⛰️ Aggregate bulk density

Construction PN-EN 1097-3

Overview

STATUS (as of 06.11.2026). PN-EN 1097-3:2000 — Polish version, published on 11.01.2000, implements EN 1097-3:1998 [IDT]; it replaced PN-B-06714-10:1976 and PN-B-06714-07:1977. The PKN card has no withdrawal note — the standard is current; EN 1097-3:1998 (SIST EN 1097-3:1999) is published in the iTeh catalogue, with no successor.

SCOPE (clause 1). The standard specifies the procedure for determining the loose bulk density of dry aggregate and calculating the voids. It applies to natural and artificial aggregates up to a maximum size of 63 mm. Annex A gives a method for determining the apparent (bulk) density of filler in kerosene.

DEFINITIONS (clause 3). Loose bulk density is the quotient obtained when the mass of dry aggregate filling a specified container without compaction is divided by the capacity of that container. Voids are the air-filled spaces between the aggregate particles in the container. Constant mass — successive weighings after drying at least 1 h apart differing by not more than 0.1 %; a note says it is usually achieved by drying at (110 ± 5) °C for a period determined by the laboratory.

PRINCIPLE (clause 4). The dry mass of aggregate filling a specified container is determined by weighing and the corresponding loose bulk density is calculated. The percentage of voids is calculated from the loose bulk density and the particle density.

APPARATUS (clause 5). Watertight cylindrical container of corrosion-resistant metal, with a ratio of inside diameter to internal depth of 0.5 to 0.8, smooth inside, rigid, with the top rim plane and parallel to the bottom; its capacity is calibrated according to Annex B. The minimum capacity depends on the upper aggregate size D: up to 4 mm — 1.0 l, up to 16 mm — 5.0 l, up to 31.5 mm — 10 l, up to 63 mm — 20 l. For lightweight aggregates a lighter, rigid and watertight non-metallic container is permitted. Balance accurate to 0.1 % of the test portion mass (for calibration — 0.1 % of the water mass), scoops, steel straightedge at least 50 mm longer than the external diameter of the container, thermometer measuring water at about 20 °C to 0.5 °C, drying oven and glass plate for calibration.

TEST SPECIMENS (clause 6). Three test specimens are obtained according to EN 932-2 and dried at (110 ± 5) °C to constant mass; each is 120 % to 150 % of the mass needed to fill the container. Lightweight aggregates may, after drying, be conditioned to moisture equilibrium at (23 ± 5) °C and (50 ± 10) % relative humidity.

PROCEDURE (clause 7). The empty, dry and clean container is weighed (m₁), placed on a horizontal surface and filled to overflowing with the scoop, resting the scoop on the rim to minimize segregation; the edge of the scoop shall never be more than 50 mm above the rim of the container. Surplus aggregate is carefully removed and the surface is levelled with the straightedge without compacting any part of it (if not feasible — by hand, approximating the capacity of the container as far as possible). The filled container is weighed to 0.1 % (m₂). Three test specimens are tested.

CALCULATION AND REPORT (clauses 8–9). Loose bulk density of each test specimen ρb = (m₂ − m₁) / V, in Mg/m³ (masses in kilograms, capacity in litres). The result is the mean of the three values rounded to the second decimal place for normal aggregates and to the third for lightweight aggregates. Voids v = (ρp − ρb) / ρp × 100, where ρp is the oven-dried or pre-dried particle density according to EN 1097-6, determined on a test portion from the same laboratory sample. The report gives the sample identification and nominal size, sample description, date of test, the three values and the mean loose bulk density, and the voids if relevant.

SECOND SOURCE — ASTM C29/C29M-23. The American method determines the bulk density of aggregate in a compacted or loose condition and the voids, for aggregates up to 125 mm. Bulk density is needed in many methods of selecting proportions for concrete mixtures and may be used for mass/volume conversions in purchase agreements — with the caveat that the degree of compaction in a hauling unit or stockpile differs from that in the test, and aggregate there is usually moist, whereas the test is on dry aggregate.

WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE HERE. The precision of the method (Annex C), the details of container calibration (Annex B) or the method for filler in kerosene (Annex A) — the annexes are not in the available text. Typical bulk density values for types of aggregate — the standard does not give them.

Method principle

Dry aggregate (dried at (110 ± 5) °C to constant mass) is poured with a scoop into a cylindrical container of known capacity, from no more than 50 mm above the rim, without compaction or shaking; the surplus is struck off with a straightedge and the filled container is weighed. The loose bulk density is the mass of aggregate divided by the capacity of the container (Mg/m³, mean of three test specimens), and the voids are calculated from the loose bulk density and the particle density according to EN 1097-6.

Applications

• Loose bulk density of dry natural and artificial aggregates up to 63 mm (clause 1)
• Calculation of the voids of aggregate from the loose bulk density and the particle density (clause 4, clause 8)
• Lightweight aggregates — with a lighter non-metallic container and the result given to the third decimal place (5.1, clause 8)
• Bulk density of filler in kerosene (Annex A)
• Data for selecting proportions of concrete mixtures and for mass/volume conversions in purchase agreements — with the caveat about differences in compaction and moisture (ASTM C29/C29M-23, 4.1–4.2)

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN 1097-3:2000

Title (PL)

Badania mechanicznych i fizycznych właściwości kruszyw — Oznaczanie gęstości nasypowej i jamistości

Title (EN)

Tests for mechanical and physical properties of aggregates — Part 3: Determination of loose bulk density and voids

Step-by-step procedure

1. Test specimens

   Obtain three test specimens according to EN 932-2 and dry them at (110 ± 5) °C to constant mass; each 120–150 % of the mass needed to fill the container. If appropriate, condition lightweight aggregate to equilibrium at (23 ± 5) °C and (50 ± 10) % relative humidity (clause 6).

   🌡 Temperature: (110 ± 5) °C

2. Weighing the empty container

   Weigh the empty, dry and clean container (m₁), whose capacity is calibrated according to Annex B (clause 7, 5.1).

3. Filling

   Place the container on a horizontal surface and fill it to overflowing with the scoop resting on the rim; the edge of the scoop no more than 50 mm above the rim of the container (clause 7).

4. Levelling

   Carefully remove the surplus, spreading the surface evenly, and level it with the straightedge without compaction; if not feasible — by hand, approximating the capacity of the container as far as possible (clause 7).

5. Weighing

   Weigh the filled container to 0.1 % (m₂); repeat for three test specimens (clause 7).

6. Loose bulk density

   ρb = (m₂ − m₁) / V [Mg/m³] for each specimen; result — mean of three, rounded to the second decimal place (lightweight aggregates — the third) (clause 8).

7. Voids

   v = (ρp − ρb) / ρp × 100, where ρp — particle density according to EN 1097-6 from the same laboratory sample (clause 8).

8. Report

   Identification and nominal size of the sample, sample description, date of test, the three values and the mean loose bulk density, voids if relevant (clause 9).

Required equipment and apparatus

Reagents, media and consumables

Health and safety (OHS)

• The standard contains no safety requirements; the rules for handling filled containers (capacity up to 20 l) and working with the oven are set by the laboratory on the basis of a risk assessment

Frequently asked questions