NAME: COURSE AND YEAR/ STUBCODE:
SUBJECT: DATE SUBMITTED:
CE 3133- CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING
COMPREHENSIVE LABORATORY REPORT NO. 2
AGGREGATES
I. INTRODUCTION
Construction materials testing includes a wide range of tests and observations
performed in the laboratory and the field during construction to determine compliance with
the plans, specifications, and referenced industry standards.
Because it is critical for the viability and safety of a construction project. CMT can reveal
any number of issues related to construction quality. It can highlight future risks, help classify a
building site, and assist with engineering decisions. Without CMT, engineers and builders may
not know if the quality of the construction meets the requirements.
Construction Materials Testing is also a regulatory requirement for most large-scale projects.
Specifications and regulatory overseers vary from state to state, but a few of the most-cited
oversight organizations include ASTM, FAA, USACE, and AASHTO. To stay compliant, project
managers must work with qualified, licensed CMT professionals before starting work.
In this laboratory report, we will discuss about the sample aggregates for sieve analysis of
coarse aggregates, sieve analysis of fine aggregates, specific gravity and absorption (coarse
aggregates), specific gravity and absorption (fine aggregates), determination of unit weight (bulk
density) of coarse aggregates, Moisture Content of Fine Aggregates and Coarse
Aggregates, Los Angeles Abrasion Test.
II. OBJECTIVES
IIA. Activity A: To learn and understand the correct method of obtaining sample
aggregates for mechanical analysis.
IIB. Activity B: To determine the particle size of distribution of coarse aggregates by
sieving
IIB. Activity B.1: To determine the particle size of distribution of coarse aggregates by
sieving
IIC. Activity C: To determine the specific gravity and absorption of coarse aggregates
IIC. Activity C.1: To determine the specific gravity and absorption of fine aggregates
IID. Activity D: To determine the unit weight (bulk density) value necessary for use
for several methods of selecting of proportions for concrete mixtures
IIE. Activity E: To determine the percentage of moisture in both fine aggregates and coarse
aggregates
IIF. Activity F: To assess the resistance to crushing and abrasive wear of aggregates by the
means of the Los Angeles Abrasion Machine
III. PREPARATORY READINGS OR REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
IIIA. ASTM (C 702 - 98, C 33, D 75, C 330 - 89)
AASHTO T 248
IIIB. ASTM (136-96A. C 702, E 11, D 75)
AASHTO (T 27-91, T 11-65)
IIIC, ASTM (C 127, C 136, C 70, C 702)
AASHTO (T 85)
IIID. ASTM (C 29, C 29M-97, C 127, C 702, C 136)
AASHTO T 11
IIIE. ASTM (C 566- 96, C 127, C 128, C 125)
IIIF. ASTM T96, C 131
IV. APPARATUS AND MATERIALS
IVA. Reducing Field Sample of Aggregates by Quartering Method
IV.B. Sieve Analysis of Coarse Aggregates and Fine Aggregates
IV.C. Specific Gravity and Absorption (Coarse
Aggregates)
IV.C.1: Specific Gravity and Absorption (Fine
Aggregates)
REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF FINE
AGGREGATES
PYCNOMETER, FLASK OR
OTHER SUITABLE CONTAINER
FUNNEL
BALANCE
PAN OR
CONTAINERS
STIRRER DROPPER OR
SYRINGE
IV.D. Determination of Unit Weight (Bulk Density) of Coarse Aggregates
IV.E. Moisture Content of Fine Aggregates and Coarse Aggregates
IV.F. Los Angeles Abrasion Test
V. METHODS OR PROCEDURE
VA. Reducing Field Sample of Aggregates by Quartering Method
PROCEDURE 1
PROCEDURE 2
PROCEDURE 4
PROCEDURE 5
PROCEDURE 6
PROCEDURE 7
PROCEDURE 8
VB. SIEVE ANALYSIS OF COARSE AGGREGATES
PROCEDURE 1
PROCEDURE 2
PROCEDURE 3
PROCEDURE 4
PROCEDURE 5
PROCEDURE 6
PROCEDURE 7
PROCEDURE 8
PROCEDURE 9
PROCEDURE 10
VB.1 SIEVE ANALYSIS OF FINE AGGREGATES
PROCEDURE 1
PROCEDURE 2
PROCEDURE 2
PROCEDURE 3
PROCEDURE 4
PROCEDURE 5
PROCEDURE 6
PROCEDURE 7
PROCEDURE 8
PROCEDURE 9
PROCEDURE 10
VC. SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND ABSORPTION (COARSE AGGREGATES)
PROCEDURE 1
PROCEDURE 2
PROCEDURE 3
PROCEDURE 4
PROCEDURE 5
PROCEDURE 6
PROCEDURE 7
PROCEDURE 8
PROCEDURE 9
PROCEDURE 10
PROCEDURE 11
PROCEDURE 12
PROCEDURE 13
PROCEDURE 14
PROCEDURE 15
PROCEDURE 16
VC.1 SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND ABSORPTION
(FINE AGGREGATES)
PROCEDURE 1
PROCEDURE 2
PROCEDURE 3
PROCEDURE 4
PROCEDURE 5
PROCEDURE 6
PROCEDURE 6
PROCEDURE 7
PROCEDURE 8
PROCEDURE 9
PROCEDURE 10
PROCEDURE 11
PROCEDURE 12
PROCEDURE 13
PROCEDURE 14
V.D. DETERMINATION OF UNIT WEIGHT (BULK
DENSITY) OF COARSE AGGREGATES
PROCEDURE 1
PROCEDURE 2
TRIAL 1
PROCEDURE 1
PROCEDURE 2
PROCEDURE 3
PROCEDURE 4
PROCEDURE 5
TRIAL 2 PROCEDURE 6
PROCEDURE 1
V.E Moisture Content of Fine Aggregates and Coarse Aggregates
PROCEDURE 1
PROCEDURE 2
PROCEDURE 3
PROCEDURE 4
PROCEDURE 5
PROCEDURE 6
PROCEDURE 7
PROCEDURE 8
V.F. Los Angeles Abrasion Test
PROCEDURE 1
PROCEDURE 2
PROCEDURE 3
PROCEDURE 4
PROCEDURE 5
PROCEDURE 6
PROCEDURE 7
PROCEDURE 8
VI. DATA SHEETS OR TABLES
VI.B. Sieve Analysis of Coarse Aggregates
COARSE AGGREGATES
Initial Weight 2000g
Sieve No Weight Retained Cum Weight Cum. Percent Percent Passing
Retained Retained
1” 0 0 0 100
¾” 140 140 7 93
½” 620 760 38 62
3/8” 680 1440 72 28
#4 480 1920 96 4
#8 80 2000 100 0
Pan 0 0 0
VI.B.1 Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregates
Initial Weight: 1960g
Sieve No Weight Retained Cum Weight Cum. Percent Percent Passing
Retained Retained
3/8” 50 50 2.55 97.449
#4 240 140 14.795 85.204
#8 830 1120 57.142 42.857
#30 720 1840 93.877 6.122
#50 80 1920 97.959 2.041
#100 20 1940 98.979 1.02
Pan 20 1960 100 0
F.M.=3.653
VI.C Specific Gravity and Absorption (Coarse Aggregates)
COARSE AGGREGATES
ITEM WEIGHT
SSD Weight in Air (B) 500
Weight in Water (C) 280
Oven Dry Weight (A) 487.70
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
COARSE
Apparent Specific Gravity 2.3480
Bulk Specific Gravity (Dry) 2.2168
Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD) 2.2727
Absorption 2.5220%
VI.C.1 Specific Gravity and Absorption (Fine Aggregates)
FINE AGGREGATES
ITEM WEIGHT
SSD Weight in Air 500
Weight of Pyc. + Water (B) 605.30
Weight of Pyc. + Water + Sample (C) 906.1
Oven Dry Weight 488.60
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Fine
Apparent Specific Gravity 2.6017
Bulk Specific Gravity (Dry) 2.4528
Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD) 2.5100
Absorption 2.332%
VI.D. Determination of Unit Weight (Bulk Density) of Coarse Aggregates
ITEM Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial n
Total weight, lb (kg) 29.36 29.24
Weight of Volume Measure, lb (kg) 3.22 3.22
Weight of Aggregate, lb (kg) 26.14 26.02
Measure Volume, ft3 (m3) 0.01 0.01
Unit Weight, lb/ft3 (kg/m3) 2614 2602
% Difference from Average 0.46% 0.46%
VI.E. Moisture Content of Fine Aggregates and Coarse Aggregates
COARSE AGGREGATES
Item Data
Original weight of the sample with container 1209.5g
Weight of the container 46.5g
Oven-dry weight of the sample + container 1189.4g
Dry Percent Moisture 1.76%
Wet Percent Moisture 1.73%
FINE AGGREGATES
Item Data
Original weight of the sample with container 688.6g
Weight of the container 46.5g
Oven-dry weight of the sample + container 632.1g
Dry Percent Moisture 9.67%
Wet Percent Moisture 8.80%
VI.F. Los Angeles Abrasion Test
VII. COMPUTATIONS
WEIGHT PASSING
Weight Passing = Oven-Dry Weight – Weight Retained
Weight Passing = Previous Weight Passing – Weight Retained
CUMULATIVE WEIGHT RETAINED
Cumulative weight retained = weight retained + previous weight retained
PERCENT RETAINED
% Weight retained = (weight retained/original weight) x 100%
PERCENT PASSING
Percent passing = (weight passing/total dry weight) x 100%
VIIC.
COARSE AGGREGATES
ABSORPTION
( SSD weight ∈air )−(Ovendry weight) (500−487.7)
Absorption = x100%= x 100 = 2.5220%
Oven dry weight 487.7
BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY (SSD)
( SSD weight ∈air )
Bulk specific gravity =
( SSD weight ∈air )−(Weight∈ water )
487.7
=
( 500 )−(280)
= 2.2168
BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY (DRY)
( Oven−dry weight )
Bulk specific gravity =
( SSD weight ∈air )−(Weight∈ water )
( 500 )
=
( 500 )−(280)
= 2.2727
APPARENT SPECIFIC GRAVITY
(Oven−dry weight )
Apparent specific gravity =
( Oven−dry weight )−(Weight ∈water )
( 487.7 )
=
( 487.7 )−(28)
= 2.3480
FINE AGGREGATES
ABSORPTION
D− A
Absorption = x100%
A
(500−488.6)
= x 100
488.6
= 2.332%
BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY (SSD)
D
Bulk specific gravity =
B+ D−C
500
=
(605.30+500−906.1)
= 2.5100
BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY (DRY)
A
Bulk specific gravity =
B+ D−C
488.60
=
(605.30+500−906.1)
= 2.4528
APPARENT SPECIFIC GRAVITY
A
Apparent specific gravity =
( B+ A−C)
( 488.60 )
=
(605.30+ 488.60−906.1)
= 2.6017
VIID.
Trial 1
Weight of aggregate = total weight – measured weight
= 29.36kg – 3.22kg
= 26.14kg
weight of aggregate
Unit weight =
volume
26.14
=
0.01
= 2614kgm3
Trial 2
Weight of aggregate = total weight – measured weight
= 29.24kg – 3.22kg
= 26.02kg
weight of aggregate
Unit weight =
volume
26.02
=
0.01
= 2602kgm3
Trial 1+Trial 2
Average unit weight =
2
2614+2602
=
2
= 2608 kgm3
Trial 1+Trial 2
Percent Difference = X 100
Average
2614+2602
= x 100
2608
= 0.460%
VIIE.
weight wet −weight dry
Percent Moisture dry = x 100
weight dry
weight wet −weight dry
Percent Moisture wet = x 100
weight wet
COARSE AGGREGATES
weight wet −weight dry
Percent Moisture dry = x 100
weight dry
1163−1142.9
= x 100
1142.9
= 1.76%
weight wet −weight dry
Percent Moisture wet = x 100
weight wet
1163−1142.9
= x 100
1163
= 1.73%
FINE AGGREGATES
weight wet −weight dry
Percent Moisture dry = x 100
weight dry
642.1−585.6
= x 100
585.6
= 9.65%
weight wet −weight dry
Percent Moisture wet = x 100
weight wet
642.1−585.6
= x 100
642.1
= 9.65%
VIIF.
5 KG−4.76 KG
PERCENT WEAR = X 100
5 KG
= 4.8%
VIII. ANALYSIS
In general, all the results were obtained using their respective formulas aligned to each
sub-topics. All the answers are not 100% accurate that is maybe due to small mistakes
encountered during the experiment. The result from each sub-topics are close to each other
because of the nature of the experiment.
IX. CONCLUSION
The concept of quartering method can be an alternative method in reducing the size of a
bulk aggregate sample where a sample divider (riffle box) is not available. This method is
acceptable for moist or compacted aggregate or when a mechanical splitter is not available.
Coarse aggregates can be damp or dry for this method. Place the bulk sample on a level
surface and mix the material by turning the entire sample over with the shovel three times.
In general, course and fine aggregates are important construction materials in the
construction of building and infrastructures.
X. REFERENCES:
Retrieved from https://www.globalgilson.com/blog/sample-prepping-for-coarse-
aggregate-sieve-analysis#:~:text=Quartering%20%E2%80%93%20This%20method
%20is%20acceptable,with%20the%20shovel%20three%20times.
Retrieved from https://info.shieldengineering.com/blog/why-is-construction-materials-testing-
important#:~:text=Construction%20Materials%20Testing%20(CMT)%20is,and%20the
%20scope%20of%20services.
