CE 14 PRE-LABORATORY REPORT

EXPERIMENT 6
REDUCTION OF SAMPLE SIZE BY QUARTERING METHOD
AND DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY, WATER
ABSORPTION, MOISTURE CONTENT AND DENSITIES (DRY
RELATIVE, SATURATED, APPARENT, BULK SPECIFIC) OF
THE COARSE AGGREGATES

MEMBERS of GROUP 5
ABASOLA, GLENN NEHEMIAH I.
ARAGASI, NOR-OMAIYAH N.
BALATERO, TRISHA LYNN S.
CO, ELA MAE D.
TAGALONGAN, BRETT ARMAN P.

CE 14 B1
APRIL14 , 2024
 INTRODUCTION
Applying the quartering method to simplify sample size, we aim to obtain
representative samples for precise analysis. Understanding these properties is critical
for advancing construction practices and ensuring the durability and integrity of
infrastructure. Fine aggregates are essential in construction materials, profoundly
affecting the overall performance of concrete units or structures. ASTM C128, AASHTO
R76, AND AASHTO T84 standards are followed to determine specific gravity, water
absorption, moisture content, and densities of fine aggregates.

OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this experiment are to prepare representative and properly sized
samples by bulk sample reduction process of quartering method to coarse aggregate
and to determine the specific gravity, water absorption, moisture content, and the dry
relative, saturated, apparent, and bulk specific densities of the coarse aggregates; and
evaluate, if possible, the values to standards.

REFERENCE
● AASHTO R 76 : Reducing Samples Of Aggregate To Testing Size
● AASHTO T 84 : Specific Gravity of Coarse Aggregate
● ASTM C127-15 : Standard Test Method For Relative Density (Specific Gravity)
And Absorption Of Coarse Aggregate

MATERIALS
The materials that are going to be used in the experiment are the following:
● COARSE AGGREGATES
● MIXING PAN
● TROWEL
● STRAIGHT-EDGE SCOOP
● TIN PANS
● 6 REGULAR CONTAINERS
● SIEVE NO. 4
● WATER TANK

LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
The equipments that are going to be used in the experiment are the following:
● Weighing Balance
● Drying Oven

PROCEDURE
Reduction of sample size by quartering method

1. Start collecting samples on a flat, hard, and even surface in order to have a
testing sample with proper distribution of aggregates.
2. Mix the samples with a shovel at least 4 times, let it become a volcano-type
structure.
3. Then, flatten the volcano-like structure with a shovel into a flat orientation with
equal and uniform thickness and diameter.
4. After this, divide the flattened samples into 4 parts equally, then remove the two
alternating parts, meaning the diagonally opposite parts.
5. Repeat procedures 1 to 4 until the desired sample size of 1 kg of fine aggregates
is achieved.
6. Sieve the sample using sieve No. 4. Place the sieved sample into the 6
rectangular sample containers.

Obtaining the Specific Gravity, Water Absorption, Moisture Content and Density
1. The reduced samples must be sieved first in order to have the desired size of the
coarse aggregates that must be tested. After sieving, washing of the samples
must be done and drying of the samples in the oven for 1 hour.
2. Record all the weight of the containers, and their dimensions to determine
their volumes.
3. Divide the 6 samples into two. Saturate the first three samples with water, making
sure the sand is drenched (remove any excess water if there is any). Leave the
other three samples dry.
4. Weigh and record the mass of the selected 3 dry and 3 wet samples. Submerge
the wet samples for 15 hours in the water and put the dry samples in the
drying oven for 24 hours.
5. After immersing, carefully remove the sample from the water without losing any
samples then weigh.
6. After weighing, spread the wet sample on the table with a towel to absorb the
water on the aggregates. Weigh again.
7. After, weigh the dry aggregates samples (oven-dried after 24 hours) and record
after.
8. Proceed in oven-drying again the samples to a constant mass for 24 hours. After
24 hours, let the samples be dried naturally until it is comfortable to be handled
from 1-3 hours after the oven-drying process.
9. Record weight of the oven-dried condition of the aggregates.
 FORMULAS
SPECIFIC GRAVITY
DRY RELATIVE EQUATION
𝑆𝐺dry relative = oven dry weight / SSD weight - weight in water

SATURATED SURFACE-DRY EQUATION

SGSSD = SSD weight / SSD weight - weight in water

APPARENT EQUATION
SGapparent = oven dry weight / oven dry weight - weight in water

MOISTURE CONTENT EQUATION

Moisture content = SSD weight - oven dry weight / oven dry weight X 100

WATER ABSORPTION EQUATION

Absorption = SSD weight - oven dry weight / oven dry weight X 100

DENSITY EQUATION
Normal Density = mass of aggregates / volume

Bulk Density (SSD Condition) = (absorption / 100 + 1) X Normal Density

SOLUTION/APPLICATION OF FORMULA
With the use of the formulas mentioned above, applying these formulas to gather and
calculate the aggregates’ specific gravity, moisture content, water absorption, and the
density after the experiment to meet the goals and objectives, and the ASTM standards.
 DATA PRESENTATION

TABLE 1

PRELIMINARY DATA

SAMPLE 1 SAMPLE 2 SAMPLE 3 SAMPLE 4 SAMPLE 5 SAMPLE 6

Mass of Empty
Container (g)

Mass of Tin Pan - - -

(g)

Mass of Dry
Specimen +
Container (g)

Mass of Wet
Specimen +
Container (g)

Oven Dry Specimen in the air

Mass of before - - - -
dry specimen, A1

Mass of before - - - -
dry specimen, A2
 TABLE 2 : Data for Saturated surface Dry Specimen

Wet Samples Sample 4 Sample 5 Sample 6

DETERMINATION OF BULK SG, BULK SATURATED SURFACE DRY (SSD), APPARENT SG,
AND ABSORPTION

Mass Of Saturated Surface Dry

Specimen, S, (G)

Mass Of Container Filled With

Water, To Calibration Mark, B,
(G)

Mass Of Container Filled With

Specimen And Water To
Calibration Mark, C, (G)

TABLE 3

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF FINE AGGREGATES

SAMPLE SPECIFIC GRAVITY MOISTURE WATER DENSITY

CONTENT ABSORPTION
DR SSD APPARENT NORMAL BULK

6
 INSIGHTS AND COMMENTS

AASHTO R 76 addresses the reduction of large aggregate samples, employing

techniques to ensure test samples and minimize variations, enhancing the reliability of
aggregate testing to meet the standard. The references are important for finding the
specific gravity and absorption of fine aggregates, lending or describing the flexibility in
expressing their density. Either oven-dry, saturated surface dry, or apparent, these
procedures and methods will be able to have a comprehensive characterization under
different moisture contents. The accurate application of these will ensure reliability in
our results, meeting the standards.