EXPERIMENT # 04

Standard Method of Test for Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse

Aggregates

Designation:-

ASTM C 127-88 (1993)

AASHTO T 85-91(2000)

Scope:-
This test method covers the determination of bulk specific gravity and water Absorption of
coarse aggregates.

Aim:
 To measure the strength or quality of the material
 To determine the water absorption of aggregates
Introduction:

This test method determines the specific gravity of coarse aggregates that have been soaked for a
period of 15 hours. There are four determinations that may be made from this procedure. They
are as follows:

 Bulk dry specific gravity (Gsb)

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Significance and Use:

 Specific Gravity is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of aggregate to the weight of
an equal volume of water. Water, at a temperature of 73.4°F (23°C) has a specific
gravity of 1.
 Specific Gravity is important for several reasons. Some deleterious particles are lighter
than the good aggregates. Tracking specific gravity can sometimes indicate a change of
material or possible contamination. Differences in specific gravity may be used during
production to separate the deleterious particles from the good using a heavy media liquid.

Definitions:

 Absorption: The increase in weight due to water contained in the pores of the material.

 Bulk Dry Specific Gravity: The ratio of the weight in air of a unit volume of aggregate
at a stated temperature to the weight in air of an equal volume of gas-free distilled water
at the stated temperature.

 Bulk SSD Specific Gravity: The ratio of the weight in air of a unit volume of aggregate,
including the weight of water within the voids filled to the extent achieved by
submerging in water for approximately 15 hours, to the weight in air of an equal volume
of gas-free distilled water at the stated temperature.

 Apparent Specific Gravity: The ratio of the weight in air of a unit volume of the
impermeable portion of aggregate (does not include the permeable pores in aggregate) to
the weight in air of an equal volume of gas-free distilled water at the stated temperature.

 SSD – (Saturated, Surface Dry): The condition in which the aggregate has been soaked
in water and has absorbed water into its pore spaces. The excess, free surface moisture

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 has been removed so that the particles are still saturated, but the surface of the particle is
essentially dry.
APPARATUS:

 Sample container
 Balance
 Suspended Apparatus
 Sieve No#4
 Water tank

Preparation of Test Specimen:

 Thoroughly mix the sample of aggregate and reduce it to the approximate quantity.
 Reject all material passing sieve # 4 by drying, sieving, and thoroughly washing the
aggregate to remove dust or other coating from the surface.
 If the coarse aggregate contains a substantial quantity of material finer then 4.75-mm, use
sieve No # 8 in place of sieve No # 4.
 Alternately, separate the material finer than the 4.75-mm sieve and test the finer material
according to T 84.

Standard Test Conditions:

 The standard test procedure soaks the sample for 15 - 19 hours. The NDDOT
modification is to soak the sample for 17±1 hours.
 The standard procedure specifies that the calculated specific gravities be recorded to the
hundredth and the calculated absorption be recorded to the tenth of a percent.
 The NDDOT modification is to record the calculated specific gravity to the thousandths
and the calculated absorption to the hundredth of a percent.
 In this test we reduce the sample to the required size of aggregate.

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 Nominal Size (mm) Min. Sample weight(kg)
12.5 2
19 3
25 4
37.5 5
50 8
63 12
75 18

Procedure:

 Dry sieve all material on the No. 4 sieve. Discard all material passing the No. 4 sieve.
Wash the remaining sample to remove any dust or other coatings from the surface.
 Dry the sample according to T 255 at a temperature of 230 ± 9°F (110 ± 5°C). Then
allow the sample to cool to a comfortable handling temperature. Immerse the aggregate in
water at room temperature for a period of 17±1 hour.
 Remove the sample from the water and roll in a large absorbent cloth until all visible
films of water are removed. At this point the sample is in a saturated surface dry
condition (SSD). Place the sample in a container. Weigh, and record as weight of
saturated surface dry sample in air. Record to 0.1% of sample mass.
 After weighing, place the saturated surface dry sample in the sample basket. Immerse in
water that is at a temperature of 73.4 ± 3°F (23.0 ± 1.7°C). Take care to remove all
entrapped air before weighing by shaking the basket while immersed. Determine the
weight and record as weight of saturated sample in water.
 Remove the sample from water and place in a pan.
 Dry the sample according to T 255 at a temperature of 230 ± 9°F (110 ± 5°C). Allow the
sample to cool until comfortable to handle. Weigh and record as weight of oven dry
sample in air.

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Calculation / Results:

Determine calculations based on appropriate formula.

A = Oven dry weight

B = SSD weight.

C = Weight in water

Bulk Specific Gravity (Gsb) Gsb = A / (B-C)

Bulk SSD Specific Gravity (Gsb SSD) Gsb SSD = B / (B-C)

Apparent Specific Gravity (Gsa) Gsa = A / (A-C)

Absorption (% Abs) % Abs. = [(B-A) / A] x 100

(1) Specific gravity = dry weight of the aggregate

Weight of equal volume of water

(2) Apparent specific gravity = dry weight of the aggregate

Weight of equal volume of water

(3) Water Absorption = ((W3 – W4) / W4) X 100

(1) Specific gravity =

(2) Apparent specific gravity =

(3) Water Absorption =

Recommended Value:

The size of the aggregate and whether it has been artificially heated should be indicated. ISI

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specifies three methods of testing for the determination of the specific gravity of aggregates,
according to the size of the aggregates. The three size ranges used are aggregates larger than
10 mm, 40 mm and smaller than 10 mm. The specific gravity of aggregates normally used in
road construction ranges from about 2.5 to 3.0 with an average of about 2.68. Though high
specific gravity is considered as an indication of high strength, it is not possible to judge the
suitability of a sample road aggregate without finding the mechanical properties such as
aggregate crushing, impact and abrasion values. Water absorption shall not be more than 0.6
per unit by weight.

If the sample is for use in concrete mixtures in which they will be used in their natural condition,
the initial drying requirement is eliminated and if the surfaces have been kept continuously wet
until the test, the soaking time may also be eliminated

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