EXPERIMENT NO.

1
GRADATION TEST OF COARSE AGGREGATE
Objective: The gradation and size test is used to determine aggregate particle size distribution. Size
distribution is perhaps the single most important aggregate quality associated with the control of hot
mix asphalt(HMA) mixtures.

Scope: The particle size distribution, or gradation, of the constituent aggregate is one of the most
influential characteristics in determining how an HMA mixture will perform as a pavement material.

Standard: AASHTO T-27/ASTM C-136

Apparatus: Set the sieves sizes 1”,3/4”,1/2”, 1/8”,3/8”, #4”, #8”, #16”, #30”, #50”, #100”, lid and pan, weigh
balance, sieve shaker, oven dried aggregate.
Procedure: The procedure is as follows:
1. Set the sieve as above mentioned sequence.
2. Take oven dried sample of 5kg.Por the sample into the first sieve.
3. Set the sieve in sieve shaker and shake it for 5 minutes.
4. Remove the sieves from sieve shaker and weigh the mass retained on each sieve.
5. Record the cumulative mass retained on each sieve.

Observations and Data Collection:

Sieve No/size Mass Retained Cumulated Cumulated Passing
gm Mass (gm) % %
25mm 0 0 0 100
19mm 985 985 19.7 80.3
12.5mm 1412.5 2397.5 47.95 52.05
9.5mm 636 3033.5 60.67 39.33
4.75mm 678 3711.5 74.23 25.77
2.36mm 123 3834.5 76.69 23.31
1.18mm 256 4090.5 81.81 18.19
0.6mm 324.5 4415 88.3 11.9
0.3mm 334 4749 94.98 5.02
0.150 187 4936 98.72 1.28
Pan 63 4999 99.98 0.02
Sum of cumulated mass= 37151.5
Fineness Modulus=sum of cumulative/100= 743.03/100= 7.43

Conclusions: In this experiment we concluded that a well graded aggregate sample will contain particles of a wide range of sizes
and has a good representation of all sizes from sieve 80mm – 12.5mm, while a poorly graded sample has particles of a narrow range of
sizes and does not have a good representation of all sizes on the sieve. The fineness modulus value is 7.43 that ranges from 6.75-8
that are suitable for highway and road construction. The sample we used is good for road construction.
 EXPERIMENT NO. 2
SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND WATER ABSORPTION OF COARSE AGGREGATE
Objective: This test is used to determine the specific gravity and water absorption of coarse aggregate.
Scope: The specific gravity is an indirect measure of the strength of aggregate. Through this test, the general
identification of the aggregate becomes easier. Low specific gravity aggregates are weak. Hence, they are not
suitable for construction. Water absorption of aggregate measures the weather resistance. It is the percentage
of water the aggregate absorbs when immersed in water.

Standard: ASTM C127

Apparatus: coarse aggregate sample, weight balance, oven, meshed bucket, water container
Related Theory: The coarse aggregate specific gravity test measures coarse aggregate weight under three
different sample conditions:
 Oven-dry (no water in sample).
 Saturated surface-dry (SSD, water fills the aggregate pores).
 Submerged in water (underwater).

Procedure:

1. The test sample is first dried in an oven to a constant mass temperature of 110±5°C,
then cooled in air temperature for 1-3 hrs. for a test sample of 37.5 mm.
2. The aggregate sample is then immersed in water at room temperature for 24±4 hrs.
3. After this, the sample is removed and rolled on a large absorbent cloth until visible films
of water have been removed.
4. Calculate the mass of the test sample in saturated surface dry condition and record this.
5. 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.
6. The sample is then dried in an oven to a constant mass at a temperature of 110 ± 5°C,
and cooled in air at room temperature for 1-3 hrs. to determine the mass.

Data and Calculation:

Quantity Symbol Sample A Sample B

Weight of Oven Dried Aggregate in Air A

Weight of SSD Aggregate in Air B

Weight of Saturated Aggregate and Bucket in W1
Water

Weight of Bucket in Water W2

Weight of Saturated Aggregate in Water C=(W1-W2)

Oven Dried Bulk Specific Gravity Sd = A÷(B-C)

Saturated surface dry bulk specific gravity SS =B/(B-C)

Apparent Specific Gravity Sa = A/(A-C)

Water Absorption WA =B-A/AX100

Conclusions:
 EXPERIMENT NO.3

IMPACT VALUE OF AGGREGATE

Objective: To determine the impact value of aggregates used in pavement.

Scope: The aggregate impact value provides the property of a relative resistance of the aggregate to
sudden shock or impact. The particular purpose which an aggregate is meant to serve requires the
aggregate to have a particular strength which is usually stated in the specification.

Standard: ASTM D5874

Apparatus: Impact Value Apparatus: Cup or mold, Impact Hammer of weight 13.5 Kg.  Sieve (12.5mm, 10mm,
2.36mm), Pan, Balance, Oven, Tamping Rod.

PROCEDURE:
1.The test sample should have aggregates sized 10.0 mm & 12.5 mm. Aggregates may be dried at 100-
110° C temperature for a period of 4 hours and then cooled at room temperature.
2.Bring the impact testing machine to rest without wedging or packing up on the level plate, block or
floor, so that it is rigid and the hammer guide columns are vertical.
3. Fix the cup firmly into position on the base of the machine and transfer whole of the test sample
into it and compact it by giving 25 gentle strokes with the tamping rod.
4.Raise the hammer of the machine until its lower face is 380 mm above the surface of aggregate
sample in the cup and allow it to fall freely on the aggregate sample and then give 15 such blows at an
interval of not less than one second between successive falls.
5.Remove the crushed aggregate from the cup and sieve it through the 2.36 mm IS sieves until no
further significant amount aggregate passes in one minute. Weigh the fraction passing the sieve to the
accuracy of 1 gm. also, weigh the fraction retained in the 2.36 mm sieve.
6.Calculate the aggregate impact value. The mean of two observations, rounded to nearest whole
number is reported as the Aggregate Impact Value of concerned sample.

Observations and Data Collection:

Sr. NO. 1 2 3
W1
W2
Impact value
Average impact value
CONCLUSIONS:
 EXPERIMENT NO. 04
Los Angeles Abrasion Value of Aggregate
Objective: We need to find out the hardness of course aggregate used for highway construction. For that purpose, los
Angeles abrasion value test need to be conducted. It is the measure of aggregate toughness and abrasion resistance.

Standard: AASHTO T96/ASTM C131

Scope: In highway construction due to movement of heavy loads, surface of the aggregate deteriorates with passage of
time. To check the resistance of material against the wear and tear the los Angeles abrasion value test is performed.

Apparatus: Aggregate 5 to 8 Kg, Trays Los Angeles Abrasion Machine, Cast iron balls, Sieve (#12), Balance, Cleaning Brushes.

Procedure:
1. First we will sieve our material from sieve No.12 and weight of the retained material is recorded as W1.
2. Wash the sample and oven dry to a constant mass at 230ºF (110ºC).
3. After drying, sieve the material into individual size fractions, and recombine to one of four specified grading that
most nearly represents the aggregate gradation as received. Record the total sample mass. The total sample mass
should be about 5000 g.
4. Place the sample and the specified number of steel spheres into the drum and rotate for 500 revolutions at 30 to 35
rev/min. The charge required is dependent upon the grading used.
5. After that complete sample is taken out of the machine.
6. The sample is again sieve from sieve #12 and weight is recorded as W2.
7. From w1 and w2 los Angeles value will be calculated.

Observations and calculations:

Sr. No W1 W2 Abrasion Value

Conclusions:
 EXPERIMENT NO. 05
Penetration Grade of Bitumen using Penetrometer
Objective: This test classifies bitumen according to its hardness. To find out the penetration grade of bitumen.
Scope: In road construction wearing surface is mainly made up of bitumen therefore which month play important role
in the construction of highway. Penetration grade of bitumen defines the softness or hardness of bitumen.

Standard: ASTM D5
Apparatus: Penetrometer, Thermometer, Standardized container, Bitumen sample, Safety equipment
Procedure:
1. First of all, a sample of bitumen is heated at the temperature of 100 degrees Celsius so that bitumen behaves like
liquid and all the entrapped air is removed.
2. Now the bitumen places into the standardized containers and kept in the air to cool down for an hour.
3. After that the bitumen containers are placed in the water bath at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius because
bitumen is generally placed at this temperature in the field.
4. Now the container is placed in the penetrometer and penetration needle is adjusted that it just touch is the surface
of the bitumen.
5. Needle removal button will be pressed and it will allow the needle to penetrate for 5 seconds.
6. In the next step we will measure penetration in needle in millimeters.
7. This reading is noted down as penetration value. From that the grade of bitumen is calculated

Observation and Calculations:

Description 1 2 3
Temperature
Initial Penetration Reading
Final Penetration Reading
Penetration Value
Average Penetration Value

Conclusions:
 EXPERIMENT NO. 06
Viscosity test for Bitumen
Objective: The viscosity test of bitumen measures the bitumen viscosity. This property shows how easily bitumen
flows.

Scope: Viscosity of any material is basically opposite to the flow by determining the viscosity of bitumen to find how
much material will make layer on the course and fine materials.

Standard: ASTM D2170

Apparatus: Viscometer  Tar sample.  Graduated flask  Stopwatch  Two thermometers
Procedure:
1. First of all we will mix the bitumen with emulsion to make tar sample in graduated beaker.
2. Water will be filled in the viscosity apparatus and the tar sample will be poured in the sample mold of viscometer
with discharge orifice closed.
3. We will allow the sample and water to maintain at 50 degrees Celsius.
4. After that we will open discharge valve and will allowed to be collected in graduated flask of 60 ml.
5. Time taken to collect 60 ml after is noted in seconds.
6. This is the value of the viscosity.

Observations & Calculations:

The test observations are recorded as follows:

Conclusions:
 EXPERIMENT NO. 07
Flash and Fire point of Bitumen
Objective: To find out flash and fire point of the bitumen
Scope: Flash and Fire point test is conducted on bitumen to know the safe mixing and application temperature values
of particular bitumen grade.

Standard: ASTM D 92/ASTM D 93

Apparatus: Flash and fire point apparatus, Thermometer, Bitumen sample, Natural gas supply
Procedure:
1. First of all we will heat the bitumen sample so that it behaves like a liquid and complete and trapped air is removed.
2. The sample is board into standard container and will put this sample in flash and fire point apparatus.
3. Thermometer is hanged carefully into the sample.
4. We will turn on the operators and start heating the sample surface of bitumen and observe any kind of flash and fire
5. Temperature is noted down when bitumen just get fire for few second and also when bitumen gets complete fire.

Observations & Calculations: