05.08
product manual
H-3383F and H-3383L
Humboldt Specific
Gravity Flask
(Phunque Flask)
Introduction
For fine aggregate— H-3383F
For coarse aggregate— H-3383L
The Phunque Flask is the key element in a newly developed method for
conducting specific gravity/absorption determinations for aggregate. This
method has been designed to eliminate the inherent guess work built into
ASTM C128 and AASHTO T-84— the current cone and tamper methods in
use today. The test is easy to perform, easy to understand and easily
reproduceable between technicians and labs; and is very easy to run reliably
in the field. The test can be especially helpful in asphalt operations where
specific gravities can make a big impact on pay factors. This test lets the
contractor check specific gravities on the material he is currently using, and
not rely on lab tests, which may not be current.
The test provides repeatable and consistent test results despite the use of
different labs or technicians. It also enables the contractor and DOTs to begin
to come to terms with the inherent problem of how much the aggregate from
a given pit or source varies, both by location within the pit, and from different
fundamental geological characteristics.
Additionally, the test allows specific gravities to be tracked, and a movingaverage chart maintained. If found to be appropriate, the contractor would
be able to calculate the volumetrics using a moving average approach for the
aggregate actually being used instead of the highly variable value determined
in a lab 6 months to a year earlier. This process, itself, could eliminate many
penalties and/or claims.
The H-3388F is for fine aggregate and has a neck approximately 1" in
diameter. The H-3388L is used for coarse aggregate and has a neck
approximately 2" in diameter. The scale on both items is readable to 0.1
grams; Both include an excel calculation sheet and a swabbing utensil to
keep the neck of the flask dry during loading.
Process
To begin, make sure personnel understand the terms used in the
measurements discussed here. Bulk specific gravity, as defined by members
of the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials
(AASHTO), is the characteristic generally used for calculations of the volume
occupied by the aggregate in various mixes containing aggregate that are
proportioned or analyzed on an absolute volume basis. In other words, it's
the measure of volume the aggregate takes up. Bulk specific gravity is also
used in the computation when the aggregate is assumed to be dry.
1
Although you may have no need for it, personnel can be familiar with the term
"apparent specific gravity," which pertains to the relative density of the solid
material making up the constituent particles (not including the pore space within
the particles that is accessible to water).
Absorption values are used to calculate the change in the mass of an aggregate
due to water absorbed in its pore spaces; as compared to the dry condition,
when the aggregate has been soaked with water long enough to satisfy most
of its absorption potential.
Bulk specific gravity is the characteristic generally used for calculations of the
volume occupied by the aggregate in various mixtures containing aggregate
including portland cement concrete, bituminous concrete, and other mixtures
that are proportioned or analyzed on an absolute volume basis. Bulk specific
gravity is also used in the computations when the aggregate is dry or assumed
to be dry.
Apparent specific gravity pertains to the relative density of the solid material
making up the constituent particles not including the pore space within the
particles that is accessible to water. This value is not widely used in construction
aggregate technology.
Absorption values are used to calculate the change in the mass of an
aggregate due to water absorbed in the pore spaces within the constituent
particles, compared to the dry condition, when it is deemed that the aggregate
has been in contact with water long enough to satisfy most of the absorption
potential. The laboratory standard for absorption is that obtained after
submerging dry aggregate for approximately 15 hours in water. Aggregates
mined from below the water table may have a higher absorption when used,
if not allowed to dry. Conversely, some aggregates when used may contain
an amount of absorbed moisture less than the 15 hours soaked condition:
For an aggregate that has been in contact with water and that has free moisture
on the particle surfaces, the percentage of free moisture can be determined
by deducting the absorption from the total moisture content determined by
T 255 drying.
When performed correctly, following the steps in this manual, the test for bulk
specific gravity and absorption level for aggregate can give accurate, repeatable
results with the Phunque Flask. By charting the results, as directed in Step 15,
technicians can track specific gravities and maintain a moving-average chart.
This way, a producer would be able to calculate volumetrics using a moving
average approach for the aggregate being used currently, rather than relying
on values determined in the past. The producer also has a repeatable test that
any member of his team can learn to perform with accurate, useful results.
2
The Procedure
Step 1 When using normal weight aggregate, weigh out 1200 +/- 10 grams
of oven-dry sand or 5000 +/- 50 grams of coarse aggregate to be
tested. Make sure that the sample accurately represents the material to be evaluated. If testing lightweight aggregate, reduce the
amount of material weighed out to 600 +/- 10 grams.
Step 2 Fill the flask approximately 1/2 full, by height, with distilled water.
Step 3 Measure out, but do not add yet, approximately 250 g (8.82 ounces)
of distilled water.
Note: The water will probably need to be adjusted for the individual flask
being used. It is important that during the filling process, the
combined initial volume of water and the dry soil do not plug the
neck of the flask. Therefore, the following procedure is intended
to allow sufficient water for the aggregate to become completely
submerged, but to not rise into the narrow neck of the flask.
Holdback water is then added to bring the initial water level after
all of the aggregate and the holdback water has been added into
the calibrated portion of the neck.
Step 4 Dry the neck of the flask with a dry, absorbent swab.
Note: If the neck is not completely dry, then the finer portions of the
sample will get clogged up on the water droplets, and tend to plug
the neck of the flask as the sample is being poured in. It is recommended that an outside funnel not be used. The sand has a tendency to plug the smaller hole of the funnel, where it typically pours
through the built-in funnel without plugging.
Step 5 Pour the aggregate sample into the flask as quickly as possible,
but without plugging the neck.
Step 6 Start the timer immediately when the first "stone" hits the water in
the flask.
Step 7 After all of the sample has been poured into the flask, immediately
pour in the holdback water measured out in Step 3 so that the final
water level is sufficiently far up the calibrated neck to allow for
accurate readings while the water level drops to its anticipated final
level, being careful not to shake or agitate the flask and contents.
Step 8 Take the initial reading 30 seconds after the first particle has entered
the water.
Step 9 Place the flask on a scale and obtain the total weight of the flask,
aggregate and water.
3
Step 10 Aggressively shake, roll and agitate the flask for a period of three
minutes so that all of the air is allowed to escape. (A plug must be
placed into the neck of the coarse aggregate flask to prevent loss of
water during the shaking and agitation to prevent water loss during
this step.)
Step 11 Allow the flask to remain undisturbed for two minutes.
Step 12 Obtain and record the reading at 5 minutes.
Step 13 Repeat steps 9 through 11 to obtain additional readings at 10
minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 2 hours, 4 hours and 25 hours
(plus or minus 1 hour), making sure to agitate all of the air out of the
sample, as described in Step 10, and allowing the flask to settle for
at least two minutes before taking each reading.
Note: Remember to eliminate all released air during the soak period from
the flask before taking the final reading. Make sure that the flask
has been completely shaken and agitated, and then allowed to
rest undisturbed so all of the air has escaped. Take as much time as
required to completely eliminate all of the air
Step 14 Add the base reading obtained from calibrating the flask to each of
the individual readings.
Step 15 Plot the readings on semi-log paper with the x-axis being "time" on
the logarithmic scale.
Step 16 Calculate absorption, conventional absorption, saturated bulk
specific gravity (BSGssd) and dry bulk specific gravity (BSGd) with
the equations detailed below. If necessary, apparent dry specific
gravity (ASGd) can be calculated as well, but this is rarely used for
construction aggregate applications.
Calculating absorption:
Absorption, percent = [(Vi – V
Where:
Vi = Initial Reading (The calibrated water volume at 0 plus the initial reading),
ml
V
= Final Reading (The calibrated water volume at 0 plus the final reading)
final
Wd = Original dry weight of sample, g
ml
4
) / Wd] x 100
final
Calculating saturated bulk specific gravity (BSG
Absorption Comparison
(Sand Only)
y = 1.8243x + 0.0038
R
2
= 0.818
0.00%
1.00%
2.00%
3.00%
4.00%
5.00%
6.00%
0.00% 1.00% 2.00% 3.00% 4.00% 5.00% 6.00%
Phunque Absorption
T 84 Absorption
ssd
):
BSG
Where:
W
= Water absorbed into the sample, (Vi – Vf), ml
abs
Wf = Weight of the flask, g
Vw = Volume of water [WT – (Wd + Wf)], ml
WT = Total weight of the flask, water and sample, g
Calculating dry bulk specific gravity (BSGd)
Calculating conventional absorption
Use the Correlation Equation shown below to calculate the
Conventional Absorption as follows:
Conventional absorption, percent =
[(Absorption x 1.8243) + 0.0038] x 100
= (Wd + Wabs)/[Vi – Vw]
ssd
BSGd = Wd/(Vi – Vw)
5
Calculating apparent dry specific gravity (ASGd)
Wd/[(Wd + Wf + Vf) – (WT – R
Where:
Vf = calibrated volume of flask, ml
R
= Final direct reading, ml
final
final
)]
Warranty
Humboldt Mfg. Co. warrants its products to be free from defects in material or
workmanship. The exclusive remedy for this warranty is Humboldt Mfg. Co.,
factory replacement of any part or parts of such product, for the warranty of this
product please refer to Humboldt Mfg. Co. catalog on Terms and Conditions of
Sale. The purchaser is responsible for the transportation charges. Humboldt
Mfg. Co. shall not be responsible under this warranty if the goods have been
improperly maintained, installed, operated or the goods have been altered or
modied so as to adversely affect the operation, use performance or durability
or so as to change their intended use. The Humboldt Mfg. Co. liability under
the warranty contained in this clause is limited to the repair or replacement of
defective goods and making good, defective workmanship.
Humboldt Mfg. Co.
875 Tollgate Road
Elgin, Illinois 60123 U.S.A.
Testing Equipment for
HUMBOLDT
www.humboldtmfg.com
U.S.A. Toll Free: 1.800.544.7220
Voice: 1.708.456.6300
Fax: 1.708.456.0137
Email: hmc@humboldtmfg.com
Construction Materials
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