Concrete Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering

University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia

MB4 TESTING OF AGGREGATES

TEST 1 - MOISTURE CONTENT OF AGGREGATE (ASTM C566 - 13)

1.1 Scope
To determine the total evaporable moisture content of fine and coarse aggregates using oven-
drying method (definitive method)
1.2 Material and apparatus
Material Nominal size Quantity Apparatus
Coarse aggregate 20 to 10 mm 2 kg Balance Scoop
Fine aggregate Less than 5 mm 500 g Container(s) Sample divider
Ventilated oven Thermometer
1.3 Procedure
1. Thoroughly mix the material and reduce the laboratory sample using sample divider to
produce a test portion of mass not less than the mass given in above Table.
2. Clean a container, with its lid if fitted, dry it and then weigh it (M1). Place the test
portion in the container by means of the scoop, replace the lid and re-weigh the whole
(M2).
3. Remove the lid, place the container, lid, and test portion in the oven and dry at a
temperature of 105 ± 5 °C maintaining this temperature until the test portion has
reached a constant mass. [NOTE: Normally 16 h to 24 h is a sufficient period.]
4. Remove the container and test portion from the oven then either replace the lid or place
it in an air-tight cabinet and allow the whole to cool for 0.5 h to1 h, after which weigh
again (M3).
5. Carry out and record all weighing to an accuracy of 0.1 % of the mass of the test
portion.
1.4 Calculation
𝑀2 − 𝑀3
𝑚𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 𝑥 100 %
𝑀3 − 𝑀1
where
M1 = mass of dry container and its lid in g
M2 = mass of the container, lid, and wet test portion in g
M3 = mass of the container, lid, and dry test portion in g
Express the value of moisture content to the nearest 0.1 % of the dry mass of the test portion.

MB4/TEST1/2015/09 1/1
 DATA SHEET
MB4 Test 1 Moisture content of aggregate ASTM C566 - 13

Date of test: ___________________ Location of test: ______________________________

Tested by (Group no): ___________ Method of testing: ____________________________

Coarse aggregate Fine aggregate

M1 mass of dry container and its lid in g

M2 mass of the container, lid, and wet test portion in g

M3 mass of the container, lid, and dry test portion in g

Moisture content (%)

MB4/TEST1/DATASHEET/2015/09 1/1
 Concrete Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering
University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
MB4 TESTING OF AGGREGATES
TEST 2 - SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND WATER ABSORPTION OF COARSE
AGGREGATE (ASTM C127-15)
2.1 Scope
To determine the relative density (specific gravity) and the absorption of coarse aggregates
2.2 Material and apparatus
Material Nominal size Quantity Apparatus
Coarse aggregate 19 mm 3 kg Balance Sieves Water Tank
Sample container(s) Oven
2.3 Procedure
1. Thoroughly mix the material and reduce the laboratory sample using sample divider to
produce a test portion of mass not less than the mass given in above Table. Reject all
material passing a 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve by dry sieving and thoroughly washing to
remove dust or other coatings from the surface.
2. Dry the test sample in the oven to constant mass at a temperature of 110 ± 5 °C, cool in
air at room temperature for 1 to 3 h until the aggregate has cooled to a temperature that
is comfortable to handle. Subsequently immerse the aggregate in water at room
temperature for a period of 24 ± 4 h.
3. Remove the test sample from the water and roll it in a large absorbent cloth until all
visible films of water are removed. Wipe the larger particles individually. A moving
stream of air is permitted to assist in the drying operation. Take care to avoid
evaporation of water from aggregate pores during the surface-drying operation.
Determine the mass of the test sample in the saturated surface-dry condition. Record
this and all subsequent masses to the nearest 0.5 g or 0.05 % of the sample mass,
whichever is greater.
4. After determining the mass in air, immediately place the saturated-surface-dry test
sample in the sample container and determine its apparent mass in water at 23 ± 2.0 °C.
Take care to remove all entrapped air before determining its mass by shaking the
container while immersed.
5. Dry the test sample in the oven to constant mass at a temperature of 110 ± 5 °C, cool in
air at room temperature 1 to 3 h, or until the aggregate has cooled to a temperature that
is comfortable to handle, and determine the mass.
2.4 Calculation
Refer to data sheet.

MB4/TEST2/2015/09 1/1
 DATA SHEET
MB4 Test 2 Specific gravity and water absorption of ASTM C127-15
coarse aggregate

Date of test: ___________________ Location of test: ______________________________

Tested by (Group no): ___________

Item Value
Weight of basket and aggregates in water, W1

Weight of basket in water, W2

Weight of SSD aggregates and tray in air, W3

Weight of oven dry aggregates and tray in air, W4

Weight of tray in air, W5

A = W4 – W5

B = W3 – W5

C = W1 – W2

Relative density (Specific gravity, OD)

Relative density (Specific gravity, SSD)

Relative density (Specific gravity, apparent)

Water absorption, %

(O.D.) (S.S.D.) (Apparent)

Relative density (Specific gravity) = 𝐴 𝐵 𝐴
𝐵−𝐶 𝐵−𝐶 𝐴−𝐶
𝐵−𝐴
𝐴𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (%) = 𝑥 100
𝐴
where
A = mass of oven-dry test sample in air, g
B = mass of saturated-surface-dry test sample in air, g;
C = apparent mass of saturated test sample in water, g

MB4/TEST2/DATASHEET/2015/09 1/1
 Concrete Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering
University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
MB4 TESTING OF AGGREGATES

TEST 3 - BULK DENSITY OF COARSE AGGREGATE (ASTM C29 / C29M - 09)

3.1 Scope
To determine the bulk density of coarse aggregate

3.2 Material and apparatus

Material Apparatus
Coarse aggregate Balance Cylindrical measure Tamping/roll rod

3.3 Procedure
1. Calibrate the cylindrical measure to know the volume and record as VC.
2. Overfill the coarse aggregate into the cylindrical measure without any compaction.
3. Level the aggregate using the roll rod to create an even and level surface. Weigh the
measure with the aggregate and record as WL1.
4. Empty the cylindrical measure, clean, and weigh. Take this weight as W2.
5. Again overfill the coarse aggregates into the cylindrical measure in 3 layers; compact
each layer 25 times using the compacting rod; level the aggregates and weigh. Record
this weight as WC1.

3.4 Calculation
𝑊𝐿1 − 𝑊2
𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛) =
𝑉𝐶
𝑊𝐶1 − 𝑊2
𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛) =
𝑉𝐶

where
WL1 = Weight of loose coarse aggregates and measure
WC1 = Weight of compacted coarse aggregates and measure
W2 = Weight of empty measure
VC = Volume of cylindrical measure

MB4/TEST3/2015/09 1/1
 DATA SHEET
MB4 Test 3 Bulk density of coarse aggregate ASTM C29 / C29M - 09

Date of test: ___________________ Location of test: ______________________________

Tested by (Group no): ___________

Item Value
Volume of cylindrical measure (Vc), m3

Weight of empty measure (W2), m3

Weight of loose coarse aggregate and measure (WL1), kg

Weight of compacted coarse aggregate and measure (WC1), kg

Bulk density (loose condition), kg/m3

Bulk density (compacted condition), kg/m3

MB4/TEST3/DATASHEET/2015/09 1/1
 Concrete Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering
University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
MB4 TESTING OF AGGREGATES

TEST 4 - SIEVE ANALYSIS OF COARSE AGGREGATE (ASTM C136/C136M – 14)

4.1 Scope
To determine the particle size distribution of coarse aggregates by sieving
4.2 Material and apparatus
Material Nominal size Quantity Apparatus
Coarse aggregate 19 mm 5 kg Balance Mechanical Sieve Shaker
Sieves Oven
4.3 Procedure
1. Thoroughly mix the material and reduce the laboratory sample using sample divider to
produce a test portion of mass not less than the mass given in above Table.
2. Dry the sample to constant mass at a temperature of 110 ± 5°C (230 ± 9°F).
3. Weigh the aggregate to the nearest 0.1 g.
4. Select sieves with suitable openings to furnish the information required by the
specifications covering the material to be tested.
5. Clean all the sieves with a metal brush. Weigh each individual sieve. Arrange sieve in
an order with the large opening at the top and gradually smaller opening at the bottom.
Place a pan at the very bottom of the sieve arrangement.
6. Pour the aggregate into the sieve column and close the lid. Sieve for 5 minutes using
the mechanical sieve shaker.
7. Weigh each sieves with aggregate retained and record each weight.
8. For sieves with openings smaller than 4.75-mm (No. 4), the quantity retained on any
sieve at the completion of the sieving operation shall not exceed 7 kg/m2 of sieving
surface area.
4.4 Calculation
1. Calculate percentages passing, total percentages retained, or percentages in various size
fractions to the nearest 0.1 % on the basis of the total mass of the initial dry sample and draw
graph of sieve size (X-axis, log scale) vs % Passing (Y-axis, normal scale).
2. Calculate fineness modulus by adding the total percentages of material in the sample that is
coarser than each of the following sieves (cumulative percentages retained), and dividing the
sum by 100: 150-µm (No. 100), 300-µm (No. 50), 600-µm (No. 30), 1.18-mm (No. 16), 2.36-
mm (No. 8), 4.75-mm (No. 4), 9.5-mm (3⁄8-in.), 19.0-mm (3⁄4-in.), 37.5-mm (1½-in.), and
larger, increasing in the ratio of 2 to 1.

MB4/TEST4/2015/09 1/1
 DATA SHEET
MB4 Test 4 Sieve analysis of coarse aggregate ASTM C136/C136M - 14

Date of test: ___________________ Location of test: ______________________________

Tested by (Group no): ___________

Sieve size Mass Retained, g Cumulative Cumulative % % passing

mass retained, g retained
19.0-mm (3⁄4-in.)

9.5-mm (3⁄8-in.)

4.75-mm (No. 4)

2.36-mm (No. 8)

1.18-mm (No. 16)

600-µm (No. 30)

300-µm (No. 50)

150-µm (No. 100)

𝐶𝑢𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑅𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑

𝐶𝑢𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 % 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 =
𝐷𝑟𝑦 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒
∑𝐶𝑢𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 % 𝑅𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑
𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 =
100

MB4/TEST4/DATASHEET/2015/09 1/1