TESTS FOR AGGREGATES

1. Determination of Specific Gravity and Water Absorption

Method I: This method may be used when the size of the aggregate is larger than 10 mm. A sample of
not less than 2 kg of aggregate is throughly washed (to remove finer particles and dust), placed in a wire
basket, and is immersed in distilled water at 22–320 C with a minimum of 5 cm of water above the wire
basket. The entrapped air is removed by lifting the basket 25 mm within water and dropping twenty five
times at the rate of one drop per second. After 23.30–24.30 hours, the basket and sample are jolted and
then weighed in 22–320 C water to find A1 (in g). The aggregates are emptied on to a dry cloth, and the
weight of basket, A2 (in g), is taken in water after jolting for 25 times. A = A1 − A2 represents the weight of
the saturated aggregate in water. The aggregates are surface dried with the help of cloth and by spreading
out (one stone deep) for a minimum of 10 minutes on another piece of cloth. The aggregates should be
turned over and a gentle current of unheated air may be used after 10 minutes in this period. The weight
B of (SSD) aggregate is now taken (in g). The weight C of the (oven-dried) aggregate is taken (in g) after
oven drying the aggregates at 100–1100 C for 23.30–24.30 hours and cooling in an airtight container. Specific
gravity is thus given by C/(B − A), apparent specific gravity by C/(C − A), and water absorption as percent
of dry weight by 100(B − C)/C. Two results are taken (by testing at different times) and both individual
and mean results are reported. The size of the aggregate is stated along with whether the aggregate has
been artificially heated (though those are not supposed to be heated).
Method II: This method may be used when the size of aggregates lies between 10 and 40 mm. A sample
of about 1 kg of aggregate is taken in this case. Immersion in water here takes place in a glass vessel of
about 1.5 litres capacity, and the entrapped air is removed by gentle agitation (clockwise and anticlockwise
rotation of the vessel). The vessel is overfilled by adding distilled water and covered by a plane ground-glass
disc to give a watertight fit. It is weighed after drying from outside and the weight A1 is taken. The weight
A2 is also taken at the same temperature (not differing by more than 20 C) with just the distilled water in
the vessel. A = A1 − A2 thus represents the weight of the saturated aggregate in water. The rest of the
procedure is same as in Method I. Here, the grading of the aggregate is stated instead of the size of the
aggregate.
Method III: This method may be used when the aggregates are smaller than 10 mm in size. It is quite similar
to Method II except that i) the sample size is 500 kg for fine aggregates (less than 4.75 mm), ii) immersion
in water takes place in a tray, entrapped air is removed by gentle agitation with a rod, and SSD aggregates
are obtained by carefully draining the water from the sample with the help of a filter paper and by surface
drying the aggregates with the help of a gentle current of warm air (SSD aggregates should attain the ‘free
running’ condition), iii) the reading A is obtained after the reading B and without prolonged immersion
of aggregates in water; a pycnometer of 1 litre capacity may be used to get the readings, A1 and A2 , and
iv) aggregates are transferred to the oven without surface drying and are stirred occasionaly to facilitate
drying.

2. Determination of Bulk Density and Voids

The bulk density is the weight of material in a given volume and is affected by several factors, including
the amount of moisture present and the amount of effort spent in filling the measures. This test is intended
for comparing properties of different aggregates. We take a cylindrical metal measure of 3, 15 or 30 litres
capacity (for nominal particle size ≤ 4.75 mm, 4.75–40 mm, > 40 mm respectively), and fill it with thoroughly
mixed aggregate. For rodded or compacted weight, the measure is first filled one-third full and is tamped
with 25 strokes of the rounded end of the tamping rod. This is repeated two more times and the surplus
aggregate is struck off by using the tamping rod as a straight edge. The net weight of the aggregate in the
measure is determined and the bulk density is calculated in kg/litre to the nearest 0.01 kg. The bulk density
may as well be obtained by considering loose weight (instead of the compacted weight) as described in IS:
2386 (Part III)–1963. To determine the exact capacity of the measure, calibration should be done with the
help of water at 270 C and by assuming the density of water as 1 kg/litre. If γ is the bulk density and Gs
is the specific gravity of the aggregates, the percentage of voids is given by 100(Gs − γ)/Gs to the nearest
whole number. Voids are usually determined for dry aggregates (at the most, in SSD condition), whereas
bulk density may be determined for aggregates with a given percentage of moisture. However, the condition

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of aggregates at the time of test is always stated (i.e., oven dry, SSD or with a given percentage of moisture).

3. Determination of Percentage Bulking in Fine Aggregate

Sand brought on to a site may contain moisture which will cause it, when loosely filled into a container
(without any compaction), to occupy a larger volume than it would occupy if dry. If the sand is measured
by loose volume, it will be necessary to increase the volume of sand beyond that intended, by the percentage
bulking. There are two methods recommended by IS: 2386 (Part III)–1963. Both methods are approximate
and both depend on the fact that the volume of inundated sand is the same as that of the dry sand. In
the first method, we put sufficient quantity of sand loosely in a container until it is about 2/3rd full. After
levelling off the top surface, the height h of sand is measured by pushing a steel rule through the sand.
The sand is now emptied into another container and the first container is half filled with water. Half of
the sand is put back into this container and its volume is reduced to a minimum by rodding with steel rod.
This is repeated after putting back the remaining half of the sand. The top surface of the inundated sand
is smoothed and levelled and its depth h0 at the middle is measured. The percentage bulking is now given
by 100(h/h0 − 1). In the second method, damp sand is poured into a 250 ml measuring cylinder and is
consolidated by shaking. The cylinder is filled till 200 ml mark. Then, the cylinder is filled with water so
as to submerge the sand, and the sand is stirred well. If the sand surface comes down to the y level, the
percentage bulking of sand is obtained as 100(200/y − 1) and the result is reported to the nearest whole
number.

4. Determination of Surface Moisture in Fine Aggregate

The amount of surface moisture is determined by displacement in water at the temperature 22–320 C.
We should have accurate information on the specific gravity of the material in SSD condition. A sample of
not less than 200 g is selected, say with the weight Ms . A container with volume 2–3 times the loose volume
of the sample is filled up with water up to the mark. The weight in grams, Mc , is recorded. The container
is then emptied and enough water is placed in the container (so as to cover the sample). The sample of fine
aggregate is introduced into the container and the entrained air is removed. The container is now filled with
water to the original mark again and the new weight M is recorded in grams. The amount of water displaced
by the sample is now given by Vs = Mc + Ms − M in grams. This value can be determined alternatively by
taking a graduated volumetric glass. A volume V1 of water sufficient to cover the sample is measured in ml
and placed in the container. The weighed sample of the fine aggregate is then admitted into the container
and the entrained air is removed. The combined volume V2 of the sample and water is determined by direct
reading of the glass (or, by filling up to the mark with a measured volume of water and then by subtracting
this volume from the volume of the container). Vs is now given by V2 − V1 .
After the determination of Vs , the percentage of surface moisture is given by 100(Vs − Vd )/(Ms − Vs )
in terms of the SSD aggregate. Here, Vd is the weight Ms of the sample divided by the specific gravity
on SSD basis. The percentage surface moisture in terms of the weight of wet fine aggregate is given by
100(Vs − Vd )/(Ms − Vd ). The results are reported to the nearest one percent along with the method of
determination (by weight or by volume). With appropriate changes in the size of the sample and dimensions
of the container, this procedure may also be applied to coarse aggregates.

5. Determination of Aggregate Crushing Value

This gives a relative measure of the resistance of coarse aggregates to crushing under a gradually applied
compressive load. We take about 6.5 kg aggregate passing 12.5 mm IS sieve and retained on 10 mm IS sieve
and divide it into two parts for two test readings. Each sample is surface dried before testing (may be oven-
dried at 100–1100 C for not more than four hours) and is filled in a 15-cm diameter cylinder with plunger
and base plate to 100 mm depth. The cylinder is filled in three layers of approximately equal depth and each
layer is tamped 25 times with the rounded end of the tamping rod. The weight of the material to be filled
in the cylinder (say, A) is determined by completely filling a cylindrical measure of 115 mm diameter and
180 mm height in three layers, tamping 25 times, and then levelling off by using the tamping rod as a straight
edge. Same weight is taken for the repeat test. The aggregate is subjected to an increasing compressive load
of 40 tonnes in about 10 minutes with the help of plunger inserted into the cylinder. The ‘crushed’ material
is then removed from the cylinder and is sieved through a 2.36 mm IS sieve. The fraction passing through
the sieve is weighed (say, B). The aggregate crushing value is obtained as 100B/A to the first decimal place,

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and the mean of two results is reported to the nearest whole number along with the size of the aggregate.
Other sizes of aggregates (up to 25 mm) may be tested in case the standard size is not available (with
the use of specified IS sieve size for separating fines). However, the results will not be comparable as larger
sizes of aggregates tend to give a higher aggregate crushing value. In the case of aggregates smaller than
10 mm, a 75-mm diameter cylinder may be used with 50 mm depth of compacted aggregates, and a load of
10 tonnes only is applied in the same time. For an aggregate crushing value of 30 or higher, the results may
not be much reliable and in such a case, the 10 percent fines value should be determined instead.
As per IS: 383–2016, the aggregate crushing value should not exceed 30% for aggregates to be used in
concrete for wearing surfaces. For aggregates to be used in concrete other than for wearing surfaces, a higher
aggregate crushing value (than 30%) is permitted, provided the ten percent fines value (described below)
does not fall below 50 kN. Alternatively, the aggregate impact value (described below) should not exceed
30% for aggregates to be used in concrete for wearing surfaces and 45% for aggregates to be used in concrete
other than for wearing surfaces. Further, for concretes of grades M 65 and above, stronger aggregates are
required and therefore both aggregate crushing value and aggregate impact value should not exceed 22%.

6. Determination of Ten Percent Fines Value

This test is conducted in the same way as that for the aggregate crushing value. Here, however, a total
penetration of 20 mm is caused in 10 minutes for the normal crushed aggregates (15 mm for uncrushed
gravels and 24 mm for honeycombed aggregates). The percentage of fines is determined (as before) and
if this does not fall within 7.5–12.5, a repeat test is made at a higher/lower load to achieve the required
percentage (revised load may be calculated by using the following expression for P ). If the mean percentage
of fines (from the two tests) is y and x is the applied load in tonnes, the load required for 10 percent fines
is calculated as P = 14x/(y + 4). P is reported to the nearest whole number or to the nearest 0.5 tonne,
depending on whether the calculated load ≥ 10 tonne or not.

7. Determination of Aggregate Impact Value

The aggregate impact value gives a relative measure of the resistance of aggregates to sudden shock or
impact. In some cases, this differs from the resistance to slow compressive load. In this test, the weight
A is determined in the same way as in the previous two tests. However, the cylindrical measure here has
75 mm diameter and 50 mm height. The measured aggregates are placed in a cylindrical steel cup (102 mm
diameter and 50 mm height) and compacted by a single tamping of 25 strokes of the tamping rod. This
test sample is then subjected to 15 blows of a 13.5–14 kg hammer freely falling by 380 mm. Each blow is
delivered at an interval of not less than one second. The crushed aggregate is sieved on the 2.36 mm IS sieve
and the fraction passing the sieve (say, B) is weighed to an accuracy of 0.1 g. The fraction retained on the
sieve is also weighed (say, C), and if B + C < A − 1 (where, A, B, and C are in g), a fresh test is made.
Rest is same as for determining the aggregate crushing value.

8. Determination of Aggregate Abrasion Value

The aggregate abrasion value can be determined by the use of Deval or Los Angeles machine, though
the latter should be preferred. In the use of Los Angeles (abrasion testing) machine, we use cast iron or steel
spheres of about 48 mm diameter and 390–445 g weight each (called as abrasive charge). Depending on the
grading of the test sample from A to G (e.g., the aggregate passing 25 mm and retained on 20 mm IS sieve
can be of grade A or G), the number of these spheres and total weight of charge are fixed. For example, for
the gradings A and G, 12 spheres are to be used with a total weight of 5000±25 g. The weight of sample
to be taken depends on the aggregate size and grading of the test sample. For the aggregate of 20–25 mm
size, gradings A and G would require 1250 and 5000±100 g of test sample, respectively. The test sample is
oven dried at 105–1100 C and placed in the steel cylinder of the Los Angeles machine along with the charge.
The cylinder is then rotated at the speed of 20–33 revolutions per minute with a uniform peripheral speed.
The total number of revolutions are 500 and 1000 respectively for the gradings A–C and D–F. At the end
of this, the fraction of the test sample retained on a 1.7 mm IS sieve is washed, oven-dried at 105–1100 C,
and is weighed to the nearest gram. The difference between the original weight and the final weight of the
sample, expressed as a percentage of the original weight of the test sample, becomes the percentage wear.
As per IS: 383–2016, the aggregate abrasion value should not exceed 30% for aggregates to be used in
concrete for wearing surfaces and 50% for aggregates to be used in concrete other than for wearing surfaces.

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 SAMPLING OF AGGREGATES
IS: 2430–1986 has specified different procedures for sampling from i) conveyors, ii) transportation units
(wagons, trucks and boats), and iii) stacks or stock piles. The procedure as described below is applicable for
the sampling from stacks.
The process of stacking the aggregates suffers from the problem of segregation and therefore, deliberate
effort may have to be made in sampling at different areas of the pile in order to obtain unbiased samples.
The quantity of aggregates in a stack is divided into the sub-lots of equal size; 3 for 101–500 m3 , 5 for
501–1500 m3 , and 7 for 1501–5000 m3 of stack size. A representative gross sample is drawn from each of
the sub-lots by taking a minimum of 10 increments, each increment not weighing less than 1 kg. The total
gross sample for the sub-lot should not weigh less than 10 kg for a nominal size up to 10 mm; 15 kg for
10.0–13.2 mm; 20 kg for 13.2–16.0 mm; 25 kg for 16.0–20.0 mm; and so on. For taking the required number
of increments, a trench is dug along a random line (on the surface of the sub-lot) right down to the ground
level, and randomly spread points over the two exposed sides of the trenches are considered. In large stacks,
sides may also have to be opened to take the increments. Each gross sample is reduced by the coning and
quartering method (as described earlier for the sampling of cement), until the material required for each test
is obtained from all the gross samples.