Wandagan-Cmt Lab Work 007-1

LABORATORY WORK NO.
7: DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY
AND ABSORPTION OF COARSE AGGREGATES
OVERVIEW:
Basically, specific gravity is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of material to the weight of an
equal volume of water. However, there are several variations of this definition depending upon the material and
purposes for which the value of specific gravity are to be used. In concrete work, the term specific gravity
customarily refers to the density of the individual particle, not to the aggregate mass as a whole. The most common
definition of aggregate in concrete is based upon the bulk volume of the individual aggregate in a saturated surface-
dry condition (SSD). The bulk (oven-dry) specific gravity and apparent specific gravity are used to a lesser degree.
Solid unit weight in pounds per cubic foot of an aggregate is customarily defined as the specific gravity times 62.4
pounds per cubic foot.
The absorption capacity is determined by finding the weight of an aggregate under the SSD condition
and an oven-dry condition. The difference in weight expressed as a percentage of the oven-dry sample weight is the
absorption capacity. Coarse aggregates are considered to SSD when they have been wiped free of visible moisture
films with cloth after the aggregate have been soaked in water for a long period of time (over 24 hours). The
saturated surface-dry condition of fine aggregate is usually taken as that at which a previously wet sample just
became free-flowing.
REFERENCE:
a. ASTM C 127-77
b. AASHTO T 85-74
ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT:
a. Balance sensitive to 1 gm
b. Wire mesh basket
c. Drying oven
d. Pan
e. Trowel
f. 3/8” and #4 sieve mesh
g. bucket
h. tin can
TESTING PROCEDURE:
1. Soak the coarse aggregate ( with specified shape, texture and size ) in water for 24 hours.
2. Obtain approximately 600 grams of saturated coarse aggregate.
3. Wipe off visible moisture films with cloth to set the aggregate to saturated surface-dry condition.
4. Measure SSD weight (B) of aggregate in air to the nearest one gram. Do this quickly to prevent
evaporation.
5. Place the sample in the wire mesh basket, and determine its weight in water ©. Be sure to
subtract the submerged weight of the basket from the total weight.
6. Place the wet aggregate in the oven and dry to constant weight (A). Leave the aggregate in the
oven over night.
7. From the obtained values of A, B, and C, calculate the three types of specific gravity, and
absorption of the aggregate.
DATA AND RESULTS:
Dry weight of aggregate, A 612.92gm
SSD weight of aggregate, B 633.65gm

Weight of aggregate in water, C 405.33gm
Apparent specific gravity 2.95gm
Bulk specific gravity ( SSD ) 2.78gm
Bulk specific gravity (dry ) 2.68gm
Absorption 3.38%
CALCULATIONS: A
1. Apparent Specific Gravity =
A - C
2. Bulk Specific Gravity ( SSD ) =
B - C
3. Bulk Specific Gravity ( Dry) =
B - C
B - A
4. Absorption = x 100%
A
REPORT:
1. Write a brief significance of the actual test results.
This test method covers the determination of specific gravity and absorption of coarse aggregate. The specific
gravity may be expressed as bulk oven dry (OD) specific gravity, bulk saturated surface dry (SSD) specific gravity,
or apparent specific gravity. The bulk (SSD) specific gravity and absorption are based on aggregate after 15 to 19
hours soaking in water. This method is not intended to be used with lightweight aggregate.
2. Draw the laboratory set-up.
3. Discuss the use of the specific gravity of aggregates in proportioning concrete.
Strengths of all materials are proportional to their respective unit weights and specific gravities relative to age and
maturity. The principal material controlling the strength and maturity of concrete is the cement-water paste.
Therefore, its specific gravity (SPG) is the major strength factor in the proportioning of concrete mixtures at any
specific age and curing regime. The SPG of the cement-water paste is a function of the weight relationship of
Abram’s Law of water-cement ratio (w/c) divided by the volumetric relationship of w/c. The SPG is actually the key
to economic mixture proportioning for both workability and strength with air entrainment, chemical admixtures, and
fly ash or other pozzolans. The economics of mixture proportioning of concrete is as much or more about
workability of the mixture than it is about material costs. This paper is based on a very broad range of test data
accumulated by the author over the last 40 years for mixtures varying in maximum aggregate sizes up to 6 in. and
placement conditions varying from roller-compacted concrete to vibration placement by bucket, pump, and self-
consolidating concrete. It also discusses the basic ways of changing the consistency of concrete to obtain optimum
workability for a given slump, aggregate size, and method of placement and presents proportioning graphs and
demonstrates their use in economic proportioning of the right mixture for the right placement.
4. What is absorption? How does it affects the quality of portland cement concrete? Can this
absorption affects directly the water-cement ratio for concrete? How?
Absorption in the context of a mix usually refers to the water absorption of the aggregates. Or possibly the water
absorption of the formwork.
Aggregate absorption affects the time dependent rheology of the mix. If the aggregates are not saturated before the
mixing starts. That is, the aggregates will “suck in” mix water, resulting in a slump that drops faster than it should.
The speed of that effect depends on the actual properties of the aggregate(s).
Form absorption can affect the ease of stripping, the colour and texture of the off-form concrete.
The water absorption of the hardened concrete may affect the durability of the concrete.

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LABORATORY WORK NO.

7: DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY

AND ABSORPTION OF COARSE AGGREGATES

2. Obtain approximately 600 grams of saturated coarse aggregate.

DATA AND RESULTS:

Dry weight of aggregate, A 612.92gm

SSD weight of aggregate, B 633.65gm

1. Apparent Specific Gravity =

2. Bulk Specific Gravity ( SSD ) =

3. Bulk Specific Gravity ( Dry) =

1. Write a brief significance of the actual test results.

2. Draw the laboratory set-up.

3. Discuss the use of the specific gravity of aggregates in proportioning concrete.

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