SOUNDNESS TEST

OF AGGREGATES
by use of Sodium Sulfate
or Magnesium Sulfate
ASTM C-88
AASHTO T104

Soundness Test of Aggregates

- This test is used to determine the
resistance of coarse and fine aggregates
to weathering action and to judge the
durability of the aggregates.

It is submerges an aggregate sample in a

sodium sulfate or magnesium sulfate
solution.

Also called Weathering Test

500g

Balance

APPARATUS

5000g

Balance

APPARATUS

Sieve

Tray ( use Specification E11)

APPARATUS

Drying Oven

APPARATUS

WIRE

MESH BASKET

APPARATUS

Container

APPARATUS

SODIUM SULFATE/MAGNESIUM SULFATE

APPARATUS

PROCEDURE
Soundness Test for
fine and Coarse
Aggregates

NOTE:
Wash the coarse aggregate through 4.75 mm
IS sieve and dry the material retained on the
sieve in an oven maintained at a temp of 105 to
1100C, till it attains a constant mass.
Sieve the dried sample to separate it into
different size fractions using sieves of sizes 80
mm, 63 mm, 40 mm, 20 mm, 10 mm, 4.75
mm.
The sample should be of such an amount that it
will yield not less than the following amount of
the different sizes, which shall be available in
amounts of 5 percent or more.

Sample

Size
5,000 300 g 2 to 1
in.
1,500 50 g 1 to in.
1,000 10 g to in.
300 5 g in. to No. 4

Take the individual samples in a wire mesh and

immerse in the solution.
-16 to 18 hrs
- 70 1.5 F (20.3-21.9C)
- cover them to the depth atleast 15mm

1.

2. Remove and drain sample for 15 5 minutes. Place

it in drying oven.
3. Dry sample the to constant weight at
230 9 F (20-25 C).Then remove it from oven
and cool it to room temperature.
4. Repeat process for specified no. of cycles of
immersion and drying.

5. After completion of the final cycle and

after the sample has been cooled,wash it
to free from sodium sulphate or
magnesium sulphate solution.
(Use barium chloride)
6. Then dry each fraction of the sample to
constant temp of 105 to 1100C and weigh
it.
7. Sieve the aggregates over the size
particle requirement.

Original

mass of sample: Initial Mass

Mass of particles after test: Final Intact Mass
Percent Loss %

Percent Loss

=
(Initial Mass Final Intact Mass) X 100%
Initial Mass

COMPUTATION

Result:

BEFORE(top), AFTER(Below)

Improper

temperature of solution
Improper solution concentration
(specific gravity)
Insufficient drying times
Not all salt removed by washing
Further breakdown of particles
while sieving
COMMON ERROR

ISSUES
IN
SULFATE SOUNDNESS
TEST

sulfate soundness tests can serve as a

useful first evaulation of a particular
aggregate or as a confirming test for an
aggregate with a long test and
performance record. However, issues to
actual performance prevent the test from
being meaningful beyond this:
APPLICABILITY
VARIABILITY
RELATION

TO PAVEMENT PERFORMANCE