WMM IS2386 part1,4,3,5 & IS2720 P-5,8,1,28

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in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority,
and whereas the attached publication of the Bureau of Indian Standards is of particular interest
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timely dissemination of this information in an accurate manner to the public.
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Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan Jawaharlal Nehru
“The Right to Information, The Right to Live” “Step Out From the Old to the New”
IS 2386-1 (1963): Methods of Test for Aggregates for

Concrete, Part I: Particle Size and Shape [CED 2: Cement
and Concrete]
“!ान $ एक न' भारत का +नम-ण”

Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda
“Invent a New India Using Knowledge”
“!ान एक ऐसा खजाना > जो कभी च0राया नहB जा सकता ह”

है”
ह
Bhartṛhari—Nītiśatakam
“Knowledge is such a treasure which cannot be stolen”
IS : 2386 ( Part I) - 1963
( Reaffirmed 2002 )
Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST FOR
AGGREGATES FOR CONCRETE
PART I PARTICLE SIZE AND SHAPE
( Elcvcrl~ll
Reprint AUGUST 1997 )
UDC 691.322:620.1
co&r@ I963
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002
Cr 5 October I963
IS : 2386 ( Part I) - 1963
hdiun Standard
METHODS OF TEST FOR
Cement and Concrete Sectional Committee, BDC 2

Chairman Representing
SHR~ K. K. NAMBIAR The Concrete Association of India, Bombay
Members
SHRI K. V. THADANEY ( Alternate to
Shri K. K. Nambiar )
Sam K. F. ANTIA M. N. Dastur & Co. Private Ltd., Calcutta
SHRI P. 8. BHATNAOAR Bhskra Dam Designs Directorate, New Delhi
DR. I. C. DOS M. PAIS CWDDOU Central Water & Power Commission ( Ministry of
Irrigation & Power )
SHRI Y. K. MURTHY ( ,4Zternate )
SHRI N. D. DAFTARY Khira Steel Works Private Ltd., Bombay
SHRI N. G. DEWAN Central Public Works Department
SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER,
END CIRCLE ( Alternate)
DR. R. R. HATTIANGADI The Associated Cement Companies Ltd., Bombay
SHXI V. N. PAI ( AZternate )
SHRI P. C. HAZRA Geological Survey of India, Calcutta
JOINT DIRECTOR STANDARDS Research, Designs & Standards Organization
(B&S) ( Ministry of Railways )
ASSISTANTDIRECTORSTAND-
ARDS ( B&S ) ( ,‘&?7Late)
SHRI S. B. JOSHI S. B. Joshi & Co. Private Ltd., Bombay b
SHRI M. M. LAL U. P. Government Cement Factory, Churk
SHRI B. N. MAJUMDAR Directorate General of Supplies t Disposals
( Ministry of Economic & Defence Co-ordination )
SHRI P. L. DAS ( Alternate )
PROF. S. R. MEHRA Central Road Research Institute ( CSIR ),
New Delhi
SHRI N. H. MOHILE The Concrete Association of Indis, Bombay
SHRI S. N. MUKERJI Government Test House, Calcutta
SHRI N. C. SEN GUPTA ( Alternate )
SHRI ERACH A. NADIRSHAH Institution of Engineers ( India ), Calcutta
SHRI C. B. PATEL National Buildings Organisation ( Ministry of
Works, Housing & Rehabilitation )
SHRI RABINDER~INGH (Alternate)
PROF. G. S. RAMASWAMY CeS;toro\euilding Research Institute ( CSIR ),
SHRI K. SIVA PBA~AD ( Alternate )

( Continued m page 2 )

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARC
NEW DELHI 110002
IS : 2386 ( Part I ) - 1963
( Continued from page 1)

Members Representing
SHRI T. N. S. RAO Gammon Indi8 Ltd., Bombay
SHRI S,. R. PINHEIRO ( Allemnte )
REPRESENTATIVE Martin Burn Ltd., Calcutta
SERI NIHAR CHANDRA ROY Dalmia Cement ( Bharat ) Ltd., Calcutta
SECRETARY Central Board of Irrigation & Power ( Ministry of
BRIQ G. S. SIHOTA Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch. Army Headquarters
SHRI R. S. MEHANDRU ( Alfernnte )
DR. BB. SUBBARAJU Indian Roads Congress, New Delhi
SRRI J. M. TREHAN Roads Wing, Ministry of Transport, & Commu-
nicet,inns
SHRI N. H. KESWANI ( AZt~r?aafe)
DR. H. C. VISVESVARAYA, Director, IS1 ( Ez-o$cio Mwuber )
Deputy Dirertor ( Rldg )
Secretuw
SHHI A. P~IT&I RAJ
Extra Assistant Director ( Bldg ), IS1
Concrete Srlbcommittee, BDC 2 : 2
Convener
SHRI S. B. JOSHI S.B. Joshi & Co. Privrtte Ltd., Bomh8y
Members
ASSISTANTDIRECTORSTANDARDS Research, Designs & Strtndards Organization
[B&S\
\--~-I
t Ministrv of Rrtilwavs 1
SERI N. H. BHAGWANANI EAgineer-&-Chief’s B&&h, Army Headquarters
DR. I. C. DOS 111.PAIS CUDDOU Central Water & Power Commission ( Ministry of
SHRI Y. K. MURTRY ( Alternase 1
,
SHRI P. L. DAS Directoreta General of Supplies & Disposals
SHRI B. N. MAJUMDAR ( Alternate )
DIRECTOR Engineering Research Laboratory, Hyderabed
SHRI V. N. GUNAJI Maharashtra Public Works Departmeno
SHRI M. A. HAF~EZ National Buildings Organisation ( Ministry of
SRRI B. S. SHIVAMURTHY ( Allewmte )
SRRI C. L. HANDA Central Water & Power Commission ( Ministry of
SRRI P. C. HAZRA Geological Survey of India, Ctllcutta
SERI K. K. NAMBIAR The Concrete Association of India, Bombay
SHRI 6. L. N. IYENGAR ( Alternate )
DR. M. L. PURI Central Road Research Institute ( CSIR ),
New Delhi
PROF. G. S. RAMASWAMY Central Building Research Institute ( CSIR ),
Roorkae
SHRI K. SIVA PRASAD ( Alternate )
SI~RI T. N. S. RAO Gammon India Ltd., Bombay
SHRI S. R. PINHEIBO ( Allemde )
SUPERINTENDINQ ENQINEEB, Central Public Works Department
END CIRCLE
SHRI 0. P. GOEL ( Alternate )
SHRI J. M. TREHAN Roads Wing, Ministry of Transport & Communi-
cations
SZIRIR. P. SIKKA ( Alternate )
SHRI H. T. YAN Breithwaite Burn & Jessop Construction Co. Ltd.,
Calcutta
IS : 2386 ( Part I ) - 1963
Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST FOR
0. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian Standard (&rt I) was adopted by the Indian Standards
Institution on 22 August 1963, after the draft finalized by the Cement
and Concrete Sectional Committee had been approved by the Building
Division Council.
0.2 One of the major contributing factors to the quality of concrete is

the quality of aggregates used therein. The test methods given in this
standard are intended to assist in assessing the quality of aggregates. In
a given situation, for a particular aggregate, it may not be necessary to
assess all the qualities and therefore it is necessary to determine before-
hand the purpose for which a concrete is being used and the qualities of
the aggregate which require to be assessed. Accordingly, the relevant
test methods may be chosen from amongst the various tests covered in
this standard. For the convenience of the users, the test methods are
grouped into the following eight parts of Indian Standard Methods of
Test for Aggregates for Concrete ( IS : 2386-1963 ):
Part I Particle Size and Shape

Part II Estimation of DeIeterious Materials and Organic
Impurities
Part III Specific Gravity, Density, Voids, Absorption and Bulking
Part IV Mechanical Properties
Part V Soundness
Part VI Measuring Mortar Making Properties of Fine Aggreg: _:’
Part VII Alkali Aggregate Reactivity
Part VIII Petrographic Examination
0.3 The Sectional Committee responsible for the preparation’ of this

standard has taken into consideration the views of the concrete special-
ists, testing authorities, consumers and technologists and has related the
standard to the practices followed in this country. Further the need for
3
.’
1s : 2386 ( Part I ) - 1963
international co-ordination among standards prevailing in different

countries of the world has also beenrecognized. These considerations led
the Sectional Committee to derive assistance from the published standards
~ancl publications of the following organizations:
British Standards Institution
American Society for Testing and Materials
0.4 Wherever a reference to any Indian Standard appears in these

methods, it shall be taken as a reference to its latest version.
0.5 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this

standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated, expres-
sing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accordance
with IS : 2-1960 Rules for Rounding Off Numerical Values ( Revised).
The number of significant places retained in the rounded off value should
be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.
0.6 This standard is intended chieily to cover the technical provisions

relating to testing of aggregates for concrete, and it does not cover all the
necessary provisions of a contract.
1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard ( Part I ) covers the following tests for aggregates for
concrete:
4 Sieve analysis,
b) Determination of materials finer than 75-micron,
C) Determination of flakiness index,
4 Determination of elongation index, and
e> Determination of angularity number.
2. SIEVE ANALYSIS
2.1 Object - This method covers the procedure for the determination of
particle size distribution of fine, coarse and all-in-aggregates by
sieving or screening.
2.2 Apparatus
2.2.1 Sieves - Sieves of the sizes given in Table I, conforming to
IS : 460-1962 Specification for Test Sieves ( Revised) shall be used.
4
IS : 2386 ( Part I ) - 1963
TABLE I IS SIEVES FOR SIEVE ANALYSIS OF

( Clause 2.2.1 )
TYPE SIF.VE DESIGNATIONS

Square hole, perforated plate 80-mm, 63-mm, 50-mm, 40-mm, 31*5-mm,
25-mm, 20-mm, 16-mm, 12’5-mm, lo-mm,
6*3-mm, 4*75-mm
Fine mesh, wire cloth 3*35-mm, 2*36-mm, l’l%mm, 600.micron,
300-micron, 150-micron, 75-micron
2.2.2 Balance - The balance or scale shall be such that it is readable

and accurate to 0.1 percent of the weight of the test sample.
2.3 Sample - The weight of sample available shall be not less than the
weight given in Table II. The sample for sieving ( see Table II ) shall
be prepared from the larger sample either by quartering or by means of
a sample divider,
TABLE II MINIMUM WEIGHTS FOR SAMPLING
!
L
MAXIMUM SIZE PRESENT MINIMUM Werc~rr~ OF

IN SUBSTANTIAT. SAMPLE DESPAT~~IIEI)
PROP~RTIOX~ FOE TEwITc
II? m kg
63 100
50 100
40 30
25 5U
20 23
16 2.5
12% 12
10.0 6
6.3 3
2.4 Test Prodedure for Coarse and Fine Aggregate
2.4.1 The sample shall be brought to an air-dry condition before

weighing and sieving. This may be achieved either by drying at room
temperature or by heating at a temperature of 100” to 110°C. The air-dr)
sample shall be weighed and sieved successively on the appropri;tte
sieves starting with the largest. Care shall be taken tocnsurc that the
sieves are clean before use.
IS : 2386 ( Part I ) - 1963
2.4.2 Each sieve shall be shaken separately over a clean tray until not
more than a trace passes, but in any case for a period of not less than
two minutes. The shaking shall be done with a varied motion, back-
wards and forwards, left to right, circular clockwise and anti-clockwise,
and with frequent jarring, so that the material is kept moving over the
.sieve surface in frequently changing dirkctions. Material shall not be
forced through the sieve by hand pressure, but on sieves coarser than
20 mm, placing of particles is permitted. Lumps of fine material, if
present, may be broken by gentle pressure with fingers against the side
of the sieve. Light brushing with a soft brush on the under side of the
sieve may be used to clear the sieve openings.
2.4.3 Light brushing with a fine camel hair brush may be used on the
150-micron and 75-micron IS Sieves to prevent aggregation of powder
and blinding of apertures. Stiff or worn out brushes shall not be used
for this purpose and pressure shall not be applied to the surface of the
sieve to force particles through the mesh.
i 2.4.3.1 On completion of sieving, the material retained on each

sieve, together with any material cleaned from the mesh, shall be
weighed.
2.4.4 In order to prevent bindin g of the sieve apertures by over-

loading, the amount of aggregate placed on each sieve shall be such that
the wei$t of the aggregate retained on the sieve at completion of the
operation is not greater than the value given for that sieve in Table III.
Sample weights given in Table IV will thus normally require several
operations on each sieve.
SOTIS 1 -- For rn8n.y routine ~~~rp~ses mechanical sieving is .tdvantageous,

knit if t,his method is 11se<1, COW should he t,aktxn to erls~~e that, the sieving is
cTmplotc.
SOTI<: _’ - The following ilitornative procedure is permissif)ir where it is re_

(jltir.ed to tletewnine only the rlrmulative percentage figures:
The cnlnulat.ive weight passing envh sieve shell be calculated as a pel’.

centape of lho total sample weight.
NOTE 3 - If sieving is carried out with a nest of sieves on a machine, not

less than 10 rnimltes sieving will he required for each test.
2.5 Test Procedure for All-in-Aggregates, or Mixed Coarse and Fine

Aggregates-The weight of sample available shall not be less than the
6
IS : 2386 ( Part I ) - 1963
weight given in Table II. The sample for sieving (see Table Iv ) shall
be prepared from the larger sample either by quartering or by means of
a sample divider. It shall be brought to air-dry condition before weigh-
ing and sieving. This may be achieved either by drying at room
temperature or by heating at a temperature of 100” to 110°C.
TABLE III MAXIMUM WEIGHT TO BE RETAINED AT THE

COMPLETION OF SIEVING
( Clause 2.4.4 )
COARBP AQQRE~ATE FINE AQ~REQATE

r-_-__-.-._--. h___--____T ~-_-_-__-h-_---__~
IS Sieve Maximum Weight for IS I\laximum Weight for
c---- - -___y Sieve 20-cm dirt
4.5~cmdia 30-cm dia Sieve
sieve sieve
kg kg g
SO-mm 10 4.5 2*36-mm 200
40-mm 3’5 1.1%mm 100
31.5mm or 25mm : 2.5
20-mm 4 2-o 600-micron 75
16-mm or 12*5-mm 3 1’5 300-micron 50
lo-mm 2 1.0
6*3-mm 1.5 0.75 150.micron 40
4*76-mm 1-o 0.50 75-micron 25
3*35-mm - 0.30
TABLE IV MINIMUM WEIGHT OF SAMPLE FOR SIEVE ANALYSIS

( Clauses 2.4.4, 2.6 and 2.6.2 )
%fAXUdUM SIZE MINIMUM WEIGHT OF

PRESENT IN SUBSTAHTIAL SAMPLE TO BE TAKEN
PROPORTIONS FOR SIEVING
mm kg
63 50
50 35
40 or 31.5 lb
25 5
20 or 16 2
12% I
10 0.5
6.3 0.2
4’75 0.2
2.36 O-1
7
IS : 2386 ( Part I ) - 1963
2.5.1 In some cases the sieve analysis of .all-in-aggregate can be carried

out in accordance with the procedure given in 2.4. Frequently, however,
this will result in heavy overloading of the finer sieves. In such cases it
will be necessary to make a preliminary separation of the all-in-aggregate
into two fractions, coarse and fine, using for this purpose a convenient
sieve for example, a 3.35mm or 4.75mm IS Sieve.
2.5.2 If the amount of either the coarse or fine aggregate obtained as

above is substantially less than that required for testing in accordance
with Table IV, another sample shall be taken which is sufficiently large
to produce an adequate sample of both the coarse and the fine aggregate.
If the amount of either the coarse or the fine aggregate thus obtained is
substantially greater than that required for testing, it shall be reduced by
quartering or by means of a sample divider.
2.6 Reporting of Results - The results shall be calculated and reported

as:
a) the cumulative percentage by weight of the total sample passing

each of the sieves, to the nearest whole number (see Note
under 2.6.1); or
b) the percentage by weight of the total sample passing one sieve

and retained on the next smaller sieve, to the nearest 0.1 percent.
2.6.1 Graphical Method of Recording Results - The results of sieve

analysis may be recorded graphically on the chart for recording sieve
analysis shown in Fig. 1.
NOTE - It is recommended that cumulative percentage figures should be used

for comparison with specification requirements, or for reporting results gra-
phically.
3. DETERMINATION OF MATERIALS FINER THAN 75-MICRON
3.1 Object - This method of test deals with the procedure for determin-
ing the total quantity of material finer than 75micron IS Sieve in
aggregates by washing.
NOTE- Clay particles that are dispersed by wash water as well as water
soluble materials will be removed from the aggregate during the test.
3.2 Apparatus - The apparatus shall consist of the following:
a) Balance -The balance or scale shall be of sufficient capacity

and sensitivity ( see 3.3.1 and 3.4.1 ) and shall have an accuracy
of 0.1 percent of the weight of the test sample.
8
loo- ,
80
60
40'
W
20
0 A
75 1 212 1 425 1 850 1 l-70 1 3-35 1 6-3 1 12-5 ) 20 1 40 I 63 I
1 150 300 600 i l-18
I- 2.36 4.75 10 16 25
APERTURE SIZE IN MICRONS APERTURE SIZE IN MILLIMETRES 50
SIEVE StZES
pJo= -The vertical scale of this chart is an arithmetic scale and the horizontal scale is logarithmic.
FIG. 1 CHART FOR RECORDINQ SIEVE ANALYSIS RESULTS

IS:2386(Part I)-1963
h) Sieve - A nest of two sieves, the lower being 75-micron IS Sieve

and the upper approximately l-18-mm IS Sieve [see IS : 460-1962
Specification for Test Sieves ( Revised )I.
c) Container -- A pan or vessel of a size sufficient to contain the

sample covered with water and to permit of vigorous agitation
without inadvertent loss of any part of the sample or water.
d) Oven - An oven of sufficient size capable of maintaining an

uniform temperature of llO”f5”C.
3.3 Sample - The test sample shall be selected from material which has
been thoroughly mixed and which contains sufficient moisture to prevent
segregation. A representative sample, sutf’icient to yield not less than the
appropriate weiaht of dried material, as shown below, shall be selected:
Maximum Nominal Approximate Minimum

Size of Aggregate Weight of Sample
mm g
4.75 500
10’0 2000
20 2 500
40 or over 5 000
3.4 Procedure
3.4.1 The test sample shall be dried to constant weight at a tempera-
ture of llO”f5”C and weighed to the nearest 0.1 percent.
3.4.2 The test sample after being dried and weighed shall be placed in
the container and sufficient water added to cover it. I he contents of the
container shall be agitated vigorously.
3.4.3 The agitation shall be sufficiently vigorous to result in the

complete separation from the coarse particles of all particles finer than
75-micron and bring the fine material into suspension.
Care shall be taken to avoid, as much as possible, the decantation of

the coarse particles of the sample. The operation shall be repeated until
the wash water is clear.
3.4.4 The wash water containing the suspended and dissolved solids
shall be immediately poured over the nested sieves arranged with the
coarser sieve on the top.
10
IS:2386(PartI)-1963
3.4.5 All material retained on the nested sieves shall be returned to

the washed sample. The washed aggregate shall be dried to constant
weight at a temperature not exceeding 110°C and weighed to the nearest
0.1 percent.
3.5 Calculation -The amount of material passing the 75-micron IS Sieve

shall be calculated as follows:
A=
- B--c
B
x 100
where
A = percentage of material finer than 75-micron,
B = original dry weight, and
C = dry weight after washing.
4. DETERMINATION OF FLAKINESS INDEX

4.1 Object-This method of test lays down the procedure for determin-
ing the flakiness index of coarse aggregate.
NOTE -- The flakiness index of an aggregate is the percentage by weight of

particles in it whose least dimension ( thickness ) is less than three-fifth8 of their
mean dimenaion. The test is not applicable to sizes smaller than 6*S mm.
a) Balance-The balance shall be of suficient capacity and

sensitivity ( see 4.4.3 ) and shall have an accuracy of 0.1 percent
of the weight of the test sample.
b) Metal Gauge -- The metal gauge shall be of the pattern shown in
Fig. 2.
c) Sieves - IS Sieves of sizes shown in Table V.
4.3 Sample -- A quantity of aggregate shall be taken sufficient to provide

the minimum number of 200 pieces of any fraction to be tested.
4.4 Procedure
4.4.1 Sieving - The sample shall be sieved in accordance with the
method described in 3 with the sieves specified in Table V.
4.4.2 Separation of Flaky h4aterial- Each fraction shall be gauged

in turn for thickness on a metal gauge of the pattern shown in Fig. 2 or
in bulk on sieves having elongated slots. The width of the slot used in
11
j J ‘t ..!.i
%Jj’_
._
THESE SIZES MARKED ON GAUGE
_--
-___--____________--------
-_----__-_-_-____-_-------
““1
---
i
5:
9
2
_---_“7T~~_ ____ -__ ______ _____-__-------_.
,_.,
___--__-_____-____---------------------
1.6 mm THICK MS SHEET

ROLLED OVER 8mm ($ BAR
Sll dimensions in millimetres.
FIG. 2 TEICKXESSGAUGE
_.
IS : 2386 ( Part I ) - 1963
the gauge or sieve shall be of the dimensions specified in co1 3 of Table V

for the appropriate size of material.
TABLE V DIMENSIONS OF THICKNESS AND LENGTH GAUGES

(Clauses 4.2, 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 5.2 and 5.4.1 )
SIZE OF AQQBE~ATE THICENE~S GAUC+E* LENQTH GanaEt

r------- h______-__~
Pass$gTFeough Retained On
i IS Sieve
(1) (2) (3) (4)

mm mm
63-mm 50-mm 33.90

50-mm 40-mm 27.00 ST0
40-mm 25-mm 19.60 58’6
31*&mm P&mm 16’95
25-mm 20-mm 13’50 4;5
20-mm 16-mm 10.80 32.4
16-mm 12%mm 8’55 25%
12.5-mm lo-mm 6’75 262
1 O-mm 6.3-mm 4.89 14.7
*This dimension is equal to 0.6 times the mean sieve size.
tThis dimension is equal to I.8 times the mean sieve size.
4.4.3 Weighing of Flaky Material - The total amount passing the

gauge shall be weighed to an accuracy of at least 0.1 percent ofthe
weight of the test sample.
4.5 Reporting of Results - The flakiness index is the total weight of the
material passing the various thickness gauges or sieves, expressed as a
percentage of the total weight of the sample gauged.
5. DETERMINATION OF ELONGATION INDEX
5.1 Object - This method of test lays down the procedure for determin-
ing the elongation index of coarse aggregate.
NOTE - The elongation index of an aggregate is the percentage by weight

of particles whose greatest dimension ( length ) is greater than one and four-fifths
times their mean dimension. Normally, the properties of interest to the engineer
are sufficiently covered by the flakiness or angularity tests. The elongation
test is not applicable to sizes smaller than 6.3 mm.
13
IS : 2386 ( Part I ) - 1963
5.2Apparatus - The apparatus shall consist of the following:

a>Balance - The balance shall be of sufficient capacity and sensiti-
vity ( see 5.4.3 ) and shall have an accuracy of 0’1 percent of the
weight of the test sample.
b) Metal Gauge - The metal gauge shall be of the pattern shown in

Fig. 3.
4 Sieves - IS Sieves of the sizes shown in Table V.
5.3 Sample - A quantity of aggregate shail be taken, sufficient to provide

a minimum number of 200 pieces of any fraction to be tested.
5.4 Procedure
5.4.1 Sieving - The sample shall be sieved in accordance with the
method described in 3 with the sieves specified in Table V.
5.4.2 Separation of Elongated Material- Each fraction shall be

gauged individually for length on a metal length gauge of the pattern
shown in Fig. 3. The gauge length used shall be that specified in co1 4
of Table V for the appropriate size of material.
5.4.3 Weighing of Elongated Material - The total amount retained by

the length gauge shall be weighed to an accuracy of at least 0.1 percent
of the weight of the test sample.
5.5 Report of Results - The elongation index is the total weight of the
material retained on the various length gauges, expressed as a percentage
of the total weight of the sample gauged.
6. DETERMINATION OF ANGULARITY NUMBER
6.1Object - This method of test lays down the procedure for determin-
ing the angularity number of coarse aggregate.
NOTE 1 - Angulsrity or absence of rounding of the particles of an aggre-

gate is 8 property which is of importance because it 8ffeCts the ease of handling
of n mixture of aggregate and binder, for example the workebility of concrete,
or the st8bility of mixtures thet rely on the interlocking of. the perticles. It
is emphesixed that this is e laboratory method intended for comparing the proper-
ties of different aggregetes for mix ,design purposes.
NOTE 2 - Since considersbly more effort is used then in the test for bulk
density end voids [ see IS : 2336 ( Part III )-1963 1, the results of the two tests are
different. Also weeker 8ggreg&es may be orusbed during compection, end the
anguleritynumber test does not apply to any aggregete which breaks down
during the test.
14
IS : 2386 ( Part I) - 1963
a>Metal Cylinder-A metal cylinder closed at one end and of

about 3 litres capacity, the diameter and height of which shall be
approximately equal, for example 15 cm and 15 cm. The cylinder
shall be made from metal of thickness not less than 3 mm and
shall be of sufficient rigidity to retain. its shape under rough
usage.
b) Tamping Rod - A straight metal tamping rod of circular cross-

section of 16 mm diameter and 60 cm long, rounded at one end.
cl Balance -Balance or scale of capacity 10 kg readable to one

gram.
d) Scoop - A metal scoop approximately 20 x 12 x 5 cm, that is,

about 1-litre heaped capacity.
6.3 Calibration of the Cylinder-The cylinder shall be calibrated by

determining to the nearest gram the weight of water at 27°C required to
fill it, so that no meniscus is present above the rim of the container.
6.4 Preparation of the Test Sample - The amo.unt of aggregate available

shall be sufficient to provide, after separation on the appropriate pair of
sieves, at least 10 kg of the predominant size, as determined by the sieve
analysis on the 20-mm, 16-mm, 12*5-inm; lo-mm, 6.3-mm and 4.75~mm
IS Sieves.
6.4.1 The test sample shall consist of aggregate retained between the
appropriate pair of IS Sieves ( square mesh ) from the following sets:
20-mm and 16-mm

16-mm and 12*5-mm
12*5-mm and lo-mm
lo-mm and 6.3-mm
6*3-mm and 4*75-mm
NOTE - In testing aggregates larger than 20 mm, the volume of the cylinder
shall be greater than 3 litres, but for aggregate smaller than 4.75 mm a, smeller
cylinder may be used. The procedure shall be the Bame as with 3 litre cylin-
der. except that the amount of compsctive effect ( weight of tamping rod x height
of fall x number of blows ) shell be proportioned to the volume of the cylinder.
6.4.2 The aggregate to be tested shall be dried for at least 24 hours in

shallow trays in a well ventilated oven at a temperature of 100” to 1 lO”C,
cooled in an air-tight container and tested.
16
IS : 2386 ( Part I ) - 1963
6.5 Test Procedure -The scoop shall be filled and heaped to ovcr-
flowing with the aggregate, which shall be placed ir: the cylinder by
allowing it to slide gently off the scoop from the least height possible.
6.5.1 The aggregate in the cylinder shall be subjected to 100 blows of
the tamping rod at a rate of about 2 blows per second. Each blow shall
be applied by holding the rod vertical with its rounded end 5 cm above
the surface of the aggregate and releasing it so that it falls freely. No
force shall be applied to the rod. The 100 blows shall he evenly dis-
tributed over the surface of the aggregate.
6.5.2 The process of filling and tampirlg shall be repeated exactly as
described above with a second and third layer of aggregates; the third
layer shall contain just sufficient aggregate to fill the cylinder level with
the top edge before tamping.
6.5.3 After the third layer has been tamped, the cylinder shall be filled
to overflowing, and the aggregate struck off level with the top using the
tamping rod as a straight edge. ,
6.5.4 Individual pieces shall then be added and ‘rolled-in’ to the
surface by rolling the tamping rod across the upper edge of the cylinder,
and this finishing process shall be continued as long as the aggregate
does not lift the rod off the edge of the cylinder on either side. The
aggregate shall not be pushed in or otherwise forced down, and no down-
ward pressure shall be applied to the tamping rod, which shall roll in
contact with the metal on both sides of the cylinder.
6.5.5 The aggregate in the cylinder shall then be weighed to the
nearest 5 grams.
6.5.6 Three separate determinations shall be made, and the mean
weight of aggregate in the cylinder calculated. If the result of any one
determination differs from the mean by more than 25 grams, three
additional determinations shall immediately be made on the same
material and the mean of all the six determinations calculated.
6.6 Calculation - The angularity number shall be calculated from the

formula:
loo W
Angularity number = 67 - CG
A
where
W = mean weight in g of the aggregate in the cylinder,
C = weight of water in g required to fill the cylinder, and
G, = specific gravity of aggregate.
6.7 Reporting of Results - The angularity number shall be expressed to
the nearest whole ember.
17
Headquarters
Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, NEW DELHI 110002
Telephones: 323 0131,323 3375,323 9402
Fax : 91 11 3234062, 91 11 3239399, 91 11 3239382
Telegrams : Manaksanstha
(Common to all Offices)
Central Laboratory : Telephone
Plot No. 20/9, Site IV, Sahibabad Industrial Area, Sahibabad 201010 8-77 00 32
Regional Offices:
Central : Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, NEW DELHI 110002 32378 17
*Eastern : l/l 4 CIT Scheme VII M, V.I.P. Road, Maniktola, CALCUTTA 700054 337 86 62
Northern : SC0 335-336, Sector 34-A, CHANDIGARH 160022 60 38 43
Southern : C.I.T. Campus, IV Cross Road, CHENNAI 600113 235 23 15
twestern : Manakalaya, E9, Behind Marol Telephone Exchange, Andheri (East), 832 92 95
MUMBAI 400093
Branch Offices::
‘Pushpak’, Nurmohamed Shaikh Marg, Khanpur, AHMEDABAD 380001 550 1348
SPeenya Industrial Area, 1 st Stage, Bangalore-Tumkur Road, 839 49 55
BANGALORE 560058
Gangotri Complex, 5th Floor, Bhadbhada Road, T.T. Nagar, BHOPAL 462003 55 40 21
Plot No. 62-63, Unit VI, Ganga Nagar, BHUBANESHWAR 751001 40 36 27
Kalaikathir Buildings, 670 Avinashi Road, COIMBATORE 641037 21 01 41
Plot No. 43, Sector 16 A, Mathura Road, FARIDABAD 121001 8-28 88 01
Savitri Complex, 116 G.T. Road, GHAZIABAD 201001 8-71 1996
53/5 Ward No.29, R.G. Barua Road, 5th By-lane, GUWAHATI 781003 541137
5-8-56C, L.N. Gupta Marg, Nampally Station Road, HYDERABAD 500001 201083
E-52, Chitaranjan Marg, C- Scheme, JAIPUR 302001 37 29 25
1171418 B, Sarvodaya Nagar, KANPUR 208005 21 68 76
Seth Bhawan, 2nd Floor, Behind L&a Cinema, Naval Kishore Road, 23 89 23
LUCKNOW 226001
NIT Building, Second Floor, Gokulpat Market, NAGPUR 440010 52 51 71
Patliputra Industrial Estate, PATNA 800013 26 23 05
Institution of Engineers (India) Building 1332 Shivaji Nagar, PUNE 411005 32 36 35
T.C. No. 14/l 421, University P. 0. Pafayam, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695034 621 17
*Sales Cffiie is at 5 Chowringhee Approach, P.O. Princsp Street, 271085

CALCUl-fA 700072
TSales office is at Novefty Chambers, Grant Road, MUMBAI 400007 309 65 28
*Sales office is at ‘F’ Block, Unity Building, Narashimaraja Square, 222 39 71
BANGALORE 560002
Reprography Unit, BIS, New Delhi, India

AMENDMENT ND. 1 JANUARY 1983
TO
IS:2386(Fart I)-1963 METHODS OF TEST FOR
AGGREGATES FOR CONTRETE
PART I .P/\RTICLESIZE AND SHAPE
Alteration
-a---
[Pqe II, c&use 4.2(b)] - Substitute the

following for the existing matter:
'b) JfetaZ Gauge - The metal gauge shall be of

the pattern shown in Fig. 2 with elongeted
slots of dimensions indicated in Fit. 2.
The tolerence on dimensions shall be + 0.20 mm
for dimensions equal to or more than 70 mm and
2 0.10 mm for dimensions less thcri 50 mm.'
(ZDC 2)
AMENDMENT NO. 2 OCTOBER 1991
TO
IS 2386 ( Part 1) : 1963 METHODS OF TEST FOR
PART1 PARTICLE SIZE AND SHAPE
(Page 12, Fig. 2 ) - Substitute ‘40 to 31S’for ‘40 to 25’.
(Page 13, Table V, coZ2, third entry ) - Substitute ‘3Gmm’ for ‘25mm’.
(Page 13, clause 4.43 ) - Substitute the following for the existing clause :
‘4.43 The number of pieces passing the appropriate gauge in each size fraction
shall be counted separately. The total mass of each size fraction of the sample also
shall be determined.’
(Page 13, clause 45 ) - Substitute the following for the existing clause:
“4.5 Calculation and Reporting of Results
45.1 The number of pieces passing the appropriate gauge in each fraction
shall be calculated as a percentage of the total number of pieces in each sieve
fraction (x) . The mass of total number of pieces in each sieve fraction shall then
be calculated as a percentage of the total mass of the whole sample (y). The
weighted percentage of the mass of pieces passing the appropriate gauge in each
sieve fraction shall then be calculated by multiplying ‘x’ by ‘y’.
4.53 The flakiness index shall be expressed as the sum of weighted
percentages of the material passing the appropriate gauge in each sieve fraction.
If squired, the flakiness index for each sieve fraction may be reported as
weighted percentage of the material passing the appropriate gauge.”
(CED2)
ReprographyUnit, BIS, New Delhi, India
.
AMENDMENT NO. 3 SEPTEMBER 1997

TO
IS 2386( PART 1) : 1963 METHODS OF TEST FOR
AGGREGATES FOR CONCRmE
PART 1 PARTICLE SIZE AND SHAPE
(To be rud with Amendment No. 2) ’
(Page 1% Fig. 2 ) - SutMitute ‘2150’ for ‘19.50’.
(Page 13, Tuble V, he 3, co13 ) - Substitute ‘21JO’for‘1950’. . I
( Page 13, Table V, line 3, co1 4 ) - Substitute W.4 for ‘58.5’.

(Page 13, clause 45 ) - Substitute the following for the existing clause: ’ *
‘45 Calculation nod Reporting of Result
45.1 ‘Ibe mass of pieces passing the appropriate gauge in each sieve fraction ’
shall be calculated as a percentage of mass of the total number of pieces in each /
fraction (x) . The mass of total number of pieces in each sieve shall then be
calculated as a percentage of the total mass of the whole sample that is the
sample which is retained on 6.3 mm sieve (y). The weighted pcramtagc of the
mass of the pieces passing the appropriategauge in each sieve fraction shall then
i
be calculated by multiplying ‘x’ by ‘y’.
. (CED53)
.’
AMENDMENT NO. 4 DECEMBER 2010
TO
IS 2386 (PART 1) : 1963 METHODS OF TEST FOR AGGREGATES FOR
CONCRETE
PART 1 PARTICLE SIZE AND SHAPE
(Page 15, Fig. 3) — Substitute ‘64.4’ for ‘58.5’.
(CED 2)



IS 2720-5 (1985): Methods of test for soils, Part 5:

Determination of liquid and plastic limit [CED 43: Soil and
Foundation Engineering]


है”
ह
( Reaffirmed 2006 )
IS:2720(Part5)-1985
Indian Standard
METHOD OF TEST FOR SOILS
PART 5 DETERMINATION OF LIQUID AND PLASTIC LIMIT
( Second Revision )
Soil Engineering Sectional Committee, BDC 23
Central Building Research Institute ( CSIR ),
Roorkee
Members
PROF ALAM SINGH University of Jodhpur, Jodhpur
SHRI B. ANJJ~H Engineering Research Laboratories, Government of
Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad
CHIEF ENGINEER ( IPRI ) Irrigation Department, Government of Punjab,
Chandigarh
DIR~~CTOR( DARN) ( Alternate )
SARI C. S. DABKE Howe ( India ) Pvt Ltd, New Delhi
SHRI G. V. MURTHY ( Alternate )
SHEI A. G. DASTIDAR In personal capacity ( 5 Hungerford Court, 12/Z
HungcrfordStreet, Calcutta )
DIRECTOR (D PLQPC j Public Works Department, Government of Uttar
Pradesh, Lucknow
DEPUTY DIRECTOIL( B & SD ) ( Alternate )
DIRECTOR: IRI Irrigation Department, Government of Uttar
Pradesh, Roorkee
DIRECTOR Central Soil & Materials Research Station. New
Delhi
DEPUTY DIRECTOR ( Alternate )
SARI A. H. DIVANJI Asia Foundations and Construction (P) Ltd, Bombay
SHRI A. N. JANGLE ( Alternate )
DR GOPAL RANJAN Univrrsitv of Roorkee. Roorkee: and Institute of
Engineers ( India ), Calcutta’
Srrnr S. GUPTA Cemindia Company Limited, Bombay
SHRI N. V. DI+SOUSA ( Alternate )
SHRI M. IYENGA~ Engineers India Limited, New Delhi
Snn.r Asno~ K. JAIN G. S. Jain and Associates, New Delhi
SIIRI VIJAY K. JAIN ( Alternate )
( Continued on page 2 )
@ Copyright 1985
INDIAN STANDARDS INSTITUTION
This publication is protected under the Indian Copyright Act ( XIV of 1957 ) and
reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the
publisher shall be deemed to be an infringement of copyright under the said Act.
IS : 2720 (Part 5 ) - 1985
( Continuedfrom page 1 )
JOINT DIRECTOR RESEARCH Ministry of Railways
( GE )-I, RDSO
Jo& DIRECTOR RESEARCH
( GE )-IS, RDSO ( Alternate )
SHRI A. V. S. R. Munrr Indian Geotechnical Society, New Delhi
SHRI D. R. Nnrt.\~r.~a~ Central Building Research Institute ( CSIR ),
Roorkee
SRRI T. K. N>\TRaJAN Central Road Research Institute ( CSIR ), New
Delhi
SHRI R~N~JIT SINCH Ministry of Defence ( R & D )
SHRI V. B. GII~RPADE ( Alternate )
DR G. V. RAO Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi
DR K. K. GUPIX ( Alternate )
RESEARCH OBFII.E~ f\ B & RRL ) Public Works Denartment. Government of Punjab,
Chandigarh A ’
SEOKETARY Central Board of Irrigatron and Power, New Delhi
DIR~CTOII. (C) ( Alternate )
SHRI N. S~VAGCJILU Roads Wing ( Ministry of Shipping and Transport ),
New D<lhi ’ _- _
SHI~I U. JAYAJ(ODI ( Alternate )
SHRI K. S. SRINIVASAN National Buildings Organization, New Delhi
SHRI SUNIL BERRY ( Alternate )
DR N. SOM Jadavpur University, Calcutta
SHRI N. SUBRAM\NYAM Karnataka Eneineerin~ Research Station,
Krishnarajaslgar -
COL R. R. SUDIIINDRA Ministry of Defence ( Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch )
SHRI S. S. .JOSHI ( Alternate )
SUPERINTENDINGE N o I N E E R Public Works Department, Government of Tamil
(P&DC) Nadu, Madras
EXECUTIVE ENGINEER
( SMRD ) ( Alternate j-
SHRI H. C. VERXA All India Instrument Manufacturers and Dealers
Association, Bombay
SIIRI H. I;. G~IIA ( Alternate )
SHRI G. RAMAN, Director General, IS1 ( Ex-o@cio Member )
Director ( Civ Engg )
SHRI K. M. MATHUR
Senior Deputy Director ( Civ Engg ), IS1
( Continued on page 16 )
2
IS : 2720 1 Part 5 ) - 1985
Indian Stundard
METHOD OF TEST FOR SOILS
PART 5 DETERMINATION OF LIQUID AND PLASTIC LIMIT
( Second Revision )
0. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian Standard ( Part 5 ) ( Second Revision ) was adopted by
the Indian Standards Institution on 25 January 1985, after the draft
finalized by the Soil Engineering Sectional Committee had been approved
by the Civil Engineering Division Council.
0.2 With a view to establish uniform procedures for the determination of

different characteristics of soils and to facilitate comparative study of
the results, the Indian Standards Institution is bringing out the ‘Indian
Standard methods of test for soils’ ( IS : 2720 ) which is being published
inparts covering various properties of Soils. This Part 5, which deals
with the methods of test for the determination of liquid and plastic, limits
and other related indices of soils, was first published in 1965 and revircd
in 1970. I
0.2.1 In this second revision, cone penetration method has been revise,d
based on the ‘revised cone’ which is now universally used in other
countries. The conventional Casagrande apparatus has certain short-
comings, such as the difficulty of cutting groove in soils of low plasticity
and the tendency of soils to slip rather than flow. Cone penetrometer
forms an alternative method to overcome the inherent shortcomings.
0.3 The liquid and plastic limits of soils are both dependent. on the
amount and type of clay in a zoil and form the basis for the soil classifi-
cation system for cohesive soils based on the plasticity tests. Besides
their use for identification, the plasticity tests give information concerning
the cohesion properties of soil and the amount of capillary water which
it can hold. They are also used directly in specifications for controlling
soil for use in fill. These index properties of soil have also been related
to various other properties of the soil.
3
IS : 2720 ( Part 5 j - 1985
0.4 In reporting the result of a test or analysis made in accordance with

this standard, if the final value, observed or calculated, is to be rounded
off, it shall be done in accordance with IS : 2-1960*.
1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard ( Part 5 ) lays down methods of test for the determina-
tion of the liquid limit and plastic limit of sons. Three methods, namely,
mechanical method, one point method and the cone method are given
for the determination of liquid limit.
1.1.1 Liquid limits over about 120 percent shall be obtained by the
procedure specified in 3 or 4. The one point method shall not be used
for highly organic soils ( see Note ).
NOTE - The one point method may be applicable to the region for which the
constants are obtained based upon results of tests on soils from that region. For all
national and international reports the results obtained by the method in 3 or 4 may be
reported.
1.2 The methods for calculating the following indices which are related
to the liquid and plastic limits are also given:
Flow index ( see 3.5.2 ),

Plasticity index ( see 8 ),
Toughness index ( see 9 ),
Liquidity index ( or water plasticity ratio ) ( see 10 ), and
Consistency index ( see l-1 ).
2. TERMINOLOGY
2.1 For the purpose of this standard, definitions of terms given in

IS : 2809-19727 shall apply.
3. TEST FOR THE DETERMINATION OF LIQUID LIMIT

( MECHANICAL METHOD )
3-l Apparatus
3.1.1 Mechanical Liquid Limit Device - It shall conform to IS : 9259-
1979;.
3.1.2 Grooving l-001 - It shall conform to 1S : 9259-1979$.
*Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised ).

$Glossary of terms and symbols relating to soil engineering ( jirstrevision ).
$Specification for liquid limit apparatus for soils.
4
IS : 2720 ( Part 5 ) - 1985
3.1.3 Porcelain Euaporntiq Dish - about 12 to 15 cm in diameter.
3.1.4 Flat Glass Plate - 10 mm thick and about 45 cm square or larger

( alternative to porcelain evaporating dish for nlixing soil with water ).
3.1.5 Spatula - flexible, with the blade about 8 cm long and 2 cm wide
( for mixing soil and water in the porcelain evaporating dish ).
3.1.6 Palette Knices - two, with the blade about 20 cm long and 3 cm
wide ( for mixing soil and water on the flat glass Pilate ).
3.1.7 Balance - sensitive to 0’01 g.
3.1.8 Oven - thermostatically controlled with interior of non-corroding

material to maintain the temperature between 105 and 110°C.
3.1.9 Wash Bottle or Beaker - containing distilled water.
3.1.10 Containers - air-tight and non-corrodible for determination of

moisture content.
3.2 Soil Sample - A sample weighing about 120 g shall be taken from
the thoroughly mixed portion of material passing 425-micron IS Sieve
[ see IS : 460 ( Part 1 )-1978” ] obtained in accordance with IS : 2720
( Part 1 )-1983t ( see Note and 6.2 ) .
NOTE- When no stones are present in the soil and practically all of the soil passes
4?5-micron IS Sieve, there is sometimes a practice of testing samples without previo-
usly preparing them. When soils are tested in the natural condition, the results will
usually differ from those obtained with air-dried samples. The test record shall state
that soil in the natural condition was used.
Ifthis is done and stones are present, only the material passing
425-micron IS Sieve shall be used for the test; this can be obtained by
rubbing the wet soil through the sieve until a sufficient quantity of the
size passing 425-micron IS Sieve is obtained.
3.3 Adjustment of the Mechanical Device
3.3.1 The liquid limit device shah be inspected to determine that

it is clean, dry and in good workin g order, that the cup falls freely and
it does not have too_much side play at its hinge. The grooving tool shall
also be inspected to determine that it is clean and dry.
3.3.2 Using tlje gauge on the handle of the grooving tool or a separate
gauge and by means of the adjustment plate of the mechanical liquid
limit device, the height through which the cup is lifted and dropped
shall be adjusted so that the point on the cup which comes in contact
___-
*Specification for test sieves: Part 1 Wire cloth test sieves ( second revision ).
+Methods of test for soils: Part 1 Preparation of dry soil samples for various tests
( second revision ).
5
IS : 2720 ( Part 5 ) - 1985
with the base falls through exactly one centimetre for one revolution of
the handle. The adjustment plate shall then be secured by tightening
the screw.
NOTE --If evenness of the base is not maintained in course of time, the base of
the liquid limit device should be changed.
3.4 Procedure
3.4.1 About 120 g of the soil sample passing 425-micron IS Sieve shall
be mixed thoroughly with distilled water in the evaporating dish or on
the flat glass plate to form a uniform paste. The paste shall have a
consistency that will require 30 to 35 drops of the cup to cause the
required closure of the standard groove. In the case of clayey soils, the
soil paste shall be left to stand for a sufficient time ( 24 hours ) so as to
ensure uniform distribution of moisture throughout the soil mass C see
Note 1 under 3.4.3 ).
3.4.2 The soil should then be re-mixed thoroughly before the test. A
portion of the paste shall be placed in the cup above the spot where the
cup rests on the base, squeezed down and spread into position shown in
Fig. 1, with as few strokes of the spatula as possible and at the same time
trimmed to a depth of one centimetre at the point of maximum thickness,
returning the excess soil to the dish. The soil in the cup shall be decided
by firm strokes of the grooving tool along the diameter through the
centre line of the cam follower so that a clean, sharp groove of the proper
dimensions is formed ( seeNote 2 under 3.4.3). In case where grooving
tool, Type A does not give a clear groove as in sandy soils, grooving tool
Type B or Type C! ( see Note 3 under 3.4.3 ) should be used.
DIVIDED SOIL CAKE

BEFORE TEST
SOIL CAKE AFTER

TEST
FIG. 1 DIAGRAM ILLUSTRATINGLIQUID LIMIT TEST
6
IS : 2720 ( Part 5 ) - 1985
The cup shall be fitted and dropped by turning the crank at the rate
of two revolutions per second until the t\vo halves of the soil cake come
in contact with bottom of the groove along a distance of about 12 mm
( see Note 4 ). This length shall be measured with the end of the grooving
tool or a ruler. The number of drops required to cause the groove
close for the length of 12 mm shall be recorded.
3.4.3 A little extra of the soil mixture shall be added to the cup and
mixed with the soil in the cup. The pat shall be made in the cup and
the test repeated as in 3.4.2. In no case shall dried soil be added to the
thoroughly mixed soil that is being tested. The procedure given in 3.4.2
and in this clause shall be repeated until two consecutive runs give the
same under of drops for closure of the groove ( see Notes 4 and 5 ).
NOTR 1 - Light textured soils ( of low clay content ) may be tested immediately
after thorough mixing of water.
NOTE 2 - To avoid tearing of the sides of the groove or slipping of the soil cake on
the cup, up to six strokes, from front to back or from back to front counting as one
stroke, shall be permitted. Each stroke penetrate a little deeper until the last stroke
from back to front scrapes the bottom of the cup clean. The groove shall be made
with as few strokes as possible.
NOTE 3 - With soils having low plasticity indices it is sometimes difficult
to cut a smooth groove in the soil with grooving tool, Type A. Grooving tool,
Type B or Type C may be used in such cases. Grooving tool, Type B inserts a wedge
into the pat of soil causing the two halves of the pat to slide at the cup-soil interface.
During the test the tendency is then for the soil to slide back again on this same face
instead of flowing as it should do. It should, therefore, be used with ca.ution.
NOTE 4 - Some soils tend to slide on the surface of the cup instead of the soil
flowing. If this occurs, the results should be discarded and the test repeated until
flowing does occur. If sliding still occurs, the test is not applicable and a note should
be made that the liquid limit could not be obtained.
NOTE 5 - Care shall be taken to sre that the soil paste does not dry out too rapidly
between repeat tests as the number of blows for closure will increase gradually as the
sample dries out.
3.4.4 A representative slice of soil approximately the width of the

spatula, extending from about edge to edge of the soil cake at right angle
to the groove and including that portion of the groove in which the soil
flowed together, shall be taken iu a suitable container and its moisture
content expressed as a percentage of the oven dry weight otherwise
determined as described in IS : 2720 ( Part 2 )-1973*. The remaining
soil in the cup shall be transferred to the evaporating dish and the cup
and the grooving tool cleaned thoroughly.
3.4.5 The operations specified in 3.4.2 to 3.4.4 shall be repeated for

at least three more additional trails ( minimum of four in all ), which
the soil collected in the evaporating dish or flat glass plate, to with
sufficient water has been added to bring the soil to a more fluid
*Methods of test for soils: Part 2 Determination of moisture content ( second reoisio~~).
7
IS : 2720 ( Part 5 ) - 1985
condition. In each case the number of blows sha!l be recorded and the
moisture content determined as before. The specimens shall be of such
consistency that the number of drops required to ~close the groove shall
be not less than 15 or more than 35 and the points on the flow curve are
evenly distributed in this range. The test should proceed from the
drier ( more dr-ops ) to the wetter ( less drops ) condition of the soil. The
test may also be conducted from the wetter to the drier condition
provided drying is achieved by kneading the wet soil and not by adding
dry soil.
3.5 Determination of Liquid Limit and Flow Index
3.5.1 Liquid Limit ( WL ) - ‘A flow curve’ shall be plotted on a semi-

logarithmic graph representing water content on the arithmetical scale
and the number of drops on the logarithmic scale. The flow curve is a
straight line drawn as nearly as possible through the four or more plotted
points. The moisture content corresponding to 25 drops as read from
the curve shall be rounded off to the nearest whole number and reported
as the liquid limit of the soil.
3.5.2 Flow Index ( Ir ) - The flow curve ( straight line ) plotted on

semi-logarithmic graph as in 3.5.1 shall be extenied at either end so as to
intersect the ordinates corresponding to 10 and 100 drops. The slope of
this line expressed as the difference in water contents as 10 drops and at
100 drops shall be reported as the flow index.
NOWC - The flow index may be calculated from the following equation also:
If = WI - _-.
w2
log 10 -$L
1
where
If = flow index,
IQ = moist&e content in percent corresponding to NL drops, and
wP = moisture content in percent corresponding to .Na drops.
3.6 Report
3.6.1 The results of the observations of the test shall be recorded

suitably. A recommend?:1 proforma for the record of results is given in
Appendix A.
3.6.2 The liquid limit should be reported to the nearest whole number.
The history of the soil sample, that is, natural state, air-dried, oven
dried or unknown, the method used for the test reported and the period
of soaking allowed after mixing of water to the soil shall also be
reported.
8
IS : 2720 ( Part 5 ) - 1985
4. TEST FOR THE DETERMINATION OF LIQUID LIMIT BY

CONE PENETRATION METHOD
4.1 The basic principle is to observe depths of penetrations of soils at
various initial moisture contents of a metal cone of a certain weight and
apex angle with the point barely touching the surface is allowed to drop
into the surface. The standardization has been to identify liquid limit
water content for a specified depth of penetration.
4.2 Apparatus
4.2.1 It shall conform to IS : 11196-1985*
4.2.2 Balance - Sensitive to 0.01 g.
4.2.3 Containers - non-corrodible and air-tight for moisture determina-

tion.
4.2.4 Ovetz - thermostatically controlled with interior non-corroding
material to maintain the temperature between 105 and 110°C.
4.3 Soil Sample - A soil sample weighing about 150 g from thoroughly
mixed portion of the soil passing 425 micron IS Sieve obtained in
accordance to IS : 2720 ( Part 1 )-19837.
4.4 Procedure - About 150 g of soil sample obtained as in 4.3 shall be

worked well into a paste with addition of distilled water. In the case of
highly clayey soils, to ensure uniform moisture distribution, it is recom-
mended that the soil in the mixed state is left for sufficient time ( 24
hours ) in an air-tight container. The wet soil paste shall then be
transferred to the cylindrical cup of cone penetrometer apparatus, ensur-
ing that no air is trapped in this process. Finally the wet soil is levelled
up to the top of the cup and placed on the base of the cone penetrometer
apparatus. The penetrometer shall be so adjusted that the cone point
just touches the surface of the soil paste in the cup clamped in this
position. The initial reading is either adjusted to zero or noted down as
is shown on the graduated scale. The vertical clamp is then released
allowing the cone to penetrate into the soil paste under its own weight.
The penetration of the cone after 5 seconds shall be noted to the nearest
millimetre. If the difference in penetration lies between 14 and 28 mm
the test is repeated with suitable adjustments to moisture either by
addition of more water or exposure of the spread paste on a glass plate
for reduction in moisture content. The test shall then be repeated at
least to have four sets of values of penetration in the range of 14 to
28 mm. The exact moisture content of each trial shall be determined in
accordance with IS : 2720 ( Part 2 )-1973:.
“Specification for equipment for determination of liquid limit of soils by cone

penetration method.
tMethods ~for test for soils: Part 1 Preparation of dry soil samples for various tests
( second revision ).
$Methods of test for soils: Part 2 Determination of moisture content ( second revision ).
9
IS : 2720 ( Part 5 ) - 1985
4.5 Determination of Liquid Limit -. A graph representing Lvater

content on the y-axis and the cone penetration on the x-axis shall be
prepared. The best fitting straight line is then drawn. The moisture
content corresponding to cone penetration of 20 mm shall be taken as the
liquid limit of the soil and shall be expressed to the nearest first decimal
place.
4.6 Report
4.6.1 The results of observations of the test shall be recorded suitably.
4.6.2 The liquid limit should be reported to the nearest first decimal
place. The history of the sample, that is, natural state, air-dried, or
unknown, the pretreatment, if any to the soil shall be reported.
5. TEST FOR DETERMINATION OF LIQUID LIMIT BY

ONE POINT METHOD USING (CASAGRANDE APPARATUS)
5.1 Principle - It has been established by basic characteristics of soils

and associated physico-chemical factors that critical shear strengths at
liquid limit water contents arise out of force field equilibrium and are
independent of soil type. This has lead to the formation of a scientific
base for liquid limit determination by one point method.
5.2 Apparatus - The requirements for apparatus are the same as

specified in 3.1.
5.3 Soil Sample - The requirements for the soil sample are the same
as speci~fied in 3.2.
5.4 Adjustment of the Mechanical Device - The requirements for

mechanical device are the same as specified in 3.3.
5.5 Procedure - A sample of soil weighing at least 50 g from the
soil sample passing 425 micron 1s Sieve shall be mixed thoroughly with
distilled water in the evaporating dish or on the flat glass plate to form a
uniform paste with a moisture content as near as possible to that corres-
ponding to the 25 drops value. The trial addition of water to give about
25 drops may be checked with the mechanical device until experience
with the soil under test renders this stop unnecessary. The procedure
given in 3.4.1 to 3.4.4 should otherwise be followed, except that a
moisture content sample shall be taken only for the accepted trial. For
soils with liquid limits above 50 to 120 percent the accepted range shall
require between 20 and 30 drops to close the groove ( see 1.1.1 ); for soils
with liquid limit less than 50 percent a range of 15 to 35 drops is accept-
able. At least two consistent consecutive closures shall -be observed before
taking the moisture content sample for calculation of the liquid limit.
The test shall always proceed from the wetter to the drier condition of the
soil.
10
IS : 2720 (Part 5 ) - 1985
5.6 Computations - The water content WN of the soil of the accepted

trial shall be calculated. For the range of blows between 15 and 35 the
liquid limit water content shall be calculated employing the formula.
5.7 Report - See 4.6.
6. TEST FOR DETERMINATION OF LIQUID LIMIT BY ONE

POINT METHOD USING CONE PENETROMETER
APPARATUS
6.1 Principle - Since the depth of penetration is in an indirect

reflection of shear strength at different water contents, it has been found,
within the framework of a scientific base that wjwL against log D or D is
unique and is independent of soil ~type. The resulting linear relation
enables to determine liquid limit water content corresponding to 20 mm
penetration of the cone.
6.2 Apparatus - The requirements for apparatus are the same as

in 4.3.
6.3 Soil Sample - The requirements for the soil sample are the same
as in 4.4.
6.4 Procedure - Same as in 4.5. The accepted trial is su‘ch that the
depth of cone penetration is between 16 and 26 mm.
6.5 Computations - The water content is determined for the

accepted trial. The liquid limit water content is computed from any
one of the following relationships:
WL -z-- ?.&+‘77 log D

wL =7 ws/( 0.65 + 0.017 5 D )
6.6 Report - See 4.6.
7. TEST FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PLASTIC LIMIT

7.1 Apparatus
7.1.1 Porcelain Evaporating Dish - about I2 cm in diameter.
or
Flat Glass Plate - 10 mm thick and about 45 cm square or

larger.
IS : 2720 ( Part 5 ) - 1985
7.1.2 Spatuln -- flexible, with the blade about 8 cm long and 2 cm

wide.
or
Palette Knives -- two, with the blade abottt 20 cm long and 3 cm
wide ( for use with flat glass plate for mixing soil and water).
7.1.3 Surface for Rolling - ground-glass plate about 20 x 15 cm.
7.1.4 Containers - air-tight to determine moisture content.

7.1.5 Balance - sensitive to 0.01 g.
7.1.6 Oven - thermostatically controlled with interior of non-corroding

material to maintain the temperature between 105°C and 110°C.
7.1.7 Rod - 3 mm in diameter and about 10 cm long.
7.2 Soil Sample - A sample weighing about 20 g from the thoroughly

mixed portion of the material passing 425-micron IS Sieve, obtained in
accordance with-IS : 2720 ( Part 1 )-1983” shall be taken.
7.2.1 Whenboth the liquid limit and the plastic limit of a soil are to
be determined, a quantity of soil sufficient for both the tests shall be
taken for preparation of the soil. At a stage in the process of mixing of
soil and water at which the mass becomes plastic enough to be easily
shaped into a ball, a portion of the soil sample in the plastic state should
be taken for the plastic limit test.
7.3 Procedure - The soil sample shall be mixed thoroughly with

distilled water in an evaporating dish or on the flat glass plate till the
soil mass becomes plastic enough to be easily moulded with fingers. Jn
the case of clayey soils the plastic soil mass shall be left to stand for a
sufficient time ( 24 hours ) to ensure uniform distribution of moisture
throughout the soil ( see 7.2.1 ). A ball shall be formed with about 8 g
of this plastic soil mass and rolled between the fingers and the glass plate
with just sufficient pressure to roll the mass into a thread of uniform
diameter throughout its length. The rate of rolling shall be between 80
and 90 strokes/min counting a stroke as one complete motion of the hand
forward and back to the starting position again. The rolling shall be
done till the threads are of 3 mm diameter. The soil shall then be
kneaded together to a uniform mass and rolled again. This process of
alternate rolling and kneading shall be continued until the thread
crumbles under the pressure required for rolling and the soil can no
longer be rolled into a thread. The crumbling may occur when the
thread has a diameter greater than 3 mm. This shall be considered a
*Methods of test for soils : Part 1 Preparation of dry soils samples for various tests
( secondrevision).
12
IS : 2720 ( Part 5 ) - 1985
satisfactory end point, provided the soil has been rolled into a thread
3 mm in diameter immediately before. At no time shall an attempt be
made to produce failure at exactly 3 mm diameter by allowing the
thread to reach 3 mm, then reducing the rate of rolling or pressure or
both, and continuing the rolling without further deformation until the
thread falls apart. The pieces of crumbled soil thread shall be collected
in an air-tight container and the moisture content determined as
described in IS : 2720 ( Part 2 )-1973;.
7.4 Report
7.4.1 The observations of the test should be recorded suitably. A

recommended proforma for the record of results is given in Appendix A.
7.4.2 The moisture content determined as in 7.3 is the plastic limit of

the soil. The plastic limit shall be determined for at least three portions
of the soil passing 425-micron IS Sieve. The average of the results
calculated to the nearest whole number shall be reported as the plastic
limit of the soil.
7.4.3 The history of the soil sample ( that is, natural state, air-dried,
oven-dried or unknown ) and the period of soaking allowed after mixing
of water to the soil shall also be reported.
8. PLASTICITY INDEX
8.1 Calculation - The plasticity index is calculated as the difference

between its liquid limit and plastic limit:
Plasticity index ( 1p ) == liquid limit ( ZUL) - plastic limit ( ulp ).
8.2 Report - The difference calculated as indicated in 8.1 shall be

reported as the plasticity index, except under the following conditions:
a) In the case of sandy soils plastic limit should be determined first.

When plastic limit cannot be determined, the plasticity index
should be reported as flp ( non-plastic ).
b) When the plastic limit is equal to or greater than the liquid limit,
the plasticity index shall be reported as zero.
*Methods of test for soils: Part 2 Determination of moisture content ( second

revision ).
13
IS : 2720 ( Part 5 ) - 1985
9. TOUGHNESS INDEX
9.1 Calculation - The toughness index shall he calculated as follows:
Toughness index ( 1, ) -= --
where
IQ 0 plasticity index ( see 8.1 ), and
Ir = flow index ( see 3.5.2 ).
10. LIQUIDITY INDEX

10.1 Calculation - The liquidity index shall be calculated as follows:
wo - .__~
wp
Liquidity index ( IL ) = __
IP
where
7-k = natural moisture content of the soil,

wp z-: plastic limit of the soil, and
Ia zyzplasticity index of the soil.
11. CONSISTENCY INDEX

11.1 Calculation - The consistency index shall be calculated as
follows:
Consistency index ( 10 ) = y” F w”
P
where
WI, = liquid limit of the soil,

w. 0 natural moisture content of the soil, and
Ip = plasticity index of the soil.
12. GENERAL REPORT

12.1 The result of all the tests and calculations may be reported in the
proforma given in Appendix A.
14
IS : 2720 ( Part 5 ) - 1985
APPENDIX A
(1Clauses3.6.1, 7.4.1 and 12.1 >
PROFORMA FOR TEST-S AND CALCULATIONS
IS No. with year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Details of soil sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Room Temperature .. .
Natural water content . . . .._ . ... . .. . .. ... . .. ..
History of soil sample . . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. . ... .. . .
Period of soaking of soil sample before test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
_~
LIQUID LIMIT i PLASTIC LIMIT
-j _
Determination I
number 123 -5 1 - 2 3 4
- - 5
Number of drops
_ --_~ - -- _ -- -
Container
number
--- - . .-- _--
Weight of con-
tainer + wet
soil, g
Weight of con---
_A.-_ - .I/.-_
I
-
tainer + oven
dry soil, g --- -
-I-
Weight of water,
g
- I---- - _- - -
Weight of con-
tainer, g
--- - -
Weight of oven
dry soil, g
Moisture percent
l1 - - -
RESULT SUMMARY
Liquid Flow Plastic Plasticity Toughness Liquidity Consisten-

Limit Index Limit Index Index Index cy Index
WL If WP IP IT IL II2
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
REMARKS
15
iS : 2720 ( Part 5 ) - 1985
( Continued from page 2 )
Soil Tebting Procedures Subcommittee, l?LTX 23 : 3
Convener Representing
DR ALAH SINCXK University of Jodhpur, Jodhpur
Members
SHRI v. N. SINH.4 Central Building Research Institute ( CSIR ),
Roorkee
AS;;ITANT RFSEARCH OF~IWI:, Irrigation Department; Government of Uttar
Pradesh, Roorkee
ASSISTX%T RESEARCH OEFIC:~~IL Irrigation Department, Government of Punjab,
(IRRI ) Chandigarh
SHRI A. K. CHAT~!RVEDI Ministry of Dcfence ( Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch )
SHRI P. VEWBRJAN ( Alternate )
D~;;Y~~~DIRFxTo~ RESEARCH Ministry of Railways
ARE ( GE ) ( Alternate )
DIRECTOR ( CSM & RS ) Central Soil & Materials Research Station,
New Delhi
DEPUTY DIXECTOR
( CSM & RS ) ( Alternate )
DR SRASHI K. GULHATI Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi
&RI M. D. NAIH Associated Instruments Manufacturers (I) Pvt Ltd,
New Delhi
PROF T. S. NA~.~R~J ( Alternate )
PROF GOPAL RANJAN University of Roorkee, Roorkee
DR S. C. HANDA ( Alternate)
SHRI P. JAGAN~THA R-40 Central Road Research Institute (CSIR ),
New Delhi



Determination of water content-dry density relation using
heavy compaction [CED 43: Soil and Foundation Engineering]


है”
ह
IS : 2720 (Part 8)-l 983
/L_qpNJ
( Reaffirmed 2006 /?w
)
Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST FOR SOILS
PART 8 DETERMINATION OF WATER CONTENT-DRY
DENSITY RELATION USING HEAVY COMPACTION
( Second Revision )
Second Reprint SEPTEMBER 1994
UDC 624,131.431*3.624*131*431~5
Q Copyrighr 1984
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDA’RDS

NEW DELHI 110002
Gr 3 February 1984
IS : 2720 ( Part 8 ) - 1983
hdian Standard
FART 8 DETERMINATION OF WATER CONTENT - DRY
DENSITY RELATION USING HEAVY COMPACTION
( Second Revision )
Soil Engineering and Xock Mechanics Sectional Committee, BDC 23
Repcrcnfirrg
‘\ssociation of Indian Univcrsirirs, Sew Delhi
Public Works Drpartmrnt, Govl.rnment of Uttar

Pradesh, Lucknow
University of Jodhpur, Jodhptlr

Enginet,ring Research Laboratorit>s, Governmc,nt
of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad
Concrete Association of India, Bombay
Irrigation Department, Govrrnment of Pllnjab,

Chandigarh
In personal capacity (5 Hungcrford Court, 12’1,

Hungerford Street, Calncttu )
lndian Geotechnical Society, New Delhi
Central Soil & Mattyrials Research Station, NI*W
Delhi
Irrigation Department, Government of Uttar

Pradesh, Roorkee
Asia Foundations and Construction (P) Ltd,
Born bay
University of Roorkee, Roorkec; and Institute of

Engineers ( India ), Calcutta
\Cemindia Cornpany Limited, Bombay
SHRI iY. V. DE-Sous. ( Alternate ,I
( Continued on pngc 2 )
Q Copyright 1984
This publication is protected rmdrr the Indian Cepyrighf AC: ( XIV of 1957 ) and
reproduction Fn whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the
publisher shall be deemed to be an infringement of coDvrieht under the said Act. I
IS : 2720 ( Part 8) - 1983
( Continuedfrom page 1 )
St5n1 M. IYENQA~ Engineers India Limited, New Delhi
SRRI ASHOE K. JAIN G. S. Jain and Associates, Roorkee
SHRI VIJAY K. JAIN ( Alternate )
JOINT DIRECTOR RESXARCH (GE)-I, Ministry of Railways
RDSO
JOINT DIRECTOR RESEARCH
(GE)-11 RDSO ( Afternale )
LT-COL V. K KANITKAR Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch, Army Headquarters
SH~I OP. MALJXOTRA Public Works Department, Chandigarh Adminis-
tration, Chandigarh
SHR~ D. R. NARAHARI Central Building Research Institute ( CSIR ),
Roorkee
S II~I V. S. A~ARWAL ( Alfernate )
SHK~ T. K. NATRAJAN Centr$pad Research Institute ( CSIR ), New
SHRI RANJIT SINGH Ministry of Defence ( R & D )

SHRI P. D. DESHPAN~E ( Alternate )
DR G. B. RAO Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi
DR K. K. GUPTA ( Alternate )
REEEARC~ OFFICER ( B & RRL ) Public Works Department, Government of Punjab,
Chandigarh -
SECRETARY Central Board of Irrigation and Power, New Delhi
D~PU.TY SECRETARY ( dlfernatc )
SE%1 N. SIVAoUnU Roads Wing ( Ministry of Shipping and Transport )
SHHI P. R. KALRA ( Altcrnafe 1
San1 K. S. SRINIVASAN‘ ’ National Buildings Organization, New Delhi
SHRI SUNIL BERRY ( Altsrnute )
SERI N. SVBRAMANYAM Karnataka Engineering Research Station,
Krishnarajasagar
SUP~RINTI~ND~N~ ENGINEER Public Works Department, Government of Tamil
( P SC DC) . Nadu, Madras
EXECUTIVE ENGINEER ( SMRD)
( Alternote )
SHRI H. C. VERMA All India Instrument Manufacturera and Dealers
Association, Bombay
SHRI H. K. GUHA ( Alternate )
SRRI G. RAMAN, Director General, ISI ( Ex-ojicio Member )
Secrelav
Sam K. M. MATHUR
Senior Deputy Director ( Civ Engg ), IS1
Soil Testing Procedures Subcommittee, BDC 23 : 3

Convener
DR ALAM SINQH University oft Jodhpur, Jodhpur
&nber~
SHRI AYAK SrNQH Centr$or~~lding Research Institute ( CSIR ),
3~~1 M. -R. Sonlur ( lf~errto#r )

( Confinurden #age 9 )
2
IS : 2720 ( Part 8 ) - 1983
Indian Standard
PART 8 DETERMINATION OF WATER CONTENT -- DRY
DE-NSITY RELATION USING HEAVY COMPACTION
(Second Revision )
0. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian Standard ( Second Revision ) was adopted by the Indian
Standards Institution on 28 November 1983, after the draft finalized by
the Soil Engineering and Rocks Mechanics Sectional Committee had
been approved by the Civil Engineering Division Council.
0.2 Purpose of a laboratory compaction test is to determine the proper

amount Df mixing water to be used, when compacting the soil in the field
and the resulting degree of denseness which can be expected from
compaction at optimum moisture content. To accomplish this, a
laboratory test which will give a degree of compaction comparable to
that obtained by the field method used is necessary. This procedure is
satisfactory for cohesive soils but does not lend itself well to the study of
the compaction characteristics of clean sands or gravels which displace
easily when struck with rammer. Some nearly cohesionless soils
compact satisfactorily in the standard test although in many cases the
water density curiae is not well defiued. Frequently, too in these cases
indicated, maximum density is not as great as can be achieved readily in
the field under available conlpaction methods. With a knowledge of
the water density relation as determined by this test, better control of the
field compaction of soil fill is possible because the optimum moisture
content and the density which should be obtained are known by using this
test procedure and these can be checked by field control tests. This
part which was first published in 1965 and revised in I974 covers the
method of test based on heavy compaction. The method of test based on
light compaction is covered in IS : 2720 ( Part 7 )-1’~80*. This revision
is prepared so as to cover such cases when soil could be susceptible
to crushing ~during compaction.

standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated,
*Methods of test for soils : Part 7 Determination of water content .-dry densit\
relation using light compaction ( secondrecision
).
3
fS : 2720 ( Part 8 ) - 1983
expressing the resuit of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in

accordance with IS : 2-1960’. The number of significant places retained
in the rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value
in this standard.
1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard ( Part 8) lays down the method for the determination
of the relation between the water content and the dry density of soils
using heavy compaction.
2. TERMINOLOGY
2.1 For the purpose of this standard, the definitions given in IS : 2809-
19727 shall apply.
3. APPARATUS
3.1 Cylindrical Metal Mould - It shall be either of 100 mm diameter

and I 000 cm3 volume or 150 mm diameter, and 2 250 cm3 volume
and shall conform to IS : 10074-1982:.
3.2 Sample Extruder ( Optior.al) - It consists of a jack, lever frame

or other device adopted for the purpose of extruding compacted
specimens from the mould.
3.3 Balances - One of 10 kg capacity sensitive to 1 g, and other of 200 g

capacity and sensitive to 0’01 g.
3.4 Oven -Thermostatically controlled, with interior of non-corroding

material to maintain temperature between 105% and 110°C.
3.5 Container - Any suitable non-corrodible airtight container to

determine the water content for tests conducted in the laboratory.
3.6 Steel Straightedge - A steel straightedge about 30 cm in length

and having one bevelled edge.
3.7 Sieve - 4*75-mm, 19-mm and. 37.5 mm IS sieves conforming to

IS: 460 ( Part I )-1978s.
*Rllles for roundirlg off numerical values ( revised).

~Glossary ofterms and symbols relating to soil engineering (jirst revision ).
;Specification for compaction mould assembly for light and heavy compaction of
soils.
$Specification for test sieves: Part 1 Wire cloth test sieves ( srcond revirion ).
4
IS : 2720 ( Part 8) - 1983
3.8 Mixing Tools - Miscellaneous tools, such as tray or pan, spoon,

trowel and spatula, or a. suitable mechanical device for thoroughly
mixing the sample of soil with additions of water.
3.9 Metal ‘Rammer - Heavy compaction rammer conforming to

IS : 9 189-1979*.
4. SOIL SPECIMEN
4.1 A representative portion of air-dried soil material and large enough

to provide about 6 kg of material passing a 19-mm IS sieve (for soils
not susceptible to crushing during compaction ), or about 15 kg of
material passing a 19 mm IS sieve ( for soils susceptible to crushing
during compaction ), shall be taken ( see Note ). This portion shall be
sieved on a 19 mm IS sieve and the coarse fraction rejected after its
proportion of the total sample has been recorded.
~NOTR-The soil should be considered susceptible to crushing during

comtxrction if the samole contains granular material of a soft nature. such as soft
lime‘ stone, sandstone, ‘etc , I which ii reduced in size by the action of the 4.9-kg
rammer. The procedure given in 5.2 for soils susceptible to crushing during
compaction can be applied to all soils if it is convenient to do so.
4.1.1 Aggregations of particles shall be broken down so that if the

sample was sieved on a 4.75-m IS sieve, only separated individual
particles would be retained.
5. PROCEDURE
5.1 Soil Not Susceptible to Crushing During Compaction ( see

Note under 4.1 ) - The procedure is as follows:
5.1.1 A 5-kg sample of air dried soil passing the 1%mm IS test sieve
shall be taken (see Note 1 ). The sample shall be mixed thoroughly
with a suitable amount of water depending on the soil type ( see Notes
2 and 3 ).
5.1.2 The mould, of 1 000 cm3 capacity with baseplate attached, shall
be weighed to the nearest 1 g ( m, ). The mould shall be placed on a
solid base, such as a concrete floor or plinth and the moist soil shall
be compacted into the mould, with the extension attached, in five
layers of approximately equal mass, each layer being given 25 blows
from the 4*9-kg rammer droped from a height of 450 mm above the
soil. The blows shall be distributed uniformly over the surface of each
layer. The operator shall ensure that the tube of the rammer is kept
clear of soil so that the rammer always falls freely. The amount of soil
*Specification for compaction rammer for soil testing.
5
IS : 2720 ( Part 3 ) - 1983
used shall be suficient to fill the mould, leaving not more than about
6 mm to be struck off when the extension is removed (see Note 4 ),
The extension shall be removed and the compacted soil shall be levelled
off carefully to the top of the mould by means of the straightedge. The
monld and soil shall then be weighed neaIest to 1 g ( ~2“).
5.1.3 The compacted soil specimen shall be removed from the mould
and placed on the mixing tray. The water content of a representative
sample of the specimen shall be determined as in IS : 2720 ( Par: 2 )-
1973*.
5.1.4 The remainder of the soil specimen shall be broken up, rubbed
through the 19-mm IS test sieve, and then mixed with the remainder
of the original sample. Suitable increments of water ( SCENote 5 ) shall be
added successively and mixed into the sample, and the above procedure
from operations 5.1.2 to 5.1.4 shall be repeated for each increment of
water added. The total number of determinations made shall be at
least five, and the moisture contents should be such that the optimum
moisture content, at which the maximum dry density occurs, is within
that range.
5.2 Soil Susceptible to Crushing During Compaction (see Note

under 4.1 ) - The procedure is as follows :
5.2.1 Five or more 2.5 kg samples of air-dried soil passing the 1%mm
IS sieve, shall be taken ( see Note 1 ). The samples shall each be mixed
thoroughly with different amounts of warer to give a suitable range of
moisture contents (see Notes 2 and 3 ). The range of moisture content,
at which the maximum dry density occurs, is within that range ( .W
Kate 5 ).
5.2.2 Each sample shall be treated as in 5.1.2.
5.2.3 Each specimen shall be treated as in 5.1.3.
5.2.4 The remainder of each soil specimen shall be discarded.
5.3 Compaction ilm Large Size Mould - For compacting soil

containing coarse material up to 37.5 mm size, the 2 250 cm3 mould
should be used. A sample weighing about 30 kg and passing the 37.5 mm
IS sieve is used for the test. Soil is compacted in fibe layers, each layer
being given 55 blows of the 4*9-kg rammer. The test of the procedure
is the same as in 5.1 or 5.2.
NOTE 1 - The removal of small amounts of stone ( up to 5 percent ) retained on

a 1%mm IS sieve will effect the density obtainable only by amounts comparable
lSfcthods of test for soil : Part 2 Determination of water contcnr (scconri rsukion)
6
IS ,: 2720 ( Part 8 ) - 1983
with the experimental error involved in measuring the maximum dry density; The
exclusion of a large proporation of stone coarser than 19-mm may have a major
effect on the density obtained compared with that obtainable with soil as a whole,
and on the optimum moisture content. There is at present no generally accepted
method of test of calculation for dealing with this difficulty in comparing
laboratory compaction test results with densities obtained in the field. For soils
containing larger proportions of gravel, the use of a bigger mould ( 2250 ems) will
avoid major errors.
NOTE 2-The amount of water to be mixed with air-dried soil at the
commencement of the test will vary with the type of soil under test. In general,
with sandy and gravelly soils a moisture content of 3 to 5 percent would be-suitable,
whiie with cohesive soils a moisture content about 12 to 16 percent below the plastic
limit of the soil should usually be suitable.
NWTE 3 - It is important that the water is mixed thoroughly and adequately

with the soil, since inadequate mixing gives rise to variable test results. This is
particularly important with cohesive souls when adding a substantial quantity of
water to the air-dried soil. With clays of high plasticity, or where hand mixing is
employed, it may be difficult to distribute the water uniformly through the air-dried
soil by mixing alone, and it may be necessary to store the mixed sample in a sealed
container for a minimum period of about 16 hours before continuing with the test,
NOTE 4.- It is necessary to control the total volume of soil compacted, since it
has been found that if the amount of soil struck off after removing the extension is
too great, the test results will be inaccurate.
NOTE 5 - The water added for each stage of the test should be such that a
range of moisture contents is obtained which includes the optimum moisture. In
general, increments of 1 to 2 percent are suitable for sandy and gravelly soils and
of 2 to 4 percent for cohesive soils. To increase the accuracy of the test it is often
advisable to reduce the increments of water in the region of the optimum moisture
content.
6. CALCULATIONS
6.1 Bulk Density -Bulk density, Y,, in g/ems of each compacted
specimen shall be calculated from the equation:
Trn L!!?+L?%
m
where
m, = mass in g of mould and base;
ml = mass in g of mould, base and soil; and
Vm = volume in cm3 of mould.
6.2 Dry Density - The dry density, Yd, in g/cm’, shall be calculated
from the equation :
where
w = moisture content of soil in percent.
7
IS : 2720 ( Part 8 ) - 1983
6.3 The dry densities, Yd obtained in a series of determinations shall be

plotted against the corresponding moisture contents ZC. A smooth curve
shall be drawn through the resulting points and the position of the
maximum on this curve shall be determined.
7. REPORTING OF RESULTS
7.1 The experimental points and the smooth curve drawn through them
showing the relationship between moisture content and dry density shall
be reported.
7.2 The dry density in g/cm3 corresponding to the maximum point on

the moisture content/dry density curve shall be reported as the maximum
dry density to the nearest 0.01.
7.3 The percentage moisture content corresponding to the maximum

dry density on the moisture content,‘dry density curve shall be reported
as the optimum moisture content and quoted to the nearst O-2 for values
below 5 percent to the nearest 0.5 for values from 5 to 10 percent, and to
the nearest whole number for value exceeding 10 percent ( SPC Note
under 7.5 ).
7.4 The amount of stone retained on the 19-mm IS sieve shall be reported
to the nearest 1 percent.
7.5 The method of obtaining the result shall be stated, ( 4*9-kg rammer
method ). The procedure used shall also he stated that is single sample
or separate sample and the size of the mouid used.
NOTE -For~sorne highly permeable soils such as clean gravels, uniformily

graded and coarse cleen sands the results of the laboratory compaction test ( 4.9-
rammer method ) may provide only. a poor guidr tor specifications on !ield
compaction. The laboratory test often Indicates higher values of optimum moisture
content than would be desirable for field compaction and thr maximum dry density
is often much lower than the state of compaction, that can readily be obtained in the
field.
8
IS 82720 ( Part 8 ) - 1983
Cbntinucd from pag# 2 )
trrigation Department, Government of Punjab,

Chandigarh
ASS&ANT -RESEARCHOP~IOEB Irrigation Department, Government of Uttar
(SRI)) ( Allcrnotc ) Pradesh Lucknow
PEPUTY DI~ECTOB RESEAIUXI Ministry of Railways
( GE-III ), RDSB
JOINT DIBECTOH RESEARCH
( GE-I ), RDSO ( Altrmab )
DIREOTOB Central Soil and Materials Research Station, Ne\\
Delhi
DEPUTY DIRECTOR ( Alfernate )
SHRI H. K. GIJHA Geologiat Syndicate Private Limited, Calcutta
Sasx N. N. BEATTACHABAYA
DE Gk%?%h~ University of Roorkee, Roorkee

DR S. C. HANDA i Alternote )
-Da SHAL(IHIK. GIJLHATI Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi
SHRI P. JAOANATHA ho Central Road Research Institute (CSIR ), New
Delhi
LT-61, V. K. KANIXAR Engineer-in-Chief’8 Branch, Army Headquarters
SHRI M. D. NAIR Associated Instru inents Manufacturers (I) Private
Limited.. New Delhi
PROP T. S. N.~QAuIJ (rhrnatr)
Heedquerters :
Manak Bhavan. 9 Bahadur Shah ZafarMarg. NEW DELHI 110002
Telephones : 331 01 37 Telegrams : Manaksanstha
331 13 75 (Common to all Offices)
Regionel Offices : Telephone
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NEW DELHI 110002 331 13 75
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Southern : C.I.T. Campus, IV Cross Road, MADRAS 600113 2352315
t Western : Manakalaya, E9 MIDC. Marol. Andheri (East). 632 92 95
BOMBAY 400093
Brench Offices :
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2 Peenya Industrial Area, 1st Stage, Bangalore-Tumkur Road. 39 49 55
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BANGALORE
Printed at Dee Kay Printers. New Delhi. lndla



IS 2386-4 (1963): Methods of test for aggregates for

concrete, Part 4: Mechanical properties [CED 2: Cement and
Concrete]


है”
ह
IS :2366 ( Part IV ) - 1963
(( Reaffirmed
Reaffirmed 2002
1990 )
Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST FOR
PART IV MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
Tenth Reprint MARCH 1997

( Incorporating Amendment No. 1 )
UJX 691.322 : 620.17
8 Copyright 1972

MANAK RHAVAN, 9 RAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARC;
NEW DELHI 110002

Gr 7 March 1964
IS : 2386 ( Part IV ) - 1963
Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST FOR

Chairman Rcprcsenling
SHRI K. K. NAM~IAR The Concrete Association of India, Bombay
Members
SHRI K. V. THADANEY (Allcmalc to
Shri K. K. Nambiar)
SIIIU K. F. ANTIA M. N. Dastur & Co Private Ltd. Calcutta
YHRI P. S. BHATNAGAR Bhakra Dam Designs Directorate, New Delhi
DR I. C. DOS M. PAIS CUDDOU Central Water & Power Commission (Ministry 0C Irrigation
& Power)
SHIU Y. K. MURTHV (ALcmafc)
Snru N. D. DA~~ARY Khira Steel Works Private Ltd, Bombay
SUPEIUNTEND~N~Ewx-aen, ZND Cmci% (Alfernofe)
>R R. R. HATTIAN~ADI The Associated Cement Companies Ltd, Bombay
Stiat V. N. PAI (Altcrwfr)
SHRI P. c. I6wu Geological Survey of India, Calcutta
JOINT Dmxmxt STANDARDS (B & S) Research, Designs & Standards Organization (Ministry oC
Railways)
Aturr.w~ Dutec~o~ STANDARDS (B & S) (ANumcllc)
SHN S. B. JOSHI S. B. Joshi &k Co Private Ltd, Bombay
SHU M. M. La U. 9. Governmcni Cement Factory, Churk
SHU B. N. MAJU~DAR Directorate General of Supplies & Disposals (Ministry of
Economic & Defence Co-ordination)
SHP.~ P. L. DAS (Alfnnolc)
Paw S. R. Manta Central Road Research Institute (CSIR), New Delhi
Smu N. H. MOHILB The Concrete Association of India, Bombay
SHR~ S. N. MUKERJI Government Test House, Calcutta
SHRI N. C. SEN GuPTA (A~wnalc)
%a~ ERACH A. NADIRSHAH Iustitution oi Engineers (India), Calcutta
Smu C. B. PATEL National Buildings Organization (Ministry of Works, Housing
& Rehabilitatl;on)
Smu Rasr~o~n SINGH (Ahrrrale)
PROP G. S. R~u.&sw#.rn~ Central Building Research Institute (CSIR), Roorkee

SHR~ K. SIVA PRASAD (A~trmolc)
SHRI T. N. S. R.w Gammon India Ltd, Bombay
SHRI S. R. PINHEIRO (Altrrnof~)
(Continued on page 2)

MANa BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110@02
IS : 2386 (Part IV) - 1963
Martin Burn Ltd, Calcutta

Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd, Calcutta
Central Board of Irrigation & Power (Ministry ol Irrigation
& Power)
Bnro G. S. Sntora Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch, Army Headquarters
Smtr R. S. MEHANDRU (A~tcmotr)
DR. Bii. SU~~ARAJU Indian Roads Congress, New Delhi
SHRI J. M. TREHAN Roads Wing, Ministry ol Transport & Communications
SHRI N. H. K~swn~r (Alfern&)
DR. H. C. V~SVESV~RAYA, Dircc tar, ISI (.Ex-ofirio Member)
Deputy Director (Bldg)
Extra Assistant Director (Bldg), ISI
C:oncrele Subcommittee, BDC 2 :2
S. B. Josbi 8i Co Private Ltd: Bombay
AISISTANTD~ECTOR STANDARDS (B & S) Research, Designs & Standards Organization (Ministry of

Railways)
SHRI N. H. BHAGWANANI Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch, Army Headquarters
DR I. C. DOS M. PAIS CVDOOU Central Water & Power Commission (Ministry of Irrigation
& Power)
Stint Y. K. MURTHY (dllrm.lr)
SHRI P. L. Das Directorate General ol’ Supplies 61 Disposals (Ministry of
Economic & Defence Co-ordination)
SHRI B. N. MAJUM~J~R (Alfcnzolc)
DIRECTOK Engineering Research Laboratory, Hyderabad
Ml~.zr&t~r Pub!ic WS_$” ‘.?=”
I,mlr*mnn+
. . . . . .,...
National Buildings Organization (Ministry of Works, Homing
& Rehabilitatiotl)
SHRI B. S. SIUVAMURTHY (A~lrrnafe)
SHIU C. L. Hanoa Central Water 8: Power Commission (Ministry ol‘ Irrigation
& Power)
SHRI P. C. Ha2n.a Geological Survey of India, Calcutta
Snnr K. K. NAMBIAR The Concrete Association of India, Bombay
SHRI C. L. N. IYP.NOER (A~fcmalc)
DR. M. L. PURI Central Road Research Institute (CSIR), New Delhi
PROF. G. S. Ramnsw~mv C:entral Building Research Institute (CSIR), Roorkee
SHRI K. Stva PRASAD (Altrrnalc)
SHRI T. N. S. RAO Gnmmou India Ltd. Bombay
<u-r
.~.._. “. I....“.,.“.“,
9 .x2. . .P,uul;..,rr
. . . .._...I Id,,,.““,.,
SUPERINTENDING
ENGINEER, ZND C~RCLB Central Public Works Department
SHRI 0. P. GoEL (ANemafe)
SIIR~ J. M. TREHAN Roads Wing, Ministry of Tramport (k Communications
SHRI R. P. SIKKA (Altertrale)
SHIU H. T. YAN Braitbwaite Buru ((r Jewop Corrstructiorr Co Ltd, Calcutta
* (5. ,* “.A.-ap*Ar,.. ..( .__ ,.

IS : 2386 ( Pdrt IV ) - 1963
Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST FOR
0. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian Standard (Part IV) was adopted by the Indian Standards
Institution on 24 September 1963, after the draft finalized by the Cement
Division Council.
0.2 One of the major contributing factors to the quality of concrete is the
quality of aggregates used therein. The test methods given in this standard
are intended to assist in assessing the quality of aggregates. In a given
situation, for a particular aggregate, it may not be necessary to assess all
the qualities and therefore it is necessary to determine beforehand the purpose
for which a concrete is being used and the qualities of the aggregate which
require to be assessed. Accordingly, the relevant test methods may be
chosen from amongst the various tests covered in this standard. For the
convenience of the users, the test methods are grouped into the following
eight parts of Indian Standard Methods of Test for Aggregates for Concrete
(IS : 2386-1963) :
Part II Estimation ofDeleterious Materials and Organic Impurities
Part V Soundness
Part VI Measuring Mortar Making Properties of Fine Aggregate
0.3 The Sectional Committee responsible for the preparation of this standard
has taken into consideration the views of concrete specialists, testing
authorities, consumers and technologists and has related the standard to the
practices followed in this country. Further, the need for international
co-ordination among standards prevailing in different countries of the world
has also been recognized. These considerations led the Sectional Committee
3
I§ : 2386 (Part IV) - 1963
to derive assistance from the puhlished standards and publications of tht

following organizations:
0.4 Wherever a reference to any Indian Standard appears in these methods,

it shall be taken as a reference to its latest version.

standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated, expressing
the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accordance with
IS : Z-1960 Rules for Rounding Off Numerical Values (Revised). The
number of significant places retained in the rounded off value should be the
same as that of the specified value in this standard.
0.6 This standard is intended chiefly to cover the technical provisions
relating to testing of aggregates for concrete, and it does not include all
the necessary provisions of a contract.
1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard (Part IV) covers the following tests for aggregates for
concrete :
a) Determination of Aggregate Crushing \‘alue,
b) Determination of the 10 percent Fines Value,
c) Determination of Aggregate Impact Vaiue,
d) Determination of Aggregate Abrasion Value,
e) Determination of the Polished Stone Value, and
f) Determination of Crushing Strength.
2. DETERMINATION OF AGGREGATE CRUSHING VALUE

2.1 Object - This method of test covers the procedure for determining the
aggregate crushing value of coarse aggregate.
NOTE 1 -The ‘aggregate crushing value’ gives a relative measure of the resistance
of an aggregate to crushing under a gradually applied compressive load. With aggre-
gate of ‘aggregate crushing value’ 30 or higher, the result may be anomalous, and in
such cases the ‘ten percent fines value’ should be determined instead.
NOTE 2 - The standard aggregate crushing test shall be made on aggre ate passing
a 12.5-mm IS Sieve and retained on a IO-mm IS Sieve. If required, or if tRe standard
size is not available, other sizes up to 25 mm may be tested but owing to the noIlchomo-
geneity of aggregates the results will not be comparable with those obtained in the standard
(seeNote 1 under 2.6). Smaller sizes may also be tested (seeNote 2 under 2.6).
IS : 2386 (Part IV) ‘- 1963
2.2 Apparatus - The apparatus for the standard test shall consist of the
following :
a) A 15-cm diameter open-ended steel cylinder, with plunger and
base-plate, of the general form and dimensions shown in Fig. 1.
The surfaces in contact with the aggregate shall be machined and
case-hardened or otherwise treated so as to have a diamond (VI-l)
pyramid hardness number of not less than 650 VII.
b) A straight metal tamping rod of circular cross-section 16 mm in
diameter and 45 to 60 cm long, rounded at one end.
c) A balance of capacity 3 kg, readable and accurate to one gram.
d) IS Sieves of sizes 12.5,lO and 2.36 mm.
e) A compression testing machine capable of applying a load of 46
tonnes and which can be operated to give a uniform rate of loading
so that the maximum load is reached in 10 minutes. The machine
may be used with or without a spherical seating.
f) For measuring the sample, cylindrical metal measure of sufficient
rigidity to retain its form under rough usage and of the following
internal dimensions:
Diameter 1 l-5 cm
Height 18-O cm
2.3 Preparation of Test Sample - The material for the standard test
shall consist of aggregate passing a 12.5-mm IS Sieve and retained on a
IO-mm IS Sieve, and shall be thoroughly separated on these sieves before
testing. For other sizes, the material shall be separated on the appropriate
sieves given in Table I.
TABLE I DETAILS OF AGGREGATTZ CRUSHING TEST FOR

NON-STANDARD’ SI2XS OF AGGREGATE
+w.ws 2.3 and 2.4.2)
NOMINAL SUES (IS Smws) D~AMETEE0~ SI7,E OF 1s &EVE

, * , CYLINDERTDBEUSED FOR SEPARATINO Fmcs
Passing through Retained on
mm mm cm
% 20
12.5 15.0 f:E z
10 6.3 15.0 or 7.5 1.70 mm
z5 4,75
3.35 15.0
15-o or 7.5 85Omiavzu
1.18 mm
3.35 2.36 15.0 or 7.5 6oOmicronr

NOTE - About 6.5 kg of natural aggregate b required to provide the two testsamples
for the 15-cm cylinder, or about 1 kg for the 7.5~cm cylinder.
5
L8 I 2386 (Part IV) - 1963
KEY TO DIMENSIONS
LRTTER DIMENSIONS
FOR 150-mm CYLINDER 75-mm CYLINDER
Cylinder
Internal diameter 1522FO.5 77.zyO.5
8” Height 130 to 140 70 to 80
C Wall thickness C 16 C8
Plunger
Diameter of piston 150&0.5 75.0 jyo.5
Diameterof stem 100 to 150 50 to 75
Height 100 to 115 65 to 75
Depth of piston < 2.5
Diameter of hole 20 “::
(nominal)
Base-Platr
Thickness (nominal) 6.3
JK Side length of square 200 to 230 1106tA15
FIO. I PRINCIPALDIMENSIONS
OF APPARATUSFOR AWREGATE Cnmmca TIBT
6
IS: 2386(PartIV)-1963
2.3.1 The aggregate shall be tested in a surface-dry condition. If dried

by heating, the period of drying shall not exceed four hours, the temperature
shall be 100 to 110°C and the aggregate shall be cooled to room temperature
before testing.
2.3.2 The quantity of aggregate shall be such that the depth of material
in the cylinder, after tamping as described in 2.3.3, shall be 10 cm.
2.3.3 The appropriate quantity may be found conveniently by filling the
cylindrical measure in three layers of approximately equal depth, each layer
being tamped 25 times with the rounded end of the tamping rod and
finally levelled off, using the tamping rod as a straight-edge.
2.3.4 The weight of material comprising the test sample shall be deter-
mined (Weight A) and the same weight of sample shall be taken for the
repeat test.
2.4 Test Procedure - The cylinder of the test apparatus shall be put in
position on the base-plate and the test sample added in thirds, each third
being subjected to 25 strokes from the tamping rod. The surface of the
aggregate shall be carefully levelled and the plunger inserted so that it
rests horizontally on this surface, care being taken to ensure that the plunger
does not jam in the cylinder.
2.4.1 The apparatus, with the test sample and plunger in position, shall
then be placed between the platens of the testing machine and loaded at as
uniform a rate as possible so that the total load is reached in 10 minutes.
The total load shall be 40 tonnes.
2.4.2 The load shall be released and the whole of the material removed
from the cylinder and sieved on a 2.36-mm IS Sieve for the standard test,
or the appropriate sieve given in Table I. The fraction passing the sieve
shall be weighed (Weight B) .
In all of these operations, care shall be taken to avoid loss of the fines.
Two tests shall be made.
2.5 Calculation-The ratio of the weight of fines formed to the total

s&nijIe weight in each test shall be expressed as a percentage, the result
being recorded to the first decimal place:
Aggregate crushing value = ~~XIOO
where
B = weight of fraction passing the appropriate sieve, and
A = weight of surface-dry sample.
2.6 Reporting of Results - The mean of the two results shall be reported
7
$S : 2386 (Part IV) - 1963
70the nearest whole number as the ‘aggregate crushing value’ of the size ob
material tested, which shall be stated.
NOTE 1 - A gregate larger than 12.5 mm - In general, the larger sizes of aggregate
will give a hlg3 er aggregate crushing value, but the relationship between the values
obtained with different sizes will vary from one aggregate to another. Particular care
shall be taken with larger sizes of aggregate to ensure that the plunger does not jam
in the cylinder. However, for such aggregate, a 7.5-cm diameter cylinder may be used,
and this has been found to give slightly higher results than the standard cylinder, so
tbat the errors are compensating.
NOTE 2 - Aggregafc smaller than 10 mm - In general, the smaller sizes of aggregate
will give a lower aggregate crushing value, but the relationship between the values
obtained with different sizes will vary from one aggregate to another.
For testing aggregate smaller than 10 mm:

4 The form and dimensions of the 7.5-cm cylinder shall be as shown
in Fig. 1 and the surfaces shall be as for the standard cylinder.
b) The tamping rod shall be 8 mm in diameter and 30 cm long, rounded
at one end.
4 The balance shall be of capacity 500 g, readable and accurate
to 02 g.
4 The IS Sieves shall be as given in Table I.
e) The compression testing machine shall be capable of applying a
load of 10 tonnes uniformly in 10 minutes.
f 1 The metal measure shall be 6 cm in diameter and 9 cm in height.
g) The depth of material in the 7.5-cm cylinder shall be 5 cm after
tamping.
h) The total load applied in 10 minutes shall be 10 tonnes.
Otherwise, the provisions of the standard test, as set out in 2.2 to 2.6 shall
apply.
3. DETERMINATION OF TEN PERCENT FINES VALUE
3.1 Object - This method of test covers the procedure for determining the
‘ten percent fines’ value of coarse aggregates.
NOTE- The ‘ten percent fines’ value gives a measure of the resistance of an aggregate
to crushing, that is, applicable to all aggregates.
3.2 Apparatus - The apparatus for the standard test shall consist of the
folloM&lg:
8) A 15-cm diameter open-ended steel cylinder, with plunger and
base-plate, of the general form and dimensions shown in Fig. 1.
The surfaces in contact with the aggregate shall be machined and
case-hardened or otherwise treated so as to have a diamond (VH)
pyramid hardness number of not less than 650 WI.
8
IS : 2386 (Part IV) - 1963
b) A straight metal tamping rod of circular cross-section 16 mm in

diameter and 45 to 60 cm long, rounded at one end.
c) A balance ofcapacity 3 kg, readable and accurate to one gram.
d) The IS Sieve-s of sizes 12.5, 10 and 2.36 mm.
e) A compression testing machine capable of applying a load of
50 tonnes and which can be operated to give a uniform rate of
loading so that the maximum load in any test is reached in 10
minutes. This load may vary from 0.5 to 50 tonnes.
f) For measuring the sample, a cylindrical metal measure of sufficient
rigidity to retain its form under rough usage and of the following
internal dimensions :
Diameter 11.5 cm
Height 18.0 cm
g) Means of measuring the reduction in the distance between the
platens of the testing machine to the nearest one millimetre during
the test (for example, a dial gauge).
3.3 Preparation of Test Sample - The material for the test shall consist
of aggregate passing a 12*5-mm IS Sieve and retained on a IO-mm IS Sieve
and shall be thoroughly separated on these sieves before testing.
3.3.1 The aggregate shall be tested in a surface-dry condition. If dried
by heating, the period of drying shall not exceed four hours, the temperature
shall be 100 to 110°C and the aggregate shall, be cooled to room tempera-
ture before testing.
3.3.2 The quantity of aggregate shall be such that the depth of material
in the cylinder, after tamping as described in 3.3.2.1, shall be 10 cm.
3.3.2.1 The appropriate quantity may be found conveniently by filling
the cylindrical measure in three layers of approximately equal depth, each
layer being tamped 25 times with the tamping rod and finally levelled off,
using the tamping rod as a straight-edge, care being taken in the case of
weaker materials not to break the particles.
3.3.3 The weight of material comprising the test sample shall be deter-
mined (Weight A) and the same weight of sample shall be taken for the
repeat test.
NOTE- About 65 kg of natural aggregate is required to provide the two test samples.
Less of light-weight aggregate is required.
3.4 Test Procedure-The cylinder of the test apparatus shall be put in

position on the base-plate and the test sample added in thirds, each third
being subjected to 25 strokes from the tamping rod, care being taken in
the case oE weak materials not to break the particles. The surface of the
aggregate shall be carefully levelled and the plunger inserted so that it
9
IS : 2386 (Part IV) - 1963
rests horizontally on this surface, care being taken to ensure that the plunger
does not jam in the cylinder.
3.4.1 The apparatus, with the test sample and plunger in position, shall
then be placed in the compression testing machine. The load shall be
applied at a uniform rate so as to cause a total penetration of the plunger
in 10 minutes of about:
15.0 mm for rounded or partially rounded aggregates (for example,
uncrushed gravels),
20.0 mm for normal crushed aggregates, and
24.0 mm for honeycombed aggregates (for example, expanded shales
and slags).
These figures may be varied according to the extent of the rounding or
honeycombing.
3.4.2 After reaching the required maximum penetration, the load shall
be released and the whole’ of the material removed from the cylinder and
sieved on a 2.36-mm IS Sieve. The fines passing the sieve shall be weighed,
and this weight expressed as a percentage of the weight of the test sample.
Normally, this percentage will fall within the range 7.5 to 12.5, but if it
does not, a further test shall be made at a load adjusted as seems appropriate
to bring the percentage fines within the range of 7.5 to 12.5.
NOTE- The formula given in 3.5 may be used for calculating the load required.
3.4.3 A repeat test shall be made at the load that gives a percentage
fines within the range 7.3 t’) 12.5.
3.5 Calculations - The mean percentage fines from the two tests at this
load shall be used in the following formula to calculate the load required
to give 10 percent fines:
14xx
Load required for 10 percent fines= -
YS4
where
x = load in tonnes, and
y = mean percentage fines from two tests at x tonnes load.
3.6 Reporting of Results -The load required to produce 10 percent

fines shall be reported to the nearest whole number for loads of 10 tonnes
or more, the nearest O-5 tonne for loads of less than 10 tonnes.
4. DETERMINATION OF AGGREGATE IMPACT VALUE

4.1 Object -. This method of test covers the procedure for determining
the aggregate impact value of coarse aggregate.
NOTE-The ‘aggregate impact value’ gives a relative measure of the resistance of
an aggregate to sudden shock or impact, which in some aggregates differs from Its resis-
tance to a slow compressive load.
IS : 2386 (Part IV) - 1963

a) An impact testing machine of the general form shown in Fig. 2
and complying with the following:
1) Total weight not more than 60 kg nor less than 45 kg.
2) The machine shall have a metal base weighing between 22
and 30 kg with a plane lower surface of not less than 30 cm
diameter, and shall be supported on a level and plane concrete
or stone block or floor at least 45 cm thick. The machine shall
be prevented from rocking either by fixing it to the block or
floor or by supporting it on a level and plane metal plate cast
into the surface of the block or floor.
3) A cylindrical steel cup of internal dimensions:
Diameter 102 mm
Depth 50 mm
and not less than 6.3 mm thick with its inner surface case-
hardened, that can be rigidly fastened at the centre of the base
and easily removed for emptying.
4) A metal tup or hammer weighing 13.5 to 14.0 kg, the lower
end of which shall be cylindrical in shape, 100.0 mm in diameter
and 5 cm long, with a 2-mm chamfer at the lower edge, and
case-hardened. The hammer shall slide freely between vertical
guides so arranged that the lower (cylindrical) part of the
hammer is above and concentric with the cup.
5) Means for raising the hammer and allowing it to fall freely
between the vertical guides from a height of 38OA5.0 mm on
to the test sample in the cup, and means for adjusting the height
of fall within 5 mm.
6) Means for supporting the hammer whilst fastening or removing
the. cup.
NOTE - Some means for automatically recording the number of blows is desirable.
b) Sieves-The IS Sieves of sizes 12.5, 10 and 2.36 mm.
c) Measure - A cylindrical metal measure, tared to the nearest gram,
of sufficient rigidity to retain its form under rough usage, and of
the following internal dimensions :
Diameter 75 mm
Depth 50 mm
d) Tamping Rod-A straight metal tamping rod of circular cross-section
10 mm in diameter and 230 mm long, rounded at one end.
e) Balance - A balance of capacity not less than 500 g, readable and
accurate to 0.1 g.
f) Oven - A well-ventilated oven, thermostatically controlled to
maintain a temperature of 100 to 110°C.
11
., .._ ,i”,liffli,~,f..ll. ^
Is : 2386 (Part IV) - 1963
LOCKING PIN FOR RELEASE ADJUSTABLE STOP

MECHANISM / FOR RELEASE
LIFTING
HANDLE
RACHET COUNTER
RELEASE CLAW (TO COUNT NUMBER
OF BLOWS)
-i
TUP (WEIGHT
Zmm CHAMFER
CASE-HARDENED
SURFACE
TUP GUIDE BAR
CYLINDRICAL STEEL
CUP INNER SURFACES
CASE-HARDENED
CIRCULAR BASE
k
All dimensions in millimetres.
FIG. 2 AGGREGATE IMPACT TEST MACHINE
4.3 Preparation of the Test Sample

4.3.1 The test sample shall consist of aggregate the whole of which
passes a 12.5-mm IS Sieve and is retained on a IO-mm IS Sieve. The
aggregate comprising the test sample shall be dried in an oven for a period
of four hours at a temperature of 100 to 110°C and cooled.
4.3.2 The measure shall be filled about one-third full with the aggregate
and tamped with 25 strokes of the rounded end of the tamping rod.
12
IS : 2366 (Part IV) - 1963
further Gmilar quantity of aggregate shall be added and a further tamping

of 25 strokes given. The measure shall finally be fined to overtlowmg,
tamped 25 times and the surplus aggregate struck off, using the tamping
rod as a straight-edge. The net weight of aggregate in the measure shall
be determined to the nearest gram (Weight A) and this weight of aggregate
shall be used for the duplicate test on the same material.
4.4 Test Procedure
4.4.1 The impact machine shall rest without wedgirrg or packing upon
the level plate, block or floor, so that it is rigid and the hammer guide
columns are vertical.
4.4.2 The cup shall be fixed firmly in position on the base of the machine
and the whole of the test sample placed in it and compacted by a single
tamping of 25 strokes of the tamping rod.
4.4.3 The hammer shall be raised until its lower face is 380 mm above
the upper surface of the aggregate in the cup, and allowed to fall freely
on to the aggregate. The test sample shall be subjected to a total of 15
such blows each being delivered at an interval of not less than one second.
4.4.4 The crushed’ aggregate shall then be removed from the cup and
the whole of it sieved on the 2*36-mm IS Sieve until no further significant
amount passes in one minute. The fraction passing the sieve shall be
weighed to an accuracy of 0.1 g (Weight. e). The fraction retained on
the sieve shall also be weighed (Weight C) and, if the total weight (E+Y)
is less than the initial weight (Weight A) by more than one gram, the result
shall be discarded and a fresh test made. Two tests shall be made.
4.5 Calculations .-The ratio of the weight of fines formed to the total
sample weight in each test shall he expressed as a percentage, the result
being recorded to the first decimal place:
Aggregate impact value = + x 100
where
R=\veight of fraction passing 2.36-mm IS Sieve, and
A =weight of oven-dried sample.
4.6 Reporting of Results - The mean of the two results shall be reported
to the nearest whole number as the aggregate impact value of the tested
material.
5. DETERMINATION OF AGGREGATE ABRASION VALUE

5.1 Object -This test covers the following two methods of determining
the abrasion value of coarse aggregate:
a) By the use of Deval machine (see 5.2), and
b) By the use of Los Angeles machine (see 5.3).
NOTE - \l’hrrev-rr possible, method (b) should be preferred to m&od (a).
13
.
IS : 2386 (Part IV) - 1963
5.2 Test for Abrasion of Coarse Aggregates by the Use of iBeva1

Machine
5.2.1 Atparatus - The apparatus shall consist of the following:

a) Deual machine - The Deval abrasion tes&ng machine shall consist
of one or more hollow cast iron cylinders closed at one end and
furnished with a tightly fitting iron cover at the other. The inside
diameter of the cylinders shall be 20 cm and depth 34 cm. The
cylinders shall be mounted on a shaft at an angle of 30 degrees
with the axis of rotation of the shaft.
b) Sieve--The 1.70-mm IS Sieve having square holes.
5.2.2 Abrasive Charge - The abrasive charge shall consist of 6 cast iron
spheres or steel spheres approximately 48 mm in diameter, each weighing
between 390 and 445 g.
5.2.2.1 An abrasive charge of 6 spheres weighing 2 500* 10 g shall be
used with each test sample.
5.2.3 Grading - The coarse aggregate shall be separated by sieving in
accordance with the sieve analysis specified in Part I of this standard
into the various sizes required for grading the test sample according to
one of the gradings specified in 5.2.4. The material thus separated into
various sizes shall be washed and dried.
5.2.4 Test Sample - The test sample shall consist of dry coarse aggregate
made up of percentages of the various sizes conforming to one of the gradings
shown below. The grading used shall be that most nearly representing
the coarse aggregate furnished for the work.
Grading Passing Retained on Percentage of

IS Sieve IS Sieve Sam$e
A 20-mm 12*5-mm
25-mm 20-mm 9:
40-mm 25-mm 25
50-mm 40-mm 25
B 20-mm 12*5-mm
25-mm 20-mm zz
40-mm 25-mm 50
C 20-mm 12*5-mm 50
25-mm 20-mm 50
D 12*5-mm 4*75-mm
20-mm 12*5-mm z:
E 1O-mm 4*75-mm 50
12*5-mm 1O-mm 50
14
IS: p86(PartIv)-x963
5.2.4.1 The weight of the test sample shall depend upon its average
specific gravity and shall he as follows:
Range in SpeciJic Weight of
GraviQ Sample
g
Over 2.8 5 500
2.4 to 2.8 5000
2.2 to 2.39 4 500
Less than 2.2 4 000
5.2.4.2 When the coarse aggregate furnished for the work contains
as much as 25 percent of material finer than 12.5 mm hut is of such size
that either grading A, B or C would be used for the abrasion test, a second
abrasion test shall be made, using grading D, if in the opinion of the engineer,
the particles less than 12.5 mm in size are not at least equal in hardness
to those particles 12.5 mm or over in size.
5.2.4.3 Crushed gravel - In the case of crushed gravel, the test sample
shall contain crushed fragments so as to be representative of the gravel
furnished for the work and shall be prepared in accordance
with 5.2.3, 5.2.4.1 and 5.2.4.2.
NOTE-For the purpose of this test, a crushed gravel fragment may be considered
as a fragment of gravel having at ,least one fractured face.
5.2.5 Procedure - The test sample and the abrasive charge shall be placed
in the Deval abrasion testing machine and the machine rotated for 10 000
revolutions at a speed of 30 to 33 rev/min. At the completion of the test,
the material shall be removed from the machine and sieved on a 1*70-mm
IS Sieve. The material retained on the sieve shall be washed, dried,
and accurately weighed to the nearest gram.
5.2.6 Calculations
5.2.6.1 Percelttage of wear - The loss by abrasion shall be considered
as the difference between the original weight of the test sample and the
weight of the material retained on the 1.70-mm IS Sieve, expressed as per-
centage of the original weight of the test sample.
5.2.6.2 Crushed gravel - In the case of crushed gravel, the percentage
by weight of crushed fragments shall be determined, and the permissible
percentage or wear which shall be calculated as follows:
w = ALf(lOO--A)L’
100
where
W = permissible percentage of wear,
15
Is : 2386 (Part IV) - 1963
A = percentage of uncrushed fragments,
L = maximum percentage of wear permitted by the specifica-

tions for gravel consisting entirely of uncrushed fragments,
100 --A = percentage of crushed fragments, and
L’ = maximum percentage of wear permitted by the specifications

for gravel consisting entirely of crushed fragments.
5.2.7 Reporting of Results - The report shall include the following:
a) Percentage of wear,
b) Percentage of crushed fragments in the test sample, and
c) Weight and grading of the test sample.
5.3 Test for Abrasion of Coarse Aggregates by the Use of Los Angeles
Machine
5.3.1 Apparatus - The apparatus shall consist of the following:
a) Los Angeles machine --- The Los Angeles abrasion testing machine,
conforming in all its essential characteristics to the design shown
in Fig. 3, shall be used. The machine shall consist of a hollow
steel cylinder, closed at both ends, having an inside diameter of
700 mm and an inside length of 500 mm. The cylinder shall be
mounted on stub shafts attached to the ends of&he cylinders but
not entering it, and shall be mounted in such ,a manner that it
may be rotated about its axis in a horizontal posit% .-‘&I opening
in the cylinder shall be provided for the introduction of the test
sample. The opening shall be closed dust-tight with a removable
cover bolted in place. The cover shall be so designed as to maintain
the cylindrical contour of the interior surface unless the shelf is so
located that the charge will not fall on the cover, or come in contact
with it during the test. A removable steel shelf, projecting radially
88 mm into the cylinder and extending its full length, shall be
mounted along one element of the interior surface of the cylinder.
The shelf shall be of such thickness and so mounted, by bolts or
other approved means, as to be firm and rigid. The position of
the shelf shall be such that the distance from the shelf to the opening,
measured along the circumference of the cylinder in the direction
of rotation, shall be not less than 1 250 mm.
NOTE - The use of the shelf of wear-resistant steel, rectangular in cross-section and
mounted independently of the cover, is preferred. However, a shelf consisting of a
section of rolled angle, properly mounted on the inside of the cover plate, may be used,
provided the direction of rotation is such that the charge will be caught.on the outside
face of the angle. _
16
1
IS : 2386 (Part IV) - 1963
FILLER PLATE THICKNESS

mm+ltlICKNESS OF GASKET
COVER PLATE
STEEL SHELF
08x25~500 mm
OxlOOa12mm
ALTERNATIVE DESIGN PREFERRED DESIGN

OF ANGLE SHELF OF PLATE SHELF AND COVER
CAST STEEL OR ROLLED STEEL NOT LESS THAN 1250mm MEASURED
ENDS NOT LESS THAN 12mm THI
OF ROTATION
NOTE 1 - Shaft bearing will be mounted on concrete piers or other rigid supports.
NOTE 2 -Suggested horse power for motor is not less than one.
All dimensions in millimetres.
FIG. 3 Los ANGELES ABRASIONTESTING MACHINE
b) Sieves- The I-70-mm IS Sieve.
5.3.2 Abrasive Charge-The abrasive charge shall consist of cast iron

spheres or steel spheres approximately 48 mm in. diameter and each weighi%
between 390 and 445 g.
17
IS : !Z3& (Part IV) - 1963
5.3.2.1 The abrasive charge, depending upon the grading of the tti
sample as described in 5.3.3 shall be as follows :
Grading ,Vumber of Weight of

Spheres Charge
g
A 12 5 000&25
B 11 4 584&25
C 8 3 330&20
D 6 2 500515
E 12 5 000&25
F 12 5 000&25
G 12 5 OOOf25
5.3.3 Test Sample - The test sample shall consist of clean aggregate which
has been dried in an oven at 105 to 110°C to substantially constant weight
and shall conform to one of the gradings shown in Table II. The grading or
gradings used shall be those most nearly representing the aggregate furnished
for the work.
NOTE - It is recognized that different specification limits may be required for gra-
dings E, F and G than for A, B, C and D. It is urged that investigations be conducted
to determine the relationship, if any, which exists between results for these coarse gradings
using the 10 000 g samples and the finer ones using the 5 000 g samples.
TABLE II GRADINGS OF TEST SAMPLES
(Clause 5.3.3)
%3VE SIZE WEIGHT IN g OF TEST SAMPLE FOR GRADE

(SQCARE HOLE) ~----- -.._.___ 9
____-h--___7 A
-B c: II E F G
Passing Retained on
mm mm
80 63 - - - 2 5002 - -
63 .iO - - - 2 500* - -
50 40 - - - 5 OOOf 5 ooo* -
40 25 1250 - - - 5 ooo* 5 000’
25 20 1250 - - - - - 5000*
20 12.5 1 250 2500 - - - - -
12.5 10 1 250 2 500 - - - -
10 6.3 - - 2 500 - - - -
6.3 .4.75 - - 2 500 - - - -
4.75 2.36 - - - 5 000 - - -
*Tolerance of &2 percent permitted.

IS : 2366 (Part IV) - 1963
5.3.4 Procedur.
5.3.4.1 The test sample and the abrasive charge shall be placed in the
Los Angeles abrasion testing machine and the machine rotated at a speed of
20 to 33 rev/min. For gradings A, B, C and D, the machine shall be rotated
for 500 revolutions; for gradings E, F and G, it shall be rotated for 1 000
revolutions. The machine shall be so driven and so counter-balanced as to
maintain a substantially uniform peripheral speed. If an angle is used as the
shelf, the machine shall be rotated in such a direction that the charge is
caught on the outside surface of the angle. At the .completion of the test,
the material shall be discharged from the machine and a preliminary separa-
tion of the sample made on a sieve coarser than the l-70-mm IS Sieve. The
finer portion shall then be sieved on a 1.70-mm IS Sieve in the manner
described in 2.3 of Part I of this standard.
5.3.4.2 The material coarser than the 1*70-mm IS Sieve shall be washed
dried in an oven at 105 to 110°C to a substantially constant weight, and
accurately weighed to the nearest gram.
NOTE -Attention is called to the fact that valuable information concerning the
uniformity of the sample under. test may be obtained by determining the lossafter 100
revolutions. When this determination is made, care should be taken to avoid loss of
any part of the sample; the entire sample, including the dust of abrasion, shall be returned
to the testing machine for the completion of the test.
5.3.5 Reporting of Results-The difference between the ciriginal weight

a;d the final weight of the test sample shall be expressed as a percentage
of the original weight of the test sample. This value shall be reported as
the percentage of wear.
6. DETERMINATION OF THE POLISHED-STONE VALUE

6.1 General -The object of this test is to determine the polished-stone
balue which ,gives a relative measure of the extent to which different types
of roadstone in the wearing surface will polish under traffic. The results
of this test are used for comparative purposes only; limits cannot, at present,
be specified for the polished-stone value in any particular set of circumstances.
Where the wearing surface of a road consists largely of stone, the state of
polish of the stone will be the dominant factor but other factors also affect
the resistance of the surface to skidding.
The test is in two parts:
a) Samples of stone are subjected to an accelerated polishing action in a
special machine.
6) The state of polish reached by each sample is measured by means
of a suitable friction test and is expressed as the ‘polished-stone value’.
a) An accelerated polishing machine (see Fig. 4) which shall be rigidly1
19
IS : 2386 (Part IV) - 1963
mounted on a firm, level and non-resilient base of stone or concrew

and shall include:
1) A road wheel having a fiat periphery, and of such a size and

shape as to permit fourteen of the specimens to be clamped on
the periphery so as to form a continuous surface of stone particles
45 mm wide and 405 mm in diameter.
2) Means for rotating the road wheel about its own axis at a speed
of 320 to 325 rev/min.
3) Means for bringing the surface of a rubber-tyred wheel of 20 cm

diameter and 5 cm breadth to bear on the stone surface of the road
wheel with a total load of 40 kg. The tyre shall be an industrial
8 x 2 pneumatic 4-ply rating smooth hand-truck tyre with a hard-
ness of 55 &5* and shall be inflated to a pressure of 3.15 fO* 15
kg/cm2. It shall be free to rotate on its own axis, which shall be
parallel with the axis of the road wheel; the plane of rotation of
the tyre shall be accurately in line with that of the road wheel.
Before a new tyre is used on an actual test, it shall be given a
preliminary run of 3 hours with sand and 3 hours with emery
flour, as in an actual test, but using spare specimens. The tyre
shall be discarded after 30 test runs have been made with it, or
sooner if it shows signs of irregular wear.
4) Means to feed the sand specified in 6.3 and water at a uniform

rate and in such a way that the sand and water are continuously
and uniformly spread over the surfaces of the tyre and the speci-
mens where they are in cotitact. This requires about 12 g/min
of sand and 20 g/min of water.
5) Means to feed the emery powder specified in 6.3 and water a

a uniform rate and in such a way that the emery powder and
water are continuously and uniformly spread over the surface of
the tyre and the specimens where they are in contact. This
fequires about 2 g/min of emery powder and 5 g/min ofwater.
b) A friction
_ ^_ tester complying with the requirements set out in 6.6
and 6.7.
c) The IS Sieves shall be of the following sizes :

10 mm, 8-O mm (both perforated plate), 425 microns, 300 microns,
212 microns and 150 microns (fine mesh).
-
*Appendix C of IS : 809-1957 Specification for Rublser Flooring Materials for Genera
‘Purposes ( Since revised ) gives the method of determining the hardness.
20
IS : 2386 (Part IV) - 1963
FIG. 4 SPECIMEN AND APPARATUS FOR ACCELERATED POLISHING

IS : 2386 (Part IV) - 1963
6.3 Materials - A supply of clean, hard siliceous sand, graded within the,
following limits ; about 2.5 kg will be required for each test run :
Paxsing IS Siece Percentage by Weight
425-micron 100
300-micron 85-100
2 12-micron 20-50
150-micron o-5
A supply of air-floated emery powder, 100 percent finer than 0.06 mm

and not less than 70 percent finer than 0.002 mm; about 350 g will
be required for each test run.
6.4 Preparation of Specimens - At least 3 kg of IO-mm particles shall be
available for each sample to be tested. The particles actually used in the
preparation of the test specimens shall all pass the IO-mm IS Sieve and be
retained on the 8-O-mm IS Sieve and shall be neither flaky nor elongated.
These shall be clean and free from dust.
6.4.1 When it is desired to test materials larger than 10 mm which may
have characteristics differing from particles of the test size, the particles for
the sperimen should be obtained by crushing the larger particles.
6.4.2 Each specimen shall consist ofa single layer of40 to 50 ofthe particles
spaced ag closely as possible and covering an area of 90.5 x44.5 mm, set in
a sand-cement mortar* with their exposed surfaces proud of the mortar.
The surface of the specimen shall be flat across the shorter dimension but
shall be curved in the arc of a circle of 400 mm diameter along the longer
dimensfon. The individual particles shall be mounted in such a way that
the surfaces exposed to wear are as nearly flat as possible, and in any case
: resent no sharp edges to the polishing tyre. The specimens shall be not
Qess than 12.5 mm thick, and shall be of such a shape as to permit their
being clamped round the flat periphery of the road wheel of the accelerated
polishing machine so as to form a continuous outer surface of particles with
an outer diameter of 405 mm. At least two specimens shall be made from
each material to be tested.
6.5 Accelerated Polishing of Specimens -The specimens shall be
rigidly clamped round the periphery of the road wheel of the accelerated
polishing machine; the wheel will accommodate 14 specimens, and it has
been found useful when mounting the specimens on the wheel to insert
strips of polythenet about O-25 mm thick between and beneath them.
The pneumatic-tyred wheel shall be brought to bear on the surface of the
*The mortar shall consist of a mixture of equal portions by weight of the sand specified
in 6.3 and high-alumina cement. It is desirable to reinforce each specimen with 3 pieces
of 1,2 mm iron wire laid along the longer dime&on.
tit should be noted that the name ‘polytbene’ is equivalent to the name ‘polyethylene’.
22
IS : 2386 (Part IV) - 1963
epecimcns with a total load of 40 kg and the road wheel started up and
brought. to a speed of 320 to 325 rev/min. Water and the sand specified
in 6.3 shall be fed continuously at the rates specified in 6.2 (a) on the road
wheel while it rotates at 320 to 325 rev/min for a period of 3 hours f.5 min.
6.5.1 The machine and specimens shall then be thoroughly cleaned by
washing so that all traces of sand are removed and the machine operated
for a further three hours as described in 6.5, except that in place of the sand
and water the air-floated emery powder specified in 6.3 and water shall be
fed continuously at the rates specified in 6.2 (a). After 3 hours &5 min
running with the emery powder, the machine shall be stopped and the
machine and specimens cleaned. The specimens after polishing are ex-
tremely sensitive to handling, and fingering of the polished surfaces shall be
avoided. The specimens shall then be tested on the friction tester as des-
cribed in 6.6.
6.6 Friction Tester-The friction test shall be made with a tester (see
Fig. 5) constructed to drawings supplied by the Road Research Laboratory,
UK. The tester shall provide:
a) a spring-loaded rubber slider of the weight, size and shape specified

below, mounted on the end of a pendulum arm so that the sliding
edge 1s 50 cm from the axis of suspension.
b) means for setting the column of the instrument vertical.

c) means for rigidly locating one of the curved specimens from the
accelerated polishing machine with its longer dimension in the track
of the pendulum, centrally with respect to the rubber slider and to
the axis of suspension of the pendulum.
d) means for raising and lowering the axis of suspension of the pendu!um
so that the slider can (1) swing clear of the surface of the specimen
or (2) be set to slide over a fixed length of surface of 75 f 1.5 mm.
e) means for holding and releasing the pendulum arm so that it falls
freely from a horizontal position.
f) a pointer balanced about the axis of suspension indicating the
position of the pendulum arm throughout its forward swing, and
moving over a circular scale drawn up as specified in 6.6.1 to 6.6.3.
The weight of the pointer shall be not more than 85 g and the friction
in the pointer mechanism shall be adjustable so that, with the pen-
dulum arm swinging freely from a horizontal position, the outward
tip of a 30-cm long pointer may be brought to rest on the forward
swing of the arm at a point 10 mm below the horizontal.
6.6.1 The weight of the swinging arm including the slider shall be 1*500&
O-025 kg, the centre of gravity lying on the axis of the arm at a distance of
905f5 mm from the centre of suspension.
23
IS -: !B86 (Part IV) - 1963
FIG. 5 /h’P.UV.Tus USED TO MEASCRE THE COEFFKXNT OF FRICTION OF THE SPECIMEN
6.6.2 The slider shall consist of a rubber pad 32 mm wide and 6.5 mm
thick held on a rigid base with a total weight of 25-&Z g which is mounted
on an axis set at an angle of20 degrees with the horizontal when the pen-
dulum is at the lowest point of its swing, so that (a) only the rear edge of the
slider contacts the test surface, and (b) the slider can turn about its axis
without obstruction to follow unevenness of the surface, perpendicular to
the plane of the pendulum swing. The slider shall be spring loaded against
the test surface and the load on the slider shall be 2.2510.05 kg in its mean
position; the change in load on the slider shall be not greater than 190 g/cm
deflection of the slider.
6.6.3 The slidrr shall be made from rubber tested and specially selected
rfor the purpose. Before use, each working end of a new slider shall be
24
IS : 2386 (Part IV) - 1963
roughened by swinging it at least 10 times over a dry, unpolished specimen,

which shall not be one of the specimens to be tested. Each slider shall be
used for not more than 500 swings with each of the two usable ends, and
shall, in any case, be discarded not more than one year after the date it is
supplied.
NOTE - Recent rcsra~~h has thrown new light on the properties of rubber that govern
i!s frictionai rrsistance. Until the results of this research can be applied on a commercial
scale, it is essential that the rubber for we in the slider be carefully tested and selected.
When so selected, it should last without any ageing effect for at least a year; full instruc-
tions on this and other points relating to the use of the portable tester are issued with
eacK instrument.
6.6.4 All bearings and working parts of the instruments shall be enclosed
as far as possible, and all materials used shall be suitably treated to prevent
corrosion under wet conditions.
6.7 Calibration of the Tester -- The scale of the instrument when used
for this test shall give the coefficient of friction, expressed as a percentage,
and shall be drawn up by means of the following equation:
P=- wxz
PDP
x loo
where
p 7 effective coefficient of friction, expressed as a percentage;
M’ - weight in kg of the swinging arm;
X = distance in cm of the effective centre of gravity of the arm from
the centre of oscillation;
< = vertical distance of the edge of the scale below the zero of the
scale, ,which shall he 10 mm below the horizontal when the arm
is released to swing freely from the horizontal ;
P = normal load in kg on the slider;
D = sliding distance in cm; and
P = length in cm of the pointer.

The instrument shall be cross-checked with the Road Research Laboratory
standard machine.on the following wetted surfaces:
a) A glass plate.
b) Five smooth-looking surfaces having a texture depth less than 0.25
mm and covering a range of coefficients of friction, , expressed as a
percentage, of at‘ieast 25-to 75 percent.
c) Five rough-looking surfaces having a texture depth greater than
0.51 mm and covering a range of Ooefficients of friction, expressed
as a percentage, of at least 35 to 70 percent.
25
IS : 2386 (Part IV) - 1963
On these tests no pairs of results on any surface shall differ by more than
f3 percent and the mean results for the 11 samples shall not differ by more
than h1.5 percent.
6.6 Friction Test Procedure - The test shall be made at a temperature

of 20 f2”C.
6.8.1 The tester shall rest upon a firm level surface and the levelling screws
shall be adjusted so that the column is vertical. The axis of suspension of the
pendulum shall then be raised so that the arm swings freely, and the friction
in the pointer mechanism shall be adjusted so that when the pendulum arm
and pointer are released from the right-hand horizontal position the pointer
comes to rest at the zero position on the scale.
6.8.2 The specimen shall then be rigidly located with its longer dimension
lying in the track of the pendulum, and centrally with respect to the rubber
slider and to the axis of suspension of the pendulum. The height of the
axis of suspension of the pendulum shall then be adjusted so that in traversing
the specimen the rubber slider is in contact with it over the whole width of
the slider and over a length of 75 & 1*5’mm of the specimen under a normal
load of 2*25&O-05 kg. The surfaces of the specimen and the rubber slider
shall then be wetted with a copious supply of clean water, care being taken
not to disturb the slider from its set position. The pendulum and pointer
shall then be released from the horizontal position and the reading of the
pointer recorded to the nearest whole number.
6.8.3 The procedure shall then be repeated with a second specimen of the
same material.
6.8.4 If the values obtained from the two specimens differ by more than
3 percent, a further specimen or specimens shall be tested until two values
agree within this limit.
NOTE-If the tester has not been used for eight hours previously, five swings shall
be made on a spare specimen before an actual test is made.
6.9 Reporting of Results - The mean of the two values of the coefficient
of friction, expressed as a percentage, shall be reported to the nearest whole
number as ‘follows :
Laboratory determined polished-stone value*. .....
7. DETERMINATION OF CRUSHING STRENGTH

7.1 General - When aggregates are not available, this test may be used to
give a direct measure of the stress in kg/cm2 at ultimate failure of a rock
under a slowly increasing compressive load.
-_--
*This is not, and should not be confused with, the ‘Sideway force coeBicient’ or the ‘Skid-
resistance value’ determined on a road.
26
IS: 2386(PartIv)-1963

a) A compression testing machine of suitable capacity and at least
one platen having a spherical seating of not more than 2.5 cm
radius.
b) A well-ventilated oven, thermostatically controlled to maintain a
temperature of 100 to 110°C.
7.3 Test Specimens - The test specimens shall be cylinders of 25*0*5
mm mean diameter and of 25 f0.5 mm mean height. In any one specimen,
the diameter shall not vary by more than 0.25 mm and the height by not
more than 0.15 mm. The end faces shall be at right angles to the cylindrical
axis and shall be lapped plane to an accuracy of O-025 mm.
7.3.1 The samples from which the test specimens are prepared shall be
taken from freshly quarried material and only from pieces which show no
evidence of incipient fracture. When planes of structural weakness are
discernible, the sample shall be so selected as to furnish some test specimens
with the planes of structural weakness at right angles to the cylindrical axis
of the specimen.
7.3.2 The size of the samples shall be approximately 8 x4 x4 cm if the
test specimens are to be prepared by grinding only and 15 x 15 x 10 cm of
the test specimens are to be prepared by drilling, sawing and grinding.
7.3.3 In the preparation of the test specimens, the rock shall not be subjec-
Ttd to any treatment (such as chipping with a hammer) liable to induce
incipient fracture. A copious flow of cold water shall be used throughout
all grinding, drilling and sawing operations, to ensure that the aggregate is
not damaged by overheating.
7.3.4 The test specimens shall be dried for four hours in the oven at a
temperature of 100 to 110°C and cooled before test.
7.3.5 If no planes of structural weakness are apparent, three specimens
shall be tested. If planes of structural weakness are apparent, four specimens
shall be tested, of which two shall have the planes at right angles to the axis
of the cylinder.
7.4 Procedure-The diameter and height of each specimen shall be
measured to an accuracy of 0.025 mm. The specimen shall be placed
centrally between the steel platens without packing.
7.4.1 Each test shall be a direct compression test in which the load is
applied to the ends of the cylindrical test specimen at a rate of about 5
tonnes per minute. In making each test, the final load necessary to produce
crushing of the specimen shall be observed.
75 Calculations - The stress shall be calculated in kg/cm* from the cross-
sectional area of the specimen.
27
L
IS : 2386 (Part IV) - 1963
7.6 Reporting of Results - The value of the crushing stress for each
individual specimen, and the average crushing stress shall be reported to
the nearest 5 kg/cm2. Any peculiar condition ofa test specimen which might
affect the result of the test, such as the presence of seams, fissures, etc, shall
be noted in the report.
Headquarters:
Telephones: 323 0131, 323 3375, 323 9402
Fax :91113234062, 91113239399, 91113239382
(Common to all Offices)
Central Laboratory: Telephone
Plot No, 20/9, Site IV, Sahibabad Industrial Area, SAHIBABAD 201010 8-77 00 32
Regional Offices:
Central : Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, NEW DELHI 110002 323 76 17
‘Eastern : l/l4 CIT Scheme VII M. V.I.P. Road, Maniktola, CALCUTTA700054 337 86 62
Northern : SC0 335-336, Sector 34-A, CHANDIGARH 160022 60 38 43
tWestern : Manakalava. E9 Behind Mar01 Telephone Exchange, Andheri (East), 832 92 95
MUMBAI 400093
Branch Offices:
‘Pushpak’, Nurmohamed Shaikh Marg. Khanpur. AHMEDABAD 380001 550 13 48
SPeenya Industrial Area, 1st Stage, Bangalore - Tumkur Road, 839 49 55
BANGALORE 560058
Gangotri Complex, 5th Floor, Bhadbhada Road, T. T. Nagar, BHOPAL 462003 55 40 21
Plot No. 62-63, IJnit VI. Ganga Nagar, BHUBANESHWAR 751001 40 36 27
Kalaikathir Buildings, 670 Avinashi Road, COIMBATORE 641037 21 01 41
Savitri Complex, 116 G. T. Road, GHAZIABAD 201001 8-71 19 96
53/5 Ward No. 29, R. G. Barua Road, 5th By-lane, GUWAHATI 781003 54 11 37
5-8-58C, L. N. Gupta Marg, Nampally Station Road, HYDERABAD 500001 20 10 83
E-52, Chitaranjan Marg. C-Scheme, JAIPUR 302001 37 29 25
1171418 B, Sarvodaya Nagar, KANPUR 208005 21 68 76
Seth Bhawan, 2nd Floor. Behind Leela Cinema, Naval Kishore Road, 23 89 23
LUCKNOW 226001
T. C. No. 1411421, University P. 0. Palayam. 6 21 17
NIT Building, Second Floor, Gokulpat Market, NAGPUR 440010 52 51 71
Institution of Engineers ( India ) Building, 1332 Shivaji Nagar, PUNE 411005 32 36 35
I
‘Sales Office is at 5 Chowringhee
CALCUlTA 700072
Approach, F’. 0. Princep Street,
271085
1
i
tSales Office is at Novelty Chambers, Grant Road, MUMBAI 400007 309 65 28
*Sales Office is at ‘F’ Block, Unity Building, Narashimaraja Square, 222 39 71
BANGALORE 560002
Printed at New India Prlntlng Press, Khurja. India i

AMENDMENT NO. 2 SEPTEMBER 1981
TO
IS:2386(Part IV)-1963 METHODS OF TEST FOR
Alterations
------
(Page 8, Note I under thee 2.6, Zast sentence) -

Delete.
(Page 13, clause 5.1) - Substitute the following

for the existing clause:
'5.1 OJQe& - This test covers the method of determining

the abrasion value of coarse w,rrgate by the use of Los
Angeles machine (see 5.2),'
(Pages 14 to 16, clause8 5.2 to 5.2.7) - Delete

and renumber the subsequent clawes accordingly.
(BDC 2)
Printed at New India Printing Press, Khuja, India

AMENDMENT NO. 3 OCTOBER 1983
TO
IS : 2386 ( Part IV ) - 1963 METHODS OF

TEST FOR AGGREGATES FOR CONCRETE
Alterations
( Page 5, clause 2.2 ) - Substitute the following for the existing

clause:
‘ 2.2 Apparatus -The apparatus for the standard test shall consist of
the following:
a) An open-ended 150 mm cylindrical cell with appropriate base
plate and plunger, metal measure and tamping rod conforming
to IS : 9376-1979 Specification for apparatus for measuring
aggregate crushing value and ten percent fines value;
b) A balance of capacity 3 kg readable and accurate to one gram;
c) IS sieve of sizes 12.5 mm, 10 mm and 2.36 mm; and
d) A compression testing machine capable of applying a load of
40 tonnes in not more than 10 minutes at a uniform rate 01’
loading. The machine may be used with or without a spherical
seating.
( Page 5, Table 1, .Note ) - Substitute the following Note for the

existing:
‘ NOTE-About 6.5 kg of natural aggregates is required to provide two test
samples for 15 cm cylinder and about 1 kg for 7.5 cm cylinder. For lightweight
aggregates, the quantity will vary depending on the density of the aggregate.’
( Page 6, Fig. 1) - Delete.
( Page 7, clause 2.3.2 ) - Substitute the following for the existing

clause:
6 2.3.2 The quantity of aggregate shall be such that the depth of
material in the cylinder, after tamping as described in 2.3.3, shall be
about 10 cm.’
( Page 8, clause 2.6 Note 1, last sentence ) - Delete.
1
(Page 8, clause 2.6 Note 2 ) - Substitute the following No,te for the
existing:
‘NOTE 2 - Agqregales smallrr than 10 mm - In general the smaller sizes of aggre-
gates will give a lower aggregate crushing value, but the relationsbip between the
values obtained with different sizes will vary from one aggregates to another. The
tests on smaller aggregates may be made either using the standard apparatus
described in 2.2 or a smaller apparatus consisting of a 75 mm cylindrical cell with
aprpopriate accessories conforming to IS : 9376-1979 Specification for apparatus for
measuring aggregates crushing value and ten percent fines value. In case a smaller
apparatus is used, the errors for the smaller sizes of aggregate tested in the smaller
apparatus are compensated since the results obtained with the smaller apparatus
have been found to be slightly higher than those with the standard apparatus,
The accessories for the smaller apparatus shall be a balance of capacity
500 g, readable and accurate to @2 g; IS sieves of appropriate sizes as given in
Table 1; and a compression testing machine capable of,applying a load of 10 tonnes
in not more than 10 min at a uniform rate of loading. Further, in the test using the
smaller apparatus, the depth of material in the 75 mm cylinder shall be about
50 mm and the total load applied in 10 min shall be 10 tonnes.’
( Pages 8 and 9, clause 3.2 ) - Substitute the following for the existing
clause:
( 3.2 Apparatus - The apparatus shall consist of the following:
a) A 150 mm cylindrical cell with appropriate plunger and base
plate, tamping rod and metal measure conforming to IS : 9376-
1979 Specification for apparatus for measuring aggregate crushing
value and ten percent fines value;
b) A balance of capacity 3 kg, readable and accurate to one gram;
c) IS sieves of sizes 12.5 mm, 10 mm and 2.36 mm;
d) A compression testing machine capable of applying a load of
50 tonnes in not more than 10 minutes at a uniform rate of load-
ing. The load may vary from O-5 to 50 tonnes; and
e) A means of measuring the reduction in the distance between the
platens of the testing machine to the nearest one mm during the
test ( for example, a dial gauge).
( Page 9, clause 3.3.2 ) -Substitute the following for the existing
clause:
‘ 3.3.2 The quantity of aggregate shah be such that the depth of
material in the cylinder, after tamping as described in 3.3.2.1, shall be
about 10 cm.’
[ Page 19, clause 5.3.4.1 ( see also Amendment No. 2 ), fhird line ] -
Substitute ‘ 30 to 33 rev/min ’ for ( 20 to 33 rev/mm ‘.
[ Page 19, clause 5.3.5 ( see also Amendment No. 2 ) ] - Substitute
the following for the existing clause:
‘ 5.3.5 Reporting of Results - The difference between the original weight
and the final weight of the test sample shall be expressed as a percentage
2
of the original weight of the test Qample. The mean of two results shall
be reported as the percentage of wear. ’
( Pagts 26, 27 and 28, clauses 7 to 7.6 ) - Delete.
Addendom
( Pap 7, cI4uss 2.3.3 ) -Add the following at the end of the clause:
‘( see Note given in Table 1 )’
(BDC2)



Preparation of dry soil samples for various tests [CED 43:
Soil and Foundation Engineering]


है”
ह
( Reaffirmed 2006 )
IS t 2720 ( Part 1) - 1983
Indian Standard
PART 1 PREPARATION OF DRY SOIL
SAMPLES FOR VARIOUS TESTS
( Second Revision )
Soil Engineering and Rock Mechanics Sectional Committee, BDC 23
Chairman Raprasenting
DR JAQIU~H NA~AIN Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi
Members
SRIZI I’. D. AQARWAL Public Works Department, Government of Uttar
Pradesh, Lucknow
Saw B. L. DEAWAN ( Altcrnafe )
PHOF ALAM SINQII University of Jodhpur, Jodhpur
SI~RI B. ANJIAXI Engineering Research Laboratories, Government
of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad
SI~I E. M. BEN.IAMSN Concrete Association of India, Bombay
SRRI N. C, DUQCXAL ( Alternate )
CHIEF ENGINEER ( IPRI ) Irrigation Department, Government of Punjab,
Chandigarh
DIWCCTOH (DA%%) ( Alternate )
SHRI A. G. DASTI~AE In personal capacity (5 Hungerford Court, 12/l,
Hungerford Street, Calcuttn )
DR G. S. Dnrmorr Indian Geotechnical Society, New Delhi
Dmm~an Central Soil & Materials Rrsrarrlt Station, New
Delhi
DEPUTY DIRROTOIC ( Alternate )
DIRECTOR, IRI Irrigation Department, Government of Uttar
Pradesh, Roorkee
SI~RI A. H. DIVAYJI Asia Foundations and Construction (I’) Ltd,
Bombay
Saw A. N. JANOI.~: ( Alternate )
DR GOPAL RANJAX University of Roorkee, Roorkee; and Institute of
-Engineers ( India ), Calcutta
SHRI S. GUPTA Cemindia Company Limited, Bombay
SITHI N. V. DE-SOUSA ( Alternat r1
( Continued on pago 2 )
Q Cobyright 1984
This publication is protected under the In&an CepVright Act ( XIV of 1957 ) and
reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the
publisher shall be deemed to be an infrineement of convrieht under the said Act.
IS t 2720 ( Part 1) - 1983
( Continucdfrom page 1 )
Mmbcrs Representing
SHRI M. IYEN~AR Engineers India Limited, New Delhi
SHRI ASHOE K. JAIN G. S. Jain and Associates, Roorkee
SHRI VIJAY K. JAIN ( Altarnate )
JOINT DIREOTOR RESEAROH (GE)-I, Ministry of Railways
RDSO
JOINT DIRECTOR RESEABCH
(GE)-11 RDSO ( Alternate )
LT-COL V. K. KANITKAB Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch, Army Headquarters
SHRI 0. P. MALIIOTRA Public Works Department, Chandigarh Adminis-
tration, Chandigarh
SHKI D. R. NAR.\HARI CentraA Building Research Institute ( CSIR ),
Roorkee -
S~rnr V. S. A~ARWAL ( Alternate )
SHRI T. K. NATI~AJAN Cc ntral Road Research Institute ( CSIR ), New
Delhi
SHRI RANJI~ SINQH Ministry of Defence ( R & D )
SHRI P. D. DESHPAN~E ( Alternate )
DR G. B. RAO Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi
DR K. X. GUPTA ( Alternate)
RESEARCH OFFICIER ( B & RRL ) Public Works Department, Government of Punjab,
Chandigarh
SECRETARY Central Board of Irrigation and Power, New Delhi
DEPUTY SECRETARY I Alternate 1
SHRI N. SIVAQURu ’ Roads Wing ( Ministry of Shipping and Transport )
SHRI P. R. KALNA ( Alternate )
SERI K. S. SRINIVASAN National Buildings Organization, New Delhi
SHRI SUNIL BERRY ( Altarnate )
SHRI N. SUBRANANYAM Karnataka Engineering Research Station,
Krishnarajasagar
SUPERINTENDING ENQINE ER Public Works Department, Government of Tamil
(P&DC) Nadu, Madras
EXECUTIVE ENQINEER I SMRD)
( Alternafc)
SH~I H. C. VZHMA All India Instrument Manufacturers and Dealers
Association, Bombay
SHRI H. K. Guan ( Alternate )
SHRI G, RAMAN, Director General, ISI ( Ex-ojjicio Mtibcr )
Secretary
SHRI K. M. MATHTJR
Senior Deputy Director ( Civ Engg ), ISI
Soil Testing Procedures Subcommittee, BDC 23 : 3

Convener
DR ALAM SIN~H University of Jodhpur, Jodhpur
MSdWS
&RI AMAR SINQH Central Building Research Institute ( CSIR ),
Roorkee
SHRI M. R. SONEJA (Alternate )
( Centinwd on pagr 10 )
2
IS : 2720 ( Part 1) - 1983
Indian Standard
PART 1 PREPARATION OF DRY SOIL
SAMPLES FOR VARiOUS TESTS
( Second Revision)
0. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian Standard ( Second Revision ) was adopted by the Indian
Standards Institution on 28 November 1983, after the draft finalized by
the Soil Engineering and Rock Mechanics Sectional Committee had been
approved by the Civil Engineering Division Council.
0.2 With a view to establishing uniform procedure for the

determination of different characteristics of soils, Indian Standards on
methods of test for soils ( IS : 2720 ) have been formulated in various
parts. This part covers method of preparation of samples for the various
laboratory tests covered in the standard. This part was first published in
1966 and revised in 1972. Since then more parts of this standard have
been published covering additional characteristics besides some of the
published parts have been revised wherein requirements have been
modified. This revised version has therefore been formulated in order to
up date in this respect.

expressing the result of a test, shall be rounded off in accordance with
IS : Z-1960*. The number of significantplaces retained in the rounded
off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this
standard.
1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard (Part 1 ) covers the method of preparation of dry

samples from the bulk soil sample received from the field for various
laboratory tests.
*Rules for rounding off numerical values ( rcuiscd).
3
IS : 2720 ( Part 1 ) - 1983
2. APPARATUS
2.1 Wooden-Mallet - for breaking soil clods.
2.2 Trays - for air drying of soil, of suitable size and of non-rusting
material.
2.3 Pulverizing Apparatus -Either mortar and rubber covered

pestle or ~a mechanical device consisting of mortar and a power-driven
rubber covered pestle suitable for breaking up the aggregation of soil
particles without reducing the size of the individual grains. Pestle and
mortar made of soft wood may also be used.
2.4 Sampler - A suitable riflle sampler or sample splitter for quartering

the samples (see IS : 1607-1960* ).
2.5 Sieves --of sizes 75-mm, 63-mm, 37’5-mm, 19-mm, 13*2-mm,

9.50-mm, 6*7-mm, 4’75-mm, 2*00-mm and 425-micron [see IS : 460
(Part 1 )-19787 j.
2.6 Drying Apparatus
a ) Drying Oven - Thermostatically controlled, with interior of

non-corroding material to maintain the temperature between
105 and 110°C.
b) Other suitable drying’apparatus.
2.7 Balances
a) Capacity 10 kg and minimum sensitivity 100 g.

b) Capacity 1 kg and minimum sensitivity 1 g.
c) Capacity 250 g and minimum sensitivity O*Ol g.
3. PREPARATION OF SAMPLE FOR TESTS
3.1 General - Soil sample as received from the field shall be dried in the
air or in sun. In wet weather a drying apparatus may be used in which
case the temperature of the sample should not exceed 60°C. The clods
may be broken with a wooden-mallet to hasten drying. The organic
matter, like tree roots and pieces of bark should be removed from the
sample. Similarly, matter other than soil, like shells should also be
separated from the main soil mass. A noting shall be made of such
removals and their percentage of the total soil sample noted. When
*Methods for dry sieving.

$Specification for test sieves : Part I Wire cloth test sieves ( wand reuision). ‘I
4
IS : 2720 ( Part 1) - 1983
samples are to be taken for estimation of organic content, lime content,

etc, total sample should be taken for estimation without removing
shells, roots, etc.
3.2 Drying of the Sample - The amount of drying depends upon the
proposed test to be conducted on the particular sample. The type,
temperature and duration of drying of sdil samples for different tests
are given in Table 1. When oven is used for drying, the temperature
in the oven shall not exceed 110°C ( see Note ). Chemical drying of
samples should not be adopted for any tests.
NOTE - Soils containing organic or calcareous matter should not be dried at

temperature above 60°C.
TABLE 1 QUANTITY OF SOIL SAMPLE REQUIRED FOR GONDUCTING

THE TESTS
( Clauses 3.2,3.3 and 4.1 )
TESl TYPE, TEMPE- AMOUNT OF DEGREE REP TO

I<A!rUREAND SOIL SAMPLE OF PUL- PART OB
DURATION REQUIRED VERIZATION IS : 27201
OF DI~YIN~ FOR TES’C ( PASSINQ
IS SIEVE
SIZE )
(1) (2) ix) (4) (5) (6)

i) Water content Oven, 24 h As given in - Part 2z
Table 2
ii) Specific gra- Oven 105-llO°C, 50 g for fine 2mm Part 3/Secla
vity 24 b grained soils
400 g for fine, Part 3/Set 2’
medium and
coarse grained
soils
iii) Grained size Air drying As given in - Part 46
analysis Table 3
, iv) Liquid limit do 270 g 425 micron Part 5O
v) Plastic limit do 60 g do do
IMethods of test for soils.

*Determination of water content.
8Determination of specific gravity, Section 1 Fine grained soils.
“Determination of specific gravity, Section 2 Fine, medium and coarse grained soils.
sGrain size analysis.
‘Determination of liquid and plastic limits.
( Continued )
5
IS : 2720 ( Part 1) - 1983
TABLE 1 QUANTITY OF SOIL SAMPLE REQUIRED FOR CONDUCTING

THE TESTS - Conrd
TEW TYPE, TErnI%- AMOUNT OF DEGREE REF TO

RATURE AND SOIL SAMPLE OR PUL- PART OF
DURATION REQUIRED VERIZATION IS : 27201
OB DRYING FOR TEST ( PASSING
IS SIEVE
SIZE )
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

vi) Shrinkage Air drying 100 g 425 micron Part 6s
factors
vii) Compaction
a) Light do 6 kg ( 15 kg 19 mm Part 78
compaction if soil is
susceptible
to crushing )
b) Heavy do do 19 mm Part 8$
compaction
c) Constant do 2 kg 4.75 mm Part 9&
mass
viii) Unconfined oven 110°C - Part 10s
compressive f 5%
strength
ix) Triaxial com- do - Part ll?
pression (un-
consolidated)
x) Triaxial do do - Part 128
compression
(consolidated )
xi) Direct shear Air drying/Oven 1 kg 4.75 mm Part 138
11o”c*5”c
IMethods of test for soils.

*Determination of shrinkage factors.
*Determination of water content dry density relation using light compaction.
4Determination of water content dry density relation using heavy compaction. ,
6Determination of dry density - moisture content relation by constant weight of
soil method.
‘JDetermination of uncontied compressive strength.
‘Determination of shear strengh parameters of specimen tested in unconsolidated
undrained triaxial compression without the measurement of pore water pressure.
sDetermination of shear strength parameters of soil from consolidated undrained
triaxial compression test with measurement of pore water pressure.
*Direct shear test.
( Conrinued)
6
IS : 2720 ( Part 1) - 1983

THE TESTS- Contd
SL TEST TYPE,TEMPE- A~oniw ox DEQREE REX TO

No. RATUREAND SOIL SAMPLE OFPUL- PART OF
DURATION REQUIRED VERIZATION IS :2720'
OF DRYING FOR TEST (PASSING
IS SEIVE
SIZE)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

xii) Density index Oven, 105-110X, As per size of - Part 14s
( relative 24 h particle given
density ) below:
75:: Ekg
37’5
19 >,
,,
‘2 ,I
9’50 ,, 12 ),
4’75 ,) 12 ,,
xiii) Consolidation Air drying/Oven 500 g - Part 15*
properties 1 10°C f 5%
xiv) CBR Air drying 6 kg 19 mm Part 164
xv) Permeability Oven, 105- 1lO”C, 2.5 kg ( 100 9.5 mm Part 175
24 h mm dia)/
5 kg ( 200
mm dia )
xvi) Field moisture Air drying ‘5g 425 Part 18”
equivalent micron
xvii) Centrifuge do ‘0 g do Part ‘9’
moisture
equivalent
xviii) Linear shrinkage do 45Og do Part 20s
xix) Chemical tests
a) Tatal Oven, ‘05-llO”C, 10 g 2mm Part 21D
soluble 24 h
solids
b) Organic Air drying 1oog do Part 22’O
matter
‘Methods of test for soils.

aDetermination of density index (relative density) ofcohesionless soils.
aDetermination of consolidation properties.
4Laboratory determination of CBR.
“Laboratory determination of permeability.
6Determination of field moisture equivalent.
‘Determination of centrifuge moisture equivalent.
sDetermination of linear shrinkage,
eDetermination of total soluble solids.
‘ODetermination of organic matter.
( Continued)
7
IS : 2720 ( Part 1) - 1983

THE TESTS - Contd
SL TesT TYPE, TEMPE- AMOUNT OF DEGREE REF TO
No. RATUREAND SOIL SAXPLE OF PUL- PART OF !-
DURATION REQUIRED VERIZATION IS:27201
OFDRYINQ FOR TEST (PASSXNQ
IS SIEVE
SIZE)
41) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

c) Calcium Oven, 105-llO”C, 5 g - Part 23a
carbonate 24 h
d) Cation do 80-130 g - Part 24s
exchange
capacity
e) Silica-ses- do 15 g
- Part 25’
quioxide
ratio
f) pH value do 30 g 425 micron Part 26&
g) Total do 30 g Part 27a
soluble
sulphates
xx) Vane shear Air drying/oven 250 g - Part 30’
110% f 5°C
xxi) Negative pore do 1 kg/5 kg Part 358
water pressure
xxii) Permeability of do do - Part 369
granular soils
xxiii) Sand 105 f 5% 1500 g 4’75 mm Part 37r”
equivalent value
xxiv) Direct shear Air drying up to 120 g Above 4.75 mm Part 39/Set 1”
xxv) Free swell Oven dry 20 g 425 micron Part 4Ors
index
xxvi) Swelling Air drying/ 2 kg 2 mm Part 41’s
pressure Oven dry
‘Methods of test for soils.

sDetermination of calcium carbonate.
*Determination of cation exchange capacity.
‘Determination of silica sesquioxide ratio.
sDetermination of @H value.
@Determination of total soluble sulphates.
rLaboratory vane shear test.
&Measurement of negative pore water pressure.
‘Laboratory determination of permeability of granular soils ( constant head ).
‘ODetermination of sand equivalent values of soils and fine aggregates.
“Direct shear test for soils containing gravel: Section 1 Laboratory teat.
“Determination of free swell index of~soils.
lsMeasurement of swelling pressure of soils.
8
IS : 2720 ( Part 1) - 1983
3.3 Degree of Pulverization - The big clods may be broken with the
help of wooden mallet. Further pulverization may be done in pestle
and mortar. The pulverized soil shall be passed through the specified
sieve for the particular test and the soil retained on that sieve shall be
again pulverized for sieving. This procedure should be repeated until
on further attempts at pulverizing very little soil passes through the
specified sieve. Care should be taken not to break up the individual
soil particles ( see Table 1 ).
4. QUANTITY OF SAMPLE
4.1 The quantities of soil sample required for conducting various
laboratory tests are given in Table 1 for guidance.
NOTE - For actual quantitier, corresponding part of IS : 2720 shall be referred.
4.2 When a smaller quantity has to be taken out of abigger soil mass
the representative sampling shall be done by quartering or riffling.
NOTE-In the case of coarse gravel or gravelly soils quartering by forming
a cone shall not be done. The entire aample shall be thoroughly mixed and spread
on a flat surface. The sample ao spread shall be divided into four quadrants and
diagonally opposite quadrants mixed. Thii process shall be repeated till the desired
quantity of sample is obtained.
TABLE 2 QUANTITY OF SAMPLE REQUIRED FOR DETERMINATION

OF WATER CONTENT
SIZE OF PARTICLES MORE THAN MINIEXCWQUANTITY 4~ Sorr,

90 PERCBNT PASSING SPEOIYEN TO BE TAKEN
POR THE TEST
MASPIN g
425-micron IS Sieve 25
2-mm IS Sieve 50
4.75 mm IS Sieve 200
9.50 mm IS Sieve 300
19 mm IS Sieve 500
*‘- I
37.5 mm IS Sieve Im-- 1000
TABLE 3 QUANTITY OF SOIL REQUIRED FOR GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS
MAXIMUM SIZE OF MATERIAL PRESENT MASS TO BE TAKEN

IN SUBSTANTIAL QUANTITIES FOR TEST
mm kg
75 60
37.5 25
19 6.5
13 2 3’5
9.5 1’5
6’7 0.75
4’75 0.4
9
18, : 2720 ( Part 1) - 1983
( Contiqksd from page 2 )
Mcmbcrs RCprCJC?ltifZg
ASSISTANT RESEARCH OBFIC~~ Irrigation Department, Government of Punjab,
( IPRI ) Chandigarh
ASSISTANT RESEARCH OFFICER Irrigation Department, Government of Uttar
(SRD) Pradesh, Lucknow
DEPUTY DIRECTOR RESEABCE Ministry of Railways
( GE-III ), RDSO
JOINT DIRECTOR RESEARCH
( GE-I ), RDSO ( Alternate )
DIRECTOR Central Soil and Materials Research Station, New
Delhi
DEPU’IY DIRECTOR ( Alternate)
SHRI H. K. GUEA Geologist Syndicate Private Limited, Calcutta
SERI N. N. BEATTACHARAYA
(Alternate )
Da G~PAL RANJAN University of Roorkee, Roorkee
DR S,. C. HANUA ( Alternate )
DR. SHASHI K. GULHATI Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi
SERI P. JAQANATHA RAO Centraaload Research Instttute ( CSIR ), New
LT-Cos. V. K. KAXI WAR Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch, Army Headquarters

SHRI M. D. NAIR Associated Instruments Manufacturers (I) Private
Limited, New Delhi
PROP T. S. NAGARAJ ( Alternatg)
10


IS 2386-3 (1963): Methods of test for aggregates for

concrete, Part 3: Specific gravity, density, voids,
absorption and bulking [CED 2: Cement and Concrete]


है”
ह
IS : 2386 ( Part III ) - 1963
(( Reaffirmed
Reaffirmed 1990
2002 ))
Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST FOR
AGGREGATES FOR CQNCRETE
PART Ill SPECIFIC GRAVITY, DENSITY, VOIDS‘, 1
ABSORPTldN AND BULKING
( Eighth Reprint MARCH 1997 )

i
JJDC 691.322 : 531.75
0 Copyright 1963
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANPARDS

MANAKBHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002

Gr 5 October 1963
1
,
I!s:2386(Paq-III)-1963
Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST FOR
PART III SPECIFIC GRAVITY, DENSITY, VOIDS,
ABSORPTION AND BULKING
Cerhent and Concrete Sectional Committee, BIIC 2

Chairman &pWS#?lling
SHRI K. K. NAM~IAR The Concrete Association of India, Bombay
Members
SHR~1.:. v. TIXADAN~Y( Aiternate to
Sbri K. K. Nambiar )
SHRI K. F. ANTIA M. N. Dastur & Co Private Ltd, Calcutta
SHRI P. S. BHATNACAR Bhakra Dam Designs Directorate, New Delhi
‘,R I. C. DOS M. PArS CUDDC;J Central Water 82 Power Commission ( Ministry of
SHRI Y. k. MVRTHY ( Altemote)
SHRI N. D. DAFTARY Khira Steel Works Private Ltd. Bombav
S~r.1 N. G. DEWAN Central Public Works Departmknt
SUPERINTENDING ENGINE~~R,
ZNDCIRCLE ( Al&male )
DR R. R. HATTIANoADI The Associated Cement Companies Ltd, Bnmbay
SIiRI v. N. PA1 ( &crn& !
SHR~P. C. HAZRA Geological Survey of India, Calcutta
JOINT DIHI~CTOR STANDARDS Rexarc!, . Designs 6 Standards Organization
( Mnustry of Kailways )
( Bz~~ DIRECTOR STAND
ARDS ( B&S ) ( A&emote)
SHRI S. B. JOSHI S. b. Joshi &Co Private Ltd, Bombay
StIRIM. M..LAL U.P. Government Cement Factory, Churk
SHRI B. N. MAJUUDAR Directorate General of Supplres B Disposals
&RI ‘P. L. DAS ( Alkrnalr )
Pao~ S. R. MEHRA Central Road Research Institute ( CSIR );
New Delhi
SARI N. v. MOHILE The Concrete Association of India, Bombay
SHRI S. N. MuaERJt Government Test House, Calcutta
SRRI N. C. SEN GUPTA ( Alfematc )
SHIU ERACH A. NADIR.SHAII Institution of Engineers ( India )! Calcutta
sxku C. B. PATEL National Buildings Organisatlon (Ministry of
Y&RI RABINDERSINGH ( AU17note)
PROPG. S. RAMA~WAMY Central Building Research Institute ( CSXR j,
Roorkee
SHRI K. SIVA PRMAD ( Alturnafe )
( Conhued on #age 2 )
BUREAU OF INDMN STANDARDS

NEW DELHL 110002
IS:Z386(PartIII)-1963
( -fiamPw 1)
Aidhnbers Rdnanring
SHU T. N. S. RAO Gammon India Ltd, Bombay
Sum S. R. PINHEIR ( Altmrok )
RxPuEusNTATtvz Martin Burn Ltd, Calcutta
Sstsu Nmm Clurmlu ROY Dalmia Cement ( Bhatat ) Ltd, Calcutta
f&CRETARY Central Board of Irrigation & Power (Ministry of
Bmo G. S. Strmr~ Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch, Army Headquarters
SHRI R. S. MEHANDRU ( Alhrnal )
I)r &. SVBBARAJU Indian Roads Congress, New Delhi
Sanr J. M. Tarsum Roads Wing, Ministry of Transport & Commu-
nications
Sum N. H. Kzsw~~l ( Afkra&)
DaH.C. bWIWARAYA, Director, IS1 ( Ex_odiicioMrmbcr )
Deputy Director ( Bldg )
Secre#q
Stint A. Parrtitvt RAJ
Concrete Subcommittee, BDC 2 : 2

cont*nff
Sm S. B. Josut S. B. Joshi & Co Private Ltd, Bombay
lutmbcrs
Asstttv~~ DIRECTOR STANDARDS Research, Designs & Standards Organization
( Ministry of Railways )
Sn%“H BHAGWANANX Engineer-in-Cl&f’s Branch, Army Headquarters
DR I. d. l&s M. Pm Cunnou Central Water & Power Commission ( Ministry of
Sum Y. K. MURRIY ( Alkmatc )
S~nr P. L. DUI Directorate General of Supplies & Disposals
St-ntr B. N. MAJ~~~AR ( Altemah )
DlREClDR Engineering Research Laboratory, Hyderabad
Sum V. N. GUNAJ~ Maharashtra Public Works Department
Srrnt M. A. HAPEEZ National Buildings Organisation ( Ministry of Work
Housing & Rehabilitation )
Snttx B. S. SHIVAYURTHY( A&mate )
SHRI G. L. fiNDA Central Water & Power Commission (Ministry of
Sum P. C. HAZRA Geological Survey of India, Calcutta
Snm K. K. NAM~IAR The Concrete Association of India, Bombay
Sum C. L. N. IYENGAR ( Alternate )
ti M. L. PURI Central Road Research Institute ( CSIR ),
New Delhi
PROP G. S. RAMA~~VAB~Y Cent;tarfeilding Research Institute ( CSIR ),

SHRI T. N. S. RAO Gammon India Ltd. Bombay
SXRI S. R. P~NHEIRO( Aftemate )
SIJPP;;~IRENDING ENGINEER, ZND Central Public Works Department
SHRI 0. P. GGEL ( Altemnte )

cations
Smr R. P. StttKA ( Alternate)
SHRI H. T. Ym Braith$h;Uw B Jessop cGnstructi0n CG La
2
IS : 2386 ( Part III ) - 1963
Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST FOR
PART III SPECIFIC GRAVITY, DENSITY, VOIDS,
ABSORPTION AND BULKING
0. FOREWORD
0.1This Indian Standard ( Part III ) was adopted by the Indian
Standards Institution on 22 August 1963, after the draft finalized by
the Cement and Concrete Sectional Committee had been approved by
the Building Division Council.
0.2 One of the,major contributing factors to the quality of concrete is the

quality of aggregates used therein. The test methods given in this
standard are intended to assist in assessingthe quality of aggregates. In
a given situation, for a particular aggregate, it may not be necessary to
-assessall the qualities and therefore it is necessary to determine before-
hand the purpose for which a concrete is being used and the qualities of
the. aggregate which require to be assessed. Accordingly, the relevant
test methods may be chosen from amongst the various tests covered in
this standard. For the convenience of the user, the test methods are
grouped into the following eight parts of Indian Standard Methods of
Test for Aggregates for Concrete ( IS : 2386-1963 ):
Part II Estimation of Deleterious Materials and Organic
Impurities
Part v Soundness
Part VI Measuring Mortar Making Properties of Fine Aggregate
0.3 The Sectional Committee responsible for the preparation of this

standard has taken into consideration the views of the concrete specialists,
testing authorities, consumers .and technologists and has related the
standard to the practices followed in the country in this field. Further
the need for international co-ordinatiod among standards prevailing in
3
ISt2386(PartIII)L1963
different countries of the world has also been recognized. These con-
siderations led the Sectional Committee to derive assistance from the
published standards and publications of the following organizations:
0.4. Wherever a reference to any Indian Standard appears in these
methods, it shall be taken as a reference to its latest version.
expressing the result of ‘a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accord-
ance with IS : 2-1960 Rules for Rounding Off Numerical Values ( Revised ).
The number of significant places retained in the rounded off value
should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.
relating to testing of aggregates for concrete, and it does not include all
the necessary provisions of a contract.
1.. SCOPE
1.1 This standard ( Part III ) covers the following tests for aggregates for
concrete:
a) Determination of specific gravity and water absorption,
b) Determination of bulk density and voids,
c) Determination of necessary adjustment for bulking of fine
aggregate ( field method ), and
d) Determination of surface moisture in fine aggregate (field
method ).
2. DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVPPY AND WATER

ABSGRPTION
2.1 Object-i This test covers the procedures for determining the specific
gravity, apparent specific gravity and water absorption of aggregates.
Nor~ 1 -Threl main methods are specified for use according to whc&r
he &e of the aggregate is large than 10 mm ( Method I ) between 40 mm
and 10 mm (Method I or II may be used ); or smaller than 10 mm ( Method III).
An alternate method ( Method IV ) is al.30 permitted.
Nora 2 -The C&r absorptiontest willnot alwaysbe reproduciblewithaggregatu

OfiLigh
paccmity.
4
Is:2386(PartIll)-1963
2.2 Method I - Aggregate Larger than 10 mm

2.2.1 Apparatus - The apparatus shall consist of the following:
4 Balance -A balance or scale of capacity not less than 3 kg,

readable and accurate to O-5 g and of such a type and shape as
to permit the basket containing the sample to be suspended from
the beam and weighed in water.
b! Oven - A well ventilated oven, thermostatically controlled, to
maintain a temperature of 100 to 110%.
4 A wire basket of not more than 6-3 mm mesh or a perforated

container of convenient size, preferably chromium plated and
polished, with wire hangers not thicker than one millimetre for
suspending it from the balance.
4 A stout watertight container in which the basket may be freely
suspended.
4 Two dry soft absorbent cloths each not less than 75 x 45 cm.
f > A shallow tray of area not less than 650 ems.
g> An airtight container of capacity similar to that of the basket.
23.2 Sample - A sample of not less than 2 000 g of the aggregate
shall be tested.’ Aggregates which have been artificially heated shall not
normally be used. If such ,mat@xl is used the fact shall be stated in the
report. Two tests shall be made, and it is recommended that the two
samples should not be tested concurrently.
2.2.3 Test Procedure - The sample shall be thoroughly washed to remove

finerparticles and dust, drained and then placed in the wire basket and
immersed in distilled water at a temperature between 22°C and 32°C with
a cover of at least 5 cm of water above the top of the basket.
2.2.3.1 Immediately. after immersion the entrapped air shall be
removed from the sample by lifting the basket containing it 25 mm above
the base of the tank and allowing it to drop 25 times at the rate of about
one drop per second. The basket and aggregate shall remain completely
immersed during the operation and for a period of 24 f l/2 hours
afterwards.
2.233 The basket and the sample shall then be jolted and weighed
in water at a temperature of 22 to 32% If it is necessary for them to
be transferred to a different tank for weighing, they shall be jolted 25
times as described above in the new tank before weighing ( weight A, ).
2.2.3.3 The basket and the aggregate shall then be removed from the
water and allowed to drain for a few minutes, after which the, aggregate
shall be gently emptied from the basket on to one of the dry clothes, and
the empty basket shall be returned to the water, jolted 25 times and
weighed in tiater ( weight 4 ).
5.
lst23as(P#la)-1963
233.4 The aggregate placed on the dry cloth shall be gently
surface dried with the cloth, transferring it to the second dry cloth when
the first will remove no further moisture. It shall then be spread out not
more than one stone deep on the second cloth, and lest exposed to the
atmosphere away from direct sunlight or any other source of heat for not
less than 10 minutes, or until it appears to be completely surface dry
( which with some aggregates may take an hour or more ). The aggregate
shall be turned over at least once during this period and a gentle current
of unheated air may be used after the first ten minutes to accelerate the
drying of difficult aggregates. The aggregate shall then be weighed
( weight B).
NO%%-If the spparcnt spcci6c gravity onIy ia rcquimd the opaztiom described
in 2.2.3.4 may be omit&d.
2.235 The aggregate shall then be placed in the oven in the

shallow tray, at a temperature of IO0 to 110°C and maintained at this
temperature for 24 f l/2 hours. It shall then be removed from the oven,
cooled in the airtight container and weighed ( weight C).
2.2.4 Cizlc&tions - Specific gravity, apparent specihc gravity and water
absorption shall be calculated as follows:
speciiicgravity= Bc_A
Apparent specificgravity = &
lO(B-C)
Water absorption ( percent of dry weight) = C
where
B = ihe weight in g of the saturated surkedry aggregate in

air, and
C = the weight in g of ovendried aggregate in air.
2.23 R6pWting of Re.sl&- The individual and mean results shall be

reported. The size of the aggregate tested shall be stated, and whether
it has heen artificially heated.
23 MethodlI-Aggq+e &tupecn4O~WdlO~
23.1 A#rmtus -The apparatus shall consist of the following:

a) Balartce- A balance or scale of capacity not less than 3 kg,
,readable and accurate to @5 g, and of such a type as to permit
the weighing of the vessel containing the aggregate and water.
\
lst2386(Partlu)-1963
W Okn- A well ventilated oven, thermostatically controlled to

maintain a temperature of 100 to 1 10°C.
4 Glass Vcssd or Jar -A wide-mouthed glass vessel such as a jar
of about 1.5 litres capacity, with. a flat ground lip and a plane
ground disc of plate glass to cover it, giving a virtually watertight
fit.
4 Clotlrs- Two dry soft absorbent cloths, each not less than
75 x 45 cm.
4 ‘Guy - A shallow tray of area not less than 325 ems.
f) Coat&~- An airtight container large enough to take the
sample.
23.2 samf.&!c- A sample of about one kilogram of the aggregate
shall be used. Aggregates which have been artificially heated shall not
normally be used; if such material is used, the fact shall be stated in the
report.
Two testsshall be made and it is recommended that the two samples
should not be tested concurrently.
23.3 Test Procedue -The sample shall be screened on a IO-mm IS
sieve, thoroughly washed to remove fine particles of dust, and immersed in
distilled water in the glass vessel; it shall remain immersed at a tempera-
ture of 22 to 32°C for 24 f l/2 hours. goon after immersion and again
at the end of the soaking period, air entrapped in or bubbles on the
surface of the aggregate shall be removed by gentle agitation. This may
be achieved by rapid clockwii and anti-clockwise rotation of the vessel
between the operator’s hands.
233.1 The vessel shall be overfilled by adding distilled water and
the plane ground-glass disc slid over the mouth so as to ensure that no
air is trapped in the vessel. The vessel shall be dried on the outside and
weighed ( weight A ).
233.2 The vessel shall be emptied and the aggregate allowed to
drain. Refill the uessel with distilled water. Slide the glass disc in
position as before. The vessel shall be dried on the outside and weighed
( weight B ).
2333 The difference in the temperature of water in the vessel
during the first and second weighings shall not exceed 2°C.
2.33.4 The aggregate shall be placed on a dry cloth and gently
surihce dried with the cloth, transferring it t a second dry cloth when
the first will remove no further moisture. It sh1 11then be spread out not
more than one stone deep on the second cloth, and left exposed to the
atmosphere away from direct sunlight or any other source of heat for
not less than 10 minutes or until it appears to be completely surface dry
(which with some aggregates may take an hour or more) The aggregate
7
IS:23S6(PartIU)-1963
shall be turned over at least once during this period and a gentle current
of unheated air may be used after the first ten minutes to accelerate the
fTi;htoi )difficult aggregates. The aggregate shall then be weighed
NOTE-If the apparentspecificgravityonly is required,the operations described

in 233.4 may be omitted.
2.3.3.5 The aggregate shall be placed in the oven in the shallow tray,
at a temperature of 100 to 110°C for 24 f l/2 hours. It shall then be
cooled in airtight container and weighed ( weight D ).
2.3.4 Calculations - Spe.ctic gravity, apparent specific gravity and water
absorption shall be calculated as follows:
D
Specific gravity
= c- (A-B)
D
Apparent specific gravity =
D-(A-B)
Water absorption ( percent
_lOO(C-D)
of dry weight )
D
where
A = weight in g of vessel containing sample and filled
with distilled water,
B = weight in g of vessel filled with distilled water only,
C = weight in g of saturated surface-dry sample, and
D = weight in g of oven-dry sample..
23.5 Re#ortiQ of Results - The individual and’ mein results shall be
reported. The grading of aggregate tested shall be stated, and whether
it has been artificially heated.
2.4 Method III - Aggregate Smaller Than 10 mm

2.4.1 Apparatw T The apparatus shall consist of the following:
4 Balatue - A balance or scale of capacity not less than 3 kg,
readable and accurate to 0.5 g, and of such a type as to permit
the weighing of the vessel containing the aggregate and water.
b) Oven - A well ventilated oven, thermostatically controlled, to
maintain a temperature of 100 to 110°C.
4 Vessel - Any form of vessel capable of holding 0.5 to 1 kg of
material up to 10 mm in size and capable of being filled with
water to a constant volume with an accuracy of f @5 ml. Fither
of the two following vessels is suitable:
1) A glass vessel, referred to later as a pycnometer, of about
8
Is:2386(r~m)-1%3
one litre capacity having a metal conical screw top with
a 6-mm diameter hole at its apex. The screw top shall
be watertight when it is screwed on to the jar, and, if
necessary, a rubber or fibre washer shall be inserted in
the joint. If such a washer is used, a mark shall be made
on the jar to correspond with a mark on the screw top so
that the screw is tightened to the same position every
time and the volume contained by the jar is constant
throughout the test. A suitable vessel can be made from
a l-kg fruit preserving jar in which the glass lid normally
used is replaced by a sheet metal cone as shown in
Fig. 1; or
2) A wide-mouthed glass vessel, such as a gas jar, of about
1.25 litres capacity, with a flat ground lip and a plane
ground disc of plate glass to cover it, giving a virtually
watertight fit.
d) A means of supplying a current of warm air, such as a hair drier.
e) A tray of area not less than 325 cm2.
f) An airtight container large enough to take the sample.
g) Filter papers and funnel.
2.49 Test Procedure
2.4.2.1 Using the pycnometer - A sample of about 1 kg for 10 mm
to 4-75 mm or 500 g if finer than 4.75 mm, shall be placed in the tray
and covered with distilled water at a temperature of 22 to 32°C. Soon
after immersion, air entrapped in or bubbles on the surface of the
aggregate shall be removed by gentle agitation with a rod. The sample
shall remain immersed for 24 f l/2 hours.
The water shall then be carefully drained from the sample, by

decantation through a filter paper, any material retained being return&
to the sample. The aggregate including any solid matter retained on
the filter paper shall be exposed to a gentle current of warm air to
evaporate surface moisture and shall be stirred at frequent intervals to
ensure uniform drying until no free surface moisture can be seen and the
material just attains a ‘ free-running ’ condition. Care shall be taken to
ensure that this stage is not passed. The saturated and surface-dry sample
shall be weighed ( weight A ).
NoTe- If the apparent specific gravity only is required, the operations
d&bed in this paragraph may he omitted, although for materml finer
& 475 mm some surface drying may be desirable to facilitate handling.
The aggregate shall then be placed in the pycnometer which shall

&?‘filled with distilled water. Any trapped air shall be eliminated
hy rota&g the pycnometer on its side, the hole in the apex of
9
lsr2386(Partlll)-1963
Fro. 1 SECTION OF PYCNO~TER MADE

FROM FRUIT JAR
the cone being covered with a finger. The pycnometer shall be topped
up with distilled water to remove any froth from the surface and so that
the surface of the water in the hole is flat. The pycnometer shall be
dried on the outside and weighed ( weight B ).
The contents of the pycnometer shall be emptied into the tray, care
being taken to ensure that all the aggregate is transferred. The
pycnometer shall be refilled with distilled water to the same level as
before, dried on the outside and weighed ( weight C). The difference
in the temperature of the water in the pycnometer during the first and
second weighings shall not exceed 2°C.
10
lsr2386(PartllI)-1963
The water shall then be carefully drained from the sample by

deeantation through a filter paper and any material retained returned to
the sample. The sample shall be placed in the oven in the tray at a
temperature of 100 to 110°C for 24 f l/2 hours, during which period
it shall be stirred occasionally to facilitate drying. It shall be cooled in
the air-tight container and weighed ( weight D ).
Two tests shall be made.
2.4.2.2 Using the second ( gas jar ) apparatus described in 2.4.1 (c),
the procedure shall be the same except that in filling the jar with
water it shall be tilled just to overflowing and the glass plate slid over
it to exclude any air bubbles.
2.4.3 CaIculations- Specific gravity, apparent specific gravity and
water &sorption shall be calculated as follows:
Specific gravity
=
A-(L)
Apparent specific gravity =
D- (DB-C)
wate&aw~;$n ( percent Of = 100 ( A _ D )

D
where
A = weight in g of saturated surface-dry sample,
B = weight in g of pycnometer or gas jar containing sample
and filled with distilled water,
C = weight in g of pycnometer or gas jar filled with distilled
water only, and
D = weight in g of oven-dried sample.
2.4.4 Reprting of Results - The individual and mean results shall be
reported and the grading of the aggregate shall be stated.
23 M&hod Iv - Attemate Method

25.1 The specific gravity and water absorption of aggregate smaller
than 40 mm may be determined by using the apparatus described in
IS: 1199-1959 Methods of Sampling and Analysis of Concrete, but
distilled water shall be used in place of tap water.
25.2 When testing aggregate between 40 mm and IO mm the procedure

shall be as described in 2.2 substituting the bucket for the wire basket
and stirring with a rod instead of jolting to remove air from the sample.
25.3 When testing aggregate smaller than IO mm the apparatus shall
be used in the same way as above, but the- sequence of operations shall be
11
,IS: 2386(Part III)- 1963
as given in 2.4. After transferring the sample to the bucket, water shall
be added to cover the aggregate by at least 25 mm and the sample
stirred to remove air. The bucket shall then be filled with water and the
level of water in the tank raised slowly to avoid, as far as possible, the loss
of fine particles from the sample in the bucket to the tank.
3. DETERMINATION OF BULK DENSITY AND VOIDS

3.1 Object - This method of test covers the procedure for determining
unit weight or bulk density and void of aggregates.
NOTE 1 - The bulk density is the weight of material in a given volume, and for the
purpose of this standard it is measured in kilograms per litre. The bulk density of an
aggregate is affected by several factors, including the amount of moisture present and the
amount of effort introduced in filling the measures.
NOTE 2 -It is emphasized that this is a laboratory test intended fbr comparing
properties of different aggregates. It is not generally suitable for use as a basis for
quoting mix design conversion factors.
NOTE 3- Considerably more compactive effort is used in the determination of
angularity number [ see IS : 2336 ( Part I )-1963 ] than in this test, and hence the valuer
for bulk density and voids are different.

4 Balance - A balance sensitive to O-5 percent of the weight of the
sample to be weighed.
b) Cylindrical Metal Measure-The measure shall preferably be
machined to accurate internal dimensions and shall be provided
with handles. It shall also be watertight, and of sufficient rigidity
to retain its form under rough usage, and should be protected
against corrosion.
The measure shall be of 3j 15 or 30 litres capacity,, according
to the maximum nominal size of the coarsest particles of aggregate
and shall comply pith the requirements given in Table I.
4 Tamping Rod- A straight metal tamping rod of cylindrical cross-
section 16 mm in diameter and 60 cm long, rounded at one end.
TABLB I SIZE OF CONTAINER FOR BULK DBN&TY TFBT

[ Cluase 3.2 (b) ]
SE OF LARal?sT NOMINAL r-B INQDE TmasNlsal

PARTroLes CAPACITY DUXRTRR HRmiT OF MRTAL
Min
litre cm cm mm
475 mm and under 3 15 17 $15
over475mmto4Omm 15 25 30 400
over4omm 30 35 31 500
12
m23&(Partm)a63
3.3 Calibration - The measure shall be calibrated by determining the

weight of water at 27°C required to fill it such that no meniscus is present
above the rim of the container. The capacity in litres shall be obtained
by dividing the weight of water in kilograms required to fill the container
at 27°C by the weight of water in one litre at 27”C, which may be taken
as one kilogram.
3.4 Procedure
3.4.1 Condition of Specimen-The test shall normally be carried. out
on dyy material when determining the voids, but when bulking tests are
required material with a given percentage of moisture may be used.
3.4.2 Rodded or Compacted Weight - The measure shall be filled about
one-third full with thoroughly mixed aggregate and tamped with 25 strokes
of the rounded end of the tamping rod. A further similar quantity of
aggregate shall be added and a further tamping of 25 strokes given. The
measure shall finally be filled to over-flowing, tamped 25 times and the
surplus aggregate struck off, using the tamping rod as a straightedge. The
net weight of the aggregate in the measure shall be determined and the
bulk density calculated in kilograms per litre.
3.4.3 Loose Weight - The measure shill be filled to overflbwing by
means of a shovel or scoop, the aggregate being discharged from a height
not exceeding 5 cm above the top of the measure. Care shall be taken
to prevent, as far as possible, segregation of the particle sizes of which the
sample is composed. The surface of the aggregate shall then be levelled
with a straightedge. The net weight of the aggregate in the measure
shall then be determined and the bulk density calculated in kilogram
per litre.
3.3 Calculation of Voids - The percentage of voids shall be calculated
as follows:
Percentage of voids = 7
Ge-Y X 100
I
where
G, = specific gravity of the aggregate, and
Y = bulk density in kg/litre.
3.6 Reporting of Resulh - The bulk density shall be reported in

kg/litre to the nearest O-Ok kg.
The voids shall be reported as a percentage to the nearest whole
number.
The condition of aggregate at the time of test shall be stated, that is
(a) oven dry, (bj saturated and surface’ drv, or (cj with a given
percentage of moisture.
13
Ir2386(PartHI)-1963
4. DETERMINATION OF NECESSARY ADJUSTMENT FOR

BULKING OF FINE ‘AGGREGATE ( FIELD METHOD )
4.1 Object- This method of test covers the field method for determining
the necessary adjustment for the bulking of fine aggregate.
4.2 General - Sand brought on to a building site or other works may
contain an amount of moisture which will cause it, when loosely filled into
a container, to occupy a larger volume than it would occupy if dry. If
the sand is measured by loose volume, it is necessary in such a case to
increase the measured volume of the sand, in order that the amount of
sand. put into the concrete may be the amount intended for the nomingl
mix used ( based on dry sand ) It will be necessary to increase the
volume of sand by the ‘ percentage ’ bulking. The correction to be made
is only a rough approximation, because the system of measurement by
loose volume is a rough method at the best, but a correction of the right
order can easily be determined and should be applied in order to keep the
concrete uniform.
43 Srocednre
4.3.1 The procedure to be adopted may be varied, but two methods are
suggested in 4.3.2 and 4.3.3. Both depend on the fact that the volume of
inundated sand is the same as if the sand were dry.
4.3.2 Put sufficient quantity of the sand loosely into a container. until
it is about two-thirds full. Level off the top of the sand and pushing a
steel rule vertically down through the sand at the middle to the bottom,
measure the height. Suppose this is h cm.
4.3.2.1 Empty the sand out of the container into another container
where none of it will be lost. Half fill the first container with water.
Put back about half the sand and rod it with a steel rod, about 6 mm in
diameter, so that its volume is reduced to a minimum. Then add the
remainder of the sand and rod it in the same way,. Smooth and level the
top surface of the inundated sand and measure its depth at the middle
with the steel rule. Suppose this is h’ cm.
4.3.2.2 The percentage of bulking of the sand due to moisture shall

be calculated from the formula:
Percentage bulking = ($,-I) X 100
4.3.3 In a 250-ml measuring cylinder, pour the damp sand ( consoli-

dated by shaking) until it reaches the 200-ml mark. Then fill the cylinder
with water and stir the sand well. ( The water shall be sufficient to
submerge the sand completely. ) It will be seen that the sand surface’is
now below its original level. Suppose the surface is at the mark y ml.
14
The percentage of bulking of the sand due to moisture shall be calculated
from the formula:
Percentage bulking =
4.4 Reporting of Resdts - Report the percentage bulking of the sand

to the nearest whole number.
5. DETERMINATION OF SURFACE MOISTURE lN

FINE AGGREGATE (FIELD METHOD)
5.1 Object -This method of test covers the procedure for determining,
in the field, the amount of surface moisture in fine aggregates by displace-
ment in water. The accuracy of the method depends upon accurate
information on the specific gravity of the material in a saturated surface-
dry condition. The same procedure, with appropriate changes in the
size of sample and dimensions of the container. may be applied to coarse
aggregates.
55 Apparatus - The apparatus shall consist of the following:

a) Balance - A balance having a capacity of 2 kg or more and
sensitive to 0.5 g or less.
b) Flask- A suitable container or flask preferably of glass or non-
corrosive metal. The container may be a pycnometer, a volumetric
flask, a graduated volumetric flask or other suitable measuring
device. The volume of the container shall be from 2 to 3 times
the loose volume of the sample. The container shall be so designed
that it can be filled up to the mark, or the volume of its contents
read, within 0.5 ml or less.
5.3 Sample - A representative sample of the fine aggregate to be tested

for surface moisture content shall be selected. It shall weigh not less than
200 g. Larger samples will yield more accurate results.
5.4 Procedure
5.4.1 The surface water content may be determined either by weight
or by volume. In each case the test shall be made at a temperature
range of 22 to 32°C.
5.4.2 Determination by Weight -The container shall be filled up to

the mark with water and the weight in grams determined. The container
shall be emptied. Enough water shall be placed in the container to
cover the sample, after which the sample of fine aggregate shall be
introduced into the container and the entrained air removed. The
container shall then be filled to the original mark and the weight in grams
15
IS:2386(PartIII)-1963
determined. The amount of water displaced by the sample shall be

calculated as follows:
VS =M,+M,-M
where
V’ = weight in g of water displaced’ by the sample,
M, = weight in g of container filled up to the mark with water,
M, = weight in g of the sample, and
M = weight in g of the sample and container filled to the mark
with water.
5.4.3 Determination by Volume- A volume of water sufficient to
cover the sample shall be measured in millilitres and placed in the
container. The weighed sample of fine aggregate shall then be admitted
into the container and the entrained air removed. The combined volume
of the sample and the water shall be determined by direct reading when
a graduated flask is used. Where a pycnometer or volumetric flask of
known volume is used, the combined volume of the sample and the water
shall be determined by filling up to the mark with a measured volume
of water and subtracting this volume from the volume of the container.
The amount of water displaced by the sample shall be calculated
as follows:
v, = vs - v,
where
V, - volume in ml of water displaced by the sample,
V, = combined volume in ml of the sample and water, and
VI = volume in ml of water required to cover the sample.
53 cialculation
5.5.1 The percentage of surface moisture in terms of the saturated
surface-dry fine aggregate and in terms of the weight of wet fine aggregate
shall be calculated as follows:
x 100
x 100
where
P, = percentage surface moisture in terms of saturated surface-
dry fine aggregate;
V, = weight in g of water displaced;
16
I6t2366(PartIlI)-1963
Vd = the weight of the sample ( it4, in 5.4.2 ) divided by the

specific gravity on saturated and surface-dry basis,
determined as prescribed;
M, = weight in g of the sample; and
Ps = percentage surface moisture in terms of the weight of wet
fine aggregate.
NOTE- These formulae are readily derived from basic relationships. For
convenience, express J’r in terms of the ratio r, that is, the ratio of the weight of
surface moisture to the weight of the saturated surface-dry sample. It follows
that:
M*-__3_
I== I+7
. . . . . . . . . . . ...*... ( 1 )
MS
1+r
If C is the specific gravity of the saturated surface-dry fine aggregate, then
Vs=+++ ( MC+&) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2)
where the first term gives the water displaced by the saturated surface-dry fine
aggregate, and the second that displaced by the surface moisture.
From equation 2,
PI M* Vs- M.
1+r 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
----1
G
By definition,
M,=V&x G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4)
M*
Substituting for -, + r and M, in equation 1, and simplifying
vs- vd
....... . . . . . . . . . . . (5)
“Mb*
The formula for Ps may be derived by similar reasoning, or directly from that
for Ps, since
V8 - vd
Pi E Mb-_Vav x 100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (6)

I+*;
s
5.6 Reporting of Results - The surface moisture in the fine aggregate
shall be reported to the nearest one percent and also the method of
determination, that is, either by weight or by volume.

Telephones: 323 0131, 323 3375, 323 9402
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(Common to all Of6ce.s)
Centrel Laborataryf Telephone
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Regional Otlices:
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*Sates Office is at 5 Chowringhee Approach, P 0. Princep Street,

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- Printed at New India Printtr19 Press, Khurja. India



IS 2386-5 (1963): Methods of Test for Aggregates for

Concrete, Part V: Soundness [CED 2: Cement and Concrete]


है”
ह
( Reaffirmed 2002 )
IS:a3&i(PartV)-1963
;. \t- b3’
: Gait: . .. . . . . . . . ....‘,,
/$/Indian
y/.’
Standard
I
METHODS OF TEST 1
FOR CONCRETE /
1
PART V SOUNDNESS !

SHRI K. K. NAMBIAR The Concrete Association of India, Bombay
Members
SHRI K. V. THADANEY ( Alternate to
Shri K. K. Nambiar )
SHRI K. F. ANTIA M. N. Dastur & Co. Private Ltd., Calcutta
SHRI P. S. BHATNA~AR Bhakra Dam Designs Directorate, New Delhi
DR. I. C. DOS M. PAIS CIJDDOU Central Water I_%Power Commission ( Ministry of
Irrigation t Power )
SHRI Y. K. MURTHY ( Alternate )
SHRI N. D. DAFTARY Khira Steel Works Private Ltd., Bombay
SUPER~ETENDIN~ENGINEER,
END CIRCLE( Alternate )
DR. R. R. HATTIBNQADI The Associated Cement Companies Ltd., Bombay
SHRI V. N. PAI ( Alternate )
SHRI P. C. HAZRA Geological Survey of India, Calcutta
JOINT DIRECTOR STANDARDS Research, Designs & Standards Organization
(B&S) ( Ministry of Railways )
ASSISTANTDIRECTORSTAND-
ARDS ( B & S ) ( Alternate )
SHRI S. B. JOSHI S. B. Joshi & Co. Private Ltd., Bombay
&RI M. M. LAL U. P. Government Cement Factory, Churk
SHRI B. N. MAJU~DAR Directorate General of Supplies 8~.Disposals ( Minis-
try of Economic t Defence Co-ordination )
SHRI P. L. DAS ( Alternate )
PROF. S. R. MEHRA CentrD;;hyd Research Institute ( CSIR ), New
SRRI N. H. MOHILE The Concrete Association of India, Bombay

SHRI S. N. MUKERJI Government Test House, Calcutta
SHRI N. C. SEN GUPTA ( Alternate )
SHRI ERACH A. NADIRSHAH Institution of Engineers ( India ), Calcutta
SHRI C. B. PAT& National Buildings Organisation ( Minist,ry of
SHRI RABINDER SINC+H (Alternate)
PR0F.G. S.RAMASWAMY Cent~~or~~~lding Research Institute ( CSIR ),
SHRIK. SIVAPRASAD( Alternate)

SHRI T. N. S. RAO Gammon India Limited, Bombay
SHRI S.R. PINHEIRO (Alternate)
( Continued on page 2)

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 MATHURA ROAD
NEW DELHI 1
is.2 23&l (RR* V:) - 1%3
( Cot&wed from page 1)
Members _ Representing
REPRESENTATIVE Martin Burn Ltd.. Calcutta
SHRI NIHAR CnANDnA ROY Dslmia Cement ( Bharat ) Ltd., Calcutta
SECRETARY Central ‘Board of Irrigetion & Power ( Ministry of
BRIG G. S. SIHOTA ’ Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch, Army~Headquarters
SHRI R. S. MEIIANDRU ( Alternate )
DR. BH. SUBBARAJU Indian Roads Congress, New Delhi
cations
SHRI N. H. KESWANI ( Alternute )
DR. H. C. VISVESVABAYA, Director, IS1 ( Ex-officio Member )
Deputy Director ( Bldg )
Secretary
SHRI A. PRITHIVI RAJ
Concrete Subcommittee, BDC 2 : 2
Convener
Saab S . B . JOSHI S. B. Joshi & Co. Private Ltd., Bombay
Members
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR STAND- Resee& Designs & Standards Organization
ARDS ( B & S ) ( Ministry of Railways )
SHRI N. H. BHAQWANANI Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch, Army Headquarters
DR. I. C. DOS M. PAIS CUDDOU Central Water & Power Ccmmission (Ministry of
SHRI Y. K; MURTHY ( Alternate )
SHRI P. I,. D_4s Directorate General of Supplies & Disposals
ii::7 of Economic & Defence Co-ordina-
SHR~ B. N. MAJUMDAR ( Alternate )

DIRECTOR Engineering Research Laboratory, Hyderabad
SHRI V. N. GUNAJI Mahsrashtra Public Works Department
SHRI M. A. HAFEEZ National Buildings Orgrtnisation ( Ministry of
SHRI B. S. SHIVAMURTHY ( Alternate )
SHRI C. L. HANDA Central Water & Power Commission ( Ministry of
Sam P. C. HAZRA Geological Survey of India, Celoutta
SHRI K. K. NAMBJAR The Concrete Association of India, Bombay
SHRI C. L. N. IYEN~AR (Alternate )
DR. M. L. PURI Central Road Research Institute ( CSIR ), New
Delhi
PROF. G. S. RAMASWAMY Cent;lArz3ilding Research Institute ( CSIR ),

SHRI T. N. S. RAO Gammon India Ltd., Bombay
SHRI S. R. PINHEIRO ( Alternate )
SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER, Central Public Works Department
2ND CIRCLE
SHRI 0. P. GOEL ( Alternute )
SHRI J. M. TRE~AN Roads Wing, Ministry of Transport & Communica-
tions
SRRI R. P. SI~KA ( AIternate )
SHRI H. T. YAN Braithwaite Burn & Jessop Construction Co. Ltd.,
Calcutta
._ :
Ist2386(PartV)-1191911
Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST
. FOR AGGREGATES FOR COWCRETE
PART V SOUNDNESS
0. FOREWORD
0.1This IndianStandard (Part V) was adopted by the Indian Standards

Institution on 13 September 1963, after the draft finalized by the Cement
Division Council.
0.2 One of the major contributing factors to the quality of concrete is the
quality of aggregates used therein. The test methods given in this standard
are intended to assist in assessing the quality of aggregates. In a given
situation, for a particular aggregate, it may not be necessary to assess all
the qualities, and therefore it is necessary to determine beforehand the
purpose for which a concrete is being used and the qualities of the aggregate
which require to be assessed. Accordingly, the relevant test methods may
be chosen from amongst the various tests covered in this standard. For the
convenience of the users, the test methods are grouped into the following
eight parts of Indian Standard Methods of Test for Aggregates for Concrete
( IS : 2386 - 1963):

Part II Estimation of Deleterious Materials and Organic
Impurities
Part III Specific Gravity, Density, Voids, Absorption and
Bulking
Part V Soundness
Part VI Measuring Mortar Making Properties of Fine Aggregate ,
0.3 The Sectional Committee responsible for the preparation of this
standard has taken into consideration the views of concrete specialists,
testing authorities, consumers and technologists and has related the
standard to the practices followed in this country. Further, the need for
international co-ordination among standards prevailing in different countries
3
IS :23S6 (-Part V ) - 1963
of the world has also been recognized. These considerations led the
Sectional Committee to derive assistance from C88 - 61T Tentative Method
of Test for Soundness of Aggregates by Use of Sodium Sulphate or Magne-
sium Sulphate issued by American Society for ,Testing and Materials.
0.4 Wherever a reference to any Indian Standard appears in this method,
it shall be taken as a reference to its latest version.
0.5 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirkment of this
standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated, expressing
the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accordance with
IS : 2 - 1960 Rules for Rounding Off Numerical Values (Revised). The
number of significant places retained in the rounded off value should be the
same as that of the specified value in this standard.
relating to testing of aggregates for concrete, and it does not include all the
necessary provisions of a contract.
I. SCOPE
1.1 This standard (Part V > covers the method of test to determine the
resistance to disintegration of aggregates by saturated solutions of sodium
sulphate or magnesium sulphate.
NOTE- This test furnishes information helpful in judging the soundness of
aggregates subject to weathering action, particularly when adequate information is
not available from service records of the material exposed to actual weathering
conditions. Attention is called to the fact that test results by the use of the two
salts differ considerably, and care shall be exercised in fixing proper limits in any
specification which may include requirements for these tests.
2. APPARATUS
2.1 Sieves - Sieves of the following sizes, having square openings, comp-
lying with the requirements specified in IS : 460 - 1962 Specification for Test
Sieves (Revised ) shall be used:
Fine Series Coarse Series
150 microns 8.0 mm
10 mm
300 microns 12.5 mm
600 microns 16 mm
20 mm
l-18 mm 25 mm
31.5 mm
2.36 mm 40 mm
4.00 mm 50 mm
63 mm
475 mm 80 mm
4
IS:2386(PaktV)-1963
2.2 Containers - Containers for immersing the samplei of aggregate in

the solution, in accordance with the procedure described in this method,
shall be perforated in such a manner as to permit free access of the solution
to the sample and drainage of the solution from the sample without loss of
aggregate. Arrangements shall also be available to ensure that the volume
of the solution in which samples are immersed shall be at least five times
the volume of the sample immersed at any one time.
NOTE - Baskets made of suitable wire mesh or sieves with suitable openings are ,
~ satisfactory containers for the samples.
2.3 Temperature Regulation - Suitable means for regulating the
temperature of the samples during immersion in the sodium sulphate or
magnesium sulphate solution shall be provided.
2.4 Balances - For weighing fine aggregate, a balance having a capacity
of not less than 500 g, sensitive to at least 0.1 g, shall be used; for weighing
coarse aggregate, a balance having a capacity of not less than 5 000 g,
sensitive to at least one gram, shall be used.
2.5 Drying Oven - The drying oven shall be capable of being maintained
between 105” and 110°C and the rate of evaporation, at this range of
temperature, shall average at least 25 g/h for four hcurs during which
period the doors of the oven shall be kept closed.
NOTE -- This rate shall be determined by the loss of water from 1-litre low-form
beakers each initially containing 500 g of water at a temperature of 27” f 2°C
placed at each corner and centre of each shelf of the oven. The evaporation
requirement is to apply when the oven is empty except for the beakers of water.
3. REAGENTS
3.1 Sodium Sulphate Solution - Saturated solution of sodium sulphate
shall be prepared by dissolving sodium sulphate, technical grade, confor-
ming to IS : 255 - 1950 Specification for Sodium Sulphate, Anhydrous,
Technical, or an equivalent grade of the salt of either the anhydrous
(Na,SO,) or the crystalline ( Na,S04.10H,0)* form in water at a
temperature of 25” to 30°C. Sufficient salt ( see Note ) shall be added to
ensure not only saturation but aIso the presence of excess crystals when the
solution is ready for use in the tests. The mixture shall be thoroughly
stirred during the addition of the salt and the solution shall be stirred at
frequent intervals until used. The solution shall be cooled to a temperature
of 27” & 2°C and maintained at that temperature for at least 48 hours
before use. The solution shall be thoroughly stirred immediately before
*Experience with the test method indicates that a grade of sodium sulphate
designated by the trade as dried powder, which may be considered as approxima-
tely anhydrous, is the most practical for use. That grade is more economically
available than the anhydrous form. The decahydrate sodium sulphate presents
difRculties in compounding the required solution on account of its cooling effect on the
solution,
ISIt 2386 ( Part V ) - 1963
use and salt cakes, if any, shall be broken and the specific gravity shall be
determined. When used, the solution shall have a specific gravity of not
less than l-151 and not greater than 1,174. Discoloured solution shall be
discarded, or filtered and checked for specific gravity.
NOTE -For making up the solution, 350 g of anhydrous salt or 1 150 g of the
decahydrate salt per litre of water are sufficient for saturation at 28’C. However
since these salts are not completely stable and since it is desirable that an excess of
crystals be present, the use of not less than 420 g of the anhydrous salt or 1 300 g of
the decahydrate salt per litre of water is recommended.
3.2 Magnesium Sulphate Solution - The saturated solution of magne-

sium sulphate shall be made by dissolving magnesium sulphate, technical
grade, conforming to IS : 257 - 1950 Specification for Magnesium Sulphate
(Epsom Salt ), Technical, or an equivalent grade of the salt of either the
anhydrous ( MgSO, ) or the crystalline ( MgS0,.7H,O ) ( epsom salt ) form
in water at a temperature of 25” to 30°C. Sufficient quantity of salt
( see Note ) shall be added to ensure ‘saturation and the presence of excess
crystals when the solution is ready for use in the tests. The mixture shall
be thoroughly stirred during the addition of the salt aud the solution shall
be stirred at frequent intervals until used. The solution shall be cooled to
a temperature of 27” & 1°C and maintained at that temperature for at least
48 hours before use. The solution shall be thoroughly stirred immediately
before use and salt cakes, if any, shall be broken up and the specific gravity
shall be determined. When used, the solution shall have a specific gravity
of not less than 1.295 and not more than 1.308. Discoloured solution shall
be discarded, or filtered and checked for specific gravity.
NOTE - For making up the solution, 400 g of anhydrous salt or 1 400 g of the
heptahydrate per litre of water are sufficient for saturation at 28°C. However,
since these salts are not completely stable, with the hydrous salt being the more
stable of the two, and since it is desirable that an excess of crystals be present, it is
recommended that the heptahydrate salt be used and in an amount of not less than
1 600 g per litre of water.
4. SAMPLES
4.1 Fine Aggregate - Fine aggregate for the test shall be passed through
a lo-mm IS Sieve. The sample sh@l be of such a size that it will yield not
less than 100 g of each of the following sizes, which shall be available in
amounts of 5 percent or more, expressed in terms of the following sieves:
Passing IS Sieve Retained on IS Sieve
608micron 300-micron
1*18-mm 600-micron
2*36-mm 1.18-mm
&75-mm 2.36mm
IO-mm 4*75-mm
6
IS:2386(PartV)-1963
4.2 Coarse Aggregate - Coarse aggregate for the test shall consist of
material from which sizes finer than 475mm IS Sieve have been removed;
such sizes shall be tested in accordance with the procedure for fine aggre-
gate. The sample shall be of such a size that it will yield not less than the
following amounts of the different sizes, which shall be available in amounts
of 5 percent or more:
Size Yield
( Square-Hole Sieves )
10 mm to 4.75 mm 300 g
20 mm to 10 mm 1 000 g
consisting of:
12.5 mm to 10 mm 33 percent
20 mm to 12.5 mm 67 percent
40 mm to 20 mm 1 500 g
consisting of:
25 mm to 20 mm 33 percent
63 mm to 40 mm 3 000 g
consisting of:
80 mm and larger sizes by 20 mm
spread in sieve size, each fraction 3 000 g
4.3 All-h-Aggregate - All-in-aggregate shall be separated in two major

fractions, finer than 4.75 mm and coarser than 4.75 mm. The former shall
be dealt with as fine aggregate and the latter as coarse aggregate.
NOTE -It shall be noted that testing closely sized aggregates, such as these
constitutes a more severe test than testing a graded aggregate, and this fact should
be taken into account while specifying limits in specifications.
4.4 Should the samples contain less than 5 percent of any of the sizes
specified in 4.1 or 4.2, that size shall not be tested, but, for the purpose of
calculating the test result, it shall be considered to have the same loss in
sodium sulphate or magnesium sulphate treatment as the average of the
next smaller and the next larger size, or if one of these sizes is absent, it
shall be considered to have the same loss as the next larger or next smaller
size, whichever is present. When the 20 mm to 10 mm, 40 mm to 20 mm
or 63 mm to 40 mm test samples specified in 4.2 cannot be prepared due to
the absence of one or two sizes of aggregate shown for each, the size
available shall be used to prepare the sample tested.
5. PREPARATION OF TEST SAMPLE

5.1 Fine Aggregate - The sample of fine aggregate shall be thoroughly
washed on a 300-micron IS Sieve, dried to constant weight at 105” to 110°C
7
16:2386(PartV)-1963 .
and separated into different sizes by sieving as follows:

Make a rough separation of the graded sample by means of a nest of
the,sieves specified in 4.1. From the fractions obtained in this manner,
select samples of sufficient size to yield 100 g after sieving to refusal.
(In general, a 110 g sample will be sufficient.) Fine aggregate
sticking in the meshes of the sieves shall not be used in preparing
the samples. Samples of 100 g shall be weighed out of each of
the separated fractions after final sieving and placed in separate
containers for the test.
5.2 Coarse Aggregate - The sample of coarse aggregate shall be
thoroughly washed and dried to constant weight at 105°C to 110°C and
shall be separated into different sizes shown in 4.2 by sieving to refusal.
The proper weight of sample for each fraction shall be weighed out and
placed in separate containers for the test. In the case of fractions coarser
than the 20-mm IS Sieve, the number of particles shall also be counted.
6. PROCEDURE
6.1 Storage of Samples in Solution - The samples shall be immersed
in the prepared solution of sodium sulphate or magnesium sulphate for
not less than 16 hours nor more than 18 hours in such a manner that the
solution covers them to a depth of at least 15 mm (see Note ). The con-
tainers shall be covered to reduce evaporation and prevent the accidental
addition of extraneous substances. The samples immersed in the solution
shall be maintained at a temperature of 27” & 1°C for the immersion
period.
NOTE - Suitably weighted wire grids placed over the sample in the containers
will permit this coverage to be achieved with very light aggregates.
6.2 Drying Samples After Immersion -After the immersion period,

the aggregate sample shall be removed from the solution, permitted to drain
for 15 f 5 minutes, and placed in the drying oven. The temperature of the
oven shall have been brought previously to 105” to 110°C. The samples
shall be dried to constant weight at this specified temperature. During
the drying period, the samples shall be removed from the oven, cooled
to room temperature and weighed at intervals of not less than 4 hours nor
more than 18 hours. Constant weight may be considered to have been
achieved when two successive weights for any one sample differ by less than
0.1 g in the case of fine aggregate samples, or by less than 1.0 g in the case
of coarse aggregate samples. After constant weight has been achieved the
samples shall be allowed to cool to room temperature, then they shall again
be immersed in the prepared solution as described in 6.1.
6.3 Number of Cycles - The process of alternate immersion and drying
shall be repeated until the specified number of cycles as agreed to between
the purchaser and the vendor is obtained.
8
7. QUANTITATIVE BCAMINATION
7.1 The quantitative examination (see Note) shall be made as follows:
a) After the completion of the final cycle and after the sample has
cooled, the sample shall be washed free from the sodium sulphate
or magnesium sulphate as determined by the reaction of the wash- I
water with barium chloride ( BaCl, ).
b) After the sodium sulphate or magnesium sulphate solution has been
removed, each fraction of the sample shall be dried to constant !
weight at 105” to 110X, and weighed, Fine aggregates shall be J :
sieved over the same sieve on which it was retained before the test,
and coarse aggregate over the sieve shown below for the appropriate
size of particle:
Size of Aggregate Sieve Used to
Determine Loss
63 mm to 40 mm 31.5 mm
40 mm to 20 mm 16 mm
20mmto 10mm 80 mm
10 mm to 475 mm 4.00 mm
NOTE-In addition to the procedure described in (a) and (b), it is suggested that
additional information of value will be obtained by examining each fraction visually
in order to determine whether there is any evidence of excessive splitting of the
grains. It is also suggested that additional information of value will be obtained
if, after treating each separate fraction of the sample as described in (b), all sizes,
including detritus, are combined and a sieve analysis made using sieves of the
following sizes:
150,300 and 800 micron, 1*18,2*36, 4.75, 10,20,40, and 80 mm.
The results of the sieve analysis shall be recorded as cumulative percentages
retained on each sieve.
8. QUALITATIVE EXAMINATION
8.1 Fractions of samples coarser than 20 mm shall be examined qualjta-
tively after each immersion and quantitatively at the completion of the test.
8.2 The qualitative examination and record shall consist of two parts, (a)
observing the effect of the action (see Note ) by the sodium sulphate
or magnesium sulphate solution and the nature of the action, and (b)
counting the number of particles affected.
NOTE--Many types of actions may b,e expected. In general, they may be
classified as disintegration, splitting, crumbling, cracking, flaking, etc.
While only particles larger than 20 mm in size are required to be examined
qualitatively, it is recommended that examination of the smaller sizes be also made
in order to determine whether there is any evidence of excessive splitting.
9.1 The report shall include the following data:
a) Weight of each fraction ofeach sample before test.
IS:2386(PartV)-1963
b) Material from each fraction of the sample finer than the sieve on
which the fraction was retained before test, expressed as a percen-
tage by weight of the fraction.
c) Weighted average calculated from the percentage of loss for each
fraction, based on the grading of the sample as received for exami-
nation or, preferably, on the average grading of the material from
that portion of the supply of which the sample is representative.
In these calculations sizes finer than the 300-micron IS Sieve shall
be assumed to have zero percent loss.
In the case of particles coarser than 20 mm before test, (1) the
number of particles in each fraction before test, and (2) the number
of particles affected, classified as to number disintegrating, splitting,
crumbling, cracking, flaking, etc.
4 Character of solution ( sodium sulphate or magnesium sulphate ).
9.2 A recommended form for recording of test data is given in Table I.
Test values given are for illustration and these may be appropriate for
either salt depending on the quality of the aggregate.
TABLE I SUGGESTED FORM FOR RECORDING SOUNDNESS TEST DATA

( With Illustrative Test V+dues )
SIEVE SIZE GRADINQOF WEIUHT OF PERCENTAQE WEIGHTED
~___--L--_-~ ORIGINAL TEST FRAC- PAsSINo AVERMXG
Passing Retained SAMPLE TIONSBE- FINER SIEVE (CORRECTED
on PERCENT FORE TEST AFTER TEST PERCENT
( ACTUALPER- Loss)
CENTLOSS)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
Soundness Test for Fine Aggregate
150micron - 5’0 - - -
300 1, 150 micron 11.4 - --
600 300 ,, 26.0 100 z2 1.09
l*li)‘mm 600 25’2 100 4.8 1.21
2’36 ,: I*lgmm 17.0 100 8.0 1.36
4’75 ,, 2.36 ,, 10’8 100 11.2 1.21
10 mm 4’75 ,, 4’6 - 11*2* 0,52
Total - 100.0 400 - 5’39

- - - ---~. -_- ..___._~
Soundness Test for Coarse Aggregate
63 mm 40 mm 20’0 3 ooot 4.8 0’96
40 ,, 20 ,? 45.0 1500t 8’0 3.60
20 ,, 10 ,, 23.0 _1 ooot 9’6 2.20
10 I, 4’75 ,, 12’0 300t 11.2 1.34
Total -- 100.0 5 800 - 8’10
*The percentage loss ( 11’2 percent ) of the next smaller size is used as the per-
centage loss for this size, since this size contains less than 5 percent of the original
sample as received ( see 4.4 ) .
tMinimum amounts; larger samples may be used.
10



Determination of dry density of soils, in-place, by the
sand replacement method [CED 43: Soil and Foundation
Engineering]


है”
ह
IS : 2720 ( Part XXVIII) -1974
( Reaffirmed 2010 )
Indian Standard
PART XXVIII DETERMINATION OF DRY DENSITY
OF SOILS IN-PLACE, BY THE SAND
REPLACEMENT METHOD
( First Revision)
Ninth Reprint JANUARY 2005
UDC 624.131.431.5
© Copyright 1974

NEW DELHI 110002
October 1974
Gr 6
IS : 2720 ( Part XXVID ) • 1974
Indian Standard
REPLACEMENT METHOD
( First Revision)
Soil Engineering Sectional Committee, BDC 23
Repesmhng
Central Building Research Institute ( CSIR ),
Roorkee
MemIJ"s
SHRI G. R. S. JAIM (Altmaall to
Prof Dinesh Mohan)
Paop ALAM SINOH Univeni\y ofJodhpur, Jodhpur
Da A. BANERJEE Cementation Co Ltd, Bombay
SHIll S. GUPTA (Allmud,)
SHU K. N. DADU'A In penonal capacity (P-820 N,w A.li/HWI, (Aleul'" 5S)
8BaI A. G. DAI11DAR HindUltan Construction Co, Bombay
,8BaI R. L. DEWAN Irrigation Research Institute, Khagaul, Patn.
Da, G. S. DHlLLON Indian Geotechnical Society. New Delhi
o.aCTOR Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi
hop S. K. GULHATI (Allmaall)
DautCTOa Irription at Power Research Institute, Amritlar
.sHRI B. B. L. BHATNAOAII. (AllmuJtI )
Dnl&croa (CS Ie MRS ) ~tral Water & Power Commission, New Delhi
DEpUTY DIRECTOR ( as at MRS)
( Alltrnatl )
SHU A. H. DIYANJI Radio Foundation Engineering Ltd; and Huarat It
Co, Bombay
SHRI A. N. JANOU ( AltmatJu )
SHRI V. G. HEODE National Buildings Orsanization. New Delhi
SHU J. P. SHARMA (Altmtal')
DR IQBAL ALI Eogmeerinl Research Laboratory, Hyderabad
SHRI K. R. SAXENA ( Allmldl, )
JOINT DIRECTOR R.E~&ARCH (FE) t Railway Board (Miniatry of RailwaY' )
R.DSa
DapUTY DIRECTOR REI&AaCH.
Son, MECIIANICI, RDSO ( AlIt""'" )
( COIlIituMtJ ..,.,. 2 )
• CDpyrlp, 1974
Thi, publication i, protected under the 1N1111" Co"",ltt Act (XIV 01, t 951) ••d
reproduetioD ia whole or iD part by uy meanl except with wrilleD permiuioD 01the
publilher IbaII be d.med to be aD iDrrinlemeDt or copyrilht under the said Act.
II, 2711 ( Put DVID) .117t
Soil TestiDg Procedures and Equipment Subcommittee, BOO 23: S

c.....
. .~ ALAII SIIIOII UDlvenity ofJodhpur, Jodhpur
.at.Mn
SIIIU N. K. BauY . . . Dual Project, 1'aIwara Tow.blp
SDI N. K. AHUJA (.4lImMII )
Da It. BIwmAaI Ceatrailloacl Raearcb IDltitute ( CSIIl ). New DeIIal
S T. N. BHAaOAWA Roads WiDa ( MlDiatry of ShippiDI • Tramport)
SDI A. S....... (.,u",."." )
Da A. L CBAnDJu ~ Deputmeot, GoveI'DmeDt of Uttar
Public
Da .. L DHAwAil (M"""" ) .
IDJ ... L. DawAlf IrripdoD 1leIearc:h laadtute. Kbapul, PatDa
Dlaaroa ( OS & MRS) CeDtraI Water • Power O'm..... New De1bI
DDVI'Y I)Juc:roa ( OS a MRS)
(~)
(o.,t......, . 21)
2
AMENDMENT NO.1 FEBRUARY 2009
TO
IS 2720 (pART 28) : 1974 METHODS OF
TEST FOR SOILS
PART 28 DETERMINATION OF DAY DENSITY OF SOILS,
IN-PLACE, BY THE SAND REPLACEMENT METHOD
( Flnt Revision)
(Page 20, Annex B, clause 8-2.4) - Substitute the following for the
existing clause:
'The wet gravel shall be placed in an oven and the oven-dry weight (W'.> and
water content (wJ shall be determined.'
(Page 20, Annex S, clause 8-3.1) - Substitute the following for the
existing under 81 No. (d) to G):
:;:: (b)
'd) Wet density of minus 4.75 mm soil
(c)
(b)
e) Dry weight of minus 4.75 mm soil
1+ wl/IOO
(d)
t) Dry density of minus 4.75 mm soil
l+w./IOO
g) Dry weight oftotal material (soil + gravel) =W', + (e)
h) Water content (wr) of total material, percent = Ww -(g) )(100
(g)
j) Percentage of gravel in the material on a dry W'
weight basis = _ I )(100'
(g)
(CEO 43)
Rcproaraphy Unit. 81S.New Delhi. India

IS : 2720 (Part xxvm i- 1'14
Indian Standard
REPLACEMENT METHOD
( First Revision)
o. FOREWORD
1.1 This Indian Standard ( Part XXVIII ) (Fint Revision) was adopted
by the Indian Standards Institution on 21 February 197+. after the draft
fiDalized bl: the Soil Engineering Sectional Committee had been approved
by the Civil Engineering Division Council.
1.2 With a view to establish uniform procedures for the determination of
difFerent characteristics of soils and also for facilita!lng comparative ItwlieI
or the results. the Indian Standards Institution is bringing out this IncliaD
Standard methods of test for soils (IS: 2720) which will be publiahecl in
r
~. This part IS \ 2720 (Part XXVIII) ] deals with the determination
of dry density of soil, in-place, by the sand replacement method. The
in-place densiqr of Datural soil is needed for the determination of ~
capacity of soilI, for the purpose of stability anal)'lis of natural s10DeL Cor
the determination of pressures on underlying strata for calculation or .ettle-
ment, etc. In compacted soils the in-place density "is needed to check the
amount of compaction that the soil has undergone for comparilon with
design data. The correct estimation of the in-place density of both
natural and compacted soils is therefore of im~rtance.
0.2.1 This standard was originally published in 1966. °In this reviIion
the sieve size for defining fine-grained soils hai been changed to 2 DUD. An
ap~ndix has been added for the determination of water content and dry
density of medium- and coarse-grained soils containing appreciable gravel
fraction.
0.3 This ltandard is divided into two sections. Section I prescribes the
method suitable for fine- and medium-grained soils using the .maIllUld
pouring cylinder; Section 2 lays down the method which uses the Jarse
sand pouring cylinder and is suitable for fine-, medium- and coan~ed
soils containing Itones which make the test of Section I difficult to
perform.
:4
IS I 2720( Part XXVOI ) • 197t
0.3.1 For the purpose of tests described in this standard soils shall be
grouped. as shown below:
Fine-grained soils Soils containing not less than 90
percent passing a 2·0-mm IS
Sieve (see IS : 460-1962· )
Medium-grained soils Soils containing not less than 90
percent passing a 20-mm IS
Sieve ( see IS: 460-1962- )
Coarse-grained soils Soils containing not less than 90
percent passing a 4O-mm IS
Sieve ( see IS : 460-1962. )
0.4 The other standards so far published relating to the determination of
density of soil in-place are as follows:
IS : 2720 (Part XXIX )-1966 Methods of test for soils: Part XXIX
Determination of dry density of soils in-place by the core cutter
method
IS : 2720 (Part XXXIII )-1971 Methods of test for soils: Part
XXXIII Determination of density in-place by the ring and
water replacement method
IS : 2720 (Part XXXIV)-1972 Methods of test for soils: Part
XXXIV Determination of density of soil in-place by the rubber-
haloon method
1.5 In the formulation of this standard due weightage has been given to
international co-ordination among the standards and practices prevailing
in different countries in addition to relating it to the practices in the field
iD this country. This has been met by basing the standard on the follow-
iDa publications:
BS i377: 1961 Methods of testing soils for civil engineering purposes.
British Standards Institution.
INDIA. MINISTRY OF IRRIGATION AND POWER. CBIP Publication No.
42. Standards for testing soils. 1963. Central Board of Irrigation
and Power, New Delhi.
0.6 In reporting the result of a test or analysis made in accordance with
this standard, if the final value, observed or calculated, is to be rounded
o~ it shall be done in accordance with IS: 2·196Qt.
-Specification Cor teat .ievea ( ,1fIiMl).

t Rwes for roundinl oft" Dumeric:al valuel ( ,ftIiutI ).
4
III 2720 ( Part XXVID ) • 1174
SECTION I METHOD SUITABLE FOR FINE- AND MEDIUM-
GRAINED SOILS: SMALL POURING CYLINDER METHOD
1. SCOPE
1.1 This method covers the determination, in-place, of the dry density
( in g/cml or kg/rnl ) of natural or compacted fine- and medium-grained
soils for which a small sand.~uring cylinder is used. The method it
applicable to layers not exceeding 150 nun in thickness ( see Note ).
NOTE - With If&Dular material. havioglittle or DO cohesion, particularly wheD they
are wet, there is a danger of erron in the measurement of dry density by this metbod.
Thele erron are caused by the slumping of the sides of the excavated deillity hole aacI
always I'csult in an over-estimation of the density.
2.APPARAnJS
2.1 S.all Saad.Po1lrbag Cyliader - similar in essential details to that
shown in Fig. 1.
2.2 Tool. lor EscavatlDI Holes - suitable tools, such as a scraper tool
similar to that shown in Fig. 2 to make a level surface; bent spoon, dibber
shown in Fig. 3.
2.3 Cylladrical CaUbratiDg Coatamer - with an internal diameter of
100 mm and an internal depth of 150 rom (.lIe Note 1 under 4.2.2) the or
type illustrated in Fig. 4 fitted with a flange approximately 50 mm wide
and about 5 nun thick surrounding the open end. The volume of the
container should be given to an accuracy of O·2~ percent.
2.4 .laDce - accurate to 1 g.
2.5 PI.De Sarfacel Qla•• or Per8pea Plate or Other PlaDe Sarlae. -
about 450 O1Ll square and 9 mm thick or larger.
2.6 Metal Ccm.talaen - to collect excavated soil. A convenient size
is one about 150 nun diameter and 200 mm deep with a removable
cover.
2.7 C,llacirlcal Steel C'.ore-Catter - of steel, 127·4 ± 0·1 mm long
and 100 mm ± 0·1 mm internal diameter with a wall thickness of 3 DUD
bevelled at one end. One suitable type is illustrated in Fig. 5. The cutter
shall be kept adequately greased.
2.8 Metal Tray with Hole - 300 mm square and 40 mm deep with •
100 mm hole in the centre.
5
II. 2720( Pare XXVIII) • 1974
.....
--~-- ...
...-...--Jl
......- - - c . - - - - -
-The baDcIle may be required for q e pow.iDs cylinder only.
P..., Cylilul6r SiJj A B C ! D E I~I_G1Cf:'~·

Saaal1 ( forfiDe- and
medium-p-ained IOi1I )
880 85 200 I
I
75
zJ·~ I 115 i 115!
3
Larp (for fiDe-, medium-

aad c:oane-grained. soiII)
610 175 350
,
1
160 25
::1:&1
121il2i51
I
NOft. 1 - This deaip bu beaa louDcl aatWactcwy. but altemadve daipa may b
employed. ~vided that the elleDdal requirements are fblfiDecL
~
16-5
Non 2 - Eumtial dimeDlionl are UDderliDed.

Nora 3 - Toleraac:e OIl alaltial dimeaIioDI 11:1 DUD.
Fla. I SAND-PouaDIO CnDma

AU di......... ill mi11imetIa.
ft)1l ..... -TIOK 0. Dual f
III 2720 (P.... XXVIII) .lI7t
.....- - - - : 4 0 0 - - - - - - e t 3
Nora - Thia desip baa been fbuncl atilCactory t but alternative daIpI may be
employed.
Fla. 2 SCltAPBR .oR LavaLLINO St1IlFACB 0. Sou.
+-I~----.......---------~---------
R 8UNG ~""IIIT 20 mm ID
Nora - TbIa deaip bu been louDd .dIfactory. but altemative cIeIipI may be
empIoyecL
AU dlmeDlioal ill miUimetreI.
PIO. 3 DlBua 1'0& DmoDlO DaNIITY HoUi

7
U. 2720 ( Pan XXVIII ) • 1174
Non I - This desip hu been (ound ..tWactory, but altel'Dative d - " ma, be
employed, provided that th~ elleDual requirementl are ful&UecL
Nora 2 - EaeDtiaI dimenliOlll are uDcleriiDecl.
Nara.~ - Toleruce OIl CIIeIltial dimenaicml • 0·1 1DDl.
All climenaioDi in millimetlel.
FlO. 4 CAuBUTlNO CoNTAINER .oa U.. WITH SMALL POVlUlfO
CYLlNDa.
8
III 2720 ( Part XXVDI ) • 1174
II
.....--140 .. - .........
R~
Non 1 - TbeIe d - , llaft

CUTTING IDOl been found aatiafaetory. ,*t
alterDatiYe ~ may be
employed, pl'OVIded that the
eIIeIltial requiremeotl are
fulfilled.
NOTS 2 - !lleDtiaI cIlmeD-
lion. are underJined.
NOTa 3-Tolerance OIl . .
lendal dimeMioaa ~ 0·1 DUll.
FlO. 5 COU-CUTr&a APPAltATUI .-0. SoIL D&NIITY naT&IlIIINATlON
9
II. 2720 ( Part XXVID ) • 1974
3. MATEIUAL ( SAND )
3.1 Clean, uniformly graded natural sand pasc;ing the l·OO-mm IS Sieve
and retained on the 6OO-micron IS Sieve shall be used. It shall be free
from organic matter, and shall have been oven dried and stored for a
suitable period to allow its water content to reach equilibrium with atmos-
pheric humidity (SI' Note).
NOTa - Generally a storage period, after oveD dryiDl, of about 7 da,. is aulideat
for the water content of the sand to reach equilibrium with the atmOlpberic humidity.
The sand should not be Itored in air-tight coDtainen and should be tborouahJy mixed
before use. If land is aalV&led from holes in compacted 10m after carryin. out the teIt,
it is. advisable to sieve, dry and ltore thia .and &pin before it iI used in further aand
replacement tests.
4•. PROCEDURE
4.1 CaHbradoa 01 Apparat••

4.1.1 The method given in 4.1.1.1 to 4.1.1.4 shall be followed for the
determination of the weight of sand in the cone of the pouring cylinder.
4.1.1.1 The pouring cylinder shall be filled so that the level of the
Dnd in the cylinder is within about 10 mm of the top. Its total initial
weight ( WI) shall be found and shall be maintained constant throughout
the tests for which the calibration is used. A volume of sand equivalent
to that of the excavated hole in the soil ( or equal to that of the calibrat-
ing container) (se, Note 1 under ".2.2) shall be allowed to run out of
the cylinder under gravity. The shutter on the pouring cylinder Ihall
then be closed and the cylinder placed on a plane surface, such u a glaD
plate.
4.1.1.2 The shutter on the pouring cylinder shan be opened and aand
allowed to run out. When no further movement of sand takes place in the
eylinder the shutter shall be closed and the cylinder removed carefully.
4.1.1.3 The sand that has filled the cone of the pouring cylinder (that
ii: the sand that is left on the plane surface) shall be collected nnd weilhed
to the nearest gram. .
4.1.1.4 These measurements shall be repeated at least three timeI and
the mean weight ( WI) taken.
4.1.2 The method described in 4.1.2.1 to 4.1.23 Ihall be followed Cor
the determination of the bulk density of the sand (Y.).
4.1.2.1 The Internal volume ( Y) in m1 of the calibrating container
.hall be determined from the weight ot water contained in the container
when filled to the brim ( St, Note 1 under 4.2.2). The volume may abo
be calculated from the measured internal demensioDl of the container.
10
18 ,- 2720 ( Part xxvm ) • 1974
4.1.2.2 The pouring cylinder shall be placed. concentrically on the top
of the calibrating container after being filled to the constant weight ( WI )
as in 4.1.1.1. The shutter on the pouring cylinder shall be closed during
this operation. The shutter shall be opened and sand allowed to run out.
When no further movement of sand takes place in the cylinder the shutter
shall be closed. The pouring cylinder shall be removed and weighed to
the nearest gram.
4.1.2.3 These measurements shall be repeated at least three times and
the mean weight ( Wa ) taken ( see Note ).
NOTF. - Since variations in atmospheric humidity aff~ct the water content of the sand,
and hence its bulk density, the calibration should be made ( or at least checked) during
each day's work. To overcome the effects of slight variations in grading and panicle
shape between batches of sand, each batch should be sampled and calibrated.
4.2 Mea~urement or Soil Density - The following method shall be

followed for the measurement of soil density.
4.2.1 A flat area, approximately 450 rom square, of the soil to be tested
shall be exposed and trimmed down to a level surface preferably with the
aid of the scraper tool.
4.2.2 The metal tray with a central hole shall be laid on the prepared
surface of the soil with the hole over the portion of the soil to be tested.
The hole in the soil shall then be excavated using the hole in the tray as a
pattern, to the depth of the layer to be tested up to a maximum of 150 mm
( SIt Note I ). The excavated soil shall be carefully collected, leaving no
loose material in the hole and weighed to the nearest gram ( W.). The
metal tray shall be removed before the pouring cylinder is placed in position
over the excavated hole.
The following alternative method shall be used for fine-grained cohe-
sionless soils:
The steel core cutter shall be pressed evenly and carefully into the
soil until its top edge is flush with the levelled surface. Soil to a depth of
leO mm (sre Note I ) within the core cutter shall then be excavated by
means of suitable tools. The excavated soil shall be carefully collected
and weighed to the nearest gram ( W., ). The core cutter shall remain
in position during the remainder of the testing procedure.
NOTE 1 - If (or any reason it is necessary to excavate the holes to depths other than
150 mm, the calibrating container should be replaced by one, the depth of which is the
same as the hole excavated or its effective depth should be reduced to that of the hole
excavated.
NOTE 2 - Care shall be taken in excavating the hole to see that the hole is not
enlarged by levering the dibber a,ainst the side of the hole, as this will result in lower
densities being recorded.
11
III 2'7ZO ( Part xxvm )• 1974
4.2.3 The water content ( W) of the excavated soil shall be determined
by the-method specified in IS: 2720 (Part II )-1973·. Alternatively the
whole of the excavated soil may be dried and weighed ( W. ).
4.2:4 The pouring cylinder filled to the constant weight (WI) as
in 4.1.1 shall be so placed that the base of the cylinder covers the hole
concentrically. The shutter on the pouring cylinder shall be closed during this
operation. The shutter shall then be opened and sand allowed to run out
into the hole. The pouring cylinder and the surrounding area shall not be
vibrated during this period. When no further movement of sand takes
place the shutter shall be closed. The cylinder shall be removed and
weighed to the nearest gram ( Wt ) (s" Note ).
NOTa - It is necessary to make a number of repeated determinatiom ( at leut three)
aDd to avera-re the results, since tbe dry density of the 'oil varies appreciably from paint
to point. The number of determination. should be such that an additional one w~uld
make DO ligni&cant difference to the a verage .
5. CALCULATIONS
5.1 The weight of sand ( W.) in g, required to fill the calibrating container
ahall be calculated from the following formula:
W. = WI - W, - WI
where
WI - weight of pouring cylinder and sand before pouring into
calibrating container in g,
W• .. mean weight of cylinder with residual sand after pouring
into calibrating container and cone in g, and
W. == mean weight of sand in cone in g.
5.2 The bulk density of the sand ( y,) in kg/m' shall be calculated from
the Cormula:
l" - ~. X 1 000
where
Y - volume or calibrating container in mi.
5.3 The weight of sand ( W. ) in g, required to fill the excavated hole shall
be calculated from the following formula:
W.- WI - W.- w•
. . . . . . of tilt lor 1OiIa: Part II Determination of water eGDteDt ( __ ,.,..).
II. 2720 ( Part DVm) .ltH
when:
WI - weight of cylinder and sand before pouring into bole
in"
W. - weight of cylinder and sand after pouring into bole
and cone in I, and
W. - mean weight of sand in cone in g.
S.t The bulk density y., that is, the weight of the wet soil per cubic metre
Iha11 be calculated from the following formula:
W. x 1. kg/m'.
y. == W.
where
W. - weight ofsoil excavated in g,
W. - weight of sand required to fill the hole in g, and
y. - bulk density of sand in kg/ml •
5.5 The dry density YI, that is, the weight of the dry soil shall be calculat-
ed from the following formula:
100.,. I I
y, .. 100 + w kg m
or
Y. - w:
HI:
X Y. kg/m'
where
III - water content of the soil in percent,
W. weight of dry soil from the hole in g, and
Il:II
W. - weight of sand required to fill the hole in g.

I. REPORTING OF RESULTS
1.1 The following values shall be reported:
a) Dry dCl1Iity of soil in kg/rnl to the nearest whole number. The
dry density may also be calculated and reported in g/ema correct
to the second place of decimal.
b) Water content of the soil in percei,.. reported to two significant
figures.
&.2 The method 'used for obtaining the test results shan be stated u the
amall pour~ cylinder method. The use of steel core cutter, ifmade, aball
also be mentioned.
U The results of the test shall be recorded suitably. A recommended
pro forma for the record of the test results is given in Appendix A.
IS
III 2720 ( Part XXVlD ). 197f
SECTION 1. METHOD SUITABLE FOR FINE-, MEDIUM.
AND COARSE-GRAINED SOILS: LARGE
POURING CYLINDER METHOD
7. SCOPE
7.1 This method covers the determination, in-place, of the dry density
( in g/cml or kg/ml ) of natural or compacted soil containing stones which
make the test of Section I difficult to perform. This is an alternative
method of test to Section I for fine- and medium-grained soils and should
be used instead of that tcst for layers exceeding 150 mm but not exceeding
250 mm in thickness (s,e Note under 1.1 ).
I. APPARATUS
1.1 Large Saael-Poarlal Cylinder - similar in the essential details to
that shown in Fig. 1.
1.2 Toot. for EseavadDI Hole. - suitable tools, such as bent spoon,
dibber (sle Fig. 3), large screw driver, pointed steel rod about 300 mm long
and 5 to 10 DUD dia with c1 wooden handle.
I., C,lbulrJeal CaUbradDI Coataiaer - with internal diameter of
200 mm and an internal depth of 250 mm ( fee Note 1 under 4.2.2) of
the type illustrated in Fig. 6 fitted with a Range 75 mm wide and about
5 mm thick surrounding the open end. The volume of the container
should be given to an accuracy of 0-15 percent.
I.t BaIaDce - accurate to 1 g.
8.5 Plaae S.rrace - a glass plate or other plane surface about 600 mm
sq uare and 10 rom thick or larger.
8.6 Metal CADtaiDer. - to collect the excavated soil and to take the
supply of sand to fill the pouring cylinder. This may be provided with
a suitable cover.
8.7 Metal Tray with Ceatral Hole - a metal tray 450 mm square
and 50 mm deep with a 200 mm dia hole in the centre.
9. MATERIAL (SAND)
9.1 Clean, uniformly graded natural sand passing the I·OO-mmIS Sieve and
retained on the 6OO-micron IS Sieve shall be used. It shall be free from
organic matter, and shall have been oven dried and stored for a suitable
period to allow its water content to reach equilibrium with atmospheric
humidity_< J. Note under 3.1 ).
If
III Z72t ( Put XXVIII) -1174
.....- - - - - - - - - 3 5 0 tIJ---------.....
5
200
FLAT SURFACE
!=------tIFLANGE
NOTB I - ThiI de.ign hal been found aatisfactory, but alternative desipa may' be
employed, provided that the essential requirements are fulfilled.
NOTB 2 - Eaential dimenaioDJ are underlined.
Non S - Tolerance OD euential dimenaiona :1::0·1 DUD.
All dimension. in millimetra.

FlO. 6 CALIBRATINO CoNTAIN2R POR USE WITH LAROE POURING
CYUNDIlIl AND IN THE HAND SCOOP METHOD
10. PROCEDURE
10.1 Callbratloa 01 Apparata.
10.1.1 The method described in 10.1.1.1 to 10.1.1.4 shall be followed for
the determination of the weight ofsand in the cone of the pouring cylinder.
10.1.1.1 The pouring cylinder shall be filled with • given initial
weight of sand ( WI). This weight shall be maintained constant throUlh-
out the testa for which the calibration is used (SI' Note). A volume 01
sand equivalent to that of the excavated hole in the lOil (or equal to that
15
U I 2720 ( Part :xxvm )• 1974
of the calibrating container) shall be allowed to run out or the plurins
cylinder under gravity. The shutter on the pouring cylinder shall then be
closed and the cylinder placed on the plane surface.
NOTa- The total wei,ht of the pouring cylinder and sand is large, 10 that the
or
method filling and waghing is to weigh the sand in two or three containen and tip it
into the pourinl cylind~ before using. Care shall be taken to see that the .me
CODItaDt iDitial weight as is used in calibrating the apparatus is used for each delllity
meuurement. Sufficient sand mould be used to leave about 4 to 5 kg of sand in the
pourin. cyliDder after the test is completed.
10.1.1.2 The shutter on the pouring cylinder shall be opened and
IUld allowed to run out. When no further movement of sand takes place in
the cylinder the shutter shall be closed and the cylinder removed carefully.
10.1.1.3 The sand that has filled the cone of the pouring cylinder
shall be colJected and weighed to the nearest 0·1 percent of its total weight.
10.1.1.4 These measurements shall be repeated at least three times
and mean weight ( WI ) taken.
10.1.2 The method described in 10.1.2.1 to 10.1.2.3 shall be followed
for the determination of the bulk density of the sand ( Y. ) .
10.1.2.1 The internal volume ( V) in ml of the calibrating container
shall be determined by the weight of water contained in the container
when filled to the brim (see Note under 10.2.2 ).
10.1.2.2 The calibrating container should stand on a large tray
during the procedure to collect the sand overflowing from the cone when the
cylinder is removed. The pouring cylinder shall be placed concentrically
~n the top of the calibrating container and filled with the constant weight
orsand ( WI) as in 10.1.1.1. The shutter on the pouring cylinder shall be
closed during this operation. The shutter shall be opened and the sand
allowed to run out. When no further movement of the sand takes place
in the cylinder the shutter shall be closed. The pouring cylinder shall be
removed and the sand remaining in it weighed to the nearest 0-1 percent
of its initial weight.
10.1.2.3 These measurements shall be repeated at least three times,
and the mean weight ( Wa ) taken (see Note under 4.1.2.3).
11.2 The method given in 10.2.1 to 10.2.4 shall be followed for the
measurement of soil density.
10.2.1- A flat area, approximately 60 em", at the place at which the IOil
is to be tested shall be exposed and trimmed down to a level lurface.
10.2.2 The metal tray with a central hole shall be laid on the prepared
IUtface of the soil with the hole over the portion of the soil to be teIted.
The hole in the soil shall then be excavated using the hole in the tray as a
pattern, to the depth of the layer to be tested up to a maximum of 250 !DID
16
III 2720( Part xxvm )• 1'74
( 1M Note ). The excavated soil shall be carefully collected, leaving no
loose material in the hole, and weighed to the nearest gram ( W. ). The
metal tray shall be removed before the pouring cylinder is placed in
position over the excavated hole.
NOft - If for any reuGn it i. neceuary to excavate hole. to defths other than 250 mm
the calibratinl container should be replaced by one, the depth 0 which is the same u
the hole excavated or its effective depth reduced to that of the hole excavated.
10.2.3 A representative sample of the excavated soil shall be placed in an
air-tight container and its water content (w) determined by the method
specified in IS : 2720 ( Part II )-1973*.
10.2.4 The pouring cylinder filled with the constant weight of sand
( WI ) as in 10.1.1.1, shall be placed so that the base of the cylinder coven
the hole concentrically. The shutter on the pouring cylinder shall be
closed during this operation. The shutter shall then be opened and sand
allowed to run out. When no further movement of the sand takes place
the shutter shall be closed. The cylinder shall be removed and the sand
remaining in it weighed to the nearest 0·1 percent of its initial weight
( W. ) (s" Note under 4.2.4).
11. CALCULATIONS
11.1 The calculations shall be done as laid down in 5.
11.2 For medium- and coarse-grained soils containing appreciable gravel
&action ( plus 4·75-mm IS Sieve) the water content and dry density shall
be determined as given in Appendix B.

12.1 The results shall be reported as specified in 6 except that the method
used for obtaining the test results shall be stated as large pouring cylinder
method.
12.2 The results of the test shall be recorded suitably. A recommended
pro forma for the record of test results is given in Appendix A.
-Methods of telt Cor soils: Part II Determination of water CoDtent ( . . . miIiM ).
17
II, 2720 ( Part XXVIII) • 1974
APPENDIX A
( Clauses 6.3 and 12.2 )
DETERMINATION 0. DRY DENSITY OF SOIL, IN-PLACE,
BY lAND REPLACEMENT
( 8maI1 Po...... CyUaclerfLarle Poarlal C,lIader )

A-I. The test results for the two methods, namely, small pouring cylinder
and large pouring .:ylindcr may be tabulated as given below usinI the
appropriate symbols and words in each case:
Project: Tested by:
Location; Date:
State whether steel core cutter was used.
CaHbratioD
1. Mean weight of sand in cone (of pouring

cylinder) ( WI), in g
2. Volume of calibrating container ( V), in ml
3. Weight of sand (+ cylinder) before

pouring ( WI ») in g
4. Mean weight of sand (+ cylinder) after

pouring ( W. ), in g
5. Weight of sand to fill calibrating container

( W. - WI - Wa -- WI ), in g
6. Bulk density of sand y. == ~. X 1 000 kg/rn

'
18
III 2720 ( Put XXVDI) • 1174
1. Determination No.
2. Weight of wet soil from hole ( W.), in g
3. Weight of sand ( + cylinder) before pouring
( WI ), in g
4. Weight of sand ( + cylinder) after pouring
( W.), in g
5. Weight of sand in hole ( W. - W 1 - W.- WI),
ing
6. Bulk density Yt = ~.
,.,..
7. Water content container ~o.
X 1. kg/ml .
8. Weight of soil for water content determi-
nation, in g
9. Weight of oven qried soil, in g
10. Water content ( w), percent
11. Dry densityY4 == ~~~wkg/ml
APPENDIX B
( Clause 11.2)
DETERMINATION OF WATER CONTENT AND DRY DENSITY
OF~IUM.ANDCOARS&G~SOnACONTAnONG
APPRECIABLE GRAVEL FRACTION (PLUS 4·75-mm IS SIEVE)
11-1. IN-PLACE BULK DENSITY
8-1.1 The in-place bulk density (y&) of the soil shall be determined as
described in Section 2.
B-2. PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINATION OF VOLUME AND
WATER CONTENT
8-2.1 After obtaining the wet weight ( W" ) of the total material removed
from the hole, the soil -shall be separated into plus 4-75-mm fraction
19
II. 2721 ( Part xxvm) • 1.74
( sr-ve1) and' minus 4·75 mm fraction by the 4·75-mm IS Sieve_ This
should be done rapidly to avoid loss of water. ",'
NOTE - If this test is for construction control, the fraction Puainl the 4-7S.mm IS
Sieve mould be placed in an air-tight container for further tests.
. .2.2 The fraction retained on the 4-75-mm IS Sieve (gravel) shall be
washed on the sieve using a minimum of water, blotted dry with a towel to
a wet surface-dry condition and weighed ( W.).
&2.3 The volume of the gravel ( Y. ) in a wet surface-dry condition, shall
then be determined by displacement of water from a siphon-container from
which the over-flow can be measured, or by weighing in air and in water.
The specific gravity ( a, ) of the gravel particles should then be computed.
NOTE - For coastruction control, the volume ofgravel need not be measured ~
time a test is made. After several tests have shown that the specific gravity of the
pvel from a particular source is virtuaUy constant. the specific gravity may be aaumecl
and the volume computed.
"2.4 The wet gravel ( W',) shall be placed in an oven and the oven-dry
weight and water content ( w, ) shall be determined.
8-2.5 The water content (w.) in percent of the soil fraction passing the
4·75-mm IS Sieve shall also be determined by oven-drying a representative
sample.
11-3. CALCULATIONS
11-3.1 Further calculations should be carried out as follows:
a) In-place bulk density y. V 1 W. fh 1
o ume 0 0 C
b) Wet weight of minus 4-75-mm soil == W", - W,
e) V~lwne of minus 4·75-mm soil = Volume of hole - V,
d) Wet density of minus 4· 75-mm soil = ~b)
l )
e) Dry weight of minus 4
07S-mm
soil - 1 + ~~~100
f) Dry density of minus 4·7S-mm soil - 1+ ~:})(X)
g) Dry weight of total material
( soil + gravel) a=s W', + (d)
h) Water content (WT) of total w: _ (f)

material. percent = '( f) X 100
j) Percentage of gravel in the W'

material on a dry weight basis - (f) X 100
It) Dry density of the total material = 1 + -::r/lOO

20
IS I 2720 ( Part xxvm )• 1.74
:,Ctmlitautl from /NlI~ 2 )
M",,6n, Rqwu,ntUt,
SHRI H. K. CUBA Geologilta' Syndicate Pvt Ltd, C'.alcutta
SHat N. N. BHATrACHAllAYA
(AlImuJ" )
SHIll S. K. GULHA11 Indian Institute of Technology. New Delhi
SIIaI G. R. S. JAIN Central BuildiDI Research Institute ( CSIR ), itoorkee
SHIll AMAR SINOH (Allmla")
SIIIU O. P.. MALHOTRA Buildings &. R.oads Research Laboratory, Chandiprh
Da I. S. UPPAL (AI""..")
Da V. V. S. RAo United Technical Consultants Pvt Ltd, New Delhi
SHill K. K. GUPTA (AltmuJ,,)
MAJ K. M. S. SAHAII Engineer-in-Chief'. Branch, Army Headquarten
SHill H. C. VaRMA AIIOciated Instrument MaDufacturerl (India) Pvt
Ltd, New Delhi
SHIll M. N. BAUOA (AI,."..,.)
21
H••dqwttflfW'.
Telephone.: 323 0131. 323 3375. 323 9402 Fax:+ 91 011 3234062, 3239399. 3239382
E· mall. [email protected]. Website: http://www.bis.org.in
C.nh' LIIbon'DIY : Te/epho'"

Plot No. 20/9, Site IV, Sahibabad Industrial Are.. Sahibabad 201010 4n 00 32
R~"'" ome..:
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*Eastem: 1/14 CIT Scheme VII, V.I.P. Road, Kankurgachl, KOLKATA 700054 3378662
Northern: SCQ 335-336, Sector 34-A. CHANDIGARH 160022 60 38 43
Southern: C.I.T. Campus, IV Cross Roed, CHENNAI600113 254 13 15
tWestem: ManakaJaya. E9. MIOC. Behind Marol Telephone Exchange, 8329295
Andheri (East). MUMBAI 400093
S,.nch ome..:
'Pushpak', Nurmohamed Shaikh Marg. Khanpur, AHMEDABAD 380001 550 1348
Peenya Industrial Area. 1st Stage. Bangalore-Tumkur Road, 8394955
BANGALORE 560058
Commercial~um-Office Complex. Opp. Dushera Maidan, E-5 Arera Colony, 723452
Bittan Market, BHOPAL 462016
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5th Roor, Kovai Towers. 44 Bala Sundaram Road, COIMBATORE 641018 21 8835
Plot No. 58, Neelam Bata Road. NIT. FARIDABAD 121001 5428261
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Seth Shawan, 2nd Floor, Behind Leela Cinema, Naval Kishore Road, 21 89 23
LUCKNOVV 226001
NIT Building, Second Aoor, Gokulpat Market, NAGPUR 440010 52 51 71
Mahabir Bhawan, 1st Floor, Ropar Road, NALAGARH 174101 21451
Pattiputra Industrial Estate, PATNA 800013 262808
First Floor, Plot Nos. 657-660, Market Vard, Guttekdl, PUNE 411037 4268859
~ Hau8e'3rd Floor, BhBJdinagIIr CIrcle, 80 Feet Rc*, 378251
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KOLKATA 700072
tSaIM Offtce Ia at Nowtty ChM1bera, Grant RoId, MUMBAI 400007 30965 28
Prtnted al N8W India Pmllng Pr.... Khurja. Inda

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इंटरनेट मानक

Disclosure to Promote the Right To Information

“जान1 का अ+धकार, जी1 का अ+धकार” “प0रा1 को छोड न' 5 तरफ”

IS 2386-1 (1963): Methods of Test for Aggregates for

“!ान $ एक न' भारत का +नम-ण”

“!ान एक ऐसा खजाना > जो कभी च0राया नहB जा सकता ह”

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

Cement and Concrete Sectional Committee, BDC 2

SHRI K. SIVA PBA~AD ( Alternate )

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

( Continued from page 1)

0.2 One of the major contributing factors to the quality of concrete is

Part I Particle Size and Shape

0.3 The Sectional Committee responsible for the preparation’ of this

1s : 2386 ( Part I ) - 1963

international co-ordination among standards prevailing in different

British Standards Institution

American Society for Testing and Materials

0.4 Wherever a reference to any Indian Standard appears in these

0.5 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this

0.6 This standard is intended chieily to cover the technical provisions

b) Determination of materials finer than 75-micron,

C) Determination of flakiness index,

4 Determination of elongation index, and

e> Determination of angularity number.

TABLE I IS SIEVES FOR SIEVE ANALYSIS OF

TYPE SIF.VE DESIGNATIONS

2.2.2 Balance - The balance or scale shall be such that it is readable

TABLE II MINIMUM WEIGHTS FOR SAMPLING

MAXIMUM SIZE PRESENT MINIMUM Werc~rr~ OF

2.4 Test Prodedure for Coarse and Fine Aggregate

2.4.1 The sample shall be brought to an air-dry condition before

i 2.4.3.1 On completion of sieving, the material retained on each

2.4.4 In order to prevent bindin g of the sieve apertures by over-

SOTIS 1 -- For rn8n.y routine ~~~rp~ses mechanical sieving is .tdvantageous,

SOTI<: _’ - The following ilitornative procedure is permissif)ir where it is re_

The cnlnulat.ive weight passing envh sieve shell be calculated as a pel’.

NOTE 3 - If sieving is carried out with a nest of sieves on a machine, not

2.5 Test Procedure for All-in-Aggregates, or Mixed Coarse and Fine

TABLE III MAXIMUM WEIGHT TO BE RETAINED AT THE

COARBP AQQRE~ATE FINE AQ~REQATE

TABLE IV MINIMUM WEIGHT OF SAMPLE FOR SIEVE ANALYSIS

%fAXUdUM SIZE MINIMUM WEIGHT OF

2.5.1 In some cases the sieve analysis of .all-in-aggregate can be carried

2.5.2 If the amount of either the coarse or fine aggregate obtained as

2.6 Reporting of Results - The results shall be calculated and reported

a) the cumulative percentage by weight of the total sample passing

b) the percentage by weight of the total sample passing one sieve

2.6.1 Graphical Method of Recording Results - The results of sieve

NOTE - It is recommended that cumulative percentage figures should be used

3. DETERMINATION OF MATERIALS FINER THAN 75-MICRON

3.2 Apparatus - The apparatus shall consist of the following:

a) Balance -The balance or scale shall be of sufficient capacity

APERTURE SIZE IN MICRONS APERTURE SIZE IN MILLIMETRES 50

FIG. 1 CHART FOR RECORDINQ SIEVE ANALYSIS RESULTS

h) Sieve - A nest of two sieves, the lower being 75-micron IS Sieve

c) Container -- A pan or vessel of a size sufficient to contain the

d) Oven - An oven of sufficient size capable of maintaining an

Maximum Nominal Approximate Minimum

3.4.3 The agitation shall be sufficiently vigorous to result in the

_---_“7T~~_ - __ _--------_.