EXPERIMENT NO.

Unit Weight and Voids of Coarse Aggregates

Referenced Standard:
ASTM C 29/29M-91a
AASHTO T 19/19M-
93

Introduction

The unit weight of an aggregate gives a measure of its weight per unit volume. Unit
weight may also be used to determine mass-volume relationships and in selecting proportions
for a mix design. This test method determines the unit weight of an aggregate on a dry basis.
The voids are empty spaces between particles of aggregates. Voids depend upon many
factors. Among them are size, shape and surface texture of aggregate, gradation, moisture
content, and compaction.

Objectives:

1. To determine the unit weight of an air-dry mixed aggregate

2. To visualize how some certain aggregate properties influence the voids in

aggregates

3. To learn the importance of the capacity of the measure required for a given
aggregate size for testing

Apparatus/Materials:

Tamping Rod Straight Edge

Cylindrical Metal Measure Shovel or Scoop
Weighing Balance

Procedure:

A. Calibration of the Measure

1. Select an appropriate measure according to the nominal size of the aggregate

sample.

2. Weigh the empty measure.

 3. Fill the measure with water at room temperature and cover with a glass plate to
exclude air bubbles and to remove excess water.

4. Weigh the measure filled with water. Make the necessary calculations to
determine the mass of the water that filled the entire volume of the measure. The
actual volume of the measure shall be at least 95% of the nominal volume in the
table.

5. Take the temperature reading of the water used to fill the measure and determine
its density using Table 2. Interpolate as necessary.

6. Compute the volume of the measure by dividing the mass of the water required to
fill the measure by its density.

7. If there is a reason to question the accuracy of the measure, recalibrate or replace

the water as needed.

B. Unit Weight Determination

1. Select a sample of oven-dry mixed aggregate approximately 125% to 200% of the

volume of the measure.

For aggregates ≤ 37.5 mm use the rodding procedure and for aggregates ˃ 37.5
mm but ˂ 150 mm, use the jigging procedure.

2. Fill the measure one-third full, level and apply 25 strokes tamping evenly over the
surface.

3. Fill the measure two-thirds full. Level and tamp as in step 2. Only enough force
should be used to cause the tamping rod to just penetrate the last layer of
aggregate placed in the measure.

4. Fill to overflowing, tamp as before and strike off the surplus by rolling the
tamping rod over the surface or level off using a straight edge. Do not compress
the aggregates.

5. Determine the net weight of the aggregate in the measure and compute the unit
weight. Make at least two trials. Results should agree within one percent.

2
 Table 1
Capacity of Measures

Nominal Size of Aggregates Capacity of Measure

(mm) (m³)
12.5 0.0028
25.0 0.0093
37.5 0.0140
75.0 0.0280
112.0 0.0700
150.0 0.1000
Source: Marotta & Herubin (1997)

The indicated size of container may be used to test aggregates of a maximum nominal
size equal to or smaller than that listed.

Table 2
Unit Weight of Water

Temperature Unit Weight Density

(ºC) (kN/m3) (kg/m3)
0 9.805 999.490
5 9.807 999.694
10 9.804 999.388
15 9.798 998.776
20 9.789 997.860
30 9.764 995.311
40 9.730 991.845
Source: de La Fuente (1991)

Drawing:
Observations:

1 2 Total 3 4
Item
Nominal Max. Aggregate Size
Total Weight (measure + sample)
Mass of Measure
Mass of Aggregates
Volume of Measure

Data Analysis

1. Density
MT – Mm
M =
V
Where:
P = unit weight of the aggregate (kg/m³)
MT = combined mass of the aggregate and the measure (kg)
Mm = mass of the measure (kg)
V = volume of the measure (m³)

2. Unit Weight
WT – Wm
γ =
V

Where:
γ = unit weight of aggregate (kN/m3)
WT = total weight of aggregate and measure (kN)
Wm = weight of measure (kN)
V = volume of measure (m3)

3. Void Content
[Gs(dry) x ρ w – ρ agg]
% Voids = x 100
Gs(dry)(ρw)

Where:
ρ agg = density of aggregate
(kg/m3) ρ w = density of water
(kg/m3)
Gs(dry) = bulk of specific gravity on the dry basis
Note: Use
Gs(dry) of Expt.
4
Calculations:

Results:

Total
Item 1 2 3 4
Total Weight (measure + sample)
Measure weight
Weight of Aggregates
Measure volume
Unit weight
Density
% Voids

Average unit weight:

Discussion of Results
Conclusion

Post-lab questions

1. What conditions call for recalibration and replacement of the measure?

2. If the unit weight in the SSD condition is needed, what test should be used and how is
γSSD calculated?

3. What makes the oven-dry unit weight distinct from the saturated-surface-dry unit
weight?