BULK DENSITY OF AGGREGATES IS 2386-Part 3

Bulk density of aggregates is the mass of aggregates required to fill the container of a unit volume after aggregates are batched based on volume. Here is a method of determining the loose and rodded bulk density of aggregates.

Test Standard : IS 2386-Part 3: 1963

Test Apparatus loose and rodded bulk density of aggregates :

1. Weighing Balance.
2. Cylindrical containers of Volume 3.0 liter, 15.0 liter & 30-liter capacity
3. Tamping rod of 16 mm diameter & 60 cm long, rounded at one end.

Calibration of Cylindrical containers

The cylindrical container calibrated by water. To calculate actual volume of container, fill the container to full height of container and measure the weight of the water at 27 °C. Assume the density of water as 1kg/lit at 27 °C and find the volume of the container (V, ltr)

Test procedure

Rodded bulk density of Fine aggregates:

• Take the air dry sample of aggregate by quartering method.
• 3.0 litre capacity cylindrical container shall be filled in 3 layers of equal height with aggregate and tamp with 25 number of strokes in each layer with the rounded end of the tamping rod.
• The net weight of the aggregates shall be record (say W1, Kg).

Rodded bulk density = W1/V (Kg/Ltr)

Loose bulk density of Fine aggregates:

• Cylindrical container of 3.0-liter capacity filled by aggregate to overflowing by scoop.
• The aggregates being discharged from a height not exceeding 5.0 cm from top of the measure.
• Record the net weight of the aggregates (W2, Kg).

Loose bulk density = W2 / V (Kg/Ltr)

Rodded bulk density of Coarse aggregates:

• Take the air-dry sample of aggregate by quartering method.
• 15 .0 liter capacity cylindrical container shall be filled in 3 layers of equal height with aggregate and tamp with 25 number of strokes in each layer with the rounded end of the tamping rod.
• The net weight of the aggregates shall be record (W1, Kg).

Loose bulk density = W1/V (Kg/Ltr)

Loose bulk density of Coarse aggregates:

• Cylindrical container of 15.0 litre capacity filled by aggregate to overflowing by scoop.
• The aggregates being discharged from a height not exceeding 5.0 cm from top of the measure.
• Record the net weight of the aggregates (W2, Kg).

Rodded bulk density = W2/V (Kg/Ltr)

Container size for bulk density test

Size of Aggregate	Capacity of Container (Ltr)	Inside Diameter (Cm)	Inside height (Cm)
4.75 mm and under	3	15	17
Over 4.75 to 40 mm	15	25	30
Over 40 mm	30	35	31

Read more :

• Abrasion value test of aggregate
• Impact value test of aggregate
• Ten Percent fine value of Coarse Aggregate
• Method of crushing value test of aggregate
• Flakiness & elongation index (FI & EI) of coarse aggregate