Sand Equivlant

Sand Equivalent
GEOUP 2:Cameron; Jayden; Kendall;

Chaoran;
Sand Equivalent (Figure 1)
 The sand equivalent test, described in the Test Description

section, separates out a fine aggregate sample’s sand and
plastic fines and dust portion to determine the content of the
latter. lower sand equivalent values indicate higher pastic fines
and dust content.
 Minimum specified sand equivalent values for fine aggregate

in HMA range from 26 to 60 with the most common being 45.
The requirement is also dependent upon the type of HMA layer
(e.g., base course or surface course).
In the sand equivalent test, a sample of aggregate
passing the No. 4 (4.75 mm) sieve and a small amount
of flocculating solution are poured into a graduated
cylinder and are agitated to loosen the clay-like
coatings from the sand particles.
Test Description
 The following description is a brief summary of the

test. It is not a complete procedure and should not
be used to perform the test. The complete flat and
elongated particle test procedure can be found in:
 •AASHTO T 176: Plastic Fines in Graded Aggregates
and Soils by Use of the Sand Equivalent Test
 •ASTM D 2419: Sand Equivalent Value of Soils and
Fine Aggregate
Summary
 A small sample of fine aggregate passing the No. 4

(4.75 mm) sieve is placed in a graduated cylinder
and mixed with flocculant solution to separate fine
dust of clay-like particles from the rest of the
aggregate sample. The sample is shaken and then
allowed to sit for 20 minutes. The height to the top
of the sand particles is expressed as a percentage
of the height to the top of the fine/clay-like particles.
Figure 3 shows the major sand equivalent test
equipment.
Approximate Test Time
Time to dry the aggregate sample can vary but

generally takes no longer than 1 hour. Test time,
including sample splitting, takes about 40 minutes.
Basic Procedure
 1. Obtain a sample of aggregate passing the No. 4 (4.75 mm)

sieve.
 Be sure to wash off all fines attached to particles retained on the

No. 4 (4.75 mm) sieve and include them in the sand equivalent
sample.
 2. Split this sample to obtain a little more than four 3 oz. (85
mL) tin measures (Figure 4) of material (about 12 oz. or 340
mL).
 3. Prepare the desired number of test samples by
one of the following alternate means:
 •Air-dry. Fill the 3 oz (85 mL) tins with air-dry
material and tap the tin while filling to get the most
possible material into the tin.
 •Oven dry. Get the test samples by one of the two
above methods, let samples dry to a constant mass
at 230°F (110°C), then cool to room temperature.
 4. Siphon 4.0 inches (101.6 mm) of calcium chloride
solution into a graduated plastic cylinder.
 5. Pour a prepared test sample from the measuring
tin into the cylinder using a funnel (Figure 5). Tap
the cylinder bottom to make sure the sample is
thoroughly wetted by the calcium chloride solution.
 6. Let the wetted sample sit for 10 minutes.
 7. Shake the sample by one of the following methods:
 •Mechanical shaker. Set the timer and shake for 45
seconds.
 •Manual shaker (Video 1). Place the cylinder in a
manual shaker and shake for 100 cycles.
 •Hand. Shake the cylinder by hand in a horizontal
linear motion for 30 seconds using a throw of about 9
inches (229 mm). Shake with the forearms only.
 8. Irrigate the sample. Place an irrigator tube into the sample
and use the irrigation to wash the sample off the cylinder walls
as the tube is lowered. Move the tube all the way to the
bottom of the cylinder by gently stabbing and twisting the
tube to get it through the aggregate sample. Continue the
stabbing and twisting action to flush the fines upward until the
cylinder is filled to the 381 mm mark.
 9. While continuing to irrigate, raise the irrigation tube out of
the cylinder so that the liquid remains at the 381 mm mark.
The volume of the irrigation tube is replaced by liquid volume
as the tube is removed (Figure 6).
 10. Allow the cylinder with sample to
sit undisturbed for 20 minutes.
 11. Record the level at the top of the
clay suspension. Record this as the
“clay reading” (Figure 7).
 12. Insert a weighted foot assembly into the
cylinder until the foot comes to rest on the sand
surface (Figure 8). Read the indicator mark on the
weighted foot assembly and subtract 254 mm from
this level to get the sand level (the indicator is 254
mm above the bottom of the weighted foot). This
value is the “sand reading” (Figure 7).
 Typical Values
 Sand equivalent values can vary widely depending upon aggregate source,
quarry washing and storage procedures. Typical sand equivalent values range
from less than 30 to more than 90.
 Calcuations (Interactive Equation)
 Calculate the sand equivalent using the following equation:

Thank you
 sand reading = height of sand in cylinder (mm)

 clay reading = height of clay in cylinder (mm)
 The sand equivalent value should be reported to the nearest higher

whole number. For example, if the SE equation gives SE = 38.25, the
reported SE should be 39

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Sand Equivalent

GEOUP 2:Cameron; Jayden; Kendall;

 The sand equivalent test, described in the Test Description

 Minimum specified sand equivalent values for fine aggregate

 The following description is a brief summary of the

 A small sample of fine aggregate passing the No. 4

Time to dry the aggregate sample can vary but

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

 Be sure to wash off all fines attached to particles retained on the

 Calcuations (Interactive Equation)

 Calculate the sand equivalent using the following equation:

 sand reading = height of sand in cylinder (mm)

 The sand equivalent value should be reported to the nearest higher

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