DETERMINATION OF FINENESS MODULUS OF FINE AGGREGATES

In accordance with IS: 383-1970.

Aim: This method of test lays down the procedure of determining fineness modulus of fine
aggregate.
Apparatus: Sieves IS: 4.75 mm, 2.36 mm, 1.18 mm, 600 micron, 300 micron, 150 micron.
Electric sieve shaker, common balance accurate to 0.1 percent of weight of the test sample.
Sample: A sample of 1000 grams of sand.
Procedure: Arrange the sand sieves in an order such that the IS: 4.75 mm at the top and IS: 150
micron at the bottom most. Place the 1000 grams of sand sample on the top sieve and sieve it for
2 minutes. Actual sieving operation is done by hand. The movement of sieve should be backwards
forwards, side ward, left to right, circulation clock wise and anti-clockwise so that every practice
may get a chance of passing through the sieve. Individual sieve is sieved for 2 minutes. The
residue left on each sieve is weighed.
Report of Test Results: Weights retained on each sieve, percentage retained and cumulative
percentage retained are calculated and the fineness modulus of the aggregate is found. Fineness
modulus indicates the average size of the particles in given sample. The observations and
calculations may be tabulated as shown in table below.
TABLE
Sl IS Sieve Wt. of sieve Weight of sand Percentage Cumulative % finer
No (microns) + Sand Retained (grams) retained percentage
retained (ii) (iii) retained (N)
(i) (n)
1 4.75 mm
2 2.36 mm
3 1.18 mm
4 600 micron
5 300 micron
6 150 micron
7 75 micron
8 Pan
Total n =
Fineness modulus = n/100
The zone of the sieved sample is fixed with the help of percent finer and referring to the table of
IS 383-1970.
Conclusions:
 DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND ABSORPTION CAPACITY OF
FINE AGGREGATES
(Aggregate smaller than 10 mm)
Aim: This method of test covers the procedure for determining specific gravity and absorption
capacity of fine aggregate.

Apparatus:
1. Pycnometer
2. Common balance
3. Measuring jar of 1000 cc.
4. Electric Oven (Thermo statically controlled to maintain a temperature of 100 to 110o to C.)

Sample: Sample of 4000 grams passing through IS 4.75 mm is kept submerged in distilled water
for 24 hrs, after which the surplus water is drained off and the sand is air dried evenly.

Procedure: Find the empty weight of the Pycnometer (W1). Aggregate shall be placed in the
pycnometer, find the combined weight (W2). Now add distilled water to the Pycnometer and any
trapped air in aggregate shall be eliminated by rotating the Pycnometer on its side, the hole in the
apex of the cone being covered with a finger. The Pycnometer shall be topped up with distilled
water to remove any forth from the surface and so that the surface of the water in the hole is flat.
The Pycnometer shall be dried on the outside and weighed (W3). The contents of the Pycnometer
shall be emptied into the tray. The Pyconometer shall be refilled with distilled water to the same
level as before, dried on the outside and weighed (W4). Two test shall be made.

Report of test results:

W1 =
W2 =
W3 =
W4 =
Specific gravity = (W2-W1)/{(w4-w1)-(W3-W2)}

Water Absorption: To find absorption capacity of the sample, water shall then be drained by
decantation through a filter paper and any material retained returned to the sample. The sample
shall be placed in an oven at a temperature of 100-110o C for 24 + 1/2 hours. It shall be cooled in
the air-tight container and weighed (W5).
Water absorption (percent of dry weight) = 100 x{( W2 - W1 ) –W5}/W5

Conclusion:
 DETERMINATION OF BULKING OF SAND
Aim: This method lays down the procedure for determining bulking of sand (fine aggregates)

Apparatus: Container of 15 cm dia and 30 cm height

A temping rod of 16 mm dia and 60 mm length
Common balance,
Measuring jar of 1000 CC

Sample: Sand passing IS: 4.75 mm (BS: 3/16") of quantity about 50 Kgs. Water supplied by
laboratory

Procedure: Weight the container empty. Fill it by dry sand in 3 layers each layer being compacted
25 times with the tamping rod. The tamping rod should penetrate below the layer being tamped.
Strike off the top level and weigh it weights of container filled with water is also noted down.
Repeat thrice to get an average result. Determine the unit weight of dry rodded sand from these
weights.
Now to find the bulking factor of sand, weigh about 8 kgs of dry sand and add a known percentage
of water to it in a mixing pan. Mix thoroughly to a uniform colour quickly to avoid any loss of
moisture by evaporation or absorption. Fill the container without tamping. Strike off the top level
weighs it. Repeat the experiment with different percentage of water from 5 to 25. The observations
and calculations may be tabulated as shown in table below.

Observation and calculation:

Let W1 = Wt. of container (empty)
W2 = Wt. of container + dry sand
W3 = Wt. of container + water.
Then, (I) Bulk density of dry rodded sand, Wr = W2-W1
W3-W1
And Ww = Unit wt. of loose wet sand.
Wd = Wt. of dry sand contained in 1 m3 of loose wet sand.
X = percentage of water added.
Also Ww = wt. of dry sand + wt. of water added to it.
X
Ww  Wd 
100
X W
WD  WD (1  )( W )
100 X
1
100
Now, bulking factor = WR x 100
WD
Report of test results: The volume of fine aggregate depends largely upon its moisture contents.
If the fine aggregate is wet, all its particles get a coating of water, which is mainly due to surface
tension and keeps them apart this causing an increase in volume. This effect is known as ' Bulking’.
Bulking increase gradually with the increase in moisture content. This increase is observed to be
in the order of about 25 % by volume at 4% moisture contents by weight, then it decreases down
to zero when the quantity of water becomes acre then 20 %. Bulking increases with the fineness
of sand. Bulking factor is the 'ratio of weight of dry rodded sand m3 to weight of dry sand contained
m3 of wet sand.

TABLE
Weights in grms Average
Notations Materials Weighted 1 2 3 weight

W1 Wt, of container
W2 Wt. of container
+ Dry sand
W3 Wt, of container
+ Water full

Wr = W2-W1
W3-W1
Wr =

Conclusion:
 DETERMINATION OF BULK DENSITY AND VOIDS OF FINE AGGREGATES
In accordance with IS: 2386(part III-1963)
Aim: The method of test lays down procedure for determining bulk density of unit weight and
voids of aggregates.

General: The bulk density is defined as the weight of material in a given volume. The factors
influencing bulk density of aggregates are moisture and method of filling the measures.

Apparatus: The apparatus shall consist of the following.

1. Balance: A balance sensitive to 0.1 percent of the weight of the sample to be weighed.
2. Cylindrical metal measure: It should have accurate internal dimensions, water tight and of
sufficient rigidity to retain its form under rough usage. The measure shall be of 3, 15 or 30
litres capacity, depending on the maximum nominal size of the coarsest particles of aggregates.
Table.
Size of the largest particle Capacity in litre
4.75 mm and under 3
Over 4.75 mm to 40 mm 15
Over 40 mm 30

3. Tamping rod: A straight metal rod of 16 mm diameter cylindrical cross section and 60 cm long,
rounded at one end.

Procedure: Weigh the standard cylinder measure empty (W1). Find the volume by filling with
water. Fill it with thoroughly mixed aggregate to about its 1/3 capacity. Compact evenly using
tamping rod in 25 strokes. Tamp again when it is 2/3 full and over flowing similarly. Level the
surface at the top and find the combined weight of aggregate and measuring cylinder (W2). Weigh
this volume of sand after oven dried for 24 hrs at 105 + 5 o C. This gives dry weight of sand. Bulk
density shall be calculated as kg/litre or gm/cc. The observations and calculations may be tabulated
as shown in table below.
Note: In determining the voids, test shall be carried out on dry material, but in bulking tests
material with a given percentage of moisture may be used.

Calculations:
Bulk density = Weight/ Volume
The percentage of voids shall be calculated as follows:
Percentage of voids: (G- γ) x 100
G
Where, G = Specific gravity of the aggregate
γ = Bulk density in Kg/ litre
Reporting of results:
The bulk density shall be reported in Kg / litre or gm/cc. The voids shall be reported as a
percentage to the nearest whole number.
The conditions of aggregate at the time of test shall be stated, that is (a) saturated and
surface dry, (b) oven dry, or (c) with a given percentage of moisture.

TABLE
Condition of
Notation Materials Weight in Gms. Remarks
Aggregates

Conclusion: