CEP 224 – CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING | 2nd Sem.

SY 2024-2025

CEP 224 – CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING

Laboratory No. 3

SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND ABSORPTION OF FINE AGGREGATES

3.1 INTRODUCTION

Specific Gravity is the ratio of the mass of a substance relative to the mass of an equal volume of
water at a specified temperature. For aggregates, three kinds of specific gravity can be computed, bulk
specific gravity, apparent specific gravity, and bulk specific gravity SSD.

We know that Aggregates have tiny pores that are permeable or impermeable to water. In Bulk dry
specific gravity, we consider the volume of both permeable and impermeable pores. In the bulk SSD
gravity, we assume that all permeable pores filled with water, and for apparent specific gravity, it includes
only the volume of impermeable pores.

According to AASHTO, Bulk specific gravity is the characteristic generally used for calculation of
the volume occupied by the aggregate in various mixtures containing aggregate, including Portland cement
concrete, bituminous concrete, and other mixtures that are proportioned or analyzed on an absolute volume
basis. Bulk specific gravity is also used in the computation of voids in aggregate in T 19M/T 19.

On the other hand, apparent specific gravity pertains to the relative density of the solid material
making up the constituent particles not including the pore space within the particles which is accessible to
water.

Bulk specific gravity (SSD) is used if the aggregate is wet, that is, if its absorption has been satisfied.
Conversely, the bulk specific gravity (oven-dry) is used for computations when the aggregate is dry or
assumed to be dry.

3.2 OBJECTIVE

To determine the specific gravity and absorption of fine aggregate. The specific gravity may be
expressed as bulk specific gravity, bulk specific gravity SSD (saturated-surface dry), or apparent specific
gravity.

3.3 SIGNIFICANCE AND USE

Bulk specific gravity is the characteristic generally used for calculating the volume occupied by the
aggregate in various mixtures, including portland cement concrete, bituminous concrete, and other
mixtures that are proportioned or analyzed on an absolute volume basis.

3.4 REFERENCE

ASTM C128 — Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate

3.5 APPARATUS

✓ Balance or scale with a capacity of 1 kg or more, sensitive to 0.1 g or less, and accurate within
0.1% of the test load
✓ Pycnometer or other suitable container into which the fine aggregate test sample can be readily
introduced. A volumetric flask of 500 cm3 capacity with a pycnometer top is satisfactory for a
500-g test sample of most fine aggregates.
✓ Mold in the form of a frustum of a cone
✓ Tamper having a mass of 340  15g.

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 CEP 224 – CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING | 2nd Sem. SY 2024-2025

3.6 TEST SPECIMEN

✓ A sample of about 500 to 600 grams of fine aggregates shall be used. The sample shall be
thoroughly washed on the 10mm test sieve to remove finer particles, e.g. clay, silt and dust and
drained.

3.7 TEST PROCEDURE

1. Measure the weight of the pycnometer filled with water to the calibration mark. Record the weight as
B.

2. Obtain approximately 1 kg of the fine aggregate sample.

3. Dry the aggregate sample in a suitable pan to constant weight at temperature of 110  5C and allow
it to cool; then cover it with water, either by immersion or by the addition of at least 6% moisture to
the fine aggregate, and permit it to stand for 24  4 hours.

4. Decant excess water with care to avoid loss of fines, spread the sample on a flat, nonabsorbent surface
exposed to a gently moving current of warm air, and stir frequently to cause homogeneous drying. If
desired, mechanical aids such as tumbling or stirring may be used to help achieve the saturated
surface–dry condition. Continue this operation until the test specimen approaches a free-flowing
condition.

5. Hold the mold firmly on a smooth, nonabsorbent surface with the large diameter down. Place a portion
of the partially dried fine aggregate loosely in the mold by filling it to overflowing and heaping
additional material above the top of the mold by holding it with the cupped fingers of the hand.

6. Lightly tamp the fine aggregate into the mold with 25 light drops of the tamper. Each drop should
start about 5 mm above the top of surface of the aggregate. Permit the tamper to fall freely under
gravitational attraction on each drop.

7. Remove loose sand from the base and lift the mold vertically. If the surface moisture is still present,
the fine aggregate will retain the molded shape. If this is the case, allow the sand to dry and repeat
steps 4, 5, and 6 until the fine aggregate slumps slightly indicating that it has reached a surface-dry
condition.

8. Weigh 500  10 g of SSD sample and record the weight; record as S.

9. Partially fill the pycnometer with water and immediately introduce into the pycnometer the SSD
aggregate weighed in step 8. Fill the pycnometer with additional water to approximately 90% of the
capacity. Roll, invert, and agitate the pycnometer to eliminate all air bubbles. Fill the pycnometer
with water to its calibrated capacity.

10. Determine the total weight of the pycnometer, specimen, and water, and record it as C.

11. Carefully work all of the sample into a drying pan. Place in a 110  10C oven until it dries to a constant
weight. Record this weight as A.

3.8 ANALYSIS, CALCULATIONS AND RESULTS

𝐴
1. 𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 = (𝐵+𝑆−𝐶)

Where:
𝐴 = mass of oven-dry sample in air, g.
𝐵 = mass of pycnometer filled with water, g.
𝑆 = mass of saturated surface–dry specimen, g.
𝐶 = mass of pycnometer with specimen and water to the calibration mark, g.

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 CEP 224 – CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING | 2nd Sem. SY 2024-2025

𝑆
2. 𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝑆𝑆𝐷) = (𝐵−𝐶)

𝐴
3. 𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝑆𝑆𝐷) =
(𝐵+𝐴−𝐶)

( 𝑆−𝐴)
4. 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝐴𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑦 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡, % = [ 𝐴
] 𝑥 100%

SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND ABSORPTION TEST RESULTS

Description Value
Weight of Pycnometer filled with water (B)
Weight of Pycnometer filled with water + Sample (C)
Weight of Saturated Surface Dry specimen (S)
Weight of Oven-dried sample (A)
Bulk Specific Gravity (Dry)
Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD)
Apparent Specific Gravity
Water Absorption by Weight, %

Table 3.1 Specific Gravity and Absorption Test Results

ASTM C128 Standard Requirement for Specific Gravity

Typical values for specific gravity of fine aggregates:

✓ Bulk Specific Gravity: 2.5 – 2.8

✓ Bulk Specific Gravity SSD: 2.55 – 2.85
✓ Apparent Specific Gravity: 2.60 – 2.9

Note:

✓ If the measured bulk specific gravity falls within the range (typically 2.5 –2.8 for normal
aggregates), it passes the standard. However, lower values indicate more porous aggregate.
✓ If the measured bulk specific gravity SSD falls within the range (typically 2.55 – 2.85 for normal
aggregates), it passes the standard. However, outside of this range can`t be used for mix design
calculations.
✓ If the measured apparent specific gravity falls within the range (typically 2.6 – 2.9 for normal
aggregates), it passes the standard. However, higher values indicate denser aggregates.

ASTM C128 Standard Requirement for Absorption (%)

Typical values for absorption of fine aggregates ranges from 0.20% – 2.00%. Higher values than
this indicate more porous material, which may affect workability and durability.

3.9 REPORT

✓ Bulk specific gravity

✓ Bulk specific gravity SSD
✓ Apparent specific gravity
✓ Absorption

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 CEP 224 – CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING | 2nd Sem. SY 2024-2025

3.10 DISCUSSION

1. Discuss how absorption affect the performance of the asphalt concrete.

2. Having the data about the specific gravity and absorption of the fine aggregates, how are you going
to use these properties in selecting construction materials?

3. Based on the result of your experiment, determine if the sample passed the standard requirement.

3.11 DOCUMENTATION

Please provide a comprehensive photo documentation of your procedures, capturing each step
involved in the testing process. Ensure that the images clearly depict the setup, materials, equipment, and key
observations during the experiment. This documentation should include labeled photos of the specimens
before, during, and after testing, as well as any significant results or anomalies encountered. Proper lighting
and angles should be considered to enhance clarity and accuracy.

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