EXPERIMENT NO:-

Date:-

TITLE: Bulk Density of Aggregates

AIM: To determine Bulk Density of Aggregates

THEORY: Bulk density can be defined as weight of aggregates (volume of solid aggregate and
volume of voids) required to fill a container of unit volume and is usually expressed in kg/l.

Bulk density depends on:

 Efforts to fill the container as densely as possible

 Grading of aggregate
 Shape of aggregate
 Specific gravity of aggregate

It is used for judging the quality by comparison with normal density for a type of aggregate. It is also
required for converting proportions by weight into proportions by volume as well as for calculating
the percentage voids in the aggregate

APPARATUS: Weighing balance, cylindrical container of 3, 15, 30 litre capacity (i.e., 3 litre
capacity for up to 4.75 mm size, 15 litre from 4.7-23 mm size and 30 litre for size above 30 mm),
tamping rod of 16 mm diameter and length 16 cm (with one end round), container, trough, steel rule,
scoop, measuring cylinder of 250 ml capacity

PROCEDURE:

a. Loose weight bulk density

1. Fill a container of the size (according to the size of the aggregate) to its full capacity by
means of scoop.
2. Level the surface of the aggregate in the container and find the weight of the aggregate in
it.
b. Compacted weight bulk density
1. Fill a container of the size (according to the size of the aggregate) in three layers, tamping
each layer 25 times with the help of tamping rod (full compaction).
2. Level the surface of the aggregate, striking off the surplus from the surface of the
container and find the weight of aggregate in it.
OBSERVATION TABLE:

SR. DESCRIPTION SAMPLE

NO. Fine aggregate Coarse Aggregate
1 Capacity of the container V litre

2 Weight of the container when empty W kg

3 Weight of the container filled loosely W1 kg
with the aggregate
4 Weight of the container with W2 kg
aggregate fully compacted

CALCULATIONS:

a. For fine aggregate

Loose Bulk Density = (W1-W)/V kg/l=

Rodded Bulk Density = (W2-W/V kg/l=

b. For coarse aggregate

Loose Bulk Density = (W1-W)/V kg/l=

Rodded Bulk Density = (W2-W/V kg/l=

Compare the results with standard bulk density as given below

SR. MATERIAL BULK DENSITY in kg/L

NO.
1 River sand
Fine 1.44
Medium 1.52
Coarse 1.6
2 Gravel 1.6
3 Broken stone 1.6
4 Stone screening 1.44
5 Granite 1.68
RESULT:

CONCLUSIONS:

PRECAUTIONS:

1. Proper container should be selected depending upon the size of the sample.
2. Weighing should be accurately done preferably with an accuracy of 5 % of the weight being
test weight.
3. While filling material in container for loose weight bulk density, segregation of aggregate
particles should be avoided
4. In compacted weight bulk density, tamping should be evenly done.