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Bulking of Sand

The document discusses the concept of bulking in sand, which refers to an increase in the volume of sand when it absorbs moisture. As moisture is absorbed, a thin film of water forms around sand particles and exerts surface tension, causing the particles to move apart and the voids between them to expand. This leads to an increase in volume but not mass or weight. The degree of bulking depends on factors like moisture content, particle size, and degree of saturation. If bulking is not accounted for correctly when batching concrete, it can result in an undersanded mix that hardens too much.

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Engr Sarang Khan
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554 views2 pages

Bulking of Sand

The document discusses the concept of bulking in sand, which refers to an increase in the volume of sand when it absorbs moisture. As moisture is absorbed, a thin film of water forms around sand particles and exerts surface tension, causing the particles to move apart and the voids between them to expand. This leads to an increase in volume but not mass or weight. The degree of bulking depends on factors like moisture content, particle size, and degree of saturation. If bulking is not accounted for correctly when batching concrete, it can result in an undersanded mix that hardens too much.

Uploaded by

Engr Sarang Khan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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“Bulking of Sand”

1. What is the meaning of bulking of sand?


a) Increase in volume of sand due to moisture absorption
b) Increase in weight of sand due to moisture absorption
c) Increase in mass of sand due to moisture absorption
d) Increase in strength of sand due to moisture absorption
Answer:a
Explanation: When water is added to sand, a thin film of water is formed around the sand particles. The film
exerts surface tension on particles, making them move apart. This leads to an increase in volume because there is
no direct contact among particles.

2. How is bulking related to moisture content?


a) Keeps on increasing with moisture content
b) Increases to a certain point and then decreases
c) Keeps on decreasing with moisture content
d) Decreases to a certain point and then increases
Answer:b
Explanation: The volume i.e. bulking increases as sand absorbs moisture. At about 6- 10%, the film starts
breaking and the volume reduces. If sand absorbs further moisture, no bulking takes place.

3. a, b, c in the figure below in order are:

a) coarse, fine, medium grained sand


b) fine, coarse, medium grained sand
c) medium, fine, coarse grained sand
d) fine, medium, coarse grained sand
Answer:d
Explanation: As fine grained sands have higher voids than medium and coarse grained sands, the percentage of
moisture absorbed and the percentage volume increase is the highest.

4. What happens if bulking is not accounted for while preparing concrete?


a) Concrete gets hardened
b) Concrete is not affected
c) Concrete gets softened
d) Concrete becomes watery
Answer:a
Explanation: If care is not taken while volume batching, concrete is likely to be undersanded and gets hard
eventually.
5. By how much percentage does the volume increase when the moisture content is 5-10%?
a) 10-20%
b) 20-40%
c) 30-40%
d) 20-30%
Answer:b
Explanation: The studies on bulking have shown this result. It is visible in the graphical representation of bulking
also.

6. How is particle size of sand related to bulking?


a) Not related
b) Directly proportional
c) Inversely proportional
d) Shows variable relation
Answer:c
Explanation: Finer particle size will have more voids compared to coarser once. They tend to absorb more water
and hence exhibit more bulking.

7. What does ‘h’ represents in the formula used to calculate the bulking factor?
a) Height of jar
b) Height of saturated sample
c) Height of dry sample
d) Height of water
Answer:b
Explanation: The formula used to calculate bulking factor is (H-h/h) x 100%. ‘H’ represents height to which dry
sand sample is filled in jar and ‘h’ represents the height of the saturated sample.

8. Bulking is the phenomenon applicable to both fine and coarse aggregates.


a) True
b) False
Answer:b
Explanation: Bulking is possible only in fine aggregates. In coarse aggregate, size of particle is large, void space
is less and so water absorption is not possible up to the extent of fine aggregates.

9. Sand does not show any bulking when:


a) Completely saturated
b) Partially saturated
c) Contains small amount of impurities
d) Voids are partially filled with air
Answer:a
Explanation: A completely saturated sand has no void space left to absorb any more water and undergo bulking.

10. What effect does bulking have on fresh concrete?


a) Strength reduces
b) Shrinkage increases
c) Volume reduces
d) Workability increases
Answer:d
Explanation: The excess water in the sand can be used to maintain water-cement ratio. It improves workability
and hence it is easier to place fresh concrete. Strength is a property of hardened concrete.

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