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.

The sand-equivalent test provides a quick means for separating the finer clay-like particles from the coarser grains or sand sizes and the relative proportions are compared on an arbitrary volume basis by a simple procedure which

SAND EQUIVALENT OF SOILS AND FINE AGGREGATE. DOTD Designation: TR 120 (AASHTO T 176) Scope. This method of test is designed to determine the relative proportion of dust or clay material in fine aggregates using a mechanical shaker. Reference Documents. DOTD TR 108 – Splitting and Quartering Samples.

 — The sand equivalent test evaluates the quality of fine aggregates, such as crushed gravel sand, crushed stone sand, and natural sand. It also manages clay content in soils. This test ensures the stability and durability …

 — Sand equivalent and methylene blue value of aggregates for highway engineering. January 2007. 10. Authors: A Nikolaides. Evangelos Manthos. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. M Sarafidou....

After a prescribed sedimentation period, the height of flocculated clay is read and the height of sand in the cylinder is determined. The sand equivalent is the ratio of the height of sand to the height of clay times 100.

• Higher sand equivalent values indicate "cleaner" (less fine dust or clay-like materials) aggregate. • Typical sand equivalent values range from less than 30% to more than 90%.

 — Sand Equivalent Value Test Purpose. To determine the percent of undesirable particles in the fine aggregate fraction used in the design of Portland cement concrete mixtures. The method is also applicable for determining the relative proportions of detrimental fine dust or claylike material in soils. Equipment and Materials

As a standard test method described in ASTM D2419 and AASHTO T 176, the sand equivalent test is now widely used to measure the relative proportions of undesirable fines in aggregates and granular soils.

 — If you have a 40 sand equivalent that means that 40% of the sample was good material and 60% was detrimental. Many materials such as concrete sands will have high SEs, in the 80s or 90s but it is very rare to see a 100 SE.