COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Civil Engineering Department

Exercise No. 4
BULK UNIT WEIGHT AND VOIDS IN AGGREGATE

COURSE OUTCOMES
CO1 Explain relevant properties of common construction materials
Conduct experiments on common construction materials according to
CO2
international standards such as the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM)
COURSE INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME
CILO 1 Determine the physical properties of aggregates.

I. ASTM DESIGNATION
ASTM C29 – Standard Test Method for Bulk Density (Unit Weight) and Voids in Aggregate

II. OBJECTIVE
 To determine the bulk unit weight and voids in aggregate in either a compacted or loose
condition

III. APPARATUS
 Measure (any rigid watertight container)
 Balance
 Tamping Rod
 Shovel or Scoop
 Tray

IV. TEST PROCEDURE

1. The size of the sample shall be approximately 125 to 200 % of the quantity required to fill the
measure. Dry the aggregate sample to essentially constant mass.
2. Calculate the volume of the measure.
a. Fill the measure with water. Determine the mass of the water in the measure.
b. Measure the temperature of the water and determine its density.

Table 4.1 Temp-Density Relationship

Temperature Density
⁰C kg/m3
15.6 999.01
18.3 998.54
21.1 997.97
23.0 997.54
23.9 997.32
26.7 996.59
29.4 995.83

P a g e 1|6
 COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Civil Engineering Department

c. Calculate the volume of the measure by dividing the mass of the water required to fill
the measure by its density.
3. Fill the measure with aggregate and compact it either by rodding (for aggregates having
nominal maximum size of 37.5 mm), jigging (for aggregates having a nominal maximum size of
37.5 to 125 mm), or shoveling (if specifically stipulated).
a. Rodding: Fill the measure with aggregate in three layers of approximately equal
volumes. Rod each layer of aggregate with 25 strokes of the tamping rod, evenly
distributed over the surface. In rodding the first layer, do not allow the rod to strike the
bottom of the measure forcibly. In rodding the second and third layers, use force but do
not cause the tamping rod to penetrate the previous layer of aggregate.
b. Jigging: Fill the measure with aggregate in three layers of approximately equal volumes.
Compact each layer by placing the measure on a firm base, raising the opposite sides
alternately about 50 mm, and allowing the measure to drop 25 times on each side.
c. Shoveling: Fill the measure to overflowing by means of a shovel or scoop, discharging
the aggregate from a height not to exceed 50 mm above the top of the measure. Exercise
care to avoid segregation.
4. Level the surface of the aggregate with the fingers or a straightedge. Determine the mass of the
measure plus its contents, and the mass of the measure alone, and record to the nearest 0.05 kg.

V. CALCULATION
1. Calculate the Bulk Unit Weight as follows:

G−T
M=
V

( SW ) −M
% Voids= ×100
SW

Where: M = bulk density of aggregate, kg/m3

G = weight of the aggregate plus the measure, kg
T = weight of the measure, g
V = volume of the measure, m3
S = bulk specific gravity (dry basis)(ASTM C127 or C128)
W = unit weight of water, 998 kg/m3

P a g e 2|6
 COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Civil Engineering Department

VI. DATA RESULTS AND COMPUTATION

A. Coarse Aggregate
Table 4.2 Test Details

Method of Compaction: (answer)

Water Temperature: (answer)
Water Density: (answer)
Volume of the measure, V: 20 Liters
Weight of the measure, T: 10.24 kg
Weight of the aggregate
40.56 kg
plus measure, G:

Bulk Unit Weight: (value) kg/m3

Table 4.3 Test Results

Bulk specific Gravity, S: Use the Value from the Previous Exercise
Unit weight of water, W: (value) kg/m3
% Voids: (value) %

B. Fine Aggregate
Table 4.4 Test Details

Method of Compaction: (answer)

Water Temperature: (answer)
Water Density: (answer)
Volume of the measure, V: 20 Liters
Weight of the measure, T: 10.24 kg
Weight of the aggregate
42.38 kg
plus measure, G:

Bulk Unit Weight: (value) kg/m3

Table 4.5 Test Results

Bulk specific Gravity, S: Use the Value from the Previous Exercise
Unit weight of water, W: (value) kg/m3
% Voids: (value) %

P a g e 3|6
 COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Civil Engineering Department

VII. ILLUSTRATION

P a g e 4|6
 COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Civil Engineering Department

VIII. CONCLUSION

Conclusion: Base on the analysis and result of the computation using the given formula coarse aggregates
has higher void percentage than fine aggregates. Fine aggregate have more specific gravity so it is more compact
that causes lower void percentage. Using this experiment as a basis we can conclude that lesser density and
specific gravity tends to have high void percentage

IX. RECOMMENDATION

In doing the experiment always use gloves, much better if its thicker because
the specimens are quite heavy specially the coarse aggregates just to protect hands
from injury. It is advisable to use single size scoop in transferring the aggregates to
container maintain the consistency of the experiment. After putting the sand in the container do not forget to level
it to the edge of container to avoid some little variations during recording and to get an accurate results. Make
sure that the fine aggregates are dry in doing this experiment because moisture content will make the aggregate
heavier and it will ruin the objective of the experiment.

X. RUBRICS

Analyze data from experiments conducted.

PI (2, 3, 4) Interpret results from experiments conducted.
Conduct experiments according to standard protocol.
Exemplary Capable Developing Beginning
Criteria Rating
(4) (3) (2) (1)
Observes good
Observes best Practices unsafe,
laboratory Unsafe lab procedures
Organization laboratory safety risky behaviors
safety observed infrequently.
procedures. in lab.
procedures.
Experimental Develops and Implements Experimental Does not follow
Procedures implements logical procedures most often experimental
logical experimental followed, but procedure.
experimental procedures occasional
procedures oversight leads to loss
P a g e 5|6
 COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Civil Engineering Department

of experimental
efficiency and/or loss
of data
Is able to Does not operate
operate instrumentation
Is able to select
instrumentatio and
and operate
n and Is tentative in process
appropriate
Tool process operation equipment,
instrumentation
Operation equipment. of instruments and does so
and
process equipment. incorrectly or
process
requires
equipment.
frequent
supervision.
Analyzes and
Analyzes data
interprets
carefully using Applies appropriate
data carefully
appropriate theory to data when
using
theory; if prompted to do so, but
appropriate Makes no
Analysis and required, misinterprets physical
theory; if attempt to
Theory translates significance of theory
required, relate data to
Application theory into or
translates theory
practice or variable involved;
theory into
applies to makes errors in unit
practice or
process conversions.
applies to process
model(s).
model(s).
Provides
recommendation Is aware of Is aware of
on measurement measurement error but
Is unaware of
Measurement measurement of error and does not account for it
measurement
Error error and is able to statistically or does so
error
is able to account account for it at
for it statistically. a minimal level
statistically.

P a g e 6|6