - 40
 Liquid Limit

The 100 gram or greater sample should be

prepared from a dry state.
Material passing a #40 sieve (0.0167”) .
Mix to moisture content less than the LL.
Remove plastic limit sample.

Section3 - 41
 Liquid Limit

Put moist
soil in the
cup, level

Section3 - 42
 Liquid Limit

Make a groove in the soil

Standard allows a maximum of six strokes.
The final stroke should scrape the bottom
of the cup.

Section3 - 43
 Liquid Limit

Soil with
groove

Section3 - 44
 Liquid Limit
Turn the crank at 2 rps, dropping the cup
Count drops until groove closes for ½”
The test is acceptable between 16 and 36 shocks

Section3 - 45
 Liquid Limit

Count drops until the groove closes for ½”

Sample through the closed distance and
determine the moisture content
 Weigh

 Dry

 Reweigh

 Plot on graph

If the groove

closes in less
than 25 drops,
report as
“NV”, No Value
Section3 - 46
 Liquid Limit

Add more water and repeat the process until it

takes less than 25 blows to close the gap

No. of Water
Blows Content,
%
32 27.2
28 27.6
22 28.4
18 29.1

Section3 - 47
 Liquid Limit

Liquid Limit = 28
31
Water Content, w%

30

29

28
LL
27 Report to nearest
whole number.
26
10 20
25 30 40 50

No. of Blows

Section3 - 48
 One Point Test

A lot of testing has been done to

determine the slope of the line on the
previous page.
An average slope based on thousands of
Liquid Limit Tests is 0.121
Using this, the Liquid Limit can be
estimated by  25 
0.121

LL  wn  
 n 
 0.121
 25 
Correction Factor   
 n 
LL  Correction Factor  wn
Section3 - 49
 Correction Chart

Correction Chart
Correction
Number of Blows Correction Factor Number of Blows Factor
16 0.947 27 1.009
17 0.954 28 1.014
18 0.961 29 1.018
19 0.967 30 1.022
20 0.973 31 1.026
21 0.979 32 1.030
22 0.985 33 1.034
23 0.990 34 1.038
24 0.995 35 1.042
25 1.000 36 1.045
26 1.005

Section3 - 50
 One Point Liquid Limit

Example:

Correction Factor from

Table in MTM 812.0 pg. 4
 wn = 27.2%, n = 32

 Correction Factor = 1.030

 LL = 1.030 x 27.2 = 28.0 = 28

 wn = 29.1%, n = 18
 Correction Factor = 0.961

 LL = 0.961 x 29.1 = 27.96 = 28

Section3 - 51
 One Point Liquid Limit

Perform a One Point Test with a Blow

Count between 36 and 16, preferably
between 30 and 20.
Obtain water content sample where
the two halves meet.
Record Data on bottom of T-166 Sheet

= 22
= 0.985
7A 48.65 42.66 21.55 5.99 21.11 28.37% 27.9% 28%
12%
38D 41.25 38.62 22.18 2.63 16.44 16.0% = 16%

Section3 - 52
 Plastic Limit

 AASHTO T 90 (WYDOT MTM 813.0) –

Determining the Plastic Limit and Plastic
Index of Soils

 Summary: A sample of minus #40 material

is rolled to 1/8” diameter at decreasing
moisture contents until it crumbles. The
moisture content at that point is the Plastic
Limit; the difference between LL and PL is
the PI.

 Significance: Same as Liquid Limit

Section 3 - 53
 Plastic Limit

Material passing a #40 sieve (0.0165”)

Add moisture until plastic (while
preparing the LL sample).
Test is performed after the LL test.
Roll into ‘worms’ 1/8” in diameter
Repeat, removing moisture, until ‘worms’
break up at or before reaching 1/8”
diameter, approximately 15-20 g.
Weigh, dry, reweigh (Record at Bottom
of T-166 sheet)
Calculate moisture content
 This is the ‘Plastic Limit’
Section3 - 54
 Plastic Limit

‘Non-plastic’ refers to material that cannot be rolled

into 1/8” worms at any moisture content or PL > LL. It
does not bind to itself.
Section3 - 55
 Compaction Tests

 AASHTO T 99 – “Standard Method of Test

for Moisture-Density Relations of Soils
Using a 2.5-kg (5.5 lb) Rammer and a 305-
mm (12-in.) Drop”
 AASHTO T 180 – Moisture – Density of
soils using 25 blows of a 10 lb rammer at
an 18 in. drop for each of 5 lifts

 AASHTO T191 – Density of soil in-place by

the sand cone method

 Nuclear Moisture-Density

Section 3 - 56
 AASHTO T 99 (Compaction)

AASHTO T 99 – Moisture – Density;

Standard Proctor
Significance: Used for specification
compliance for soils and CTB. Used
with AASHTO T 191.

Section 3 - 57
AASHTO T 99 (Compaction continued)

Summary: A series of samples (3-5)

are compacted in a 4 in diameter mold
at varying moisture contents. The
results are used to plot a dry unit
weight vs. moisture content curve
from which the maximum dry weight
and optimum moisture content are
determined.

Section3 - 58
 Moisture/Density Testing
Soil compacted in mold with hammer
 Weigh, determine moisture content

 Perform at several moisture contents

 Calculate moisture content and dry density

Plot Moisture/Density Curve

 Dry Density v Moisture Content

Peak of curve gives:

 MDD: Maximum Dry Density

 OMC: Optimum Moisture Content

Section3 - 59
Moisture/Density Testing

Section3 - 60
 Air
Air Water

Solid Solid

MDD
Dry Density

Dry Side

Wet Side

0 OMC
Moisture Content
Section3 - 61
Optimum Moisture Content

Section3 - 62
 AASHTO T 180 (Compaction)

AASHTO T 180 – Moisture – Density;

modified proctor.

Summary: Similar to AASHTO T 99 with

greater compactive effort.

Significance: used for specification

compliance for untreated bases. Used
with AASHTO T 191. Results in higher
dry weight and lower optimum moisture
content than AASHTO T 99.

Section 3 - 63
 AASHTO T 191 (compaction)
 AASHTO T 191 – Density of soils in-place
by sand cone method (MTM 212.0)

 Summary: A sample of compacted

material is removed and weighed. The
resulting hole is filled with calibrated sand
of a known unit weight. The weight of
material removed vs. sand to fill the hole is
compared to determine in-place density.
In-place moisture is also determined.

 Significance: Results are used with

AASHTO T 99 or AASHTO T 180 to
determine relative density and
specification compliance.
Section 3 - 64
 AASHTO T 190

Strength and Stability

AASHTO T 190 – Resistance R Value and
Expansion Pressure of Compacted Soils
(MTM 833.0) 2004

Summary: Consists of 3 parts

 Exudation Pressure Test

 Swell Pressure Test

 Stabilometer Test

Section 3 - 65
Parts of Hveem Stabilometer Test

Section3 – 65
 AASHTO T 190 (continued)

Results:
 R Value

 Moisture Sensitivity

Significance: R-Value is used in

surfacing thickness design; affects
total surfacing thickness and special
handling requirements.

Section3 - 67
 ASTM D 5821
(Coarse Aggregate Angularity)

ASTM D 5821 (MTM 817.0) – Standard

Test Method for Determining the
Percentage of Fractured Particles in
Coarse Aggregate
 Summary: The percentage of aggregate
larger than #4 with one or more fractured
faces is determined
 Significance: Internal friction of coarse
aggregate affect the workability,
consolidation, strength, stability, and VMA of
asphalt mixes. More fractured faces will
result in a higher internal friction.

Section 3 - 68
 ASTM D 5821 (Coarse Aggregate
Angularity Continued)
 Typically only performed during the
aggregate production phase.
 Weight of Sample is based on Nominal Maximum
Particle Size.
 Determine whether each particle has no fractured
faces, one fractured face, two or more fractured faces,
and place each into separate piles.
 A fractured face is whenever one-quarter or more of
the maximum cross section area, when viewed normal
to that face, is fractured with sharp and well-defined
edges (excluding small nicks).
 Not a strong correlation between results &
HPM resistance to rutting, but a simple
replacement test does not exist at this time.

Section3 - 69
 AASHTO T 304
(Fine Aggregate Angularity)

AASHTO T 304 (Method A) – Standard

Test Method for Uncompacted Void
Content of Fine Aggregate (MTM
824.0)

Summary: The void content of a loose

sample of #8 to #100 fine aggregate is
determined as a percent of the original
mass.

Section 3 - 70
 AASHTO T 304
(Fine Aggregate Angularity Continued)

Significance: Void content is

influenced by particle shape, texture
and gradation. It can be an indicator
of: water demand in concrete;
flowability or workability; influence of
fine aggregate on VMA; and
bituminous concrete stability

Section3 - 71
 AASHTO T 304
(Fine Aggregate Angularity Continued)

Typically only performed during the

aggregate production phase.
Not a strong correlation between
results and HPM resistance to rutting
but a simple replacement test does
not exist at this time.

Section3 - 72
Fine Aggregate Angularity Apparatus

Section3 - 73
 ASTM D4791
(Flat and Elongated Particles)
ASTM D4791 – Flat and Elongated
Particles in Coarse Aggregate (MTM
835.0)

Summary: Individual particles of

aggregate are measured to determine
the ratio of length to thickness.

Significance: Flat and elongated

particles affect workability and
consolidation and may indicate
degradation.
Section 3 - 74
Measuring Flat and Elongated Particles

Section 3 - 75
 AASHTO T 176 (Clay Content)

AASHTO T 176: Plastic Fines in Graded

Aggregates and Soils by Use of the Sand
Equivalent Test (MTM 836.0)

Summary: A sample of fine aggregate is

mixed with a flocculating solution
(calcium chloride) in a graduated
cylinder. The cylinder height of
suspended clay and sedimented sand is
measured.

Significance: Clay content would affect

the aggregate surface area and the
asphalt content Section 3 - 76
 Sand Equivalent Test
Graduated
Cylinder

Flocculating
Solution Clay
Reading

Suspended
Clay Sand
Reading

Sedimented
Aggregate

Sand Equivalent Test

Section 3 - 77
Sand Equivalent Test

Section3 - 78
 AASHTO T 96 (Durability)

AASHTO T 96 – Resistance to
Degradation by Abrasion and Impact in
the Los Angeles Machine (MTM 818.0)
2004

Summary: A sample of coarse aggregate

is placed in a steel drum along with a
certain number of steel spheres. The
drum is rotated 500 times and the sample
is then washed over a #12 sieve. The
difference in mass between initial and
final mass is the % loss

Significance: Abrasion loss is related to

aggregate quality or durability.
Section 3 - 79
Los Angeles Machine

Section3 - 80
 AASHTO T 104 (Soundness)

AASHTO T 104: Soundness of

Aggregate by Use of Sodium Sulfate or
Magnesium Sulfate

Summary: An aggregate sample is

exposed to repeated immersions in
saturated solutions of sodium or
magnesium sulfate followed by oven
drying.

Significance: The percent loss over

various sieves is related to the
freeze/thaw resistance of the aggregate.
Section 3 - 81
AASHTO T 112 (Deleterious Material)

 AASHTO T 112: Clay Lumps and

Friable Particles in Aggregate

 Summary: Wet sieving aggregate size

fractions over specified sieves. The
percentage of mass lost is reported as
the percentage of clay lumps.

 Significance: The percent to clay

lumps will affect the optimum asphalt
content and the performance of the
asphalt mix.
Section 3 - 82
 Aggregate Tests Summary

TEST DESIGNATION
*Coarse and *Fine Gradation AASHTO T 11 & T 27
Fine Aggregate Angularity AASHTO T 304
*Coarse Aggregate Angularity ASTM D 5821
Flat & Elongated Pieces ASTM D 4791
*Liquid Limit AASHTO T 89
*Plastic Limit AASHTO T 90
Durability AASHTO T 96
Compaction AASHTO T 99, T 180, & T 191
Strength (R-Value) AASHTO T 190
*Splitting AASHTO T 248
Clay Content AASHTO T 176
Soundness AASHTO T 104
Deleterious Material AASHTO T 112

* Tests Included in the performance test

Section 3 - 83
 Homework!!!

Using the shortcut buttons on your

calculator, find:
 The Average and Standard Deviation

 22 and 48 and 3.6

 24 -42 4.8
 21 53 5.2
 17 -47 7.3
 23 49 3.9

 x̅ = 21.4 12.2 4.96

 S= 2.70 51.82 1.460

Section3 - 84