Jordan University of Science and Technology

Civil Engineering Department

Highway laboratory

Student Name: abdallah alhassan ID: 120034

Experiment number : 5

Experiment Name : Sand equivalent

Instructor: Eng.khaled albalas TA Name:farah jawdat

Submission Date: 10/22/2019 SEC# 5

Evaluation Elements Max Grade

grade
1 Cover page 5
2 Abstract 5
3 Introduction 5
4 Material and equipment 5
5 Objectives 5
6 Test Procedure 5
7 Results and data analysis 20
8 Discussion 15
9 Conclusions 10
10 References 5
11 Presentation of data in tables and figures 5
12 Appendix 5
13 Spilling and clarity sentences 5
14 Overall appearance 5
Total 100
  Abstract

The sand equivalent test (Figure 1) is a rapid field test to show the relative proportions
of fine dust or clay-like materials in fine aggregate (or granular soils). The term “sand
equivalent” expresses the concept that most fine aggregates are mixtures of desirable
coarse particles (e.g., sand) and generally undesirable clay or plastic fines and dust
(ASTM, 2003[1]).These materials can coat aggregate particles and prevent proper asphalt
binder-aggregate bonding.

Figure 1: Sand equivalent cylinder with aggregate sample.

  Introduction

The sand equivalent test quantifies the relative abundance of sand versus clay in soil. It is
measured by standardized test methods such as ASTM D2419, AASHTO T176, and EN 933-
8.[1] The test is used to qualify aggregates for applications where sand is desirable but fines and dust
are not. A higher sand equivalent value indicates that there is less clay‐like material in a sample.
During the test, material from the test specimen that can pass through a No. 4 sieve is mixed with
solutions of calcium chloride, formaldehyde and glycerin in a cylinder. The content is then left
for sedimentation. After about 20 minutes, the level of clay suspension and the sand level is read on
the cylinder scale.
 Material and equipment
  Objective

Its A simple test to determine whether or not a particular aggregate has enough dust or
plastic fines to make a HMA mixture unstable or susceptible to stripping is valuable in
preventing the manufacture of poor performing mixtures.

 Test Procedure

1. Obtain a sample of aggregate passing the No. 4 (4.75 mm) sieve.

2. Split this sample to obtain a little more than four 3 oz. (85 mL) tin measures (Figure 4)
of material (about 12 oz. or 340 mL).
3. Prepare the desired number of test samples by one of the following alternate means:

 Air-dry. Fill the 3 oz (85 mL) tins with air-dry material and tap the tin while filling
to get the most possible material into the tin.
 Pre-wet. Either use an already-wet sample or wet the sample to obtain a
condition where the sample is just wet enough for form a cast in your hand when
squeezed. After the proper wetness is obtained, split the sample by placing it on
a cloth and rolling it by picking up a cloth corner and lifting it to the diagonally
opposite corner. When the material appears homogeneous, fill the tins with
material.
 Oven dry. Get the test samples by one of the two above methods, let samples
dry to a constant mass at 230°F (110°C), then cool to room temperature.

[warning}Wet samples almost always produce lower sand equivalent values. There is no
standard correction between wet and dry sample sand equivalent values (AASHTO,
2000b[7]).

Samples on aggregate proposed for use in HMA should be oven dried if acceptance of
HMA aggregate material is based on samples obtained after the HMA plant’s aggregate
drier.

4. Siphon 4.0 inches (101.6 mm) of calcium chloride solution into a graduated plastic
cylinder.
5. Pour a prepared test sample from the measuring tin into the cylinder using a funnel
(Figure 5). Tap the cylinder bottom to make sure the sample is thoroughly wetted by the
calcium chloride solution.
6. Let the wetted sample sit for 10 minutes.
7. Shake the sample by one of the following methods:

 Mechanical shaker. Set the timer and shake for 45 seconds.

 Manual shaker (Video 1). Place the cylinder in a manual shaker and shake for
100 cycles.
 Hand. Shake the cylinder by hand in a horizontal linear motion for 30 seconds
using a throw of about 9 inches (229 mm). Shake with the forearms only.

8. Irrigate the sample. Place an irrigator tube into the sample and use the irrigation to
wash the sample off the cylinder walls as the tube is lowered. Move the tube all the way
to the bottom of the cylinder by gently stabbing and twisting the tube to get it through
the aggregate sample. Continue the stabbing and twisting action to flush the fines
upward until the cylinder is filled to the 381 mm mark.

9. While continuing to irrigate, raise the irrigation tube out of the cylinder so that the
liquid remains at the 381 mm mark. The volume of the irrigation tube is replaced by
liquid volume as the tube is removed (Figure 6).
10. Allow the cylinder with sample to sit undisturbed for 20 minutes.
11. Record the level at the top of the clay suspension. Record this as the “clay reading”
(Figure 7).
12. Insert a weighted foot assembly into the cylinder until the foot comes to rest on the
sand surface (Figure 8). Read the indicator mark on the weighted foot assembly and
subtract 254 mm from this level to get the sand level (the indicator is 254 mm above the
bottom of the weighted foot). This value is the “sand reading” (Figure 7).
  results and data analysis

Attempts Sand Clay

1 3.3 5.9
2 3.0 5.8
3 3.1 5.8

The average reading for sand is 3.14 and for clay 5.84

SE =53.77 % = 54%
  Discussion

The sand equivalent test is meant to be a rapid field test. Specific issues with the sand
equivalent test are:

 The sand equivalent test is not a direct measure of a HMA physical property.
Rather, it is a measure of plastic fines and dust in the aggregate. These items may
contribute to a reduced asphalt binder-aggregate bond. Therefore, if a sand
equivalent test is satisfactory, it is unlikely that plastic fines and dust in the
aggregate will be a HMA performance problem. However, if a sand equivalent
test is unsatisfactory, further investigation may be warranted.
 Some agencies perform the test on material with a top size smaller than the No. 4
(4.75 mm) sieve. This is done to avoid trapping the clay-like or plastic fines and
dust below flaky shaped No. 4 to 8 (4.75 to 2.36 mm) sized particles. Testing
smaller top sized material may lower the numerical results of the test (ASTM,
2003[1]).
 Aggregates recovered using the ignition furnace appear to be unsuitable for sand
equivalent testing because it appears the burning process creates more material
that will show up on the sand equivalent test as clay (Prowell and Carter, 2000[3]).

 Conclusions

The sand equivalent test, described in the Test Description section, separates out a fine
aggregate sample’s sand and plastic fines and dust portion to determine the content of
the latter. lower sand equivalent values indicate higher pastic fines and dust content.

Minimum specified sand equivalent values for fine aggregate in HMA range from 26 to
60 with the most common being 45. The requirement is also dependent upon the type
of HMA layer (e.g., base course or surface course).
  References

 Course slides
 Pavement Interactive web site
 ASTM

 appendix

Where:
sand reading = height of sand in cylinder (mm)
clay reading = height of clay in cylinder (mm)

The sand equivalent value should be reported to the nearest higher whole number. For
example, if the SE equation gives SE = 38.25, the reported SE should be 39.