Plain and Reinforced Concrete -1 (Lab Manual)

JOB NO.5
Standard test method for determination of bulk density (unit
weight) and voids in aggregates.
(ASTM C 29)
Scope and significance:
To determine the unit weight and bulk density of coarse and fine aggregates. Determine
%age of voids present in aggregates materials.

Apparatus:
Weighing balance (0.005kg)
Tempering rod, diameter of rod=16mm, L=600mm
Cylindrical measure
(Table 1 ASTM C 29)
Agg. Max. size

capacity

12.5mm

2.8L (0.0028m)

1 25mm

9.3L (0.0093m)

1 37.5mm

14.0L (0.0014m)

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Plain and Reinforced Concrete -1 (Lab Manual)

Related theory:
Density:
It is the ratio of mass of substance by the volume of solid.
Density =

Bulk density:

It is the mass of the unit volume of bulk aggregate material.

The term volume includes the volume of the individual particles and the volume of the
voids between the particles.
Bulk density =

Voids:
Space between the particles not occupied by solid content. (Voids within particles are not
included)

Roding Procedure: (for compacted density)

Fill the cylinder one third full and level the surface with finger.
Rod the layer of aggregates with 25 strokes of tamping rod evenly distributed over

the surface.
Fill the measure two third full and again level and rod as above.
Fill the measure completely so that the aggregate overflow and rod again in the
previous minor.
Level the surface and make sure that the projections of larger pieces of coarse
aggregate above the measure balance approximately the voids in the surface
below the top of measure.

Precautions:
When temping the first layer do not allow to rod to strike the bottom of the cylinder.
While Roding the 2nd layer use biggest effort but not more force then to cause the
temping rod to move to previous layer.

Procedure: (for loose density)

Fill the measures to over flowing by mean of a scope or shower discharging the

aggregates from a height of not more 50mm (2in) above the top of measure.
Level the surface and make sure that the projections of larger pieces of coarse
aggregate above the measure balance approximately the voids in the surface
below the top of measure.

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Plain and Reinforced Concrete -1 (Lab Manual)

Observations and Calculations

Sample

State

Wt. of
cylinder

Wt. of
cylinder +
aggregate

Wt. of
aggregate

Vol. of
cylinder

Bulk
density

(kg)

(kg)

(kg)

m3

kg/m3

Coarse
Compacted
Aggregates
Loose

5.90

13.998

8.098

0.00530

1527.92

5.90

13.386

7.486

0.00530

1412.45

Fine
Compacted
Aggregates
Loose

0.874

2.508

1.634

0.000942

1734.60

0.874

2.372

1.498

0.000942

1589.42

Comments
In this experiment

we determined bulk density of coarse and fine aggregates.

During the concrete mix design, when the aggregate is to be batched by volume
or by weight, then it becomes necessary to know the mass of the aggregates that
will fill the container of unit volume.

If we know the bulk density of the aggregate material, then we can easily determine
the mass required to fill a unit volume container.

Bulk density also indicates the percentage of voids present in the aggregate
material. This percentage of voids affects the grading of the aggregates which is
important in high strength concrete. 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.

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