This document specifies the reference methods used for type testing and in case of dispute, for the determination of particle density and water absorption of normal weight and lightweight aggregates. Other methods can be used for other purposes, such as factory production control, provided that an appropriate working relationship with the reference method has been established. For convenience, some of these other methods are also described in this document.
The reference methods for normal weight aggregates are:
- a wire basket method for aggregate particles retained on the 31,5 mm sieve (Clause 7, except for railway ballast which uses Annex B);
- a pyknometer method for aggregate particles passing the 31,5 mm sieve and retained on the 4 mm sieve (Clause 8);
- a pyknometer method for aggregate particles passing the 4 mm sieve and retained on the 0,063 mm sieve (Clause 9).
In Clauses 7, 8 and 9, three different particle densities (oven-dried particle density, saturated and surface-dried particle density and apparent particle density) and water absorption are determined after a soaking period of 24 h. In Annex B, the oven-dried particle density is determined after soaking in water to constant mass.
For aggregate particles passing the 31,5 mm sieve and retained on the 4 mm sieve, the wire basket method in Clause 7 can be used as an alternative to the pyknometer method in Clause 8.
NOTE 1 The wire basket method can also be used for single aggregate particles retained on the 63 mm sieve.
NOTE 2 The pyknometer method described in Clause 8 can be used as an alternative for aggregates passing the 4 mm sieve and retained on the 2 mm sieve.
The reference methods for lightweight aggregates are:
- a pyknometer method for aggregate particles passing the 31,5 mm sieve and retained on the 4 mm sieve (Annex C). Three different particle densities (oven-dried; saturated and surface-dried; apparent) and water absorption are determined after pre-drying and a soaking period of ...