Soundness Test For Aggregate

TEST FOR SOUNDNESS VALUE OF COARSE
AGGREGATE
PURPOSE :
 Determination of the resistance to disintegration of aggregates by saturated solution of sodium
sulphate or magnesium sulphate.
IS CODE : IS: 2386 (PART V) 1963
APPARATUS : The apparatus shall consist of the following :

 Sieve : Use sieves of the following sizes having square openings, complying with the requirements
specified in I.S. 460 – 1978 “Specifications for Test Sieves”.
Sieves 4.75mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12.5mm, 16mm, 20mm, 25mm, 31mm, 40mm, 50mm, 63mm and
80mm.
 Containers : Containers for immersing the sample of aggregates in the solution in accordance with
the procedure described in this method is perforated in such a manner as to permit free access of
the solution to the sample drainage of the solution from the sample without loss of aggregate.
Arrangements also be made available to ensure that the volume of the solution in which sample are
immersed are to be at least five times the volume of the sample immersed at any one time.
 Water Bath : Thermostatically controlled bath for regulating the temp. of the sample at 27 °C during
immersion with salt solution.
 Balances : For weighing coarse aggregates, use a balance having a capacity of not less than 5000
gram, sensitive to at least on gram
 Drying oven : the drying oven capable of being maintained between 105°C and 110°C and the rate
of evaporation, at this range of room temperature of average at least 25 grams/hour for four hours
during which period the doors of the oven kept closed.
PROCEDURE :
Preparation of sample
 The test sample of course aggregate may be prepared after removing the fraction finer than of 4.75
mm IS Sieve . The sample should be of such a size that it will yield not less than the following
amounts of different sizes which should available in amounts of 5% or more.
 Sieve size of sample and quantity/ weight.
10 to 4.75mm 300 g
20 to 10 mm 1000g Consisting of 12.5 to 10mm 33% 20 to 12.5mm 67%
40 t 20 mm 1500g Consisting of 25 to 20mm 33% 40 to 25 mm 67%
63 to 40 mm 3000g Consisting of 50 t 40 mm 50% 63 to 50mm 50%
80mm and larger size by 20mm spread in each sieve; Each fraction 3000g
Procedure:
 Saturated solution of sodium sulphate is prepared is prepared in water at a temp of 25°C to 30°C. It should
be ensured that the solution is saturated and excess salt is present. The solution is maintained at a temp of
27°C±2°C and stirred at frequent intervals until it is used. At the time of using the solution should have a sp
gr of not less than 1.151 and not greater than 1.174 and discolored solution should not be used. It may be
necessary to use not less than 420g of anhydrous salt or 1300g of the crystalline deca hydrate salt per lit of
water.
 Alternatively saturated solution of magnesium sulphate may be prepared by dissolving either anhydrous or
crystalline magnesium sulphate. At the time of using the solution should have a sp gr of not less than 1.295
and not more than 1.308. Not less than 400g of the anhydrous salt or 1600g of the crystalline hepta
hydrate may be used per lit of water.
 The sample of curse aggregate shall be thoroughly washed and dried to a constant weight at 105°C to
110°C and is separated to different size ranges as given by sieving. The proper weight of sample for each
fraction is weight an placed in separate container for the test. In te case of fraction curser than 20mm the
particles are also counted. Te samples are immersed in prepared solution of sodium sulphate or
magnesium sulphate for 16 to 18 hours in such a manner that the solution covers them to a depth of at
least 15mm. The containers are kept coved to reduce evaporation and during the period of immersion.
The temp of the solution is maintained at 27°C±1°C.
 After the immersion period aggregates are remove from the solution drained for abt 15 min and placed in
the drying oven maintained at a temp of 105°C ot 110°C . The samples are dried to a constant weight at
this temp by checking the weights after 4 hrs upto 18 hrs. When the successive weights differ by less than
1g , it may be considered that constant weights have been attained and then it may be allowed to cool to
room temp. Then the aggregates are again immersed in the prepared solution, for the next cycle of
immersion and drying.
 After completion of the final cycle the sample is cooled washed free from sulphate. It is determined when
there is no more reaction of wash water with barium chloride( when there is no white precipitation after
addition of barium chloride). Each fraction of sample is then dried to a constant temp of 105°C to 110°C
and weighed.
 During the processes of test cycles, some portion of coarse aggregates get disintegrated. After the specified
cycles of test the aggregates of different sizes are sieved through specified set of IS sieves in order to find
the loss in weight due to weathering.
Size of aggregate Sieve size used to determine loss

63 to 40 mm 31.5 mm
40 to 20 mm 16 mm
20 to 10 mm 8 mm
10 o 4.75 mm 4 mm
 Each fraction of aggregate is examined for excessive splitting, crumbling or disintegration of the grains. A
combined sieve analysis of all the materials subjected to above cycles, may be carried out to note the
variation from the original grain size distribution of the same sample.
CALCULATIONS :
The report shall include the following data :
(a) Type of solution used for the test.
(b) Weight of each fraction of each sample before test.
(c) Material from each fraction of sample finer than the sieve on which the fraction was retained before
test, expressed as a percentage by weight of the fraction.
(d) Weighted average calculated from the percentage loss for each fraction based on the grading of the
sample as received for examination or preferably on the average grading of the material from the
portion of the supplies of which the sample is representative. In this calculation, sizes finer than the 300
micron I.S. Sieve shall be assumed to have zero percent loss.
(e) In the case of particles coarser than 70 mm before test :
1. The number of particles in each fraction before test, and
2. The number of particles affected, classified as to number of disintegrating, splitting, crumbling, cracking,
flaking, etc.
LIMITS :
TYPE OF MATERIAL LIMIT

Magnesium Sulphate MAXIMUM 18 %
Sodium Sulphate MAXIMUM 12 %
FREQUENCY :
TYPE OF MATERIAL FREQUENCY
DBM 1 TEST PER 500 CUM
DAC 1 TEST PER 200 CUM

Soundness Test For Aggregate

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TEST FOR SOUNDNESS VALUE OF COARSE

IS CODE : IS: 2386 (PART V) 1963

APPARATUS : The apparatus shall consist of the following :

Size of aggregate Sieve size used to determine loss

TYPE OF MATERIAL LIMIT

TYPE OF MATERIAL FREQUENCY

DBM 1 TEST PER 500 CUM

DAC 1 TEST PER 200 CUM

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