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Silt Test - Fine Aggregate
Silt Test - Fine Aggregate
The life of the structure depends on the quality of the material used.
The silt is a very fine particle which is less than the size of 150 Microns. It will shrink
and expand due to the moisture also unstable with the presence of water.
So it is important to check the presence of silt content in the sand to avoid the
following impacts
Test Procedure
The measuring cylinder should be free from moisture and dry.
Fill the water up to 50 ml with a 1% salt solution.
Then fill the sand into the cylinder up to the level of 100 ml.
Again add salt solution up to the level of 150 ml.
Finally, close the mouth of the cylinder and shake well then keep the cylinder
on a flat surface.
The silt content shall be settled over the sand layer after 2 hours.
Why is salt added with sand?
To increase the settlement time of silt which impacts the testing time. First, Sand will settle then
silt content settle at the end.
How to calculate the percentage of Silt?
V1 = Volume of Silt layer (Silt settled over the sand layer).
V2 = Volume of the Sand layer (Settled under the silt).
Silt Content Formula,
Percentage of Silt = (V1/V2) x 100